Thea
The next day, Raymond took Angel and I to the ranch where we met the stable steward but to my surprise it was the man from yesterday, the one scolding that teenage girl. He greeted us looking quite excited.
He sounded really nice and his countenance warm. I could hardly believe that this was the man yelling at the girl yesterday. Could I have been mistaken? Could have been someone who looked like him?
I was still in doubt untill someone came into the stable proving me right. It was the girl, in her school uniform. She seemed to have just returned from school.
“Good day papa. Good day….” She greeted, holding her school bag. We all turned to look at her and she looked a bit scared avoiding our gazes. I looked at Sam, the table steward, he looked like he was struggling between feeling annoyed or playing pretend.
He chose the later.
“Selene, you’re back.” he said smiling. She didn’t return his smile and startled as he moved closer to her. “What are you doing here, you should be home.” He said but she squinted looking confused.
“You asked me to come to the stable directly so I could feed the horses.” She said. She sounded too damn sure. I didn’t know what to think of such instruction. I knew as the stable steward, his family would be involved in it as well but the girl needed a rest from school at least.
“Did I?” He said and laughed nervously then he touched her shoulder and she startled again.
“Selene are you okay?” Raymond was the one who asked and Sam scanned her body to see if something was wrong.”
“Are you hurt anywhere?” He said showing concern but I doubted that was what Raymond was referring to.
“I’m fine.” She said forcing a smile.
“Is she your daughter?” I asked moving closer. He seemed to have not expected the question. More like I should have figured.
“Yes ma’am. Forgive me for not introducing her earlier. My manners how could I? This is my daughter Selene, she’s one of the kids under your scholarship. Hurry, thank him now.” He said and I was surprised. I looked at Angel and he was smiling at the girl. He had a scholarship program for kids? I was amazed. Could there be more things he was hiding from me? Angel seemed to have felt me looking at him so he glanced at me and smiled even more wildly.
I was proud of him.
He acknowledged the girl before Sam sent her away.
I couldn’t shake off the feeling that something wasn’t right with this family but there was no way to conclude in such brief meeting.
Sam showed us the horses in the stable. He spoke of the horses and their characters like they were humans. Each had a name and he seemed to love them very much.
That I could tell but then why was the air around him when he was with his daughter cold? If he was this loving to animals shouldn’t it be better with his daughter?
“Thea, come.” Angle called stretching forth his hand to me. I took his hand and he lead me to a seperate stable house where there was a black horse.
“Wow….” I muttered. It looked really beautiful.
“This is Roseline, my favourite horse and personal horse. I named her after my mother.” He said touching it. “She’s beautiful.” I said admiring it.
“Would you like to touch her?” He asked and I nodded but when I reached out, it shook it’s head and scared me with the sound it made. I found myself screaming and hiding into Angel’s arms. Everyone laughed at my reaction.
“It won’t harm you okay. Just follow me.” Angel said hugging me with one arm and stroking my hair with the other to calm me. I finally pulled away ready to touch his horse now. He directed me on how to how to connect with Roseline and touch her. I felt happy seeing her calm and welcoming.
Angel took her out after offering to teach me horse riding. I was scared at first but with his mentorship, I got over my fears. He sat behind me on the horse while leading it then when I was confident enough, he let me sit on Roseline on my own while he led her.
With the time he spent teaching me, I was able to lead the horse but I wasn’t so good nor too confident yet. When I had a fill for the day, I was ready to get down.
Angel stretched out his hand for me to hold and get down. I felt nervous again and jumped on him which landed the both of us on the grass. We rolled over each other and when we stopped we couldn’t stop laughing.
One of the workers led Roseline away and I tried to get up but then Angel tripped me and I fell.
“You did that on purpose Angel.” I said while trying to get up but he held my leg pulling me back. “Angel!” I yelled trying to pull my leg away but he came on top of me enclosed my legs within his and pinned my hands on both sides to the ground. I glared at him but he only found it funny as I was no match for his strength.
“Let me go people are watching” I whispered but he wouldn’t listen.
“Let them watch I don’t care.” He said and raised my hands above my head. He gripped them with one hand and brushed his lips against mine.
I resisted but he kept my face at a place by pulling my jaw back so that I could face him then he kissed me again till I succumbed and kissed him back.
We finally broke the kiss and I felt very shy with everyone around. Although they acted like they were minding their business.
