Gahhh later than I wanted to update! x_x I'm so sorry!
Thanks MUCHLY again to everyone who left comments, faved, or followed this or anything else I wrote! :)
Disclaimer: CRESENTA IS STILL TRYING TO GET HER HANDS ON TS OWNERSHIP. ONE DAYYYY!
Sam took deep breaths trying her best to persuade her heart from jumping right out of her chest as it so badly wanted to right now.
Eyes wide, she backed away from the door as Scam kept pounding his fists on it asking to be let inside.
"Sam? Sammie? SAMANTHA!"
His imposing voice echoed in her ears refusing to die down even though it had been around five minutes since she'd slammed the door in his face. She'd hoped her paying him no mind would be all it took for him to turn right back around, hop into his car, and take a hike but unfortunately it didn't look like things were going to go quite so smoothly for her.
"He's not going to go away ... is he?" She asked herself before letting out a sigh from deep in her lungs and shaking her head as she realized she'd been stupid to think so in the first place. This wasn't just some random bozo, this was Tim freaking Scam. He wasn't going to just leave without getting answers. He always finished things and they had unfinished business between them thanks to that kiss she'd regrettably shared with him two nights ago.
She could slap herself for that right now, just raise her hand and smack herself right across the face for letting him do that to her. All because of her lack of judgement and her momentary lapse in self control, she'd opened up to him that night. She'd told him things about herself that a person should never tell their enemy and did things with him that a woman should never do with a man if she wasn't looking to get his attention.
And worst of all? She closed her eyes pained and covered her face with her hands as she cursed at herself harshly for her misstep.
She'd invited him back into her life. And thanks to her foolishness, here he was now as a result of that mistake asking her to let him in some more.
But it wasn't about to happen, she vowed determinedly. She'd let him get all that he was going to get of her for this lifetime and she had no interest whatsoever in surrendering more of herself to him that that.
Shooting one last hot glare at the door where Scam was still ceaselessly banging, Sam tiptoed around her flat not to be heard by him as she quickly gathered up her things. She put on her jacket, picked up the bag with Kelsey's wedding gown in it and her purse before sneaking out of the back door.
Once outside, she very quietly shut the door behind her making sure to only let go of the doorknob when it was fully closed to prevent it from making the loud, shrieking sound it normally did when released because of it being so old and janky much like the rest of her rundown place.
Letting out a breath of relief when she heard the knocking softly continuing behind her, she took a second to draw the hood of her purple coat up to hide her face as she walked towards the destination of her first errand.
Hopefully her door would hold up to Scam's battering until he tired himself out and gave up and if not, then soon enough her landlord (who was nosey to say the least and made sure to walk past the property at least once a day) would definitely call the police on him if he didn't leave in peace.
In either case he should be long gone by the time she got home after her last shift when Clover would drop Josie off. Under no circumstances did she want her daughter to meet Scam. She feared if she saw him hanging around then she'd get the wrong idea seeing as she never allowed any guy to get anywhere near their home.
The last thing she needed was Josie thinking that Tim Scam of all men was her dad or something.
Confident that that would never be due to how she was handling the situation, she slipped away never noticing how right after she jumped the chain fence and landed on the other side that there were eyes now keenly watching her.
Tim Scam's eyes.
He couldn't help but be impressed as he witnessed Samantha Simpson scale that tall gate with so much ease and grace, displaying a remnant of the super spy she once used to be. And it seemed that just like back then, she was looking to make his life harder than it had to be.
Watching her move with confidence, with a swagger in her step as though she truly did think she'd never be seeing him again after this, he was left amused because the Sam he used to know would have known better. Much better.
But it was all good, he thought smirking to himself as he coolly strolled to where his black Lamborghini Veneno Roadster was parked, taking up most of the cramped street that her small abode was located in. He'd anticipated something like this happening knowing her as well as he did to be stubborn as hell, so he'd come prepared. His schedule for today was absolutely clear save for one task and one task alone:
Talking to Samantha.
His smirk widened on his lips as he buckled himself in, pulled up the tinted windows, and started up his car stealthily following the unsuspecting redhead as she went about her day.
