Chapter 10

“You're useless!” The redhead girl spat with superiority. “Always thinking you're better than everyone else, and look at you, you're nobody, Samay.

“What do you want, Barbara?” she simply couldn't stand her and only wished she would leave his room.

“For you, Mrs. Barbara. You're just a squatter in my house, I'm tired of you and of you looking lustfully at my husband. Daniel is mine, Samay, don't flatter yourself.”

“Stop talking nonsense! Daniel is my husband and this is my house. I'm dad's heiress, the only one who's stuck up here is you.”

“Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha..." The redhead girl laughed mockingly. “Your husband? You disgust him, Samay. Just so you know what your place is, Daniel and I have been a couple since before he "pretended" to you. Who do you think he sleeps with all night? Samay, Daniel would never touch you as he does me, he and I are in love, my man married you to secure our future.”

“That's not true, you're a liar!” Sam couldn't stop the tears, her hands were shaking and her chest hurt.

“Respect me! The only liar here is you,” Barbara grabbed her by the hair and Sam did the same. They both screamed while pulled hard.

“What the hell is going on here?!” Daniel stormed in. “What the hell is this bloody racket!” They both broke apart in terror at the loud, thick voice.

“Your little woman is disrespecting me, she doesn't know her place,” The redhead woman accused.

“Explain yourself Samay!” he looked at her with reproach in his eyes.

“This woman entered my room without permission, insulted me, and attacked me. If you only knew the stupid things she said, Daniel," her voice came out shrill from crying. “She dared to offend you by saying that you and she were a couple and that you married me for money. How dare she say such an outrageous thing?” She covered her face with both hands.

His cold stare and her cousin's triumphant expression caused bitterness in her chest.

“Barbara, get out of here!” he ordered with a cold tone, but she came out with a smile on her face.

“She's lying, isn't she?” Sam approached when they were alone in the room. “You didn't marry me for money, you didn't sleep with my cousin!” She was raising her voice with every sentence and her hazel eyes were full of tears and fury. “Speak up, Daniel! You're not a fucking lout!”

A slap interrupted her claim and she fell to the ground from the force with which she was hit. Daniel squatted on top of her and continued to strike furiously and mercilessly, ignoring her cries and pleas.

“Why?” She cried out in despair and he smiled a twisted smile.

“I can't stand you. You're the typical spoiled child who has everything, while I never had anything. I had to go hungry and deprived, thanks to guys like your father. Rich men who take advantage of their maids, impregnate them and leave them to their fate. Since I never found the bastard who raped my mother and gave her money to shut up and disappear, I sought my revenge on someone else. I hate you, Samay. I hate all your kind and I warn you: Barbara is my wife and she is free to do whatever she wants in this house. You have nothing here, so just do what we tell you and don't do anything else stupid.”

Daniel left the room, slamming the door behind him.

“Dad!” Sam cried inconsolably. She was all alone and helpless in the midst of those vultures. How could they dare to do that to her? How could she be so stupid and fall into their trap? She was in love with him, she was so happy when they got engaged. She had dreamed so much of their wedding, of their first kiss and their first night together, of their first child. She had always dreamed of having a beautiful family, of being able to be that mother she never had; but her dreams were shattered, she could no longer have children because she simply didn't have a husband, even if she was married.

Sam woke up with a jolt and took several breaths to avoid having another crisis. She didn't want to intrude on anyone, least of all Arthur, it wasn't right for him to come out of the comfort of his bed to lie next to her. She couldn't deny that she wanted his company with all her might, but it wasn't right, his girlfriend was going to visit him the next day and she shouldn't give reasons for gossip and misunderstandings.

(...)

The morning was beautiful and the sky was clear with a bright sun. The dew was still on the flowers and touching the droplets was pleasant. Early in the morning, the farm was bustling as the workers prepared the place for Miss Ben's visit, what none of them imagined was that this guest would soon be Arthur's fiancée.

“You look very strange today, Sam,” Anabela stood next to her. Sam was sitting on a bench in front of one of the back gardens, admiring the rose bushes.

“I just don't want to be in the way," she replied crestfallen.

“Why would you get in the way? Sometimes you come up with things,” Anabela shook her head in amusement. “By the way, I love how you and Arthur get along, I always wondered what it would be like to see Arthur in love and with a partner, I'm actually very happy that it's you.”

Sam felt a pang in her chest that choked her, she fought back tears and cleared her throat.

“You imagine things, Arthur is not in love with me nor will I be his mate.”

“I don't understand why you deny it if it's so obvious. You even kissed and everything.

“What?!” Sam started shaking. How did she know about that?

“Calm down, Sam. I'll keep it a secret, and don't worry about Raul, I threatened him so he won't keep spreading the gossip.”

“That brat!” Sam bumped her forehead, shocked and nervous. If that gossip got out, Arthur's reputation would be tarnished.

“Don't worry, we'll keep it a secret," Anabela bumped her shoulder, got up, and walked away.

“She's beautiful!” Sam almost jumped with fright.

“Samuel, you scared me!” Sam reproached, placing her hand on her chest. “How long have you been there?”

“Since the kissing part, but don't worry, I'll keep it a secret too.”

Sam put her fingers on her temple.

“Apparently, everyone will keep a secret that isn't a secret anymore,” she snorted. Samuel stood watching as her veil lifted a little with the action.

“You should make your love affairs public, besides you should watch out for your man, there are many maids and society ladies who have their eye on him.”

“For the umpteenth time, Arthur and I are just friends! Today you all will realize that,” she covered her face with her hand for having spoken too much.

“What do you mean?” The big guy asked, intrigued.

“Forget it! You'd better explain to me why you don't apply your advice. You send others to have affairs when you are crazy about Anabela and you do nothing,” she confronted him. He sat down beside her, crestfallen.

“It's very obvious,” he looked at her with those intimidating brown eyes. “Anabela studied and although she is the daughter of a maid, her circle of friends was the same as Arthur's, she even works as the boss's assistant. She was going to marry a professional from an important family because she has always liked elegant and educated men, I am everything but that," he lamented.

“You're a good man. You should at least try, who knows, maybe she'll like you.”

He laughed ungraciously and shook his head in disbelief.

The morning went fast and the maids were running around like mad. Sam decided to help Nidia in the kitchen, as Arthur's guest would soon be arriving and lunch had to be ready in time.

An hour after she was lending a hand to Nidia and the others, Arthur entered the kitchen and motioned for Sam to follow him. She obeyed and he directed her into his study.

When they were seated, he cleared his throat to speak.

“Sam, soon the Ben family will be arriving and you know they will be having lunch with us..., needless to say, you are invited; however, you are not obligated... Damn it! I don't know what I should do or how to handle this matter. I'm very fond of you, you're my friend and—”

“Arthur…” she interrupted him. “I'll be there to support you and avoid misunderstandings. Don't worry about me, I'm fine. If you don't want me at lunch I understand and I have no problem with having lunch in the kitchen.”

“No, don't misunderstand me, please,” he looked at her with a pleading look in his eyes. “I don't want this to get to you, the other night you…”

“Forget whatever I said. I felt vulnerable and spoke without thinking, so much so that I don't even remember what I said. I just won't be at lunch if you don't want me to.”

“It would look strange if my guest didn't come to the table for lunch, it would come across as rude," he reasoned.

“Then I'll be there with you. We are friends, aren't we? You've done so much for me, it's the least I can do for you.”

“Thank you, I…” he didn't continue. He looked into her eyes with intensity, his dark orbs scrutinizing her with regret and love at the same time.

“You don't have to thank me,” she smiled at him and he smiled back.