It was late in the evening that Prudence and Abiona left the horse farm. The arrangements for tomorrow had to be done beforehand, and it took Prudence some time to prepare the ground and horses with help of others at the farm. It was a big day for the farm tomorrow and there would be people from around the state coming in for drafting of the first-ever Women's national horse race. The rest houses and inns were getting filled with people from outside of the district, investors and competitors.
Abiona and Prudence were now in Abiona's carriage returning to ink road where they would ask Prudence's mother about a trip to her hometown.
Abiona doubted her parents would allow her to tag along with the Warriers with the recent election results, but she had to try and send Prudence and her only family, Elizabeth, away.
Prudence was correcting her dress and dusting the apron that usually went over her shirt and a skirt when she noticed a hole in the white cloth. Abiona was quick to notice it, as she had been observing her friend and immediately reacted, "Oh my, you need to buy a new one. This one won't be useful anymore with a spot that big."
There was a faint smile on Prudence's lips on hearing Abiona's words. If it was someone else, then Prudence would have taken it as a way to mock her, but Abiona had good intentions and Prudence knew that. "It is just a slight cut, Abi. That won't make a difference. A single stitch will seal it well"
Abiona added nothing to it other than humming in response. She was quick to realise that her friend was not as privileged as she herself was. Although Mr Thatcher had been generous with Prudence, the basic education and aid in getting a job was the only amount of help that Prudence and her mother had accepted willingly. The Warrier mother and daughter always did the best for themselves and never took Abiona's family for granted in their lives.
Abiona's carriage suddenly came to a halt and Prudence looked outside the window. They had reached ink road but just at the outset of the narrow road, where her house was.
The coachman was the one to knock on the slit door and Abiona opened it, "Is there a problem that we have halted here?" Abiona asked.
"Ms Thatcher, there is a large carriage parked in the middle of the road," replied the coachman with a troubled look, "We cannot move ahead, it seems the carriage belongs to Lord Drakos."
Abiona quickly realised who it was. Lord Drakos was known as Vincent's right-hand man. It was rumoured that His Grace, Lord Vincent Dominick, was a gang leader once before he took over more than half of the underworld, and now that gang was led by Lord Drakos. He was Don for that matter, but was usually referred to as Lord because of his constant dwelling around His Grace as his guard.
It made Abiona panic, thinking why Vincent's best guard was here. She was quick to ask Prudence, "Since the road is blocked and we can't park the carriage here, why don't you come to my place for some tea."
Prudence creased her brows as she looked outside. Her house was visible from here and the door was left ajar, which was unusual. She said to Abiona while her gaze was fixated on her tiny abode, "It will be late in the night if I go to your house now Abi." She finally turned to Abiona and smiled, "If the carriage cannot be parked here, you must go ahead. Nightfall is around. It won't be safe for your return as well. My house is right here, so I should take my leave. Thank you for the ride."
Abiona had not realised that Prudence had noticed that something was not right. She would have taken Abiona's offer happily, but her mother was important to her and something did not feel right here.
Her hands quickly unlocked the carriage door, ready to get down, when Abiona quickly held Prudence's hand to stop her from leaving the carriage. "I don't think you should go. Just come with me tonight I will make sure my father sends someone here to take care of Aunt Elizabeth," said Abiona in a concerned tone. She did not want to add more concerns for Prudence, but she had to try her last.
Abiona's words only confirmed the doubts in Prudence's heart. Prudence was quick to understand that her friend had surely sensed danger, and how can Prudence leave her mother alone in face of trouble, especially the one that possibly she herself had called on them.
Growing up without a father, Prudence had been the shield and helping hands for her mother. "I will pass on the offer Abi, you go home," hurried Prudence.
She forced her hand out of Abiona's hold and ran through the street full of vendors who had slowly started to gather their shops because of the darkness of the night that was nearing. "Prudence, wait," Abiona clicked her tongue and followed her friend. She turned to instruct the coachman in a hurry, "Park the carriage on the other side."
The coachman replied with a yes, but his words were lost by Abiona as she sped behind Prudence.
Inside the tiny house of Elizabeth Warrier, the one man sat by the small table made for only two people but had three chairs just in case there were unexpected guests. Vincent sat at the head chair with his legs crossed and his hand went to check the pocket clock. Elizabeth had brewed tea for the two gentlemen who were here for her daughter.
She noticed both of them wore rich clothes, but one of them was sitting pridefully on the chair while the other stood behind him, even after being insisted on a seat.
"Have some tea, gentlemen," Elizabeth offered as she placed one cup on the table and the other she handed to Drakos, who was standing behind Vincent. She saw that the man sitting was constantly looking at his pocket watch and informed politely, "my daughter should be here any minute now, some days she likes to work overtime"
Vincent hummed nonchalantly in response and closed his pocket watch to place it back in its place. Elizabeth was informed that Vincent was here to see his daughter as they had met at the dining yesterday. She was happy about the fact that there were men who had taken an interest in her daughter. Little did she know that this was the same Vincent Dominick that her daughter had come home being anxious about last night.
Vincent tilted his head to the side as his eyes noticed the vapours that surfaced from the top of the tea and a smile surfaced on his lips as he heard the heartbeat he had heard yesterday, right outside the door.
He was sitting in a way that his side faced the main entrance of the tiny house, and Vincent turned his head to the door even before Prudence was close to entering. Vincent Dominick lifted the tea and sipped it peacefully, knowing the one he was here for was here.
Outside the house, Prudence was panting as she stumbled near the two stairs in front of her house. Abiona had almost caught up, "wait a while, Prudence!"
But Prudence had different concerns right now. She caught her breath for a few seconds before the door that was slightly ajar was pushed open by her. The moment her blue eyes met with his red eyes, Prudence's body froze with fear and the protectiveness towards her mother.