Ms Johnson

Chapter 7

Samantha's POV 

What an eventful weekend this has been first discovering Amanda is pregnant, secondly, Jason manhandling me because I refused to apologize to her, and lastly discovering Dylan had feelings for me all this time and sleeping with him. I must say the s*x was amazing! I can't remember ever having s*x that good with Jason. Dylan knew exactly what I liked without me guiding him and knew how to please me. But that was it! I cannot sleep with him again. It’s best we remain friends.

I sit in a coffee shop close to the gym where Mateo works drinking a latté, eagerly waiting for him. I need to talk to Mateo today or I will go crazy. I look towards the entrance of the cafe and see Mateo rushing towards me.

"Buenos dias hermosa (good morning beautiful), sorry I'm late." He says giving me a peck on the cheek.

"Good morning Mateo, no problem at least you made it. Don't think I will make it through the day without talking to you." 

"So what's up?" He signals for the waiter to bring him a menu while sitting in the seat opposite mine. I take a deep breath before telling him what happened. Mateo has been a really good friend and knows everything about me. Not only is Mateo my kickboxing trainer, but he's also my sponsor and has supported me tremendously over the last six months.

I tell Mateo everything, from the wedding ceremony how beautiful it was and what happened at the reception. He listens intently to what I have to say. I tell him about my interaction with Amanda and Jason dragging me by my hair. 

"Cabrón! I swear I will kill him!" He bangs his fist on the table in anger, the other patrons look at us surprised by his reaction. The small waitress serving our table looks scared, not sure if she should approach our table or not. I motion her to come forward and take our order. We smile apologetically at the poor waitress as she takes our order with trembling hands.  After she finishes with us she leaves our table in a hurry. 

I manage to calm him down and tell him about Dylan saving me I notice his body calming down a bit. I also tell him about what happened later that evening. He looks at me shocked and brushes his hand through his hair. I'm surprised his hair isn't tied up today. Mmm, I must say Mateo looks different with his hair loose. 

"Mi querida amiga (my dear friend), this is some story hey. No wonder you were so eager to talk to me. I'm surprised you didn't have a drink," he says jokingly. I laugh nervously rubbing the back of my neck. 

The waitress noticed that we both calmed down and brings our order. At least she's not nervous this time around. We thank her, she gives us a shy smile and leaves our table.

"I'm surprised too, Mateo, but if Dylan and Rebecca weren't there I probably would've been a drunk mess." I take a sip of my latté. This place lattés are really delicious maybe we should get this barista to work at the café. He smiles at me with pride in his eyes while holding my hands. 

"So what are you going to do about Dylan?" he removes his hands from mine and takes a sip of his coffee eager to hear what I have to say.

"I told him it's best we remain friends Mateo. You know how I feel about being in a relationship. Yes, I had a crush on him back then but is it enough to be diving into a relationship with someone I haven't seen in years? Yes, he has feelings for me but I don’t know him. I knew Dylan as a teenager, how do I know if he’s still the Dylan I loved back then. How do I know he won't hurt me? How do I know that what happened with Jason won't happen again?" 

Mateo looks at me with worry in his brown eyes and finally gives his opinion, "Sam, I know you said you are not ready for a relationship but keep an open mind at least. From what you told me about Dylan he seems like a good guy. Don't push him away because you are afraid to love again, one day you might realize you love him then it will be too late. I know you are afraid he’s not the same person you knew back then but at least give him a chance." 

"Mateo I thought you at least would understand how I feel. I'm a recovering alcoholic trying to move on and get her life on track. Starting an uncertain relationship would be catastrophic I wish everyone could at least understand that. Anyway, I need to work on myself right now and discover what I want from life. My whole life I tried pleasing everyone else, being the perfect daughter, being a good wife, being an excellent doctor, and being an exemplary daughter-in-law. I was blinded by living a fantasy of being Jason's wife that I lost track of who I am. I don't want to rush into a relationship that will later leave me hurt. And to answer your question about losing him, that's why I agreed on being friends."

"Ok Sam, if that is how you feel I will support you in your decision." We sat in silence finishing our meal.

