"I'm afraid I haven't yet. Well, no one in this town had the chance. Except the old madam who used to live there. But she had long died before we came to this town, but the town folks adored her." Madam Selina added, for such a long time, breakfast conversations weren't as lively as the one they had right then. "And the new owner is not like her obviously"
"But of course, my child these are all words from the town folks, all rumors" Professor Shun reminded both women.
"It's not just rumors" Madam Selina protested "If it is, then how can you explain that tight security and their non-disclosure agreements? My own son can't even give me stories about his workplace because of those shameless rules"
"You are just feeling ill about your son not wanting to talk to you about work. Your son is already of age, give him some of his privacy" The old professor expressed.
"Still, I think these rumors has basis, isn't it child?" The old woman was hoping for Xhemin's approval, but she didn't wait for her response "Here child take some more of these." She added instantly, referring to the strawberry jam Xhemin was doting on the table since earlier.
"I can't wait to meet your son" Xhemin answered reaching out for the jam that was on the Madam's hand.
"He comes home every weekend, so you'll probably meet him at the end of the week" She replied at her warmly, trying to convey how she looked forward for Xhemin to meet her son.
"He was also ecstatic to meet you, but he couldn't meet you in the mansion because he was really busy that time" Professor Shun explained.
The Madam couldn't help but roll an eye before she added. "I guess the beastly owner give them loads of job"
For a moment the three become so indulged with their conversation and food as if time wasn't running. The breakfast took quite some time, longer than how it was supposed to, but no one cared. Sometime in the middle of the couple and Xhemin's conversation, a maidservant came to announce some guests that arrived unexpectedly.
"Professor, someone from the mansion came to see the little miss"
The three halted, looking at each other wondering the reason of the little miss' visitor.
"What could be the problem?" The old professor can't help but asked.
"The head security asked them to bring something that belongs to the little Miss" The maidservant revealed.
"To me?" Xhemin turned to the maidservant. "What is it?"
"Come see for yourself Little Miss" She answered.
Xhemin excused herself and started her way to the door where the visitor was waiting.
The morning sun fell across the whole farm as she stepped out, illuminating the sparkle of the stone walls, touching the vivid blooms, embracing everything with its clean warmth. There were also laborers and some maidservants stirring at the outside attending to the newcomers when Xhemin walked in.
When they noticed that the Little Missus was there, they all gave way for her. Right then, Xhemin could see clearly what everyone was fussing about outside as she saw the black mammal with varnish roan and snowflakes coat pattern standing in the midst of everyone. It neigh edinstantly at the sight of Xhemin's approaching.
"Summer?" Xhemin run instantly when she saw her Appaloosa horse "Oh it's you buddy!"
"Goodness Summer was found!" Madam Selina who followed Xhemin behind exclaimed frantically when she saw the commotion outside.
"Little Miss, we found this horse in one of our stables. One of the securities found it on the meadow and thought it was one of our horses so he brought him to our barns" The man who was holding Summer's rope said. He wore the same uniform with the securities from the mansion.
"Thank you, Mister, for bringing Summer home" Xhemin expressed her gratitude. She continued to caress and check onto Summer when she noticed something odd.
"Good Morning professor, Madam." The man who saw the couple approaching greeted them taking off his hat in the air.
"So, Summer was in your barn all along?" Professor Shun remarked.
"Yes. It seemed that the Little Miss' intuition was right after all," The man noted "But it took long for the people in the mansion to realize. If the little Miss did not intrude the mansion seeking for her horse, then no one would probably noticed there was an extra horse in the barn. The person who took her horse approached the head security when he heard the news about her intrusion last night"
"Oh, how did you know it was the same horse we were seeking?" Madam Selina inquired further.
"Well, the little Miss was precise with her description. Also, we don't breed Appaloosa" He answered.
"Please send my gratitude to the person who found Summer" Professor Shun said, he was really pleased with the thought that Summer was found. He was deeply worried about that predicament since it involved the great doctor's grandchild.
"No problem Professor, I shall go on my way then" He said finally. He took his leave politely and mounted to the truck where a driver was waiting and few minutes after, the sound of departing truck filled the place.
"Send the news to the laborers that Summer was found. I'm afraid most of them are still in the field searching for this horse" The professor charged someone to go.
"Yes, professor" One of the men hurdling outside answered and left.
"What is wrong child?" Madam Selina whose attention was always with Xhemin observed that she was rather quiet as she examined Summer. The child's face was dim as she stroked her hand from Summer's shoulders, to his flank then to his croup. She was obviously feeling the horse's body as if looking for any signs.
"I'm not sure yet" The child answered as she continued to eye on Summer. From the horse's dock, she went on to his chin groove, lifted it up and looked onto Summer's eyes. When she wasn't satisfied, she held onto the horse's eyelid and stretched the skin. It revealed the raw flesh that surrounded Summer's eyes. The horse didn't make any move as his master examined him.
"Child, Summer seems to be fine. Let the stable master take him first to the barn. You can go and check him later once we finished the breakfast." The professor urged Xhemin.
"I'm afraid he is not fine professor" Xhemin answered, she already let go of the horse groove and caressed its forehead.
"What do you mean?" The professor's head formed lines not understanding what Xhemin was trying to do and what she was trying to communicate.
"Professor Shun, Summer is sick" Xhemin settled and let go of the horse completely.