I reach out to help Joseph stand.

  "Hey, why the long face?"

  "What do you mean? I almost got tackled by a bull!"

  "In my time, men wrestle bears," Aunt Chi scoffs with a tone of contempt.

  "Aunt Chi," I sigh, trying to calm the waters.

  "Ah… I should probably go," Buck mumbles, clearly feeling the tension.

  "No! I made papaya!" Aunt Chi announces, as if that settles everything.

  Our stomachs are growling, so we give in.

  The table with the four of us, and a big amount of bread, with fresh papaya.

  The tension can feel the air, or at least for Joseph. While my aunt watches the scene with amusement, I can't help but feel the same.

  "This bread is amazing," I say, munching happily.

  "It's not too bad," Joseph hums, pretending to be unimpressed.

  "My family works with sweat and effort," Buck exclaims with pride.

  "Honestly, I think it’s the sweat that gives it the flavor."

  I nearly gag at that comment from my aunt.

  Joseph, probably still annoyed by Aunt Chi’s remark earlier, smirks and turns to Buck.

  "So, Buck," he starts, a little too eager.

  As Joseph launches into a talk about science and modernity, it is clear he is trying to make Buck feel out of place.

  But Buck, the sweet angel that he is, just listens with pure admiration.

  "Wow!" he says every few minutes, his eyes full of wonder, completely missing Joseph’s intent.

  Meanwhile, Joseph’s frustration grows.

  "Don’t you feel bad?" I whisper to him.

  "What are you talking about? I’m just educating this—" He hesitates, thinking twice before choosing his next words. "Agricultural person."

  "Cool! Joseph, you’re so smart!" Buck beams, leaning in slightly as Joseph struggles to understand his thick accent.

  Joseph frowns. "Are you English?"

  I smack the back of his head.

  "Okay… enough of you being mean."

  I take Joseph to the back kitchen.

  "What was that for?!" Joseph snaps, rubbing the spot where I smacked him.

  "You're acting childish—even more than usual."

  "What—? I am not!"

  "Don't tell me you feel threatened by Buck?"

  "By Buck? The massive guy who's slightly taller than me and built like a brick wall?" He scoffs, exaggerating every word. "No, why would I? It's not like a certain aunt is trying to separate us! Nope, no reason to think that at all! Someone, please, tell me why I would ever feel that way!"

  I raise an eyebrow. "You're really feeling bad about this, huh? You know I wouldn’t—"

  "Wouldn't you?"

  "...What do you mean?"

  "I don't know. It’s like I have you on a leash, and now you’re running off to another owner."

  I freeze. "What did you just say to me?"

  Joseph’s face pales. "Wait—retract! I wasn’t thinking! That came out wrong—wait!"

  "You really—"

  For some reason, I’m not mad. I should be.

  I sigh. "Fine. Just don’t be mean to him."

  Joseph retreats, leaving me sitting alone on the stairs.

  "You don’t love him, sweetie," Aunt Chi says, her voice sharp.

  "Can you just shut up for once, Aunty?" I mutter.

  "Hey! I’m your aunt—I deserve respect!"

  Her anger is terrifying. It drags me back to when I was fifteen, when we had an argument so brutal it left me speechless for days. The humiliation, the way she tore apart my words—it all comes rushing back.

  "Buck is the jackpot, and yet you prefer the guy who treats you wrong!"

  I shrink into myself, unable to argue. My body reacts before my mind does, silencing me the way it always does when she raises her voice.

  "I…"

  "Your mom would have never accepted you with that guy."

  "Don't—"

  "Don’t what? Accept the fact that she’s gone? There’s nothing wrong with that! You’re older now, but you still make decisions like a little girl. That’s why you’re struggling in your industry, why your finances are a mess."

  She takes a breath, gearing up for more.

  "Look at me—I have a house and a farm. And you? What, you’re expecting your little boyfriend to inherit his daddy’s fortune? Do you even know if he’s the only child?"

  A lump forms in my throat. Now that I think again… I don’t know much about Joseph’s family.

  "One day, you’ll be regretting everything, crying about your mistakes, and I won’t be young enough to help you. React, Elysia! For the love of God!"

  My answers are only but blinking, I can’t speak in front of her, when that tone of voice attacks me.

  “Now, comeback to the table”

  “Yes. Aunty”

  And just like that, she leaves. My head spins, my brain aches from the weight of her words.

  This is why I hate coming here.

  I was lucky she focused on Joseph, but the moment she turned her attention to me… even just a spoonful of it, and I already feel like I’m drowning.

  The table feels suffocating.

  The bread is delicious, but I can’t even enjoy it properly with how frustrating this situation is.

