The Rival

Part 6

Sam stayed longer at his brother's then he had planned. In fact, he ended up spending most of the night in Charlie's living room, especially after the twins confessed to seeing Esmerelda lurking around outside. 

Sam was tired and irritated. There were only a few more days until the dance, only a few more until Elvis was back from vacation and Esmerelda would go back to her own station, but at this point Sam's only focus was wondering what was going on with Penny. She still hadn't responded to his message.

He even texted her when his nerves gave out simply asking if she was ok. Still no response. He paced in his house as he tried to calm himself before his shift where he knew he would run into the annoying new recruit again. He wasn't sure his nerves could take it. 

This time when he opened the door there was no one waiting for him. He thanked his good fortune and hurried to the station. He was vastly disappointed to see JerryLee still there. He approached the man saying "Good morning, still here for another day?" JerryLee turned to him smiling. "Yep I am actually here until this weekend. Apparently they really like Penny in Cardiff and are keeping her there for an extended training session" he replied.

Sam could feel his heart crash. This was not what he wanted to hear at all. No Penny and still no response from her? He gave a slight smile to JerryLee before turning away and heading towards his office....

***

Two days passed by so slowly Sam couldn't recall ever being so stuck. He went through the motions but inwardly he didn't feel like himself. What's worse everyone in Pontypandy had seemed to notice the change. Norman stopped misbehaving thinking it was something he had done. Nurse Flood had insisted on checking him over to see if he was coming down with something. Malcolm had even attempted to open an investigation to uncover the truth of the matter. 

Sam said nothing as he moped around the fire station, he felt lost. The worst part, there was still no response from Penny. As the time passed he felt his heart breaking more and more. He thought for sure she would have said something at this point, but she was so upset even Ellie's texts had been left unanswered. 

And everywhere he turned Esmerelda was there. The young woman had barely left his side. Oh she volunteered for everything involving Sam, although she never seemed to do any proper work. Sure she brought him tea and would accompany him everywhere he went, but it was nothing like Penny who would pull her own weight, and then some, while joking and playing. Sam seemed depressed over it all and he was just tired. Tired of dealing with the recruit and tired from checking his phone for any updates. 

It had gotten so bad at one point Sam had actually taken a small nap the evening prior at the station. He hadn't realized he was so tired and ignored everyone as he went to lie down for a few minutes. He couldn't seem to keep his eyes open. It really was the most unprofessional moment for him.

Sam sighed as he sat quietly in his office looking down at his cell phone. Esmerelda's shift had ended earlier and he would be done soon. Unfortunately his brother was busy tonight so he couldn't hide there, he would be on his own. Station Officer Steele wouldn't think of letting him work another overnight shift, especially with the Firefighter's Ball tomorrow evening. 

Sam rubbed his eyes and blinked as headed towards his locker to gather his belongings. At least after tomorrow night he felt his obligation to the young woman would be done. He opened the locker but paused. There was a small manilla folder in there. Sam took the envelope and opened it. His eyes grew wide as he saw pictures of himself laying on the fire station's bed with Esmerelda lying next to him.

Sam felt his pulse quicken. What was this? He shoved the photos back into the folder and headed out the door and to his house. He needed to figure out what was going on. 

He let himself into his home and opened the folder again. His eyes had not deceived him. There were clear photos of Esmerelda lying next to Sam. It looked like they were both cuddled together, but Esmerelda was only in her underwear. Sam's face flushed and then his phone rang. 

He answered it hoping it was Penny. "Hello Sam" said the clear voice of Esmerelda. Sam took a deep breath not saying anything as the woman coldly replied, "You should open your front door and invite me in. We need to have a little chat."

Sam glanced at his front door trying to calm his racing heart before opening it. Esmerelda was waiting on the other side. She walked inside, her manner suggesting this wasn't a friendly visit. "So I see you found my present" she replied with a wicked smile. 

"What do you want, what is going on?" Sam managed to choke out as he lowered his phone and stared at the woman. Esmerelda simply smiled as she sat on his couch and beckoned him over. Sam just stood where he was ignoring the request. "Come now Samuel, we can't have you acting this way. After all we need to start preparing you to be a proper lover if we want people to believe your proposal tomorrow" Esmerelda purred. 

"Proposal?" Sam questioned. "Yes, tomorrow you are going to wine and dine me at the dance and in front of everyone you are going to ask me to stay with you." Esmerelda stood and approached Sam. "You can work out the details yourself" she said waving her hand. 

"Like hell" Sam replied angerly "I never should have agreed to help you at all! I don't understand what on earth is going on, but I refuse to be your pawn anymore. " Sam could feel his temper boiling. 

"Oh Samuel, Samuel." Esmerelda laughed. "It's too late for that now. After all I'm sure you would hate to see your career you've worked so hard for go up in ruins." She held up the photos as she stroked Sam's cheek. "Because I believe sleeping with a subordinate would be grounds for immediate termination." 

Sam's face paled. "How....." he muttered. "I drugged your tea" she replied coldly. "I gave you a chance, after all you didn't appreciate my flirting this week. It was pathetic after all. So I needed to do something a tad drastic. I thought for sure once I got rid of Morris you would finally take an interest in me, but no you've been moody, like a teenager. " She lifted Sam's chin so that he was forced to stare in her eye. "Well now you will listen. Your fate is in my hands." 

Sam's mind was in overdrive he stood there shaking, unsure of himself. How could this have happened? "Why, why are you doing this?" he squeaked out. Esmerelda threw her head back and laughed. "Why you are the hero next door, fire stations all over Wales want you. You're a movie star. Everyone wants you. And I decided that included me, and I always get what I want" Esmerelda pulled Sam in and kissed him. 

Sam threw himself back so suddenly he stumbled. His eyes were wide with terror as Esmerelda coldly laughed. "You can do as you wish I suppose" the woman said sitting on his couch again and relaxing, "But if you do not do as I have said or mention this to anyone, I will expose you for taking advantage of a young, new recruit. Your career will be ruined."

"I don't care" Sam muttered quietly before looking at Esmerelda. "I will never go along with your plan." Esmerelda simply smiled. "Oh I suppose I should add one more thing. If you don't go along with it, Penny will pay for it." Sam felt a new wave of terror wash over him. "What do you mean?" Sam said, his heart pounding in his chest. "She has nothing to do with this and what could you possibly do?"

"Oh Samuel, have you learned nothing yet?" Esmerelda said. Sam's phone started to ring "You will want to answer that, the fire station will need you to help put out the blaze at your friend's cottage." Esmerelda said not breaking eye contact with Sam.

Sam felt his blood run cold. He answered the phone to Steele's voice. "Sam can you come quickly? Penny's cottage is ablaze and we need all hands on deck!" "I'll be right there sir!" Sam responded hanging up the phone.

"Think about what I said Sam" Esmerelda said rising from the couch and walking to the door "or next time, it won't simply be an empty cottage on fire." With those final chilling words Esmerelda left his house.