by Stefania Gil
She had taken to the habit of parking her car before arriving at the property in the last few days. She preferred to walk so the man with the shotgun would not feel like she was a threat.
She sat the basket on the porch. She wanted to sneak a peek through the windows. She was dying to see the inside of the property.
Crack!
The sound of a broken branch threw her on alert and she decided it was the perfect time to leave.
When she got into her car, she cursed a few times for not leaving a note inside the basket. She was about to return; only her instincts told her, she better not. Natalia loved doing the opposite of what people said, not her instincts.
The best lesson her grandfather taught her was a person's instincts could save their life. So she always listened to hers.
She only hoped the basket would help her access the information she wanted. She didn’t think of taking care of the old man without getting anything in return.
She wasn’t that dumb.
No.
She started the car and left the residence.
7
Francisco couldn’t get the woman or his conversation with Manuel a few days before out of his head.
He didn’t understand the woman’s obsession with his property. It was clearly more than her wanting to purchase it.
“What is she writing now?” Asked Manuel curiously, to whom he considered his boss.
Francisco gazed at him with compassion. He needed to know who this lady was. He knew he shouldn’t do what he was thinking considering it was too risky for his safety, but he couldn’t get her out of his head and he didn’t seem to want to try.
“Tell her the property is part of the Village. Talk to the owners of Caserío Peña.”
Manuel nodded and glanced at his cigars, looking doubtfully at Francisco.
He slapped him on the shoulder and then poured some Scotch in a couple of glasses.
“Do not worry, man, nobody's going to run you out of here. Unless you want to go.”
Manuel’s entire body relaxed as he smiled at Francisco.
“You're very kind, my boy.” The old man's eyes flashed. “You do a lot of things for me that you don’t have to.”
“I have no one to look after Manuel and I like to talk to you from time to time.”
Manuel looked at him with pity. Francisco hated when people looked at him like that.
“Find you a good woman. That’s what you need, to start your own family.”
He had never said anything like it before. Manuel was a wise man.
Francisco snorted.
“It's not that easy, old man. It's not that easy.”
They did not say anything else. They sat side by side watching the scenery from the rear terrace of the property. Or rather, what was left of the terrace.
Scout grazed nearby.
Francisco looked around. He wanted to know what Manuel was thinking because his gaze was fixed on such a distant point and he was completely absorbed in it. It was clear that those memories in which he was submerged were the things he yearned for the most in his life. Was it a woman? Children? Manuel had never talked about it. He preferred not to ask knowing he could never answer the questions Manuel would ask him. It was something he couldn’t allow. No matter how much he trusted this man, he could not trust him with his secret.
So his thoughts, his deepest secret memories and sadness now conveyed in his gaze, would be a mystery to Francisco.
He still didn’t understand how Manuel could live so precariously. He himself tried to fix the property a little so Manuel had a better quality of life. It seemed neither logical nor right he had to endure winter with only the fire in a chimney that was to be falling apart. When it rained, the floor became disgusting due to the house leaking in some areas. The humidity smell was what distressed Francisco the most considering it reminded him of some of the worst experiences of his life.
Manuel refused to improve his living conditions and Francisco suspected he was looking to speed up his death. He had no family, no one claimed his affection as he did not claim anyone's, but in his gaze Francisco could see a longing he himself knew firsthand and only someone in the same position as Manuel could recognize.
Loneliness. They were both fed up with being alone. Francisco snorted while he dressed that morning. The truth was Manuel would get to die sooner or later, but he would not. He could only find comfort in his beautiful horse, taking a plane and leaving the estate for a while.
He was sick of that too. He knew it was only a feeling that invaded him from time to time. A necessity to end everything he had done in the last decades or maybe a century ago, he did not know. Nor did he intend to begin to keep account of the time taken in one place or another. He only counted what was necessary. Yes, he was very sick of it all.
He was beginning to realize this feeling was invading him more and more frequently. It no longer took a night of alcohol to drown it out.
Time, not an unexpected trip to an unknown location. The feeling grew stronger and stronger, but what could he do? Live a normal life? He was not normal. Fall in love and start a family?
Sigh.
He could not watch his offspring die.
He saw breakfast served as usual, on the terrace of his room.
Boredom would drive him crazy this morning.
He heard Scout whinnying in the distance.
He picked up an apple and took a bite as he left the property. He wanted to get rid of this monotonous feeling overpowering him.
He wanted to shake off his loneliness by riding with his best friend.
Then he realized his friend was busy with other things.
A blond woman stroked his mane while the very scoundrel remained stiff as a board so as not to miss any of the woman's caresses.
Francisco did not recognize the lady and was surprised Scout let her touch him. He usually only allowed Francisco to stroke him.
“Scout!” Francisco called aloud and the horse only switched his tail from side to side but without moving away from the woman. “He’s like a fucking dog” murmured Francisco smiling.
