The sun blazed high in the sky, several hours had passed as Maddox continued to push the heavy frame across the farm, Angus’s eyes ever watchful. On the horizon, a hazy figure appeared from the direction of the house. Maddox could make out some details, a flowing blue dress, a large straw summer hat and a white cloth on one arm. The way it moved towards them, almost gliding along the ground. As it got closer, more details became apparent, the long legs and slender body, the delicate skin, it was Corina heading towards them.

As she got closer, she turned to her father. “How’s work Papa?”

“Not bad” Called back the old man, wiping some non-existent sweat off his brow “If only he had a better attitude, this wouldn't be so draining...”

“Wouldn’t hurt for you to help a little old man!” Called Maddox from a distance.

“Would you really have this old man working under this sun!” Complained Angus “This is a young man’s game, I realise this now!”

“Only just now!” Sarcastically whipped Maddox as he continued his work.

“Stop your bellyaching!” Grumbled Angus before turning to his Corina “What brings you out here daughter? Is it time?”

“Hmm” She nodded delightfully “dinner’s ready on the table.”

“Hear that whippersnapper!” He called over to the exhausted remnants of Maddox “Get those legs moving it’s time for supper!”

“Thank god...” Exhaled Maddox “I thought I was gonna die...”

“Stop your moaning!” Shouted Angus as walked towards the house, past Corina.

“Here” smiled Corina, towel in hand.

“Thanks” He gratefully took hold of the towel, wiping away the sweat from his forehead “You’re a life saver!”

“Don’t worry about it!” She grinned, her eyes shining “You looked so manly pulling that heavy thing around!”

“You were watching?” He blushed, turning away so she couldn’t see his red cheeks. “Thanks!”

She beamed a playful smile as they made their way back into the house. Once inside, the table was laid with an arrangement of items. A mixture of cheeses, a loaf of bread, a few selections of ham and some pickled onions.

“Wow!” He said, impressed “Was all this made on the farm?”

“Hmm” She nodded joyfully “One of the best things about living here is you get to eat what you make!”

“Amazing!” As he went to sit at the table, he noticed an empty chair starring towards him. “Where’s Daisy?”

“Oh, I think she went for a walk” Answered Corina.

“Ah, I’ll best go get her then” As he went to get off his seat, Corina manoeuvred herself around him.

“No need” She replied quickly as she moved over Maddox, her arms pressed against his shoulders. She moved closer to him, her face more serious as she whispered “I think she’s still a little upset about yesterday, maybe give her some space”

“Still...” He knew she could be stubborn at times, but normally she’d be back to her normal self within a few hours, perhaps, even accidently, he took things too far. “Maybe you’re right...”

“Right, now eat up!” Her face had returned to its smiley default “You’ll need your energy!”

“True!” He agreed “Still have a few hours to go till I'm finished right!”

“Exactly!” Her infectious smile firmly etched on her face, hiding the real reason of what she planned for later.

“Thank you, Corina” He said gratefully.

Unaware of the daggers being sent in his direction from in front of him, Angus’s glared intently at the pair, eventually catching Maddox’s eye as he stabbed his fork into a portion of the ham. Once they had finished their meals, Maddox and Angus went back out to the fields, waved off by Corina.

Along the path that led to the house, Daisy had finally calmed down and was on her way back. Maddox saw her as he was leaving with Angus, raising one hand ever so slightly to wave, but stopped half-way. Corina’s words rang in his ear, perhaps it was best to leave her alone for a little while. He turned away, embarressed, as he followed Angus to the fields. He couldn’t see her facial expressions, but only see her turn her head away from his direction. She was still upset after all he thought. He couldn’t see the tears welling in her eyes as she turned away once again.

She had only just calmed down, but to see Maddox hesitant around her set her off again. She stormed around heading towards where she had been fuming earlier. She made her way along a path until she came to the outskirts of the farm, jumping the fence until she came across a large fallen tree that had collapsed on the outskirts of the farm. Facing away, she sat down, her arms cradling her knees as she began to delve into deep thought. “Stupid Maddox...” She muttered “... Just because she’s so pretty and acts so nice around him... perhaps he is falling for her..." A sad look of realisation crept over her, before quickly snapping out of it "No, no, no I can’t let him! She’s nothing but trouble... I’m doing this for him this isn’t for me at all... he’s just too dumb to see her real intentions! That’s it!... Isn’t it...” Her voice trailed off as the conversation continued in her mind, was that really it...

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What was this strange emotion taking over her, she’d never felt like this before...? Her mind was clouded, why was this girl so hung up on him? She’d only just met them the day before! She was definitely up to something! She had to protect him! But what she said earlier was so embarrassing... She had no right to say that he was hers’... Her chest was tight as the thought of him not being with her anymore tore her apart. She had to tell him, even if he didn’t believe her, she had to at least warn him! The hours passed by as she continued to think of ways to tell him, sat underneath the fallen tree. The sun that shone over head was slowly sinking “Right!” She said triumphantly as she rose to her feet “If he sees what she’s actually like... He’ll have no choice but to believe me!” She made her journey back to the farm once more, a confident look upon her face.

As she entered the house, everyone was already there at the table. As she looked towards Maddox, he looked as if he was about to speak, but turned away again, making her heart drop a little. She knew she couldn’t fail her mission, she knew she had to warn him. “Hey... Maddox...” She began, causing him to look at her, a worried look on his face.

