Chapter 10: Chapter 10

GRETEL finished her soup though she was sometimes bothered by Javier’s presence behind her. They were not talking, and Javier did not want her to. He must have taken pity on her. Who wouldn’t, anyway? She was hungry and desperate.

“Can we talk about my brother now?” she said as she put her bowl back on the tray.

“Are you still hungry?”

“I’m fine.”

“Hmm.” He pushed his bowl on the tray. He turned to face her and folded and his arms across his broad chest. “Do you think you can change my mind, Gretel?”

“I know my brother. He was innocent. He got set up, and he really regretted it.”

“Every thief regrets once they get caught.”

“No! That’s not in his nature to steal, believe me. You should catch Dario and Jones. They have a reputation in this village. I’m sorry that it happened to you, but it’s true. They always get away with it.”

“Let’s say I withdraw the case against him, and then, what’s next?”

“I’ll do what you want. Just set him free.”

Javier narrowed his eyes.

“What can you do, Gretel? I already got everything I need. I don’t think I need another servant.”

Gretel fell silent. Javier stood up and sauntered to the window. She watched him as he pushed the curtain aside. The sun illuminated his handsome face.

“Ever since our father died, I swore to never let my family fall apart,” she said. “If I lose my family, I have nothing left anymore. I don’t want to give my mother another heartbreak.” She got up and stood behind him. “Even if I have to sacrifice myself, I would. Use me, Javier.”

Javier turned to her abruptly. Shock was written on his face. Gretel took advantage of it. She crossed their distance and pulled him by the nape, kissing him the way she knew.

Javier could not move for a moment. Gretel was determined not to pull away.

Then, she felt him snaked an arm around her roughly, pulling her toward him as he began to kiss her back.

Gretel moaned and gasped in surprise. There was not a hint of gentleness in his reaction toward her, but she did not mind at all. She realized she was a fast learner when she found herself submitting to his lips, kissing him back with equal passion.

Gretel felt like melting when he began to caress her everywhere. She felt hot, and her thighs moistened in arousal.

“Are you out of your mind?” he said, panting when he pulled away.

Gretel swallowed.

“I guess so.”

Javier grabbed the back of her head and kissed her once again. This time, he kissed her with gentleness, yet the sensuality remained. That moment, Gretel fancied that Javier wanted her as a woman.

GRETEL was already inside the carriage on her way home. Javier insisted that Mr. Martinez should take her home for her safety. They already had an agreement, but it was not going to be easy.

She did not care. She was willing to face the consequences. She was a woman of her word.

It did not matter as long as Hansel gets out of jail. Her mother would be delighted.

“Mr. Martinez, thank you for the ride home,” she said politely as soon as she got out of the carriage.

“Will you be alright, Miss Gretel? I’m sorry about what happened to your brother. Every people will get desperate at least once in their lifetime. But my master is not as cruel as you think. He will make sure that the real culprit gets punished.”

“Thank you for not judging us, Mr. Martinez. I really appreciate it,” Gretel said sincerely. “I guess we’ll see more of each other in the coming days.”

“You’ll find my master is a nice young man,” he teased. “I got to go.”

“Take care, Mr. Martinez.”

“GRETEL! Gretel, where have you been?”

Gretel turned around and saw Dory running toward her.

“Dory, you’re back.”

Her friend was away for more than a day. Dory went to another town with her aunt to buy textiles and sewing materials for the shop.

“Are you all right? I heard what happened from Mother. I could not believe Hansel would do such a thing. He’s innocent, wasn’t he?” Dorry said in genuine concern.

“I’m glad to know you’re on my side, Dory,” Gretel said weakly.

“I’m your friend, and I know your family so well. What’s going to happen to Hansel now?”

“I already talked to Javier del Mundo, and I supposed he listened to me. He’ll withdraw the case against my brother, and he will pursue Dario and Jones. They should have been punished a long time ago.”

“Really? Javier del Mundo would do that?”

“Well…” Gretel’s face flushed as the memory of the kiss they shared flashed her mind. “He’s not as terrible as I think. B-but it wasn’t easy to convince him.”

