Chapter 0241


    When |e out of the shower and move back into my bedroom I’m pleased to see that my clothes for the day have arrived —


    riding clothes, thank god - and even more pleased to see a little note on top. | scurry over and grab the little white envelope,


    ripping it open.


    It''s a simple, short note — as all of Kent’s are:


    Everything is fine.


    | owe you.


    I smirk, a little, at how coy he’s being here. Because if anyone intercepted this note and read it before me, it’s innocuous enough


    to mean anything. But those words at the bottom? | know precisely what they mean. Who knew three short words could get me


    so hot.


    But I sigh and toss the note in my waste basket, knowing that | have to wait, and endure much, before | get to that more pleasant


    part of my day. But I get ready quickly — drying my hair and braiding it back and then changing into my crisp riding clothes,


    excited to finally have the opportunity to visit my horse instead of doting on Natalia and Alessi all day.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    After all, they''ve taken away any reason | had to be kind and solicitous to them. And now | can just do as | please.


    | pull on my tall riding boots and nearly skip down the stairs towards the kitchen, hungry for breakfast and eager to start the day.


    Some of the things that Kent saidst night still echo in my mind — that he sees me as a viper, for instance, disguised as a


    fawn...


    And even as | shake my head at the idea as | push the door open to the kitchen — | wonder what would happen if | just decided


    to believe him? If | just epted it, instead of fighting against it, and tried to...| don’t know, embrace it? To see the viper in


    myself, instead of the shy and frightened nerd | always assumed | was?


    I''m lost in the thoughts of this as | make my way to the espresso machine, so lost that | don’t even notice the old man standing


    next to me until I’ve already loaded the coffee and pulled the levers that | know will make me my favorite drink.


    “A double this morning, Fay?” a creaky old voice beside me asks, and | jump a little as | spin towards him. But then my face


    breaks into a smile.


    “Uncle Gino,” | say, giving the man | now know is Kent''s uncle — the man who raised him, who saved Kent''s family - a wide grin.


    “Good morning — am...am I...oh god,” | say, grimacing as | look around at the coffee station, “please don’t tell me that | cut in


    front of you —*


    But heughs and pats me on the shoulder. “No, girl,” he says, shaking his head. “I already have mine.” And he raises a tiny cup


    towards me in a little toast, which brings me great relief. “Are you going to see that horse of yours today?”