Love in the Hacienda [Completed]

Chapter 8

"You want some?" tanong ni Winnie kay Alejandro.

The woman needs to chill! Iritang-irita na si Clara dahil kanina pang nilalandi ni Winnie si Alejandro. Her patience was already nonexistent kaya nagdesisyon siyang labanan na lang ang pinsan and do the flirting even better.

After all, Alejandro was hers before.

Clara softly touched his arm and smiled. "I'm planning to also start dabbing into coffee planting. Alam kong may area na para sa kape sa hacienda namin pero gusto ko sanang magdala ng mga bagong type ng coffee beans para itanim doon. And I would need your help."

Alejandro was taken aback by her soft and sweet tone. But he was clearly listening to her. "Yes, of course. Any help you need, I'm there."

"Thanks," masayang sagot niya. "I'd like to discuss some things just between the two of us when we get back home. Kailangan ko ng advice when it comes to resources and budget. I need to know magkanong kapital at ano pang mga kailangan kong ihanda." Clara emphasized na dapat sila lang dalawa at walang ibang kasama.

She looked directly at Winnie to make sure she understands and she saw the annoyed look on her cousin's face.

Clara will be staying for a while in the hacienda anyway, so she has to at least make it worth her while.

"Alejandro, here's a plate," singit ni Winnie.

"Thank you."

But Clara smiled internally ng sa tabi niya napirmi ng pwesto ang binata. She's clearly winning this game. 

Pero pareho silang nagulat ng i-unbutton ni Alejandro ang ilang butones sa taas ng polo nito. It was a windy day pero hindi pa rin maiiwasan ang init. At kitang-kita ni Clara that he's a well-shaped man.

"You look so toned," walang ano-anong puri ni Winnie.

That shocked her. This woman is really very straightforward.

"Oh, thank you. I help in the farm from time to time."

But she firmly remembered how taut his muscles were when he was... on top of her. That literally gave her goosebumps. Memories from that night came rushing just when she needed it the least! Good God!

She tried to calm herself.

"Why the red face?" pansin ni Alejandro sa kanya.

"W-What?" Clara stammered.

"Nothing, namumula ka. Masyado bang mainit dito? We can transfer somewhere else?" alok ni Alejandro.

She shook her head 'no' and stood up. "I forgot my water jug sa saddle. Hold on. Let me just get it." She tried to brush off memories from that night habang naglalakad papalapit sa mga kabayo nila na nakatali sa likod ng isa sa mga puno doon.

She brushed her horse's head and got the water jug at pagkatapos ay uminom mula roon. She doesn't understand herself anymore. Why does she feel this way?

"Are you okay?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Alejandro na sumunod pala sa kanya.

She quickly turned around to see his worried face. 

"Yes, I'm okay. I just needed my water," she said, holding up her jug in the air. 

"Okay, baka napagod ka rin masyado. Tirik na tirik na ang araw."

"Probably," she whispered back. Medyo malayo sila sa picnic set-up doon kaya hindi sila naririnig ni Winnie. But she knew Winnie could see them clearly.

"May problema ba?"

She didn't answer.

"Clara, tell me."

"Well, I already told you. I'm not comfortable with Winnie around... I'm still adjusting to her coming into our lives. I don't want her around everywhere I go. Pagkatapos, dinala mo pa siya dito."

"I'm sorry. It's just that... hindi ako pwedeng magsinungaling ng makita niya ako kanina sa bahay ninyo."

"You know what, it's fine. Next time, let's just not bring her."

"There's a next time?" nakangiting tanong ngayon ng binata. 

"Don't flatter yourself too much," banta niya. "I just need your help to figure out what I can contribute to my family's hacienda. Iyon lang. Now, be there tomorrow dahil kailangan kong isangguni sayo ang pinaplano kong pag-import ng new coffee beans."

"I'll be there, sweetheart," bulong nito.

That gave butterflies to her. And she didn't know why. 

"Do you want to go out for dinner? Gusto kitang dalahin sa bahay. My mom has been asking about you."

"W-What for?" she asked.

"She just wants to meet with you and hang out. Matagal-tagal na rin simula ng mapirmi ka dito."

"Sure, I'll be there. Is it just me or the whole family?"

"Just you. I'll pick you up tonight at 6PM, sweetheart. Will that be okay?"

"Yes, that'll be fine." At bigla na lang naglaho ang inis sa puso niya. His simple smile and gestures were enough to make her feel okay again.

A/N: Ang gusto ko lang in life ay magkaroon ng jowa na consistent at ipaparamdam na mahal ako araw-araw. Someone who won't make me doubt his love for me. I wish the same for you all, mga sizz! Sana ma-meet nyo na rin ang Alejandro ninyo.

Pero ang tanong - ano kayang reax ni mareng Winnie? Abangan.