Chapter 1: Alec

12 years ago:

"Nana, are they coming already?" She excitedly asked her Nanny.

"Yes little Señorita, they arrived from the airport according to Mr. De Guzman." Nana Marcela replied.

Today was the day her siblings will arrive in the country from London. They will have a vacation in the hacienda since the school year had just ended. Patricia and Alec were sent to England to study and they only come home during semestral breaks and school vacations or summer. Her sister Patricia is the oldest, she's now fourteen while her brother Alec was ten and he's two years older than her. She was the youngest among the children of Don Alonzo De Hizon. Every time they visit the hacienda, she couldn't help to feel excited and happy to see them both again after a long time of not seeing each other. She missed them so much and this is been always the time of the year she had been waiting for. Summer is the best season for her because she knew her siblings will always come home and stay longer at the hacienda to be with her.

When their Dad had an overseas call from Italy and told Mr. De Guzman- the mansion's Butler, that Alec and Patty will come home at the hacienda, people at the mansion started to get busy in preparation for their upcoming vacation. Servants cleaned the whole mansion and set the garden fantastically in preparation for their upcoming arrival. The butler made sure each room and every part of the mansion was cleaned well. They adorned and repainted Patty and Alec's room, changed their old beds and furniture for a new one to make sure they will like it. This has been the habit or rule that must need to comply by the servants of the mansion every time her Dad or the two of her siblings are coming home at the hacienda. This day was the busiest day in the mansion because they prepared a feast for her siblings as a welcome party for them that they will hold in the garden.

"Nana Marcela, does Patty and Alec arrived in the country already?" She asked once again.

She wanted to be the first one to see Patty and Alec when they finally arrived at the mansion so she patiently waited right in front of the grand two built-in giant doors that served as the main entrance of the mansion together with her Nana Marcela. The rest of the servants in the mansion as well are waiting with her. They were planning to surprise and greet them cheerfully when they finally descended the car. It was her idea to do this and the servants gladly followed it. She was hoping she'll surprise her siblings and will make them happy for this little effort she made.

"Yes little Emerald, they were already at the hacienda and now on their way to the mansion." Her Nanny replied.

"What do you think Nana Marcela? Do you think they were as happy and excited to see me? Do you think they had missed me so much as well?" She asked once again. She just couldn't hide her excitement toward seeing her siblings. It's been almost a year since the last time she saw them both.

"Of course my little Señorita. They were surely happy and excited to see you as well."

"I'll show Alec my pet Cinnamon and he'll surely be going to like him and then I'll also give this flower bracelet I made for Patty. I hope Patty loves flowers as much I do." She stated happily pertaining to her hamster pet and the bracelet she made out of some wildflowers she picked from outside Sheila's house.

Sheila was her playmate all the time and she was just the same age as her. Her Mom Anita was one of the maids in the mansion and her father used to be one of the mansion's gardeners. Their home is just near the farm and since his father was a gardener they have lots of plants and different flowers planted outside their house. They used to make crowns, necklaces, and even bracelets out of different kinds of flowers that they both enjoy doing so she decided to make one for her sister Patty. Waiting very patiently, she decided to sit on the concrete pavement of the floor while waiting for them. It's been more than an hour but they weren't arriving yet. It's starting to disappoint and bore her because it's been like forever they were waiting. She was wondering what took them so long?

"Nana, I thought they arrived at the hacienda already? What makes them so long." She asked starting to get impatient while her eyes focused on the main gate of the mansion.

"I don't know little Señorita. Let's just wait a little longer and they will surely come any moment from now." Her Nanny replied.

A few more minutes went by and they heard a loud horn of a car on the main gate. Her breath automatically hitched for a moment and her eyes grew wider in excitement when she saw the car finally entered the main gate of the mansion.

"Welcome Señorita Patricia and Señorito Alec!" The servants all greeted simultaneously aloud right after they descended the car.

"Thank you!" The two flashes their smile of appreciation as they thanked everyone.