I heard people whispering behind us and tilted to see a lady with selene. I pushed Angel away standing to my feet immediately. Angel stood as well.
“Sorry, we didn’t mean to interrupt. We were just about leaving.” The woman whom I assumed to be selene’s mother said.
“No it’s fine. I apologize for the inappropriate scene.” I said instead and could feel Angel looking at me in a disapproving way. There was a young girl for goodness sake.
“We weren’t having sex what are you talking about?” Angel whispered beside me.
“Shh… They could hear you.”
“I’ll kiss you in front of them if you warn me again.” Angel threatened and I just had to remain quiet. He was capable of more.
“We’re in the wrong ma’am, sir.” She kept apologizing. We would keep going back and forth with this apology if I didn’t accept hers so I simply smiled and nodded.
“It’s fine.” I said and they stood there like they had something to say. I nodded giving them the go ahead.
They came closer after scanning the environment as if watching out for someone.
“My daughter told me that you were here.” She started with a smile on her face. “I’m Joe, the stable steward’s wife.” She said and I stretched nyy arms to greet her. She seemed surprised by my gesture and hesitantly took it.
“I’m Thea.” I said and shouldered Angel slightly to do same. He scoffed and reluctantly did the same.
“I’m Angel.”
“I know who you are sir that’s why I came here to see you. I want to thank you so much for sponsoring my daughter and the kids around here in their education. It means a lot to us.” She said and Angel beamed a smile. He seemed really happy that he was being appreciated.
“It’s an honour to help.” He said.
They stood there as if they still had something to say, selene looked like she was disappointed in her mum for hesitating so I had to step in.
“Is there something else you’d like to tell us?” I asked and Joe was hesitant. Just when selene had decided to speak, a voice roared from behind.
“Joe! Selene!” Sam yelled and they turned cold as against their cheerful countenance. He hurried towards them and feigned a smile. It was visible that he was pissed off and only forcing a smile.
He turns to us and bows slightly.
“I’m sorry about my family I hope they weren’t being a bother?” He said.
“No… They were just showing appreciation.” Angel said. “I must say you have a humble family.” Sam laughed nervously and looked at them in such a way that suggested he was curious as to what they must have told Angel.
“We’ll be heading inside now. Thank you once again sir, ma’am. My family is grateful.” Angel nodded and they began to leave but suddenly Joe turned back and walked up to us. Sam looked startled but couldn’t say anything.
“If you would honour us, I’d like to prepare you a special tea at our place to show my appreciation.” She said but it looked more like she was pleading with us.
“You don’t need to….”
“We’ll be there before we leave.” I said cutting Angel off.
“Thank you so much.” She said like I had just saved her life. I looked over at where selene stood and my smile suddenly faded. She let her sleeve up slightly and I saw a line of injury that looked fresh and deep. My heart sank into my belly as selene nodded as if to confirm my suspicion. I looked at Joe again and tears glistened in her eyes. Was Sam physically abusing his family?
They left and Angel turned to me with questions.
“What was that about?” He asked.
“Didn’t you notice something?” I said and he squinted, he probably did but didn’t think much about it.
“What about it? Does it really require us to go to their place and have some special tea?” I sighed, I knew he didn’t like the idea of me accepting but I trusted Joe and selene. I believed they were trying to tell me something. I could just be the one to save them.
“I think Joe and selene needs our help, Sam dosen’t seem to be a good guy after all. Can you trust me on this Angel?” I asked pleading as well.
“Okay.” He said and I thanked him.
We went to Sam’s house later that afternoon before we left for home. Both Joe snd Selene were happy to see us. Sam stayed home as well to welcome us. We had their special Tea and a little chat with them then it was time for us to leave.
They all joined to see us off to our car and I wasn’t satisfied as I didn’t get any new information from the ladies.
“Papa, you should give them that wine. You said you were keeping it for a special occasion. What could be more special than this?” Selene said and I saw it as her way of creating the chance to tell me something.
“You’re right. I’ll go get it.” He said and left.
I gave Angel a sign to give us some space. I believed that selene will be more comfortable to speak alone.
“Selene….” Her mum called as if to discourage her but she didn’t listen, instead she took my hand and led me apart.
“You need to help my mum please. She’s scared to tell you anything. My dad’s going to hit her again for inviting you guys.” She said and quickly left my hand. Sam comes out shortly and hands us the drink which we take and leave.