The Girl in the Lake

Don't you hate me?

Thirty three

With a smile, Era glanced at her girlfriend. She squeezed her cold hands. Samantha squeezed back but her eyes remained outside the window.

They were on their way to Samantha's childhood home. Apparently, they were invited for a closed family lunch.

When Era visited her hometown, she invited Samantha to come with her. Her girlfriend almost refused but she made a great proposition that the petite woman cannot say no.

She offered a space in the ground floor of her office building for Samantha's shop.

Recently, Samantha is quite busy with the permits and what-not of the business she just acquired.

Her girlfriend does not want to work under an employer. Instead, Samantha made use of the trust fund she inherited from her dead father. Apparently, Mr. Potts gave her daughter a big trust fund that she can claim on her twenty first birthday.

Samantha acquired a franchise of a known flower shop in the metro. Since the petite woman love flowers, she grab an opportunity to own one.

"It's going to be alright, baby girl."

Samantha sighed before turning to her. Her girlfriend intertwined their hand.

"He's going to be there."

"I know."

"I can't promise to be calm when I see him."

Era smiled. "I will hold your hands to stop you from hitting him."

The petite woman make a face. "How could you relax in times like this, Delilah?"

"Because I have you to defend my honor." She answered still smiling.

She tapped her girlfriend nose with her index finger before dropping a peck in her bow shape lips.

"Truth be told, I loathed your brother. Because of him, I had to leave the place and the people I love. However, because of him, I become stronger." She said with a smile while looking at her light brown eyes.

"Don't you hate me?"

She shook her head. "Why would I hate the woman I love?"

Samantha's eyes widen with her confession. The grip she had in Era's hand tighten.

"You love me?"

Era grinned at her before kissing her again. Their kiss deepened when Samantha kissed her back.

The petite woman's free hand went to her nape. Her other hand pulled the woman closer.

Samantha pulled back and look at her in the eyes. "I love you, too, Delilah."

Era pulled her again for a kiss. They smile between their kisses.

"Were giving Dan a great show." The tall woman whispered.

Samantha pressed her face in her shoulder to hide her embarrassment. She laughed harder with her girl's discomfort.

With the petite woman still in her embrace, the drive continues until they stop in front of a beautifully lawn house.

Dan opened the door for her. She assisted Samantha out of the car.

As they walk through the house, Mrs. Potts waited for them near the main door. Samantha kissed her mother's cheek. They shook hands. Dan did, too, when she introduced them.

Her girlfriend gave the wine to the house maid that they run into when they enter the house.

"Your brothers will be here in a while. They attend the Sunday mass."

"Why didn't you?" Samantha asked her mother as they seated in the gazebo.

"I have to oversee everything. It has been a while since we have lunch as a family." Mrs. Potts responds.

Hors d'oeuvre has been serve in the coffee table together with wine.

"I was told that you're in a construction business." Era nodded when the older woman focus her attention to her. "How long have you been in the business?"

"My parents started it. I continue their legacy."

"How old are you?"

"I'm thirty, Mrs. Potts."

"My daughter is still young. Are you planning to settle down?"

"Mom!"

"What? It's a valid question. Right, Era?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"How do you plan to have kids?"

"Don't answer that, Delilah." Samantha give her an eye before facing her mother. "Stop this, mother."

"Grams!"

That call stopped her mother from her retort. The three of them look at Martin as he ran towards them.

"Aunt Sammy, you're here!"

After kissing his grandmother, the little boy approached his Aunt and sat on her lap.

Era beamed at the two as they talked. Samantha embraced the boy as he keep on talking.

"Hello, mom."

The smile in Samantha's lips dissolved after hearing that. She glared at the man.

Her girlfriend put the boy down as her brother and his wife greeted the matriarch.

"We'll wait for Liam in the living room."

Before anyone could answer, Samantha pulled her out of the gazebo.