One More Chance

"He is going to fly back to the Philippines today for an urgent meeting regarding what my father did. I'm just not sure what time his flight is---"

She didn't get to finish her sentence as she was shocked when I stood up.

"Where are you going?" she asked, her eyes filled with confusion when she wiped the already-dried tears on her face.

"I have to go, I need to talk to him!" I emphasized the word 'need'.

"Oh, o- okay..." she nodded, and I didn't wait any longer for her next words as I ran towards the entrance.

But I was surprised the moment I got back in my car and I saw her running in my direction.

"Sam, wait!"novelbin

I waited for her to reach my direction and was about to ask why she ran and followed me but ...

"He's not staying in his parents' house."

"Huh?"

"He's staying in his condo in---"

"Wait a minute--- how did you find out he doesn't stay in his parents' house but in his condo?"

"Uhm... Let's just say that before I came to you, I conducted a little research about him, about his family, friends, places--- people he's hanging with, and where he's staying, so at least I could answer your questions right away." a sheepish smile formed on her lips before lowering her gaze.

"Jesus Christ! You really did those things..." I stopped as I stared at her in disbelief. "...haist! Nevermind!" I continued.

I really wanted to ask her a few more questions, but I have to go. Maybe I should just ask Luke about the remaining questions in my head.

After saying goodbye, I didn't waste any more seconds and opened the door to my car and left... completely forgetting the cake flour I had promised my best friend this morning.

My hands were trembling as I pressed the 8th floor, Luke's floor number. I couldn't explain what I felt at that moment. All I know is that I'm mad, I'm so mad. I'm mad at him for not telling me the truth but I'm even mad at myself for accusing him of such things without giving him the chance to explain.

I'm so mad that it makes me tremble in tears while waiting for my designated floor. It seems like it's the slowest lift I have ever been on. But then I thank God as no one else came in while I was going up to Luke's floor.

My chest tightened as soon as the elevator stopped. How I wanted to bang my hand on the stainless door so it could open fast and when it finally did, I immediately ran down the hallway to find his room.

After knocking three times, I heard the sound of the door knob being opened and a few seconds later, the surprised face of my ex-husband slush my boyfriend came into my sight. But then I wasn't sure which of us was more surprised... him who didn't expect to see me in front of his door or me who didn't expect to see him freshly bathed and almost naked.

"Sam," he breathed and I gulped as my eyes wandered over his muscular body, to his sinful V-line, and to the white towel that was loosely wrapped around his waist.

"Uhm..." I was suddenly lost for words.

"Come in,"

My eyes went up to meet his gaze and then shook my head.

"No!"

"Huh? But---"

"Not unless you've changed into proper clothes!"

He blinked, staring at me in disbelief.

"Are you just going to stand here while I change?"

"Yes, it's fine with me!"

"Sam, it's not as if you haven't seen my body---"

"Yes, I did but I don't need a distraction while I'm talking to you! I need to talk to you, Luke Marcuz Williams so please go and get dressed!" I looked into his eyes as I mentioned his full name to make sure he would realize how desperate I was to talk to him. "Okay," he breathed. "But please come in and wait for me in the living room while I get dressed."

I stared at him for a few seconds and then agreed.

"Fine,"

He opened the door widely and I swear I felt all my senses awaken when his freshly bathed scent along with the scent of his aftershave hit my nostrils the moment I walked past him and headed toward the living room. "I'll just go upstairs and change,"

"Hmhm," I just hummed as a reply and was about to sit down when I noticed he had stopped walking so I turned around slowly only to see him staring at me and then I was surprised at the next words he uttered. "I missed you,"

I just blinked in response as I couldn't form any words in my head at that moment.

-Whew!- I exhaled loudly... finally

I

able to release the breath I did not know I was holding since I saw him wrapped only in a towel. -'Samantha, please pull yourself together!'- warned myself as I leaned my back against the sofa.

It's been ten minutes already but he hasn't come down yet when he usually takes only a minute or two to get dressed.

And when I can no longer stand the boredom of waiting for him, I decided to follow him upstairs. There are three rooms on the second floor so for sure I can easily find which of them is his room.

But just as I thought, I quickly found

his room. It was the second one from the stairs, plus the door was slightly opened and I could hear his voice from outside. I guess he was talking to someone so I slowly opened the door, careful enough not to make any sound.

He was now wearing a white shirt, his favorite, and board shorts. His back was facing me and I don't know but a sudden relief washed over me when I confirmed that yes, he was indeed talking to someone but on the phone.

I stayed at the doorframe and waited for him to end the call. But when he finished, it was exactly when my eyes caught the 2 large bags on the side of his bed so...

"Sam---"

"You're leaving!" I said eyeing his bags on the floor.

"Sam, I---" I didn't let him finish as I cut him off again. I started taking steps in his direction.

"So you're leaving--- you're leaving me again?" I ended with a question mark. Lucy was right, he's now going back to the Philippines.

"No, these are my bags when I came here it's just that I've been busy and I barely had time to unpack." he tried to explain, but since my mind was so clouded, I didn't seem to understand any of the words he said.

"We haven't even talked about why you're ignoring me and---"

"What? Where did you get that idea? I'm not ignoring you--- I mean, how could I do that?"

"You haven't even explained to me why you lied about the truth and then now you're leaving me again?"

"Wait--- what are you talking about?" he tossed his phone on the bed as he started approaching me.

And at that moment, Lucy's words about him and what happened to him came into me and I could no longer hold back the tears.

"Why didn't you tell me the truth? Why didn't you tell me that you had an accident while you were in Saudi Arabia and were in a coma for a week?"

"What--- where did you get that? How did you know?"

"Does it matter where and from whom I got the information, Luke?"

"No, sweetheart, it's just that---" He tried to touch me but I swatted his hand away.

"Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you want me to know?" Tears kept blurring my vision.

"B- Because I didn't want you to worry about me, I didn't want you and Cali to go there especially since she has classes."

"So you decided to keep it yourself, is that it?"

"Sam, sweetheart..."

"Let me ask you, who am I to you?"

"You are my life, you and Cali, you are my everything,"

"Then why didn't you tell me what happened when you woke up? And why the hell didn't you tell me the truth the moment I asked you to explain? Why did you just let me think of those horrible things that you cheated on me again?" "Because I'd rather hear you scream at me and get mad than always see your worried face every time I have a meeting or project away,"

"Huh!" my mouth hung open in disappointment. "So you'd rather make me believe those lies and break up with you than see my worried face, is that it?" I asked, wiping my face vigorously.

"Sweetheart, about those lies, I told

you I will do everything to prove to

you that didn't do any of those things didn't cheat on you, and regarding the accident..." he paused, studying my reaction. "You shouldn't have found it out,"

"What?"