WHEN LOVE RETURNS

CHAPTER 9

The next morning, sunlight streamed through Erica's curtains, casting golden streaks across her room. She groaned, burying her face into the pillow. Her body still ached from trying to keep up with Sam the day before, and the sting of their arguments lingered in her mind. Why does he always have to be so irritatingly right? she thought bitterly, turning onto her side. And why does Aunt Nena think this is a good idea?

As her stomach growled, Erica forced herself out of bed, dragging her feet to the kitchen. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, and she was hopeful for a quiet, uneventful morning.

"Good morning, Erica!" Aunt Nena's cheerful voice greeted her as she stepped into the kitchen. Erica's shoulders tensed as she spotted Sam leaning against the counter, cradling a mug of coffee.

He looked well-rested and infuriatingly calm, his messy hair somehow managing to look effortlessly perfect. Why does he have to look like he stepped out of a lumberjack fashion catalog? she thought, trying not to let her irritation show.

"Morning," Erica mumbled, sliding into a chair. "What's for breakfast?"

"Sit tight. I have something special planned for you today," Aunt Nena said with a mischievous smile as she placed a plate of eggs and toast in front of Erica.

The tone in Aunt Nena's voice made Erica pause mid-bite. "Special?" she asked cautiously.

Aunt Nena's eyes twinkled. "I've decided it's time you got to know the area better. Sam will be your guide."

Erica's fork clattered against her plate as she froze, staring at her aunt in disbelief. "What?"

Sam took a slow sip of his coffee, watching her reaction with a bemused expression.

"You heard me," Aunt Nena said, unbothered by Erica's outburst. "You've been here long enough to start exploring. Sam knows every inch of this place, and I can't think of a better person to show you around."

Erica's stomach dropped. This is a nightmare. "I don't need a guide," she protested. "I can explore on my own."

Aunt Nena chuckled. "Sweetheart, the last time you 'explored,' you ended up being chased by a dog. I think we all know you need help."

Sam's lips twitched, as though he was fighting back a laugh. Erica shot him a glare.

"I don't need his help," she said, crossing her arms. "I'm perfectly capable of figuring things out."

Sam finally spoke, his voice dripping with mockery. "Sure you are. Maybe you'll figure out how to mistake the neighbor's goat pen for a shortcut again."

Erica's cheeks flushed. "That was one time!"

"And I'm sure it was unforgettable—for the goats," he quipped, earning a chuckle from Aunt Nena.

"This isn't funny," Erica snapped, her frustration boiling over. "I'm not a child who needs babysitting!"

"No one said you were," Aunt Nena replied, though her grin said otherwise. "But Sam's doing this whether you like it or not. End of discussion."

Erica sighed, slumping back in her chair. "Fine. Let's just get this over with."

*****

The sun hung high in the sky as they walked down a dirt path, the soft rustling of leaves providing the only background noise. Sam strode ahead with ease, his hands shoved casually into his pockets, while Erica struggled to keep up. The uneven ground tested her balance, and she cursed under her breath every time she stumbled.

"Can you slow down?" she called out after nearly tripping for the third time. "I'm not wearing hiking boots, you know!"

Sam glanced over his shoulder, his pace unchanging. "Maybe if you wore something practical instead of... whatever those are," he said, motioning to her designer sneakers.

"They're sneakers!" Erica argued. "They're practical enough."

"Not for here," Sam countered, smirking. "But hey, at least you'll look stylish if you twist an ankle."

Erica rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath. I'll twist more than my ankle if he keeps this up.

"Why are you walking so fast anyway?" she grumbled, quickening her pace to catch up.

"Because I'm used to this," he said simply, his tone annoyingly calm. "Unlike you, I don't need to stop every two seconds to complain about the ground."

Her jaw dropped. "I am not complaining—I'm commenting. Big difference."

Sam let out a low chuckle, clearly enjoying himself. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Erica huffed, focusing on the path ahead. If he keeps this up, I might actually scream.

After what felt like an eternity, Sam stopped and gestured toward the horizon. "We're here."

Erica looked up, her irritation momentarily forgotten. The rice fields stretched out before her, a sea of vibrant green shimmering under the sunlight. The scene was surprisingly beautiful, and for a moment, she found herself speechless.

"Well?" Sam asked, breaking the silence. "Not bad, right?"

She forced a shrug, trying to mask her awe. "It's... nice."

"Nice?" Sam repeated, arching an eyebrow. "That's all you've got?"

"Sorry, did you want me to burst into song or something?" she retorted, though her voice lacked its usual bite.

Sam chuckled, leaning against a nearby fence. "No, but a little enthusiasm wouldn't hurt."

Erica folded her arms, determined to regain the upper hand. "So, what's the big deal about rice fields anyway? They're just plants."

"They're more than that," Sam said, his tone surprisingly earnest. "Each stalk represents months of work—planting, watering, protecting them from pests. It's not just a crop; it's a livelihood for a lot of people here."

His passion caught her off guard, and she found herself listening despite her best efforts. Why does he have to make it sound so meaningful?

"So," she said, trying to lighten the mood, "are you, like, the local rice ambassador or something?"

Sam smirked. "You could say that. Or maybe I just care about this place more than you care about anything outside your city bubble."

Her mouth opened to retort, but his words stung more than she wanted to admit. Why does he always hit where it hurts?

"Fine," she said after a long pause. "Maybe it's... admirable. What you do here."

Sam blinked, momentarily surprised by her honesty. "Admirable?" he echoed, a hint of amusement in his tone. "Is that your version of a compliment?"

"Don't push it," she muttered, though her lips twitched into a reluctant smile.

They stood there for a while, the silence between them less tense than before. Erica found herself studying the fields, noticing details she hadn't seen earlier—the way the sunlight reflected off the water, the soft rustle of the stalks swaying in the breeze.

"Ready for the next stop?" Sam asked, breaking the silence.

"Do I have a choice?" she replied, smirking.

He laughed, the sound warm and unguarded. "Not really. Let's go, Miss City Girl."

As they walked on, Erica couldn't help but feel a flicker of curiosity. Maybe this guide thing won't be so bad after all. Still, she wasn't about to let Sam know that.

"Just so you know," she said, glancing at him, "if I end up with another mosquito bite, I'm holding you personally responsible."

Sam chuckled, his grin widening. "Deal. But if you get stuck in the mud, that's on you."