Becky G - Shower

Sebastian stood by the tall windows in Gideon's office, lighting another cigarette. The outbuilding - the dogs' kennel - was in his line of view. In a short pistachio coloured play suit, Rory was playing with the dogs, Cielo on her trail.

A game of tug of war was taking place and it seemed the dogs were winning against the two girls.

"She looks a lot happier these days." He commented, eyeing his friend who was working away on his computer.

Gideon nodded in agreement, "I'm glad she's finally settled in."

After nearly four months of being married, Rory appeared to have accepted her new life as his. Whether her submissiveness was due to fear of him or she had lost the will to fight him, was still a lingering mystery. Perhaps it was both but either way, he got the ending he wanted.

They spent more time together lately. While Rory worked on finishing high school, he finalised purchases for his business and checked over the inventories. She often perched on a stool beside him and other times, he had her sitting on his lap. The latter was more his preference.

"I can't believe she unchained that dog." Sebastian muttered.

Gideon frowned and moved to the window. Feliz, the rather aggressive of the three German shepherds, had been untied and allow out of his chains. He was running circles around them, no doubt ready to attack if someone took the wrong steps.

"If he so much attempts to bites her, I'll kill him." Gideon swore. "Did anyone tell her not to go near him?"

"I'm sure that Alvaro kid did, isn't he the one who takes care of them?" Sebastian glanced over. Alvaro was a touchy subject for Gideon.

The annoyed tick in his jaw was noticeable at the mention of Alvaro's name. However, the kid had adhered to Gideon's warning and pretty much avoided Rory like she was the plague. Today seemed to be the exception apparently.

The lanky boy was driving one of the ATV with a cart hooked behind it. He stopped the bike and darted to Feliz, grabbing the mutt by the collar, dragging him back into the cage. Rory and Cielo followed.

The two girls jerked back in fright and watched with their hands over their mouths. Feliz had taken a quick bite at Alvaro's wrist causing blood to gushing out from the wound.

A normal person would have worried etched on their face but Gideon was grinning at the boy's pain like a maniac.

"You're sick." Sebastian said, shaking his head.

Yet, he wasn't any better.

~*~

Alvaro's blood dripped from his wound. Feliz caught onto a good chuck of his arm when he had tied him back. The mutt was a danger to life and he warned both Rory and Cielo not to get to close, and still they ignored him.

"Are you okay?" Cielo gasped, inspecting his wound from afar.

"I'll live." He winced, walking out of the kennels.

Rory frowned, grabbing his arms unexpectedly. In her hold, Alvaro's body tensed, flushing from their close contact. Gideon's threats echoed in the back of his head and he abruptly yanked his arms away.

"I can take care of it myself!" He said, walking into the mansion.

A frustrated sigh left her lips and stormed after him, Cielo skipping along behind them. She sped up fast enough to marched beside him, brows frowning in annoyance and worry.

He was deliberately ignoring her and her gut told her Gideon must've something to do with it. Every worker on the estate seemed to fear him, for good reason too. They were all replaceable to him.

They stood in the staff room, gathering around a metal sink. Alvaro washed his wound, wincing as the water tore through the bite. He didn't worried about getting rabies since the dogs get their yearly vaccinations which he was in charge of. Alvaro was far more concern about getting caught for being near Rory.

Gideon would kill him.

"I'm fine." He grumbled, "Leave me to tend to it."

Feliz had caught him on his most dominant arm. It was going to affect his work - he needed this arm.

"It's not going to fall off." Rory huffed after observing the worried look on his face. He was overthinking and dreaming of the worst possible scenarios.

"I know that!" He retorted, glaring at her. This was her fault after all.

"Let's bandage it up." Rory suggested, she nodded to the first aid box which Cielo had pulled from the shelves and placed it on the flood.

"This is like doctor and patient." Cielo smiled, referring to the games she played with her stuff toys.

Before he could argue, Rory forced him on the stool and cleaned his wound using the wipes and bandages Cielo handed to her. She rolled her eyes each timed he winced, knowing he was faking it to get a reaction from both girls. He huffed and pouted when he received no responses.

They were no fun.

"You're a baby." Cielo giggled, poking his uninjured arm.

"No I'm not!"

"Yes you are!"

"You both are." Rory joined with a smile, a genuine smile.

She put away the first aid box after finishing bandaging Alvaro's arm. Thankfully, his arm was still mobile and only caused pained when he moved it suddenly or strenuously.

After inspecting his arm and Rory's impressive bandage work, he gazed at her and offered a grateful smile. He was already breaking so many of Gideon's rules and if he got caught, a bullet would be lodged into his brain faster than he could blink.

He stood on his feet, tipped the front of his cap to the girls and hurried out the back door.

Rory watched him leave again without a word her way.

"Go," Rory motioned or Cielo to leave the staff to which she complied wholeheartedly.

She followed after Alvaro, not pleased at his behaviour at her. They were friends, weren't they?

Hearing her footsteps, he sped up shoving his hands into his pockets and keeping his head down. He cannot be seen when her. But, he paused abruptly when he sensed she won't give up so easily and she bumped right into his back. Ricochetting off him like a tennis ball.