After finishing our meal we split the bill. I hug him farewell and we went our separate ways. I thought talking to Mateo would help but I feel more confused than before. What if I am wrong should I give Dylan a chance? No, I think it's best we remain friends and at least get to know each other.

I arrived at the café and made my way to the kitchen to start my shift. On my way, I heard my mom calling me to the office. Just as I close the door behind me, my mother hugs me tightly and cups my face. 

"My baby, are you ok? I just heard what happened at the wedding. I'm so sorry baby, I swear I will show no mercy to that idiot." Tears start pooling in her eyes, she looks worried and also angry at how Jason treated me. She starts cursing and swearing at Jason.

"Mom, it's fine. Anyway, Dylan was there and he saved me from Jason." 

"Dylan? Is he back in New York?” She looks at me confused. The last time she heard Dylan was in California.  “Anyway, I will speak to Elizabeth and William. This is unacceptable Sammy, you don't deserve to be treated this. What was the reason that he dragged you by the hair?" 

I tell my mother about my interaction with Amanda, her eyes widen in shock when I told her about the pregnancy. I even told her how I handled the situation and Jason demanded I apologize to her even though I did nothing to her.

"What is this woman's problem? Isn't it enough that she stole your ex-husband?" 

"Yes, mom but I will not allow her and Jason to upset me any longer. That's the last event I’m attending of the Smith family. I'll rather try everything to avoid them." My mother wipes her tears away and gives me a small smile. 

We both leave the office and I make my way to the kitchen. Ever since I started working here I've been in charge of the pastry and sweet treats. I must say baking and trying out new recipes has always been relaxing for me. Working in the café has been so therapeutic even though it gets extremely busy at times. 

After finishing the pastry and making the treats for the day; I decide to go for walk just to clear my mind. The café is not busy at the moment and its past lunch hour, therefore, it's the perfect time to clear my head.

As I'm about to leave the café, Tommy runs up to me with Lilly and their mother walking behind him. "Sam!" He calls out running into my arms. I missed them so much, I've only known them for a few days and they already have a special place in my heart. 

"Tommy, how are you doing?" I cup his face squeezing his cheeks, he's such an adorable boy.

"I'm fine thanks, I'm a big boy no need to worry about me. Look Lilly and I made this for you." He looks at me with excitement and takes out a bracelet looking like a friendship bracelet made from different colors of string and hands it to me.

"Thank you, Tommy and Lilly this is so beautiful," I immediately put on the bracelet. I give him a tight hug and also hug Lilly. Their mother stands a distance away from us. I smile at her and motion at her to come closer. 

"I'm so sorry I did not introduce myself to you, my name is Emily and I'm their mother." She holds out her hand expecting a handshake but I pull her into a hug. 

"Nice to meet you, Emily, I'm Samantha but you can call me Sam or Sammy. You have two adorable children. Are you hungry? Wait at this table I will ask the kitchen to get you something to eat." I point at the table in the corner and order some food for the three of them. 

"Do you have a job, Emma? You don’t mind me calling you Emma?" She shakes her head no and looks heartbroken that she is unable to provide for her children. I give her a smile and hold her hand ensuring her that it's ok. 

"Well our café gets busy sometimes and we need another waitress. The work is too much for Ava and I need to help out sometimes. It would be great if you accept the job." 

"No, I don't want you doing any favors for us Samantha. I don't want to cause trouble for you." 

"Nonsense, it's no trouble at all, we really do need help and you need the job. So it's a win-win situation" 

"Thank you so much." She stands up and hugs me to show her gratitude. I am glad I am able to speak to her about the job. After a few minutes they info me the food is ready and I take the three plates to their table. 

_

"Thank you Sam for a lovely meal and for the job. I honestly don't know how to thank you."

"No need to thank me, I just want to see Tommy and Lily happy and healthy." 

I hug the three of them one last time and they leave the café. Emma will be starting tomorrow and I must say I am happy to be able to help their little family. 

Now I think it's time for that walk or maybe I should go jogging would be nice to clear my mind and digest the events of the weekend.