And he wouldn't be leaving her alone ... until he did.
Sam couldn't suppress her smile as she sat in Kelsey's house, in her living room sipping an espresso and munching on the yummy Snickerdoodles she'd been offered in polite greeting as the soon-to-be bride opened up the package she'd brought her and practically squealed in awe at the dress she was now holding in her hands. The same she'd be wearing as she walked down the altar in just 6 days time and became Mrs. Abbott.
"Oh my ... Oh my goodness! This is absolutely gorgeous!" Kelsey exclaimed as she held it up to her own body and marvelled at it endlessly with her jaw on the floor.
"I'm so glad you like it!" Sam beamed as she watched Kelsey study every inch of the gown with her hazel eyes wide while she flooded her with compliments over and over again about her craftsmanship.
"Gosh, you have got to be some kind of magician to be able to make a garment this detailed and exquisite all by yourself!"
"You must come from a family of talented tailors and seamstresses to have this much skill in your fingers Sam!"
"Seriously! Your work could easily rival Luxe! Maybe even Vera Wang! Oscar de la Renta! Reem Acra!"
She stayed there for another ten minutes listening to the heart-warming praise even though had it been her choice, she'd stay for much longer. Few things brought her as much genuine joy and pride anymore as anyone complimenting her handiwork; the one thing she felt she was still any good at.
But alas her rent had to be paid and if she wanted to make the payment before she was given another threatening warning about the very real risk of being evicted for being late or not paying again, she'd have to leave now.
"I'm so happy you're satisfied with the finished product," Sam said as she put her now empty cup on the coffee table and rose from the couch with a grateful smile on her face. "Thank you so much for commissioning me Kelsey I … I appreciate it more than words."
She took a deep breath in then, always feeling like a bit of a nag and annoyance for asking her few customers to do this for her.
But her desire to provide better for her little girl made her swallow her pride quickly. Twiddling her fingers a little, she bit her cheek getting up her nerve before reminding Kelsey of the promise she'd made to her.
"You'll um ... you'll remember to tell people about me right?"
Thankfully Kelsey was understanding and smiled back at her. "Oh don't you worry about that!" She assured her. "I'm calling over my sister and bridesmaids in a half hour. There will be much talk about the fabulous dress you made for me and by the time my wedding is over? I'll wager that you'll be looking at least a couple of new orders."
Sam's smile widened in gratitude for her support and even more when Kelsey handed her a brown paper bag which contained five Snickerdoodle cookies. She must have seen how she'd only eaten one of the two cookies she'd given her, placing one in her pocket for Josie whose favourite cookies just so happened to be Snickerdoodles.
Raising her arms she hugged Kelsey for her kindness for a long minute before saying goodbye and finally parting ways.
Tucking Josie's treat in her purse for later tonight Sam took a second to sift through her purse and confirm she had the white envelope with the correct cash amount for her householder before moving to go again. She counted the bills carefully before zipping up her bag and descending down the porch steps onto the sidewalk.
Only to freeze in place when she thought she saw something or rather someone familiar lurking nearby.
Her head whipped to her left, her eyes narrowing directly at the tall, bushy White Alder tree behind which she'd thought she'd seen a tall, dark, handsome not stranger.
Her breath got caught in her lungs with a sharp hitch as dread started to fill her. Scam ... he couldn't be following her around right? She didn't want to believe that he'd go that far.
Deciding not to panic until she absolutely had reason to do so, slowly she forced herself to calm down. When she'd regained her composure she focused on the tree to see any movement to indicate anyone's presence there. But after a full five minutes of staring at it so hard that her pupils stung she let it go.
It must have been her imagination telling her that he was there. She was just paranoid, just on edge that was all.
Checking her watch she gulped when she realized she was now actually starting to run late. Without wasting any more precious time she sped off towards her next errand entirely missing the flashy car that stuck out like a sore thumb among the other much smaller, much more weathered vehicles parked along the quiet street.
The very same that took off the precise minute that she did.
"Ah Samantha. I was beginning to think you'd finally failed to come up with your rent."
