Capítulo 11: Chapter 11

"Ah, is you again? Hello," he said without any enthusiasm seeing her. "Did you come to fill your bucket with water?" he asked her somewhat casually.

"What? Oh, Yes, of course, I came to fill the bucket. What else?" Adela said, who had forgotten the bucket she was holding for a moment.

"Could you help me, please?" She asked him.

"Yes. I also came for water. As soon as I get out of the well, I will fill your bucket too," Stefan told her, lowering the well's bucket into it.

Adela just smiled with the thought that he wanted to take care of her.

But, if she knew what was happening behind her back, she would not smile…

As Agnes had advised her, Adela had her back turned to the house's windows.

So, Adela did not notice two eyes that looked at them – her and Stefan- intensely. Those two eyes were half-closed and looked like two wild slots.

It may be out of jealousy?

Those two angry eyes suddenly receded from the window and got inside the house.

Meanwhile, Stefan started turning the wooden handle, and the rope began to roll quickly on the wooden spool. Adela stood next to him, admiring his strong arms, which effortless were turning the heavy wooden handle of the well.

Very soon, the bucket rose to the surface full of cool water.

"Bring closer your bucket to fill it," he told her.

Adela put the bucket she was holding next to the full one. Stefan carefully began to pour water inside. "Shall I fill it up, or will you not be able to carry it?"

"No, do not fill it completely. I will not be able to carry him. Up to a little over its half will be fine."

"Very well. As you wish," he told her as he continued pouring water into the bucket. "Look, is it okay?"

Adela looked inside the bucket. "Yes, it is good."

Stefan took her bucket and lowered it from the edge of the well.

"You are ready." Announced to her.

"Thank you. Eem… Stefan… can… I… tell you…. something? » her heart and voice were trembling, but she finally had to tell him. She knew that she would not have many opportunities in the future.

"Yes, you can tell me. I am listening to you."

"I was hoping that… you would ask me… what my name is." She finally told him, looking at him meaningfully in the eyes, and Stefan understood what Adela really wanted. He shook his head.

"I'm sorry, but this is not going to happen."

Adela felt the blood leave her face.

"Stefan!!!" a female voice was heard behind Adela.

Stefan turned to look at who she was, and Adela's eyes opened wide in panic. What did she have to do? Who was the girl who was coming near to them? She could clearly hear her steps approaching.

"What are you doing, Stefan? Who is she? Adela heard the female voice asking urgently.

What does she want, Stefan?" The girl insisted on asking, and Adela managed to recognize the voice.

"Is this Francesca?" Adela thought with a question. Adela didn't dare to turn and look at the newcomer all this time.

"I'm fine, Francesca." Stefan answered. "I do not know who the girl is. She came for water."

"I do not think she works here at home. I would have known her. Her build does not remind me no one of the house. I can recognize every girl who works here. Although, these clothes… I am pretty sure that I have seen them before, but I cannot remember." she said thoughtfully, looking at the clothes carefully.

Adela started being in a cold sweat. Her heart was pounding really hard. She did not know how to escape from this situation. She remembered the bad feeling she had in the morning. That was the reason. Now she knew, but now it was too late.

"This does not count." Stefan was talking again. "After all, you all wear the same clothes. Do not make it an issue. She will take the water and leave. It is not a big deal."

"This cannot happen." Francesca said, furious. "You cannot let everyone coming here and get water. What the masters will say if learn something like this? It is a reason for you losing your job. Do you know that?" Stefan was looking at her, thinking about her words. She was right. Absolutely damn right! He cannot lose his job.

"Who are you, girl?" Francesca turned now her attention to Adela. She touched Adela on the shoulder, and she jumped up in terror. She abruptly left the bucket and started running with all the strength of her legs.

"Wait, girl! Wait!" Francesca shouted.

"Forget about this, let her go. After this, I do not think that she will ever come again." Stefan told her, holding her lightly by the arm.

"Absolutely not. Why are you defending her?" She asked him inflamed, and with a sharp jerk, she escaped from his grip and began to run after Adela.

This delay of Francesca, even so short, was a lifeline for Adela. She managed to enter through the window -that Agnes had left open for her-, and close it. At the last moment, she pulled the curtain in front of it. She heard Francesca running and passing in front of the window the next moment.

Adela exhaled a breath of relief.

She went behind the armchair by the fireplace and took the basket with her regular clothes. She changed as quickly as she could and tucked the maid's clothes in the bag.

She left the library relieved to have escaped and was incredibly hurt by Stefan's behavior.

That was it. It was over. Stefan did not feel the same as she was feeling for him. He told her in the face. At that moment, she felt hatred for him. She did not want to see him in her eyes again.

But it was only the feeling of disappointment talking into her head.

Her heart couldn't forget so easily. Adela did not know that yet.

She opened the heavy door of the library, went out, and closed it again.

Without waiting if anyone was coming, she headed towards her chamber.

Unfortunately, Adela did not see Francesca, who was coming, stopped on her trace and hidden behind a wall as soon as she saw Adela coming out of the library. Her gaze had caught the little basket that Adela was carrying.

Adela was walking while Francesca's eyes were fixed on the basket she was holding, and a piece of brown fabric was hanging out of it.

Such a tiny piece of cloth, but, for Francesca, it was more than enough to understand a lot…

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