Lost And Found

Chapter Nineteen

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Being at Pembroke was an amazing experience, Sam and Deni took the opportunity to explore. They went sight seeing, bike riding, eating taking pictures, it was fun. Anyone could mistake them to be a couple, they looked cute together in their matching yellow T shirts and blue jeans.
"What are you wearing tonight?" Sam asked.
"It's a surprise" She replied.
"Nice, cant wait"
Suddenly Deni found herself thinking about Nadia.
"How is Nadia?"
"Umm, I don't really know, she hardly picks my calls or replies my texts but Crystal says she's fine"
"I kinda feel sorry for her"
"Yeah me too but I don't love her"
Deni stopped walking and faced him.
"What you said that day, did you mean that?"
"I don't know what exactly you are talking about but anything I said that day was me being serious, I meant every word" He said.
She looked away.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
"I don't know Sam, I just don't feel right, something is off"
"What?"
"I cant put my finger to it but all this, don't you think its too much of a coincidence, this doesn’t happen in real life, its what you read in novels or watch on TV.
Sam was smiling.
"Why are you smiling?"
"You're funny" He said.
"I'm being serious Sam?"
"Come here" He pulled her into his arms and hugged her.
"I'm never letting you go, you're everything I need and it might be too soon but I really want to be with you…..I'm telling you how I feel while holding you so you know I am being real, I'm falling for you and I want you in my life, I want to wake up thanking God everyday for the Denise he gave me……because of you, I look forward to everyday, Its no point asking you out coz we hang out a lot" She giggled and broke the hug.
"I care so much about you Sam, I do, but I don't know……I'm scared to trust anyone with my heart…..I'm scared to be broken again because I may not find anymore Sam's like the one I knew before you broke my heart, if you did it would kill me"
He smiled.
"I'm willing to wait, Gods time is always the best" He said and she smiled.
"Thanks" Deni whispered.

It was not until they took their seats that she saw the groom.
"Oh my God…" She froze.
"Are you okay?" Sam frowned tracing her gaze which seemed to be locked on Kobe.
"Oh my God….." She began to shake.
"Deni you're scaring me"
"I need to get out of here….this cant be" She said but she still stayed glued to her seat.
"Okay, okay but at least tell me whats wrong…."
"That’s Kobe she said"
"You know Kobe?"
"Yes he's my ex the same guy i……the same one I have been talking about, that’s him……"
".You're joking right?"
"I need to get out of here" She grabbed her stuff and stood. Sam followed her as she walked away.
"This isn't happening, this is not happening.."
"Deni you need to calm down"
"I can't….." She stopped and turned once they were away from the wedding grounds.
He noticed the signs, she was having a panic attack. He held her hands.
"Breathe….just breathe….."
She did, taking in deep breaths and exhaling.
"I'm sorry I didn't know….."
"Of course you didn't, I just want to get out of here"
"Yeah, let's do that" They got the car they had rented and drove straight to their hotel. Sam took her to her room and stayed with her till she calmed.
"I'm so sorry Deni…gosh I feel stupid right now"
"We should go back"
"What?"
"You told me to stop running away from my problems, we should go back"
"Deni I don't think that is a good idea, I know what I said but your health comes first"
"I'm fine Sam, I can handle this"
"You sure?"
"Yes"
"Ok"
Just like she asked, Sam took her back, the service had ended. Kobe spotted Sam but obviously didn't expect to see Deni, he was so shocked when he got closer.
"Deni?" He frowned.
"Hi Kobe, congrats" She said.
"What are you doing here?" Kobe asked nervously.
"I came with her" Sam said.
"She's your plus one?"
"Yep, the same woman I have been telling you about"
"Jesus Christ!"
"Yeah, exactly my reaction when I found out that I was pregnant with your child….thats what I wanted to tell you"
"What?"
"That reminds me…..you said Maxine was pregnant, it should be like five months, right, I don't see no bump"
"We lost the baby"
Deni smiled.
"Oh, she said. 
"you were pregnant.....?? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Why didn't you tell me about Maxine?" Deni said.
"Deni I'm sorry, how many times do you want me to say that?"
"I'm not asking you to say it, you say it because you feel guilty and you feel sorry for yourself, I don't care anymore Kobe…….i just hope you have a happy life, honestly" She smiled.
"Let's go Sam" She turned to walk away and without a word, Sam followed.
"They stayed in Pembroke for two more days making the best out of it and returned to London.
For Deni, meeting Kobe at his wedding had given her relief, she finally felt free. Deni missed her friend Selasi who had returned to the States but promised to visit again with Neil.
It had been a wonderful trip altogether and she was glad she had time alone with Sam.
It was fall and the weather was changing but Deni loved every bit of it, her book was out and the Grahams were among the first to by copies.
Sam had confessed he loved the story and he was looking forward to the end. Deni had made trips to California, New York and D.C in just  a month. The movie producers were doing a good job with her story and they had began shooting. She kept making deals and signing contracts and meeting new people. It was in October when she finally returned to London. She surprised Sam at home and he embraced her but wouldn’t let go, for what seemed like ages they just stood at the door holding each other, none of them ready to let go.
"I missed you so much" He said.
"That was the intent" She giggled.
He finally broke the hug and smiled at her.
"You changed your hair?"
"Yeah, like it?"
It was all straight and long now. She wore jeans and leather boots with a turtleneck woven cardigan.
"Yeah I love it, you look stunning" He said.
"Thanks"
"Come on in" He led her in.
"Gosh I miss this place, where is everyone?"
"At work"
"So what have you been doing?"
"Umm, studying, I've got exams coming up"
"And how is that going?"
"Cool"
Deni stared at him, something wasn’t right, he looked…..different.
"Hey are you okay?"
"I just need some water" He headed for the kitchen, seconds later Deni heard the shattering of glass……she rushed to the kitchen and found Sam on the floor…..unconscious. She rushed to him, checked his pulse….he was still alive.
"Oh my God….Sam?" She took out her phone and called the ambulance. They arrived  a few minutes later and attended to him. Deni followed them as Sam was rushed to the hospital, on their way, she called his parents.