THE NIGHT WE MET

Chapter Four

I took a deep breath and pushed the buzzer for his apartment. After a few moments, his voice came through the intercom. “Hello?”

“Hi, it’s Sam,” I said.

“Sam?” He sounded confused for a moment, then I heard him chuckle a little which annoyed me right away, “Oh. The Sam. Come on in,” his voice saying that was irritating.

The door buzzed, and I stepped inside. The elevator ride felt like an eternity. When I reached his floor, my heart was pounding so loud it felt like everyone could hear it.

I knocked on his door, and it opened almost immediately. David stood there, looking casual and calm like this was just another normal day.

“Hey,” he said, smirking at me. “Come in.”

I stepped inside, clutching my bag, “I... uh, came to get my bracelet. It’s really important to me.”

“Yeah, I figured,” he said, walking over to the coffee table. He picked up the bracelet and then smirked at me, “I don’t think I can give this to you, Sam Lee,” he said.

Hearing him mention my last name made my blood boil, “I don’t have time to play a game with you,” I said, irritated.

“But you had the time to spend the night with me last night,” he walked towards me. Gosh, seeing him is a bad idea. I shouldn’t have listened to Gillian.

“That’s my biggest mistake!” I said sternly, “Can you just give me the bracelet right now? I’m starting to lose my patience with you,” I said.

“Woah! Feisty,” he chuckled.

“This bracelet is going to be my souvenir from the Lee family,” he said proudly, staring at the diamonds in my bracelet.

I clenched my fists, trying to keep my cool. “David, I’m serious. That bracelet is not just any piece of jewelry. It’s a gift from my mom, and it means a lot to me. Stop playing around and give it back.”

“You know I can’t,” he chuckled, examining the bracelet.

“I want to punch you in the face right now!” I shouted at him.

But what he did next surprised me more, he moved a few inches in my face and whispered, “Go on, punch me, if you can,” he chuckled in my ears.

I gathered all my strength to punch him but he eventually caught my fist and held it, staring into my eyes for seconds and then he smiled annoyingly, “I had fun,” he whispered.

I was stunned, did he just confirm that there’s really something that happened last night? I went pale when after that and he chuckled again, “Why are so pale? Are you that afraid to be associated with a Collins?” he looked at me, my heart wanted to burst in anger.

I pulled my hand away from his grip, glaring at him. “You’re insufferable, David. This isn’t a joke to me. Give me the bracelet, and I’ll be out of your life.”

He tilted his head, a smirk playing on his lips. “Out of my life? You’re quite dramatic, aren’t you? Who says I want you out of my life?”

I scoffed, crossing my arms. “Trust me, you’ll thank me later. Now hand it over.”

David sighed, leaning against the edge of the coffee table as he toyed with the bracelet in his hand. “You don’t remember anything, do you?”

I froze. His tone had shifted—no longer playful but curious, almost serious.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked cautiously.

“Nothing,” he said quickly, his smirk returning. “Just making sure you’re as clueless as you seem.”

I felt my face heat up with a mix of frustration and embarrassment. “I’m done playing your stupid games, David. Give me the bracelet now, or I’ll—”

“Or you’ll what?” he interrupted, raising an eyebrow. “Call your family? Bring them here to deal with me? Because I’m sure they’d love to know how their precious Sam ended up spending the night at my place.”

My stomach twisted at his words. I opened my mouth to respond but nothing came out. He wasn’t wrong—if my family found out, it would be a disaster.

David chuckled at my silence. “Thought so. Look, I’ll give it back to you, but on one condition.”

“What condition?” I asked.

“You owe me dinner,” he said, leaning back with a smug grin.

I blinked, unsure if I’d heard him correctly. “Dinner? Are you serious?”

“Dead serious,” he said, holding up the bracelet like a prize. “One dinner and this is yours. Take it or leave it.”

I stared at him, torn between wanting to punch him and wanting to grab the bracelet and run. “Why? What’s the point of this?”

“Let’s just say I enjoy your company,” he said, “You’re... interesting.”

“Interesting?” I repeated, my frustration boiling over. “David, this isn’t a game. That bracelet means everything to me. Can’t you just do the decent thing for once and give it back?”

“No, dinner first,” he smirked again.

“Fine! But remember that I’ll do this because I have no choice! And make sure no one sees us being together during this dinner,” I said, frustrated that I have to see him again for this damn dinner that he wanted for me to get my bracelet.

“Then let’s have dinner here. In my place,” he said.

“I hate you. I hope you know that,” I said sternly.

David laughed and seemed to enjoy my frustration. “Hate’s a strong word, Sam. You’ll change your mind after dinner. Trust me.”

I glared at him, “Don’t push your luck, Collins. This dinner is just a deal, nothing more.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” he said.

At the door, I turned and looked at him sharply. “This dinner doesn’t mean anything. Don’t get any ideas.”

He smirked, “Noted. See you at seven, Sam.”

I rolled my eyes and slammed the door behind me. In the hallway, I let out a deep breath.

Why did he have to be so annoying? And why did I let him bother me so much?

As I left the building, Gillian’s words came back to me: Maybe it won’t be as bad as you think.

I groaned. If only she knew.

Now, I had a dinner with David Collins ahead of me—a dinner I was sure would be a disaster.