Chapter 6

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ALEX:

It's Chelsea's birthday today. I told her and my parents that I was going to bring her a birthday present. Chelsea squealed and asked me what it was, but I said it was a surprise. She jumped on me, saying,

"You're the best brother in the world! Thank you!"

I chuckled and looked over to my parents, who smiled. My mum was tearing up, hugging my dad, while dad slowly nodded his head. I hugged Chelsea and whispered in her ear,

"And you are the greatest sister in the world. Anything for you."

I kissed her head before leaving. I got on Spirit and looked back.

"Now go put on a dress to make you look more stunning," I said, and she giggled.

She was turning seven today, and she had the most beautiful physique I had ever seen—a sleek, long red hair, blue eyes just like mine. We both had the same eyes, but different hair colors. Mine was brown, unlike Sam's, who had sleek, long hair like my sister but blonde. She also had gold-colored eyes.

I was thinking about her again, but I bet she doesn't even want to see me after what I did to her. I thought as I left, heading to Sam's house. I said I was going to avoid her, but how can I do that when she is all I think about? Her beauty is amazing, and I wonder how she was able to come across a guy like me.

I'm going to make this right by her, and if she still hesitates, then I've gotten my answer.

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SAM:

It's been a month since I last saw Alex, and I was starting to wonder if he was ignoring me. But I told myself that I'd find out when he came to pick me up for Chelsea's birthday.

I had already picked out a dress for the occasion and had told my parents about it. They were okay with it, and my mum had asked me to fix whatever issues I had with Alex. I guess she must have noticed the tense atmosphere around us before Alex left. I nodded.

I was beside my mom in the kitchen, preparing lunch. Dad was sitting outside on the rocking chair. Mum was teaching me how to cook so that when I got to my husband's house, I wouldn't be a lazy wife to him.

I smiled at the thought of wife and husband, but only one person came to mind when I thought about my husband. I hope he's still not angry at me.

"Sam! Sam!!"

My mum's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. She looked at me, wearing a worried expression on her face.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded, not wanting to bother her with my silly love story—if I can call it that. She sensed that I was trying to hide it, so she told me to do a couple of things and then asked me to come sit beside her.

I sighed, knowing what was coming next.

"Sam, what's the problem? Ever since Alex came that day, you've been so downcast. And don't you try and tell me that it's nothing."

When I didn't reply, she added,

"Please…"

She held my hand. I couldn't do this to my mother—not while she loves me. So I told her everything.

After my confession, she smiled and said,

"Well, I think he really loves and cares about you. If not, he wouldn't do the things you claimed he did. Although I won't blame him if he gets upset with you. But what I will tell you is to fix things up with him before he loses interest in you."

Lose interest in me?

I froze at the thought. There are a lot of beautiful girls in our state, but we just met and fell in love with each other. If he loses interest in me, I don't think I can take it.

I looked at my mum and smiled, hugging her.

Just then, dad called me. As I stood up to leave, mum kissed me on the forehead and asked me to be careful. I nodded.

I got outside, and there he was—the guy I love. He was wearing a blue t-shirt and red jeans.

I stood there staring at him, and I could also feel his eyes on me. But then my dad cleared his throat, and he stopped staring.

He was climbing the stairs and passed me. His hands rubbed against mine, and I bit my lips, wondering how it would feel to have his whole body pressed against mine.

I saw him walking to meet my dad. He greeted him and whispered something into my dad's ear. My dad nodded and then looked over at me.

I was still wearing the apron I used in the kitchen.

"You should go and change your clothes. You have to go somewhere," dad said simply, but a thousand thoughts were racing through my mind.

Was it Chelsea's birthday today, or was Alex going to take me on another date?

I smiled at the thought and walked inside. I went to hug mum, telling her that Alex was here. She told me to go and change and not to keep the gentleman waiting.

I nodded, giving her the apron and racing upstairs to take a shower and prepare.

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ALEX:

I watched her run inside, so I thought she was still angry with me. But I just smiled.

She was wearing an apron, so I figured she must have come from the kitchen.

Sam's father called me, telling me to sit down beside him.

"I want to ask you a question, and I want you to be strictly honest with me," he said, looking at everything but my face.

I nodded. Was he angry with me too? I thought.

"Do you love my daughter?"

He looked straight into my eyes, and I gulped.

Of course, I loved her, but I just couldn't bring myself to say it.

"Of course, you're not sure yet since you're still figuring it out, but—"

He tried to continue, but I just couldn't keep it in anymore. I spilled,

"I do. I love your daughter, sir."

He smiled and said,

"That's good to know, because ever since your last visit, she hasn't been herself. I don't know what happened that day, but I'm sure you both will resolve it, right?"

"Yes, sir," I said simply, and he nodded.

He asked me to go and see his wife, and I stood up, thanking him.

I went inside the house and looked over at the couch Sam and I had cuddled on. I smiled and went to the kitchen, since that's where Sam had come from when her father called her.

I saw her mother preparing lunch. She looked over her shoulder and smiled.

"Oh, you're here. Welcome. I'm almost done, so why don't you stay for lunch before you leave?" she said.

But I didn't want to keep Chelsea waiting any longer.

"Thank you, but I promised my sister I would be back early," I replied.

She nodded and looked back down. I was instantly sad.

"But I promise to stay for dinner when Sam and I return," I said, and her face brightened up.

She nodded and whispered a thank you at me. I smiled, nodding my head before leaving the kitchen.

I didn't see Sam, so I supposed she was still preparing. I sat on the couch and waited.

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SAM:

I was done bathing. I picked out the dress I had selected and wore it, but I wasn't in a hurry.

I applied some makeup on my face and looked at myself in the mirror. I removed whatever would ruin my beauty.

I smiled and walked downstairs.

I saw him on the couch. He cuddled me once before.

I blushed just thinking about it.

I walked to him, feeling nervous. I tapped him, and he flinched, turning back.

He saw me, and our eyes locked. He tried to say something but couldn't bring himself to do it.

I smiled, and he stood up.

"Shall we?" he said.

I nodded, walking with him trailing behind.

We got outside, and Alex said something to my dad.

Mum came out, telling Alex to take good care of her daughter before we left.

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