Your votes and comments goes a long way. ❤️❤️

"Yes," I reply to his previous sentence. My hands tuck into my pockets as I walk past him further into the maze of trees. Every apple looks juicy and are begging to be plucked. Dad would always apple pick with me and allow me to win. Good days....

Roland's footstep follow lightly but steadily behind me. "I heard about the dispute between our men and I would like to apologize on their behalf" I say loud enough for him to hear. He doesn't respond for a few seconds but when I stop to pluck another apple from its branch, it falls to the ground, rolled between my feet. I turn around to see it stop at Roland's feet. He smirks lightly before going down to pick it.

He dusts the surface lightly and hands it over to me. "Things like that are bound to happen. You don't need to apologize" his velvety voice goes straight Into the pit of my tummy. I nod slowly.

We continue our walk round the plantation, and I immediately regret not taking a basket with me. "should have brought a basket" I mutter the moment a sight another juicy looking apple. My head whipped back to see Rolan blink at me. I eye his hat, a thought comes to my mind. "Can you borrow me your hat?" my left hand stretch out waiting for him to place his hat in it.

He cocks an eyebrow before taking his hat off and place it in my hand, his eyes remains on me, Watching.

"Thanks" I stand on my tip toes as I stretch higher to pluck the juicy apple I saw earlier but my height chose to fail me this time.

"Let me" I hear him say before his body comes in contact with mine while he plucks the apple. My senses freeze with his wood and Honey cologne. I close my eyes for a second to relish in it. Something needs to be done to this attraction I have towards this man.

My body relaxes when he moves away and gives me the apple. I take it and put it with other apple inside his hat. I peer up at him from my lashes to catch a quizzically look on his face. I shrug and keep on walking.

We continue like this, picking apples and putting it in his hat. We chat about little things concerning the ranch and it surprises me at how incredibly informative he his on the topic. People I've met outside the ranch find the topic boring and unattractive. We get out of the plantation with a hat fill with fresh and juicy apples. The sun is setting real low and the beauty of ranch field is stunning.

A ranch worker brings Starry and a black stallion over to where we are. Starry neighs excitedly but I'm pretty sure it's the sight of the apples that excites her. "Here you go" I offer her one and she immediately starts to chew on it. From the corner of my eye, I see Rolan doing the same with his horse. It is quiet except for the happy munchy sounds the horses made.

Rolan says he wants to go check out the winery so he leaves first. I stay to watch him ride his horse like a dignified knight. Starry nudges my chin slightly with her head and I move to leave. Patting her lightly before climbing on top. I'm done here for today, Tiana will fill me in on the winery. I need to have a word with uncle Max.

Maids take off my hat and gloves as I get in the house. I find Isabella sitting at the dining swirling the wine glass in her hand before downing the whole thing. Her lashes peer down at the glass with a silent glare in her eyes. She seems to be in a bad mood so I ignore her. "So you're getting married" it is more of a statement than a question. Her honey tangled voice didn't sound so honeyish at the moment. It sounds rough and low.

I face her. "that's the plan. Yes." I return passively before a making a move to leave.

"Must be proud of yourself. Getting married before us must fill like a fulfillment" She drawls. Without turning back to her, I continue to walk away. "Escort Issabella to her room. She's drunk" I order an incoming maid as we walk by each other.

She nods. "Yes Ma'am"

"There won't be love! You will forever be lonely!" Her shouting fades the moment I leave the hall. A tired sigh leaves my lips. Isabella used to be close to me then she traveled to Italy with her elder sister Gloria and when they came back. She changed. It started with the silent treatment and minimal interaction then she'd side her sisters when they started saying hurtful words to me. She has never openly insulted me and for that I'm grateful.

I head for my Uncle's office. The door opens and a strange man walks out of it. He looks Russian with his Gray eyes, full beard and a mustache. He has a fedora hat on and I spot a scar running from his ear down to his chin. He pulls the hat lower and walks past me. I'm probably the one with the problem but the moment he walks by the aura he let off made me the air on my neck stand. A loud smash breaks out of Uncle's room and I immediately barge in.

"What i-" I stop midway to see my uncle looking enrage and furious. The veins on his head are threatening to pop out of his head. The buttons on his shirt are hardly keeping it together. He looks murderous.

Glass shatters are everywhere, his room in a mess. I walk carefully around it to meet Uncle. He breathes heavily, his eyes flickering around vacantly. I gingerly move closer to him and place my hands on his stiff shoulders.

"You have to calm down Maxy" I coo softly, purposely calling him by the nickname I gave him when I was five" he relaxes a little, rubbing his head with his palm.

"I'm fine sunshine. He managed to get under my skin" He says sourly. I leave him to sit and walk to the other side to take a seat on the sofa. Slowly, I cross my leg over the other and fold my hands on it. My eyes remain on my uncle who is taking his time to calm down.

"Soo... Are you going to tell me what that was about?"