The woman turned around and Francisco recognized her immediately. He smiled. He didn’t know why he smiled, but she was so beautiful all he wanted to do was smile.
“Good morning,” Francisco said.
She smiled at him and a chill crept through his entire body.
“Good morning.” She studied him carefully. After a moment's hesitation, her eyes widen in surprise.
Francisco knew the lady was trying to place him.
“Ms. Castañeda!” Rodrigo interrupted as he hurried up to them. “You should not be in this area..—”
“Don’t worry, Rodrigo. I'll take care of it, thank you.”
Francisco stared at his employee with intrigue and he responded with confusion in his eyes. He would think of something later to tell Rodrigo. It was logical for his foreman to be perplexed on the grounds he himself told Rodrigo no one was permitted on this side of the estate. If anyone, he and his wife.
He waited for the foreman to walk away and smiled widely at Miss Castañeda.
Francisco's property was large enough to be able to organize people by sector and leave him a considerable space to move freely without encountering many employees on a daily basis. He was trying to keep people from remembering his face. It was only achieved by avoiding people. So on the vast expanse of land, there were three houses; the main and the largest house where Francisco lived, was currently being remodeled. So Francisco moved to the second house further away from the main house and which contained the same amenities although it was much smaller. There he had only the cook and Rodrigo. Rodrigo was the only employee allowed to enter the house freely. Francisco ordered the smaller property a while ago when he was not in residence but knew he would return.
At the time, he ordered a second home built for his son and wife. Since they would return soon and he wanted his son to learn how to manage the estate considering he w
as his only heir. Of course, when the time came to return, only a despondent son arrived due to the recent loss of his father. As was the custom, no one asked him about his alleged wife since it was not appropriate.
Once the renovation in the main house was completed, Francisco would order the remodel of the second home because it was in bad condition.
Finally, there was the third house. Manuel’s house which he couldn’t repair, the reason being the old man wouldn’t abandon it.
“I'm sorry, I didn’t know this was a private area, I just—” Ms. Castañeda was nervous. “Is he laughing at me?”
Francisco could not help but smile. He was amused with how the woman's hands shook.
Scout whinnied.
“Even Scout is noticing how nervous you are. I would like to know why, Ms. Castañeda.”
Francisco pretended like he didn’t recognize her.
“You don’t remember me?”
He narrowed his eyes and pretended to search through his memories.
She smiled at him again.
“No, unless you are the woman who has been invading my property for a few days with extreme visits and bribing my employees with food, cigars and whiskey. Which by the way, there are better than those. No. I don’t remember you.”
She flushed with the embarrassment of being discovered. There was no better vision in his long life for Francisco than that. She was perfect.
Francisco smiled again and extended his hand for a proper introduction.
“I'm Francisco Peña, at your service.”
***
“So are you going to tell me who you are and what brings you here?” He watched her mockingly.
Natalia was as nervous as a teenager on her first date. She resembled a woman unsure of what to do next.
She wasn’t like that, generally. So why was she so intimidated by this man, now?
“I'm Natalia Castañeda, Mr. Peña. I'm here because I understand there is a ruined property in your possession.” Natalia glanced around her, revealing she was not quite sure in which direction the property, where the old man lived with the shotgun, was located. She relaxed and drew in a deep breath before continuing. “You're just pretending not to remember me, right? That's why you haven’t wiped that smile off your face.”
“You were very brave to approach Manuel's house with a fruit basket after he scared you by firing two shots in the air.”
Natalia smiled with amusement.
“I like challenges, sir.”
“I see. What do want with the property? Please, my manners. My mother would have a good reason to spank me. Let's go somewhere we can sit down and talk properly.”
Francisco led Natalia to a house she had not seen before. The fact of the matter was she was still surprised by these absurd coincidences of fate.
Who would have imagined the entire area of land belonged to Caserío Peña?
The houses were very well situated to grant everyone privacy.
How come she has never seen Mr. Peña before?
They approached a Mediterranean-style property where it was clear the antiquity of the construction was beginning to take its toll.
“It would be nice if after completing the main house’s remodel, to renovate this one also. It is in very poor condition.”
“Manuel's is worse.”
Natalia laughed.
“Yes, you are very right about that. About the property I—”
“Would you like some coffee, Ms. Castaneda?”
“Please.”
Natalia was silent while Francisco picked up a phone and dialed only two numbers.
“I need two coffees on the terrace now, please” he requested his interlocutor. “For the moment, only that. Thank you.”
He hung the phone up and sat next to Natalia.
A few minutes later, a woman with a down cast gaze left a table with fine porcelain coffee pot, cups, pitcher of milk and a sugar container on the table beside them.
Natalia could not help thinking it was an old fashioned but very cheesy china set for such a masculine man.
He seemed to read her thoughts as he drew the tray closer and placed it on the table in front of them.
“I like antiques.” She smiled at him, and Natalia admonished herself for being so obvious. “Milk?”
“A little, please and two sugars.”
Francisco poured the coffee and handed her a cup.
