The both of them continued to roam around more until they had seen enough and got out of the stables. They then went to the barn and looked around. This time, there are few broken shovels and pitchforks along with old hays. Aside of that, the ground had some vines on it. The inside was also burnt.
"Sadly, this ranch has been abandoned... I wonder if Umi also owned this. What do you think, Risa?" She then looked down at the puppy who then barked when it sees a photo hanging at the far corner of the barn. The blonde then looked at it and blinked before she walked towards it.
It is a picture in its respective frame, which was slightly burnt. A picture of Umi as a child and a man of average height. Umi was riding a horse's back and has that beautiful smile on her face while the man just stood beside the horse, also wearing a smile. They were both facing where the camera was. Even though the picture frame was full of dirt and its glass was broken, the photo was still visible.
Eli used her free hand to pick the photo up, her other hand encircled around Risa. She gazed at it and the puppy leaned on it to take a sniff before it leaned back again.
"This is Umi... And this man has to be her father..." Eli said to herself and then smiled.
"They looked so happy though but..." She then remembered what Seth has told her.
"I do wonder if her parents separated because of the dream phenomenon." Eli stated, "If it was then they sure follow it too seriously."
Eli stared at the photo for a little longer before she took a deep breath, "I guess I'll take this one with me then." She then turned around to walk out of the barn with the picture and the puppy on hand and went back to the mansion.
Upon reaching the mansion, Seth finally saw her and went towards her, "Eli! Risa! Thank goodness!"
Eli then gave the puppy to Seth with a smile and the other took it, "Sheesh, we really need to keep an eye on her huh?"
"I have to agree with you! Risa, don't you ever make me worry like that again." Seth pouted at the puppy in her arms.
Risa just barked as a reply.
"By the way, Seth. I have to talk to you about something." Eli's voice then turned into a serious one and Seth felt the sudden change. They both looked at each other, their smiles dropped.
"What is it?" Seth asked.
Eli then showed her the photo and Seth looked at it. Seth's eyes widened and looked back at Eli, "Where did you find this?"
"I found an abandoned ranch when I looked for Risa."
"Really? Can you show me?" Seth requested and the blonde nodded before she turned her heels and went back into the small forest, together with Seth.
After a moment...
Seth had her mouth opened when they finally reached the spacious ranch, her eyes were sparkling in admiration as she looked around, "This ranch is so wide, Eli..."
"I know right. I was also surprised that there was a ranch back here. I didn't get to notice at first."
"Me neither. So, which part of the ranch did you find the photo?"
"At the barn." Eli answered.
"I see..."
"But how come you didn't know about this place?" Eli asked.
"I was just recruited here a year ago and didn't know a thing about the lands that she owned. Even though, Umi told me about her parents, she never told me about the place where she and her parents had bonded." Seth answered.
"What about the others who were recruited before you?"
"They retired. They seemed to know about this place though and they only told me to take care of Umi every now and then." Seth said.
"I see." Eli then released a short sigh as she stared at the barn, "This place must had been abandoned for years now."
"I agree. And it was unfortunate that it had to be abandoned. I'm sure that it will become beautiful once this has been renovated."
Upon hearing Seth, the blonde then gained an idea, "Why don't we ask Umi?"
Seth's eyes widened but they softened immediately. It may be a good time but there are doubts roaming around her head, "I think Ms. Umi might not like it."
"It's worth the try." Eli smiles at the maid who then released a sigh, "If you say so..."
"Alright! That's settled then! Let's go!" Eli was about to walk back but then Seth calls her out, "Ahh, Eli!"
The blonde stopped and then looked over her, "What is it?"
Seth then went beside her and gave her the photo, "You should keep it for now. I don't think Ms. Umi would want to see it right away. It might bring her ideas."
Eli then took the photo with a gentle smile, "Alright then."
Seth then returned the smile, the both of them returned to the mansion, and they parted ways for a moment to go to their own rooms. Seth went to her room to place Risa down while Eli went to her room to place the photo on her bed. After that, they headed straight towards the living room where they can see the blue-haired working and writing some papers on the table. Umi seemed to be so busy that she looks like she is not letting anything disturb her momentum.