Her landlady's son, Jared jabbed at her not so subtly while giving her the stink eye as he needlessly counted the money she'd handed him no less than three times, even going as far as checking the bills to make sure they were legit and not counterfeit right in front of her face.
But Sam controlled her urge to react with anger to his insulting behaviour towards her. She knew that his mother had been hoping that this was the month when at long last she could kick her out and find herself a far more reliable tenant. She'd managed to foil those plans so this kind of sour treatment was exactly what she'd expected coming here today.
Grinning and bearing the rudeness just like a responsible adult, just like always, she didn't utter a single word to defend herself and kept her mouth shut.
It wasn't like she didn't want to say something; oh she definitely did! More than anything she'd love to shove the key to this lady's ratty flat up her ass and shout that she needed to learn a thing or two about respect but she was more than aware that sadly she needed the roof over her and her baby's head. That kind of altercation would give Mrs. Ruth Ainsley just the excuse that she'd been itching for to send her packing.
So she simply nodded, swore to pay up again next month before the deadline even while having absolutely zero clue if she'd even be able to, and swiftly exited before her anxiety made her have a nervous breakdown right then and there.
As she left she vowed to herself that if by some miracle she ever did come by a better paying job or somehow won the lottery that she currently could not afford to buy even a one dollar Scratchcard of, the first thing she'd be doing would be moving into a more pleasant and peaceful living situation where she wouldn't have to walk around on eggshells for fear of being tossed out at any given second.
She was in the process of making the five minute walk to the nearest bus station when she had to break into a mad sprint as the bus arrived there before she did.
Bursting through the doors just before they closed, too busy panting to catch her breath as she paid her fare with shaking fingers and took a seat after securing her purse in between her feet on the floor, Sam never noticed that the same expensive car that had been popping up all morning was now tailing behind her bus as it left the stop.
Ringing up the next person in the small line of two at the convenience store, Sam carefully began placing the skim milk, frozen pizza, bread and toilet paper they'd purchased into a plastic bag.
She was almost finished when a small hand which belonged to the customer's 6-year-old daughter meekly placed a Twix bar in front of her before glancing up at her papa with a hopeful, childish grin.
It only took him three seconds to smile back at her and ruffle her hair before he gave Sam a silent not to say that he'd like to buy that as well.
Adding it to his total and slipping it into the bag with the other items, Sam battled hard to keep her face blank not to give away her thoughts.
How she wished that just like this father, she could make her child's impulsive whims come true on instant. Never would she have thought five years ago when she'd been blowing up money on designer clothes and VIP concert tickets, that one day she'd be longing to buy something as cheap as a chocolate bar and would be unable to. No wonder Mandy laughed at her.
Stifling her bitter smile at the pathetic joke her life had become, she made the customer's bill and thanked him for shopping with them today before moving onto the next person. They only had a pack of cigarettes they wanted to purchase so it only took a minute to make the transaction.
Once the store was empty again she decided to take a breather before she had to start stocking the shelves.
Moving to go to the small bathroom located in the back to pee before someone else came in, she was making her way there when she happened to glance out of the store window and stopped in her tracks.
There it stood again, the exact same grandiose and massive car right outside the store.
Her heartbeat soaring again she felt her stomach twisting inside itself as she couldn't take her eyes off it. Even though the windows were up and she couldn't see anything inside, she had a sinking feeling that a certain male was sitting inside of its air conditioned interior just ... watching her.
"Scam ... it's Scam!" Sam's brain kept telling her over and over and over again for two reasons.
One, he was shady enough to stalk someone being a vile criminal in the past. And two, who else could afford a car like that? It had to worth a couple of million dollars at the least being a goddamn Lamborghini and Scam was the only one who she knew had millions and a reason to follow her seeing she'd ignored him and all.
Still not wanting to deal with him, she didn't dare go outside and knock on that car's window to find out if her gut was right or not. Instead she ran as fast as she could into the restroom.
She stayed there for a good fifteen minutes before coming back out and praying that that car would be gone now. Luckily for her it was and she let out a long breath of relief as she resumed working while hoping that was the last she would see of that car and of its potential owner today.
Of course this was going to happen.
