Chapter 88
Jonathan’s POV
Grocery Store – Early morning
By the time I had woken up, I already knew what I was to do today.
My focus was now on Raymond.
Not Lori.
Not what’s in the basement.
Not what the upcoming festival everyone is talking about.
But Raymond p>
Because he was the only living being who knew what he was protecting for Lori.
The morning seemed to have risen normally, but soon that all changed as I was barely able to serve the customers as the stock was falling short.
I also noticed the town people were buying cooking ingredients, even those who never came to buy cooking ingredients before.
The town was exceptionally busy as the school children were busy decorating the town.
The older boys were busy making a stage.
The younger ones were running around, which meant school was closed for today.
Just then the motel owner came to get some ingredients.
“Jonathan?” He asked. “When will you get ready if you’re busy here p>
“I closed the motel for today,” he said.
“You should do the same,” he said.
“It’s their fault for not buying yesterday p>
“Late?” I was confused. “For what p>
“The cooking contest, of course.” He said.
“It’s an annual event,” he said.
“Oh, I forgot,” he said, smiling. “How would you know, you’re new in town p>
“The cooking festival is an annual festival of the town,” he said.
“Every family participates and business owners sponsor them, like I’m sponsoring table seven p>
“We even get visitors from other towns, which helps us business owners p>
“So, you mean for two days, the entire town will be busy in this, and all daily schedules will be cancelled?” I asked as a plan came to my mind.
For the first time since I arrived, I finally felt luck was favoring me.
Finally, it would be p>
Me and Raymond.
“Of course p>
I smiled as that meant everyone including Ada would be busy.
That would give me time to go try meeting Raymond.
The motel owner had gone, and the store was also almost empty as most had bought what they needed.
Now all I had to do was pack up as no one would question me.
Then head over to the corn field to meet Raymond.
I was stacking the last crates…Ada walked in.
“I’m out of stock,” I said. “So p>
She cut my words midway.
“I already arranged for them yesterday p>
Hearing that I continued to do the packing waiting for her to leave as she also had participated.
While I was packing, she kept talking about the festival.
Its origin, how it’s changed over the years.
Her first time with her mother, how after her mother things changed.
Then she began talking about the festival again.
“Ada,” I said. “No offense, but I’m not a cooking fan so p>
As I told this, I noticed her smile faltered a bit.
Other’s…might have felt sorry for her,
Me p>
I just wanted her to leave so I could head over to the corn field.
Afterall, if the entire town would be busy with this festival,
That meant no crowds.
No one interrupting me.
No excuses to miss out.
Even if the festival was for an hour I wouldn’t have attended in the first place p>
Two days, definitely not.
But I had full intentions of using this opportunity to go visit Raymond.
Maybe this time, he might meet me.
I was pulling down the shutters as the shop has three p>
Ada came.
“What?” She says shocked. “You still are closing? Come on, we’ll be late p>
“Late for what?” I said, confused.
“The cooking festival, what else p>
“Ada,” I said in a frank voice.
“I told you I’m not a cooking fan, and I have my own plans p>
“I need to do a little research for new stocks and p>
She cut my words midway again.
“Jonathan,” Ada said in a calm dominative voice. “You don’t have a choice here,” she said.
Then she began fidgeting with her fingers.
“I enrolled our names as a couple, so p>
My stomach dropped on hearing her. For the first time since I came here, I felt like I shouldn’t have stayed here in town.
“You what I said, shocked.
“Ada, I told you I’m married with two kids p>
“Fine,” she said. “You don’t have to tell her about me, I don’t mind being your p>
“Ada!” I said, pushing her back a bit.
“I’m not that type of a guy,” I said. “The one I’m with, will always be in public p>
“And, I’ve been married for fifteen years and have teenage kids p>
“Jonathan, okay I’m sorry but if you don’t go, my reputation will be ruined p>
“I’ve already registered you as my sponsor p>
She looked down.
“The couple part was a lie,” she held up a form. “But I have registered you as my sponsor p>
“If you’re not with me, I can’t participate p>
“I never missed it p>
She trailed off as she hung her head down.
My name was in the sponsor section, and it was verified by the sheriff, Charles Freeway, as he was the one paying the winner’s the award amount, and the master chef’s of the festival.
By now the entire town must be knowing I’m sponsoring her.
Not going would make them think I’m looking down on their festival.
Which I can’t afford here.
My gaze shifted towards Ada.
Was she as innocent as she looks?
Once is a coincidence,
Twice is luck p>
But with Ada, it can’t be coincidental and not as innocent as she makes it to be.
Was every time she came at the exact time really a coincidence?
I was irritated to the core, but refusing now p>
Would attract unwanted attention.
That would only hinder my stay here.
Reluctant p>
I really had no choice but to participate with her.
Considering the festival was for two days,
I hoped her part would end today so tomorrow I could head over to meet Raymond.
