Naming

The next morning, Andrea and Leo were in the stable to check the foal.

"So Princess, what are your plans for today?" Leo asked.

"I don't know, you tell me!"

"I think we need to take Apollo to meet the new foal."

"Why?"

"Because he is the father and it is necessary for them to bond as soon as possible," Leo explained.

"Oh, okay then." The couple left to carry out the first task of the day.

After watching the inter-action of the parent-horses with their foal for many hours, the handler took Apollo back to his stable. Leo gave Andrea the opportunity to name the foal.

"Really, you want me to do it?" she asked excitedly.

"Yes Princess, but just remember, this is a horse you're naming; so choose something apt."

Andrea thought for a minute and finally said, "How about Dream?" Leo didn't look too enthusiastic, so she tried again, "What about Bella?" Leo shook his head in disapproval.

Andrea took another couple of minutes to decide. "I know, I know," she jumped up excitedly, "Layla"

"No way Princess."

"Okay fine! Baby doll? Beauty?" Andrea said while thinking of a few more names.

"For a horse? Hell no!!!"

"Leo, you have shut down all the names I chose, Maybe, you should name her." Leo studied the horse's features carefully and then stated, "Look, Princess, she has a crooked tooth one which juts out even when she closes her mouth."

Andrea looked at Leo, "Hmmm, so?"

"I think we'll call her Vampire."

Andrea frowned at him, "I think I'll call you Vampire because you bite me all the time without any reason."

Leo smirked, "Princess, I wasn't serious about that name. In fact, I have thought of the perfect name for her."

"What is it?"

"Look at her eyes, do they remind you of anything?" Leo asked.

"Mmmm, it sort of twinkles," Andrea said, noticing the foal eyes clearly.

"Exactly! So, let's name her starlight."

"Wow Leo, that's perfect!"

After naming the foal the couple left the stable.

"Princess, we are leaving tomorrow, but before we go, I want to teach you how to ride a horse."

"No Leo," she screamed, "I'm scared. I don't want to."

"Relax Princess, you'll be fine, I'm here, I'll teach you," Leo asked one of the horse-handlers to bring a mare for Andrea.

The handler brought a beautiful, light-brown horse. "Princess, this is Sunshine."

Andrea smiled nervously. She watched as Leo saddled the horse and asked her to get on. Andrea tried to do so several times but it was as if Sunshine didn't want her to. The horse was perturbed about something.

Neigh Neigh

She neighed loudly and shook her head vigorously. Leo too gets worried. Every time Leo or Andrea went near her, she'd move away in a side-ward trot.

"What's wrong with her, Leo?" Andrea asked, but Leo didn't respond, he was looking around the ranch, searching for something.

Andrea shook him and repeated the question. "Princess, horses are very sensitive creatures. Looks like Sunshine has sensed danger, that's why she is so agitated."

The horse was taken back to her stable by the handler. Leo clutched onto Andrea's hand. "Princess, stay close to me. Something doesn't feel right." She nodded.

Just then a bodyguard came to Leo, "Prince, we noticed a red beam flashing across the ranch. It's not in a specific place. So, we can't tell where it's coming. Maybe you and Princess Andrea should leave immediately." Leo agreed.

He held Andrea's hand. They just moved a step away, a gunshot was fired and it hit the bodyguard. The bodyguard fell on the ground and died on the spot.

Andrea screamed with fright and buried her face into Leo's chest. He pulled her in his embrace tightly and protectively and moved behind the servant's quarters. Leo knew that he was the intended target.

All the bodyguards came forward and began shooting in the direction of the first shot.

Gunshots from the opponent were coming from all directions. It was as though the ranch was surrounded and there were more hitmen than bodyguards. Andrea saw a red laser dot on Leo's chest, she immediately pulled him down.

Bang

The shot missed.