SWNOVELS Chapter 16
Chapter 16: The Compartment Pendant
“Oh, my god, Kate? What are you doing up so early?” Samantha called, alarming Kate in her seat. She had come from the kitche
n to get a pitcher of water, and upon her return, she heard noises from their second floor family area.
Kate turned to Samantha with a pout on her lips. She responded, “Hi, mom.” She pointed to: the television screen
and revealed, “I‘m watching Carlos‘ interview. The French open had its second press conference, and I wanted to see him.”
Briefly gazing at the television, Samantha sighed. She placed the water pitcher on one table and
sat next to Kate. She embraced her from one side, saying, “You really love him.”
With one heavy gasp, Kate admitted, “Yes, mom.” She brought her knees
up to her chest and wrapped them in her arms, saying, “I can‘t help it, especially since I know he is back.” “Well, I hope that this i
s it for both of you. I hope there is still
a chance, but wait, did you already clarify with him about Hailey Mckenzie?” Samantha asked, her head snapping at Kate.
Kate simply shrugged and responded, “Carlos said they aren‘t in a relationship – ”
“Did you ask him about the incident in New York when you saw them kiss?” Samantha inquired.
Kate shook her head and replied, “Each time we talk, there seemed to be insufficient time. And no, I failed to ask him about that
because that would be admitting I was even there! And that’s not going to happen.”
“But he said they are not in a relationship, and I believe him, mom.” Kate frowned and said, “ Come to think of it,
before the kiss happened, Carlos seemed confused on stage with what Hailey was talking about, and after the kiss, I did not get t
o see his reaction anymore; I just... left.”
Kate told her mother about how she bumped into Hailey and how
the same woman suggested she had a complicated relationship with Carlos. She defended, “If what she said was true, she was
giving me rather too much info, don‘t you think?” “Or trying to make you believe that was the case,” Samantha
supplied. She shook her head and said, “Well, in cases of competition, you simply need to eliminate the rival.
Simple!” “And how do you suppose I do
that?” Kate asked, amused at her mother‘s suggestion. “By winning Carlos‘ heart all over again,” Samantha suggested. She wink
ed at Kate and said, ” Don‘t worry, mommy is going to help you.”
“Mister Ronaldo, we
see you often holding your pendant and kissing it before your matches. We‘ve always wondered, is that for good luck?” Before th
ey could tackle Samantha‘s suggestion, the mother and daughter‘s heads turned in the television‘s direction. A news reporter ask
ed Carlos a question.
On the screen, they saw Carlos looking down at his golden chain necklace. He gripped a visible pendant and said, “Yes, this pen
dant pushes me to do my best. It is... my inspiration.” “Yeah, I noticed
him often holding on to that pendant before his every match, too. Sometimes he would just hold
it, and sometimes, he would kiss it. Probably for good luck,” Samantha rernarked, her eyes remaining glued to the screen.
“Yes, I noticed it too.” Kate frowned and speculated, “But I wonder what it is?”
“Is that pendant from someone special? Perhaps a woman in your life?” Another reporter asked.
The camera focused on Carlos‘ smile. He said, “This is for a special woman.” He paused and soon added, “My mother.”
Looking down at the pendant, he described, “As you can
see, it‘s a compartment pendant, a little bulkier than a locket, but smaller in dimension. Inside is my mother‘s favorite ring. I alwa
ys keep it with me to remember
our family and my father‘s aspirations. For this ring was a gift from my father during her fortieth birthday.”
“The ruby ring?” Samantha sought, her brow raising as she tried to dig through her brain. “I remember how Carlos cherished that
ring.” Leaning back, Samantha added, “Though, did you catch how he said it is for a special woman?” “Mom? It isn‘t the ruby
ring, though,” Kate suggested.
“What do you mean, Kate?” Samantha asked.
Pointing to the TV, Kate explained, “That could not possibly be the ruby ring that belonged to aunt Agnes because... Carlos
pawned it.”
Samantha‘s face turned into a full frown. She responded, “What do you mean, kate? Why would he pawn it?
He loved that ring so much. It was the only valuable reminder he had of his mother?”
“He... um. He pawned it in high school, mom,” Kate repeated. “And he... he probably forgot about it because I found
the receipt in his room. He placed it in one of his old bags, which he left behind.”
“Oh, my god.” Samantha could not hide her dismay. She said, “I used to remember how he cried for many days
after Agnes‘ death. He kept holding on to that ring. Why would he pawn it, Kate? Why didn‘t you stop him?”
“He did not tell me right away, mom. When I found out, he already pawned it. He promised me he would get the ring bac