Dad was being extra today. He was tending to her every need, treating her with so much deference (way too much) that it was starting to make Mom uncomfortable. He was trying really hard to keep Mom entertained and happy. Mom, on the other hand, remained lukewarm. She had become even more withdrawn since she went out with Vito. Even Toffie, Cookie, and Pixie couldn't lift her mood up.

I still couldn't stop thinking about the conversation she had with Vito. Alam kong mas lalong nakaapekto ito kay Mom. She hadn't been herself since yesterday. Wanting to unwind and get away from the drama going on in the house, I decided to go out. I went to the horse stables and took out my favorite horse, Pepper. She was the most beautiful horse in the stable for me. Pepper was a pure black Friesian horse, her coat was as black as the night and her long hair was much darker. She was so dark that when you look at her it's like staring at nothingness, like looking through a blackhole. 

Pepper was my own personal horse. I never let anyone ride my Pepper. They were allowed to take her out for walks but I never allow anyone on her. Lolo Jaime gave her to me when I turned 18, the same age he gave Mom her own personal horse. Our Mitsy, who we all miss very much. Mom and Dad used to tell us that Mitsy was their love child before Ate Anais was ever born. For the longest time, I really thought she was our sibling. My love for horses goes back as far as I could remember. Growing up with an equestrian for a mother, I'd always been amazed watching my Mom ride her horses. Tuwang-tuwa ako kapag sinasakay niya kami ni Ate Anais kay Mitsy. Kaya nga pag malapit na ang summer vacation namin noong nag-aaral pa kami, I would always look forward to going to Hacienda Zamora. Kapag uuwi na kami sa Manila tuwing matatapos ang bakasyon namin sa hacienda, umiiyak na ako. I'd be begging to stay a little longer. I wanted to stay here forever. I'd even tried to convince Mom and Dad to let me spend a whole school year with Lolo but they wouldn't let me. Lolo Jaime would always tell me I was a bonafide haciendera. I got a little teary-eyed when I remembered Lolo Jaime again. 

"Hi, my little bambina. We're going to go out for a walk." I stroked her nose 

She made a neighing noise, already excited.

I got on top of her. Her bright eyes stood in contrast with her dark coat. She was indeed a black beauty. When I took her outside and the sun shone on her, her coat shone like silk. I rode her around until I decided to go into the woods with her. Mataas ang sikat ng araw sa labas dahil tanghali na at naiinitan na ako. The air was cooler in the woods because it was surrounded by a dense covering of trees.

Lolo Jaime owned this land, too. They used the trees planted here to make papers and furnitures.  I know I was fairly safe. Ilang beses na din naman akong nagpunta dito na ako lang ang mag-isa. This easily became my favorite spot kapag gusto kong mapag-isa.

"Pepper, slow down." I pulled her reins to make her stop as we neared the falls. Malayo pa lang ramdam na ang malamig na mist na nanggagaling sa talon. I'd always loved this certain spot. 

I got down from Pepper and tied her to a tree. The water in the pool below the falls was as clear as a crystal, you could see the rocks in the bottom. The cool mist coming from the falls was so inviting. I really wanted to go for a swim dahil mainit ang panahon ngayon. I decided to give in and took off my clothes. Ako lang naman mag-isa dito, eh. It would just be a quick dip.

I felt like I was in an enchanted paradise and I was a water nymph as I stood there completely naked. Dahan-dahan kong inilubog ang katawan ko sa tubig. I started swimming to the falls and I was already halfway there when I saw a figure standing under it.

He, too, was as naked as me. Hinahayaan niya ang tubig galing sa falls na bumaba sa kanya habang nakatingala siya at natatamaan ng sinag ng araw ang balat. It was as if the gates of heaven had brought him down. His tanned skin shone in the sun and his body looked as if it was chiseled by the Gods on the sole purpose to please the eyes. My eyes traveled further down and I gasped at what I saw. Bigla akong napatutop sa bibig ko. He has a dong the size of an elephant's trunk. I kid you not. Well, maybe I was exaggerating a bit but he was well-hung.

Gumalaw siya at nag-panic ako. I swam away and hid behind a large rock in the middle of the pool. I didn't how I'd get out of here without him seeing. Sumilip ulit ako mula sa likod ng malaking bato at nakita siyang tumalon sa tubig. Umahon siya and I had a clear view of him. My eyes widened when I recognized who it was. 

That bastard, Vito! What was he doing here? Hindi porque kilala niya si Lolo he could invade our private property.

I could hear the splash of water getting closer and closer as he swam around, my heart pounding so loud I was almost hyperventilating. I didn't know what to do. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako tatakbo o magtatago.

I let out a shrilling scream, hugging myself nang umahon ang ulo niya sa mismong harap ko. 