“What is it?” He looked up, catching her eyes before looking down again.

“Can we... talk a little bit?” She shuffled uncomfortably.

“Sure...” He replied, placing his hands on his chair as he went to get up.

As he was almost standing, Corina was already over him. A plate of food in her hand, placing it in front of him. The sight of her was enough to make Daisy’s blood boil. “Make sure to eat before it goes cold!” She hummed in his ear as he sat down again.

He looked to Daisy as if to see if it was ok to eat, she knew she had to warn him, but there was no need to drag him away now, she didn’t want to raise suspicion too much “It’s fine” she said “We can eat first.”

He nodded as his eyes set on his food, a prime slice of beef from with an assortment of vegetable lined his plate. Daisy watched as Corina went around the table, next to her father before arriving to Daisy. On the plate was a tiny slice of meat with a mix of burnt veg. She went to look at her in disgust but she was already gone, back to the pot to collect her portion. A reasonable slice of meat with nicely cooked veg, so she was playing dirty after all. Daisy begrudgingly placed her fork into the mushy carrots, struggling to swallow them. To her side she could see the wry grin of Corina hidden behind her fake kindness.

Between this invisable tension, Maddox broke the silence “So how did you two get on today?” He questioned, ignorent to the events prior.

“We had fun, didn’t we?” Corinas' toxic smile aimed at Daisy.

“Yeah it was a real blast...” She sarcastically retorted, taking Maddox by surprise.

“Ah” He took few seconds “Well, I’m glad it seems you two are getting on” Maddox smiled hopefully towards them.

“Hmm, I think we’re going to be best friends, right?” That fake smile really pissed her off.

“If you say so...” She said disinterested.

“... So” Maddox started again, worried about what was up with Daisy “... What did you do?”

“Oh, I just showed her around, we talked for a bit is all, then she went for a walk and disappeared for a while... I was worried she got lost...” A false look of concern fell across her face as she stared at Daisy.

“I just needed some air is all...” she retorted, struggling to hide her irritation.

“Still, I’m glad that she made it back safe, I was worried she wouldn’t come back at all!” She continued her façade.

“Why’s that?” Maddox questioned, did he really upset her that much she said she might leave?

“I think she’s just got a lot on her mind, right?” Her snake eyes peered at Daisy once more.

“Will you just shut up!” Her anger became palpable, she cried out as she slammed her fork into the beef.

“Daisy!” Maddox looked towards her before turning to Corina. her eyes began to budge, full with crocodile tears as she hid her face, quickly running towards upstairs. “What was that for! She’s clearly concerned for you! So am I!”

“If you were that concerned you wouldn’t have avoided me all day!” She screamed out.

“Corina said...” As he tried to justify himself, she continued to vent her frustration.

“Yeah Corina said and you believed every word right!”

“What’s gotten into you!” She could tell he was stunned at this outburst but it didn’t matter, this was getting too much for her.

“Me? What’s wrong with you! Are you blind or just dumb!” Her soul rocked with anger, why didn’t he see her for what she was!

“Tsk... I don’t have time for this! I'm going to check on her” He turned away as he ran upstairs.

Daisy slammed her fist into the table, the presence of Angus seemingly disappeared from all. That is until a subtle cough caught her attention. A look of panic fell over her face, what if she caused them to lose their work here, Maddox would surely hate her if that was the case. “Sir... I’m...”

“Mrs. Kobayashi...” He began “What do you make of my daughter?”

She sat back down in her chair, she knew lying to him would probably be the best way to make sure their jobs were safe, but she just couldn’t hide her animosity towards that girl. “I hate her...” She admitted “She’s so fake... It’s like she enjoys playing this sweet country girl to hide her real personality...”

“I see...” The old man pulled at the whiskers on his chin “So you have seen that side of her I see?”

“Hmm?” What did he mean, seen that side of her?

“Please don’t misunderstand, she’s not a bad girl it’s just...” He faltered for a moment “... It’s just, she’s lived here with me, near enough all her life, somewhere along the way, this solitude, it gave birth to a different personality within her, ever since she’s had these split personalities... Mrs. Kobayashi... may this old man make a selfish request?”

“What is it?” She asked curiously.

“Could you help her? Please” He pleaded to her.

“What!” The shock took over her body, asking her to help... Her.

Slowly he removed himself from his chair, carefully placing it to the side as he stood before her. Slowly he lowered his upper body until he was bowing almost horizontally. “I know that she is difficult to deal with, but the reason I accepted both of you here is that, maybe, you could help her... She’s been alone all this time with no one to talk to, perhaps with both of you around, perhaps she can be her real self... Maybe not the little girl I remember, but a woman whose ready for the real world, that’s just my wish”

“I really don’t like the idea...” She admitted “But I have my own reasons, so I’ll help...”

“Really?” The old man raised his head.

“I will, but don’t tell Maddox any of this, he wouldn’t believe us if we told him...” She sulked silently “If we get Maddox to see how she acts when he's not around, he might be more willing to help.”

“I really appreciate it” he admitted, a small smile appearing.

“Don’t thank me... I’m not doing this just for you.” She thought to herself, Maddox, please realise that this girl is trouble. Slowly she got out of her chair as she headed towards the stairs.