16 You belong here...

There were workers wrapping the fruits of the mangoes with papers. Some of the workers who noticed them bowed their heads as a sign of respect and they continued on what they were working.

"There are 3,000 mango trees in this plantation. We harvest twice a year and we export them to New Zealand", Joseph explained as they continue to tour around the plantation.

Christine nods and smiles at the workers as they pass them while going around the plantation. She was quietly overwhelmed with how vast the plantation is. Mango trees were lined in rows and are two feet apart from each other. There are so many of them that she can't actually see the tail of the rows. She was not able to visit this part of the farm.

"This is the northern part of the farm where you can find the mangoes and then pineapples right behind these", Joseph explained. Joseph halted the horse and went off the horse. He then securely placed her left foot on the girth and then extended his hands to assist her in getting off the horse.

The workers quickly got a bench for them to sit on while one of the workers took the horse and took it to the nearest shaded area to rest.

''Good morning boss, Miss Christine", they said in unison and respectfully bowed their heads. They immediately offered something for them to drink.

"'Water is all we can offer now'', said a woman in her 50's smiling. She must be the oldest in the group.

''Don't trouble yourselves, we are just dropping by as we still have to see the other side of the farm", Joseph explained. He gestured for Christine to sit on the bench prepared for them.

Christine smiled at them and said thank you. She realized she was already thirsty so the drank the water given to her.

"This Clarita and her husband Julius, they are the one in-charge for the whole mango plantation", Joseph introduced the couple to her.

"Nice meeting you Uncle, Auntie", she politely greeted them and shook their hands.

"It's our pleasure Miss Christine and welcome back", replied Clarita meekly.

"Thank you"

Julius was just observing and from time to time would smile and glance at her. His eyes held deep emotions.

"We would like to express our condolences to you, Miss Christine", Julius added.

A faint smile escaped Christine's lips and just nodded to the couple. She suddenly felt a little sad remembering her father. They were not given a chance to talk before he was gone, they lost their communication the moment she was sent back to M City that day.

It suddenly became awkward. The couple realized that they have ruined the mood by mentioning the death of her father. Julius was awkwardly smiling and rubbing his now almost bald head.

The other workers already started to go back to what they were doing leaving the couple to attend to Joseph and Christine.

"Ahem", Joseph cleared his throat in an attempt to change the mood. He gestured Julius to follow him. They took a few steps away from the two women.

"How is everything today Julius?'', asked Joseph.

"We have already finished at least two thousand mango trees yesterday and hopefully we will be able to finish everything by in 2 weeks or so", Julius pointed to the trees whose fruits have already been wrapped.

"Do you need more workers to speed up the work? Wrapping should be done before the medicine that we sprayed expires", Joseph said while looking at the people working. There are ladders set-up so the workers can easily wrap the fruits. All of them are so busy with what they are doing.

"There's no need boss, we are on schedule and these workers are fast, there is nothing to worry", Julius replied.

"Hmmm," Joseph nodded and patted Julius' back showing that he was satisfied with what he heard.

"Well anyway, we should go now so we can tour around before it gets dark", Joseph said and quickly looked at Christine to signal her that they will be leaving.

Christine was having a chat with Clarita. She learned that Julius actually offered to drive Celine and her father on that day when the tragedy happened. But Jackson declined and insisted to personally drive. Little did they know that a tragedy was waiting for them along the road. Julius took it upon himself that he was partly to be blamed. That was why he had deep emotions hidden in his eyes while looking at Christine.

Christine saw Joseph is done talking to Julius and glanced her way, she understood that he wanted them to go so she stood up from the bench.

"I guess we will have to go now Auntie, hope to see you around", she said to Clarita who also stood up and walked by her side towards where Joseph and Julius are.

""Let's move to the pineapple plantation now so we can finish before it gets dark and we will also find a place where to have our lunch", Joseph explained to Christine.

"Our food will actually arrive any moment now, why don't you join us instead?", Clarita offered.

Christine's face lightened and hoped that Joseph would agree. She was having a hard time being alone with him.

Julius gave a meaningful glance at his wife in an attempt to stop her. He smiled apologetically to Joseph. If only Joseph was alone, it will not be a problem. They are actually used to eating with their boss, he acts like one of them whenever he is on the farm. But he reckoned that his boss would like to have some time alone with Christine. he knew his boss very well.

"Thank you but we have our food and the plan was to go on a picnic while touring around", Joseph just smiled at the couple and at Christine. Her face became, she thought she could already escape him.

"Shall we?'', Joseph asked Christine and extended his hand to her.

She purposely ignored his hand and faced the couple.

"Thank you for the offer, maybe next time", she said smiling.

"Yes, just tell us ahead of time so we can prepare", Clarita replied. The couple watched them walk toward where the horse is.

"Do we really have to go there?" she asked. " I don't understand why we have to do this, after all, I won't be staying long.", she continued.

Joseph untied the horse from the branch of a tree and prepared it, he checked the saddle, completely ignoring what Christine just said.

"Let us go now to the pineapple plantation and we can have our lunch there", he said after making sure that the horse is ready.

Christine was a little pissed off, pouted her lips and stomped her foot.

"Come on, I will help you get on the horse", and he suddenly held her waist and hoisted her on top of the horse. Taken by surprise, Christine almost shouted and swore.

"What the f----", she said angrily while quickly grasping the bridle to avoid from falling.

"What a language", Joseph said, amused by her reaction. He quickly stepped on the girth and pushed himself up to the horse.

"Bastard", Christine snorted.

Joseph heard her but he teasingly asked her, "what did you say?" he said near her ears with his lips almost touching.