Seth then allowed Eli to enter first and the blonde went near the blue-haired, sitting on the floor while facing the table where the papers are. Eli was looking up at the blue-haired who does not seem to notice her presence. The blonde just smiled as she stared up at Umi's face. Seth, on the other hand just sweat-dropped as she watched Eli.
"Hey.." Eli called out at Umi, who is still not fazed and just kept working. The blonde then pouted and made her voice louder, "Hey..."
"Umi." Eli repeated but the blue-haired is still not fazed. Eli sighed and then gently placed a hand on the blue-haired's shoulder making the latter flinch and looked at the blonde.
"A-Ahh! Sorry, sorry! I was too busy that I didn't notice you there!" Umi apologized.
'Well, ain't her focus the scariest thing on earth? She isn't letting anything disturb her. Dang, she is hard to talk to when she is like this.' And Eli had to chuckle at the back of her head before letting out a smile, "Well, can't blame you for being too busy."
"Anyway, is there anything you need?" Umi then chuckled nervously at the blonde who then nodded.
"Yeah, me and Seth want to show you something." Eli then stood up and Umi gazed at her with a curious blink, "Show me?" The blue-haired blinked in curiosity.
Eli then looked at Seth, who just nodded. Then the blonde gently held Umi's hand and dragged her up. Umi's eyes widened slightly and stood up in the process as she follows Eli and Seth who then walked out of the living room to go back to the back garden. They then went to the small forest.
Umi then suddenly felt familiar when they entered the small forest. Something has been telling her at the back of her mind, something that makes her feel nostalgic yet pained at the same time. It has been buried deep down within the vague parts of her memories and heart that she couldn't tell what exactly. Until they finally reached the place...
"Here we are." Eli said as they finally made out of the small forest and in front of them is the abandoned ranch.
Umi's eyes widened when she finally get to see the ranch, it felt like those memories were coming back to her. Memories that were supposed to be buried forever. Just seeing the entire ranch makes her feel unsafe yet nostalgic. It is like there is something that has been trying to get her the longer she stares at it. But it is gone now... Why does she still feel fear in it?
She then took few steps forward to have a better look of the ranch while Eli and Seth stayed behind her.
Eli sensed that vibe coming from the blue-haired, she suddenly felt guilty of ever generating this kind of idea. She began to conclude that this may be a part of Umi's good memories but majority of it are the bad ones and those should not rise up from the depths of the past. The blonde then softened her eyes and immediately felt guilt upon thinking that. Should they take Umi away? Or stay? She does not know, but she will be on high alert just in case.
"This ranch... How did you two find this?"
"Eli found it while she was looking for Risa." Seth answered and Umi did not bother to look at them.
The blonde then placed a hand over her nape and rubbed it, "I-I'm sorry, does this place bring bad memories to you?"
"Hmm? No! Why would you say that?" Umi then turned to look at the blonde who just focused her gaze at the blue-haired.
"Well, by the looks of it, you seem to dislike seeing this place." Eli answered.
Umi stayed silent and then went to turn again to look back at the ranch, "Well, you see..."
Seth and Eli then went silent, ready to listen to what their owner has to say.
"Back when I was a child, my father used to bring me here often. This ranch was one of our sources of incomes aside of wedding arranging. The ranch was famous back then because of its space and abundant farm animals and racehorses. I even remembered those times when I wanted to help my father in taking care of the animals around here even though they are hard work. Those were good days..."
Seth and Eli just listened intently then Umi turned to look at them, "I want to roam around."
Seth and Eli nodded, "Alright." The blonde said.
The three of them then went closer towards the ranch and they stumbled upon the horse stables first, entering it. Umi was looking around when she remembered something, looking over at Seth, "Ahh, Seth. I almost forgot that Thea would stop by here for the fertilizers and new gardening materials. Could you go back to the mansion and organize them for me?"
Seth also remembered that one task and it made her yelp in realization, "You're right, Ms. Umi! I will immediately go back!" She then faces the blonde, "Eli! Better make sure to guard her alright?!"
Eli chuckles, "No worries, I'd be damned if I let anything harm her you know and besides." The blonde looked at the blue-haired, "I don't want anything to hurt her."
"Good and thank you!" Seth then faces Umi and bowed politely, "Please excuse me!" Seth then ran out of the stables and left them alone.
Umi and Eli watched her leave for a moment before the blonde went to look at the blue-haired who then continued to roam around the stables.
