The Rival

Part 7

It was a nightmare. Sam's hand's shook as he attempted to straighten his tie. He knew Esmerelda would be over any moment he was trapped. He closed his eyes remembering the sight from the previous evening.

Penny's cottage was ablaze they were able to put it out fairly quickly and it was determined that the gas from the oven had been left on. Since she had been gone for the past few day it seemed this is what had caused the fire; Penny had been careless. It shocked everyone. Only Malcolm seemed to not buy this story as he wrote up the report. He questioned Sam about it, but Sam shook head. He wanted so badly to talk to his friend, but he was worried about what Esmerelda would do to Penny if he did.

Thank goodness she wasn't in Pontypandy currently. Although the rumor going through town was that she wouldn't return. After all her home was gone and Sam had screwed things up, everyone knew Esmerelda has been hanging around with him since Penny was away.

Sam took a deep breath as he stared back at himself in the mirror. The suit he wore fit him perfectly minus a slightly crooked tie, but his hands refused to cooperate. Tonight he would have to put on a show. He didn't care about himself, but he couldn't stop going over Esmerelda's final threat. He would never allow anything bad to happen to Penny, not if he could help it. He didn't care that his life would be ruined. 

He heard the knock at his front door. Sam walked to it and opened it promptly to see Esmerelda standing there in a tight, form fitted red dress. "Well Samuel, are you ready?" she said pushing past the man her heels clicking. Sam said nothing, just giving his head a slight nod. 

Esmerelda put her hand under his chin and lifted his face until he was looking at her eyes. "Now,  now dear do make sure you put in some effort. Or shall I simply prepare these now?" she said fanning the photos in front of Sam. "No, that won't be necessary....dear" Sam said swallowing hard. "Good boy!" Esmerelda said before kissing Sam on the lips and placing the photos in her black clutch. 

Sam offered his arm and the woman took it and clung to his side. They strolled out of Sam's house and jumped into the vehicle. Sam took one last deep breath, looking at Pontypandy through the back window, before heading off to dinner and the dance.

****

"Ah Sam so good to see you finally joining us for the Firefighter's Ball. Who is your date?" "Meet Esmerelda" Sam said motioning to the young woman. Over and over and over again. Clearly Esmerelda was enjoying all the attention as firefighters from all over Wales approached him questioning who it was that had finally gotten Samuel Jones to attend. Sam was not, he was miserable. 

Dinner had almost broken him. The two had met up with Chief Officer Cooke and his wife. Esmerelda had flirted continually and Sam had almost lost all respect for Cooke with how he encouraged his niece's behavior. At least Mrs. Cooke had told Esmerelda to keep her hands off the young man while eating. Sam was thankful for the reprieve, no matter how brief. 

Now he found himself looking around the elegant ballroom as Esmerelda excused herself to go powder herself before the dancing began. The room was filling quickly and Sam saw many men he recognized throughout his career. 

"Sam?" a female voice called out. Sam turned surprised to see a familiar pair of brown eyes meeting his blue ones. "Penny" he whispered. The sight of Penny dressed in a simple black evening dress was almost too much. He felt his hand tremble as he stopped himself from reaching out to embrace the woman. 

"How are you?" Sam asked his eyes still locked on hers. "I'm fine. Thank you for saving as much of my home as you could" Penny said smiling sadly, "although I don't understand how that fire could have started." 

"You've been so quiet all week..." Sam continued swallowing hard as he tried to bring up his message. "Oh Sam. My phone's been missing since I arrived in Cardiff; I'm sorry if I worried you, you know I would have responded I just had no way to contact you" Penny replied. She pulled out a new phone "I actually had to get a replacement, but I'm not sure if I set it up correctly" she said holding up the new phone for a moment before dropping it in her small clutch. 

