By the time Chandra woke in the morning, her sisters had left for work. Alone in the apartment, she went about her routine. She had breakfast, showered, and then settled down to writing her book. By lunchtime, she had a couple chapters done, which pleased her immensely. It was after lunch and she was just starting her digital art for her cover, this one of a Garuda, when she remembered Lilly and the books.
“Damn! I forgot,” she muttered. But then again, she reminded herself she couldn’t possibly go now since she didn’t have the car. Thus, she’d have to wait until her sisters returned from work. Luckily, she didn’t have to wait long because half an hour later she heard a loud argument from across the hallway and knew Dara and Soriya were home.
She headed out the door and folded her arms across her chest as her sisters came her way.
“You two are fighting again,” she stated.
Soriya looked heavenward. “It’s Dara’s fault. I didn’t start the argument. She did. I don’t know what the heck is wrong with her today.”
“Right,” Chan said. “And why are you guys home so early? It’s not even five yet.” In fact, it was only just after two in the afternoon.
Dara stalked off into the living area and straight to the kitchen. “I officially hate my job,” she announced as she retrieved some aspirin from the cupboard.
“So that’s what’s wrong with her,” Soriya said, rolling her eyes.
“Is that why you decided to come home early?” Chan asked, taking a seat on the couch.
“No.” Dara then popped two pills into her mouth and took a long drink of cold water. When she finished, she continued. “I’m taking a half day because I have a horrible headache.”
Chan and Soriya looked at each other, concerned.
“Is your headache serious?” Chan asked. “Want to go and see a doctor or something? I’ll drive you.”
Dara shook her head. “It’s not serious. I should feel better after some rest.” She came back into the living area, sighed deeply, and then said, “I just found out the silver Ferrari dude is my boss, Noah Cooper.”
Chan was expressionless, while Soriya widened her eyes in shock.
Soriya said, “You mean the hot Ferrari dude you drove our car into only a few weeks ago is your boss, boss?”
Dara sighed. “Yes. He is my boss, boss, as in the Cooper of Cooper & Hunter, as in the bigger of the share of the company, as in the seventy-percent half.”
“Oh my God!” Soriya exclaimed. “You’re so screwed!”
Dara rolled her eyes. “Tell me about it.” She placed the empty glass down and then headed to the door. “I’m going to lie down for a bit now.”
“Take care of yourself, Dara,” Chan said. “Your job is stressful enough as it is.”
“Yes, I know,” Dara replied, rubbing her temple.
“The headache must be from the unfortunate news, I suppose,” Soriya teased, referring to the silver Ferrari dude.
Dara gave her sister a death glare before disappearing from sight.
Chan said, “And what about you? Why are you home early?”
“I met her on the lift, believe it or not.” Soriya began. “She was already in a foul mood. Anyway, I got permission to continue my project at home. Right. Better go up and continue with that project.” She shot up and headed to the door.
Before Soriya was gone, Chan said loudly, “I’m going out for a bit.”
Instantly, Soriya volleyed back into the room and asked, “Where?”
Chan shook her head, knowing her sister wanted to accompany her.
“You’ve got an important project, sweetheart. I’m just going to drop off some strawberries and books for Lilly.”
Soriya smiled. “Aww, that’s so sweet. Well, have fun.” Then she was gone.
Chan went back to her office and got the books. Once she had the strawberries nicely packed into two containers, she grabbed her bag and keys and then headed out the door.
She arrived at the Harringtons’ mansion half an hour later. Even though traffic was impossible at this time of the day, she was in a good mood. She knew Sam and Lilly were going to love the strawberries and, of course, the books. Then she thought they’d be delicious with pancakes. The idea made her lick her lips. Not just for any pancakes, but for Sam’s pancakes. And yes, Sam’s kiss as well.
Then she wondered if he was home. Of course not! It was a weekday. He’d be at work in his office back at The Harrington.
Grabbing her bag, the books, and the containers of strawberries, she headed out and then locked the car. She rushed across the street and up the driveway toward the mansion. She was at the door a moment later and rang the bell.
It wasn’t long before Marian opened the door with a pleasantly surprised look on her face. “Chan, good God, come on in,” she said. “And what are those in your arms?”
Chan chuckled. “Some strawberries. My sisters and I went to visit Grandma Su yesterday. She has an abundance of strawberries, and I thought Lilly, Sam, and you would like some. There’s a box for the Harringtons and a box for you and your family.”
Marian smiled with delight. “Oh, Chan, you’re such a dear.” She took the two boxes Chan offered, and they both went into the kitchen area.
Halfway, Marian couldn’t help herself and opened one of the containers. When she saw the plump, bright-red fruits, she took one. She popped it into her mouth and gushed with delight. “Oh, Chan, they’re so sweet.”
“Aren’t they delicious?” Chan said.
“Yes, they are,” Marian commented.
“Oh, and I have these for Lilly.” Chan showed Marian the books.
“Wow,” Marian said. “Why don’t you drop them off in Sam’s office?”
“I was just thinking of dropping them off in Lilly’s room,” Chan said, turning her attention toward the stairs.