Sam growled in barely contained anger from her spot in the back kitchen as she stared at the man seated at one of the restaurant's tables with her face fuming and red from rage.
Tim Scam was sitting there looking oh so innocent as he sipped away at his sparkling water looking every bit like a businessman who'd spent the long day working in his office and now just wanted a nice meal to wind down with.
But she could see how every few seconds his eyes would dart around the place looking at any girl wearing the white blouse, black tights, and black skirt which was the uniform that waitresses wore here.
And she knew he wasn't doing that just to be a pervert and leer at women. No, he was looking for a particular female employee. He was searching ... for her.
She hadn't told him that she worked here that night they'd conversed nor the time of her shift which meant that the only way he could know to look for here was if he'd seen her come in with his own two eyes. Something he only could have done if he'd been following her around for hours.
To confirm her blaring suspicion that that was just how he'd spent his time since he'd arrived at her place early this morning, Sam looked out the glass bay windows at the parking lot and felt vindicated when she spotted the same matte black car there. She had her proof now; Scam had been stalking her.
It would be much too much of a coincidence at this point for him to just happen to be everywhere she'd been today. At Kelsey's house, her landlord's address, the supermarket where she'd gone grocery shopping, the convenience store she worked at and now the restaurant too? Sure it was a nice place and all but it wasn't on Scam's level. After all he could afford to eat at The Polo Lounge, Capo, Patina, the Providence for crying out loud! Why oh why would he come here then?
Because he wasn't here for dinner, he was here to harass her. Period. She shook her head in his direction feeling disgusted at his audacity to go this far.
So much for him having changed and become a "nice guy". What a load of steaming BS that had been! He was still his troublesome self looking to cause nothing but chaos and he'd chosen her as his target!
She had half a mind to storm right over and slap him again but stopped herself knowing she couldn't do that. She could not make a scene here. She was a waitress and easily replaceable. If she chased away a patron, especially a rich one who could spend a pretty penny, she'd be sacked on the spot.
But at the same time she really didn't want to give him what he wanted which was seeing her again. Yet she was the only waitress free at the moment and so it looked like Scam was finally going to get what he desired from her.
She groaned moving to head out to take his order and dreading having to do so only to halt when she heard an excited giggle from behind her. And from how high up it was on the perky metre, she knew it had to be none other than her least favourite co-worker Mia Costa.
"Oooh! He's a hottie, that one!" She quipped pointing right at Scam while practically drooling out of the side of her thirsty mouth. "He looks like a model!" She mused, batting her eyes in a moony manner. "No! A prince! A king!"
Sam couldn't keep herself from scoffing at the black, curly-haired woman. "Looks can be deceiving," she cautioned leaving Mia to reluctantly tear her eyes off of the man she was giving hungry looks to and look at her instead.
"You KNOW him?!" She asked pouting as if feeling jealous of that possibility.
Realizing her mistake in saying what she had, Sam bit her tongue hard as punishment before swiftly shaking her head no. "I don't but ... you can never really tell much about a guy by just how he looks, you know? You never know what's going on inside his head."
As she said those words of caution her mind drifted back to the first time she'd met Tim Scam and had similar thoughts about him as Mia was right now and to one other man that she'd incorrectly put up on a pedestal and had paid a hefty price for doing so before she came back to the present. Seeing how her co-worker was still making goo-goo eyes at him, she tried again to get her back down to the ground.
"I just don't get a good vibe off him Mia. He looks like he's after something."
"Probabllllllly a taste of our delicious, succulent Bistro Steaks with mustard, smashed potatoes, and spinach! We are famous for them!"
"What a cheerleader," Sam thought feeling her eye twitch at Mia's words. No wonder she was the boss' favourite worker. She was pulled from her private thoughts when she asked her if she was going to wait Scam's table or not.
Getting an idea, Sam gave Mia a big smile. "Nah, why don't you do it? Maybe you'll get his attention? I think you and him would make a verrrrry good couple."
That was all she had to say to have Mia practically marathon her way out of the back towards Scam to talk to him before someone else did.
