The Chance Encounter

Part 11

Chapter 11

Emma’s POV

I make it home near lunchtime taking off Cookies riding gear. I give her some water and leave her in the barn. I was in the house and mom turned around from where she was preparing lunch to look at me.

“Hi Honey, did you figure something out?” she asks.

“Yes and no. I was left with a riddle that I can’t quite figure out. I was hoping you could help me solve it maybe?”

“Let’s hear it, honey. I can try to think it through, I’m good at riddles.”

“Okay, so Tink said, her soulmate is the person in the riddle. The riddle is ‘ You always see her, but never touch her. She’s always there, but you barely see her.’”

“Hmm, this one is going to take some time. Maybe by tomorrow I can figure it out.” she says as she places a sandwich and lemonade in front of me. Dad walks in and she gives him his sandwich and lemonade as well. She plates up her own sandwich and pours some lemonade for herself before we sit down and eat together at the table.

After lunch I helped dad work and once we came in, mom already prepared dinner. We are having steak, mashed potatoes and carrots.

“Hey mom, have you figured out the riddle yet?” I eagerly ask.

“Not quite yet, but I think I have an idea.”

“It seems I missed something.” Dad said. “What is it you’re trying to figure out?”

“When Emma left this morning to get answers, she got a riddle that she couldn’t figure out and asked if I could help her” she explains to him.

“I’m going to try to meet up with her tonight, she might not come since she said Friday, and I didn’t tell her I’d be going to our spot tonight.” I said.

After dinner, I clean up the dishes and the kitchen. Then, I take a quick shower and dress up in a baby blue button up shirt and some jeans. “Bye mom and dad. Love you.” I give them each a kiss and then rush out to get Cookie prepared with her riding gear before we trot down to the trail.

Regina’s Pov

I head out to our spot to clear my mind. Shit, why the heck did I kiss her? I could’ve just stayed friends for now, but no, I had to ruin one of few friendships. If she shows up Friday, I’ll have to make up a story and hopefully she’ll still want to be friends. I hear hoofs stomping behind me wondering who could be coming here. I look over and see the blonde beauty that took over my every thought. For a second I was confused, it’s not Friday. How come she’s here?

“Em, what are you doing here?”

“I was hoping to see you!”

“Listen, Em. About the kiss. I didn’t mean it. I was just still heartbroken from Daniel and I was feeling lonely from Cora upping the guards. Tink hasn't been able to visit and I needed to feel something else. Hopefully it’s not too awkward between us. I want us to still be friends.”

“Hey, of course we will be friends. It’s going to take more than that to drive me away from you” she says softly.

“Well, I’m glad we cleared that up. But I was packing up before you came. I have a lot of work to do tomorrow, but I’ll see you Friday?”

“I’ll see you then, I guess.”

“Okay.”

We both get on our horses. Instead of riding back together, we split up as I go back to the castle and she goes home.

Emma’s POV

I head home very disheartened. I was hoping she liked me back, but at least she wants to stay friends and so we will be. I get home around 9pm and mom was still up.

“I figured out your riddle,” she says.

“Really? Who is it?”

“It’s you! Before you deny it, think about it. You never touch her, because she’s not another person. ‘You barely see her, but she’s always there’. That means you’d have to see her more than once, right. Do you see anyone else at your meetup spot? No, it’s you guys’ spot. You’ll see yourself in her eyes. It’s you!

“It all makes sense now. That’s why she kissed me and she was defensive when I asked her about who her soulmate was when I first met her.”

“Wait, when did she kiss you?”

“Yesterday, after she rode with me back home. But she freaked out and left abruptly. But then, why did she say she was just feeling lonely and wanted to feel something if she knew I was her soulmate?”

“Easy. She was probably scared of losing her friend. I can’t imagine she has many of them with her circumstances as Queen.”

“Maybe you’re right. I should get some sleep. Thank you, Mom. Good night to you and dad.”

With that, I head to bed pondering everything I just learned.