Impressing Stella

Adrian flashed Alfred a cold stare while shaking his head and saying a non-verbal, "No."

He signaled Alfred to stop talking and to go away while Stella was distracted by Alfred's voice and staring in the latter's direction.

Alfred on the other hand was rendered speechless as he perfectly understood his master's instructions.

However, he knew he had to come up with something to distract the smart Stella due to his initial reprimanding tone. He knew one thing she dreaded was been found at fault. He also observed her slightly jittery composure. So he quickly withdrew his stern tone and spoke subtler.

"Umm...sorry Stella, I didn't mean to startle you. One of the workers provoked me earlier. I was going to ask you how many grape containers have been offloaded on the rows you're supervising. But, you can continue with what you are doing, great job!" Alfred tried to leave but Stella's sweet voice stopped him on his track.

She quickly let go of Adrian's wrist and focused all her attention on her boss. She was worried knowing Alfred had never addressed her in such a harsh tone no matter the mood he was in.

In the bit to please her boss, she quickly responded to his non-intended question. She also apologize on behalf of the worker that had got him offended.

"Over three hundred containers have been collected and offloaded, sir." Stella smiled feverishly. "I was about to..."

Adrian was riled by Alfred's continuous presence and the fact that he had the beautiful Stella's attention. So he smoothly reintroduced himself into the discussion. He knew that Stella was out to please her boss and might take forever to explain herself.

"Master Alfred, please forgive me for idling away and stealing some grapes."

Adrian smiled inwardly when Stella finally turned back to him. He saw both horror and bewilderment in her eyes due to his open confession and this got him excited.

So he further tried to impress her by taking two steps towards Alfred and going down on his knees, like a truly repentant criminal seeking instant forgiveness.

"Miss Stella, caught me red-handed plucking and eating some grapes. I know it's a crime and I'm truly sorry for doing that. Please, do not deduct my wages for today."

Adrian beamed at the way Stella's name sounded on his lips and the way she quickly came to stand by his side. He resisted the urge to laugh his heart out when he saw the apprehension in Alfred's eyes. It was as if Alfred was about to pass out from a cardiac arrest.

Stella couldn't hide her shock at the way the handsome young man owned up to his crime. However, she was more worried that he was about to either get a wage deduction or lose his job. Hence, she started to plead on his behalf.

"Mr. Alfred, this young man is truly sorry. Please, forgive him. I will ensure he does a double proportion of his job as punishment."

All Alfred could do was nod and wave his quivering hand dismissively. He couldn't believe that the unforgiving and short-tempered Adrian actually went on his knees for him just to impress Stella.

"I'm in trouble!" Alfred wiped the sweat that had beaded his forehead as he watched Stella take Adrian by the wrist just like before and pull him away in the opposite direction.

After Stella had pulled Adrian to a secluded part of the vineyard to prevent anyone from eavesdropping or stumbling into them, she stopped walking and turned around to face him.

"Why would you do that?" Stella's eyes and tone was dripping with irritation.

Adrian, whose mind had jetted into outer space as he kept admiring her natural beauty and glow said, "Huh!"

Although he noticed her mouth moving and saw the fury in her eyes, he felt stupid for not paying attention to her.

"Young man, don't taste my patience." Stella snapped angrily. "Do you know you could have lost your job today by that silly stunt you pulled before the boss?"

"Really!" Adrian tried his best to stifle the amusement in his eyes.

Stella stared at the young man before her, unable to decipher his level of reasoning. Although she was inwardly impressed at his level of honesty, she was worried by Alfred's awkward behavior.

She had never seen Alfred so lost for words or so terrified in all her life. It was as though he had seen or remembered something that was crippling his heart.

On a normal day, Alfred would instantly punish the young man for his crime. But releasing them without even saying a word was something she found difficult to believe.

"What you did back there was either the dumbest or the bravest thing I have ever seen in life. Most people I know, lie to save their job. But you threw all caution to the wind and just admitted to stealing. It makes me wonder what was going through your mind."

"You feel it's wrong, to tell the truth?" Adrian asked, making Stella's heart skip a beat.

"No, I never said that." Stella blew forced air through her mouth as her heart began to ache from so many lies surrounding her identity. "It's okay, to tell the truth sometimes."

"Hmm... Well, there is a good side to telling the truth but a little lie doesn't hurt as long as you do not live in it. The only people who will be mad at you for telling the truth are those living a life of lies." Adrian said thoughtfully.

Stella felt Adrian's words knock the air out of her lungs and render her speechless. It was as though he knew her true identity and was indirectly telling her to come clean about herself.

In a bit to drop the frustrating topic and take charge as the supervisor. She said dismissively, "Just thank you lucky stars that the boss seems to have other things bothering him and has no time for you."

"Thank you, Miss Stella, I..."

"No! No!! Don't thank me yet." Stella interrupted Adrian while avoiding his gaze which was now making her palms sweaty and her heart racing.