SIMANDA/ A True Love Story Never Ends

Chapter 3

Amanda left house and drove to the supermarket. She's gonna make some chicken soup for dinner because today is Christmas' eve. Amanda gets a basket and wanders around every stall. "Mushroom, onions, tomatoes,... Oh yes, a chicken, most important thing!" Amanda said while looking at the recipe in her phone. She walks to the meat stall, but there's no chicken left. Amanda tries to look around to find one and she wants to give up after a few minutes.

"If you look for a chicken, someone put one here!"
A man said. Amanda is about to say thank you, then she realizes that this voice is really smiliar.
"Is that you, Simon? What're you doing here?"
She turns her head to look his face. It is Simon, he's holding a packet of chicken.
"Hi blonde, good to see you here!"
He smiled. Amanda takes the chicken from him.
"Well, just like you, I'm shopping. I'm actually buying some beers for tonight. And you?"
He continued.

"Buying some ingredients for Chritsmas's soup." 
She replied. They walk side by side to the stall so Amanda could by more stuffs. None of them says a word, they're both glad to see the other again but still don't know what to say.
"Oh yes, I almost forget, I'm keeping your notebook. You left in the coffee shop."
"Thanks god, I've been looking for it."
Amanda replied happily, she has written many important things in the notebook.
"I put it in my car, I'll go out and take it later."
"Thanks Simon... Are you free this evening?"
Amanda suddenly asked.
"Yes. I've already done my works here. I guess I'll just stay at my flat, drink some beers for Christmas. Anyway, what's wrong?"
"Well, if you're free, why don't you come over my house to have dinner with me. It's good to have a friend tonight... You don't have to misunderstand, it's is my way to say to say thank you for keeping my notebook."
Amanda explained, it is quite weird when a woman asks a man whom she only met twice to come over.
"Let's go!"
Simon replied straightly.
"Where?"
"Completing your shopping. I can't wait to taste the dishes tonight."
He winked, then hold Amanda's arm and pull her go excitedly.

They're finally done shopping, heading to the car park. Simon helps Amanda with the bags of food. He opens the door and takes the notebook out and gives it to Amanda.
"Here it is... Do you need a drive home? I'll come to yours afterall."
"That would be nice. I don't know how many times should I say thank you to you."
"Just the dinner, and a friend on Christmas Eve are enough."
He said. And opens the door for Amanda to walk in, then starts the engine.

They finally arrive at Amanda's house and Simon is immediately overwheelemed by the beauty of the house.
"It is so wonderful..."
Simon can't take his eyes off the house. Not because of the size of it, this house is gorgeous like the owner. He's looking around, he does have a bigger one in Malibu, but Amandas' reminds him of his old house in London, where he used to enjoy the most beautiful moment in his life with his mom and his dad.

"Let's go in. You've been standing like that for a minute."
Amanda said, dragged him back to reality. Simon nods and follows Amanda inside.
"Make yourself at home Simon. I'll go and prepare for the meal."

Amanda pointed at the sofa in the living room, then head straight to the kitchen. Simon places himself on the sofa, he starts to roll his eyes around, everything is simple and tidy. He stands up and walks to the shelf having some frame of photos on it. Simon sees Amanda and her husband wedding photos. She looks younger and beautiful in the wedding dress with a big smile on her face, and once again his heart beats inside.
<Crack>
Simon is startled by a loud noise in the kitchen. He quickly rushs into and shouts
"Amanda, are you ok!??"

Amanda is lying on the floor with bloodstains around, and the soup is spilling everywhere.
"I'm fine Simon. I cut myself then accidentally dropped the supper... Gosh, I've ruined everything."
She sighed. Simon holds her shoulder, trying to calm her down.
"It's ok darling. You didn't ruin anything. I'll help you to clean this mess and cook the soup again, ok?! We still have a lot of food. But first, treat your hand before you run out of blood!"
He jokes to make Amanda feels better. Simon puts a bandage on Amanda's finger to stop the blood. Amanda finally smiles.
"Thanks Simon"
"You look great when you smile Amanda."

They head back to the kitchen and start everything again. This time, Amanda has Simon cooking side by side with her. It's always been her dream to cook with her love, but Chris is too busy to even have time to stay at home for a week. And even he's home, he'll be deeply in his works. Simon is different, he cares for her, cooks with her and does many things else.

The soup is done. Amanda sets the table and takes out two glasses.
"Red or white wine, Simon?
She asked
"I'd prefer red"
He smiled and pulled out the dinning chair for Amanda. They sit face to face and have the chicken soup. It is really delicious so they eat it all.
"You really can open a restaurant with this dishes Amanda!"
"Don't say that. How can I manage to do this without you Simon. Anyway, what should we do next, it's still quite early for you to come home..."
"Of course I'll stay. Do you really think I'll leave before Christmas, it's freaking cold outside! Let's watch a movie."

They head back to the living room. While Amanda is looking for a good movie, Simon continues to look at the photos on the shelf.
"Is this your son?"
He asked, pointed at a photo of Amanda and a little cute boy.
"I wish so. He's my nephew, Harvey. I don't have any child yet. I did try, but it didn't work out. What about you?"
She asked sadly. Simon sees the sad look on her face, he carefully takes out a picture in his wallet.
"This is my son, Eric. He's three years old"
Amanda looks at the picture admiringly. Simon can clearly know how much she desires to be a mom.
"What an adorable boy! Your wife must be really beautiful"
"Not wife, girlfriend actually. It was an accident, we were both drunk and, you know, things happened."
He sighed.
"But, to become a father is really great. I wish I could spend more time with him. I've always been busy."
Simon continued.
"And maybe it'd be better not to have a baby. My husband, Chris, rarely be home more than a week."
After Amanda said that the silence appears again. Simon can't think of anything to say so he offers for a movie.
"Let's watch a movie. I'll choose some nice one."
He checks every channel but there's nothing but the common romantic movies that usually be shown on Christmas. In the end, he finds a good one, still romance, but they can both watch it together.

"Today is better than I thought. Maybe the best Christmas ever."
Amanda expressed. Simon raises his glass and smiles.
"Definitely. Cheers for tonight, for two lonely people and for our friendship!"

They stop watching movies and turn round to chat. They talk about their job, their family and their relationship.
"Sometimes, I feel lonely in my own house. I sleep alone in such a big house like this, waiting for Chris. The only thing that keeps me happy is my job as a model, I love it!"
Amanda said, gets herself a shot of wine.

"So do I. To become a producer has always been my dream since a little boy. I love my job so much and also my son, my girlfriend is nice. Los Angeles is a great city too... But never did I feel happy with my life there, I still miss London a lot."
Simon sighed. He has a wealthy life in one of the most fantastic cities in the world, but like Amanda, he knows it isn't enough. He's not sure whether he loves Lauren enough to have a family with her. Amanda places one hand on Simon's back and comforts him carefully. The distance between them is closer now.
They're back to the movies which is shown. Simon is so focus on the movie that he doesn't realize that Amanda has fallen asleep. He gets a blanket to cover her and is about to leave. Amanda suddenly falls on his shoulder. Amanda's face is so beautiful when sleeping that he's extremely flustrated right now. Simon adjusts the volume of the movie, he tries to move as quietly as he can for not waking Amanda up.

The movie is still showing, but Simon has also fallen asleep. They're both placing themselves on the sofa, relaxingly. Her head is on his shoulder, peacefully, just like a scene of any romantic movie.