Chapter Eight

Mariaisabella cannot contain her laughter. She continues to laugh as the young farmer makes funny faces across the glass window. Mariaisbella flinches when Emerenzian uses the large mallet against the window's frame. He realizes this and swiftly apologizes. Mariaisabella raises her hand and allows him to work.

It has been about a week since their first lesson together. And slowly, Mariasbella has been allowing her guard to be let down. The man is proving that he is eager to learn. This makes Mariaisbella happy.

Having his company around makes her feel alive.

During their lessons, she makes funny remarks. The mother will also cook and give Emerenzian refreshments while he would work. And every time she does, he would present her with a huge smile and a lovely compliment to her food.

Emerenzian makes Mariaisbella feel youthful. The woman is in her thirty-third year. So she knows that youth is not by her side anymore. But knowing that the young man, in his twentieth year, is giving her attention makes her cheeks heat up.

He must get a reward. Mariaisabella knows that the young man deserves it. Not only did he fix the office floor, but its regular squeaking is gone. Today he is placing a new glass on the window frame. This is because Emery came over to visit Mary, and they broke the window with a rock.

When Mariaisabella reported the incident to her childhood friend, Emerenzian offered to fix it without hesitation.

He is a great carpenter. And a handsome man indeed. Recently, she has been having some non-platonic feelings about the eldest son. She watches with licentious eyes as beads of sweat roll down his sun-kissed skin. Sweat clings onto his shirt, allowing her to see his true robust arms working diligently.

Mariaisabella is brought out of her trance when she hears the man yell out in pain. This causes her to immediately go find the medical tools and run outside to him.

Once she sees him, her worry increases when she notices something red come from his hand. And it is confirmed when she inspects his hand to see blood.

"Emerenzian, do not move too much. I will treat your wounds," She says in a motherly tone. The young man nods as she holds the healing elixir. She then pours a few drops. Emerenzian, as she expected, flinches in pain and discomfort.

The caring woman then cleans the cut with a cloth. She is so focused on helping the man, that doesn't notice the man looking at her with tenderness in his eyes. Once Mariaisabella is done wrapping the open wound with bandages, she looks up and gives a shy smile.

"Thank you, Mariaisbella. You are very helpful," His praise makes the older woman blush. She isn't used to compliments. So she doesn't know how to respond.

"I am not that helpful, Emerenzian. I am doing the right thing," Mariaisabella says in an attempt to minimize her actions. However, Emerenzian notices this and chuckles.

"Why do you not see yourself the way I do? Not only are you an amazing teacher, but you a very kind and beautiful." Emerenzian asks. This question stuns the mother. She cannot be able to answer the question. But after a few seconds, she manages to answer him.

"I am none of those things. But, I appreciate your words." Mariaisabella's response doesn't seem to be the answer that Emerenzian expected. So they stay in silence as she finishes cleaning his wound.

Mariaisabella feels bad. She will never be able to see herself through Emerenzian's eyes.

"I'm sorry," The mother's apology only succeeds in confusing him.

"Why do you feel the need to apologize?" The mother shrugs at his question. In an attempt to change the conversation, she then brings up everything that he has done.

"You have done so much for me. What can I do in return?" Mariaisabella offers. Emerenzian knows what the woman is doing. But he decides to go along with it. He looks up with a thoughtful expression. It gives him a good few seconds until he answers.

"I would love to get to know you better. Why don't we spend a day under the oak tree?" Emerenzian asks. Mariaisabella nods, happy to know that she can accomplish that.

"That is something that I can do. Make sure to keep your wound clean so that an infection doesn't occur," Emerenzian nods at the woman's recommendation. Even though he wants to resume, the woman ensures that his work is done for the day.

So they a few hours go by, and Maria and Mary return from their private schooling. This indicates that Emerenzian should return home. But he doesn't go before enveloping the mother in a sweet hug. Mariaisabella does not hesitate and wraps her arms around the man.

Hugging between each other is regular. Mariaisabella doesn't know why, but she is glad to feel safe in his arms. When Maria goes into her room, Mary walks up to her mother and tugs her sleeve.

"Mother, did Emerenzian fix the window?" Mary asks cautiosly. The mother has already scolded both of them, so all she does is nod.

"It is fine now. It still needs a few more hours for the glue to dry. So don't touch it. Now, let's go to the woodman and pick you Maria's gift," Mariaisbella says. The little girl beams as they get ready to go to the nearby village.

They arrive at the craftsman's store to pick out their previous order. Mary's birthday is coming soon, and the young lady deserves something nice. The gift is by no means cheap, but it is worth it. They take the case back to the home and hides it behind the mother's vanity.

The woman gets up to sit across from the mirror. Pulling her neck sleeve down, she sees that the dark bruises are healing. However, the memory behind it lingers.

A day under the oak tree will be warm, so she has no choice but to wear appropriate attire. She hates it, but she has grown affectionate for the man.

She only hopes that Emerenzian doesn't find her hideous.