Chapter 7

On her way out of the Joy Club, Eleanor was lost in thought. Memories of that person flooded her mind, filling her with a deep sense of heartache. Before she realized it, she found herself in a taxi heading towards Williams Court. By the time she snapped out of her reverie, she was already standing at the entrance of the Williams Garden. Robert Williams, the enigmatic fourth master of the Williams family, was rumored to be extremely ugly, his legs had been paralyzed and he had been bedridden all year round. Despite his noble lineage, he was dismissed by many as a mere cripple. The Williams Court was supposedly a gift from his grandpa George Williams for Robert's recuperation, but Eleanor knew better. She was certain that Robert would soon re-emerge as a formidable presence. Standing before the tightly shut gates, Eleanor wondered... "Will he be at home?" Quickly dismissing the thought she reminded herself that they hadn't met in this lifetime. A premature encounter would jeopardize everything. She cast one last longing glance at the house, ready to turn away when something, dark and small darted into her arms. Instinctively, she caught it. To her surprise, it was a cat, a breed reminiscent of Denali. As she gently rubbed its head, the kitten lifted its gaze, nuzzling against her affectionately. Eleanor's heart skipped a beat. "This looks like... Pudding?" In her previous life, she had spent months earning the trust of this little creature. Yet here it was, seeking her out immediately she appeared. Eleanor marveled at the serendipity. "Pudding, why did you run out? Do you still remember me...?" Pudding could not answer her, but continued to snuggle into her embrace, purring softly. Eleanor's senses sharpened. If Pudding was here, then perhaps.... he was too. Her pulse quickened as she scanned her surroundings. The familiar presence of Pudding suggested that Robert might be nearby. The realization filled her with a mix of anxiety and excitement. She couldn't afford to be reckless, but the possibility of seeing Robert again tugged at her heartstrings. What would she do if he appeared now, when everything was still so uncertain?