Love Hacienda

Chapter 2

" Marcos estás loca?" shouted Maria with laughter.

Maria had been by the coffee field laughing and shouting with Ana when Marcos(Ana's brother and the Hacienda's forman) grabbed her cherry coloured scarf and started tossing it in the air pretending to Juggle.His right hand man and friend Rafaél was standing close to the barn with a bale of hay also laughing. It was typical of the way they spent their mornings laughing playing and shouting as they were the youngest workers on the plantation and Senor Castillo never seemed to mind how happy they were so far as they got their work done.

"Only for you mi amor" shouted back Marcos with a cheeky smile.

Marcos was fond of teasing Maria every chance that he could get.He had a lot of affection for his sister's friend and she for him

"I'm not playing Marcos give me my scarf "said Maria

" Marcos you're so annoying" said Ana with her eyes rolling

Marcos smiled with his eyes glinting,put the scarf on his head and tied it

"Wont I make a cute woman" he said while pursing his lips and posturing

Rafael remarked laughingly "Marcos you look ridiculous "

Maria lounged at Marcos and they both fell on the ground laughing and rolling around

"Fight him Maria" said Ana,laughing while pumping her fist

Maria wrestled her way on top of Marcos, pulled her scarf off his head and ticked under his chin while he giggled

"Can I join the fun or is this a private party " A voice rang out from behind them

Maria looked up to see Vincenzio on his stead looking down at her with narrowed eyes
She jumped off Marcos quickly.Marcos was still laughing and so was Ana

"Senor Vincenzio,Buenos Dias.Let me drop this Bale of Hay and show you the new Silo " said Rafaél

" Rafaél how many times have I told you not to call me Senór we grew up together, stop this" said Vincenzio with some annoyance

"Sorry Vincenzio,force of habit" Rafaél grinned."This is the new foreman Marcos,well not so new,He and His sister came here for work shortly after you left for Rio"

Marcos jumps up and dusts his breeches.he wipes his hands down the front of his breeches and heads towards Vincenzio's stead with his right hand Outstretched

Vincenzio narrows his eyes but streches out his right hand to accept Marcos' offered handshake

" pleasure to meet you Senór" says Marcos

"Likewise" says Vincenzio while looking at Maria and back at Marcos

Ana looks at Maria curiously.She wonders why her friend suddenly seems a bit uncomfortable.She knew Maria grew up on the Hacienda so She and Vincenzio must have grown up together,so why was Maria acting awkward?

Vincenzio gets down from his stead and gives the reins to Rafaél.He looks toward Maria and says with his hand slightly outstretched "Reina,Im going back to the Hacienda,Walk with me"?

Maria looks down at his hand and walks to his side.She ignores his hand.Vincenzio takes her wrist and walks forward with her.

"Good Morning Mi Reina" Vincenzio says after they take a few steps forward and are out of Ana,Marcos and Rafael earshot.

"Don't call me that Vincenzio"!said Maria
She raises her chin defiantly

"Why?Is it because of Marcos??Whats going on between you and him?? Vincenzio hisses eyes blazing