  At least the papaya is nice—it slightly eases the tension.

  “So, Buck, why don’t you tell us what you know?”

  Buck pauses, thinking hard.

  “Well, actually, I do fences. And since I’m handy, I can fix a lot of devices… and—”

  “Yes, yes, now we know, Buck. Isn't he wonderful, Elysia?”

  “…Yes… Buck, you are so wonderful,” I reply, my tone flat.

  “I knew it!”

  Joseph suddenly bursts from behind a corner, his voice brimming with disappointment.

  “Didn’t you leave before?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

  “I did, but I felt alone… so here I am! But don’t change the topic—you, you, YOU think he’s wonderful! You’re just like the rest of them!”

  Before I can even react, Joseph turns on his heel and dashes off, whining dramatically.

  “…What the hell just happened?” I mutter.

  “No idea,” Buck shrugs.

  “Well, I need to check on my boyfriend, so I—”

  “Little Ely, you didn’t finish your breakfast,” Aunt Chi cuts in.

  “But—”

  “No buts. Sit down.”

  Her word is law. She owns my feelings, and if she commands, I obey. It’s so psychological that I can’t think straight. My body simply follows orders, and I sit back at the table.

  Breakfast goes by quickly. Buck talks ridiculously fast, but luckily, Aunt Chi translates his rambling. Buck seems like a decent guy, but I hate the feeling of being forced into something. Especially when I’m already taken.

  “Thanks for the food, Aunt Chi, but I have things to do.”

  “You know, Buck is going to inherit his parents’ farm since he’s an only child, right, Buck?”

  Buck chokes on his water, caught off guard.

  “W-Well, yeah, but it’s just a small ranch…”

  “Small?” Aunt Chi scoffs dramatically. “Buck, you are so humble. Four hundred hens, and you call it small? Then I must be completely ignorant.” She laughs—exaggerated, sarcastic.

  Then, rolling her fingers like she’s pointing out an undeniable fact, she adds, “And don’t forget your family owns almost ten acres of land.”

  “Yes, Ms. Chi, but that land needs hard work and effort—someone has to maintain it—”

  “Buck, Buck, you’re still young, just like my little Ely. You two would make such a great couple.”

  Buck glances at me. Poor guy—he’s being pulled into Aunt Chi’s web of manipulation.

  “But Buck could find someone better,” I argue, “someone who also owns a farm. Wouldn’t that be a better match, Aunt Chi?”

  “More land is nice, I admit,” she says, waving her hand dismissively. “But nothing beats real love. And Buck? I’ve known him since he was a teen—responsible, hardworking, kind. He understands responsibility. And what will your boyfriend teach you? How to scratch your back without lifting a finger?”

  “Don’t disrespect Joseph like that.”

  “Oh, my apologies,” she says, placing a hand over her mouth as if offended. But I know better—Aunt Chi has never been truly offended by anything. Even my mom once said, ‘Your aunt is a piece of work.’

  I push away from the table and head outside.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Joseph is standing there, holding up his phone, taking pictures. But… the phone is off.

  He’s lost it.

  “Hey,” I call out.

  “If it isn’t Miss ‘Buck is so wonderful,’” he mutters.

  “Don’t be like that. It’s just my aunt.”

  “Your aunt, your aunt—why are we even here if we don’t like her? You should just cut ties. Come on, Elysia, we’re different.”

  “I don’t like your tone,” I warn.

  “I just mean… she’s on a whole different wavelength. And we—”

  “We? I think you mean you.”

  “Okay… me. But the point is, we’ve stayed here long enough.”

  I sigh.

  “Fine. We’re leaving tomorrow.”

  Joseph’s anger melts instantly. He practically starts jumping like a little kid.

  “Well, nothing will make this day any weirder”

  In the afternoon, another routine.

  This time, I’m with the bull.

  “Why am I taking the bull out?” I ask, already regretting my life choices.

  “Because Buck will help you,” Aunty Chi says with a smug grin.

  “Buck? Wait—I thought you left after breakfast?” My eyes narrow at him. His eyes, however, are shining like freshly polished marbles. Oh no. Don’t tell me he has a crush on me.

  This is getting absurd. Someone has to stop my aunt.

  “I think I can handle it, right, Billy?” I say, addressing the bull.

  Billy sniffs with the force of a car engine revving up. The sound alone makes me tense.

  “Buck is willing to help this week for extra pay. Don’t worry, he’s not here for a certain person,” Aunty Chi winks, and Buck turns crimson.

  Oh, for the love of—

  Buck takes the bull’s lead, and we head out. His thick accent makes his words a challenge, and I feel bad asking him to repeat himself.

