Love Hacienda

Chapter 1

Maria ran happily among the coffee plants. She chased her little dog and her friend Ana.
" you'll never catch me Maria" Ana said
Maria remained silent.she felt she would have a better chance of catching Maria if she remained silent. She moved quietly among the plants.
"Gotcha" she yells when grabbing Ana's hem.
They both Tumble to the ground laughing the little dog whipping around them.
"I should be in the kitchen cooking, Maria said to Ana.
Ana replied; " Senora Castillo won't be back for a few hours it won't hurt"
*Horse Hoofs approach*
"Oh it seems like someone is coming" says Maria
A Brown haired man approaches them astride a horse
" Hello is Mamâ around" he says
Maria and Anna stare at each other in confusion. "Who's your mother"? Ana says
Maria stares at his face he looks very familiar apart from the fact that he is very handsome.
He Replies: " I've been away for a while but I know you have not forgotten me Maria or have you", He raises an eyebrow.
Maria catches her breath "Vincenzio" she whispers
He smiles mockingly," good girl,Reina"
Maria blushes.
"Your Mamâ isn't home Master Vincenzio but let me go in and tell the house you are home" she attempts to rush past
"Not so fast Maria,Id like to talk to you first before anyone and When did u start calling me Master" ??
Maria looks down. It was so long ago when they played together or rather when she trailed after him with the older boys. At first she was nothing more than a little girl annoying the boys but Vincenzio took her under his Wing, which was funny because his friends couldnt understand why he cared so much for the mulato girl. But Vincenzio and his family never saw Maria as anybody but family. Maria also never saw herself as anyone but family until she grew older and Vincenzio left.
"Maria"? Vincenzio queried.
"Sorry Master Vincenzio lets head towards the Hacienda " Maria rushes forward while Vincenzio reins his horse in.
He jumps down rushing after her and grabs her arm.
"Reina wait"
"Don't call me that Master Vincenzio"
Vincenzio's eyes flash,"Don't call me that Maria,you know what you used to call me,say it"
Maria looked up at him with eyes blazing, she can't believe Vincenzio's nerve. He left without saying goodbye which made her realise that she was nothing more than a servant girl so what could he possibly expect from her now.
" My Maria never keeps quiet who are you"?
Maria shrugs and finally speaks " what do you want to say to me Enzio"
"I missed you Mi Reina,did you miss me?
Maria watches him warily from under her lashes but says nothing.
" I couldn't tell you I was leaving it would hurt too much, I know you're mad at me but I'm sorry"
"You have nothing to be sorry for Master you don't owe me anything" Maria Replied
Vincenzio grabs both her shoulders with his Green Eyes Blazing "Mi Reina please stop calling Me Master!You dont even call Papá Master so why me"?
She stubbornly refuses to talk
"You are trying to create distance between us and I wont have it!did you forget everything we shared"
"It was just a kiss and Im sure it meant nothing to you Enzo" Maria said fighting back tears
" Just a Kiss Maria"?? It wasn't just a kiss and you know it" He said with his eyes glittering.
"Vincenzio my boy" a voice booms.Maria starts and shakes herself out of Vincenzio's grasp
"Papa,Im home" Vincenzio moves towards Senor Castillo who looks from Maria to His Son with Amusement.
" I can see you and your friend are having a homecoming.Maria has grown so much since you left hasn't she"? Senór Castillo waggles his Eyebrows.Vincezio ushers him in laughing and speaking but Maria doesnt hear what he says.
Maria walks round the house to the kitchen door and slips in.She's sees Mamie Alvarez cooking.She says "Mamie Im so sorry I know I should have started supper"
Mamie Alvarez waves her away and speaks in her thick accent "Mi hita you are always carried away with the birds and the butterflies and your friends so I wasn't actually expecting you to cook"
"Mamie but you do everything here,I dont do anything"
"You are our sunshine and that's enough work" says Senora Castillo as she walks in.
Senora Castillo(Vincenzio's Mama) is a Blonde Green Eyed Beautiful woman with a Soft Voice and a smiling face.She smiles at Maria Indulgently.She always wanted a Daughter but all she had was Vincenzio so she took Maria under her wing as her's.Maria's Mother Sara was her lady before she married Senor Castillo and losing her was a pain she still felt.
"Maria mi hija,have you seen Vincenzio" says Senora Castillo
"I have Tia" says Maria while bringing out plates from the Cupboard
"I haven't seen my son but Rafael told me he's finally here,how does my son like hija?Has he grown???Rafael said he saw you and him talking in the field" says Senora Castillo with a big smile
Maria Blushes and says "Tia I didn't really look at him because Uncle came and took him in"
Senora Castillo looks shrewdly at Maria.The Girl was lying.It was plainly obvious,but why??Didn't she like Vincenzio?or did she like Vincenzio...ah that would be more like it.She smiled and said "Maria you should show Vincenzio around the Hacienda,Im sure he has forgotten everything since he left"
Senora Alvarez says while stirring "Madame its only been 5 years,little Vincenzio cant have forgotten everything "
"Orquedia,Vincenzio isnt so little anymore I wonder why you still call him that" laughs Senora Castillo
"He will always be little Vincenzio to me.Why it feels like just yesterday when he used to steal cakes from this very oven"
"His Children will soon be stealing cakes from the oven if I have any say in it" says Senora Castillo. "Now hes home I expect he will pick a nice girl so his father and I can move to the country and retire"
Maria looks up and sees Senora Castilo and Senora Alvarez looking at her.she looks away while picking glasses.
Senora Castillo narrows her eyes with a smile then says "Im going to see my boy,when is dinner"?
"By 8 Senora" says Senora Alvarez
"Alright" says Senora Castillo as she walks away
Maria starts taking the plates into the dining room .