And Sam smirked as she watched Scam's face fall automatically at the sight of the bubbly girl attempting to flirt with him. She clearly wasn't the one he'd wanted to come to his table and predictably just seconds later he made up some excuse, tucked in his chair, and left the restaurant in that same car that had been shadowing her all day.
"Finally!" Sam thought feeling triumphant at at last ridding herself of the nuisance that he was and not a moment too soon as she was just about to lose her mind. But it did finally look like he'd gotten the message through his thick skull that she didn't want anything to do with him and he would be leaving her alone now.
All she had to do was get through a few more hours and then she'd come home to no one other than her baby girl.
She smiled looking forward to spending time with Josie, her little ray of sunshine and hearing about how her day with her Auntie Clover had gone, giving her the cookies she had for her with some warm milk, and finally reading her a bedtime story before tucking her in to get the sleep she needed to be ready for kindergarten tomorrow.
A nice ending to an otherwise crappy day with just her and her little angel and not another soul.
Especially no Tim Scam.
"Here you go honey!" Clover called out cheerfully handing Josie her refilled bowl of ice cream.
She smiled as Josie raised her chubby arms and took the treat from her, settling it in her lap atop the fluffy blanket she was snuggled up under before she started to nibble on the scoops of the banana split sundae with heaps of multicolour sprinkles just how she liked it with the big wooden spoon she only brought out when Josie was over.
And her smile only became wider as she saw all the happiness on her favourite cutie pie's face. It made her so happy that she could help bring her some joy like this. She'd done her best to make this day as fun as possible.
They'd gone to the park to make up for her missing out on it yesterday, played hide-and-seek and catch there before taking a long walk along the nearby bridge to see the waterfall that Josie loved seeing so much. When they'd gotten back to her place she'd ordered lunch (pizza of course, Josie's favourite). Then fuelled up, the rest of the day had been spent doing whatever Josie had wanted to. Blanket forts, dressing up like princesses, arts and crafts, playing beauty salon just to name a few.
By the final hours of their day together they'd both become totally worn out and decided to binge on Disney movies ending with Josie's favourite which was coming to an end now: Walt Disney's Cinderella.
Watching Josie's happy face in the blue light that came off the television set, Clover admired how peaceful she looked and decided to wait till the very end of the film to ask her the question she had to. Now was the best time to do it since Sam wasn't around to interrupt as she usually did when it came to the matter of her wanting to spoil Josie.
Seeing Cinderella's wedding scene appear on the screen Clover left the room and returned just as the credits were rolling to Josie singing along in her adorable baby voice to the iconic "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" song. She let her finish the song before switching off the TV and turning towards Josie on the couch.
"Sooo ... did you have a good time today?"
"Did I ewer! I wuv you Auntie Clover!" Josie exclaimed joyously as she placed her small head into her chest and cuddled against her.
Clover stroked her red hair for a moment and told her that she was glad to hear that. She pulled back taking the empty bowl she was still holding onto and setting it on the coffee table before wiping off Josie's mouth with a slightly damp napkin to get rid of the sprinkles and syrup staining the edges of it.
"Now before I take you back home to mommy, there's something very, very important that I need help with. Something only you—"
She paused to poke Josie's small nose affectionately before going on. "Can help me with."
Immediately little Josie's eyes lit up like the moon that was hanging in the sky outside. "Oooh what it Auntie? I wuv to help out!"
Having her attention Clover finally told her what she needed from her. "Well your birthday is coming up in a month, the big number 5! Soooo..."
She reached behind her and pulled out the toy catalogue she'd hidden behind her back. Handing it to Josie she grinned. "What I need youuuuuu to do, is to put on your thinking cap and tell me which one of these you'd like as your gift from me!"
Opening up the pamphlet from one of the biggest toy stores in Los Angeles, Clover began pointing at various items. "Will it be a brand, new Barbie doll? Or..." Her finger landed on another toy. "Or maybe a Hatchimal? I hear those are totally in right now!"
She figured that would probably be what she ended up getting her. Sure they were a bit pricier than what Sam usually allowed her to get but she couldn't put a dollar amount on her niece's happiness. She'd handle Sam's objections later on, it wasn't like she wasn't used to tuning them out by now.
