The Casa Del Castaneda

The Punishment of the Ruler

Martin and Paloma looked at each other. There was anxiety implied in the look in the handsome man's eyes as he stared at Paloma. Martin seemed to not let go if the woman he had helped, facing Sebastian alone. "What's wrong with me being with you?" thought Martin. "He's new and doesn't know anything" he asked.

"This is none of your business, Mr. Aguire. After all, Paloma should know himself. This is not his home, where he can do whatever he wants" Raquela said quite firmly. "I think you'd better stay out of trouble if you don't want to get dragged into it" she suggested turning to Martin for a moment, before turning to Paloma. Raquela put a sour face on the young woman. "Hurry along. Don't let Mr. Sebastian get more angry, because it has to wait for you too long," said Raquela a little ketus.

Paloma looked back at Martin who was still looking at him. The brunette dispelled the misgivings that began to seep within. He had to brave the consequences of what he had done.

Paloma nodded slowly. Trying to convince Martin that everything will be fine. "Thank you for all your help, Mr. Aguire. Maybe I'll be kicked out of here and never see you again" he said, forcing a smile. But Martin did not return that smile. He just looks very worried.

Paloma decided to leave the man without waiting for an answer from him. He follows Raquela's steps towards Sebastian's study. There was no conversation between the two of them at all. Paloma could understand the disappointment the butler felt towards the brutal attitude he displayed in the party hall.

The two cross-aged women walked down a fairly wide corridor. Paloma that has not been too familiar with the intricacies of the magnificent building Casa del Castaneda, so amazed by all the ornaments that are there. It is like a palace of the past in modern times. The atmosphere and aura are completely different. Really awesome.

After walking for a while, they arrived at the doff brown door. Raquela immediately prepared herself. Tidying up her clothes, hair, and everything she thought necessary. His body attitude was made as fast as possible. He knocked on the door three times.

Without waiting for an answer from within, Raquela opened it slowly and not too wide. He took one step, then stopped. "Good night, sir. I'm coming with the new servant you told me to face here" the large tall woman reported with a polite manner and speech.

"Tell him in" Sebastian replied without looking. He was standing facing a large painting on the wall. In the gold-framed painting, there is a beautiful face of the wife, Brishia. "You can go, Raquela," Sebastian said again without turning his head.

"Good, Sir." Raquela nodded respectfully, though Sebastian did not look at her. The middle-aged woman hinted for Paloma to enter immediately. After that, he left from there while tightly closing the door.

Paloma who had prepared himself, stepped into the workroom with shades of red heart and dark chocolate. The lighting there was also made dim, because the main light did not seem to be deliberately turned on. The hazel-eyed young lady stood looking ahead. There was a tall and strong body in a white shirt. From the back, Sebastian looks amazing.

"Good night, sir." Despite his doubts, Paloma finally ventured to make a sound. Greet the master who will somehow take action for his mistake.

Sebastian did not return Paloma's greeting. The man has not turned his body around either. He is still in a back position. The atmosphere was quiet for a while.

The attitude that Sebastian showed, making a sudden nervousness sticking out in Paloma. The young woman was misbehaving. He did not know what to do, to cover the pounding in his crazed chest. Moreover, when the ruler of Casa del Castaneda began to turn around.

The man walked over, though still giving some distance. Sebastian, look hard at Paloma. He was about to skin the beautiful woman in front of him. "What's your name, waiter?" Sebastian's voice sounded heavy and deep. He asked with the volume not too loud, but managed to make the heart niche of Paloma instantly vibrate violently. Likewise with the eyes and body language of the thirty-seven-year-old widower, which feels so intimidating.

"Pa-Paloma," replied the woman with hazel eyes. However, strangely Paloma still has the courage to fight the sharp gaze of the ruler of thousands of hectares of olive plantations.

"Palome?" repeat Sebastian. "Where are you from?" ask again.

"Granada" Paloma replied immediately.

"Yes, Sir. I just came with the group a few days ago," Paloma replied again explaining.

Sebastian did not immediately respond. He was still staring intently at the beautiful lady in the waiter's suit before him. Shown back in Sebastian's memory, Paloma's wild attitude at the banquet must end sooner than necessary. That he can't tolerate. "You know what your mistake was?" Sebastian is back.

"Yes, Sir. I'm sorry ...."

"You think an apology can bring back my shame and pride as the host of the party?" Sebastian interrupted in a high tone. Making Paloma flinch and immediately lowered his face. "How dare you mess up on my show!" said the man again full of emphasis. "You've also hurt Mrs Tatiana Vidal's husband, who was my business colleague for many years!"

Paloma did not dare to say. Hearing Sebastian's tone that was filled with anger alone, had made his body and heart pound.

"Are you really suffering from a mental disorder?" That question, suddenly made Paloma again lift his face.

"I'm not crazy, sir. Rafael is just making it up. He was looking for an excuse to hide his status," Paloma denied firmly.

"Who would believe you? You're even being wild and anarchic in front of everyone! There is no shame at all!" snapped Sebastian. The anger that he had previously endured, now he could vent.

"He is my husband, sir. Rafael Hernandez is my husband who left five years ago. I came here to look for him, because Rafael was one of the workers on this plantation" Paloma explained. There was a speck of despair in the young lady. Paloma hopes that Sebastian will accept what is the reason for doing so.

"Is that so? He ever worked here? On my farm?" Sebastian scrunched his forehead.

"Yes, Sir. That's why I came here." Paloma.

Sebastian did not immediately respond. However, her sharp gaze still chained Paloma's entire body, making the twenty-three-year-old woman unable to move anywhere. Both of his legs were tightly attached to the floor he was on.

"I have absolutely no evil intentions. Mr. Martin Aguire knows that. From the beginning, I've said that I came here only to find Rafael Hernandez ...."

"Martin? In what way? Ah, are you the woman he meant. You're someone who's not on the list." Sebastian continued to scout Paloma with questions that seemed cornered.

"Mr Aguire just helped me find information about Rafael. He has nothing to do with anything else. You don't have to put it up. I'm so grateful that Mr. Aguire has taken the time to ...."

"Whatever your reason, you remain guilty of having messed up the course of the banquet I held! I don't care about your personal business! As the person in charge of this place, I still have to impose the appropriate punishment for anyone who dares to break the rules. Moreover, do the roar like you did just now!" stastian's Strict.

"First, I'll get a doctor to check on your mental state. Ascertaining whether you deserve to be here and serving the punishment I'm about to give, or whether I should put you in a mental institution." Sebastian's words sounded so frightening, making Paloma take a few steps back.