After breakfast, Lucas drove Isra to the vineyards in his Rover. The hills looked like giant waves, combs of trellises in varying shades of gold to deep green meet each other at the horizon. It was a beautiful sight. On the way, they stopped at a citadel outside the vineyard and met the family that took care of the Madiera's household since time immemorial. Carmen was delighted to see Isra and even teased Lucas with her. They spoke to Cassandra and Lorenzo who now took care of Madiera’s business on the ground, and explained how she would want to put them both on the film. Lorenzo’s wife was expecting labor that day therefore he couldn’t go with them. Which left Lucas more delighted.

The mild summer sun of early autumn shone above their heads. Isra climbed in and out of the vehicle every now and then to take shots or video of the surrounding, switching between her DSLR and a drone camera, while Lucas patiently stood beside her.

Georgi was right. He looks breathtakingly gorgeous. His scent is out of this world captivating. He looks like a sex god with a boyish charm. Isra thought. His square shoulders framed his 6’4 physique. Although he had this boyish attractiveness about him; his toned- muscles, his dark hair and short-boxed beard complimenting the dreamy dark eyes, his beautiful face, his humble demeanor, was making him arrestingly masculine. The heat of his stare and slight touches of his skin emanates some mysterious sexuality that wakens the hungry demon inside her. She didn’t intend to feel it too soon. She was insensitive for a long time. But something about Lucas that stirred the feelings she never felt before. There was something about him that calls for love and attachment, and passion. She started to like the company of this stranger. She liked his character. She felt his soul. 

 Lucas guided her into an opening between trellises. Clusters of grapes hanging from between the leaves, some escaping the newsprints that clothe them. The fleeting smell of delicate sweet fragrance drifts back and forth as they walk further inside.

Isra stopped to take some photos, stooping down to get perfect angle of the vines and fruits before switching to video Lucas uncovering one cluster of grapes and him walking down the narrow pathway as he gestures to the heavenly sight around them. His candid smile, his hearty laugh, the sparkle in his eyes every time it looks at her… was slowly melting the iron mask of her heart.

“Isra, come. These are ready.” He beckoned her through an arbor, bending his head so it doesn’t touch the canopy. He back- glanced at her as he beckoned her beside him. He removed a full cluster of deep purple grapes and plucked out a single globe and raises it to her mouth.

“Try it.” He said as he waited for her to yield, “these are organically- grown, you can eat it straight away.”

She looked at him from behind her sunglasses. “Sure, if our ancestors didn’t die from it.” She chuckled, as she thought twice before she leaned forward and opened her mouth. She snatched the fruit between her teeth but her lips caught his fingers on the way. Feeling embarrassed, she took a pad of wet tissue from her back pocket and reached for his hand but it was already on its way to his mouth to fed himself with a grape from the same fingers her lips touched.

“Did you like it?” he asked, his eyes glistening.

“Unparalleled. I'm not sure I'll even eat grapes the same way again." She said blushing as the texture and warmth of Lucas’ fingers lingering on her lips.

Lucas brought another grape to her mouth as they slid out into the pathway, but this time she took it from his hand. “Thank you.” She said as she crushed the grape inside her mouth.

“These are just one of the types of grapes we grow here. Thin- skinned but they make dark wines. Typically, the thicker and darker colored the variety, the darker the result.” Lucas said as he held the cluster before Isra.

“Really? So what type is this?” Isra asked as she pops one into her mouth.

 “These are Sangiovese. They call it the blood of Jupiter.”

 Isra's eyes widened in awe as she relished more grapes from Lucas hands as they walked back towards the car.

****

Paloma frantically paced the dining hall back and forth annoying Mercedes who was busy setting the table.

“Have you run into an anthill, Paloma? You make me dizzy.” Mercedes clicked her tongue at her annoyance.

Paloma stopped behind one of the Queen Anne chairs around the long table, grimacing back at the older woman.  

“Is there something troubling you?” Mercedes asked as she placed golden cutleries around the golden- rimmed cobalt blue ceramic plate.

“Nothing.” Paloma retorted as she toyed the edge of the chair.

“How is your trabaho in the museum?” Mercedes asked as she placed Pilsner glasses at the edge of every place mat.

“It’s great.  Serpentine never ceased to bring new talents in. I meet a lot of people there. Great artworks. Inspiring.” She said as she looked blankly at the table.

“You don’t look like someone who is inspired.” Mercedes smirked.

Paloma snorted as she combed the thick black hair to the back of her head. “Don’t mind me. I….lack of sleep.” She said as she went around the long table to head towards the door, but stopped midway back- glancing at Mercedes “What’s that woman here for?” she asked.