And besides being a birthday gift, Josie could even take it in for show-and-tell, something that despite her never saying it, she knew as well as Sam did that she had trouble with not having too many nice things to show off to her fellow classmates.
Hearing Josie shyly mutter that anything was okay and she really didn't have to get her something, Clover closed the brochure before raising Josie's chin to make sure she was looking her in the eye.
"Did mommy give you a lecture about accepting my gifts again?" She asked, giving the small redhead a knowing look.
Just a second later the glum look on her cute face confirmed that that was just what had happened.
"Aww sweetie; mommy doesn't mean it!" She promised, telling her not to worry so much before prodding her once more to please tell her what toy she'd like. "Come on, there's gotta be something you really, really want! Just tell me!"
Lowering her head again Josie twiddled her thumbs, a nervous habit she'd inherited from her mother before speaking again but so quietly that she could barely hear her.
"There something I weally, weally, wealllllly want but ... I think I should fowget about it."
"Why?" Clover asked only to have Josie let out a sigh too depressed for any four-year-old and whisper that what she wanted was impossible.
"Nothing's impossible pumpkin," Clover attempted to placate her but Josie stubbornly shook her head no before proceeding to explain why what she wanted truly was something she could never have.
"But it is Auntie! Ewey year when I bwow out the candles I aways ask fow it!"
She'd done so for as long as she could remember. When her mommy instructed her to make a wish, she always closed her eyes super tight, wiggled her nose, crossed her fingers, and asked for just one thing. Just one thing every, single time.
"But I newer ewer get it. Newer!" She frowned sadly with the frustration of many years in her exhausted tone.
"Tell me what it is," Clover urged hating to see her look so down. "Maybe I can make it happen for you," she suggested smiling at Josie who looked at her with wide eyes. Could her Auntie Clover really grant this wish of hers? She was her bestest friend in the universe and always did make sure she got what she wanted but you weren't supposed to tell anyone your deepest wish because it wouldn't come true then.
She stayed silent juggling if she should or not for a few before finally deciding to say it. This was her Auntie Clover and she always told her everything. Taking in a deep breath she made her confession.
"Auntie Clover, what I want mow than anythinggggg in the whole wide world, mow than any toy or game or dwess is ... daddy. I ... just want daddy."
Hearing her simple wish, Clover's heart crumbled inside her and as much as she struggled to hide her sorrow for the petite girl in front of her from her, Josie picked up on it and turned her head away with another miserable sigh.
"But it okay, I alweady know I'll newer ewer have daddy."
"Please don't say that Josie," Clover begged, patting her small shoulder lovingly and trying to cheer her up. "After all doesn't your favourite princess, Cinderella always say that you have to have faith in your dreams or they won't come true? Hmm? Doesn't she?"
At this Josie looked back at her again but still failed to smile as she mumbled, "It hard to have faith Auntie Clover when there no weason to have it anymoe."
Figuring out by now that this time words would not be enough to soothe her, Clover thought long and hard before realizing just what to do.
Sure it was brazen and all but eventually Josie was going to meet the man she believed was destined to be her father so why not do this? This would give her the hope she needed to not give up on having the family she'd always dreamt of, something she so desperately needed right now.
"And what if I showed you your daddy? Would that help you have faith?" Clover propositioned.
Josie's breath caught in her throat at those words and she looked at her aunt with her emerald eyes nearly jumping out of her sockets. Then she began to tug at her skirt impatiently. "You can do that Auntie? Weally? Can you wealllllly?"
Without another word Clover disappeared into her bedroom before coming back with her purse which still contained that magazine that she'd gotten from Scam's office that day. Flipping to the page she remembered featured a close-up of Tim Scam's face she smiled before handing it to the eagerly waiting child who was holding her breath in anticipation.
"Here you go darling. This ... is your daddy."
Josie reached for the magazine and the second her eyes fell on the photograph of the man before her, Clover watched how her expression turned into one of awe and wonder. The way she was looking at Scam, she'd never seen her, seen anyone look at anything, anyone with such longing, such pure affection.