He pivoted, face red in anger.

"Why are you following me?" He seethed in a low whisper.

"You've been ignoring me." She accused with a pointed glare, ignoring his initial questions.

He clenched his jaw, turning away in annoyance.

"So what? I'm only a servant." He gritted out.

She remained quiet for a second, contemplating a comeback. Rory frowned, "I thought we were friends."

She wanted to be friends with him. He was the only one here her age, besides Luci of course. But, she was usually busy studying towards her degree that she barely had timed for Cielo. When she was free, she opted to spend time with her daughter and Rory didn't want to intrude on their mother and daughter time.

She had enjoyed his company when she first arrived on the estate. He made her feel normal, something she hadn't felt since she started living with her father.

"We aren't friends." He admitted, slicing through her heart with his cold words. "You're my boss."

"Gideon's your boss."

"And you're his wife." He said, bitterly. He didn't meet her gaze, he was half turned and ready to walk away but, the sad look in her eyes stopped him.

He hadn't spoken to her in weeks and only ever watched her from afar when no one was looking. Especially, when Gideon wasn't around. She looked lonely and terrified despite the smile she forced on herself.

Everyone on the estate heard about the incident in Greece and there were whispers of what came after, after she ran away. The punishment she was given had healed, making in it hard to believe that Gideon - a man who always had love and adoration in his eyes for her - would ever laid a hand on his wife.

It wasn't hard to believe, for Alvaro, he was threaten by him, warned to stay away or else face the consequences. So, why couldn't he stay away from her? A girl he can't ever have.

He observed her again, drinking in her short and figure hugging play suit. Green was her colour. He swallowed tightly, however, at the sight of purple and red hickeys on her inner thighs, poking out of the playsuit. Bigger patches were caking her neck on both side - a reminder to everyone who she belonged too.

Her expression became sullen and it looked like she had given up becoming friends with him. Alvaro quickly turned to face her fully, pushing his cap up to give her a good view of his goofy expression. He wanted to be her friend too, even if he can't have more.

He was no gambler and won't risk his life for her, especially not against the monstrosity that was Gideon Torres.

"Fine," he huffed, reigning irritation. "Let's be friends since you won't stop following me around like a lost puppy."

She stifled a smile.

"Besides," He continued, waving his injured arm. "Someone needs to take over my duties now that I'm hurt." Alvaro tilted his head, "Since it's your fault-"

"It's not my fault." She glared, "You shouldn't have handled him like that. He doesn't like it."

"Whatever." He turned away, heading for the staff building just off the side of the trail. She followed him, fast walking to keep up with his long strides. "Go home." He ordered, "We will talk tomorrow about your chores."

She halted, "Are we friends then?"

"Yeah." He smiled, longing flashing in his eyes.

"Okay."

~*~

Rory promised to help Alvaro with his duties of keeping the estate clean and presentable. She was no at expert trimming shrubs and bushes but they came out fine. Round, oval and not wonky.

They were at the outdoor pool - a pool she forgot they had - cleaning the water of debris. Or, rather she was scooping up fallen twigs and leaves while Alvaro lounged on the sun bed, his cap protecting his face from the sun.

"I'm done!" She whined.

He got off the sun bed, flipping his cap backwards and inspected the pool. Rory rolled his eyes at his acting - surveying the thing like it was a crime scene.

When he walked closer to her, hand stroking his chin and squinting eyes, she - with enough force - pushed him into the water. He fell with a massive splash and high pitched squeal that made her giggle.

"I can't swim!" He cried, but she wasn't buying the fake fear he was portraying. He could swim, she had seen him take a dive into the creek on the trails. He was fine.

Alvaro swam to the edge, offering his hands, "Help me up!"

"No," she giggled, "I know you're going to pull me in."

"No I'm not."

"Yes you are."

"Help me up, Rory." He whined, "The water is hurting my wound."

Her eyes widened, she had forgotten he was still hurt. She dropped the net and took his outstretched hand without a second thought. Alvaro smirked, clasping his hands around her, pulling her in.

She screamed, hitting the water face first.

He splashed water her way when she resurfaced and she did the same, flailing her arms and legs to make bigger splashes than him.

"Excuse me!"

They stopped splashing, head snapping to face the voice at the same time. Sebastian, smoking a cigarette as usual, observed them with narrowed eyes.

Alvaro was the first out of the pool and helped Rory up with his free hand. A mix of fear and nervousness crawled up his spine at being caught, caught for breaking all the rules set out for him.

"Sorry, we didn't mean to swim with our clothes on." Rory said, sheepishly.

"I don't care, it's your house isn't it?" Sebastian grumbled, his eyes zeroing on Alvaro. "Gideon's looking for you, Rory." And, he's not in the best of moods.

Nodding, Rory waved bye to Alvaro and quickly hurried into the mansion to wash off the chlorine clinging to her.

"I see you want to die a painful death." Sebastian noted, once Rory was out of sight. "Don't let me catch you with her again."

It was his last warning and the threat lacing Sebastian's harsh tone was loud and clear.

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