Unraveled

Chapter Fourteen: Diner

“If you want to run for Prime Minister, you can. If you don’t, that’s wonderful, too. Shave your armpits, don’t shave them, wear flats one day, heels the next. These things are so irrelevant and surface to what it is all really about, and I wish people wouldn’t get caught up in that. We want to empower women to do exactly what they want, to be true to themselves, to have the opportunities to develop. Women should feel free.” – Emma Watson

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Trembling in fear, little Sam couldn't bring herself to utter a word. She was not able to even blink. The man, who looked exactly like her father and whom she had always called uncle, was now looking more like a monster from one of the horror movies she and her cousin Laura would watch behind their parents' backs and then regret doing so from the nightmares they'd get after. The only difference was that this monster was real.

Sam's uncle reached his hand out and grabbed Sam by the arms, right above her elbows. He snatched her out of the closet and raised her so she would have no other choice than to meet his eyes. Shaking her tiny body aggressively he yelled once more:

"What the f**k are you doing here?"

Little Sam's eyes, which were widened in fear, moved behind the monster's shoulders and stared at her aunt's crimson red face. Blood still trickling down her long beautiful face, bloody hair sticking to it. Then she stared down at the still unconscious LAura ANother earthquake-like shake brought her attention back to the monster holding her body above the ground like she was some frame he was about to hang on the wall.

"We.. we were just ...playing hide 'N seek" She answered sounding like she was in a haze.

For a moment, little Sam felt like she left her own body and was watching the whole thing from afar. Was this what a nightmare really was? She sure hoped with all her might that it was just that. A Nightmare.

The monster opened his mouth and was about to yell again in Sam's pale face when Jasmin yelled "STOP!" The monster froze for a second. "Laura is not moving!" Jasmin sobbed. Sam was suddenly dropped to the floor and her weakened legs couldn't hold her up, so she landed with a thud on her knees. Which will definitely form into bruises.

In an eyeblink, Sam's uncle rushed to his daughter. He wrapped her in his arms and tucked her hair away from her face. Laura's nose had stopped bleeding leaving behind a crimson red line down her cheek. But her eyes were still closed.

"Laura, honey, wake up... Please.." his voice was almost a whisper, yet the concern and fear that laced it couldn't be missed.

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             Sam woke up drenched in her own sweat. Her beautiful raven silky hair sticking to her face and neck. Her heart beating faster than bullets fired from an M16 rifle. The same nightmare yet again. She took a long breath, holding it in for a second then releasing it out. Repeating the process a few more times, forcing her body to calm down and her heart to beat normally, just like she was taught in years of therapy. Reaching for the bottle of water on the nightstand next to her, she opened the cap and gulped the water down eagerly. Grabbing her phone to check the time; six thirty-two, it read. It was still pretty early, she contemplated whether to annoy Jack like in the old days. But decided to take advantage of the luxurious tub in the bathroom and take a long hot bath instead.

The bath sure helped with her tensed muscles but did nothing to her tormented mind. She has not visited Laura in a long time, so she made a mental note to visit her as soon as she could. Even though it's been twenty years since that incident, she still felt guilty as the day it happened. If only she didn't insist on playing hide N' seek that day, nothing would have happened to her precious cousin. She wouldn't have lost her best friend. And the guilt wouldn't have eaten her alive.

Sam grabbed her duffle bag and pulled out her black skinny jeans and a white V-neck T-shirt which she decided to tuck its front hem in her jeans. She matched her outfit with her signature black boots. Her hair was still damped so she left it loose to air dry it. She held the mascara and clear pinkish lip gloss that she was sure she did not pack. She smiled and shook her head slightly, knowing pretty well who the culprit was. Diana wouldn't have missed a chance to 'glam' sam up. The lipgloss smelled like bubble gum. 'It wouldn't hurt to put some on right?' Sam thought to herself. After applying both the lip gloss and mascara on and convincing herself that she did not do it to impress a certain someone, Sam grabbed her phone and dialed Jacks' number.

"Good morning, Sammy." Jack's voice came from the other end of the line. Calling her with the nickname she ever only allowed him to use.

"Morning... Jackie Mo"

Jack chuckled " You still remember?"

"I'll never forget! Especially since I know how much it irritates you"

"It does. But not when you say it, you know that." Sam smirked." Anyways, are you ready? I'm on my way."

"Hmm, are you driving? It's very irresponsible of you to speak on the phone while driving. Captin"

"You are on speaker officer" Jack humbly replied.

"Okay, I'll let it slip this time"

"Always so considerate, detective."

"That I am," Sam said proudly "And yes, I'm ready"

"Be there in five"

"I'll wait for you outside"

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         Jack chose a nice quiet diner to grab breakfast at before they started the day. Being the gentleman he is, he grabbed the door open to let her in. There were a few people peacefully having breakfast and the smell of food made Sam's stomach growl. They choose a table by the window and sat across from each other. They both were attracting stares and glances from the people around them. Sam couldn't blame them though. Jack was looking really handsome this morning. His dark hair was styled back nicely and his outfit made it hard not to notice his well-built physique. his muscles were practically screaming for attention, Jack on the other hand was too busy looking at and memorizing every feature in the beauty in front of him that he totally missed the attention they were getting.

Sam's cheeks turned the slightest into pink. She was never comfortable in getting any sort of attention, being good or bad. With the exception of work of course. She never minded being called to testify in front of a court or give a statement in a conference as long as it helped the cases. The blush didn't go unnoticed by Jack. He did not know why she blushed, but he was sure the effect on him hadn't changed a bit. He still found it cute and loved it just as much. Jack wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked when a young waitress approached them with two menus and a notepad sticking out of the apron's pocket. The tag on her uniform read 'Hannah'.

