CHAPTER FOUR

Anita ✍

I laid in my bedroom with my earpiece plugged in one ear. I listened to one of my favourite songs-suitcase by Sia-as a hard thump came right outside my window.

"What's that noise?" I took my earpiece off and got up. I listened quietly to be sure, as it came again.

Fully alerted, I made for the balcony, as I looked down to know who it was. "Samuel?" I was shocked to see my boyfriend standing just below. I wasn't expecting to see him there, but I was happy that he could come. "Sammy, what are you doing here?"

He frowned at my question. "Aren't you happy to see me?"

"It's not that,"

He smiled. "Hang on. Be there in a minute!"

I blushed as he climbed right up. I hugged him the moment he hopped in, while he made no attempt to hug me back. "What's wrong?"

"We need to talk!" he said, not smiling.

I led him inside and locked the door of my room so no one would disturb. I wanted to hear all about it, and was eager to know if I could be of help.

"So, what do you wanna talk about?"

He gave no response.

I looked at him for a minute, feeling uncomfortable with the way he was acting, as he finally broke the silence. "You know I love you, right?"

I blushed inwardly, though wondering why he had said that. Noticing how icily he sounded, I wanted to ask if he was all right, but decided not to do so. His voice sounded really different, getting me flushed with worry. It was weird not hearing him speak sweetly like his normal self, making me go thinking that I had said something wrong.

"Sammy," I called gently. "Sammy, are you alright?" I couldn't help thinking the opposite, as my heart raced faster than I could count.

"Just answer me," he said with a wave of his hand, and I affirmed shakily, with voice more of a whisper.

I felt his hands leave mine, and I could feel my insides burn without cause. The atmosphere wasn't making it any better, as I could feel the sweat already gathered on my forehead, rolling down my face.

"Sammy, why are you acting like this?" I could hear myself ask consciously.

"I really don't want to hurt you, Nita. I don't want to hurt you-" he muttered in a tone I could make out perfectly.

Hurt me-I sat confused. "I don't understand," I moved closer to make sure I had heard right.

The fan which was rotating, was making such noise that had gotten me wincing, but I couldn't worry about it as all I wanted was to know why Samuel had come all this way to mutter strange words.

"Sammy, tell me what you mean by that. Why are you saying all this?" I wanted answers. I needed him to explain to me what he meant-unaware that it was going to be our last.

He got up from beside me, and I got up alongside. He stood quiet still, while I slipped my hands under his, hugging him from behind. I didn't care if he was having a hard time telling me whatever thing he had in mind... I just needed to be with him at that moment; to be there for him, and to know what was it that was making him not talk.

I cupped my toes, with feet raised partly, as I rested my chin on his shoulder, placing light kisses on the side of his neck.

"Nita, stop!" he said to my surprise.

Having the ounce to speak, I said, "You're acting weird," I complained. "Why won't you just tell me what it is that's bothering you?!" I said, half a question.

"Let's breakup-"

The boat of love that I was sailing in, got turned over at the unexpected call. It felt as though the whole place was shaking, with everything around me vibrating on all grounds.

I could only hear the "B" word ringing constantly in my head, as I wished the rotating noise would just cure me of it.

Breakup-breakup¡

Why won't it stop?!!

Breakup-

"No! No, you're joking, right?" I stood shaken with fear as tears flushed my pumpkin cheeks.

The boy who I'd thought had loved me, looked me straight in the eye and said nothing more, placing just a kiss on my forehead-that was going to be the last-that'd ever be!

~Seven Years Later~

Sammy's been gone for so long. I'd moved on and gotten over the fact that I'd never see him again. I had gotten a career myself, and was happy to know that my happiness wasn't ruined by all that happened in the past.

"When are you gonna get a man for yourself, Anita?" My best friend Hilda, who's got a British accent, asked one day. She was concerned about my happiness, and was worried about me forever stuck in my shell, which I knew would never happen. I haven't dated in a long time, so I had little love experience. It's not like I didn't want to be intimate with anyone, I just wanted to be left alone. Sammy had left me broken, and ever since I had fought off every feeling that had grown inside. Having been hurt by your first love, would make you not want to date again-making the saying; first love does hurts-more of a believe for me.

"You're not joking about not wanting to date, are you?" Hilda continued.

"Well," I said, "If it was left for me, I wouldn't date at all!" I spoke in all seriousness, slipping the last of my button inside it's hole. "Seriously, Hilda. Do you have to worry?"

Her brows arched up in a bid to criticize. "Worry, you say?" she brought her legs down from the couch. "Seriously, friend. You gotta be up on your feet and go get that dream man!" she encouraged.

"Well, that's the problem, Hild. Who's ever gonna be perfect for me?" I turned to look in the mirror again.