"Aahhh!" I started splashing him with water. The water was so clear, I was sure he had a good view of my body from under.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Kunot ang noong tanong niya sa akin bago siya ngumisi. "Sinisilipan mo ba ako?"

"Feeling mo!" Sabi ko habang naglalakad patalikod at nakaharap pa rin sa kanya. I had my arms crossed over my chest, trying to cover my boobs. "I- ikaw nga ang naninilip sa akin."

"I didn't know you were here. Akala ko kasi may underwater cave dito." He said with a cheeky glimmer in his eyes, a playful smile breaking across his face. "You know exactly what I like, Bryce. Au naturale. Never really had a thing for bald ones."

My cheeks suddenly felt hot. I didn't know if it was out of embarrassment or anger. I splashed him with more water. "Bastos ka! Kapag nalaman ito ng Dad ko, he will kill you."

He let out a laughter that echoed throughout the whole wood. "Ikaw nga ang naninilip d'yan. You didn't think I'd see you peeking at me? Ikaw naman kasi. Bakit kailangan mo pang magtago dito sa likod ng bato? Papayagan naman kitang manood. I have nothing to be ashamed of. I'm very proud of my body, I worked hard for this. Now that I've seen yours and you've seen mine aka naman pwede na tayong maging magkaibigan niyan?"

"Hah! You wish!" I snarled at him.

"Oh, Bryce..." He shook his head, chuckling. "Bakit ba ang taray mo sa akin?"

"Because I don't like you!" My eyes narrowed into slit. "Aahon na ako. Tumalikod ka."

"Okay, madali naman akong kausap." He turned his back to me. "I'm not a voyeur, Bryce. Hindi kita sisilipan katulad ng ginawa mo sa akin."

"Ang kapal mo! Hindi kita sinisilipan!" I said as I walked backwards, my eyes on him to make sure he wasn't looking at me. "Don't you dare turn around. Kapag ikaw tumingin sa akin, supot ka."

He roared in laughter. "Bryce, we both know I'm circumsized. I'm sure you've seen it."

"Ewan ko sa'yo! Ang pangit mo!" I said, finally getting off the water. It generated a louder laugh from him.

 I grabbed my clothes and hastily started putting them on. Just a few feet away from where I was, nakita ko ang damit niya. A menacing smile broke across my face when I thought of what to do with them.

It's payback time.

I grabbed his clothes and walked away. 

"Vitong supot!" I called him, his back still turned to me. "Look!"

He slowly turned around and looked at me. I raised my hand and showed him that I was holding his clothes. 

"I hope you'll have no problem going home naked. Hindi ba proud ka naman sa katawan mo? You've worked hard for that. Buh bye!" I let out a hearty laugh of triumph.

"Bryce!" His eyes widened in shock. I couldn't help laughing as I began to run with his clothes with me. Akala niya! He didn't know who he was messing with! I am Bryce Charlotte Lavigne. I wouldn't let a man treat me like that and get away with it. "Fuck, Bryce! Get back here! Give me back clothes!" 

I went back to the tree where I'd tied Pepper. Suddenly, my laughter died down and my heart felt like it had been swallowed by my stomach when I saw no horse there. All that's left was her tie strap that I'd used to tie her to the three. 

"PEPPEEEER!" I screamed bloody murder.

"Bryce! Goddammit!" Narinig kong galit na sabi ni Vito mula sa di-kalayuan.

Sa taranta ko, I hid his clothes in the bush.

"BRYCE!" His voice boomed like thunder. And then I saw him walking towards me in all his glory. His penis flapping back and forth as he marched to where I was standing. I gasped, my eyes widening.

"Nasaan ang damit ko?" Salubong ang kilay na tanong niya. "Eyes up here!" 

I blushed and looked up at his face. "S-si Pepper, I don't where my horse is. Nakawala si Pepper."

"I don't give a damn about your horse. Akin na ang damit ko." He demanded, angrily.

"N-no." I blinked.

"What do you mean no?" His frown grew deeper and then suddenly, he was grinning. "Ah, you're playing a game, aren't you? Masyado ka naman nag-enjoy sa view, Bryce."

I quickly composed myself, straightening my spine. "You will help me find Pepper. Kapag nahanap natin si Pepper, ibibigay ko sa'yo ang damit mo."

"You've got to be kidding me." He groaned.

"Help me find Pepper or uuwi kang hubo't hubad." I stubbornly crossed my arms over my chest. 

"You're going to make me look for your horse naked?" His eyes widened in disbelief. 

"Yes." I answered.

"You know, just stop making up excuses. I know you enjoy looking at my body but please give me back my clothes. I'll let you enjoy it elsewhere." He grinned, wiggling brows up and down.

My lips pursed in annoyance and my eyes squinted spitefully at him. "Alam mo, you're so full of yourself. As if naman na magkaka-interest ako sa... sa vienna sausage penis mong supot."

