passenger seat...

[ I am so sorry for the wait, was very busy the whole week. But I managed to make this chapter. It is not yet edited so please bear with it. Please support me, love lots...]

After making sure that she is settled, he mounted himself on the horse and reined it out of the clearing. Joseph was whistling a tune while Christine was sulking, her face is burning red.

Their bodies touching as the horse trots its way going back to the mansion. She felt so awkward after what happened and how she wished that the horse would run fast so they will get to the mansion quickly.

It seems like Joseph was really enjoying the journey and did not have any plans to hurry home. It was already 5 in the afternoon and the sun is already setting on the south giving a bright orange and yellow color on the sky and making all the trees and plants look golden. She can't help but admire the beauty of the hacienda. The way to the mansion from the plantation is a long winding dirt road, with wildflowers, grass, and trees on each side. During summer, the yellow and white wildflowers bloom giving it very beautiful scenery and if you are looking at it from afar, it would look like a very wide bed sheet with flowery prints.

Birds are chirping happily and seemed to sing with Joseph. Christine eventually has forgotten what happened earlier and started to relax while enjoying the beautiful scenery. Joseph noticed that she already relaxed and his heart throbbed with happiness. He has been waiting for this day for 5 years and he vowed to himself that he will not let her go this time. However, he still has to settle some things between her and his mother. He is willing to take the risk and even it means going against his mother or forbidding all men to go near her. He is fully aware that there is something off with his mother when it comes to Christine or any other women that somehow gets close to him. He was actually about to tell her mother that he was taking Christine back to the mansion before the accident happened. After the accident, he was busy taking care of the funeral of Jackson and Christine who was in the hospital and was traumatized. But it was also a blessing in disguise, he was able to find a reason to convince her to return.

After like an hour, Christine can already see the grand entrance of the mansion. The mansion is Europian style and sits in the middle of the whole estate of the Arante's. There are two lanes going to the mansion, cars going in will take the right side and turn around a five-foot man-made fountain in the front of the main door and exit on the left lane. Roses of different colors are planted around the fountain and water sprout out from the top of the fountain which gives a relaxing sound. There is a well-maintained garden on both sides of the mansion and there is a cottage on the far end of the garden. The Arante's hired people to maintain the garden which is where most of the gatherings are held.

Joseph reigned the horse towards the back of the mansion where the barn is located. They passed by the cottage at the end of the garden and she heard someone singing and playing the guitar. The sound of it is so familiar.

"I look at her and have to smile

As we go driving for a while

Her hair blowing in the open window of my car

And as we go the traffic lights

I watch them glimmer in her eyes

In the darkness of the evening

And I've got all I need

Right here in the passenger seat

And I can't keep my eyes on the road

Just knowing that she's inches from me"

"Jolo?" Christine exclaimed, her voice full of anticipation. Joseph's brows creased, did not expect Jolo to be home this early. He was told that Jolo was still in the middle of his exams and won't be back until 2 weeks after.

"Didn't you say that he won't be back until after two weeks?'' Christine asked Joseph while slightly turning her head to face him. Her eyes are full of excitement and Joseph can clearly see it, he clenched his fist to control his emotion.

A pang of jealousy crept through Joseph but he was good at hiding it. With a poker face, he said, "that was what I was told" then he shrugged his shoulders.

"We stop to get something to drink

My mind clouds and I can't think

Scared to death to say I love her

Then the moon peeks from the clouds

Hear my heart it speaks so loud

Tryin' to tell her simply...

That I've got all that I need

Right here in the passenger seat

And I can't keep my eyes on the road

Just knowing that she's inches from me

I know, this love grows...

And I've got all that I need

Right here in the passenger seat

And I…"

Jolo continued to sing completely unaware of Joseph and Christine approaching toward the cottage he was in. He arrived three hours ago and the first he did was look for Christine. He was not supposed to go back now, trying to avoid his mother, he can't help but pity her and he can't bear to witness it but when he was told that Christine is back, he decided to go home immediately.

He was not able to say goodbye to her when Joseph sent her away. he was not able to ask forgiveness for what happened on his birthday. He owes an apology to her. He wanted to contact her before but was scared that she might not forgive him and that Joseph may find out what actually happened that night.

"Jolo!" called Christine excitedly after she dismounted from the horse leaving Joseph sulking with jealousy.