"I don't know," she spread her arms. "Anyone? Maybe?"

I smiled, admiring my figure.

"What's funny?"

I turned at her question. "Nothing!" I chuckled seeing her frown. "Oh, Heidi-that I called her whenever I wanted to sound funny.

"Not smiling!" she folded her arms. "For Pete's sake, Anne. You're almost thirty!" she reminded.

And I laughed. "30?" I repeated with my right brow raised at her, and went back to admiring myself once again. "I'm just 23, you see," I did some curly moves with my waist and picked up my Yves Saint Laurent by the corner-a perfume I had come to love.

"You stepping out?" Hilda changed the subject, while I gave a warming smile.

"Yes," I replied shortly. I didn't want her knowing what I had in mind-I wanted it to be a surprise!

I stepped out the milky-painted ten storey building, as I stopped the yellow taxi my eyes came on. Getting in, I requested that I'd be taken to Lake Shore Drive, where my new workplace was going to be. I was yet to get the job, but I had full faith in myself and knew this was it.

"You can do it, Anne!" I breathed and walked in, fingers clasped and eyes focused on one place, trying not to seem nervous.

The receptionist led me to where all aspiring employees were, and I was anxious to meet whoever was in charge.

"Sir, there's someone here to see you," announced a lady-different from the receptionist; a little plump and average, with long brown hair and sparkly blue eyes.

I walked in quietly, relaxing a bit, as a man seated on a swivel chair, with eyes focused on a screen, came into view. He looked young, I could tell. But what I couldn't understand was why he looked familiar.

"S-Sammy?"

His head came up at the call. "Sammy?"

It wasn't who I thought it was. How come he looks just like him?

"Who is this Sammy you speak of?" he asked.

I knew I had messed up calling him that-how am I seeing things? I wondered, not knowing what to say.

I thought I had gotten over my ex a long time ago. Why should I be thinking about him now, and be seeing things I shouldn't be? I thought about it, and the seven years I had lived my life without him.

"Are you okay, Miss?" my soon-to-be boss asked, as I remained mute.

This was no way of starting a proper interview. I had to make it right. I needed this job... I needed this more than anything, and I wasn't going to let just a petty mistake mess things up.

"Miss Mac, where'd you say you were working before?"

I corrected, "It's MacKenny, Sir,"

He looked at me for a minute, and went back to looking into my file.

I wondered if he had seen something wrong as his eyes remained glued on it.

I was tensed seeing him do that, but having answered all questions without shaking, I was sure I'd bag the deal.

Scanning the remaining words, he made to speak as someone interrupted.

"Sorry I'm late! I am so sorry-"

My throat tightened as I sat in silence, not wanting to look back.

"Bro!"

Bro? beads of sweat gathered on my forehead, as fingers trembled and feet shook.

I sat with mouth dry, as I heard my name called with a tender voice I could recognize anywhere.

"Nita?" he called again.

After all these years... and we meet again. It seemed like a movie anyone could spend hours watching with a popcorn in his hand. I could take it no more as the air got still, making it hard for me to breathe.

I got up to leave, thinking of nothing but to be so far away. I didn't want to have anything to do with him, not after the pains he had caused me.

"Do you two know each other?" the man in black asked, and I gave no answer but ran past the enemy instead, muttering words like someone who had seen a ghost.

I don't belong here... this place isn't for me. I ran as fast as my feet could carry me.

People who saw me would think that I had gone crazy, but I didn't mind as long as I wasn't anywhere near the devil, and had gotten over the shock.

"N-Nit-Nit!" I could hear him calling out my name, as I bothered not looking back. His voice hadn't changed a bit. Why did we have to meet here of all places? I knew my day was totally ruined, and it was all his fault.

"Stay away from me!" I yelled for him to stay away from me, running out the building, into the road, as the sound of a truck-vroom-got my legs rooted to the ground.

"Anita!" called my saviour as he pulled me to safety.

"Are you crazy?!"

"Let me go, will you? You're the one crazy here!" I shot back, caring less if he had saved me from death's grasp. "What the hell are you doing here anyway? I mean, what are you doing in Chicago?" I rolled my eyes repeatedly at him, not giving him a chance to talk. "I thought you and your family moved away a long time?" I went on. "Why are you back? What's your motive here, Samuel?" I was asking too many questions, that I knew, though it wasn't my concern. I hated the fact that I had to see him again... after a long time of cursing and wishing he'd never return-awkward doing that-but I didn't want him coming back and pleading till my heart softened.

"Nit, I really have a lot to tell you," he said clasping my hand again.

I snatched it away. "It's Anne!" I said in a gruff tone, and spoke once more. "If you think for a second, that I'd give a fuck about anything you're gonna say, then I'd be just as delusional as you!" I spat and left him standing there.

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