FORBIDDEN

chapter 3. Valerie

I was on my way to wake up little Olivia Smith, when miss Smith came rushing down the long staircase.

"Have you seen Luisa?. You know what, never mind just go upstairs and take the laundry basket and go wash the clothes" She spoke in a hurried tone.

"OK miss Smith" I replied, just as she rushed past me. I climbed up the staircase to retrieve the laundry basket before climbing down again.

I was on the verge of violently rubbing the stain off a shirt, my fingers wrinkled and soapy from the water, when i heard a familiar voice speak in front of me. "Hi!".

"Master Tom" I muttered under my breath.

"Hey, call me Tom"

I caught a glimpse of a smile before it faded.

"You know today looks like a beautiful day for riding, don't you think?" he asked looking at the sky.

"well, certainly sir" I replied, his face changed to an annoyed look, "I mean Tom"

"In fact it looks so good I think I will go riding"

"well that's great sir, I mean Tom"

"It sure is, it's so great I think I might want to ride with someone"

"well am sure master Benet will be excited"

He gave a little laugh "Boy are you slow, I want you to ride with me" he said in a teasing tone.

"your just kidding sir. Right ?"

"It's Tom. And no am not kidding come on"

"I can't Tom" I couldn't believe how friendly my voice seemed like I knew him for a long time even though it was just a few hours. "As you can see I have a lot of work to do"

"It's just for a few minutes you'll be back and I can help if you want"

"What? Thank you for the offer but no"

"oh come on Valerie don't be such a spoiled sport"

"No, no, no Tom I am, strictly, not, coming"

"Oh come on" He whined like some kind of four year old. He took my soapy hands from the basin which I was using to wash the clothes.

"No Tom" I pulled my hand away from his grip.

"Come on" he said annoyed.

"I just don't feel like ridding. And anyway I don't know how to, I'll probably fall of the horse"

"You never now till you try it"

"No"

"Valerie don't make me angry" he said again in a teasing tone.

" I don't want to make you angry. I just don't want to go. Now go on with your business, or whatever you people call it"

"oh come on Valerie. Come on"

"are you forcing me now"

"Wow. You really are slow"

"Shut up. Anyway what's the worse you can do to me, than kill me of course"

"I see well I don't want to kill you -"

"That's obvious"

He's face suddenly lit up.

"OK then I command you too come with me"

"Excuse me"

"I said I command you, you can't disobey an order"