  “Sorry, but isn’t it dangerous to, I don’t know… take a bull out to graze like it’s a dog?”

  “Well, yeah, but Billy’s not just any bull. He’s an old one. Belonged to a neighbor who passed away, and his family sold him to your aunt to earn money for the funeral”

  I am amazed by the story, though Billy might be old, with all those muscles he seems kind healthy. I am glad I met a bull . Now I can tell Maria I met a bull besides watching them from TV.

  Billy suddenly stiffens, his whole body alert. His muscles twitch, his ears flick back, and he starts breathing heavily.

  Something’s wrong.

  “He’s feeling anxious. I dunno why, but it’s like when chickens sense a fox,” Buck mutters, eyes darting around.

  Then we hear rustling in the bushes.

  The way Buck tenses up tells me he’s just as scared as the bull.

  I mean, fair. If a bull gets scared, I don’t expect him to be a macho now.

  “Buck, be a man.”

  He yelps like a little girl. Good grief.

  I march over to the bush. Whatever it is, it can’t be worse than Astaroth. With a swift move, I part the leaves—

  And there it is.

  A bunny.

  “Ahhh! So cute!”

  The bunny stares at me, unamused, then hops away.

  The moment it’s gone, both Buck and Billy visibly relax.

  Seriously?

  “Well… I think we should go,”

  “Yes-yes-yes,” he nods rapidly.

  I sigh, giving him a pat on the back. “Don’t worry, big guy. Everyone has the right to feel fear. It’s survival instinct, right?”

  Buck looks at me with an unreadable expression. Oh no, don’t tell me—

  Suddenly, he bear hugs me with the force of a hydraulic press. I can’t breathe.

  “Elysia, you’re such a sweetheart!”

  “Please, I can’t breathe…”

  Tears—actual tears—are soaking into my shirt.

  Ew.

  “Buck, man up!”

  Still crying.

  “I said, man up!” I slap his back.

  “Ow,” he whimpers, finally letting go.

  “Good. At least you feel pain.”

  “Sorry.”

  “No problem, but why were you crying like a broken faucet?”

  “Oh, uh, sorry. You were so brave, and I was so scared” He wipes his nose, and I shudder at the sight of his mucus. Chills.

  “Alright, good boy.” I pat his head like a dog. “We can be friends.”

  “Really?! …. Yes!”

  Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

  “Now, Buck, tell me about my aunt.”

  “Like what?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. We have the whole afternoon while Billy enjoys his grass. Spill everything.” I smirk.

  And boy, did he.

  Every. Single. One. Of my aunt’s secrets.

  It was music to my ears. Power surged through me. My heart pounded with excitement (and maybe a bit of nausea), knowing I finally had the ammunition to go up against Aunty Chi.

  The best part? She did it to herself. Using Buck, someone she’s known since childhood, as a pawn? Big mistake. She left herself wide open.

  And Buck? He’s more loyal to me now.

  “…What am I thinking?” I mutter.

  Azazel’s definitely rubbing off on me.

  I hate that. But also… it’s kinda worth it.

  “Sweet! Thanks, Buck.”

  “Oh! You really liked those stories? Fun, right?”

  “Oh yes. Now, let’s head back. It’s almost night.”

  Buck nods eagerly, leading Billy along. I follow, my smirk lingering. Today was a win.

  As we head back to the house, my aunt is already waiting with a wide grin—one eerily similar to mine.

  “Hey, Aunty,” I greet, but she elbows me with a knowing wink.

  “Looks like you two had a fun time,” she teases.

  Buck immediately turns red, while I feign surprise at her comment.

  “And where’s Joseph?” I ask, changing the subject.

  “That guy? He’s with Tasha,” Aunty Chi says casually.

  “Tasha?” I raise an eyebrow.

  “Tasha!” Buck exclaims with a little too much enthusiasm.

  “Who’s she?”

  “She’s my cousin,”

  I gulp.

  “And she’s from the capital, right?” I ask hopefully.

  “Nope, she’s from another farm city,”

  Curiosity sparks in me, but my mind wanders elsewhere. Buck is built like a tank, and now I’m wondering—is that from hard labor or just unfairly good genetics? If all his family is like that.

  Would Joseph see another woman?

  I chuckle at the absurd thought.

  “What’s so funny?” Aunty asks.

  She thinks she can separate me and Joseph. It’s laughable. I trust him completely. He told me I’m the only one for him, and I believe that. Even if he weren’t an heir, I’d still love him. We’ve built something real these past few months.

  “Your plan isn’t working, Aunty,” I say with a smirk, looking at the ground as laughter bubbles up inside me.

  But then I look up—and freeze.

