Chapter 4

Dawn came and Esther helped her daughter choose a beautiful dress, as usual, and combed her long black hair.

“Daughter, we need to talk about a very important matter right now.”

“You can talk, mother.”

“You know that your father and I care a lot and we always wanted your good above anything else in this world.”

“I know, but you should think more about yourself. Because despite everything I can take care of myself.”

"You think you can, daughter, but you have no idea of the evils of this world."

Esther sat in front of her daughter and held one of her hands that were getting colder and colder as they progressed in this matter.

“Our decision may seem harsh and harsh at first my beautiful, but one day you will understand (takes a deep breath) when you have children of your own.”

“I will not have children!” Guadalupe replied to her mother.

“Tonight, you will be officially engaged to Gabriel.”

“No way, Mom, (she got up angrily) I never disobeyed you and my father, but I don't allow the two of them to interfere in my destiny like that. I don't want to marry him or anyone else. Think about how unhappy we would be without loving each other, our coexistence would be a martyrdom every day.”

"It's already decided and accepted that this ring he gave you on your birthday is a commitment ring."

Guadalupe ripped the ring off her finger and ran out of the house, she knew how to walk around those lands since she was a little girl.

He went to the stable, got on his horse, and left without even guiding him by his sense of smell before... he left aimlessly and crying.

That same morning Atilio and the lawyer were talking about Leonel's lands and the two were riding horses.

“Your farm is a true work of art, a perfect place to build a home and a family.” Joshua says, delighted with the beauty of those fields.

“I am flattered by your compliment, but the matter I asked you by telegram, did you manage to verify?”

“ Of course, Atilio, this Leonel doesn't have any property deed in his name. But if you have lived on this humble ranch for years, you could appeal for possession in adverse possession.”

“I know what this law is about, so even though I don't even have proof that the lands are his, he can still ask for possession for as long as he lives in that place .” Atilio replied thoughtfully.

"Exactly."

"I want that property and I'm willing to do anything for it, Joshua."

“Only if he regularizes the ownership and when he sells it, gives you the deed to the ranch.”

“I want you to defend him and for him to keep the lands…” Atilio smiles.

“And after that ?” The lawyer asks, very curious.

“Later, I can try to take it out of him at a gaming table!”

Looking to the side Atilio saw Guadalupe riding alone, this time she wasn't heading towards the city.

“It just might be my lucky day!” Atilio sighed and smiled, it was so incredible how his body reacted to her presence involuntarily.

"What did you say?" Joshua asked.

“Do you mind going back to the mansion alone?”

The lawyer realized that he wanted to follow that beautiful Amazon.

“Of course not, go quietly after your beautiful conquest, Atilio.”

He smiled and made his horse gallop with greater speed until he reached Guadalupe.

“ What are you doing so alone on my lands?” He asks looking her up and down, mounted on his horse and still with tears in his eyes.

“Mr. Atilio, I'm sorry for invading your property. I miscalculated the distance and thought I was still close to home.”

"Recognized my voice so easily, your horse is a very straight steed." He said and deep down he was referring to her.

“His voice is thick and commanding and I got Sunshine from my godfather when I turned ten.”

“No doubt it was a beautiful gift, but as beautiful as ever, you don't look happy. Your eyes are red and who had the audacity to make you cry?”

“I'm sorry sir, but we don't know each other to discuss certain matters…I don't want to be impolite. "

“The priest knows me well, he knows that I am reliable and you can and should also trust me, sometimes venting helps with the pain.” He lets go of the reins and steps in front of her horse with his own.

“It's just that my parents...” Guadalupe can't hold back the pain and cries.

“Is there something wrong with them? Say it and I swear I will do everything I can to help.”

“They are going to marry me to Gabriel.”

“With that guy who was so aggressive with me at dinner? I wouldn't say he's a good candidate for your husband from the impressions I've had .” Atilio became irritated and changed his tone.

“Gabriel is not aggressive...he is a good and hardworking man.” Guadalupe replied, that even though she didn't love him enough to marry, she always loved him.

“Speaking like this, it seems to me that he will accept this fate that has been imposed on him very easily.”

"You're wrong, I'm not going to marry him or anyone else."

“And why such a big refusal to join someone? Afraid?" He held back his laughter, loved to play on the maidens' fear.

He stared at her breasts as the horse's gallop made them move. He could already imagine the softness of both of them and his mouth filled with desire.

“I have decided that I want to give myself to God, to be a nun and I am building up the strength to tell him and my father that. "

“You're still young and why don't you think about it before making a decision like that? It would be a life of eternal cloister!” Atílio at that moment understood why she was so afraid of the opposite sex, but he would not allow her to choose such a fate.

"I've already decided that and they'll just have to accept it."

Atilio

It would be a great waste, a beauty as great as hers, to end up in the cloister of a convent. I looked at her, losing myself in her naturally rosy lips and her gazes that, despite seeming lost, met mine, leaving me speechless.

“I understand your decision as confirmation of my suspicions.” He says approaching her horse.

“What kind of suspicions?”

"That you don't love this boy."

“Yes I do, but only as a friend or brother. It's a different kind of feeling than you should have for a couple to share a life or even a bed.”

I smiled, Guadalupe couldn't see it and even if I could, I think it would be hard to hold back such a spontaneous reaction.

"Why don't we go to the waterfall and you tell me more about your decision to give your life to you?" He proposes, looking around to make sure no one is watching them.

“I don't know, I don't go out with strangers like that. Forgive me, but we don't know each other well yet." She backed the horseback.

“I thought you trusted me? It's just a ride, I promise I'll take you back later.”

