WHEN LOVE RETURNS

CHAPTER 23

The next morning, Erica found herself unusually jittery, her mind replaying every little moment from the festival—the way Sam had kept his hand on her waist, how he had introduced her to his friends, and that simple yet thoughtful gesture of offering her bread. Why does he keep doing things that make me feel... like this? she thought, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and confusion.

She was tidying up the front yard when Sam walked by, carrying a bag of fresh produce from the market. He paused, watching her struggle to lift a heavy flower pot.

"Need help?" he asked, setting the bag down and reaching for the pot without waiting for her reply.

"I-I had it, you know!" she said, though her flushed cheeks betrayed her true feelings.

"Right," he teased, effortlessly lifting the pot and moving it to a new spot. "Just doing you a favor, princess."

She rolled her eyes, hiding her smile. "You don't have to keep calling me that," she murmured.

He just chuckled, ignoring her protest. "What, too good for a little royal treatment now?"

They stood there, a little closer than usual, neither moving nor breaking eye contact. Erica's heart raced, and she finally had to look away, pretending to be focused on the flowers. Why does he have to be so... infuriatingly kind and charming? she thought, glancing back at him. Her gaze softened as she watched him, realizing how much she enjoyed his company, even if he often teased her.

Sensing her gaze, Sam looked down at her, a flicker of curiosity crossing his face. "What's going on in that head of yours?" he asked, his voice low and almost tender.

Caught off guard, she stammered, "N-nothing! I'm just... thinking." She quickly looked away, her mind scrambling for a way to explain her sudden fluster.

Sam just smirked, brushing his hands off and heading back to his bag of groceries. "Alright then. Don't think too hard."

As he walked away, Erica watched him, her heart still pounding. Does he feel something for me, too? Or am I just reading too much into all of this? she wondered, torn between hope and uncertainty.

*****

Later that evening, Aunt Nena noticed her looking lost in thought, stirring a spoon around her mug of tea absentmindedly.

"What's gotten into you, dear?" Aunt Nena asked, her eyes twinkling knowingly. "You seem... distracted."

Erica quickly forced a smile, shaking her head. "Oh, it's nothing, Tita." But she could still feel the warmth in her cheeks as she thought about Sam's lingering glances and quiet acts of kindness.

Maybe... just maybe...

Erica took a deep breath, looking down into her tea as Aunt Nena raised an eyebrow knowingly.

"Are you sure it's nothing? You've been smiling to yourself more these days," Aunt Nena observed, her voice gentle and playful.

Erica chuckled nervously, trying to brush it off. "I guess I'm just... getting used to things here, that's all."

Aunt Nena gave her a knowing nod. "Well, I'm glad you're adjusting. It's not easy for someone from the city, but you're doing well."

Erica smiled, but her mind wandered back to Sam's small gestures—the way he'd just appeared in her life, helping her with things without being asked, teasing her in a way that somehow made her feel safe and seen. It was a strange feeling, but comforting. Why does he keep doing these things that make me feel... something? she wondered, her thoughts spiraling.

*****

The next day, she decided to try to keep her mind off him by tackling more chores around the house. She was outside hanging clothes to dry when she saw Sam returning from the fields, his shirt lightly dusted with dirt and his hair damp with sweat. He caught her gaze and, without missing a beat, walked over.

"Busy, huh?" he asked, his eyes flicking to the clothesline.

"Just trying to help out," she replied, feeling a strange thrill at his attention but hiding it under a casual tone.

Sam leaned against a post, watching her fumble with a particularly stubborn clothespin. Without a word, he reached over, his hand brushing hers as he helped secure the cloth. The touch was brief, but enough to send a shiver down her spine.

"There, see? Just needed a little help," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Erica's heart pounded, but she managed a small laugh. "I could've done it myself, you know."

"Sure you could, princess," he replied, a teasing glint in his eye as he let his hand linger on the line for a moment.

As he walked away, Erica stood there, gripping the clothespin tightly, her thoughts a chaotic swirl of feelings she could barely keep track of. Is he just being friendly? Or does he... maybe... feel the same way?

That evening, Aunt Nena caught her staring off into the distance as she cleaned up after dinner.

"You're awfully quiet tonight, Erica," Aunt Nena noted, her tone gentle but curious. "Something on your mind?"

Erica bit her lip, then took a deep breath. "Tita, how... how do you know if someone cares about you? Not just as a friend, but more than that?"

Aunt Nena's eyebrows rose, and a small, knowing smile spread across her face. "Well, it's in the little things they do, dear. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words. Like helping with chores without being asked, or looking after someone even when they don't know it." She looked at Erica with a twinkle in her eye. "Does that sound familiar?"

Erica's cheeks flushed, and she quickly looked down. Maybe she's right. Maybe Sam's actions really mean something more, she thought, her heart fluttering with a strange mixture of hope and anxiety.

*****

The next morning, Sam appeared at the door with a small basket of wildflowers, casually handing it to her. "Thought these might brighten up the place," he said, looking away as if it were no big deal.

Erica blinked, staring at the flowers in disbelief. He brought me flowers? Her heart raced as she tried to keep her composure.

"Thanks... they're beautiful," she murmured, feeling the warmth in her cheeks.

Sam shrugged, scratching the back of his neck. "Just thought you'd like them."

As he turned to leave, Erica watched him go, clutching the flowers close to her chest. Does he... does he feel something for me, too? Or am I just being foolish?

For the rest of the day, she kept the flowers by her side, glancing at them now and then, each time feeling a flutter in her heart. She tried to busy herself with other tasks, but her mind kept drifting back to Sam, replaying every gesture, every glance, every teasing word he'd said.

That night, she found herself sitting alone by the riverbank, the soft rustle of the trees in the background. I've fallen for him, haven't I? she thought, finally admitting the truth to herself. But... does he feel the same? Or am I just another city girl passing through his life?

As she looked up at the star-filled sky, Erica whispered softly to herself, "Please, let him feel the same..."