Sakura hated to sweat. The stickiness of her underarms and the heat between her breasts reminded her of one of the reasons why she had chosen to be a computer geek; to avoid the scorching sun. Yet, after a few weeks of working around the Robinson Orchard as well as the livestock farm and the barnyard, she had grown to somewhat appreciate how she felt after every task she fulfilled. The Texan sun was more than she was used to and she always ran back to her cold darkroom to relish in the buzz of her systems.
There was something the orchard provided for her. It was freedom, opportunity and thrill. The woman she was years ago wouldn't have been caught in shorts and a tank and she wouldn't lick the salty sweat off her lip the way she did countless times today. Above all, she was thankful to God for the opportunity and made sure every moment was well spent.
"I'll have to give you a brush down one of these days Dawn." She whispered, allowing her accent to come through in her words. Removing the saddle off her horse, she ran her hand through the animal's mane as it neighed in content
She closed the door to the small stable after putting down some hay and water for the horse, before walking to the cabin she occupied with her workmate; Candace. Walking through the door, she was greeted by the sweet smell of beef roasting.
"Candy, I'm back!" she called out, not bothering to look for her.
"Welcome home!" the other voice replied
Sakura wasted no time when she got to her room and stripped off her clothes. A nice cold shower and Candace's cooking were the things she looked forward to the most at the end of the working day. She spent only 10 minutes and made sure to avoid getting the bush that sat on her head wet. Strength was something she lacked to deal with the hair on most days and if not for her mother, she would have cut it all off a long time ago. Removing her contacts, she donned her glasses and wore a large t-shirt before going back downstairs.
Candace had already set the table and the blonde directed a flashing smile at her friend as she walked in. "I made Italian burgers. Not so much Italian, but I followed the recipe to a T so it should do."
"Why bother with still working with me? You should run off and go open a restaurant already." Sakura said seriously, as she sat, a line of humour in her words
"I'd abandon you in a heartbeat, just you wait. Bobby Flay and Gordon Ramsey won't know what hit them when I get into the business."
Since they didn't have a dining table, they situated themselves on the couch in front of the television with their burgers and sodas. Sakura never liked big spaces either, which was why when Jonathan had shown her the cabin that she and Candace would be working from and living-in, she was more than pleased. The rooms were just the right size and didn't have any unnecessary décor. There was a properly working water supply, a heater and they both had been able to set up WIFI days after they arrived. It was a huge difference from the flashy apartments she lived in before and gave her all the more satisfaction.
"Something new or…?" Candace asked as she opened up HBO max
"Another season of Friends please." Sakura answered smiling. They had never watched anything new and simply stayed in the cycle of Gray's Anatomy, How I met your mother and Friends
"I like the way you think." They both chuckled at their predictability as Candace picked the first season of a random season. Sakura savoured the flavour the crisp beef, moaning lowly in content. Candace noticed and laughed loudly "Is it that good?"
"This beef is top tier!"
"I know right! I'm so happy I don't have to get from the meat market in town. These people really know how to treat their employees."
Sakura thought of the intimidating man she had met earlier in the day and of how he smelt of money "They can afford it is why. If they can afford us, they can afford anything."
"True that." Taking a sip from her cup, a sudden thought struck Candace before she began to smirk devilishly "Who was that man that was here today?"
She should have known that Candy would have brought it up sooner or later and she expected that the blonde would roast her for all the details about the man. They saw everything that happened out there from their little sanctuary and while Sakura worked on the field to put in final touches, Candace manned the systems.
"Our employer Candace. Whatever thought you have, perish it now." Knowing her for the past few years had equipped Sakura with the knowledge of how her mind worked. Candace didn't sit still when it came to attractive men, so it wouldn't be a surprise to Sakura if her friend had already started having babies with the man up in her head
"Oh, come on! I'm not doing anything. Besides, don't I have the right to know who steps in here? What if he's a spy or something? Even if he's my employer, I should have proper information about him." Sakura laughed loudly, now completely distracted from the show
"Information for what exactly?"
The devilish smirk appeared again before she answered "For the sake of documentation. Now, don't leave me hanging here." Sighing in resignation, Sakura took a bite again, savouring the taste once more before casting a side-ways glance at Candace's expectant expression.
She swallowed slowly and sipped her soda, burping loudly. To her satisfaction, Candace was visibly disgusted, making her smile brightly. Her loud burping always bothered those close to her, but Candace was the only who had yet to get used to it
"Cyrus Axton. According to what Jonathan has told me and what I've heard from those gossiping men, he owns more than half of the place. He doesn't come around much and before you ask, no, I don't know what he was doing here. Maybe it was a routine check."
"If it was, wouldn't Jonathan tell you about it?"
"Not my business." She really didn't care whatever he came to do and neither was she interested in finding out.
"Such a curious cat you are." The sarcasm that dripped from Candace's voice only furthered her amusement "He's gorgeous, so is his backside. Shame I won't get to see him every day."
"You'll live." Having finished her burger, Sakura stood up and stretched
"You aren't the least bit interested?"
"Nope."
"When you're like this, it makes me wonder if you're actually a human being. A robot maybe. It wouldn't surprise me with the amount of time you spend with your computers."
"If I was a robot, you'd have to be one too."
Loading her dishes into the washer, she picked a bottle of water from the fridge and took a large gulp.
"The betrayal! Leaving me here to eat alone, what kind of friend are you?" Candace's voice called out
"Not my fault you talk more than you chew Candy." Winking at her, she turned for the steps and threw a wave "I'm very tired. Have fun fantasizing about Mr Axton, be sure to name one of your babies after me as well."
The last thing she heard was Candace's howling laughter, making her smile. She didn't feel the weight of her tiredness until she was under the covers. Her blurry vision didn't let her see the ceiling, but she didn't mind. Her mind checked through all the things she did today, ticking off everything on her checklist. Tomorrow was another day and she was prepared to spend it inside looking at computers. She was grateful that they didn't have to stay awake, and the alarm would go off if there were an intruder, which had never happened. That meant a good night's rest was guaranteed.
Saying a short prayer like she always did before she drifted off to sleep, she made a mental note to call her parents the next day, before her mother accused her of neglect and abandonment. She didn't know why the second she closed her eyes, Cyrus' chocolate brown eyes flashed through her mind.
He had beautiful eyes. That much she accepted and would say.
The image, as well as the thought, was gone as soon as it came, letting her drift off into a deep sleep.