Shadows In Durango

50

*****Sofia's POV*****

"Say that again?" Vincent asks, as I stand by his car at the end of the day with Emma by my side - where he had told me to meet him to go home.

He hadn't shown up for our storage room duties and so I figured he had ditched us, but here he was - waiting.

"We were going to go to the mall for a while before going back to your place... oh and can Emma come over again tonight? Daryl said you guys are busy..." I feel like a child asking for permission but know that at this point, Vincent was in charge.

I had to respect that it was his space he was so openly willing to share with me.

He looks between us both, before nodding his head slowly when Daryl approaches us.

"I'll drop you off at the mall but I can't wait around, get in." Vincent states, as I grin at Emma and we rush into the back of the car, allowing Daryl to sit in the front seat.

I chat with Emma about her Moms salon, growing excited about the different packages and things they offer, while Daryl and Vincent seem to discuss something a little more serious in a hushed tone.

It was hard to listen in with the radio playing and with my own conversation going on with Emma but I could tell from the looks on their faces that they were tense about something.

"How are you both going to get back?" Vincent turns down the volume of the radio and questions us, as we notice the large mall coming into view.

I hadn't shopped at a mall in so long...

"Uhh..." Is all I can respond, as Daryl watches me in the mirror - waiting for me to recite my plan to them both.

"We could get the bus?" Emma steps in and suggests, as the pair remain quiet.

I wasn't overly bothered about how we would get back there, knowing that it would be worth the fun visit to the mall - we would worry about that later.

"I'll come back for them." Daryl suggests, as I suddenly feel like I was becoming a problem.

"No please don't worry! We will figure it out, I know you are both busy so don't stop your plans for us!" I detest the idea, as Vincent pulls up to the front doors on a part of the road that I didn't believe was actually a parking space...

gets there I'll come pick them up." Daryl

tells me, as we all knew he had the final say at this point. Every time I

before Emma opens the door and I

rev of Vincent's

store, as we rush through the centre and

wall, we move towards them and find the rest

How cute!" Emma holds up a pair of brown leather hot pants and a

- as

a moment I had fell back into my old life style, my careless spending

as I decided to push my thoughts aside knowing I had more than enough money now to spare - at least for one day! "I'll take

with the black cowboy hat!" I say, grabbing the hat

pink sparkly waistcoat! Should I do the pink hat or the

with your hair all blonder!" She states as I

for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for

rooms to try on the stuff, counting down from three behind the curtains before doing the big

laugh and prance around - happy that we both looked

few more minutes, Emma and

for our selections, and then make our way towards her mom's

I can see through the glass windows that it's a bustling

is at the reception desk. She looks up as we enter, her

coming around the desk to greet us with open arms. "I'm Linda, Emma's mom. It's so nice to finally meet you, Sofia. Emma's told me so much about you already - we are ecstatic that she has been getting out more." Linda beams, as I enjoy her warm

you too," I reply, feeling

I owe the pleasure of my daughter visiting me at work today?" She looks

to get our hair done," Emma explains. "And maybe our nails, too. Do you have any space for us?" Emma looks around at the busy salon while her

Of course, I'll do yours on the house Emma - I couldn't dare to charge my own

at Emma, who's already grinning, and I

hands me over to a stylist, who begins discussing my preferences while Linda gets to work on Sofia knowing already what she wanted. Emma opts for a

me, I feel a sense of excitement building. It's been a while since I've treated myself to something like this,