Lucas stood with a clenched jaw and if I hadn't stared at him intently, I would have argued what I saw wasn't tears. I felt a mixture of surprise and happiness. I looked around the room at the staff I had invited for the surprise I planned for him– They were equally shocked, if not more than I was. I struggled to keep my emotions in check, I couldn't let his staff see through me.I walked over to him, closing the distance between us. I leaned forward and pulled him into a warm embrace, he buried his face in my neck and sobbed gently. "It's okay, Lucas, it's fine. And I'm sorry I did this, I-"He spoke gently with his face still on my neck, "It's not you Sam. Everything's perfect. I love it," His voice made my hair rise– For God sake Samantha Hall!I flustered a little that his words had such an effect on me and at a time like this. I held him so we stood face to face, "Come, let's go sit over there for a while," I mumbled with a smile on my face. He held my hands and squeezed them war
My heart skipped a beat at Lucas' words. I sat and straightened up, I wasn't quite certain if I was ready for any bad news that would spoil the happiness that radiated from within him. I pouted my lips waiting for him to speak.Lucas swerved the car to the other side of the road and pulled over, the chills from the air conditioning added to my anxiety. He turned to face me and cupped my chin in his hands and smiled. I forced a smile back at him that disappeared when his expression turned serious. "Is there a problem?" I almost said "here we go again""No, I want to tell you a little bit about me…" he clicked open the seat belt and tapped the steering with his fingers– he was nervous. Lucas acting vulnerable in front of me was a little off and exciting at the same time. My ears itched to hear what he wanted to say."I don't want to come off as boring so I'll go straight to the point," he said. I smiled, he was acting soft that night and one would think I did something more than a surpr
My heart flustered when I felt her tender lips pressed against mine. I wanted to tighten my grip around her and deepen the kiss. The scent of her hair filled my nose and I burned with passion– Lord! I wanted to scream because it was hard pretending I was asleep and not feeling anything. But, I'd let her have her way and not interrupt her.I didn't want to get ahead of myself and that kept me in check. I didn't want to see Samantha for more than she truly was to me– a substitute bride. I wouldn't dare do anything stupid even though it was a difficult task to keep my hands around her only. I tried to remind myself that there was no love and would ever be, between the both of us. The kiss wasn't the one that asked for more than it was intended– it meant I care about you, nothing more.The kiss lingered for a few more minutes till she pulled away. I was relieved even though I didn't want it to end just yet– Lucas get a grip of yourself. Besides, I couldn't let just bring my guard down eas
The exertion I felt after the strenuous exercise I had just done made it difficult to express myself. Lucas' demeanor changed after he dropped the call and my ears itched to hear what the emergency was. My heart raced with different thoughts. If there was an emergency that meant one of us had to act accordingly and support and it was me.He tried to walk away again but I held him back, "I need you to get a hold of yourself," I said.He rolled his eyes, "Oh Samantha but I can't," he said, "I need to get out of here as soon as I can,"Before I could say another word he dashed through the stairs, to the room. I ran as fast as my heavy legs permitted, holding the rails for support. I didn't know how he did it but by the time I got to the room he was coming out of the shower smelling of lavender– my shower gel.I would normally laugh but whatever made Lucas lose his mind that he didn't notice when he used my shower gel was very serious. He pulled over a black leather jacket and walked over
The room was heavy with silence except for the shock on Lucas and the man's face. The lady looked sad, her husband who had been staring at her with an apologetic look moved closer to her.She raised her hands to stop him, "Don't come any closer George,""I…I'm…" he stuttered, scratching the back of his neck. It was obvious the lady was still on the edge over what had happened between them.She cut him off with a scoff, "You're sorry?" She inhaled deeply, "Of course you are. You're always sorry and each time you keep doing the same thing over and over again. And each time, we end up in the same spot."She walked over to the other side of the room, where a large painting of Picasso that covered almost half of the wall hung. For a while the painting caught my attention until she spoke again."Why not go ahead and tell your friend how much of a great husband you are?" Her words were more of a mock statement than a question.I looked over at Lucas who stood looking at the woman, he seemed
Lucas peered at me, "huh? Roosevelt's is the next turn," he said, "What'd you want to get?"I shrugged, "Girl's stuff,""Girl's stuff," he mimicked and chuckled. I grunted and leaned back into the seat. Lucas drove and swerved through the next turn, he halted at the Mall's parking lot.I opened the car door and wanted to come down when I noticed he was still on his seat, humming to the music. "Aren't you coming along?" I demanded.He shook his head, "I'm fine right here," he said, "Go on in, I don't want to interfere in your girl's stuff shopping," he said flatly, nodding to the beat of the music.I grunted and got out of the car. The mall was aloof with lots of cars in the parking lot. I almost ran back to convince Lucas to come with me. I exhaled and gathered courage before entering the mall, not before I turned back to check if Lucas has changed his mind.The mall was a vast one, with different sections. I quickly pulled out a trolley and started heading towards the intimate care u
To say I felt lucky was an understatement. Audrey slapping me across the face wasn't the problem; the onlookers who had brought out their phone to capture the moment was. I'd have spent the entire summer locked in my room if her hand touched me.I raised my head to see who had saved me. I felt a surge of relief when I saw Lucas standing there glaring at Audrey. The anger on his face was obvious from the way he brought her hands down still gripping them firmly, Audrey whimpered, trying to break out of his hold. But, he was too angry to think straight.I tugged at his hands to release his grip and he fired me a stay-out-of-this glare. I stepped aside, another second being at the center of a rift won't send me right to a therapist.There was a long line of silence, followed by loud angry breaths by Lucas especially. He was still hurt…it was obvious from the way he looked at her like he could pass a sword right through her heart. He shoved her hands angrily, he moved closer to me and grab
Javier's question was followed by silence, an awkward silence that enveloped the entire room. His words had me on the spot, my mind went fuzzy. I couldn't even look at Lucas' face albeit I knew he was as shocked as I was and probably caught off guard because he didn't say anything.The room was silent except for the musical note that sounded from the music player at one end of the large room.I waited…there was still silence, Javier was staring at me with his questioning eyes. I pressed my wrist and counted to three, I opened my mouth but words weren't coming so I clamped it shut.In all of this, Javier's overall facial expression was calm. If I'm not quick enough to salvage this, he'll probably find out the truth and our cover would get blown. I couldn't let that happen yet I couldn't defend myself.The room suddenly became cold, my hands were numb. I sucked in a breath, I couldn't risk a panic attack. For the love of Christ, why didn't I see this coming."I-I…" my voice trailed, get