TEXAS.....
Qinn Family Ranch....
That morning all the workers at the family ranch stood to welcome their boss. Alec stepped out of the black Bentley dressed in his finest casual clothes, a cream brown safari trouser, a white tshirt and white sneakers... his chocolate brown hair beautifully messy in a hot way, the young ladies there lifted their boobs exposing their cleavage for Alec to see... To their disappointment he doesn't even bat an eye at them, he simply proceeded inside the house as his things were being brought inside.
" Young Master. These are the women who do the house chores and cooking, and these men are responsible for outside duties like cleaning the stables for the horses and stuff related to that."
The old man in his mid 60s introduced the workers, he is the family's butler and has been working for the Qinn family for years now, he retired a long time ago but still insist on helping around. His job now is to serve coffee, and monitor how the other workers are working.
He's practically family and Alec has known him his entire life. His British accent is what sets him apart from the other employees at the ranch.
" I will get some rest, Jeffrey... I don't want to be disturbed."
Alec stated. " Yes young Master." He gave a slight bow, Alec went upstairs to his room, everything is exactly how he left it... nothing has changed.
He simply went to lay down on his bed, those slow steady blinks slowly shutting down till eventually fell asleep.
Hours went by when Alec finally awoken, looking at the time...he didn't realize how tired he actually was, it was past lunch time already. With a slight growl, he sat up running his fingers cross his silky smooth hair. He strode towards the bathroom to freshen up and get into more comfortable clothes. Afterwards he made his way downstairs.
" Excuse me, Brunch is ready for you."
A young woman said blushing. Alec simply nodded turning to Jeffrey as she left.
" I have come to realize there are most young women here."
" Yes Young Master, you see... they're all Mary's children, I don't know if you still remember her but she's been working here for a long time, her kids also joined her a couple of years back. Some even married to the men who looks after the horse stables."
" How many children does she have?."
" Just four, Young Master."
" And yet they presented themselves just the four of them... including herself of course."
" Sadly, the other daughter isn't given much freedom like the rest, especially since your arrival."
Alec frowned at Jeffrey's statement.
" Well she can be quite clumsy and I don't want her to displease you Sir."
Mary walked in on them after over hearing their conversation. Alec looked at her with his cold usual eyes before proceeding to the dining hall. Once he left, Mary confronted Jeffrey.
" I told you not to talk about that girl to Mr Qinn."
" But she's your daughter, Mary.... and Young Master was simply asking about all the women working here."
" Well you shouldn't have included her, I can never have such a useless daughter. Don't ever mention her to Mr Qinn again, Jeffrey."
Mary turned her heels walking away. Jeffrey sighed picking up the lunch box he had prepared earlier and left the house. He walked through the trees and further ahead till the clear water of the stream came into view.
" I knew I would find you here." He smiled. The girls straight long brown hair smoothly fell back as she sat up, her green emerald eyes shone so bright. She smiled sweetly like a delicate flower blooming for the very first time in summer.
" Jeffrey, what are you doing here?." She asked.
" I brought you some food, figuring they won't feed you when you return."
" Thank you, but you don't have to be so nice to an outcast."
" If I won't who will? Eat up now."
Winter smiled taking a bite, Jeffrey is the only person who looked over her and made sure she ate, he is like a father figure and friend she can put her trust in.
" Is Mr Qinn settling in well?." She asked.
" Yes he is."
Winter paused as though thinking. " It must be hard for him huh, losing his wife and all...it must be taking a tore out of him."
" Yes, but you shouldn't worry about that... worry about taking more good care of yourself, I feel like you're losing more weight every day."
" Oh do I, and here I am seeing have gained a bit due to the food you've been sneaking out for me."
She teased and they both laughed. " Well then, I have to return before Master starts looking for me." He stood.
" Bye Jeffrey, thank you for the food."
Winter laid back down on the soft grass, staring at the clear blue sky that was slowly turning into grey cause dawn was slowly taking over the sky. She stayed like that for two hours straight.
" It will be dark soon, and I have to-.... Oh no! I forgot to feed Banny."
Winter stood gathering her lunch box and book, she began running back as quickly her weak legs could take her, ' at least I got to eat and gained some strength to run.' she mumbles with a short breath. She reached the stables and continued running, it was dark out by the time she reached the ranch.
" Banny! I'm coming girl." She heard the horse's noises and worried something might have happen.
" Ban-...
Winter stumbled on a rock and went falling forward. Closing her eyes shut for the fall, her tiny waist was firmly held by strong arms. Opening her eyes she was greeted by unfamiliar cold blue eyes gazing at her, or to be exact... into her green emerald eyes.
Dazed and at a loss of words, she could only stare at that charmingly dangerous-nonchalant face of his. Alec furrowed his brows uncomfortably and decides to let go of her. Winter broke out of her daze collecting herself.
" Uh...i-i'm so sorry Mr Qinn, I can be a bit clumsy some times." She lowered her head.
Alec thought back to what Mary said earlier ' she can be quite clumsy.' those words echoed in his ear.
' so she's the other clumsy daughter?' he stared at her for a while.
" You shouldn't be running in here."
Alec coldly said. " Y-yes...I apologize once again."
She stammered. Alec simply walked passed her leaving the stables.
Winter lifted her head to look back. ' he's so tall, and intimidating.' Her cheeks reddened.
After feeding the horses, she returned to the guest house just behind the main house, it's were all the workers stayed in.
" Where have you been?." Her mother roared at her angry.
" I- I was feeding the horses ma'am." Winter lowered her head.
" Mr Qinn was headed there, you didn't seem to dump into him... did you?."
Winter glanced at her scared and trembling like a drenched cat, she slowly shook her head fearing for her life.
" N-no ma'am, I did not." Her voice low and shrank each time she had to give a response. Mary glared at her intently for a while before dismissing her.
" Go prepare dinner, your siblings her starving."
" Yes."
She hurried to the kitchen.
Alec stepped out of the shower with a towel wrapped around his lower body, his phone buzzed and he answered instantly.
' you should be asleep princess.'
' Claudia was just tucking me in, I wanted to talk to you before I go to sleep.'
' how was school?.' Alec smiled.
' school was fine, how are you... did you eat? You are taking care of yourself right... after all I'm not there to look after you?.'
' I'm fine princess, don't worry about me... take care of yourself and get some sleep, love you.'
' love you too Daddy.'
Alec chuckled switching off the lights and went to bed.