Chapter 5

Arthur was caressed by the cool breeze of his region, which greeted him with clouds in the sky. Arriving at his ranch, he got off his horse and Raul led him to the stable. Arthur walked with fists clenched and chest erect, to confront the intruders who had broken into his property.

 “You are not our masters, our master is Arthur Connovan!” one of the workers shouted indignantly. They had had enough of the abuses of these thieving intruders.

 “Arthur? The dead one? He has already passed on to a better life and, since Arthur has no heirs, these lands pass into our hands,” a young man, with short blond hair, blue eyes, and great height, said cynically.

 “Henry Jones!" Arthur called out to him with an indignant face, the blond widened his eyes in surprise. "As you can see, I am alive and I would like to know by what right you are trespassing on my land, abusing my people, and taking over my estate.

Henry confronted him with an outburst, the information he received from his men was different from what his eyes could see.

 “We are the owners of this region and the authority, we do whatever it takes to impose order.”

Arthur laughed wryly.

 “This is your way of imposing order? Send to kill me, break into my lands, take over my estate, mistreat my workers, rape Anabela? You're going to get beaten for that, Henry, that crime will not go unpunished. I don't care how much time and money I have to invest, I'm going to lock you up for ruining Ana's life.

 “I didn't rape her, she offered herself to me and we both enjoyed it. Look at me, do you think I need to force myself on a trashy servant girl? She must feel lucky that I did her the favor.”

And as if overcome by a superior force, Arthur lunged at Henry. The workers gathered around and as Arthur had the upper hand, no one bothered to separate them; rather, they enjoyed the moment, since they had no desire to do the same.

Shots rang through the air and Arthur's gunmen drew their pistols. Some of the Jones' and Delton's men came to the defense of Henry, who was being beaten by Arthur.

Henry ran to his men, who were already positioned in front of Arthur's men. They all pointed their guns at each other and a short gentleman with black hair and a big hat looked at Arthur menacingly.

 “Connovan, you just beat up Bruce Jones' son, simply because he was guarding your land in your absence. Is this how you thank us for the gesture? You may be the most powerful man in the region thanks to your father, but his death should be an example to you, even the most powerful fall, Connovan,” the lord said firmly.

 “Are you threatening me, Delton? It is clear to me what you are saying, since you paid for my death, you could look into that and believe me, nothing you have done to me will go unpunished. Now I would thank you to leave my grounds, I don't need your help, I am here, alive,” Arthur confronted him with his characteristic authority. Delton smiled mischievously and motioned to his men. Arthur caught his breath as they left and all his workers celebrated with euphoria.

(...)

 “Arthur!” he hugged her tightly, and she cried on his chest.

 “I'm with you, Ana,” he caressed her cheek tenderly. They both went to the kitchen and sat down in front of the dining room, then Nidia served them tea and sat down next to them. “You can count on me for anything you need and don't worry about that asshole, I'm going to lock him up, I'll find a way to make him pay for what he did to you.”

She nodded hiccupping and he wiped away her tears. Her consolation was comforting. Anabela admired him greatly, for he had always treated her like family, even though he was her boss. Arthur was the hope of everyone in the region, they rested in his generosity and fight for justice.

 “He left me, Arthur,” her voice came out shrill from crying. “Ivan is not going to marry me.”

 “He doesn't deserve you, he doesn't deserve any of your tears, beauty. Come here," he hugged her. "He's not the man for you. You'll meet the love of your life, a man who truly loves and values you.”

 “Who could that man be?” she looked into his eyes.

 “One who sees how wonderful you are, Ana. A man who will watch over you and protect you, a man who will be with you no matter the circumstances,” he kissed the crown of her head.

 “A man like you?” she asked with a smile that Arthur returned.

 “A better one than me,” he kissed her forehead and she hugged him.

(...)

Sam sat on his trunk watching the sky. It was inevitable not to remember Arthur and that intense kiss they gave each other. She had never kissed like that with anyone, well, actually she had never really kissed on the lips. Her eyes filled with tears, how long would she miss him? Why did the absence of a man with whom she only shared for a month hurt her? Could it be that feeling his sincere care, his delicate and respectful treatment, also the desire he transmitted to her with that kiss, moved her because she never received any of that from the person who was supposed to love her? 

 “Arthur... I think I like you…” she whispered while she caressed her lips with her fingers.