I grabbed the reins of her horse, making him follow mine, and we walked slowly towards the river. She was breathless, she was scared and I confess I found that even more exciting.

I heard the sound of the waterfall, I didn't know if I could trust that unknown man. However, that place gave me peace and at that moment I really needed it, I felt him pull me by the waist, getting me off the horse and he stayed for a while breathing close to my face. But I pulled away and nearly tripped over something on the floor.

“Slow down precious, here is a stone!” He warned, doing everything he could to make that touch of hers last longer.

Guadalupe

He offered me his arm and we walked slowly through that place that, judging by the time I rode, was remote.

"I think I'd better go back." She says, afraid and regretful that she agreed to be there alone with him.

"Don't worry, then I'll get you back home safely."

"It's not good for us to be here alone and in the middle of nowhere, please take me now." She took a few steps, and Atilio took her hand.

We were in the ideal place and far from everything, the perfect occasion to possess that girl on top of the rocks of that waterfall, but no... not yet!

“I don't want you to be scared that we're here alone, so let's go over to my place and have coffee with me .” He suggests.

"Yes, but let's get out of this place, please!"

Atilio

I helped her to mount taking advantage of the touches I could give her and followed my horse to the mansion.

"Is this the..." Amelia asked, very surprised by that visit.

I made that crazy Amelia shut up before talking too much and shooing away my illustrious visitor.

"We met at your confirmation dinner, very pleased to see you again." She says, taking Guadalupe's hand and leading her to the sofa.

“Prepare some coffee and a special snack…” Atilio sits down beside her.

"Lunch? but it's almost...”

I didn't want Guadalupe to have any notion of time, when I found her it was already late and if everything went well for me we would stay together until nightfall.

She was worried, she hardly touched her food and all the time asked to go home.

“I appreciate your hospitality and attention, Mr. Atilio, but I must go home now.”

I kept changing the subject to keep her with me longer.

“Want to learn to play the piano?” He proposes with a smile and this time sincere and without malice.

"I could not..."

She smiled shyly.

"And why not? Many visually impaired people can do many things when they practice and dedicate themselves.”

I went to her and gently pulled her by the arm, we sat next to each other in front of the piano. I took her small hand and strummed some notes with it, and she smiled.

“You see now, you can get anything you want in this life… absolutely anything!”

I played a melancholy and at the same time romantic symphony, Guadalupe sighed and smiled. I brought her nervously cold hand to my lips and kissed it. She was visibly embarrassed even though that affection was so simple.

Amelia looked at us from afar and while smiling at my advances, I feared where they might end up.

I heard the sound of the nocturnal animals, it must have been very late and my heart sped up imagining the anguish my parents might be feeling because I had gone out riding alone for so long.

They might think I was attacked by an animal when I got lost, and so many other things even worse.

"God...it's already night, my parents must be worried because I haven't come home."

She got up from the piano bench, desperate to getaway.

“I'm sorry is that when I'm with you I lose track of time, I'll take you home. We'll go on your horse and I'll walk home later.” Atilio proposed offering his arm for them to leave.

I helped her to mount and went from behind, wrapping her around her waist, taking advantage of all the way to smell her woman's scent and her heat.

I felt his lips touch the back of my neck and smelled my hair. Atilio wanted me as a woman and I couldn't tell if that scared me or wanted to find out how far I would go.

As soon as we entered the ranch I saw her parents at the door of the house and I started to behave a little better, they were together with the deluded groom and his father.

“Your parents and your fiancé are waiting for you and by the look of them they are not very happy.” Atilio warned her to get ready.

We approached and that asshole wannabe husband pulled her off the horse screaming.

“What were you doing with this man all day? And even more so clinging to your body?” Gabriel yelled, gripping her arm tightly.

“We are a worried daughter.” Esther says, hugging her daughter.

“What did you do to her?” Leonel shouted, looking into Atilio's eyes.

“Please, enough screaming! We just talked and lost track of time, nothing happened and I'm already home Atilio, go in peace, and thank you for bringing me safely.” All she least wanted was a mess, but she had already caused it and the war was decreed between Atilio and Gabriel.

I smiled and got off the horse and handed the reins to her mother who was looking at me insistently.

“ It was a pleasure to be by your side Lupe, whenever you want... my house will be open to you.” Atilio said calmly and making the rival even more furious.

I walked away satisfied and trying to hide my debauchery seeing the jealousy of that disqualified person, I didn't want to support what she had said... let them think what they wanted.

I heard fast footsteps approaching me.

"I'm not kidding, stay away from my fiancée or I'll finish you off!" Gabriel says and the two face each other head-on.

I got closer to his face and gave my message just for him to hear.

"Well, try to hold your filly tight or you'll catch me riding her through these fields soon."

"Bastard!" Gabrielarfoul.

I took a punch from him, if it wasn't for his father grabbing him, I think that fight would go a long way.

I couldn't fight back and be aggressive in front of her parents, I took my hat off the floor and walked away even though I wanted to break that kid.

I came home with a small wound in my mouth and threw my hat on the floor.

“What was that son?” Amelia asks trying to touch his face.

"That shit boot thinks he owns it I should have smashed his whole face, Guadalupe will only belong to someone else if I don't exist, not before!"

“And what did you do to him?”

“Nothing, because she and her parents were in front of me, but I wanted to gouge out his eyes and give it to the pigs.”

“And Guadalupe?” Amelia knew that Atilio wouldn't leave her like this without trying something.

“I took her home.”

"But...."

“If that's what you want to know, she's still in one piece. I think this is the hardest girl I've ever tried to possess, but when I have her, I'll make every second of rage I'm passing through worth it." He clenched his fist, having this woman was now a matter of honor.