****

Vincenzio's Point of View

Vincenzio stands beside a Chair in his rooms with a glass of Brown Liquor swirling .
" But why exactly is Maria mad at me?? She knew I had to go to the capital. She knew it was going to take a lot of time for me to learn the ropes of my father's business. Didn't she think I was going to come back for her"?
Vincenzio had always liked Maria.Her Mother Sara had been his nurse till she got pregnant when he was 7 years old.at first he had been jealous because Sara couldn't be his nurse anymore but when he saw the little baby with her tuft of red hair and hazel eyes he understood.she was a little doll .Her mother let him carry her all the time and he felt happy.He was a very careful little boy.Only Sara and His Mother knew the identity of Maria Father and no one ever thought to pry.Maria was the little sunshine in the house.she grew up like a member of the household playing and spreading joy and laughter.Isabel(Vincenzio's mother) secretly felt Maria should never leave her side especially when Sara died when Maria was only 9 years old.She thought to find Maria's father but decided against it.The man never looked for his daughter so why hand her over to him?What if he treated little Maria like a servant?No she would never risk that.Sara was more than her lady,she was her sister so Maria was her niece and she would do anything to keep the girl happy and with her.She just didnt know why the girl insisted on working in the house.it was ridiculous.
Vincenzio thought about how he realised what he felt for Maria was more than affection.Maria was barely 13.she had grown from a young tomboy to a soft feminine red haired siren who had no idea of her beauty.She had olive unblemished skin and her hazel eyes glowed everytime she spoke to Vincenzio .
He couldn't believe that Maria could make him a youth of 20 years so tongue tied and she seemed unaware of her charms.She would go riding with him and tease him and hug him as if she was still a child but all he felt was a womans touch.She remained blissfully unaware till that night when...
"Vincenzio mi amor,welcome home" ,"his mama rushed towards him and enclosed him in her scented Bosom
"Mamá Ive missed you"he replied hugging her.Life in Rio had been exhausting and had made him grow up to the Man he was today.
"Now that you are back son You have to take over your papá's business.He's not as young as he used to be and I want to convince him to go back to the other hacienda with me so we can grow old together in peace"
"Mama you will be bored in a week if you convince papa to move back to Guarujá with you" laughed Vincenzio
"True but I would come back to Brasilla regularly for Social Events Son,I just want to have your father away from work and with me,we havent had a holiday since you were 9 years old its sad.Ive had to travel without your Papá for too long and I dont like it"
Vincenzio looked at his mother indulgently.She was in her late forties still beautiful and vibrant.she had every right to want her husband to herself without the stress of work and he understood that absolutely.taking over wouldnt be hard.he just needed to decide what would be best for him.
"Mamá would you really leave me here alone" ?Vincenzio said
"Not alone Son,All the servants will be here and you will have a wife by the time we leave" Isabel smiled
"Mamá I don't know,I havent met anyone I want to marry yet"
"Thank God you are home now,you can look closer and Im sure someone is just waiting for you"
Vincenzio looked at his Mom sharply "Mamá who do you have in mind"
"No one son" his mother smiled,"it will be totally your choice,I just want you to look under your nose"
Vincenzio smiled.He knew exactly what his mother was thinking and she would be surprised to know that he was thinking the exact same thing.

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Guys what do u think?
Please be Gentle lol 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