Sarah busied herself at work so she wouldn't think about Damien. She looked at the clock: one more hour and Damien would come to pick her up... She was nervous... She missed him tremendously, but she was still hurt and disappointed by his silence and lies. "He'd better tell me everything today... I'll give him a chance to explain..."
Then her manager, Kate, showed up and said, "Good work, everybody! Our client, Mrs. Kegan, is happy with our designs, and she told me you all deserve praise. She also sent some gifts, so you can take them." She showed them a large bag and placed it on the desk. Everyone ran hurriedly except for Sarah. Kate came over and said, "Sarah, aren't you going to take your gift from the basket?" Sarah shook her head and said, "No need." Kate saw that something was bothering her, so she offered, "If you want to talk about your troubles, you can always come to me, Sarah." Sarah nodded and thanked her.
When Sarah finished her work and exited the building, Johnny was already waiting for her. "I'm here to pick you up, Miss Walker," he said.
Sarah: Is Damien in the car?
Johnny: Just me as usual, here to take you home.
"No need, Johnny," Sarah replied, smiling. "Damien told me to wait for him; he should be here soon."
"Oh!" he exclaimed, surprised. "Alright then. I'll go do some work." Johnny smiled and waved as he left.
Sarah waited for half an hour. Damien didn't show up, but she wasn't surprised. She knew work often delayed him, so she remained patient. Another hour passed. Standing on the side of the road, her recovered leg began to ache. She sent a text: "I'm waiting," followed by another: "I'm still waiting for you. When will you arrive?" Two hours passed. Frustrated and tired, she reached for her phone to call a cab, but the battery had died again, so she started walking.
A car stopped beside her, and the window rolled down to reveal Sam's face. "Need a ride?" he asked.
"Sam! What are you doing here?" Sarah asked, her face lighting up.
"I had a last-minute meeting in the neighbourhood. I wrapped it up, and while heading home, I noticed a familiar figure in the distance. I thought, 'It can't be,' but it's a nice surprise. By the way, shouldn't I be asking you the same question... What are you doing here?"
"I work nearby," she explained.
Sam got out of the car and opened the passenger door for her with a flourish. "My queen, please sit in my carriage." He was clearly trying to make her laugh, and he succeeded.
Sarah got in, and Sam walked around to the driver's side. He looked at her and shook his head in mock disapproval. He then leaned toward her, and she instinctively flinched, but he was only reaching for her seatbelt. "I can't drive if you're not safe," he said, fastening it. Sarah's cheeks turned a light pink, and she thanked him shyly.
He then leaned back, smiling, and asked, "How have you been? I haven't seen you in a while."
Sarah rolled her eyes at him. "My life's been a rollercoaster recently... By the way, I texted you to say goodbye, but you never responded."
Sam: "I had to go abroad suddenly due to work, and my phone got stolen, so I lost your number. Back at the hospital, your doctor told me you left, and all my hopes to see you again were lost..." He placed a hand on his chest dramatically...
Sarah couldn't resist but laugh.
As he started driving, he asked, "Where were you heading to?"
She gave him Matilda's address, and he smiled. "Where do you work, by the way?" he asked.
"The Sterling Designs."
"Oh, that's a great company."
"Mmm-hmm," she hummed.
He took his new phone out of his pocket and gave it to her, saying, "Before I forget, here. Type in your number. I don't want to be mourning our friendship for the second time," he said in such a casual and comical tone that it instantly brightened Sarah's day.
She rolled her eyes at him and said, "Give me your phone." She typed in her number and returned it to him. She then added, "Be careful not to lose my number again; I won't be giving you my number the third time." Sam said, "Yes, my queen! This humble servant will remember."
Sarah's stomach rumbled audibly. Sam then said, "Before I drop you off, how about we grab lunch? I don't know about you," he looked down at her stomach, smiled, and finished, "but I'm starving."
Sarah knew what he was doing, so she nodded and said, "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse." Sam laughed.
He parked the car in front of a famous wedding venue, and they entered a restaurant right next to it. They sat down, and the host came over to give them the menu. After giving them some time to choose, she returned.
"Sir, madam, have you made up your mind?" the hostess asked.
"I'll take the steak, medium rare, and a bottle of your best red wine," Sam said. "The lady said she will have a horse, but she didn't specify the breed, so you can pick one for her."
The hostess looked at them, confused, but both Sarah and Sam started laughing. Sarah then said, "Please forgive him; he likes to joke. I'll take a Caesar salad." The hostess left.
"Caesar salad?" Sam asked. "Didn't you say you're so hungry you could eat a horse?"
"I still have to eat when I get home, otherwise Aunt Matilda will be offended." Sam nodded with understanding.
Sam: You live with your aunt?
Sarah: Well, she's not my actual aunt; she's my... My... She struggled to find the words...
Sam watched her, remaining quiet...
Sarah continued... "My late fiancé's mom."
Sam nodded. He didn't press her with questions, preferring for her to share her life with him little by little, step by step. Sarah appreciated how considerate he was.
As they sat, chatted, and ate, Sarah saw Damien walk into the restaurant with his grandfather and two women—one elderly and the other young and beautiful. He was carrying what was clearly a dress wrapped in a protective fabric. The younger woman, Penelope, tugged at his hand, looking at him adoringly. The irony of all this... I waited like a fool in front of the company for hours while he went shopping with his fiancée. I, Sarah Walker, am such an idiot to trust that man, she thought.
Sarah's eyes followed them. Sam noticed but said nothing, instead cracking jokes to make her smile. He felt bad that she had to witness this scene—and for bringing her here—but he didn't want her to be with Damien. In his eyes, Damien was a coward for not standing up to his grandfather and following his heart. Sam knew they'd go dress shopping and take pictures today, but he didn't know they'd come to the restaurant afterward. He had brought Sarah here on purpose, hoping she would witness this scene and leave Damien, but it turned out to be a painful moment for Sarah, and he instantly regretted it.
Sarah told him she was full and they left the restaurant.