In the car, Sarah gave Sam another address, saying she needed to stop there to collect some things first, and Sam dropped her off. "I'll wait for you," Sam said.
"No need; I can take a cab from here."
"Don't be silly. I said I'd drive you home earlier, and you agreed. I'll wait for you here."
Sarah agreed, mostly because she had no choice. She went into the house and immediately went upstairs. She collected some of her clothes, put them in a bag, and headed out. Mrs. Blue saw her and said, "My dear, where have you been? Are you hungry?" Sarah hugged Mrs. Blue and said, "I just had lunch. Now I have to go, and please don't make dinner for me, Mrs. Blue; I won't be returning tonight." And she left.
Damien's Missed Chance
Meanwhile, Damien took the phone out of his pocket. It was on silent; he didn't remember putting it on silent. He hadn't even seen any of Sarah's calls and messages. He excused himself and went into the bathroom. He then called Sarah, but her phone was turned off. Next, he called Johnny.
"Yes, boss," Johnny said.
"Did you pick up Sarah from work today?"
"No. Umm, boss, didn't you tell Miss Walker that you'd pick her up from work today?"
Damien then remembered he had asked her to wait for him.
Johnny continued: "Miss Walker seemed happy. She didn't want to go home with me. She stayed there waiting for you."
Damien hung up and placed his head in his hands in desperation. She waited for me... Sarah, I'm sorry. I have failed you again.
He dialled Mrs. Blue's number, and she answered right away. "Yes, dear?"
"Is Sarah home?"
"She just arrived a minute ago, took some things, and left."
Damien: Do you know where she went?
Mrs. Blue: No, she didn't tell me.
Damien: Did she say what time she's going to return?
Mrs. Blue: She told me I shouldn't make dinner for her because she won't be returning home tonight."
Damien exhaled heavily.
"Is everything alright between you two kids?" Mrs. Blue asked, concerned.
"Thank you, Mrs. Blue. I won't be returning home either," and he hung up.
Was Sarah mad at him for not coming to pick her up when he asked her to wait? How long did she wait for? Where is she going to spend the night again?
Meanwhile, at the table, Penelope and her mother kept smiling at each other. Earlier that day, while Damien was trying on his suit, his blazer was on the couch outside, and the phone was ringing. Penelope took it and saw a missed call from Sarah and a message: "I'm waiting." A while later, another message arrived: "I'm still waiting." Penelope deleted the missed call and her messages. "This was too easy..." She smiled at herself proudly and returned the phone to his pocket. Damien remained unaware of her actions. When Damien returned to the table, they continued their conversation about tomorrow's official engagement announcement. Don was thrilled that things were going according to plan.
A memory played in his head... Thomas and Evelyn Wellington had come to his manor... Housekeeper Lee informed him, and he allowed them to be shown inside.
Thomas: Don, I hear you're not feeling well lately, so we came to visit.
Evelyn: We brought you some fruits and an old ginseng.
Don: This is such a lovely surprise, Thomas, Evelyn. Please sit.
After pleasant chatter, Thomas turned serious and said, "Don, do you remember when my grandfather helped you when you were on the verge of bankruptcy?
Don: Yes, those unpleasant days... He was the only one to offer a helping hand. That is the reason behind The Sterling Design's survival. Without your grandfather's help, the Sterling Empire would have collapsed. But you see, my Damien, over the years, he took it to a whole new level. Opening companies here and there, making a name for himself. I couldn't be more proud.
Thomas: Yes, Damien is an extraordinary man. And that's why Evelyn and I are here.
Don: Oh?
Thomas: You see, our Penelope is successful, intelligent, and beautiful. It's time for her to get married and start a family. But we can't allow just anyone to enter our family, and she has an interest in your grandson.
Don: Those are children's matters that we shouldn't get involved in too much.
Evelyn: Yes, you're absolutely right, Don, but we should give them a little nudge, don't you think? Thomas and I want to hold our grandchildren, and I'm sure you want to hold your great-grandchild soon.
Thomas then took out a piece of paper and spoke, "This is my grandfather's note. It has your signature on it. He gave it to me and said to show you this, and you will repay our family the favour you owe us. He also told me I could ask for anything."
Don took the note in his hand and nodded.
Thomas continued: I want a marriage alliance with the Starlings. I want Damien to marry my daughter.
The memory faded...
Don sat at the table dazed. Then Damien called him again, "Grandpa, are you alright?"
Don: I'm fine. Just thinking about the happy event.
Sam's Visit
Sam drove Sarah home. Matilda was plucking weeds outside and removing the dead leaves from her flower pots. Upon seeing the car and Sarah emerging from it, she saw a good-looking young man at the driver's seat. He saw her and said, "Good afternoon, Aunt Matilda." She replied, "Good afternoon," confused and curious.
"That's my friend Sam," Sarah said. "We met at the hospital."
"Sam, you say? Well, won't you invite Sam for a cup of tea?" Matilda asked.
Sam got out of the car, took Matilda's hands in his, and said, "It's nice to meet you, Auntie. I didn't bring anything now because I wasn't expecting to meet you, but next time I won't come empty-handed," with a sweet, childish expression on his face—a face not many could resist. It was a look Sam only had for two people in his life, and now Matilda was the third.
Mathilda: "Oh, don't be silly, my child. I don't need anything." She waved her hand, indicating for him to sit. "Please take a seat."
The two of them sat at the table...
Mathilda: I don't have a lot of guests, so please forgive me," she said, showing him her dirty gardening clothes. Sam smiled, saying, "Auntie, you would look beautiful in a sack, don't worry about it. I think your garden looks amazing."
Mathilda: Thank you, my dear; gardening brings me peace and joy." And she began telling him about the flowers she had planted that day...
Sarah brought them tea and poured it into cups. All three of them sat outside at the table chatting.
"Tell me about yourself, Sam," Matilda said. "I'd like to get to know my Sarah's friends."
"There's not much to say, Auntie. I grew up in an orphanage, got adopted by a rich family, run a company, and have good friends like you and Sarah. I'm pretty blessed."
Matilda smiled. There was something about this child that made it easy for people to like him.
"You grew up in an orphanage?" Sarah asked.
"Didn't I tell you? Never mind, it was a long time ago."
"Seems like we're more similar than I thought," Sarah said, a sad smile playing on her face.
After getting to know each other, Sam excused himself, thanked Matilda for her kindness, and left.
"This child is very likable," Matilda said.
"I guess he is," Sarah agreed. "As soon as I met him, I had this strange feeling of knowing him my whole life."
Mathilda: Maybe you met him before?
Sarah: Even if I did, it would be hard to remember... But if I did, he would have already told me that, wouldn't he?
Mathilda started laughing and said, "Yes, that boy is very outspoken and honest."
Sarah smiled while sipping her tea... She was thinking, "Yes, outspoken and honest... I thought the same about Damien..."