She wouldn't even blink her eyes as she stared at him, taking her time to run her tiny fingertips over every inch of his image as if trying to reach him through it.
Soon she started to cry and sniffle clearly overwhelmed at what she was seeing after waiting for this much time.
Was he really her daddy? But he was so perfect?! Yet she couldn't ignore how much they resembled one another. He even had green eyes like she did! He just had to be her daddy!
"Is he weally my daddy?" She asked her trusty Auntie Clover again just to be one thousand percent sure.
But when she just nodded telling her that yes he really, really was, she let out a happy giggle before grinning as she brought the glossy paper right up to her face, her nose squishing against it as she gasped in glee.
"He wook just like Pwince Charming! My daddy is Pwince Charming! My daddy is Pwince Charming!" She started to shout over and over, giddy from the excitement that she could barely contain inside her small body.
She then proceeded to pelt Clover with questions upon questions about him.
"What he like?!"
"Where he live?!"
"When he come home?!"
Realizing that she'd opened Pandora's Box by doing this, Clover knew she had to calm Josie down before she told Sam about this and inadvertently ruined everything. There were only ten minutes now till they had to leave and she had to make it clear that this had to be between just the two of them for now.
"I promise you'll get all your answers soon honey but ... don't say anything to your mommy about him just yet okay? She um …. wants him to be a big surprise for you and if she found out that I told you about him she'll get really, really mad at me. You wouldn't want her to get mad at me right?"
Seeing Josie rigorously shake her head no that she would never want something terrible like that to happen, Clover smiled moving to take the magazine back from Josie and put it away only to have Josie cling onto it with all her might.
"Can I keep it Auntie Clover? I pwomise I won't show mommy!" Josie help up her pinkie to even pinkie swear that she wouldn't and try as she might, Clover couldn't deny her.
Neatly tearing out the picture for her to not damage it, she placed it inside one of the colouring books Josie had brought with her today before helping her put on her coat because it was time for them to make the journey back to Sam.
And as she locked up her place and from the corner of her eye she saw Josie hugging the colouring book with Scam's photo in it close to her heart, she found herself hoping that it really would be soon that she'd get to know him in person.
"Please God, just please..." Clover prayed as she took her small hand in hers and walked her outside to where they'd hail a cab. "Just let everything go to plan without any hiccups along the way. Let Josie finally experience what it's like to have a father..."
Sam smiled to herself breathing in the cool night air from the open car window as her co-worker Rebecca's car neared the street she lived on.
She was almost home.
Stifling a yawn into her hand she reflected on how the day had actually managed to salvage itself once Scam had vanished. She hadn't had to deal with any rude or obnoxious customers with ridiculous requests, had gotten a decent amount of generous tips from considerate patrons, and the restaurant, despite being busy again had closed on time even after clean-up duties allowing her to come home a full hour earlier than she was used to.
Now she just couldn't wait to finally relax. Kick off the uncomfortable black heels she wore, let down her hair from the tight bun it was in, and change into nothing but a loose t-shirt and fuzzy slippers.
"We're here!" Becky announced as she opened the doors for her. Thanking her friend for the drive she got out of her car and waved bye to her, watching until the gray Ford drove away completely.
Maybe one day if her luck would turn around and be kind to her, she'd have her own car again so she could get places without so much hassle.
She remembered those nights which seemed like a lifetime ago now when she'd take long, quiet drives with the wind tousling her long hair and the tune of a classic song she was too embarrassed to listen to in front of Clover and Alex playing softly in the background as she sailed along admiring the glittering lights of the city she called home.
So caught up in fantasizing about being able to drive again, Sam did a double take when she saw a car parked in front of her home. But it wasn't the emerald green Sports car she once used to have... it was a black Lamborghini Veneno Roadster.
And she couldn't believe her eyes when along with the car, she immediately recognized the tall, muscular man dressed in a black trench coat who was standing leaned elegantly against it, the screen of his Apple iPhone 11 Pro illuminating his handsome face as he scrolled through it looking bored as he waited.
"Unbelievable!" Sam whispered under her breath not believing the colossal gall that Tim Scam had to show up before her yet again.