“Thank you.”
He did the same with his and took a sip. Natalia could not help but notice the man intimidated her to unknown levels. He had a profound look, revealing a soul that has lived through things that maybe no human being should. She was curious to know what serious situations a man who seemed to have everything in life could have lived through.
“Well, Miss Castañeda, it seems destiny needed for us to know one way or the other. What do you want with Manuel's house?”
“Remodel it, sir. The company I work for recently opened a branch in Spain. We have already produced good results and have very satisfied clients with the remodeling we have done in the area of old estates. Our intention is to preserve the history of the place but give it a new air allowing its inhabitants to enjoy a superb place to live.”
Francisco smiled at her.
“Manuel doesn’t want to live better.”
“That's because nobody has proposed a real change.”
He stared at her with mischief.
“We have coaxed some clients to agree with our remodeling tips even though they are against the changes. Now we want to expand further and grow. We are interested in buying your abandoned property and turning it into a tourist attraction. An inn, maybe.”
Francisco snorted. Natalia sensed his mood change.
“Did I say something wrong?”
Francisco looked her directly in the eyes.
“Ms. Castañeda, you are very good at selling a product but unfortunately you ran into an old fox in business. I’ll inform you that you can forget about the absurd idea of buying those ruins to make it a tourist attraction. In the first place, I like my privacy; and secondly, I do not intend to evict Manuel.”
“Well,” Natalia couldn’t help the sarcasm, “that’s being a bit dramatic, Mr. Peña. Your privacy will remain yours due to no one being able to reach you from that residence; in addition, we could separate the houses in an effective way so no one enters your space. With respect to Manuel, we could build him another fort for him to play in with his shotgun on another side of this estate. It is a huge place with lots of space to spare.”
Natalia could understand, once again, her sarcasm was getting her into trouble.
Francisco set the empty mug on the table.
He stood up. He stared at Natalia seriously.
“I’ll want you to know my decision is irreversible. Now, please, I beg you to leave my property immediately. Have a good day.”
Natalia watched as the man left her there, alone. She felt like a fool. What did she do to make him speak to her so disrespectfully after all the kindness he had shown her?
She got up and knocked on the door.
Nobody opened it.
Where would the woman who brought them coffee be?
“Hello!” She banged on the door hard.
“Do you find it difficult to understand things?” Francisco opened the door and didn’t smile as before. “Do I have to call Rodrigo to show you out of here and ban you from all the properties so you will also have a problem with your boss?”
“No sir. I'm sorry I was rude to you. That ruined residence has become a challenge for my boss and I would like to show her I am capable of obtaining it.”
Natalia watched as the man's deep, piercing gaze, softened.
They sat down on the terrace again. Scout moved quietly in front of them.
She smiled half-heartedly, and he responded in the same way. He seemed to be thinking.
“Nice horse, by the way.”
Natalia did not know how to ingratiate herself to t
he man so she could persuade him to sell her the property.
“Scout is my best friend.”
“Aren’t those dogs? They say dogs are man's best friend.”
“They die too soon.”
Natalia heard a change in his voice and noticed his sad gaze.
Damn, it seemed she said one idiocy after another!
“I’m sorry. It seems like today isn’t my day to make people laugh.”
“At last we agree on something, Miss Castañeda!”
They both erupted into laughter. Natalia could appreciate his rustic beauty with his sun-tanned skin, short, thick hair, full lips and that rugged beard she liked so much on a man. So long as he wasn’t her boyfriend, as she couldn’t stand how it stung her skin.
She was delighted to notice how masculine some men looked, like Francisco Peña, for example.
The laughter seemed to have freed them from the strange tension that had arisen between them from the previous days at the old man’s dwelling.
It seemed to be very important to the man she was now talking to.
Again, she thought of daring to ask him to relocate the old man. She spoke of him as a complete nuisance. Even she was surprised. Normally she didn’t act or think that way about the elderly.
“I'm really sorry I was rude and suggesting you evict the man with the shotgun. What the hell was wrong with me? Manuel, I'm sorry. Manuel. I don’t usually behave like this with elderly people. They deserve a better life.
“I know.” Natalia looked at him in bewilderment. “A woman who tries to talk to an old man who has already frightened her with his shotgun and who is also capable of caressing Scout can’t be bad.”
“Thank you,” Natalia said with satisfaction. “That breed of horses is rare around here. It is better known in the United States. My grandfather had a couple but he had more Andalusians. I practiced riding until I was twenty. I know how to take care of them.” The man looked fascinated, she gave him a sincere smile, “and in my opinion, they are better than dogs.”
They both laughed again.
“This morning I came to supervise the work in the main house and I did. During the visit I asked Rodrigo to tell me how to contact you. He refused saying you were not here at the time and he was the only one who made the decisions in your absence. Of course he made it clear to me twice the property was not for sale.” Francisco nodded slightly. “You see, I'm a little stubborn and I don’t accept defeat easily.”