  Joseph and Tasha stand a few feet away.

  My smile falters.

  She’s beautiful. No, worse than beautiful. Her tan skin practically glows. Her long golden-blond hair flows effortlessly in the wind. And worst of all—she’s taller than me. Taller than Joseph too. And the way she’s looking at him… like she wants to devour him whole. Like a hungry wolf eyeing a juicy steak.

  Her outfit isn’t helping either. Tight shorts, that show slowly some under cheeks, and even a tighter shirt that looks like it’s holding on for dear life. Those buttons are fighting a losing battle against her massive assets. It’s like watching an overinflated balloon about to pop—dangerous and unsettling.

  But Joseph wouldn’t betray me. Even if… even if his mouth is slightly open. With… is that drool? No. No, he must just be thirsty. Yes, he’s just dehydrated. That explains the weird look in his eyes. He’s obviously avoiding her gaze because she’s not that pretty.

  Right?

  Right?

  “WHO AM I KIDDING?!”

  This girl is on Elene’s level of beauty. And she’s got Joseph wrapped around her little finger. His posture, the way he’s staring, like a lost puppy begging for a treat.

  I march forward.

  “Joseph.”

  No response.

  I cough. Louder this time.

  Only Tasha acknowledges me, looking me up and down like I’m some insect buzzing too close.

  Then she smirks. Her voice has a heavy cowboy twang.

  “Oh no, sister, look for your own man.”

  “Excuse me?”

  I snap. Karate chop to the head.

  “Ouch—what the—Elysia?!” Joseph yelps, finally noticing me.

  Good. He should feel guilty. Because he is guilty.

  “If you didn’t know, Tasha,” I say sweetly, too sweetly, “Joseph is my boyfriend.”

  Tasha doesn’t even flinch.

  “Huh. Funny, he didn’t mention that when I invited him to help fix my car.” She smirks, flipping her hair.

  I turn to Joseph. His face is frozen in an innocent, gentlemanly smile. Oh, he thinks this is cute.

  I grab his ear.

  “Come. We. Need. To. Talk.”

  I try dragging him, but Tasha effortlessly stops me with one hand on his arm.

  “A man is free to choose. Free to help others. You can’t force him,” she says, voice smooth like honey and just as sticky.

  I smile.

  “Oh, I can. He’s mine. Now back off.”

  “Girl, girl, there are credit cards for everyone.”

  “What did you just say?” I let go of his hand, and he and Tasha stumble.

  “It was a joke, sorry. It’s just you girls were stretching my arms, and I’m not made of gum.”

  “Fine. You want to fix her damn car? Fix it. And change her damn oil while you’re at it!”

  I storm back to the house.

  What bothers me the most is my aunt smirking. Because her plan is working. I don’t care if she’s orchestrating this, but it’s Joseph’s fault for playing along like a puppet on her strings.

  At dinner, the silence between me, Joseph, and my aunt is thick.

  The food tonight is, unfortunately, normal—chicken soup. But made with chicken feet and a head.

  So freaky. The way my aunt is sucking the eyes and neck makes me want to puke.

  Joseph, on the other hand, is eating—but with pain. I hope he doesn’t think eating my aunt’s food counts as forgiveness.

  Time passes quickly, but I eat everything.

  “Thanks, Aunt.”

  Joseph, however, looks pale. After thanking my aunt, he bolts to the bathroom.

  “So, how was your day with Buck?” she asks.

  “I don’t think taking a bull out to graze is something I’d ever do again,” I mutter.

  “I mean, how are you and Buck?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You know what I mean.”

  I sigh.

  “Nothing. He likes someone else.”

  I lie, of course. I have to shut this down before she takes two steps ahead of me.

  “But he told me he likes you.”

  Now she’s lying. Buck never told me that in his stories.

  She is using false information to confuse me, I can’t believe she will do anything to separate me from Joseph.

  “Maybe on another day,” I say. “But tonight, he asked me for advice on meeting another girl. And, of course, I helped him.”

  She chuckles.

  “What?”

  “That girl is you, silly.”

  Checkmate. I misspoke.

  What can I say now?

  “I don’t think so,” I mumble.

  “You know, Billy is kind of reserved when it comes to love. He didn’t want to scare you, but inside, he’s melting for you.”

  Checkmate again.

  I don’t know what to say. My head is hurting.

  Think, Elysia.

  If I stay quiet, she’ll keep leading the conversation.

  Before I say something stupid—

  A knock on the door.

  “Is someone coming tonight?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  “I’ll check.”

  As I walk to the door and open it, the day somehow does a full 360-degree turn into even more weirdness.

  Of all people… why you?

  “You—why are you here?!”