“I’m glad he’s not as cruel as what people thought he was.” Dory smiled. “By the way, I brought you books, and I left it at your house. I hope you like it.”

“Dory, thank you so much!” Gretel hugged Dory.

Even at her lowest time, books never failed to comfort her. She thanked the heavens for having Dory as a friend.

“GRETEL!”

Glenda stood up from her chair as Gretel finally stepped inside their house. She heaved a sigh and rushed to her to hug her.

“I’ve been waiting for you, my child. Are you all right?”

Gretel took a deep breath and smiled.

“Yes, Mother. Nothing to worry about.”

Glenda pulled away and caressed her face.

“What happened?”

“Have you eaten your breakfast, Mother?”

“I only ate a little because I’m worried about you the whole time.”

Gretel took her mother’s hand.

“Javier shared his breakfast with me. He listened to me, and he believed me, Mother.”

Glenda stared at her with disbelief.

“It must have come with a price.”

“W-well, Mother… it was me who offered. I promised to give my loyalty to him. I’d work for him all my life if I had to.”

“I should have talked to him, instead. What have you gotten yourself into?” Tears welled up Glenda’s eyes.

“I’m fine, Mother. You like Javier, don’t you? For now, let’s cheer up. I’m sure Hansel is excited to come home.”

Glenda nodded and smiled.

“You’re right.”

GRETEL could not help a giggle as she caressed the hardcover of the book Dory brought her. It looked new, and the author was not familiar to her. She was excited to read it, nevertheless.

She was sitting beside the window when the sheriff’s carriage stopped outside the gate. She stood up at once as her heart pounded in joy. When she saw Hansel step down after the sheriff, she rushed to the kitchen.

“Mother!”

Glenda stared at her.

Both of them raced to the yard. Hansel’s face lit up as he saw them. He rushed to them and hugged Glenda first.

“Sheriff, thank you so much,” Gretel said, teary-eyed.

“What Hansel did was a minor offense. You should thank Mr. del Mundo, instead, for letting it go. But we will make sure to catch Dario and Jones. They always get away with their crimes. But Hansel’s statement will be strong evidence to convict them this time.” He turned to Hansel. “Hansel, we’ll still see each other in the coming days. I hope you learned your lesson.”

“Yes, sheriff,” Hansel replied as he wiped the corner of his eyes.

The sheriff tipped his hat.

“Have a good day.”

“Good-bye, sheriff,” Glenda said. “Thanks for bringing my son home.”

The sheriff smiled and nodded.

Gretel wrapped her arms around Hansel when the carriage left.

“I’m sorry for causing you trouble, Mother, Gretel,” Hansel said.

“You’re forgiven, Hansel. I know you won’t do it again,” Glenda said. “You should thank Gretel. She convinced Javier that you’re innocent.”

“Gretel, my little sister.” Hansel cupped her face. “I’m sorry. I don’t deserve you.”

“It’s okay, Brother. As long as it won’t happen again.”

“I promise.”

GRETEL put the lamp on the rock and smiled at Alexander who was peeping behind the tree. She held the banana wrapped in her hand as she rushed to him. Gretel threw herself into his arms without a word, taking Alexander by surprise.

“G-Gretel.”

“I’m just happy right now, Alexander.”

“Really?”

Gretel pulled away and beamed.

“My brother is back!”

“I’m glad to hear that.” He caressed her cheek. “I’m glad to see you this happy. But at what cost, Gretel?”

“Hmm?” The smile from her face disappeared. “What do you mean?”

“What did you give in exchange for your brother’s freedom?”

“T-the truth, of course. Are you worried that I put myself in danger? Don’t worry. I did not.”

“I’ll save you even if you did.”

Gretel giggled.

“Really? I thought you’re going to knock my skull.”

“Did you bring something for me?”

“Of course! You’ll like it. It’s a sweetened banana. Have you eaten one before?”

“Yeah. I remember liking it.”

Gretel pulled him to sit down.

“My mother made it.”