FORBIDDEN

CHAPTER 9. Valerie

Editing in progress
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" Valerie, why don't you listen! " shouted Luisa. I'd been called over by her from the stables, where she had coincidentally seen me talking to Tom. " I'm thinking about you, you know. If the master finds a slave talking to his son as if their friends your sure to get a wiping". Luisa's face seemed to have suddenly aged immensely, her wrinkles looked more defined and she had dark bags under her eye's.

" I will Luisa. " I finally spoke, my eyes fixed on the muddy soapy ground, that we poured the washing water on.

" Good. Now go child, I still have work to do", she bent down towards the bucket with clothes in front of her and resumed washing the clothes again. I would have asked her if she needed help but knowing Luisa she would have probably said no.

I ran back to the stables, holding the hem of the putrid pale yellow uniform in my hands as I run.
I found Tom in Dusty's stall like he said he'd be. He was fast asleep and looked really adorable, his whole face seemed red somehow and the golden hair fell over his eyebrows and onto his closed eyelids in a messy way, he had long lashes for a guy but it managed to increase his appearance, his pale pink lips were slightly ajar revealing a hint of white teeth.

I slowly squatted down and tapped him gently on the shoulder, at first he didn't stir so I tapped him harder making him jump up into a sitting position, I almost ended up falling on my butt.
" Oh sorry, I didn't know I would fall asleep " his voice was still groggy from sleep and he's eyes were narrowed as he tried to adjust to the lighting.
" You must be tired, are you sure you want to keep talking today? " I asked.

He roughly nodded his head, blonde hair slapping his pink forehead. "Yes. We haven't talked for a long time, I don't want to waste this free time sleeping". He's eyes were wide as if shocked and he had moved forward while he talked it was a funny scene especially with his now pink face and messy hair, I couldn't help but chuckle .
"What?" He asked confused.

" You should see your face, it's all red and you have sleep marks", I told him shaking my head lightly when a smile formed on his face.

He quickly rubbed his face, "must be the heat in the stables".

I frowned it wasn't that hot in here, in fact most of the horses had their coats on. " It's evening it's cold out".

His blue eyes widened, surprised at my words. He must have been tired and slept all this time yet he still looked exhausted.

"Are you sure-" I started wanting to ask him if he really wanted to go on that walk, but was interrupted.

"yes, let's go" he said standing up from the stable floor and holding out his hands for me so i could pull myself up, i took it and got up.

Minutes later we were walking in the forest next to the plantation, although i couldn't see them, i could hear the workers working away in the fields.

I was balancing on the thick tree roots that were sticking out from the ground jumping from one root to the next, my arms held out at both sides trying to keep my balance. Tom was yammering away at how unfair it was that he's parents waned him to marry a person he didn't love. I really was trying to listen but I only caught tiny bits of words, I couldn't help but think that this might be the last time I talked to Tom. I can't believe it but Luisa's right, if they catch me talking to Tom I'll be in big trouble and probably earn myself twenty lashes. Tom would only get a scolding so he would be okay.

"Well they want you to be happy, that's what all parents want for their children.", I told him piecing the tit bits of the conversation and adding what came to my head. "well I think so" I added, I mean I'm not quite sure if that's what parents really want for their children, but I'm sure my mom wanted that for me.