Chapter 2
I asked you a question Brandon, Sami blinked back at him surprised to find her former husband standing in front of her and looking sexier than ever in a tuxedo. His brown eyes had that same sparkle about him that she'd remembered only too well after the years they'd spent apart. It was as if being in the same room with him again reminded her heart of where they'd once been with one another. It brought all those old feelings back to the surface--the same feelings that Kate had used to betray and destroy her the day before her wedding to Lucas when Kate had put her and Brandon in bed with one another. She felt a flash of that moment pass before her eyes again and she took a step moving away from Brandon.
he started watching her place a distance between them, her blue eyes weary and confused as she stared up at him.
Why are you here Brandon? I'm supposed to be working and you're not she started struggling to reclaim her thoughts now that the past had returned to her so vividly. She hadn't seen Brandon since the day that Kate had set them up, hadn't spoken with him ever since that moment when her world fell apart, but nowYou never returned my phone calls, Brandon began with a small frown, his concerned gaze upon her. I tried to reach you time and time again, butI couldn't let our speaking with one another ruin what I have, she paused thinking about all she'd lost and her heart shattered into pieces all over again, what I hadSamantha, I tried to reach you when Lucas, he paused not quite sure on what to say at a time like the moment they were sharing. I mean I was in town for the funeral, but my father said it probably wasn't the time toIt wasn't, she cut him off abruptly refusing to let him or anyone else see her fall apart for that matter. She stood up taller and puffed out her chest determined to keep herself from falling under all over again. Look Brandon, I don't really know what you're doing here, butI'm here because the person you're supposed to be meeting with is, well me, he confessed with a sheepish grin taking a small step towards her before pausing. I know you weren't expecting it, butWasn't expecting it? she scoffed in response shaking her head at the very notion. Brandon you were the last person I was planning to see here at this party considering that
She paused taking a long look around the ballroom before meeting his eyes once more with another set of questions, Speaking of which where is everyone?Yeah, um about that, he scratched his chin lightly before offering up a small smile, I was going to call and let you know that the party was rescheduled until tomorrow night, but once I'd heard you were well on your way to Chicago, I selfishly decided that maybe you and I could make the most of tonight. It would give us a chance to catch up with one another.Wait a second, she frowned up at him, her lips curling in a scowl, Brandon, are you telling me that you lied to get me here so that I would be alone with you tonight when I was expecting to do something to help out my company?When you put it that way it sounds really bad, he replied with a half laugh seeing she was anything, but amused with his response. Look Samantha, I know I should've told you butBut nothing I came here to take my career seriously, not to take up with a man who walked out on me a long time ago, she spun on her heel ready to storm out of the ballroom when he called out to her again.
The only reason I left was because I wanted you to be happy with Lucas and Will. I wanted you both to have the family that you always dreamt up with one another. I didn't want to destroy that, he explained watching her stop where she stood. After a long pause she spun around to face him, tears streaming down her face as their eyes met once again.
And look what good it did me. I lost all of that dream. Fate succeeded where Kate could not. Not only is Lucas dead, but my son hates me, Sami replied throwing her hands up in the air and falling to tears again, What more do I have left Brandon? I have my company, but even you seem to be screwing with thatSamantha I'm not screwing with your company. I just thought that we should see one another for a little while to catch up and, Brandon paused seeing the pain that flashed over her features. Instinctively he moved over to her reaching out to draw her into his arms, I'm so sorry Samantha. If I had any idea that you were in this much painHow can I not be in pain when I feel like my soul has been ripped right out of me? Like my heart has been shattered into a million pieces now that he's gone? she questioned trembling in his arms now that she was faced with the reality that the life she'd hoped for was so far from being where she was. Tears consumed her and she knew now that there would be no getting it back.
I'm sorry Brandon, Sami finally spoke up in a raw, broken tone after she'd fallen to pieces in his arms. They were now seated on one of the small, silver lined couches set up at the far end of the ballroom and as he held onto her, she felt the first flicker of comfort since the night that Lucas had died. She wiped at her face knowing full well what a mess she must've been now that she'd broken apart in front of him, but instead of seeing him offer up that same expression that half of Salem did when they saw her--the look of pity and blame that they carried with them at the thought of Lucas and his ending, she found compassion and concern. He reached out to wipe at her cheek gently before speaking up in a soft tone.
