As the group went on cracking jokes, that were meant to humour her, she felt uncomfortable. Like a girl her age could understand her plight, the only female with her was Martha. She was forty two years and seemed to find the jokes hilarious, and Reign decided to leave the group before they noticed her fake smile.
"Hey manager" She greeted him.
Martin turned in surprise, hesitated for a moment, then nodded," Martin". Then he continued to gaze at a her with an alarmed look, it seemed like the guy was suspicious of her and he was trying to figure her out.
"Why are you standing far away from your workers?" She asked abruptly shocking them both. Seemed like being stared at, was a problem she internally lamented in shame.
"Sincere apologies for not coming over, to welcome you with them. I'll work on my manners" He mocked gravely and Reign burst a laughter. This guy energy didn't seem weird,didn't feel the need to pity him or something like that. There must be a strong reason on why he stays away. The little conversations made her note that the guy was just so normal and why were they isolating him was beyond her knowledge at the moment she thought to herself as she walked away, leaving the man confused at her sudden exit .
As Martha was milking the cow, Reign decided it was time to find out the missing part of their conversation. "Why is the manager isolated?"
Martha gave her an amused look, "Did you not see?"
"What was I supposed to see?"
"His mouth.."
"What?..what about his mouth?"
"You didn't notice it has weird marks on it? And his hands too" Martha said,
Well Reign seemed all the more confused by the explanation. "Why would you isolate yourself from someone cause of some weird marks?" She wondered aloud, her confusion evident.
"You won't know until you know of his behaviour too, " Martha said as she went on milking. Reign knew not to pursue the topic in fear of her curiosity being misinterpreted.
Her gaze travelled back to the man and she caught him staring at her unwavering, feeling like he could have heard her though she knew he couldn't, she grinned at him and waved before turning back to the milking woman.
Through the corner of her eyes she saw him walk over to the cow sher, and saw the little smile he fired at his cows. She instantly knew that her curiosity will land her into problems.
"Martin, I think you should call a vertinary to check on the pig," Martha said civilly. Throwing an frozen smile to the man,everyone could see it was a half-hearted effort.
"He is on his way," Martin replied in a calm matter- of - fact tone.
"That was fast" Martha said frowning.
"Yeah" Martin clipped, closing all doors for an interrogation or a conversation. Reign watched in secret admiration as Martin turned his back to Martha and continued patting the big bull's back. He had looked and sounded hard. Silence followed the short conversation and Martha looked uneasy. Reign decided not to get suffocated by this two people, she made a hast exit.
Passing by Martin he clamped her elbow and stopped her, "Did I employ you to be moving up and down?" He spat loudly enough for Martha to hear, surprised she looked up at his face and his gaze wasn't on her. What sort of unpolished mannerism is this?, she wondered
All that was visible for an answer, was the aloof indifference of someone who is very much aware of people jumping out of his touch, he knows and was making it clear that he doesn't care and prefers it that way.
After her assessment, "Apart from the milk bar I haven't been allocated any other chore Martin,"
"Do you think you can manage farm work?"
"Why not?"
"Do you?"
"I think I can manage"
"How much days do you need for practice?"
"How much are you offering?"
"Not much, is one week enough?"
"I don't know but I'm sure I'm a quick learner "
"Are you always this relaxed around men?"
"...???"It hit her suddenly that the man's hand was still holding her elbow. Giving him a level look she said, "Not always "
There was an unmistakable reprimand in her voice and it registered to him. Expecting him to release her hand, he stared at her, studying her with heightened interest, his eyes were black she noted and when he spoke his voice had an apology hint, " Be careful Reign, you are young but there's something promising about you".
"Fifteen men, don't scare me"
A startling white smile swept across his face, "Not even the sixteenth one?"
Reign laughed at the joke and started to feel they were bound to get along with this guy, he wasn't old, she could read it from his face.
They stayed together for the rest of the day as he did the needed orientation, talking nothing more meaningful than the, Beans, the rabbits, chicken, pigs and vegetables.
"You must be tired "
He oddly said to her as they were coming back, to join the rest of the workers.
It was a polite gesture intended to excuse her, either he didn't want to join the rest or he felt she would be uncomfortable to be seen with him by the rest, Reign guessed. Looking at the people they were giving her weird looks.
"Should I head back to the milk bar? The place is in need of cleaning by the way" casting her a dubious look he said, "That's an hour earlier "
"I saw cobwebs " Reign said with a determined smile.
His eyes narrowed,"Where?"
"Windows" Reign said with a stubborn look.
"You sure?" He persisted.
"Young girl, I know what it is that you are doing."
"Please, " She softly said, her gaze beseeching.
"You can't escape tomorrow or the next day or ever, you know that?" He said with Frank amusement.
Before she could answer he nodded and she gaily smiled and headed to the women changing room.