The Indomitable Lady

10. Black sea

Teresa relished the moment. Her husband's arms that held her, leaning against his broad chest, the sound of the horses' hooves, the breeze that caressed her hair, the path between the trees, the rabbit running past, everything was serene and dazzling to her.

When they reached a clearing, a huge brick building blocked the view to the lower ground.

ꟷThis is the Plantation.

Teresa observed the environment, sensing all the negative energies when she saw that slaves, with the minimum of clothing to ensure modesty, crossed the land with huge baskets. Taking two steps, the view opened downwards to huge black bodies picking coffee from a coffee plantation as far as the eye could see and some white men shaking whips or simply walking around with them in their hands. White dots of terror in a sea of black

They got off the horse and Teresa was stunned by what she saw. It felt like a scene from a period movie, only now it was the horrible reality and she was staring her in the face.

ꟷCarlos, what's going on there? Are those men hitting them with the whip?

ꟷOnly for those who don't work ꟷ Carlos explained naturally

-They hit them with the whip?! Do you allow this?!!! Do these people help you build a fortune and are they treated this way? Do you come from their land to be treated like this?!

ꟷCalm down! Don't raise your voiceꟷ Warned the husband with his authoritarian tone ꟷI would like you to know every corner of the farm, but I see that it was not a good idea...

From inside the house came Raul

ꟷGood afternoon! And congratulations on your marriage, Madam ꟷ he said, bowing to her

Realizing that managing that work was the overseer's responsibility, Teresa directed all her anger at the man:

ꟷ Is this what you manage? Is this your pride? Men and women under the sun and the whip?

ꟷExcuse my wife - Carlos asked, grabbing her arm tightly ꟷ Ladies get nervous on the first day of marriage and in this case, she still has a lot to learn about the behavior of a wife from Montieiro

ꟷYou will certainly know how to teach her, Carlos. There are women like that, they are only well when they are beaten. Until then, nothing is done about them...

ꟷ Let's go! ꟷ Resolved Carlos making her go back to the horse

Teresa was furious and was trying to free her arm, but before she could speak, Carlos had lifted her up and sat her on the horse. Tried to get down but he held her

ꟷ Let's go, I said! ꟷhe spoke firmly ꟷ It 's better to be quiet and not say another word!

He got on the horse and holding her in his arms made the horse move away from that place.

ꟷ I will not start our marriage the way you deserve. Teresa, but I guarantee that if you ever talk to Raul, me or anyone else the way you just did, I'll give you a spanking that will teach you how to behave. Remember that you are my wife!

In his arms, Teresa lifted her head, trying to look him in the face.

ꟷI don't accept that you, my husband , or someone give me a beating! And I don't see why this horrible man is managing the work of the slaves on the farm. He doesn't care about well-being...

ꟷDon't meddle in the affairs of the farm! I hope this is the last time you do such a thing! And the conversation ends here! I don't want to start our first day as a married couple that way.