The following morning and I woke up as usual. I hadnt forotten anything about the night before, and in fact, it was very fresh in my mind. I walked down the stairs to find my family sitting down at the dining table with their usual breakfast on the plate in front of them. I sat down beside Angela my eldest sister. She was twenty years old, pregnant, and on her way to marrying one of those richest men in Blackwater. He was nice and polite, but boring.

"Goodmorning Samantha." She looked at me in her usual happy expression.

"'Morning Angela." I smiled back at her, though it probably didn't look convincing. I actually wanted to be on my horse, riding as fast as I could, searching for a dream life. "Father. May I ask you something?"

"Of course, you may."

"After breakfast, I'd like to go on a stroll... I'm feeling a little faint snd I think I need fresh air."

"Oh. But, we were planning something for the rest of the morning. We had a little suprise ready for you."

"Oh?"

"Father didn't want to ruin it, Sammy. You're future husband is coming over!" My youngest sister of fifteen years old called Bodine, raised her voice excitedly. I almost felt sick with the news. I didn;t want to get married! And I didn't want to meet my future husband either.

"His name is John... he's very nice. He's rich, too." Father expkained as he saw the change in my expression.

Breakfast passed by quickly, though I would have asked for anything but that. I was nervous, but not in a good way, though my sisters and parents were convnced I was going to like him. Thy led me to the lounge immediately after breakfast, and sat me down on one of the chairs. Angela and Bodine started combing through my hair with their hands then, whilest my other sister, the same age as me called Aroa changed my simple white shoes to elegant looking heels. I didn't think any of this was neccessary though.

After a few minutes my father whistled and opened the door, and my sisters left my side instantly. A man walked in, and he was walking elegantly and with a good posture. He was wearing smart looking rousers with a white shirt and a brown jacket. He was dressed too smartly for my liking, because it means my father would like him even more.

"Good day to you all. My name is John." Everybody smiled then, including me. I wasn't happy, but I was good at pretending and acting polite. He slowly walked towards me until he was right in frnt of me. He took my hand, and I knew that was a que for me to stand up and for him to kiss my hand, like he did.

"Pleasure to meet you." I nodded politely and kindly.

"Yes, it is." He smiled nicely.

After the introductions and greetings, we all sat down and learnt more about each other. A few hours passed and I had a decent time. It started to go downhill when my family left John and I alone for the first time. I felt awkward and out of place, but luckily so did he.

"Well, I'm glad it's you that I am to marry." He told me quietly with a smile on the edge of his lips. I gave a happy smile back.

"So am I."

"There are so many men ut there who would you treat you wrongly. I won't do that, Samantha. I will respect you and take good care of you."

"I'm sure you will, John. I appreciate it. Thank you. For taking my hand in marriage." He then took my hand in both of his and kissed it.

"You are very welcome." At that moment my mother, Francesca walked in as she told us the time. John nodded and smiled and turned to face me again.

"I must leave. Thank you so much for the invite."

"Don't worry. Let me call in Carlos and you can talk about your next trip over here." And she left, calling my father's name. I stood up and John mirrored my move. He smiled again and looked into my eyes. Many thoughts ran through my head, becaue I didn't know what I would do if he tried to kiss me. He then put his hand on my cheek and leant in. My father instantly walked in and said,

"John! Leaving so soon? Okay, we're having a banquet on the third. Do you think you can be here?"

"Yes, sir. I will try my absolute best. Is the banquet going to be held here?"

"Yes, right here in the lounge."

"I will come. Goodnight everyone. And thank you." And John left for the door. I was happy I met him, and I would have loved to be his friend, though we were to be something more. Once he left, I run up the stairs to my bedroom with a simple 'Goodnight Father'. Luckily he didnt notice anything wrng with me. I had no idea why I wanted to be in my room so badly. Maybe it was because Richard would come again? He was practically my key to freedom and adventure, but something was telling me that that wasnt the only reason I wanted him back. This haunted me...

Upstairs, I found everything how I left it in the morning, meaning there was no sign of Richard coming tonight. I decided to get dressed into my night gown quickly, and it only took me a matter of a few minutes. Once I was ready for bed I sat down and waited a few more minutes for Richard. He didnt come, just as I expected. I started to get the feeling I'll never see him again, and this frightened and worried me. I lay down and tucked myself into bed and then I turned around so I had my back to the window because I didn't want to think abot Richard any longer.

"You go to bed early." I heard a familiar voice saying in a mocking tone. In Richard's tone...

"What?" I managed to say, as I turned around and saw the attractive man from last night; Richard climbing into my bedroom. He closed the window behind him quietly and sat down at the edge of my bed. "Why are you here?"

"I decided to come back nd suprise you. By the way, John seems really nice."

"You were peeking in, weren't you?"

"Peeking in? I climbed into your room to see you, and overheard everything. The security really isn't as good as you think."

"Why would you come in to see me?"

"It's cold out there... freezing more like. I need a place to be in sometimes."

"Oh, and you pick my house. Aren't you lovely."

"At least I have company."

We both stayed quiet after our convesation and ocasionally looked into each other's eyes. I was falling for him, though I was terrified to think about it for two reasons.

1. I had only known him for two days.

2. He was a bandit. How on Earth will my father ever even think about excepting him?

"So, you think John's nice then?" I decided to make conversation as I was missing his voice.

"Yeah, if you like his type. He's very... organised."

"Yes, he is. I think you culd take a few tips from him."

"I thought you said you didn;t like that type?"

"I don't..." He smiled widely now.

"I'm confusing you, aren't I?" I smiled widely back. I enjoyed speaking with him, because it was exciting.

"Well... yes. How long are you going to say for? I'm kind of tired."

"Sleep."

"But.."

"I'll stay the whole night if you want me to." I shivered at his words. Of course I wanted him to, but it would be too risky.

"No... I think yuou shoud just go."

"Now?"

"In a while, if you want. I just thiink it will be too risky..."

"I'll go now. My brother is waiting for me."

"The five you came with?"

"No, they're just friends, My brother's quite sensible if I think about it. You should meet him one day. You hav a horse, right?"

"Yes, I do. Her name is Spirit and she's a lovely colour."

"Then I must see her one day." He smiled softly. "But, for now I must go. Goodnight, Samantha." And he left with a big smile just like last night. He climbed outthe window, and this tme I heard the 'thump' of when he landed. I smiled vageuly at the idea of both of s riding our horses and I loved thinking about it. I lay down in bed, smiling, and I knew I would sleep comfortably that night.