You have nothing to apologize for Samantha, he whispered tenderly his palm cupping the side of her face as his eyes were upon her. There is no shame in letting your emotions show especially considering what you've been through over the last couple of years.I just don't understand how Lucas and I could've gone from being so close to our dream, to where we are, she paused feeling a tiny shiver race over her. Brandon, I tried to save him that night. I tried to keep everything from falling apart, but once I let the Dimeras into my life willinglyFrom what I understand you had no idea who EJ Wells really was, Brandon reminded her after having heard the things people were saying around Salem. From what I've heard he was a smooth operator.
She nodded, Yes, but I'm smarter than that. I should've seen through everything, butBut you wanted to believe in someone. We all do Samantha, he looked around the ballroom before taking in a small breath, You know tonight probably isn't the night for all of this.Brandon I, she stopped herself and looked around the ballroom before meeting his eyes again, I'm sorry. You must've gone through a lot of trouble toIt's no trouble, he shook his head firmly before smiling down at her, We can talk another night. Maybe I should just take you back to your hotel room for a while.I don't want to be alone right now, she admitted with a heavy sigh leaning in to place her head on his chest. She closed her eyes feeling his strong arms wrap around her before she offered up a small confession. I feel like I've been alone since the day Lucas was murdered. I haven't been able to sleep at night. I try, but all I can see is Lucas and the way his eyes were when he was taken from me. All I can think about is Will and how he thinks that I cheated on Lucas because I wasn't able to stay faithful to my promise to love him.Surely Will must know how much you love Lucas, Brandon offered up again before seeing pain flash over her face again.
Kate convinced him that EJ and I were having some kind of affair with one another. She told Will that my baby was EJ's and not Lucas's daughter, Sami revealed thinking back to that time in her life. She made Will think so many horrible things and with Lucas gone, I don't see him ever wanting to hear my side of things.Samantha, I know it's none of my business, but with you and EJ Brandon paused not really sure how to bring up the conversation with her.
EJ promised me if I helped him--if I gave him what he wanted that he would save Lucas, she explained remembering the fateful night that changed things around for her, but instead it wound up costing Lucas his life. I lost Lucas because I wasn't strong enough to save him--because I wasn't everything he believed I was. If only I would've been able to help him without bringing EJ into the picture. If onlySamantha, we can't change the past and we can't live on if only, he mouthed in response seeing her sadness carry over her. I know you love Lucas and you always will, butBut that won't bring him back, she finished for him, her heart heavy with despair, Don't you think I know that? Don't you think that I realize each and every day that I will never be able to see him again? That I will never be able to hold him and tell him all the ways in which he was my world? Do you have any idea what it feels like to have your dreams so close within your reach only to feel them ripped away from you?
Brandon nodded, something flashing behind his dark eyes before he took in a breath, More than you can imagine.It isn't fair. None of this is fair, she shuffled in his arms rising to her feet again and throwing her hands in the air. I try to kid myself into believing that everything will be okay--to somehow make myself believe that there is a reason for holding on. I try to think of purpose and meaning, but Brandon I don't see it. I haven't seen it in a long time and with each passing day it only hurts more than it did the day before.I know Samantha, Brandon nodded reaching out to her once again, No one expects it to disappear. All you can do is keep that part of you on the inside and hope that it gets easier. You have to keep reminding yourself that people love you and they need you here. Will loves you.He hates me Brandon. He won't even speak to me, Sami sighed dropping her head down shamefully, No matter what I try to do to reach out to him, he won't hear it.Then maybe it's time to try a new approach, Brandon suggested standing up and walking over to her, Maybe it's time to let him know the truth.That I failed him and his father? she questioned meeting his eyes again.
No Samantha, that you would have given anything in the world to have happiness with him and Lucas and that what happened was not your fault, he reached out to pull her into an embrace again, Once you start forgiving yourself you'll see that.How can I forgive myself when Lucas should still be alive right now? How can I ignore any of what I'm feeling when she bit down on her lip trying to stay strong. I swore to myself that I wouldn't do this Brandon. I promised that I wouldn't fall to pieces tonight like I do every night. I came here to help my business andAnd you will, he nodded before looking around the room, but right now I have another idea she felt him reach for her hand in his and guide her towards the room's exit. What are you doing?We're going for a change of scenery right now because I think there's something important that we need to do. Something that simply cannot wait, Brandon blurted out ready to do what was necessary to help his former wife find a way back to believing that there was a life still left for her after the tragedy she'd faced in losing Lucas. He just hoped that he would be able to reach out to her and show her that there was still a reason in the world to keep fighting for what she loved and needed in her life.