Bits

See You At Sunset

SAMANTHA

'I can love alone as long as I have you.'

Jasper must have experienced these sudden bouts of confidence. Thinking it was alright to be alone in love but with Monica, he must have felt strong enough to keep the marriage though it has busted at the seams. Laying in Penelope's arms, I understood what made him stay. However, it doesn't necessarily mean I could take the same. Watching him go through it for half my life was a nightmare; living it on my own was a second hell.

'But I have enough love for the both of us, Penelope.'

Arrogance was speaking, fighting for it. Nothing worth keeping ever came easy, it said. Stroking the face I love waking up to everyday, my heart screamed at me to stay.

"Happy anniversary, Penelope." I kissed her sleeping face then rested my forehead on her cheek. Chuckling to myself, "You're yet to be the best mistake I ever made, sweetie."

I got out of bed and went on to get ready for the day. It'll be hours before she wakes with a raging hangover and when she does, I wish to have a clearer mind then. I chose a rash guard and fitted shorts. Maybe I could take a walk along the shore to breathe and think. Whatever takes my fancy, I'll do it.

Packing a waterproof dry bag, I had the necessities I might need for a great time under the summer sun. After putting sunblock and giving Penelope another kiss on her cheek, I left our room.

I'll think hard, Penelope. And when I do, I will come back ready to fight for you.

I planned to leave the villa without alerting anyone but I was caught by Ruen. Standing guard at the foot of the stairs, she waved me down to meet her in the living room.

"I'm the last person you want to see this morning, aren't I?" She gestured for me to sit beside her on the couch and I did.

"No." I denied but I saw her brows arched in disbelief and I accepted the need to be more honest. "Yes. But not in the way you think."

"I understand. What line of thinking would that be?" She asked.

"I, uh, uhmm... I was aware that Penelope was still hung up about you." Her brows furrowed deeper at my admission. "I asked Penelope about it once and she said it wasn't true. I took her word at face value and if what happened last night made you and Amelia argue..."

"We'll worry about us. You think of you and Pin," she told me.

"But..."

"Amelia and I are okay, Sam."

"Even after the kiss, you shared with Penelope? I don't see how calmly Amelia could have let that one go."

"Calm and Amelia are two words that you don't use together in a sentence." The corner of her lips was up in a contained smile. "A trail of cursing - all aimed at Pin, of course, she heard my explanation and believed that I was telling her the truth. As opposed to what it looked like at that angle, aside from a little invasion of personal space - no kissing occurred."

"She believed you? Just like that?" It was hard for me to understand. "It was that easy?"

"For her to believe me, yes. I don't make a habit of lying to her though it doesn't mean I don't. However, we had years together. Do you think Amelia doesn't know when I lie?" She poured a glass of water from the pitcher and gave it to me. "You can tell Pin was lying. Was she lying last night?"

'Believe me, Samantha. Nothing happened! We did not kiss!'

I drank the water I was offered but it didn't seem to have any effect on my dried up throat. My voice was a hoarse whisper. "I don't know."