Xandry

XANDRY

This place was surprisingly incredible. I didn’t even know that a barn and horse stable would ever get my interest, not until tonight.

Bob and his family bred, trained, and sell horses. They hired workers and experts to maintain their horses’ health, including diet, grooming, and performance.

The damn horse stable was bigger than my apartment. From the bottom of each stall hinged door was made of wood with bars attached in elegantly U-shaped allowing the head of the horse to move freely. It had windows and fans for ventilation and didn’t even smell disgusting at all. There were saddles, stirrups, headgear, halters, and bridles hung on its corner.

“That’s Applejack, Bianca’s horse.” Bob pointed to the horse with a tall and slim figure. He said it was a thoroughbred and one of the most expensive horses that originated from England.

Then he went to the next stall with a little darker than Applejack’s chestnut, but with finely chiseled bone structure and arched neck. “That’s Blaine’s—”

“That’s Mommy’s Queen,” said the boy named Ben.

“Mommy?”

“Yes. That’s mommy’s,” Ben repeated.

Wait, Blaine is a mother? And this boy is her son? I thought—shit! Yeah, he called Bob Dada. So, why am I so surprised? Maybe because Blaine was younger than Bianca to have a four or five-year-old boy.

“Arabian horse. I bought that from Dubai four years ago. Queen already bred.”

“How long does it takes to have a baby horse?”

“A foal, Xandry. Eleven months,” Bob chuckled.

I knew a lot of cars but not a damn horse, old man. I chuckled inwardly.

“Thandry, Mommy’s beautiful, right?” Ben pulled my finger, making me look down at him.

“Your mom?” I discreetly smirked.

“No, the horse.” He jumped pointing his tiny finger at the horse.

“Yeah, she’s gorgeous.”

“No, it’s a he, Thandry,” he eagerly corrected me.

Bob and I laughed at how he called my name. “Yes, he’s gorgeous. Wanna touch him?”

“No, but I rode with him before.”

“Are you even allowed to ride alone, little guy?” I ruffled his dark blond hair.

“Blaine took him with her. She was an equestrienne before she got pregnant with Ben.” Bob’s voice suddenly dropped, and I wondered how did she look like riding a horse.

“Why did she stop?”

me. Come and touch

never been entertained by kids, but this little guy already

hand over the horse face. It was smooth and silky indeed.

not

him bark into

me there, little guy.” I

grew wide as he walked backward cautiously. In one swift move, he was already in my arms. I lifted him up like he weighed nothing, and it made me easier to swing him over my shoulder like a sack. He giggled at my back, grabbing a handful of my hair. Ben continued laughing as I placed his legs on my shoulders.

as I walked out of the door. “Hold on

sir.”

Bob and a woman whispering made me

you leave him with a stranger?” Judging by her voice, the woman was pissed off.

The angry woman had hands already propped on her hips.

could be—”

“A serial killer?”

head at me. Her eyes widened--the most beautiful and rarest teal blue eyes I’ve ever seen. Holy shit! She’s Ben’s mom.

had the same round small face as Bianca’s but her nose was smaller than her sister. Her champagne blonde hair was curled in a luxurious

lips. Damnit, she’s Ben’s

I shook the thought out of my head and

her gaze landed on my shoulders. “Ben, get down. What do you think you’re you doing up there? I told you not to talk to a stranger, Ben. You’re not gonna have Mom’s cookies tonight!” She tried to pull Ben down, but I was too tall for her five three

this is Thandry.”

get down, Benoyce Arthur. I mean it, now!”

I

me as—” She abruptly stopped, looking at her son

“Say it,” I dared her.

what?”

about to say.” I cocked my brow, challenging her. I may be an asshole, but I never cuss in

not gonna let him hear it.”

to squat and place Ben to the ground. “I’m not a stranger,

admired him on

“Come here, Ben, let’s go home.” She offered her hand to her son, but Ben didn’t grab it and just glumly glanced at his

instead. Tighter. And let the electricity zap into our hands. Her hand was warm, soft, and very feminine. My heartbeat instantly quickened just the feeling of her delicate

Blaine pulled her hand back forcibly, shooting me a

yet, gorgeous.” Not yet, not now, or maybe not

to meet you, Blaine.”

stare, looked down at her son, and calmly said, “Come here, big guy,”

“It’s Xandry. Alexander

“I said I don’t care!”

He’s a good kid.”

my child, and I know he’s a good

grabbed both of their hands and

Me.” She hissed. Instead of doing so, I let go of Ben’s hand and closed the

“We’re going in the same direction, to your house, right? So I’m coming with you. I might get lost on my way.”

He nodded enthusiastically--hazel eyes filled with hope.

a chance, Ben,” his mom

eyes and looked at her intently. “Will you do everything to

“Of course, what stup—id question is

“Then let me carry your kid.”

I love my son but I don’t want him to get close to

make him happy while I’m here,”