Juice

“UH, YES! I mean, leave it to me!” I bit my knotted tongue firmly before I quickly turned my back on him.

Fortunately, I reached out to Mirasol, who prepared the snack for the staff.

“I’m sorry if it’s a little late for the snack,” she apologetically said.

“It’s okay. I’ll go ahead and take them outside and continue what you’re doing upstairs.”

I grabbed the tray with just the pitcher and some sandwiches.

“Oh, no! When Lawrence finds out, he might get mad at me!” Mirasol insisted.

“I’ll take care of Rence. We just finished talking.”

She smiled in agreement with what I said. “Then I will go to the back of the house first to hang the blankets I washed.” I nodded as she turned her back on me to get out.

I quickly turned around, but the tray I was holding almost fell due to Franco’s presence. He leaned against the door frame with two arms crossed on his chest. He stared at me intently, but I could not just read his emotions. He looks scary and mercilessly hot. I cannot deny that.

“H-here is . . . your juice.”

I was about to take a step, but he was the one who came to get the tray and the sandwiches.

I slowly lift my eyes to him. I could not understand why I even watched how he drank the contents of the glass juice in front of me.

I shivered when I heard him flicker in front of me. “Daydreaming, huh?” he said with a smirk.

My face heated up, damn it! I stared at him and tried to pass him, but he spoke to me.

“I plan to go to the plantation today. Do you want to come along?”

I shook my head. “No, thanks. I’m not interested,” I quickly refused.

“My brother Lawrence is the owner of that farm and plantation,” he commended.

Because of what I heard, my lips lifted. If Lawrence and I were to get married, I should know what businesses he has so that I will not have a hard time if I handle one of them one day.

Lawrence probably wouldn’t be angry if I toured the rancho with his brother. I do not know what conflict they have. But I hope it’s not that big.

He guided me to the stable. Later he released a black horse.

“This is Stan!” introduce him while stroking his shiny hair. “Do you ride a horse before?” He shifted his gaze to me.

To my amazement, I could not speak immediately. I’ve seen a horse a few times, but I’ve never tried to ride one. I was happy to see them running and watching from afar.

His brows twitched a bit as if liking the visible reaction on my face. “You mean, you haven’t experienced horseback riding yet?”

I nodded softly at him. There is no reason for me to lie because that is the truth; I have no experience in horseback riding.

“In that case, just stand behind me,” he said in a full voice.

I blinked and quickly looked at his wrangler jeep. “Why don’t we just take a jeep?”

He laughed at me, so I spontaneously looked back at him.

“What’s so funny about that?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Only horses can pass through the rough road. If we use my jeep, we will take another round to San Felipe and eat a one-and-a-half-hour flight. You do not have to worry. Stan is one of the best horses among the others. Just don’t mess up so he won’t drop you.” His shoulders are shaking in silent laughter.

I sniffed. I couldn’t help but be nervous. I can only see how tall the horse is in front of me and how he can knock me down. My body hair is already standing up.

“Don’t worry. I won’t let Stan drop you. I don’t want Rence to blame me if you get hurt.” A smile flashed on his lips so I couldn’t help but smirk.

I hadn’t been able to get up when I suddenly felt him grab my hips. I almost screamed because the horse growled at the noise I made.

“Shh. Stan doesn’t like the noise. Go ahead. He might suddenly run.” He lifted his head, and lips curled up into a soft smile.

But what he said came to me is different. Is he scaring me?! When I was annoyed, I folded my arms and just ignored it.

“Good boy, Stan!”

He patted the horse before starting to ride it. I gasped as I smell his fresh scented perfume. Even though he was exposed to the sun earlier, he still smelled good. I just put that thing aside and prepared myself to run.

“Hold my arm tight, my lady,” he ordered.

Before I could think twice, I did what he said because I don’t want to go to Manila with a lump on my head, especially Lawrence’s scolding me for coming here without his permission.

“You might get fall if you put your hands like that, hold me tight, Margaux!” he ordered with full of authority.

He was the one that grabbed my hand. Instead of the arm, he hugged my hand to his body.

“There,” he whispered huskily.

I quickly pulled my hand away from him, but he firmly restrained it.

“If you do not want to fall and break a bone, you will do what I said. Don’t worry. There is no malice,” he said with a hint of humor.

“Look, I’m only doing this just because of Lawrence. So can you not think I’m putting it maliciously!” I said sarcastically.

He sounded silly again. “Then, you can hug me tight as long as you were doing this favor just for the sake of my dear brother, huh?” he said in his baritone voice. He hugged my arm even more with his vast body.

I had planned to protest, but he quickly kicked the horse. I could do nothing but close my eyes and tighten my hug with fear that I would fall off the horse.

“Hey, you can’t enjoy the view if you just hide behind me. Just open your eyes, Margaux,” he ordered.

There I felt the horse slowing down, so I slowly opened my eyes. I also put myself behind him and held him lightly.

The air felt fresh and new; a gentle breeze caressed my skin while the weak swing of the horse. I marveled at the sight of green leaves, fresh fruits on the trees, and the golden radiance of the cereal grass.

Not only that, we pass more animals as we cross the road to the plantation. In a few moments, I will see a big farm where I will definitely be grinding the rice they harvest.

“Here we are. This is one of the largest Saavedra Plantation in San Felipe.”

“Good morning, Sir Franco!” an older man greeted us. He immediately turned his gaze to me and bowed slightly with respect.

“How are the new harvests?” Franco said to the man.

“The harvesting is doing well, as well as the bananas that ready to harvest tomorrow,” he quickly answered.

He nodded after the horse finally got off. He also immediately supported me down and guided me inside.