Sam felt his heart lighten. She didn't hate him, she hadn't even known about his message. No wonder she hadn't replied. "Oh Sam look who's here!" Esmerelda purred as she slid between the two. "Hello Penny, so sorry to hear about your cottage, but look at you all dressed up and joining us at for the ball" she said mockingly. Penny smiled and said nothing. 

"Come along Sam let's dance!" Esmerelda called "Unless you would like to chat with Penny more." Sam noticed the way Esmerelda shifted her clutch and he tensed so visibly Penny raised an eyebrow in surprise. "No, I think dancing would be wonderful" Sam replied hating himself with every word. Penny's eyes widened slightly and the surprise was noted.

Sam allowed himself to be led away. It's to protect Penny, Sam thought as he took Esmerelda's hand and wrapped his arms around her swaying to the music. When he looked back Penny was no longer there. 

Sam found himself dancing from through numerous songs. Waltzes, jives, tangoes, even foxtrots Esmerelda twirled through them all smiling with Sam as her partner. After finishing a particular quick step Esmerelda leaned in to whisper, "Time for a break dear, I need some refreshments." She took Sam's arm as they left the dance floor and headed to the refreshment table. 

Sam grabbed two glasses of punch and handed one to Esmerelda before taking a drink of his own. "Punch really? Go grab me some wine darling?" Esmerelda hissed. Sam stepped away and lowered his head in submission as he walked to the wine table. He hadn't taken more than a step or two when he heard a commotion and turned to see Esmerelda, her dress covered in punch standing next to Penny. "I am so sorry" Penny cried as she tried to suppress her smile, "Please let me help you." 

She helped navigate Esmerelda towards the ladies room as Esmerelda swore at her through her teeth. Sam stood there not moving, not daring to even breath. "Sam Jones you better breath before you pass out" Malcolm said stepping next to his friend as the two women disappeared.

"Malcolm? What are you doing here?" Sam asked surprised. "I'm here supporting Penny of course" he replied winking at Sam. Sam looked at the man with amazement. "Don't worry Sam, there is nothing going on between Penny and I; she is all yours" Malcolm said smiling at Sam's terrified look. 

"Ah there she is now," said Malcolm as he watched a calm Penny walk up to him as gracefully as she could in heels. "Hello boys" Penny greeted smiling warmly. Sam felt panicked, he knew Esmerelda would be in a bad mood and he didn't know what to expect. "Oh don't worry Sam, she is still in the bathroom trying to clean off the mess." Penny said noting his concerned look and offering Sam a slight smile. 

Sam blinked. He felt like he was lost in the ocean as his brain attempted to connect everything that was happening. Malcolm placed a calming hand on his shoulder "Relax Sam" before he nodded at Penny and walked away. "You look like you could use some some fresh air" Penny said looking at Sam with concern. She grabbed his hand and pulled him outside to the patio.

The air was cool and it was quiet and peaceful. Sam took a deep breath and looked at Penny, her brown eyes almost seemed to glow in the dark evening light. She gave him a light smile before placing her hand on his chest. "Are you alright Sam?" she asked quietly.

Sam shook his head. He wanted so badly to talk to her, but he was afraid of what would happen if he did. He opened his mouth to tell her how sorry he was for dragging her into all of this. 

However it was not to be as an angry Esmerelda stormed outside. "How dare you!" she said to them both. They flinched and looked at the angry woman. "I think I will start right here. I'm sure she would love to know your little secret" she roared looking at Penny shaking her clutch.

"What is she talking about Sam?" Penny questioned. Esmerelda's eyes lit up. "Oh so you didn't tell her about us. Your leader here doesn't know how to keep his hands to himself." Esmerelda replied quivering her lip and bringing up some fake tears, "he took advantage of me when you were gone."

"Sam! Is that true?" Penny asked wide eyed as she took a step back from Sam. "No, it isn't like that" Sam sputtered. He reached for Penny, he couldn't bear to see her looking at him that way. Everything was going according to Esmerelda's plan, Penny would hate him forever.

to be continued....