Puron Psych

28

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"Why would anyone be happy after being kidnapped by a murderer who seeks to bring their country to ruin? On top of that, his minion comes to watch me like I'm a puppy in need of training."

"You're back to your usual self."

"Usual self? Usual? Is my life a joke to you?"

"You were a lot easier to get along with the other day."

"That's because—"

A loud bark grabbed Harper's attention. When she saw the dog from days before, her breathing became heavier. She gripped onto the shovel and raised it to defend herself.

The dog ran over to them, and she shrieked. "Arnest! Get it away!! Please!"

"Apologize first," Arnest smirked at her, still bothered by her attitude.

"Arnest!" Harper heaved. "I'm sorry! Please get that thing away from me!"

Arnest whistled and waved for the dog to move away. It barked happily, before darting toward the other end of the vineyard.

Harper kept her eyes on it until it was out of sight. And even when she could no longer see the canine, she wondered how long it would take for it to come back.

"So..." Arnest whistled and shoved his hands into his pockets, nudging the dirt around with his boot. "Giada has you working your arse off again. You know you can just say no, right? Though, there's no guarantee she'll feed you after you say it."

"I'm not doing this because Giada told me to." Harper placed another flower into another hole.

"Really?" Arnest's eyes widened. He laughed mockingly. "Are you serious?"

"Believe it or not, I'm actually willing to help out in any way I can. Unlike some people..."

"So, you're enjoying this? Getting your hands smothered in the ground? Sloshing worms around? Smelling like crap?"

Harper ignored him.

"Papa Arnesto did say hard work builds character, but yeesh. I didn't think it was possible you had anything to start building on."

"Are you finished?" Harper sighed. "You can go back and report to Hyde where I am. If you don't plan on leaving, can't you just stand there quietly?"

"You must really think I'm some low-life errand boy." Arnest snickered. "This is my home. I can go wherever the heck I please. I don't have to answer to Hyde all the time. You? You're a different story."

"Okay, Arnest, I get it." Harper huffed. "I don't need to be reminded. Just please go somewhere else."

"You look like you're about to cry."

"Well, maybe I am."

"Is it because I made fun of your hair?"

Harper inhaled and a stream of tears ran down her face.

"Okay..." Arnest coughed awkwardly. "It was a joke, I was just kidding, no need to—"

Harper quickly wiped them away when Anna approached. She cleared her throat and sucked it up before Anna could see.

"Here's your water." Anna shoved a cup of water into Arnest's grasp. "Let's get back to work before Mama says we're slacking."

"Si..." Arnest rolled his eyes.

And without saying anything else, the three continued to work. An hour went by, and Anna decided to go and sit elsewhere. Arnest felt a little disturbed by the awkward silence.