A Chance to be Loved

Chapter 2 - New Journey

I headed out to the bookshop and I saw Mrs. Andrews pulled over the driveway. She was almost in her 80's but she was still active, and she also loved long drives. She wasn't even wearing a pair of eyeglasses. It was such a wonderful day to start my Monday. I walked closely to her truck as she got out of it.

"Good morning Mrs. Andrews! Do you need some help with those bags?" I greeted her as I waved from a distance.

"Yes please! You're such an angel as always Sam. I never regretted offering you the job. Will you please take it to my office?"

"No worries. I appreciate your kindness a lot and the job you offered me was a big help. Oh! I never thought that these bags are quite heavy!" I said while trying to maintain my balance. She was about to open the door when suddenly she looked back at me.

"Oh I'm sorry! I should have warned you. Are you okay?"

"I can handle this, don't worry," I smiled at her in assurance. I went straight to her office to put the bags on her table while she switched on the lights and prepared the cash register. I checked my phone as I got out of the office.

3 Missed Calls; 5 New Messages

It was Tia. I wondered what was wrong with her; I couldn't call her back, so I decided to leave her a quick message.

"Hey cuz! What's wrong? It's unlikely for you to act like this. Are you in trouble? I'm sorry my mobile was on silent mode. I'll be there after 12 noon. Take care!"

I put my phone inside my bag after seeing that my message was sent. I had no time to read the messages then I started to arrange the new books on the shelves and finalized the prices. It was not hectic during Mondays but during weekends, it felt like my legs were killing me softly. I almost finished the new displays when I heard someone call out my name.

"Sam! Samantha! Are you there?" His voice was deep and manly.

"Oh my goodness! Vince! You don't have to shout, and you already know that I'm always here. Well, except of course if I'm sick and couldn't get out of bed." I answered while looking at him, annoyed.

"Why are you so annoyed? I came running here just to see you. I can't start my day without seeing you," he said while smiling.

"Here we go again, how many times do I have to tell you about this? You're just 17. Stop coming here every morning just to see me and go to your class instead." I went inside the counter.

"But I'll be 18 soon Sam. Just give me a chance and I'll do my best to love you. I'll take good care of you. I am not like those guys who play with girls' feelings. I'm really sincere."

"Should I be happy with that? I am 25 and you're 17. It's a big NO. I still love you as my friend though."

"But I don't want to be just your friend, you know that."

"I've had enough of this conversation. Anyway, I saw the books you wanted to add in your collections. I just put it on display on the shelves; do you want to see it?"

"Maybe some other time, I'll head back to my class soon. We just had our snacks in the coffee shop a while ago. I told my friends I'll be in here for a while; I still have 20 minutes left before my next class starts."

"Oh okay. Hmm, did something happen in the coffee shop? I am somehow worried about Tia. I wasn't able to pick up my phone when she called me."

"I'm not quite sure but she went inside her office when we came in and she looked like she just had a conversation with a guy. He headed out of the coffee shop right away when Tia went inside her office. Tia always takes our orders no matter how busy she is, but it was one of the baristas who took our orders this time."

"A guy? Are you sure about that?"

"Yeah! Why? Is there something wrong? I could say that he is tall and handsome. He must have played football for years. He seemed sporty."

"Nothing. I was just wondering. I never thought that you could describe a person in detail," I said while giggling.

"Are you teasing me, Sam? Stop it if you are, I don't like it at all," he looked serious.

"I like teasing you Vince, you know that."

"Whatever Sam but I'm really happy to see you today. I'll always stay here if only I could and if you'll allow me of course," he said while heading to the door.

"Well, I'm just here if you need me. That is what friends are for," I smiled while looking at him.

"I'm not just going to be your friend Sam. I want more than friendship. See you later alligator!" he bid goodbye as he winked at me.

"Not a chance! Byeeeeeee Vince! Enjoy your day!" He ran out of the door without looking back.

Who could be that guy whom Vince mentioned earlier? What does he want? I must be quick with my remaining tasks so I could go back to the coffee shop and ask Tia about what happened. "Who are you?" the question inside my head I needed to find out the answer.