Before she could stop herself she marched over to him, loudly stomping her feet on the gravel as she approached. She was sick and tired of him and wanted this, all of this, to end now. Her life was hard enough as is and she didn't need him to turn it into a living hell.
"YOU'VE BEEN STALKING ME!" Sam accused as soon as she reached him, hissing at Scam like a ferocious lioness protecting her territory that he'd dared crossed into without her permission.
He looked up from his phone and instead of apologizing or even looking the slightest bit sorry to see her looking so ticked off at his nonsense, he just shrugged his broad shoulders at her and actually smiled (rather charmingly if she was being honest) before speaking.
"Yes, I have been," He replied unashamed, unbothered.
Lost for words Sam just stared at him incredulously. She would have laughed if she wasn't so damn furious right now at the classic Tim Scam answer he'd given her. Blunt, brazen, and scandalous.
"What else am I supposed to do to get your attention Sam?" She heard him complain next and she finally found her voice at him attempting to justify his improper behaviour today by holding her responsible for it.
Putting her finger on her chin in mock thought she hummed to herself before answering him gingerly. "Oh I dunno. Hmm ... Maybe check your ego and realize that I don't want to give it you?"
Watching his pretty face scrunch up at that retort she went on enjoying poking holes into his enormous pride and getting some payback from him.
"Orrrr maybe realize that you're being a dick and total creep following me around like some serial killer?"
Scam sighed long and hard at the spin she was putting on this. Here he'd taken an entire day off his otherwise loaded timetable just for her, and this was the reward he was getting for it.
He shook his head, grumbling to himself because this was so not how he'd been hoping for their love story to begin; fighting again like cats and dogs as they foolishly used to in the past.
"I just want to talk to you Sam," Scam stated attempting to set things back on track for them.
When she shot him a suspicious look he harmlessly raised his hands up as if to show her he had no weapon on him to attack her and really did just want to speak with her and that was it.
Still she hesitated, doubting his intentions because she remembered full well that that was how it had all started that night when they'd kissed. Just an innocent little conversation which had led to so much more.
But then again, Clover would be here with Josie any second now and she needed to shoo him away before that. The avoidance game was not one that she was winning so maybe the best way to get him off her back was to just hear him out.
"Fine," Sam huffed deciding to humour him. Looking him dead in the eye with her arms crossed over her chest and her posture defensive she put him on the spot. "What DO you want to say to me? What the hell are you after Scam? What do you want? Go ahead, say it. You have three seconds."
Scam sighed again, this encounter not going at all the way he'd envisioned in his head.
"Sam..." he murmured in an exasperated voice. "Would you please just—"
"One second," she cut him off giving him a stern look and an eyebrow raise that warned that she really would just walk away if he didn't spit out whatever he had to say now.
With the limited time she'd stingily given him, he tried to find the right words to say what was on his mind but then found himself distracted as he just took her in.
She was standing there almost close enough for her feet to be touching his and despite the unwelcoming expression she was regarding him with ... she was so damn beautiful.
Stray curls of her red hair swayed in the wind and caressed the porcelain white skin of her cheeks, her emerald eyes twinkled like the stars themselves, and her soft pink lips looked so inviting, the gloss they wore catching the moonlight and casting a glow upon them that so completely emphasized their plumpness.
"...Scam?" Sam said a moment later, confused at his sudden silence.
Her saying his name seemed to pull him out his trance as just a second later he told her exactly what he wanted from her.
"You ..." he whispered leaving her eyes to go wide as her heart almost stopped beating inside her chest.
As if to make sure that she hadn't misheard him, he took a step closer towards her almost bringing them nose to nose, ignoring how she'd turned into a stone statue from shock at his bold admission as he gazed back at her with smouldering eyes that burned with passion and fire and said again plainly.
"I want ... you.
...
Hmm ... Josie sort of met Scam thanks to Clover. Thoughts? :)
Also Scam told Sam (rather bluntly haha) that he wants to be with her. How do you feel Sam will take it? Well? Not so well?
Anyway! Thanks for reading and review please if you can? ^-^
Love always!
Cresenta