Amor Vincit Omnia

XII.

AVO || where to start

I was restless ever since I sat down. While Sam was busy asking the waiter about a dish, I was tapping my foot under the table, trying to construct a proper sentence. Should I tell him about Christian as well?

I gave him a nervous smile when he turned his eyes back to me. The look of amusement was evident in his eyes as he answered my smile with a smirk.

"So," I started, "How's work?"

"It was fine," he shrugged while leaning back on his seat, "Yours?"

"All good, too." I gave a wide smile.

Sam raised a brow but didn't spoke. The waiter walked to our table to place our drinks in front of us. He kept his eyes locked on mine as if waiting for me to say what's bothering me. He always knew if something's up.

Once the waiter left to assist another table, I let out a deep sigh.

"There's something that I need to tell you."

"I'm listening." He smiled all while taking a sip from his wine.

"I met my boss earlier," I started, "She's... making me do this story about a mansion being built."

He raised a brow and I was quick to understand what that gesture meant.

"It's mainly for publicity, really. The story will be featured in a magazine so that people from all around the world would get to see how good the architect is."  I explained while playing with the ring on my finger.

"How long will that be?"

"Three days. Tops. Then that's it. I promise."

The sides of his lips slowly rose while staring at me and then he shook his head.

"Is that why you're so stiff? Because you think I'd get mad at you?"

I could only bow my head and graced his question with a guilty smile. He let out a chuckle while keeping his amused eyes locked on me. I was a bit relieved but I knew the reason why he didn't get mad.

I didn't tell him who the architect was because if I did, the conversation would not go like this. I don't want to make him feel like he did a week ago. As much as possible, I want to keep Sam away from any news regarding Christian. Besides, after the whole documentary thing, I'm never gonna meet him again. And this time, I mean it.

"When is it going to start? The documentation?" Sam asked as he glided his knife through the medium rare steak.

I chewed my food then wiped my mouth before answering, "As early as possible. The frame for the structure has already been built. All that's left is the actual mansion. All I need to do is ask for a few facts about the architect and why he's building it, give a little detail about the quality of equipments being used. You know, anything to attract the people to read the story and call the architect."

Sam nodded before leaning forward on the table, "Maybe I can come with you when you go there. I'm kind of interested in seeing how good this architect is. Who knows, we might ask him to build our new house."

I almost choked on my drink once I heard what he said. He didn't even need to finish his sentence for me to know where the conversation was heading. All the answers that I could think of giving him was no, no, no! No way in heck will I even let the two of them meet again. And I will most definitely not agree for Christian to make the house Sam and I will live on. I don't want him to haunt even my marriage life.

I shook my head and gave him a sad smile which is fake, of course. My palms were sweating and I'm panicking on the inside. I have to think of a good excuse to tell so that he won't suspect me of anything.