The Grounds of Desire

Chapter 3

But before she could even take a step, Alexander's voice cut through the air, stopping her in her tracks. "Never mind. I'll go somewhere else," he stated with a hint of annoyance, his eyes fixed on the small stain on the counter as if it were an unforgivable offense.

“ So much for thinking there’d be better service here”, Alexander muttered.

Mia's heart sank as she watched him turn away without a second glance, his indifference leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. She felt a mix of disappointment, frustration, and a pang of hurt. The man she had admired from afar had revealed a side of himself she had not anticipated.

Penelope, who had been observing the encounter from a distance, hurried over to Mia's side, concern on her face. "Mia, are you okay? What just happened?"

Mia tried to brush off the disappointment, forcing a smile. "I'm fine, Penelope. Just a little mishap. Let's not let it ruin our day." Penelope looked at her friend with pity. If anyone was to go through bad customers, it shouldn’t be Mia.

But deep down, Mia couldn't shake off the sting of rejection. The encounter had shattered the romanticized image she had held of the handsome stranger, if he could still be called handsome at that point. She couldn't understand what it was she did wrong. It confused her that a man so handsome could be so condescending. Of course, they were just a few words, but they stung.

Throughout the day, Mia carried on with her duties, pushing aside her disappointment and focusing on her work. The café buzzed with customers, and Penelope did her best to lift Mia's spirits with her enthusiasm and some occasional jokes and teasing.

However, the stranger’s cold demeanor remained in Mia's thoughts, a constant reminder of the harsh reality of life. Rich people don’t care about others’ feelings, especially people from the lower classes. She couldn't help but ask if there was more on his mind than he let on. Perhaps his reaction was as a result of his thoughts. Nevertheless, it was no excuse for treating people rudely.

And so Mia's determination grew stronger. She decided to let go of the silly encounter. Her papa had raised her with good manners and, above all, forgiveness. Who was he to ruin her day? She hoped their paths would never cross again. Little did she know that their paths would continue to cross, revealing unexpected layers and challenging the preconceived notions they held about each other.

Mia's heart raced with relief as she glanced at the clock, realizing that her shift at the cafe had finally come to an end. She had been holding her breath, fearing that the manager, Derek, would scold her for her distracted behaviour while serving customers. She couldn't help but be preoccupied by the memory of her encounter with the man from earlier. She was sure he’d be from an influential family somewhere. However, another feeling bubbling inside of her was excitement. She was so happy to finally be working n the gardens with her father. She loved nature a lot.

Quickly bidding farewell to her best friend Penelope, Mia made her way out of the bustling café, her mind already shifting gears towards her next responsibility. On her way home, she picked up some groceries from the supermarket. They’d have a hearty dinner at home to celebrate her first day on the grounds. Tonight marked the beginning of her new role—assisting her father, Carlos, as the groundskeeper. It was a job she had eagerly taken on, excited about the chance to work alongside her father, who had devoted his life to maintaining the Reynolds family estate.

As Mia approached the sprawling estate, she found her father tending to a vibrant flower bed near the grand entrance. A smile brightened her face as she joined him, their shared passion for the beauty of nature serving as a silent bond between them. She quickly went into the house to put down all the stuff she had and joined her father at work. Together, they carefully pruned and watered the plants, their hands moving in harmony.

"Your dedication is admirable, Mia," her father praised, wiping sweat from his brow. "You've always had an eye for detail, just like your mother, mija.”

“Although, I’d assumed you’d be a little reluctant about helping out.”

Mia's heart swelled with pride at her father's words, although the last one did sting a little. She knew he spoke the truth. Mia hadn’t always been one to put in a lot of work into physical labor. Her mother, who had passed away when Mia was young, had been Carlos’ source of inspiration and love. Working alongside her father brought a sense of closeness, as if she was connecting with her mother's spirit.

Once the flower bed was impeccably tended to, Mia embarked on her next task, getting fresh manure from the nearby horse stable. They’d recently planted some pumpkin seeds, so they needed the extra help if it was going to grow properly. She headed towards the stables, the scent of hay and animals filling the air. As she approached, she noticed a magnificent chestnut horse being groomed by a stable hand. The horse's sleek coat glistened under the sunlight, and its eyes sparkled with a spirited energy. Her love for nature and all it brought, knew no bounds.

Lost in the moment, Mia took a step closer, her eyes fixated on the majestic creature. It was then that she heard a strangely familiar voice, resonating from behind her.

"Quite a sight, isn't it?" came a smooth voice, tinged with a hint of impatience. He’d been watching her right from the time she entered the stable. Wondering what the waitress from the cafe was doing there, he followed her. After a few seconds of watching her, he figured she must be the groundskeeper’s daughter. What was he doing watching this girl? What if someone saw him? “I see you are also incompetent here as well.”

Startled, Mia turned around to find the stranger from earlier standing there, with an expression she didn’t understand on his face. Dressed in casual attire that screamed elegance, he seemed out of place amidst the rustic surroundings of the stables.

"Excuse me?" Mia asked, confused. What was he doing here? "Did you follow me, Creep?” “ Who let you in anyway? This is private property!”

Alexander's gaze flickered between Mia and the horse, an almost irritated look in his eyes. Of course she didn’t know who he was. She probably had a slow thinking process, he thought. "I couldn't resist exploring these grounds further."

Mia didn’t know what to say, a mixture of nervousness and apprehension coursing through her. She was torn between calling for help and running through the other end of the stable doors. However, a small part of her wanted to find out how he got in. His presence seemed to have that effect on her, drawing her in like a moth to a flame, despite the anger steadily rising inside her.

She hadn’t forgotten what had happened earlier.

“You are Carlos’ daughter, I presume. It's a shame he didn't teach you how to talk to your employers.”

It dawned on Mia and she realized who she was speaking with. Alexander Freaking Reynolds!!!

"I... I'm just here to get some manure for the gardens," she stammered, hoping to regain her composure. Get it together Mia. You’re speaking to a spoiled mommy’s boy. "It's part of my job as a groundskeeper." Having to explain herself to him only infuriated her more. He really was a spoiled cocky boy, she thought.

His gaze softened, and a hint of amusement flickered across his face. "You must be a woman of talents. A waitress in the city and groundskeeper in the countryside.”

“Hopefully, I caught you at the wrong time and you're better at this than you are at waiting tables.” Sarcasm lacing his tone. It only infuriated Mia further.

A moment of silence hung in the air, both of them acutely weighing the other. Alexander with a look of disdain and Mia, struggling between lashing out and holding her words back. She watched him scoff and walk away. Mia's duty as groundskeeper kept her from running her mouth back at him. Her father often warned her about her loose tongue. She didn't know what Alexandar was capable of yet and it would be a shame if her father lost his job over a silly dispute. She would just have to watch and wait.