Marian shook her head. “No. No. Sam’s office. Up on the second floor. You can’t miss it.” She even nudged Chan toward the stairs. “Go on. It’s the last door along the corridor.”
Chan nodded and then headed that way, wondering why Marian was so adamant she drop the books off in Sam’s office. Not to mention the fact she hadn’t been there before and wondered if she’d find the right room.
On the second floor, she noted there were five doors, three to the left and two to the right. She wondered which of the last two, the left or the right, was Sam’s office. Her chances were fifty-fifty. Thus, she headed toward the one on the right and opened the door slightly. Inside, she noted formal couches, chairs, furniture, and antique furnishing and art. It must have been one of those formal lounges. Closing the door again, she headed to the door to the left side of the corridor. She knew that particular room out of all the rooms on this floor would have the best view of both the beach and ocean beyond, as well as the street. Surely, Sam would choose that room for an office. She’d do the same.
Clutching the book against her chest with one hand, she touched the doorknob with her other. Knowing there was no one inside, she didn’t bother to knock and lightly and gently opened the door.
The moment she took a peek inside, her eyes widened in shocked at the sight she beheld.
The door swung open, and Chan dropped the books to the floor, drawing the attention of the two people inside.
Sam and Nina were on the couch. Nina was on top of Sam, kissing the man. So shocked at the scene she beheld before her, Chan just stood there and stared, her eyes wide as tears began to brew.
The moment the thud was heard, Sam pushed Nina back in frustration. When he moved his eyes to the door, he sucked in his breath and felt as though his world had shattered. The look on Chan’s face made him sick to his stomach.
He rushed off the couch in an instant and came to her. The moment he was close to her, Chan hastily took a few steps back and said shakily, “Sorry… I didn’t know. Sorry, I… I bothered you.”
She bent down and picked up the book as Nina said, “So you should be. Have you ever heard of knocking?”
Chan shif
ted her gaze to Nina, her eyes dark with disappointment, anger, and frustration. Her insides felt cold, and she was pissed. Nina at that moment reminded her of Lisa and Amie. The woman reminded Chan once again who and what she’d been, a girl who would always be at the mercy of other people, of other women who had the power and influence to mistreat her and look down on her, to bully her, physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Chan felt sick to her stomach.
Hastily, she returned her attention to Sam and gave him the books. She said, her voice weak and shaky, “These are for Lilly.”
Sam noted the paleness of Chan’s complexion and the tears in her eyes. He said, concerned, feeling the need to explain, “Chan, it’s not what it seems.”
Chan swallowed hard at his statement. “Yes. I understand. I shouldn’t have been so stupid. It was so clear all along, wasn’t it?” She gazed up at him, shaking her head in disbelief.
She’d known all along Sam and Nina were kind of an item. They were always together, weren’t they? That Sunday at StarFish Café, they went out as a family for lunch, again at The Twilight for dinner, and the woman had also been the one who’d organized Lilly’s birthday party. It had always been so obvious, yet why did Chan disregard it as nothing? Because deep down, she’d hoped it wasn’t true. Deep down, she’d hoped she’d have a chance with this wonderfully kind, handsome man. Deep down, she was in love with him. Had loved him, in fact, since that first day she’d kind of met him at the Thursday market.
So far, she’d been so naive and stupid, wishing and praying for what could never be, placing a blindfold on herself and giving herself false hope. Now the blindfold was released, finally revealing to her the real, hard truth like a splash of ice-cold water, waking her from her dream.
Why? Had she been too lonely for too long? She was sick with herself.
“I’m sorry I bothered you two,” she said, glancing away. With that, she turned on her heel and headed toward the stairs.
Sam went after her. “Chan,” he called out. “Chan.” He caught her by the wrist and pulled her into his arms. “It’s not what it seems. What you saw—”
She cut him short. “What I saw was you two kissing.”
Yes, she was hurt. Yes, she was fragile. And yes, she was human. Even if she knew it wasn’t his fault. Even she knew it was her own fault for having such high expectations of what could become of them, she couldn’t help but put the blame on him.
“Do you do that all the time, Sam? I understand you’ve been wifeless for three years. I understand you’re lonely. But at least have the decency to tell me it’s only a fling between us. I don’t want to be your plaything, Sam. My previous life was shit enough. I don’t want any more of that.”
“Chan,” Sam said pleadingly. “Sweetheart.”
The word sweetheart riled Chan. She swung her hand wide and slapped him on the face. She was shaking hard once she realized what she’d done. Oh God! She’d just slapped Sam. She wasn’t different from Dave after all. She’d just slapped another human being, an innocent person, because of her own frustration and anger. She was sick!
The word sweetheart and the way he said it reminded her of Dave when he’d seduced her. It reminded her of her dark secret, of the years being molested, of the deep hurt and the dark fear residing within her being. That was why she couldn’t control herself. That was why she’d become who she was… A sick woman.
“Please stop,” she said, her voice shaky, tears flowing down her cheeks. “I’m not your sweetheart. I’m no one’s sweetheart. Don’t come near me, Sam.” She took a step back. “Just don’t.”
With that, she turned on her heel and ran down the stairs, tears blinding her.
* * * * *
CHAPTER 35