The darkness cast a gloom over my entire room and this present setting was synonymous to my inherent emotions.
I hated it here.
I thought Lorenzo was a friend but after his heated outburst yesterday, I knew he was just as prejudiced as the rest of them. How could I expect anything from him when my own family abandoned me.
I loved my mother but she kissed me goodbye, like how they kiss the dead. My sister tried to stop her but she wasn't trying hard enough and Flavio just, betrayed me. It physically pains me but I had to admit the truth to myself.
I could never make anyone love me
and
everything is changing and I don't know where I belong.
I wiped my nose and pulled out a piece of paper that I found on Brielle's table. After dipping a stray feather in the inkpot next to me I began writing
I was the only one
who saw the tears
behind your smiles
I was the only one
who knew the fears
inside your eyes
I was the only one
who wanted the us
between your I's
and I was the only one
who didn't know
that your love
was all lies
I folded the paper neatly and placed it inside my drawer. The scenario can change but I never will. I will not become cruel just because the people around me refuse to believe that I'm a nice person.
Flowers grow back even after they are stepped on.
So will I.
After this, I promised myself that I will never cry for the same reasons again. I will make new friends and I will make the people here open up to me, no matter what it takes.
Just as I got up to leave, the telephone next to my bed started to ring with a maddening sound. I was a little sceptical about this abrupt intervention but I decided to humour the caller and pick it up.
"Hello, may I know who I'm speaking to?"
"Hellooo little slut...."
My heart rate intensified and I started trembling with trepidation.
"Who is this? and what do you want?" I gulped.
"Well it's the mistress of this manor, leaveee myy husband aloneee do you understand?"
Her voice came out like a drunken slur, I crinkled my nose and stared at the telephone for a few solid seconds before picking it up again.
"Are you Lorenzo's mamá?"
"oh, Lorenzo! he's my baby, my beautiful little boy; how do you know him?"
I paused for a moment before replying "We're acquaintances."
She huffed. "Don't change the topic Genny, why do you want my husband?"
I rolled my eyes in exasperation and said "Listen, Mrs García, coming here was a compulsion! I don't want your husband, I don't want your house and I don't want you calling me a slut."
She started laughing hysterically and mumbled through the phone "slut, slut, slut."
I should have sacrificed my virginity a long time before hearing this. "Mrs García, how drunk are you?"
"T-Two bottles! do you want to join me? But I'll only allow you if you leave Santiago alone."
I looked at the phone and smiled sadly poor thing. How much did the duke hurt her? my heart wrenched with sorrow. I wanted her to know that I would never hurt her intentionally and I would help her, however I could.
"I hate the duke, Mrs García, you have nothing to worry about but you should worry about the terrible hangover you'll have tomorrow."
She started laughing and between her laughs, she mumbled: "It's Priscillia, not Mrs García."
"Okay, Priscillia will you go to sleep on time now?" I murmured.
"Yes Genny, I promise" she exclaimed.
I laughed "It's Genevieve, Priscillia. Now go to sleep."
"Genny will you meet me tomorrow?" she moaned.
"Yes, I will, promise."
She laughed and wished me goodnight before the line went dead. I smiled and looked outside my window; thanking the gods above for finally giving me a friend.
I walked towards the horse stable near the brilliant waterfall surrounding García Grandeur, everything about this place was serene and relaxing. I inhaled the familiar faint petrichor fragrance that wafted through the air and watched the numerous butterflies pollinate over different blooming flowers.
Inside the stable, I found Midnight, my gorgeous stallion devouring the hay like his life depended on it and Juniper-Brielle's mare- nipped at his ear, a silent appeal to notify him of my presence. Midnight looked up momentarily and neighed with glee before resuming his previous activity.
"He's a bad one isn't he?" Petruchio called out from behind me. I turned and greeted him with my customary smile he responded politely, nodding his head in salutation.
Always a chivalrous gentleman, that's why all the girls adore him.
"He's a demon, a wicked one at that" I smirked.
"I want to take him for a ride, do you think I can do that now?"
Petruchio looked at me apologetically before saying, "I'm sorry señor but midnight's saddle is broken, we will have to buy a new one."
"Petruchio why buy a new one when I can fix this one myself" I winked at him.
He just laughed and looked down afraid to meet my gaze, I was fairly used to this differential treatment by now but Petruchio never failed to surprise me.
While I was working Petruchio looked towards the manor before pondering, "Isn't that señorita Genevieve?"
My head swiftly turned towards the direction of his voice and there she was, looking outside her balcony.
Genevieve had a warm smile on her face and she gazed wistfully at the moon. Why was she always so happy? even when she had no absolute reason to be.
A hopeless optimist, even when the entire manor was conspiring against her.
I rolled my eyes reminding myself that she still agreed to be my father's gratifier, knowing he was married. "She seems lonely señor" Petruchio mused.
"Why do you care?" I snapped folding my arms against my chest.
Petruchio was taken aback for a moment but he continued "I care about everybody señor, she just looks sadder than most but she tries to cover it up with a smile."
I turned to look at the manor again but Genevieve wasn't there anymore. "oh well, she chose her demise Petruchio"
"Maybe she didn't-"
"I'm done with the saddle." I held it out proudly and tipped my head towards Midnight, "do you like it my beast?"
"Yipp" he whinnied and I smiled with satisfaction.
"He looks happy" Petruchio quipped.
"Well, some days even the devil sits back and admires my work."
•••
Are Genevieve and Priscillia friends now? and what's up with Lorenzo and his misconceptions!
Find out more in the next chapter
Thank you so much for reading! If you liked this chapter please vote, comment and add this book to your library.
All the love to you,
Azalea Avilla