“Who woman?” Mercedes replied without looking.

“The one with Luke, today.”

Mercedes faced her with a smirk on her face as she folded embroidered table cloths between her chubby hands “Ahh, she is a producer for film. They want to make movie about the wine.” Her voice turned into excitement “Lucas told me I will be included in the movie!”

Paloma snorted “You're so ignorant.” She shook her head as she made a smug face. "Whatever!" And left.

****

Lucas pulled into the driveway back into the mansion. He climbed out and rushed towards the other side to open the door for Isra.

“I think the lunch is ready.” Lucas smiled as Isra slipped out of the car and adjusted the straps of her camera bag across her body.

“If you insist.” she said.

They walked into a wide porch squinting, as their eyes adjusted to the shade inside the mansion. The entrance led to an open square hall bigger than the foyer. It had a Moorish blue and white tiled fountain standing in the middle. Crystal and brass baroque chandelier cascaded down the high Moorish-inspired carvings on the ceiling. Lucas lightly placed his hands on her elbow as he guided her into a massive doorway into an opulent- looking dining hall. The long table in the middle was draped with a beige brocade fabric and red velvet- clad chairs. A short chubby woman dressed in eyelet cotton sun dress met them with a wide smile.

 “Beinvinida, senorita.” She clasped Isra’s hand between hers and leaned for a cheek-to-cheek. “You are just in time for lunch, Lucas. Glad you brought our lovely visitor back. Please sit. I prepared the town’s specialty.” She beamed joyfully and she squeezed Lucas’s arm.

“We can’t wait, Tia Merce.” Lucas smiled and introduced her to Isra “by the way, this is Tia Mercedes. She is the best chef in whole of Jerez.” The old woman smacked Lucas playfully by the elbow, blushing, before turning to Isra, “My pleasure to meet you, Miss Isra.”

“Did you---?” his eyebrows raised with curiosity.

Mercedes brushed a hand at Lucas and chuckled, “You rascal, of course, you’ve been talking about how beau----”

Lucas blushed and grinned as he wrappd a hand around Mercedes shoulder playfully dragging the old lady on her heels, “She always pulls my legs.” he said as he back-glanced at Isra. 

Mercedes yanked his hand. “You are cute but you have no balls” She grumbled before disappearing into an adjacent door by end of the room.

Lucas laughed as he pulled a chair and gestured Isra to sit. “She is the sunshine of this house. We like to pull each other’s legs, you know. It's a gloomy day if she's not around.”

Mercedes came out the next minute carrying a trolley of aromatic dishes. A bowl of gambas, oxtail stew, gazpacho, grilled eggplants and tomatoes, paella and slices of watermelon were placed before them. Then she poured each glass cold water and place two banquet glasses of rebujito before excusing herself.

“This is made with sherry.” Lucas held the sparkling golden wine before him as he took a sip.“Oh, I should make you try our grape molasses.”

*****

Paloma creeped behind the curtains draped at the screen doors dividing the living room and the dining hall. Her heart felt like it’s been stomped and crushed at the sight of Lucas and Isra together. She could see from the small openings of the screen how Lucas’ melting in front of Isra. That bitch. You don’t have any right to steal my Lucas. No, never again Lucas! I gave you up when you dated Andrea. I know, I shouldn’t have. But now Andrea is gone, I will fight with my teeth if I have to, to win you. You belong to me. She clenched her jaw, fighting the tears that started welling in her eyes.

“Isn’t she beautiful?” Mercedes voice jolted her from behind.

“Bloody hell, Mercedes! You scared me! Don’t fucking do that! Puta!” she snarled and left.

She half- jogged as she ran towards the citadel where her family lives.The citadel that became a symbol of loyalty between their family and Lucas. It was a wedding gift from the Madiera to her parents but it was more than just a lofty gift. It was a symbol of a lasting relationship between families. A bond. A trust. And piece of love. But suddenly, this cozy home felt like a dungeon with every step.

She went from the back entrance of the house to her floor, shut herself in her room and wept silently for Lucas. Frustrated. heartbroken. After all she did to prove herself worthy, she would always see her as a servant. That’s what this all meant. Mercedes must be right. She hated her rants but they made sense to her now. Lucas would never love her. She thought studying fine arts would get her close to him but it didn't happen. He still married Andrea. She suddenly cursed her fate being a daughter of the servants of the Madieras. She screamed inside from the tormenting pain of her thoughts as hot tears rolled down her cheeks. She hated her fate, her family- she hated where she belonged.