"Good morning" she smiled politely and handed them the menus. " I'll give you guys a minute to decide what you'd like. But I must say our Special Pancakes are the best." She winked then left.

The waitress couldn't have been older than nineteen. She was pretty and nice. Sam always appreciated good customer service. Looking up from her menu, Sam caught j******f guard. He was shamelessly staring at her. Sam raised an eyebrow and smiled an evil smile.

" You haven't looked at your menu!"

"I already know what I want" Jack replied instantly.

"Oh, you've been here before?"

"What?.." Jack shook his head to clear his mind from the thoughts he was having. But Sam took it as an answer to her question.

"So, you have never been here but you don't want to look at the menu?"

"I'll have the pancakes Hannah recommended. I'll trust her with that"

For some odd reason, Sam felt a tug at her heart. She didn't know why but Sam felt hurt that Jack noticed the waitress' name. Even though tags are made for that specific reason; to let others know your name. And the fact that he was the captain of a precinct should be enough to let her know that he is very observant. Just like he can notice her silence and discomfort now that he'd finished talking but she hasn't said a word and was only looking at her hands resting on her lap.

"... Earth to Sam"

"Sorry..." An apologetic smile shown on Sam's lips.

"Sam, I know you. Remember? You zoned out, which means something is bothering you"

"No. I'm fine. I was just deciding what to get. I think I'll have the omelette and some orange juice."

"An omelette?"

" Yeah...?"

"I remember a time when you used to hate eggs.."

Sam laughed hiding her face with her hands in embarrassment. She used to be disgusted by eggs. So much that she pretended to be allergic to them for so long. Till Jack found out the truth when one night Jack's mother invited Sam for dinner. Not knowing about Sam's 'allergy' she had some egg paste in one of the dishes which Sam ate with n problem. Jack freaked out and was about to have a heart attack thinking his mom might have killed his best friend. Eventually, Sam had to confess and come clean.

"Yeah, that was a long time ago"

"Yeah, it's been a long time indeed. I guess a lot has changed.." Jack answered looking at nothing in particular. He seemed distant.

"Speaking of which, how's Aunt Meredith?" She tried to pull him back to her. Well, not to her, but to the present.

"She's as sweet as ever. You know, she'll be really happy to see you again."

"Did she move here too??" Sam asked excitedly. She always liked Jack's mom. That lady was the definition of sweet but she was funny as hell too.

"No. She still lives back home. But I do visit her every month. Maybe we can go together if you'd like." Jack's eyes were pleading with her to say yes. 

"Umm... Yeah, maybe." Sam wasn't so sure since there was one thing that could turn sweet Aunt Mer into the coldest being. That is hurting her dear Jack. And Sam did hurt him by leaving and never contacting him all those years. She knew that. Even if he hasn't said anything about it yet. "And what about you? How have you been? And I'm not talking about work" She smiled gently.

Jack leaned back in his seat relaxing a bit "Life has been treating me, okay I guess. I have been focusing too much on my job. You could say that other than my mom and my career I haven't been paying attention to anything else." He gave her a questioning look " How about you? "

Sam shifted in her seat a little before answering "Same"

Before Jack could question her answer, Hannah, their waitress returned with her smile and the notepad in one hand while holding a pencil in the other.

"You guys ready to order?" 'That damn smile again' Sam thought.

After ordering their breakfast and drinks, the waitress left. Sam made a silent prayer hoping that Jack won't question her more about her non-existent personal life. Even though she was very proud of everything she had accomplished in her career. Which only was possible because of her total focus on her job. But Sam did not want Jack to worry about her throwing herself into being busy just so she won't have to focus on her own life. He always did worry about her. Almost as much as her family did.

"So, what are you exactly expecting from talking to Mr. Theel?" Jack straightened himself, using his elbows as support as he prombted forward. 

"I'm hoping that he'd have an idea on where his daughter might be. Places or people she may turn to."

"I believe he'd have told us if he knew anything"

"True. But as I'm sure you know, some people don't realize they know something" Sam smiled wickedly.

Their food arrived and they dived right in. Sam told Jack what she'd seen and observed during her interaction with Zack and how she felt about him. By the time they finished their food Sam was informed of Zack's past in town. And on cue, the waitress returned to collect their plates. They thanked her. Jack was about to pay their bill when Sam protested. But the stern look on Jack's face and the fact that she felt she was talking to a wall that won't budge, made her realize there was no point in arguing this matter any longer. 

Sam sighed, " Well then, next meal is on me. I insist."

Zack's smile couldn't be wider. Then it turned into a smirk which confused Sam.

"So you're saying you missed me too much that you can't get enough of me and can't wait to have the next meal with me?" He smiled ' innocently'.

Sam blushed. Her cheeks turning a deep shade of pink this time. She diverted her eyes to the floor instead. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear ' What the hell am I blushing for? since when am I like this' Sam scolded herself then raised her head and met Jack's eyes. Irisis dancing in amuzment.

" I did not say that!' She said accusingly " Do not put words in my mouth, sir" She huffed then crossed her arms under her chest. 

The action was so innocent yet it lit a fire through Jack's whole body and soul. She was beautiful in and out. He already knew it, he fell in love with her whole being after all. The way she always blushes around him, even if she denies it, makes his heart melt for her. And oh, how he would love to be the one who tucks her hair away from her beautiful face. Giving him pleasure in both caressing her hair and cheeks, and looking into her mesmerizing eyes. Jack was trying so hard not to look down at her chest. She was going to be the death of him.