Knock Again, Professor [GL• #1]

Chapter 28

SAMARA LEWIS FERNANDEZ POV

Before...

"Sam, what are we doing here?!" Patrick asked as we drove towards the chapel.

Hindi ko siya sinagot. Sa halip, itinuon ko ang pansin sa kapilya, pilit na sinisilip si Lane sa pamamagitan ng malabong salamin ng sasakyan.

I got out of the car, and Patrick quickly followed.

"Sam, if your mom finds out about this, she will really get mad and might send you abroad forever!" he said, worry etched on his face.

"She's going to send me away anyway and force me to marry you!" I snapped at him, my voice filled with anger.

"And I don't want to marry you either!" he shot back, his frustration matching mine.

Matagal na kaming magkaibigan ni Patrick, but not even once I got attracted to him. Naging malapit lang din kami dahil sa business ng family namin.

I turned to him, my irritation clear. "Can you please just shut up!"

"Okay, chill..." itinaas niya ang parehong kamay as his defense.

Umirap ako sa kaniya. "I'm still mad at you for telling my Mom what's going on between me and Lane!" I shouted, my anger boiling over.

"I'm sorry, wala akong choice. She threatened me," he said, his voice pleading. "She said she would pull her investment from my dad's company if I didn't tell her the truth—"

"You betrayed me."

"I'm sorry, alam mo namang malulugi na rin ang company ni Dad. I was just trying to help him—"

I slapped him hard. Napapikit na lang siya sa sakit. "How dare you!"

"I'm sorry, Sam. You know I've been helping you cover your relationship with Lane. I'm really sorry..."

"It doesn't matter," I fired back, my voice sharp. "You should have lied!"

"She left me no choice," he said, his tone desperate. "You know I've been a true friend to you since we were kids. I'm really sorry, Sam."

Hindi ako sumagot sa paghingi ng tawad ni Patrick. Sa halip, nagpokus ako sa paghahanap kay Lane. Nang sa wakas ay nakita ko na siya, she was standing next to her mother's coffin, tears streaming down her face as she gently touched the polished wood. The sight of her grief-stricken and alone made my heart shatter into a million pieces.

I could feel the heavy weight of my own emotions bearing down on me, but I knew I cannot go near her and comfort her. Lane needed me but I couldn't, and despite everything that was happening with my family, I couldn't abandon her now.

"Pupuntahan ko siya—" as I was about to walk towards Lane, Patrick beside me spoke up, his voice low and urgent.

"You know you can't be near her, Sam. If your mom finds out about this, she might do something bad to Lane. Just watch her from here." He advised.

I stopped in my tracks, feeling a mix of frustration and despair.

"I can't just stand here and do nothing, Patrick. She needs me," I replied, my voice trembling with emotion.

Patrick put a hand on my shoulder, his expression filled with concern.

"I know, Sam. But think about what your mom said. She has the power to make things really difficult for Lane. You can't risk it. Kung mahal mo siya, hindi mo gugustuhin na mapahamak siya."