"Vienna sausage? Supot?" Vito chuckled. "Oh, Bryce, you're going to kill me. Have you even seen a real penis before?"

"Of course, I have!" I exclaimed. Noong mga maliliit pa si Cookie at Toffie ako minsan ang nagpapaligo sa kanila. "This isn't about me! Enough with the chitchats! We need to find to find my Pepper. Baka kung saan na siya nakapunta. Baka kung ano ang mangyari sa kanya."

"Then give me back my clothes."

"Tapos ano? Aalis ka? Iiwan mo ako? Hindi ako tanga 'no!" 

"God, you're difficult." He raked his fingers through his wet hair. "Fine, we'll look for your damn horse!"

Tumalikod siya sa akin and I couldn't my eyes from lowering they're gaze to his butt. Holy freaking hotness. Even his butt had muscles. His body was like the sculptures of the Greek God I'd seen in Louvre when we visited Paris. Well, except for the penis part because most of the sculputures had small weenies. Vito was massive.  I quickly shook the thought away and turned my head away.

Stop it, Bryce. Stop acting like a thirsty bitch in heat. I scolded myself. 

"Hoy... hoy! Saan ka pupunta?" I said as I ran after him.

"Pharaoh!" He whistled and then I heard a horse's neigh nearby. Nakita ko ang isa pang kabayong nakatali sa hindi kalayuan. It was a white pinto horse with light brown patches and it was gorgeous. 

He untied his rope from the tree and got on top of the horse. I tried hard to keep my eyes away from his naked body. He looked majestic naked and on top of his horse. Like a God that had descended to heaven on a pegasus.

"Sandali. Where are you going? Are you seriously going to leave me here?" Natatarantang tanong ko. 

"I'm going to find you your horse."

"And you're going to leave me here alone? Sa akin lang sumusunod si Pepper. You might scare her away! Sasama ako." I told him.

"Be my guest." He said and scooted further back, giving me a room in front of him.

I just looked at him and blinked. I'd have to sit right in front of him with his dick just hanging out there like it was nobody's business.

"Are you scared?" A sly grin appeared on his lips.

"Saan ako matatakot?" I straightened up. "Sa vienna sausage mong supot? Hah! You wish!"

"Then come up here." Naghahamon na sabi niya, still wearing that grin.

If he thought that would scare me then he was wrong. I am Bryce Charlotte Lavigne and I don't back out on anything. I climbed up his stirrup and he was taken aback for awhile. I even heard him say a soft cuss.

"So, cowboy, where do we go from here?" I asked nang makasampa ako sa kabayo. I could feel how tensed he was behind me.

"Oh, we'd go far. Really far." He said in a low growl before tugging on his horse's rein. "Pharaoh, run, boy! Let's find this brats missing horse."

When his horse started galloping, our bodies moved causing my back to rub against his chest. I bit my bottom lip when I felt his thingamajigs against my lower back. What have I gotten myself into? If Dad finds out what I was doing right now, he'd cut Vito's dick off. 

"Admit it, you just want me this close to you. You don't have to make stories up about your lost horse." Vito said, i could his breath on the back of my ear. "But you know what? I like your style, Bryce. Magsusungit ng konti, you're going to play hard to get so you get men to chase you."

"Ang kapal ng mukha mo!" I exclaimed. "I wasn't playing hard to get. I just don't like you."

"You like me and it's scares you kaya palagi mo akong tinatarayan." I could sense the arrogant smile in his voice.

"You are one conceited son of a bitch, aren't you?" Singhal ko.

"Why do you make everything..." He said and he lowered his lips to the shell of my ear. "hard for me?"

Napasinghap ako. His wordplay stirred something up in the pit of my stomach. I quickly collected myself. He was playing me. I knew he was. He wanted me me flustered and I'd never give him that satisfaction. It was like a dominance game to see would come up on top. One would have to be the playing predator and one was the prey. And I was no prey. 

"Oh, do I?" I said after awhile. "Did I make it hard for you? Really hard?"

I could him hear the sharp intake of breath behind me. I suddenly felt something poking against my back. Lumayo agad siya sa akin. He scooted further away from me and then he was quiet. 

"I did, didn't I?" I said with a low chuckle.

"Stop it, Bryce." Mahinang sabi niya.

"Oh, Vito. If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the fire." 

"I can stand the heat, Bryce. I just don't have protection with me right now." He said. 

Napalunok ako. I thought what if he did bring protection? Would I let him have his way with me? Of course not! This wasn't how my parents had raised me. I was raised to be a fine lady. I made a promise to myself and to my Dad that I would wear white wedding dress on my wedding day. 

"Pepper!" Agad na sigaw ko when I saw her figure from afar. "That's my Pepper!"

"Run, boy!" He tugged at his horse's rein, making him go faster. Bumaba agad ako ng kabayo nang ihinto iyon ni Vito.