A surge of happiness filled her eyes when she saw her two siblings. Patty looked more beautiful than the last time she saw her. Her long curly hair was now dyed in red while her lips and cheeks are wearing make-up now. And Alec, he grew taller than the last time she saw him. The moment she met his gray eyes, something strange and unfamiliar tugged her chest and she couldn't understand the reason why. He looked at her with a curious stare with forehead knotted. They held gazes for quite a moment and there's this strange feeling and uneasiness she felt by just staring back at him. Something changed with him or maybe with her, she couldn't explain it. 

"Emerald?" She heard Patty called that took her attention from Alec.  

Her sister was now staring at her with an excited smile written on her lips. With that, she excitedly runs towards her sister and hugged her. Patty just laughed aloud and embraced her back while Alec was just silent as somewhat stunned looking at her.

"Hey, little Emerald was quite a big girl now! You look so cute little Emmy..." Her big sister enthusiastically stated then gently pinched her cheek.

"You're so beautiful Patty..." She said now staring at her big sister with amazement written on her face. She couldn't help to caress Patty's curly hair. Her hair was shining and her face looked soft and gentle. She was a big girl now like a lady and she was tall and so beautiful.

"Thank you, little sister..." Patty giggled as if she was pleased with her compliment. 

"I missed you." She stated.

"Oh, I missed you too." Patty then kissed her cheek and hugged her again and this time it was tighter than the hug she gave her earlier.

"I missed you, Alec." She then faced her brother. To her curiosity, Alec's eyes widen as if he got stunned but that's just for a moment. He just stared at her and didn't bother to reply as if he didn't hear her. His face seemed cold and void with emotions. She was waiting for him to reply that he missed her too but unfortunately, he never did.

"Hey Alec, Emerald said she had missed you. Didn't you missed her too?" She heard Patty told Alec.

"And so?" Alec stated sarcastically. Her sweet smile suddenly vanished when she heard the bitterness of his words.

He seemed not happy to see me...

"Alec here had missed you too Emmy, he was just ashamed and so stupid enough to admit it. Right brother?" Patty stated then pat her brother's shoulder.

"Shut up, Patty!" Alec retorted.

"You know what Emmy, Alec was the most excited one to be here while we're on the plane. He's so excited to finally see you and this silly little man here was just too shy to tell you that." Patty stated trying to mock Alec.

"Won't you shut up, Patty!" Looking so disgusted, Alec immediately walked away from them leaving Patty laughing. Honestly, she got hurt by how Alec treated her but she just decided to take for granted it. He might be tired or have jetlag, she thought. This should be a happy moment, she missed her two siblings and there's no need to mope and be sad just because her brother treated her that way. He might be not in a good mood because he's tired and she has to tolerate it. Everyone then proceeded to the lawn's area where they will about to held the celebration they prepared for them.

They have a grand feast on the lawn after that. Lots of food on the table for everyone. The servants, the farmers, and all the workers of Hacienda De Hizon were all there celebrating the homecoming of Patty and Alec in the hacienda. Some workers even played such musical instruments and sang happy songs to entertain them. The servants of the mansion performed a dance number and some of the farmers even perform a magic show. Everything seemed so amazing and everyone seemed to enjoy the welcome party. That night the mansion was filled with happiness and laughter by the people of Hacienda De Hizon.

***

Bringing Cinnamon while feeling happy and excited, she went to Alec's room to show him her hamster pet that morning. She was expecting that Alec will love Cinnamon and it will make him wanna play with her. Alec loves pets, she was sure with that. When she entered Alec's room, she got disappointed when she didn't found him there. She started to search for him in the whole mansion and when she failed to find him, she went to the kitchen and looked for Nana Marcela to help her find Alec.

"Nana, have you seen Alec?" She asked.

"I've seen him in the paddock watching the horses a while ago. Why?" Her Nanny asked.

"I'm gonna show him, Cinnamon. You think Alec would like him?"

"Of course! Cinnamon was so cute. Who wouldn't love that little cute hamster?" Nana Marcela stated enthusiastically.

She then left the kitchen and immediately went towards the paddock to find Alec. At the paddock, she found Alec there while standing watching the horses. He seemed amazed and enjoying while staring at the horses in the paddock. His eyes were firm on Black Tornado and she could see how amazed he was by just looking at the magnificent black stallion.

