While walking through our family's vast rice fields I savored the fresh breeze of this province. The road we are taking is the road that goes to Letty’s.
"I feel like I will enjoy my vacation." I uttered and out of the corner of my eyes I could see how Letty smiled.
I am still holding my skin products which I should never forget, while she holds my other things.
"I hope so. I don't know what you are thinking, Piper. It's a good thing Mom let’s you. Dad will be going as well to watch over you"
It took me several times until I made Aunty Evy to let me go with them on their vacation. At first, she did not permit me, but later on she gave in. I have asked for another favor from my parents. I asked them not to have Uncle Ben to look after me so he could take a rest as well. Besides, he also needs a vacation.
Let him rest first from the headache that is because of me.
"No. Uncle Ben won't follow us. He will be staying at home first. If he doesn't want to go on vacation, I won't oppose him. If he wants to work at home, that's fine."
Those who serve us have their own room, so that they do not have to go home. Dad doesn't like wasting time, so he doesn't want to be late. But it was Letty and Aunt Evy who goes home sometimes because their house is just nearby.
Letty took a deep breath then lowered her things. The hot sun was really painful on the skin because we were just wearing a cover - it is thin and like a veil that covers our skin from the heat of the sun.
"I told you earlier that we should ride a tricycle", she said tiredly while fanning with her own hand while she placed her other hand on her hip as she stood on the road.
"I rarely get out under the sun, so it is okay. And besides, I have my skin care products." I lifted the shoulder bag containing them to show her.
"Much better. Somehow the heat I feel decreased", I said.
In the shade of the big tree, we rested while watching the farmers who are busy at work.
"Hurry up! It's going to be noon!" Growled a man who seemed to be in his mid 40's. He is holding an umbrella. As I observed him, I saw that he was wearing long sleeves and torn pants. I then looked down, and he was wearing boots similar to those worn by some of the farmers there.
"Why did someone hang out in the hut right away! The work isn't done yet!" he added.
He approached one of the youngest there. I didn't hear what he said from our seat but I knew he was angry because of the silence. He squeezed the child and then sprinkled mud on the very soil he was plowing.
A man ran to the boy — from the large hut where the farmers had gathered.
He's wearing red long sleeves. Some of his buttons are open. His pans are ripped and he also has faded boots. Even though he was wearing it like that, he’s charm is still captivating.
I decided to approach them and I didn’t let Letty stop me as she touched me.
"What's with you?" I asked the man who has angry eyes while looking at the boy who is now holding the arm of the man with red long sleeves.
I'm mesmerized by his handsomeness. His sweat dripped on his face. I checked out his entire face using my eyes - his eyebrows were not very thick and his eyes were just right round. The smoothness of his face makes him look like he is not a farmer.
And with that Adam's apple he has, he looks like a hunk actor. I looked down slightly at his body. His chest was scratched on his clothes because of the sweat that was about to dry.
"Miss Piper, why are you here?" The man politely asked me while suddenly looking like a polite sheep..
I stared at his face intently. I realized he was Gracio when I found the moles on his face as well as the scar on his eyebrow.
He looked at the woman behind me for a moment then turned his eyes back to me.
"You shouldn't be wandering around at this time. The sun's rays are at its highest peak"
I watched the boy who was looking at me as his eyes slowly calmed, and the fear that was once in there slowly subsided.
I smiled at him and he tried to smile back at me too.
"You shouldn't bully people here, especially this boy. He looks too young. I think this one is still underage"
I looked at Mang Gracio to raise an eyebrow at him. I adjusted my cover as soon as the wind blew, because it almost got blown away. Fortunately, my hand caught it right away. If I wasn't, I would be dead to Aria by chance, considering the fact that it was her gift for me when she went back from Taipei.
“They shouldn’t be working,” I said.
Today is Saturday, so I know the students are off school. He must be resting, or if not, then he must be helping on the household chores instead.
"Lazy ones!" said Mang Gracio.
"Mang Gracio, just be patient with my brother because he is a slow worker. I will make sure to discipline him, but please don’t hurt him. We're just workers here," he said in a husky voice. The man was wearing red sleeves.
My mouth fell open a little. He's so manly. His muscles flex as he holds his brother's arms.
He looked at me from head to toe, so I adjusted my posture. Letty in my back, simply whispered in my ear.
"Cade is his nickname"
Even his nickname makes me weak. I wonder if he's single.
My gosh! Piper! You are losing your mind!
I just smirked at him and no one else. It looks like a lot of women are flirting with him, so I'm sure he's a womanizer.
"What's your name kid?" I asked him kindly as I equated myself with him.
Instead of answering my question - the man Cade spoke up.
"His name is Dero," he said sparingly.
He was leaving when I suddenly spoke. "Dero ..."
"He's fine so don't worry"
It feels like he took me away with him as they went away. His charm is really powerful that even me is being swayed by him.
“Senorita, why did you suddenly become dazed?” Letty asked me as she moved her hand in front of my face to get my attention.
“Huh? What… Uhm... I was just thinking about something,” I said as an excuse while biting my lower lip.