"This was such a good place. If only my father did not burn it down. You don't know how much I had loved being here... With all the horses lined up in these stalls while our men were feeding and tending them." Umi then released a sigh.
The blonde softened her eyes as she continues to listen.
"Back in those days, I would help them guide the horses out and father would teach me the basics of taking care of the horses in case something happens. Besides, he did say that I would inherit this. He even let me ride horses and with his guidance, I knew how to ride a horse even at the young age."
Umi then went near to a horse stall and let her fingers trace the top of the burnt and broken door of the said stall, looking down at it with a sad smile. She then continued, "But then those good days had to end. Mother and father had a big fight back in the mansion about demolishing this ranch because my mother said that we are 'wasting money'. I find that unreasonable to be honest."
The blonde just stood there silently as she stared at the blue-haired who did not bother looking back at her.
Umi then closed her eyes and could hear her own childish voice calling her dad.
Gaining a flashback.
"Here, we keep our horses around, my dear. So if ever you feel like you just want to roam around, you can do it here. The barn may be more spacious than this one but this is a lot more peaceful don't you think?" Umi's father spoke as he walks along the stables with the little Umi following him. She was staring up at the horses, which were either drinking water, eating or just looking down at her, in awe.
"You have a lot of horses, papa!" Umi said and the father chuckled, "Mhhm, and they are very healthy." He then stopped walking and turned around to watch Umi stop and look up at a gray mare with her eyes sparkling in admiration. The father blinked and smiled at his daughter, he knows that look.
"Do you perhaps want to ride Silver Heart?" The father asked and Umi looked up at her father with her widened eyes, "So that's its name?"
Her father chuckled, "Her name, yes." He then walked towards her and patted the horse's muzzle, making Silver Heart's ears flicker slightly.
"So it is a her!" Umi stated and her father nodded with a smile. "Silver Heart is one sweet horse and she seems to also like you."
"Uwa..." Umi then looked back at the mare who then neighed softly, "But why is it named Silver Heart?" She then looked back at her father once again.
Her father then went to kneel on his one knee beside her so then he can be at the same level as Umi's height, "Because, Silver Heart is one of the fastest horse we have here. She has the skin of gray, which matches the color of silver and she knows what she has to do inside and outside of the ranch. She was taught to be kind to people and keep her mind cool when facing troubles. And when she is in a race, she still keeps her head cool and her heart burning. It's why she is the fastest and most loved horses around Woodstock."
Umi just listened to him intently, she finds it wonderful that even horses are well-trained when it comes to manners.
Her father smiled and removes his cowboy hat from his head then places it on Umi's, "Listen here, Umi. You are our heir. This ranch, as well as the mansion and everything we own will be yours in the future. No matter what happens, you will always be our baby girl who will be the future owner and the woman who will further bring these to great success."
The blue-haired blinked as she stared deeply into his eyes. The father continued, "Life is like riding a horse. You get to have all but you can only choose one. And once you chose one, it depends on you to how you will treat it. If you treat it kindly then it will treat you the same, and if you treat it badly then it will treat you the same."
Umi tilted her head, she couldn't understand what he meant by that. The father then chuckled.
"Well, you want to ride her?" The father asked again.
"Can I, really?" Umi asked.
The father grinned, "Of course!"
His voice echoed as the flashback ended.
Umi opened her eyes and realized that she was standing in front of the stall where Silver Heart was once in while she was telling Eli about her past. She then softly smiled at the empty stall before facing the blonde, "I want to go to the barn."
The blonde then nodded and together, they went out of the stables and headed into the barn.
Upon reaching the place, there goes the feeling once again. Umi felt nostalgic as she saw the interior. She then began to roam around and began to hear her own cries as a child. No, it's not a complete cry, more like just a sob...
She then closed her eyes.
Another flashback then occurred.
Sounds of flames could be heard around the whole ranch. There is the little Umi kneeling down while covering her ears with her hands, she has her head bowed down and is letting out uncontrollable sobs. She has small scratches on her arms and legs. And in front of her is her father whose back was facing her and is staring up at the barn.
The barn, which was drowning in flames.
Her dad kept his hold on a torch, which is still lit with fire. After a few more moments, he then looked over his shoulder to look down at the sobbing blue-haired.
