[28]

Miya was amazed. She couldn't stop being amazed that in the mansion where she lived all this time, there were large horse stables and a vast racetrack. There was even an area of the racetrack that led to the forest around the mansion. Not to mention that the horses in the stable are very well cared for. Making them look more dashing and very charming even though they were just horses.

“Can you shut that mouth of yours?” Damian asked in a mocking tone. “It's like you've never been to a horse race.”

“I've been to races like that, Mr. Sawyer.” Miya pursed her lips. “But it's mostly old men who like to gamble.” It was true, an experience that made Miya vow never to set foot there again.

She would never have accompanied her father to a place where so many hungry stares were directed at her.

“Does your father enjoy taking his daughter to such a cheap place?” Damian said without thinking as Miya shot him an annoyed look.

“You seem to enjoy making me angry.” Miya folded her arms across her chest.

“Horse racing doesn't mean gambling, Miya. If your father took you to a place like that, then you were never told the true meaning of horse racing.”

“Isn't it the same thing?” Miya followed Damian's lead even as she wondered why he hadn't decided which horse to take. Since earlier, several caretakers in the large stable had been talking about Damian's collection of horses.

“You think I like gambling? Because I own horses and races?”

Miya grinned slightly and then shrugged. “I don't know. But experience gives something valuable, right?”

Damian paused. That brought Miya's steps to an unexpected halt as she accidentally bumped into Damian's back.

“Ugh!” complained Miya who was eager to protest Damian's arbitrary actions however, the blonde haired girl had to undo her intentions. Because Damian who casually turned around, slightly lowered his head just to match his height with Miya.

“I look like a gambler in your eyes, Baby Girl?”

At that very surprising action, Miya was stunned and took a few steps back. Had it not been for Damian's kindness in restraining Miya's body, the girl's buttocks would have hit the hard, dirty area of the court.

“You should watch your step.” Damian immediately corrected Miya's position. “Which horse caught your eye?”

Miya was still trying to normalize herself. How could she not? That action made Damian very close to her. Even a puff of the man's breath caressed a part of Miya's face without being able to avoid it. Indeed ... several times Miya had no distance at all from Damian and even touched each other without a single thread. But they had never been this close while outside the room.

“Miya-Miya!”

Miya closed her eyes for a moment. She had not yet lost her nervousness because of Damian's actions just now, plus the person whose cheerful energy was enormous, embraced her. At will. Without any sense of guilt. And immediately asked Miya to follow him. Ignoring Damian who clucked in annoyance because of Marcus' random actions.

“What about this? Orion?” Marcus asked one of the caretakers to bring out a brown-skinned stallion with a fairly long mane. The horse's body was well-built and looked dashing. There is no doubt about its cleanliness and how it is maintained. Maybe if described it will only make Miya feel jealous.

“Is this horse named Orion?” asked Miya who seemed hesitant to stroke the mane of the horse not far from her standing.

“Take it slow, Miss. Orion is a docile and approachable breed,” the handler explained.

“Really?” Miya began to feel a little more confident. She reached out and gave Orion's back a gentle stroke. The horse seemed to take Miya's touch well. It made the girl laugh as Orion moved closer. “I think he likes me.”

“You're right, Miss Miya.” The overseer laughed along. “Mr. Marcus's choice is perfect for you.”

Marcus patted his chest proudly. “I couldn't possibly give Miya the worst. We'll be horseback riding until late afternoon and... do we need to pitch a tent by the lake?" Marcus rubbed the tip of his chin. “What do you think?”

The two-toned haired man turned to Damian who was standing not far from him. Although Damian's eyes looked displeased and seemed much colder than usual, the curly-haired man sighed softly. “Do whatever you like, Marcus. Just don't make Miya feel uncomfortable.”

“Did you hear that, Miya-Miya?” Marcus chuckled. “Get the camping gear ready. We want to horse ride first. And prepare Orion well.”

“Looks like the owner of this mansion has changed, Marcus? I only found out today,” Damian quipped.

This made Marcus laugh even harder. “Ah, you're right. Introducing, I'm the newest owner of this mansion.” After releasing the embrace on Miya, Marcus turned to Damian and slightly dragged him down. Damian's height was above average which made it rather difficult for others to keep up with him. “You'll thank me for this idea, Damian.”