"PEPPER!" I shouted and whistled. My Pepper looked at me and trottled towards me. She stopped right in front of me and I wrapped my arms around her neck and petted her nose. "Saan ka ba nanggaling? Bakit umaalis ka ng walang paalam? I was so worried about you."

She nickered in response.

"You want to go home? Let's go home." 

"Hey!" Agad na bumaba si Vito mula sa kabayo niya. 

"What?" I asked as I tried to keep my eyes above his neck. 

"Where are my clothes? I'm not going to let you have your horse without you giving my clothes back." He said and then he held Pepper's bridle. "Your horse for my clothes."

"Ibabalik ko naman sa'yo ang damit mo. Let me have my Pepper!" I said.

"Ibalik mo muna ang damit ko. I just want to make sure hindi mo ko iiwan ng hubo't hubad dito." He said and he dragged Pepper by her briddle. 

He made me ride his horse and he rode Pepper. Habang nakasakay siya kay Pepper ay hawak niya din ang strap sa briddle ni Pharaoh and our horses walked side by side. We went back to the falls and I gave him back his clothes.

He quietly put on his clothes and I stood there in silence. Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko na mapatingin sa kanya habang nagbibihis siya. His back was turned to me as he was putting on his boxers and I got a good view of his buttock. 

That ass, tho. I shook the thought away.

He gave me back my Pepper after he was all dressed up in a tattered pants and a simple white shirt. Ibinalik ko na si Pepper sa stables niya and I was walking back home when a pickup truck started driving by me. I immediately knew who it was. The window rolled down and I saw Vito sitting on the driver's side.

"Get in." He said. "It's hot out here and the sun's going to toast you alive." 

It was, actually. Normally, I would've enjoyed sunbathing but the sun was high up that it was starting to burn my skin. Lolo's house was a few minutes walk away from here. Madadaanan ko pa ang barrio. I was thirtsy as heck and if I walk any further, I wouldn't make it back to our house because I'd die of dehydration.

"Sa inyo rin naman ako pupunta. Come on, get in." He opened the passenger's side for me.

"Fine."Hindi na ako nakatiis. I got in. The cool air from the airconditioner felt good on my skin.

"Does this mean we're friends now?" Nakangising tanong niya.

"No." I simply answered.

"After what we shared together in the woods?" His brows shot up in fake amusement.

"Shut up!" I said, crossing my arm over my chest. "Bakit pupunta ka na naman sa amin? What's your business there?"

"I'm just going to drop by to say hi to everyone." He said.

"Bakit? Kakandidato ka? Tatakbo kang mayor?" I rolled my eyes at him.

The car filled with his laughter. "Oh Bryce, you and your mouth. Señor Jaime had been like a father to me since Dad died. This is the least I could do for his family."

We pulled up in front of Lolo Jaime's house and pushed his door open.

"You're welcome." He sarcastically said as I got out. Hindi ko siya pinansin at nagtuloy-tuloy ako. I walked up to the door and he followed behind me. 

"Aren't you going to invite me in?" He asked.

"No." I answered.

"Ang sungit mo talaga, ano? You're very different from your mother." He commented.

Tumaas ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya. Does he have a weird obsession with my Mom? 

"Bryce." Bumungad agad si Mom pagbukas ko ng pinto papasok. "Where have you been?"

"Hello, Senyorita." Vito greeted her. "We just went horseback riding."

"Oh..." Mahinang sabi ni Mom. I saw a hint of something I couldn't put my finger on flashed across Mom's face as she looked at Vito. "That's good."

"I just came here to say hi to you." 

I rolled my eyes and sighed. "I'm just going to get myself a glass of water."

Dumiretso ako sa kitchen at kumuha ng isang malamig na baso ng tubig. From the window, I saw Dad playing with Toffie, Cookie, and Pixie. They put up a large pool frame in the vast backyard and it seemed like they were having a pool party. I wanted to join in pero naalala ko si Vito at si Mom.

I quickly got back to the living room. I stopped nang marinig ko ang mahinang pag-uusap nila sa living room.

"I hope you didn't say anything to Bryce."

"I would never do that to you, Val." He said. Not it's just Val. "She's a handful, isn't she?"

"Well, she's her father's daughter." Kibit-balikat na sabi ni Mom.

"About what happened..."

"Please, Vito, I don't want to talk about it." Her eyes lowered. "Baka may makarinig sa'yo."

"I'm sorry. Pumunta lang naman ako dito dahil gusto sana kitang ayain sa bahay." He said. 

"I can't. Not right now. Ayaw kong maghinala sila. I think my husband's starting suspect." She bit her bottom lip and then her eyes began to water. "Masama ba ako, Vito? Am I a bad woman?"

"No... no, of course not." He quietly said. 

She wiped the corners of her eyes and looked back at Vito. "Bukas. Bukas na lang tayo magkita."