Chapter 13
1029 Words
Ines
“Everything ok señorita?” Señor Fernando asked me.
I had been in the middle of purchasing our usual goat cheese from him when I heard Vicente’s laugh.
The market was busy and bustling with chatter and laughter as usual, but it had been two days since I had seen Vicente. Two days since I had felt something change between us.
“Señorita Ines?” Señor Fernando asked again, worried when I wouldn’t take the cheese he was handing me.
“Oh, yes I’m sorry Señor. Gracias,” I said, quickly smiling and putting the cheese in my basket. The apples, lemons and cut of ham I had bought stumbled against it when I quickly turned around.
I wanted to see him.
I wanted to see his face.
I searched the crowd as I moved along the stands of fruits, vegetables and meats. I could smell the flowers and fish being sold but I wanted to smell him.
I wanted to smell the richness of his soap and wine.
I was so caught up in searching for him; looking for his light brown hair, honey eyes and slim figure that I didn’t notice where I was going.
I hit someone very hard and felt myself fall backwards from the impact.
“Oh my!” I shrieked, trying to recover from the sudden hit and trying to find my balance as I fell backwards.
Luckily for me, a strong hand held onto my arm and helped me upright. And even better, that hand belonged to the man I was looking for to begin with.
“Ines, you must watch where you’re going.” Vicente teased, giving me a smile. “You could really hurt somebody.”
I felt my cheeks burn but I smiled and nodded. “Yes, I’m sorry. I was distracted.”
“By who?” Vicente immediately asked. His smile faltered only a little bit and I noticed him quickly glance at the people around us.
I felt my heart tighten for some unknown reason but only shrugged in response. “Nothing, it doesn’t matter anymore.”
“Oh I don’t think that’s true at all,” he teased with a small wink.
My entire body tingled and my palms began to sweat; things were different now. They had to be.
I wiped my hands on my green dress, trying to look calm and collected.
“Would you mind if I walked with you?” Vicente asked.
I nodded but laughed a bit. “Of course, but to be honest, I’m not exactly sure where I’m going anymore.”
“Did that bump scramble your mind?”
“Something like that.”
He laughed, his honey eyes twinkling. “That’s quite alright. We’ll get lost together.”
And with that he stood next to me, grabbed the basket from my hands and smiled in a way that made me feel like I was dreaming
***
THIRD POV
Alvaro Reyes stepped off the grand ship he had sailed in.
It was called La Reina; The Queen.
Fitting he believed, for his name and family were already that of nobility.
His father and grandfather had sent their men to sail across the sea to discover the new islands rich with gold, jewels, spices and much more endless wealth.
They had been recognized in the eyes of the King and their riches were beyond their wildest dreams.
“My dear Señor Reyes, welcome back to Spain,” an older gentlemen said. He was wearing fine clothes and shoes but not enough to be a nobleman; he was probably one of Alvaro’s father’s lawyers.
“Take my bags.” Alvaro ordered, waving his hand at the man.
Alvaro’s hand was decorated with a golden bracelet and a ruby ring that sparkled in the sun. A couple of dock workers spotted it but when they saw Alvaro’s face they looked away immediately.
The Reyes face and appearance was well known through all of Spain, especially port towns.
The men all had thick dark hair with small streaks of grey that made them look animalistic and regal. Their eyes were small and a piercing blue color that had an intimidating glint to them. They were tall, strong and had long noses that had a hook figure to them.
The Reyes men were intimidating; menacing even.
And Alvaro was by far the worst; he flaunted the family wealth, held no responsibilities, had burn violent outbursts and his manners were almost nonexistent.
The only reason he was treated or referred to as a gentleman was because of his family name and status; it was also the only reason his pirating was swept under the rug.
It was easy to cover up the pillaging, r*ping, and stealing of a man if he was rich and powerful.
“Where would you like your bags to be taken to?” The man asked.
Alvaro looked around him and scoffed in disgust.
“Wherever is the most suitable in this abismal town. I’ll be leaving first thing in the morning anyways.”
“Of course, excuse me,” the man said and scurried off with three young boys.
“Rather a disgusting place isn’t it?” Alvaro’s uncle, Señor Ricardo Reyes, said as he stepped off the ship. “The only good thing here will be the wh*rs and liquor I’m sure.”
And that’s when he saw her.
Across the port from him, glistening in the sun and smiling.
A young woman of brown skin, curly hair and wide eyes. The green, but poor, dress she wore could not hide the body Alvaro knew was perfection.
He had never been so tempted or turned on before. He felt it in his pants.
Ricardo tried to find what his nephew was looking at.
“Have you spotted one already my boy?”
And Alvaro grinned wickedly; he was a man who always got what he wanted. It didn’t matter if it didn’t belong to him, if it was f*******n or if it was wrong. He had never been denied anything.
“I believe I have,” he said, eyes locked on the young woman in the green dress.
- Writer