Festival Ground – A few moments later
As I headed over for the festival with Ada, I was unaware that Charles Freeway was busy gathering information about me.
He has found out I wasn’t some tourist or a person looking for a place to setup my store.
Which explained why today seeing him felt like he knew me way before he saw me today.
He knew I was Jonathan Rollings, the Jonathan Rollings behind Rollings Designs.
The man who was connected to Harmon Designs p>
The one who later put both father-daughter in jail.
Charles had understood whom he’s up against p>
And maybe that’s why he made Ada register with me.
I recalled the motel owner did say, he owed Charles Freeway a favor for helping him out.
Looks like he used this favor and got Ada to register my name.
The competition began by noon.
Ada made sure I was constantly busy with one thing or another.
She made me prepare the ingredients for her.
Fry, cut, taste p>
Later on, she even told me I was part of the judging committee as I was new to town and wouldn’t be biased to anyone.
“Charels won’t like adding Jonathan to the committee like that,” I overhead two locals speaking.
“Then let’s hope the judging commences before Charles arrives p>
The cooking commenced by evening p>
Just as I thought now it’s over p>
Ada pulled me over for photos and to talk with the judges and town’s people.
All the while p>
My heart dropped p>
As I lost a chance to meet Raymond.
The whole day, I kept scanning the crowd.
Who knows p>
Maybe, Raymond might attend.
But he didn’t and by evening it all made sense.
Ever since his mother was jailed, and ever since he moved to the border house, he never came here.
He avoided meeting them, and never attended any public gatherings.
I knew meeting him is the only way, if I was to get any answers to the questions I have in my mind.
My gaze fell on Ada.
Was she really as innocent as she portrays herself to be?
All I could see was p>
She was making it impossible for me to meet Raymond.
Just then my eyes met with a person.
Ada, who was holding onto my arm, whispered p>
“That’s Charles Freeway, he adopted the town p>
“He’s also the one who’ll pay the award money p>
“You know,” she continued. “He’s rich…like really rich p>
A small laughter escaped my lips on hearing that.
I noticed how they made the way for him.
How conversations stopped as he passed by.
He definitely had an influence on them.
And maybe p>
He held authority as well.
For some reason p>
He didn’t come over to our stall.
Unintentionally p>
Or purposely?
But from the look in Ada’s eyes, I was certain she liked him more than just like.
However, the festival finally ended.
Meant p>
I could not head over to Raymond’s house.
Since everyone was tired,
No one would delay me, or interrupt me.
I was about to walk away p>
Charles Freeway walked over towards me and Ada.
Ada, was like a bubbly girl who just got a chance to meet her crush.
I p>
Annoyed as hell.
Overall,
For a first impression p>
He was polite, relaxed and friendly.
“Charles Freeway,” he said. “Organizer of the festival p>
“Jonathan,” I said as I shook hands with him.
“Mr. Rollings p>
Everyone’s heads turned around.
It wasn’t that he took my name,
But the respect he gave me, while saying t.
Using my surname with dignitaries not only caught my attention, but of the town as well.
“Did Sir actually call Jonathan, Mr. Rollings?” One of the town people said.
“Why so formal? After all, Freeway is a millionaire and Jonathan just owns a store. Why’s sir so formal with Jonathan?” Another one said.
After a little bit of conversation, he finally spoke what was on his mind.
“So, I see you’ve developed a keen interest in the town’s history p>
My facial expression was neutral p>
But internally p>
Alarms were going off.
He was definitely a red flag for me.
“Interesting,” he said.
“Most tourists ask about the lake, or park p>
“Or the festival p>
“And you’re interested in Lori p>
“Considering she’s dead now, I don’t think a person of your calibre should be interested in it p>
Again everyone began to whisper.
“Jonathan’s calibre? Isn’t he one of us p>
“Didn’t Sir say, no one’s to talk with Raymond? Why’s Jonathan interested?” One of the town’s people said.
He turned around to walk away, but stopped.
He didn’t turn around, but spoke.
“Mr. Rollings,” he said.
“The town people like you,” he continued.
“You have more ability to help Livelane than I ever could p>
“Consider this, and forget what you’re looking into p>
Everyone’s gaze turned towards me as he walked off.
He may have walked off,
But he made certain about some things.
One, he knew what I was here for.
Two, he knew who I was.
Three, someone was in the town, who was giving him every detail of what I do, and what I do p>
But who?
Somehow, my gaze fell on Ada as I saw her watching Charles walking away with smitten eyes.
So, Charles knew who I was.
He knew why I was here.
He knew I came here to investigate Lori.
Which meant someone was here, who’s been informing him.
The question wasn’t who was watching over me.
Rather who wants to know what I’m doing.
And somehow p>
My eyes drifted toward Ada, who was standing beside me innocent as always.