"That's Black Tornado. He looked so magnificent right?" She stated that caught Alec's attention. His eyes widen in surprise when he saw her as if he was not expecting to see her. That's just for a moment because she noticed how his expression changed and turned irritated and annoyed all of a sudden.

He seemed not happy to see me again...

"He runs as fast as the wind. He's the fastest among all of the horses here." She told him. He seemed interested in what she told him but just like yesterday, he pretended like he doesn't hear her. He keeps on ignoring her every time she tried to talk to him.

What did I do? Why he keeps on ignoring me?

"That's Belle the white horse which is as pretty as me." She said pertaining to a white mare.

She kept on talking about the horses even though it's clear that he was ignoring her and still, silence and no response from him at all. She suddenly wonders if he could hear her or he was just ignoring her? Well, he wasn't even wearing AirPods or earphones. 

"That's Shrek, the brown stallion with a black tail. He doesn't look green and I was wondering why they named him Shrek? That mare beside Shrek is Fiona. She always followed Shrek wherever he goes so maybe she was his girlfriend that's why they named her Fiona." She keeps on talking still and telling him the name of the horses around.

But to her curiosity, he never looked at the other horses. His eyes just focused on Black Tornado. He likes Black Tornado, she bet. The thought made her smile and looked at the black magnificent stallion as well.

"You like him? Do you know how to ride a horse, Alec?" At last, he suddenly looked at her with a curious face. She felt triumph when she finally caught his attention.

"Me, I don't know yet but Mr. Collins promised to teach me when I'm at the right age. Do you want me to tell Mr. Collins that you wanna learn to ride a horse too?" She asked enthusiastically.

"I wanna ride him," Alec said pointing the black horse.

"Black Tornado? No way!" Her eyes grew wider with what Alec had just stated. He can't be serious right?

"No one rides Black Tornado except Mr. Collins. Whoever tried to ride him, always end up falling to the ground. He's too dangerous to ride Alec. Do you know that even the professional Horse trainer in town dropped him when he tried riding him?" She informed Alec of the instances when the former horse trainer attempted to ride Black Tornado and had an accident with the horse. The stallion has a bad temper and is very aggressive. It was hard to tame him but he runs fast among the rest. 

"I don't care. Tell the servant to teach me to ride him, now!" To not upset Alec, she immediately obliged and looked for Mr. Collins. The old man came with her as soon as she informed him what Alec wants.

"But little Señorito, you can't ride Black Tornado. He's temperamental and very dangerous to ride for a little kid like you." Mr. Collins stated.

"I don't care, I will ride Black Tomato right now!" Alec shouted. With that, she did not help herself to burst out a loud chuckle when Alec said the wrong name of the horse.

"Black Tornado little Señorito not Black Tomato." Mr. Collins corrected him trying to hide the smile on his lips.

"Whatever! I will ride him and when I said it, I want it right now!" He demanded.

"I'm sorry little Senorito, but I just can't let you do that. You might fall from the horse and get injured and if that happens, Don Alonzo will surely fire me out on my job if that happened." Mr. Collins stated apologetically.

Even how mad and upset Alec was trying to command Mr. Collins to ride the horse, the old man still didn't agree and forbid Alec to ride the stallion. Alec even angrily shouted and threatened the old man to have him fire out on his job if he never let him do what he wants. Mr. Collins just shook her head and left them afterward. To her surprise, just after Mr. Collins left, Alec then came near the horse and untie Black Tornado. He climbs up on the animal then seated on the saddle of the horse. Feeling so awed and nervous about Alec's impudence, she tried to warned and stop him but the latter just ignored her.  In just a few moments, he managed to ride the horse and maneuver it to move. His face seemed proud when he successfully ride Black Tornado. He boastfully eyed her looking so proud as she gaped staring at him enough to drop Cinnamon in her grasp. To her dismay, Cinnamon run all over and that alarmed her when the hamster was now on the feet of the horse. That triggered the stallion to get alarmed and scared. As a response, the animal made a loud neigh and aggressively run faster out of the paddock. She runs fast as she could to follow where the stallion went out. A few seconds later she gasped in shock when she witnessed how the horse dropped Alec as he violently fell on the ground...