Damian's brow furrowed and his eyes looked intensely at Marcus. Because it wasn't usual for his best friend and coworker to act as he did this afternoon. “What exactly happened?”

“I heard that your wife is heading to this place. I don't want Miya to get into trouble. Don't you want anything to happen?”

***

Rebecca stared at the tall black gate right after her family's driver stopped the car.

“You didn't misplace it, did you?” asked Rebecca to make sure before she asked Kate for permission to enter.

“No, ma'am. This is the address Mr. Leonard gave you.”

Rebecca nodded briefly. “Kate, you know what your job, right?”

Rebecca's personal maid immediately took action, having previously nodded like an obedient dog to its master. It could be seen that Kate's steps seemed hurried to meet a security guard. While Rebecca waited impatiently and wondered, when did Damian buy such a large property?

Without the need to check in person, Rebecca was sure that this mansion was built with luxury. It was spacious and had many luxurious facilities inside. Just as the Sawyer family home looks classy and has a wonderful sense of art, Rebecca's home is the same. Damian's touch as one of the designers is truly reflected in every property owned.

Including this mansion, which is still yet to be seen.

“Ma'am,” Kate called with a look of restrained irritation. Rebecca had already lowered the windshield to observe what had happened earlier. Hence, Rebecca could realize that it would not be easy to get into this place. “The head of security can't believe who wants to visit today.”

Rebecca grinned faintly. Just as she had expected. “You... what's your name?” asked Rebecca with a condescending look.

The man in the black uniform gave Rebecca a quick glance. He did not show any expression of surprise or fear. Out loud he said, “Randy, ma'am.”

"Do you have orders to block a wife's visit to her husband? Do you know who you're working with?”

Randy nodded. “I work under the orders of Mr. Damian Sawyer. And just like what Madam thinks, you are not allowed to enter the mansion area.”

Rebecca still couldn't believe what she had just heard. “You know who I am, right?”

“There's no way I wouldn't recognize you, Madam. But unfortunately, I only obey one order. Mr. Damian.”

“TELL HIM I'M COMING! SHIT!” snapped Rebecca impatiently. “I WANT TO SEE DAMIAN. IS THAT DIFFICULT?”

“I'm sorry, ma'am. But that's an order. And it would be best if you came back.”

Rebecca opened the car door deliberately. Making the man in the black uniform gasp and fall down as the car door slammed into his body. Hard enough to hurt his head but once again, the man got up.

“You'd better go back, ma'am. Mr. Damian won't let you inside.”

Rebecca laughed with amusement. "Gosh, you really are paid big bucks to guard the front gate apparently. Even the legal wife of Damian Sawyer is prevented from seeing you?” She clapped her hands together, still with a loud but pathetic laugh. "Tell your master, Obedient Dog. Rebecca is here. Rebecca won't let any other woman by her husband's side!”

Randy said nothing.

“Say it! Hurry up and deliver my message! I'm sure you have a communication device to connect with her right now!” Rebecca grabbed whatever she could reach and threw it right at Randy's face.

Unfortunately, Randy seemed to ignore whatever Rebecca was doing. It was as if the man was used to people who had a temper like Rebecca. Several times Rebecca screamed and struggled a bit due to her limited movement. Sometimes she also cursed at her situation which made it difficult for her to move freely. Kate repeatedly asked Rebecca to restrain herself but what happened, more often Kate was exposed to Rebecca's tantrums.

The commotion stopped when the tall black gate opened. Showing the well-dressed man's figure but the look in his eyes was really sharp directed at Randy as well...

“Honey!” Rebecca tried to get out of the car. Kate readily helped her. Randy was no exception. Still, the man had a gentle side that could not let a woman struggle.

“You finally got out?” Rebecca immediately approached Damian. “I wanted to see you.”

“By making a noise?” Damian did not lower his look of annoyance and irritation towards Rebecca for her actions. “What are you here for?”

“Can't we talk inside?”

Damian seemed to think for a moment.

“Are you really hiding something? In a house that I don't know when you bought it?”

Damian smirked. “Since when do you care about what I have?” He aligned himself slightly to look at Rebecca. “Keep your boundaries, Rebecca. If you don't want to feel more pain than today.” He walked away but asked Randy to open the gate. “Come on in. And find out what you're looking for.