My other side

3

I quickly look down, embarrassed. Even if I try to say something in this moment, it wouldn't help me. He saved me and now I'm doing this. Sneaking into the stable at night, when I know very well I shouldn't do this.

I hear his footsteps that are coming towards me. I close my eyes, prepared for everything that might come.

,,Is this your favorite horse?" he asks and I almost look at him in surprise.

,,I named her Bella." I say, my voice still shaking.

,,Well, it wasn't the right decidion. He's a boy."

I don't react.

,,You're free to look at me now. "

I slowly look up into his brown eyes. He's not angry. He's smiling. That makes it easier for me.

,,Don't worry. I won't tell my father."

,,Really?" I ask.

,,No. I'm not that type of person. So, what's your name?"

,,Zsofia." I say.

,,That's a beautiful name." his expression grows serious, as he probably rememberes that Leo gave me that name.

I give him a sad smile in return.

,,I'm really sorry about what happened to you. It shouldn't have happened and my father can be pretty cruel."

,,It's okay." I tell him. It's not okay, but there's nothing he can do about it.

,,So, what are you doing here?"

I glance at the floor. Should I tell him about it? It's not like it's something seriously personal.

,,I can't sleep." I say.

He doesn't say anything. Just goes up to Bella and pets her. Or rather him.

,,This horse is really special. He's kind and can calm you down when you feel like there isn't any hope left. That's why I love horses."

,,You come here often?" I ask.

,,Yes." He smiles ,,Every day. My father doesn't know, and neither did Leo. But you know now."

,,I promise I won't tell your father." I attempted a laugh. It comes out fake, but at least I tried.

We talk for a little. Or at least he talks and I'm listening, not daring to speak. He's nice to me. His voice is calming, reminding me that there is nothing to worry about. But I still can't shake off the feeling that something is wrong. But maybe it's just the fact that this boy's father treated Leo like trash.

I go to sleep and have a strange dream...

I'm standing in one place, breathing heavily. In front of me, there is Vincent.

His mouth covered, his hands tied above his head, looking at me with a terrified expression.

My heart is filled with happiness as I look down at my hands and see a knife. Then I come closer and hold it to his throat

I snap my eyes open. It's the middle of the night and I'm laying on the cold hard ground.

The feelings the dream gave me, are strange. I'm not scared of the dream. I even enjoyed the things that happened in the dream. But I shouldn't do it in real life. That's kind of obvious.

I can't stand the sight of the empty space next to me, so I walk out.

The night chill goes over my skin and it calms me down a little. I sit on the ground and look at the stars for a while.

Leo is somewhere up there, looking down on me. I have to make him proud and not enjoy those thoughts. It's wrong. Very wrong. Just like he said, I have to be kind and everything will be alright.

As I sit there, I think about the past. My childhood with Leo.

When the Gortham family bought Bella and I instantly adored her, when I hid from him in the stable and he couldn't find me all day.

I miss him. And it was only one day.

By the time the sun rises, everything is ready. The horses are fed, they're clean and two of them are harnessed.

I just have to wait for Vincent to come out.

I tried to remember yesterday how to tie the horses to the carriage. I'm hoping I won't need Wiliam's help now. Vincent would send me away in a second.

Vincent finally comes out and he lookes really angry. It's none of my business why he's angry, but I'm sure I'm not the reason.

,,If you decide to go to the stables at night, you might as well stay there and live with the stable servant girl." He lookes at me with distaste.

I don't see the person he's yelling at. But it's probably Wiliam. How did he find out that he was in the stables at night?

I quickly step out of my mind and tie the horses to the carriage. Then I walk away, not wanting to face Vincent any longer.

He steps into the carriage and goes away.

I let out the horses and begin cleaning the stable. Soon, I hear a familiar voice.

,,You look like you need some help."

It's Wiliam. He is looking at me with his brown eyes. I am still surprised that he talkes to me. Especially because I'm just a servant. Less than a servant actually.

,,I don't need help. Thank you. "

In reality, I would be grateful for all the help I can get, but I'm his father's servant. He's not supposed to help me.

,,No problem then. I'll just wait here until you're done. I want to show you something."

His last sentence gets me curious, so I begin working a little faster.