The Sin of Love

Chapter 16

No sooner had he said this name that he was sucked into the purple room where Saligia was waiting for him.

- Samuel? What's happening ?

- That's the question I'm asking myself! Why can Rosalie see me ?! And why am I still there ?! And for how long ?!

- You've never asked yourself so many questions before, - Saligia remarked softly.

Sam went silent at this remark. Indeed, he knew it. He was emotionally attached, and it was the first time that it had happened to him in all these years.

- What would suit you exactly? - Saligia asked.

- I don't want my departure to be unforeseeable ... -he declared. They still need me.

- Do you think they need you or is it you, who still needs them ?

Another question from Saligia that he had already asked before but which gave food for thought. Sam looked down and remained silent.

- For once you are invested in your task, I can hardly bring you back when everything is going well. However, there are still 39 children you have to take care of in order to pay off your debt. The longer you stay with the Daniels, the more it will lengthen your time spent wandering.

- Does that mean I can stay as long as I want to?- Sam asked, frowning.

Saligia let a moment pass and then answered gently.

- This time, yes. Except if little Julian fires you.

A frank smile spread across Sam's face.

- I've never seen you wear such a smile,- Saligia pointed out.

Sam looked down, still smiling.

- I just hope you know what you're doing, Samuel,- Saligia said, circling him to send him back to the ground.

Meanwhile, on Earth, two hours had passed since Sam had disappeared in a flash of light before Rosalie's eyes. He had never evaporated like this and she had a moment of intense anguish. What if he was definitely gone? What if he never comes back?

She had tried not to panic, to contain her questions, and, after waiting a long time without moving, finally went to bed. She tried to read a book but it was wasted effort ... she thought only about him. Could he leave suddenly like this?

A soft light appeared in the corner of the room and Sam materialized before her eyes. She stood up quickly, her hand on her heart, and walked over to him.

- I... I was...

- I'm here, - he said softly.

- I thought you were gone for good ...

The end of her sentence was muffled, and her voice was shaking. She couldn't contain her emotions any longer. She had been strong, both during Julian's kidnapping, and for the days, weeks after, but containing all of her feelings had finally got the better of her. She still had this immense fear, this torment of being alone.

- Rosie ... -Sam whispered as he approached.

- Please... -she stammered as a tear rolled down her cheek. - Don't you ever disappear again without warning ...

- Rosalie, look at me.

She raised her teary eyes to Sam who was now very close to her. He fixed his dark eyes on hers and put all the conviction he could into his sentence.

- I was gone to get answers and... I'm allowed to stay as long as I want,- he said. - And there's nowhere I'd like to be more than here with you.

Rosalie widened her eyes then smiled, wiping away her tears.