Chapter 108 - TRUST ME BABE, I WON'T CHANGE MY MIND

The man responsible for getting the horses for the customers left to get the white quarter horse that Stefan asked for. After that they were given instructions about the trail that they'd be following and other rules for horseback riding.

Cayenne was so excited and she couldn't stop stroking the horse's head and hair. She even pressed her forehead on the horse's head and talked to it as if it was a person. Stefan didn't let go of this moment and stole another picture of her.

"How long will we ride this horse? I don't mind not exploring their other rides. I am contented with this horse." Cayenne opened up while Stefan put on the necessary equipment on the horse. Even though he knew how to ride a horse, he still made sure that Cayenne was wearing all the safety gears in case something happens. Accidents cannot be foreseen and he didn't want her to suffer because of his own neglection.

"As long as you like. I don't mind it. Even if you wanted to return tomorrow, it's fine." He responded while helping her put on the boots.

The staff, who was looking after them chuckled softly upon hearing his response. He knew that Stefan was just making an exaggeration to please the girl and he was successful at it. While Stefan was busy helping her, Cayenne never stopped watching him with admiration in her eyes. And the staff was stuffed with this public display of affection.

After ten minutes, the two of them were finally riding the horse and following the trail like everyone else. Most couples were riding on the same horse just like the two of them. The only difference of them from everyone else was that, Stefan and Cayenne wasn't a real couple.

Cayenne was riding on the horse with Stefan behind her. He was holding the rein with a straight back, anxious and flustered. He was mustering his courage to engage in a serious conversation with her. Cayenne was feeling the same. She was anxious and she felt itchy in her heart. Every time his warm breath brushed her neck, she felt like her stomach was somersaulting and her heart was making a backflip. She felt giddy.

"Ayen."

His low and masculine voice startled her and her heart was beating so fast as if someone was chasing after her. She even forgot to breath.

"Ayen?"

"Y-yes?" she tried her best to sound normal and relaxed her body. And when she did relax, she felt her back was pressing on his warm body. She had no idea that one slight move will bring them in this position. She wanted to sit up straight again but Stefan held her waist and even moved her a little closer to him.

"You should sit properly or you will hurt your back later." He whispered close to her ears. His warm breath was giving her a tingling sensation but she didn't say anything. She just nodded her head.

They continued to ride on the back of the horse until the reached the peak of the trail which was on top of a hill, overlooking the view of the garden and the other adventure area. When they were on top the hill, Cayenne closed her eyes for a moment to take in the fresh air to her lungs. The cool feeling was so refreshing, making her forget all her worry.

But just like what everybody says, all things will come to an end – be it good or bad. Since she finally relaxed, Stefan grabbed this chance to finally talk with her about what he said last night.

"Do you want me to take a picture of you?" Stefan suggested first. "It has a very nice view here."

"Sure. Let's have a picture together." Cayenne didn't want to be selfish and just collect photos of herself.  No one knew of what will happen the next day or the next moment and she wanted to have something which will serve as a remembrance of this trip with him.

Stefan didn't refuse, of course. It was her suggestion after all.

He tied the rein of the horse around the tree and looked for a great view to take pictures with Cayenne. After two minutes, they settled on taking a picture with the horse in the middle of the forest and another picture of them with the garden and the park behind them.

"Come over here." Stefan helped her sit on the horse once again and told her to pose for him. He took five pictures of her and Cayenne told him to stop. She was getting uneasy.

She felt that, the happier she was, the sadder she'll became later on and that scared her. Even so, she needed to face him because she promised that she'd listen to him.

"Stefan?" Cayenne called his name while heading to a huge slab of rock to sit. "About what you said last night. Uhm…I-"

"I was serious with what I said and I was sober enough to remember everything." Stefan told her before she could finish her statement. He didn't want to give her the chance to deny him. "Ayen, I don't want you to work for me. I don't want you to lie to your parents. I don't want you to be scared of being found out. I don't want anyone to judge you because of our previous complicated relationship."

"You said that you don't want me to work for you, does that include my work in the hotel?"

Stefan thought for a while and nodded his head. But he also corrected her. "I want you to depend on me but if you really want to work in the hotel, I would still allow you to do that. It's your freedom to stay working in my hotel and of course, I won't disturb you or let our relationship affect your work."

"But if I become your girlfriend, I will become the talk of the town. I don't want my private life to be messed-up."

"I promise, no one will mess up with your life. In my opinion, our relationship should only be known between us and to our family and friends. I don't want to make it public."

"But you've posted something about me in your social media account."

"As much as I want to keep you to myself, I also wanted to boast that I found someone who I wanted to spend my whole life with. In any case, I won't show your face to the public."

"I am not rich. You may not be close with your parents now but they are still your parents. They would make sure that you will get married to someone rich to protect your riches."

"No matter what others will say, be it my parents or someone else, it won't matter. I'm the one who will get married. Naturally, I will choose someone that I love."

Cayenne looked at him while biting her lower lips. She wanted to tell him her own feelings but she was afraid that he was just bluffing. After all, Stefan was known to be a playboy and she knew it before getting involved with him.

"Can I ask you something?" Stefan questioned and stared directly into her eyes. Cayenne felt her soul being sucked out by him and nodded her head. "You've been worried about me and money. If I become poor, will you still love me?"

"Love?" Cayenne asked with her blinking eyes. "Let's not talk about love first. We barely know each other. How can you casually mention that word to me?"

Stefan took another step closer and reached out to hold her hands. In his eyes, you could see his sincerity on this matter at hand. "Ayen, time can't be used to measure someone's love.  Also, even if we barely know each other, we can spend our lifetime to get to know each other."

"One last question, are you going to court me?"

"Hn. I will spend every day courting you. I will make sure that you won't suffer any injustice and I will make sure to dedicate my life and heart to you. I don't want anyone else but you."

Cayenne opened her mouth but closed it again after few seconds. Her heart was stuffed with his sincere feelings and sweet words. She wanted to tell him the same thing. Her face was flushed and her palm was getting sweaty. She pulled her hands back from him which dampened Stefan's mood.

He was startled and he was worried. He started to think of other ways to make her say 'yes'. But then, he realized that there are things that you can't force on someone.

Cayenne looked at him and she saw his pale and sad face. In the end, she took the risk of getting a heart break. "I want to stay with you, too."

Stefan looked at her and the corner of his lips hooked into a smile. "Really? You want to stay with me?"

"Hn. But-"

His happy face fell when he heard the 'but' next to her agreement but Cayenne finished her statement before he feels even sadder.

"Let's do the courting process first. Let's try to get to know each other and see whether we are meant for each other. Who knows, you might change your mind in the future during our dating process."

Stefan smiled and nodded his head. "Trust me babe, I won't change my mind." Stefan pulled her gently and hugged her. He couldn't stop his happiness as he kissed the top of her head again and again. "Thank you for giving me a chance."