Chapter 3 A LETTER OF PROMISE

The days after my encounter with Bryan were confusing and filled with a sense of longing. I would stare at my reflection in the glass windows anytime I passed by, and I would wonder if Bryan saw more in me other than an ordinary girl from Queens. My daily chore at the stables was a mixture of hard work and longing imaginations.

The weight of our family legacy weighed heavily on me as the firstborn. Mirabel, my younger sister, was a kind and ambitious girl, but she still had a lot to learn about caring for the horses and taking care of the family business. It had always rested on my shoulders to handle business.

I spent long hours at the stables trying to bury my head in the sound of hooves and the familiar smell of fresh hay and moist earth. Our conversation played over and over again in my head and I wondered if there was any meaning behind his soft smile. I imagine him standing at the doorway and looking at me with admiration and curiosity.

But as the sun went down, a worrying feeling overtook me. We were from two different worlds. I finally settled on the thought that I was a simple farm girl while he was from a world I could only dream of, a world of riches and luxury.

Days passed, and then one fateful morning, while I was arranging the track room, I heard a loud knock on the glass door. I reached for the door and standing outside was a corporately dressed man with a refined presence like the world he belonged to. He was a messenger. He was dressed in a nicely made suit and I noticed his neatly cut hair. He held a leather bag, and he had a soft smile on his face.

"Good day, ma'am, are you Miss. Tessy Dawn?". His tone was very polite and professional.

"Yes, good morning to you sir," I replied in the calmest way I could muster.

He gave me an envelope, sealed and embossed with a beautiful crest. "I was sent by Mr. Bryan Argol. He is requesting for someone to come to his equestrian facility to assist him train the mare he recently purchased". As our eyes met, I sensed a hint of excitement in his eyes.

My fingers trembled as I collected the envelope. His words settled over me. I recalled the messenger's words in my head as I walked back to the main area. Training Bryan's horse was not just a job; it was an invitation to step into his life, even if it would be for a short time. But I somehow hesitated deep down; I still felt like an ordinary caretaker from a stable, unworthy of being in the world of luxury Bryan represented.

I sat with Mira at our staff lounge later that evening. Her eyes grew wide with curiosity and something else I couldn't place when I read the contents of the letter Bryan had sent.

"So, he remembers you, how amazing, Tessy. You have to go; you are good at what you do, and you are a very likable person". Her tone was low. It sounded as if she didn't want me to leave, I was her companion and best friend.

Something stirred within me at her words of encouragement. She was not just my sister; she was a believer in my abilities. I settled my mind to take up the task after reflecting for a long time. It was not just about training a horse, it was my chance to see the world I had always dreamt of. It was my one chance to prove to myself and, more importantly, to Bryan, that I was not just an ordinary farm girl but someone more capable than I appeared.

I passed the news to my parents who also expressed their faith in me, and began careful preparations for my journey. I went over the records and checked on the horses to make sure everything was okay for the period I would be away.

Under the pale sky the next morning, I packed a small bag and bade my family goodbye. Mira held on tightly to me as sadness crept over her face. As I stepped out onto the streets, the sound of cars and pedestrians blended with the fading of my modest life. I felt a mixture of excitement and curiosity, and it made every step I took exciting.

As I navigated through the city, I could see a world that was far different from mine. I replayed the words of the messenger as I approached Bryan's mansion.

It was a private estate that seemed like something out of a dream. The building was a tasteful blend of traditional and modern designs; its lawns were green and carefully maintained. Its stables were elegant. I cross-checked the address again to ensure that I wasn't in the wrong location, and as I walked through the entrance of the facility, I felt like I was on a new chapter on which I would rewrite my story.

I was diligent and devoted to my work in the days that followed. Everything reminded me of the bond I shared with the animals, a bond that went beyond business. My days were busy and stressful. I buried my head in my work, trying not to think about Bryan. We hadn't seen each other since I arrived, I was told he was away on a business trip.

Most nights when the world had gone to sleep, I would stand by the large window of my room and watch the city lights. I would let my mind replay my encounter with Bryan over and over and wonder if he also thought about me in his busy schedule. I was very sure of one thing; as long as Bryan had taken his time to reach out to me in a letter, it simply meant that he saw something that mattered in me.