章 18: SOMETHING ABOUT YOU

NINE HOURS AGO.

"Why did I hit him?" Samuel scolded himself as he smashed the dry leaves on the ground with his leg.

Samuel wanted to go to his grandmother's restaurant but didn't want to listen to her encouragements, so he drove to his favorite place: Claire's Road, which he loved for its serenity. He sat on the chair there and watched as the trees blew freely and quietly, the rustling of dry leaves on the ground.

His heart was aching, and he despised the way he felt for her.

"She is a damn stranger," he muttered. A stranger who had complete control over him. He inserted his earpiece into his phone and began listening to music. He closed his eyes and let his mind think.

He had to leave school earlier to confess his feelings to her because he had finally come to terms with himself that he has feelings for her, and what greeted him was Eric hugging her and openly declaring that he, too, loves her, Someone he had just met, well, Fiona had a pleasant personality, and her alluring blue eyes complemented her beauty, so why would Eric not fall for her?

"What on earth am I thinking? If I'm not going to tell her I love her, why am I thinking about how she is? "He gently tapped his head. Eric beat him in this game, but he noticed something was off because Fiona wasn't agreeing with what Eric was saying.

"What if he's pressuring himself on her?" His fist was clenched at the thought of it.

He hurriedly exited the gate and into his car.

Why hadn't he thought of this? He could have asked her if Eric was threatening her or not.

He started the truck, but it wouldn't start; he tried again, but it wouldn't start.

"Damn!" He landed his hand on the truck's steering and rested his head on it for a moment. He carried his phone to call someone, but his phone battery was dead.

"I should have plugged this phone in before barging out of the house," he grumbled. He was stranded now, and he didn't want to leave the truck behind because he needed to pick up Grandma. He stepped out of the car.

"What should I do now?" As he looked around, he questioned himself. He approached the bonnet and opened it. As smoke billowed from the bonnet, he quickly covered his mouth with his hand.

"Wow! "I guess this just added to my problems," he muttered aloud.

He felt water on his face and looked up; the sky was dark and drizzling.

"Wait a minute!" He yelled and dashed inside his truck. He attempted to turn on his phone, but it was always turned off before he could use it.

His gaze narrowed down the road; there stood a lady in the rain, her dazzling long and black flowing hair visible from a distance. Despite the torrential rain, she remained motionless.

"Is she going to stand there until it stops raining?" He questioned himself. Maybe she had as many thoughts as he did, the only difference being that he preferred to think away from the rain.

"Everyone does things their way..."He paused when he noticed the lady squatting.

"Is she about to fall?" He asked himself again as his eyes tried to get a better look at her.

Why does this situation remind him of Fiona?

Why does he get to see all of the ladies in trouble?

He dashed out of the car and ran to her.

"Lady, please come out of the rain!" He yelled, hoping she would hear him.

The lady said nothing and simply stared at the ground. Samuel noticed her clutching her bag; her clothes were pricey.

As the rain fell on them, Samuel stood there frustratedly looking around. He quickly unbuttoned his shirt and covered her with it.

"Alright, I don't know what's bothering you, but there isn't a better place for you to lament, because if you're here, you'll catch a cold, and when you catch a cold, you'll get sick, and when you get sick, you'll get weak, and when you get weak, you, you... What am I even saying?" In annoyance, he bit his lower lip. He had no idea how to comfort her.

"Is there a better place?" She asked him facing him.

Her hazel eyes shone brightly, despite reflecting various shades of sadness. Samuel could tell she was in pain just by looking at her. He was taken aback by her question, so he stuttered as he answered her.

"Perhaps a karaoke center or a bar or an an an or wait, perhaps my truck there, if you're going to be comfortable," he suggested, pointing to his truck.

"Let's go to a bar," she said as she stood up.

"What?" Samuel was taken aback. Why did he bring up those locations? He had issues to deal with. His truck simply will not start!

"I said let's go to the bar, or do you want me to stay here?" she asked, holding his hand.

"Hell! Yes, if you so desire!" His inner voice screamed.

"My truck is broken," he said quietly, contradicting what his mind was saying.

"Is that correct? How about I have my technician come fix it while we go to the bar and check on it?" She suggested, with a forced smile.

Samuel could tell she was putting on a brave face. She sounded like a sophisticated woman from the way she spoke.

"May I borrow your phone?" He made the request. He wanted to call his grandmother and inform her of the situation so she wouldn't have to wait for him.

"My phone? It is currently in the car." She pointed to a red car that was a little further away.

"Let's go get it, please," he said, holding his shivering arms.

"All right," she said and began walking slowly. She wore high heels.

Samuel didn't notice and began running toward the car.

"Wait!" She screamed at him.

He turned to face her, both arms still clasped.

"Does she want me to piggyback her?" He muttered aloud.

"And what did I say about a better place?" he asked her.

"What exactly did you say? I'm not hearing what you're saying "As the rain became heavier, she yelled.

"She's not going to hear me," Samuel said, motioning her to run with his hands.

"I can't!" She said this while pointing to her shoes.

"Women are annoying," Samuel grumbled.

The only thing she'd do is take off her heels and run to him. He could have simply left her, but she had what he needed: a phone.

"Don't worry, just stay there until I get there!" He yelled and dashed over to her.

"Climb," he said as he knelt in front of her.

"What?" Her expression was befuddled.

"Remember, we need to get to your car quickly so we can get to your better location. Please climb on my back so that we can move quickly." His tone of voice was slightly irritated. He was already getting frustrated.

"Thank you," she said before climbing onto his back.