CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR *They have been too cryptic lately*"I will name her ... Hailey!" she announced with her chin lifted in confidence. She is not confused anymore. She knows what she needs to do now. HAILEY is the suitable name for this Filly. All thanks to Grandma! The crowd broke into a frenzy of excitement as they cheered. Her parents ran to her and hauled her into their arms, raining kisses on her hair. "You finally named her! I'm so proud of you!" Her mother said breezily, Kissing her cheeks sweetly. "Congratulations kiddo! You're now officially a horse owner! A full-fledged Jordan. However...." She quirked an eyebrow at him Inquisitively. What now? She had named the Filly as he wished, now what? She puffed out an exasperated deep breath, her hands on her waist. "Now what Dad? What more do you want?" she asked warily. He chuckled. " Don't get the wrong idea. You're Jordan through and through love. However, you will have to complete the ritual." Dilated hazel eyes bored
CHAPTER EIGHTY-FIVE *The Ritual is yet to be completed! *His words made no sense instead, his words drove her to the brink of trepidation. She forced a lump down her throat, grimacing. She turned to face her mother again but to her surprise, she remained composed. Her equanimity infuriated her. Dejected, she bit her lower lip in defeat. I don't care! Whatever they planned out to surprise her or scare her is absolutely none of her business. Even though, today is her birthday but who gives a damn? Certainly not her, the celebrant. To their alarm, she chuckled wryly. She tipped her head challengingly at her father with folded arms across her narrow chest. "Let's hear it Dad!" she demanded. Good! At least she managed pretty well to hold her welling fear at bay. Now, what her father would say next will determine how well she can still manage to put up her mask of confidence. Hopefully, her pretense will not snap. She can't beat causing a scene on the day of her birthday. Bec
CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX *I have no idea how to ride a horse*Abigail swallowed but didn't say anything. A short silence. "Are there any more weird surprises lurking around that I need to be aware of? I'm begging you, Abigail, just say it." She insisted as her hands flail aggressively around her. Abigail took a deep breath and let it out, in a rather urbane fashion. She clamped her thin lips together briefly before she responded. Her voice was calm and controlled. "Even if there was, you perfectly know that it is certainly not in my place to know whatever conversation that may have transpired between your parents. . I am only told what I am instructed to know. I'm afraid I don't know anything as regards your question." Janice rolled her eyes and puffed out a deep breath out of frustration. "Are you serious?" she asked, her intense hazel sharp eyes darting all over her elderly face. She nodded courteously. " I'm afraid so." She groaned."We need to go get ready now. Time is ti
CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN *Everyone is watching us? *She swallowed thickly, bracing herself for what was to come. She resigned to her fate. Let's get this over and done with already. She drew in several deep breaths and let them all out. Meanwhile, the crowd continued to cheer her massively. Charles mounted his stallion gracefully beside her. He wore khaki pants and a body-hugged ash-coloured T-shirt with buckled straps fastened around his upper body. "Relax Janice and listen attentively. For first-timers, we will take it slow, Alright?" he said nicely, cocking his head at her. She gulped and nodded slowly. The fuck understands a damn thing! She just want to go back to her room and pretend this day never existed! She forced an elegant smile at him. "Aye," she said faintly. He nodded. "Good. Now we take a stroll with the Filly. You must be gentle with her because apparently she's still very young and it's kind of her first time too. Do you understand?" She nodded. "How do
CHAPTER EIGHTY-EIGHT*The accident*She found it hard to concentrate on the path ahead of them knowing full well that they were being watched. She forced a lump down her throat, latching on to the reins with all of her might as the Filly thrust forward with agility. Charles, by her side, was riding his stallion with so much adeptness. As expected of a horse keeper. He possessed commendable experience in horse riding. He once told her parents that he had been horse riding for good twenty-five years since he was barely ten. No wonder then he was skilled in horse riding. He drove the horse effortlessly like a piece of cake. She watched him with sheer admiration and really hoped that someday she would advance to that stage of expertise. Like her father and uncle. She sighed deeply and focus on the path ahead of them. Now, they are gradually approaching a steep descent of fresh water over a rocky ledge. Hailey flipped her head to the side and neighed in alarm. She yelped in shock a
CHAPTER EIGHTY-NINE *At the end of the day, She's not cut out for horse riding after all*The impact of the fall on the rocky ground caused a burning sensation as pain stabbed her back and sides. After a brief period, her heavy eyes peeled open as she forced herself to sit up. She struggled to take deep breaths as her entire body ached, and her head was spinning so quickly that her vision became hazy.She winced, grimacing in distress as she felt a sudden sharp pang in her leg. Still wrestling to get her ragging breathing under control, she leaned forward to take a look at her leg. She couldn't make out exactly where the pain was coming from. She may probably have sprained her ankle or something. She inhaled very slowly to ease the pain knotting in her chest. She glanced around but there was no sight of the Filly. She must have spooked out and fled. How did it turn out like this? She's a disaster! A failure! At the end of the day, She's not cut out for horse riding after all
CHAPTER NINETY *They were all panic-stricken and worried to death*Medical attention?! Wait did he just say medical attention right now? Of course, he fucking did! He has the nerve to say that when in reality he left her all alone and came back too late. "Medical attention? Yeah right. Maybe if you had done a great job, this would not have happened in the first place!" she fumed, glaring her him, and then she looked away. She doesn't want him to see how badly hurt she was. How defenseless. How scared and dejected she was. He puffed out a deep breath, running his hands through his thick black long hair frantically. "Janice, I didn't mean for this to happen. Not on my watch. Believe me. I don't understand why Hailey spooked out like that. At some point, I lost tracks of your horse's footprints on the ground so I got a little off course which explains why I did not come right away." Tears stung at the corner of her eyes. She parted her mouth to inhale, hoping it would h
CHAPTER NINETY-ONE *We made the decision as husband and wife*"Oh don't play the victim or innocent party, Isabella! We both agreed to this!" Her father roared as he jerked up to face her squarely. Janice grunted in irritation. Great! Now it has turned into a couple squabble. Hannah crept up beside Janice and wrapped her hand around her shoulder, smiling at her. "I am sincerely sorry for what happened. And in times like this you need me on your side," she whispered to her, giving each other the side glance as they attempt to focus on the brawl between the couple before them. Janice nodded and smiled wryly. "Thanks," she muttered. Charles stood aside obediently as he watched his employers quarrel. There was something about how his honey-coloured eyes glinted amusingly as he watched her parents making a fuss. She couldn't quite put a finger on it. Could it be that he was amused about the whole drama or was happy that he was proven right? Or perhaps, making fun of her pare