"There are good things that should be left behind. In order for us to grow, we should keep going and leave things behind." He said before he walked away.
Umi then rose her head up to watch her father leave and then went to look back at burning barn and stables.
The crackles of the burning barn and stables echoed as the flashback ended.
Umi has her eyes closed tightly; she does not want to remember that again. This ranch has become a part of her and having to see it burn like that when she was a child just created a small trauma within her heart. She does not want to have it happen again. Not ever.
The blonde did not know what to feel at that time. She felt sorry for Umi and at the same time, she felt sad that such a thing happened. And to think that it had to be shown to a young Umi.
Umi then slowly wrapped her arms around herself, shivering. Just remembering those things can send fear down her whole being.
Eli's eyes widened when she saw the other's vulnerable state. There is something that has touched her heart, and it created large fondness for the blue-haired. Eli could hear heart beating loudly and rapidly. It is her first time seeing Umi shaking in fear like this and it was such a painful thing to see. The blonde did not even notice that her cheeks were heating up and a red hue can be seen. Without giving much thoughts, her feet dragged her towards the blue-haired and wrapped her arms around her, pulling her to a warm embrace.
Umi flinched at the physical contact but she immediately calmed down when she felt that addicting warmth coming from Eli's body. It felt like all the coldness that has been lingering inside her were being washed away until there is nothing left. The warmth that Eli gave is slowly crawling into her heart and her whole being, like a light being lit into the middle of the darkness. The blue-haired then smiled softly, she liked this feeling. She liked this kind of warmth. A perfect place to stay in whenever she feels unsafe or vulnerable. She really felt it... The blonde's arms are able to give her such comfort and protection and it just made Umi to long more for her touch.
The blonde then went to place her hands over Umi's as she stared down at her, her face can be easily read that she sympathizes her. If only Umi could see it...
"I wanted to, you know..." Umi then spoke and Eli stayed silent to listen. The blue-haired female then continued.
"I wanted to. I want to rebuild this again to create new memories. But I just can't because of my father... Whenever I try to rebuild this ranch, I always feel that my father is right behind me, glaring at me and telling me that I shouldn't or else, he won't forgive me."
The blonde just listened to her as she held Umi closer to her. She could feel that restriction for freedom and the desire to obtain it. She understands this woman but hers is far different from what she has experienced. She cannot make such conclusions here, especially if she has still yet to know all about Umi. And until she was able to, she will stay silent and give Umi the warmth that she needs.
Umi then softened her eyes, "Maybe it is better this way."
"It's not." Eli replied and it made Umi's eyes widen a bit and look up at the blonde who was staring back down at her with a gentle and sweet smile. That kind of smile that gives soothes and can make one feel that the blonde can be trusted. Eli then opened her mouth to speak again.
"Life is like riding a horse. You get to have all but you can only choose one. And once you chose one, it depends on you to how you will treat it. If you treat it kindly then it will treat you the same, and if you treat it badly then it will treat you the same."
Umi stood there and froze, she was surprised that Eli remembered those exact same words even after hearing it only once.
"That's what he has told you, right?" Eli's smile then turned into a goofy grin and Umi blushed slightly at that before she gave her a nod.
"And besides." Eli halted before patting the blue-haired's head, "Your father may had marked himself around but it is the same to you."
Umi stayed silent as she listened. She did not notice that she is getting lost in the blonde's eyes. She was mesmerized.
Eli then continued talking, "Look, you own everything now, including this. So there's no need to be afraid of rebuilding this. Besides, I am here! We are here! We are the ones behind you now!"
Umi blinked, "Is it really okay for me to do so?"
"Of course!" Eli kept her grin.
That made Umi's eyes widen and her heart flutters with joy. She remembers just how much she wanted to hear that response from her father back when she was child. And now that she gets to hear the blonde say that, that kind of relieving feeling has come back.
Eli continued to stare deeply into Umi's eyes with a soft smile. The blue orbs meeting the sepia ones, "I will always be here with you."
"Really?"
"Of course."
Umi then released one gentle smile, "Well, let's rebuild this."
A/N: And here is the fourth chapter! Sorry it is delayed for a week! I was busy processing my papers here for my OJT! Hope you all like it! Votes and comments are always appreciated! And sorry for the chapter delay! I was sick and busy!