III

Two weeks later——>

There comes a knock to Cainan's door and his head lifts from the pillow as a low moan erupted from his throat. Thinking he's probably sleeping, he drops his head down on the pillow again and his eyes begin to close, but the knock comes again and this time he groans aloud.

"Go away!" He growls and dips his head on the pillow again.

The knock comes the third time and Cainan knows the only solution there is getting up, going to the door and knocking out whoever is at the door, but there's a familiar voice, "I'm not leaving until I see you Cainan."

"Samantha?" His voice is surprised and sceptical as they come out.

"Yes and I think you've avoided me enough so you're gonna face me and tell me why you've rejected all my calls and avoided me these past weeks."

He slowly sits down, holding his head, "Can we do this some other time?" Cainan head is heavily pounding and throbbing hard and it's weird because Cainan knows he's not a drinker, so the reason for his morning headache he has no explanation for and he knows if he opens the door for her, she'll only come in and yell at him.

"Yes, so you can avoid me for another two weeks? No thanks."

"Wai– what time is this?"

"Time for you to get up and open the damn door!"

He gets up and walks to the door, "I'll open the door if you promise not to yell at me."

"I'll try Cainan, can't promise you anything." She responds, her voice dropping in tempo.

Cainan nod, he can certainly use a try, with that he opens the door and there stands Samantha. "Hey?" He says, uncertain of what is appropriate to say.

Samantha is one of the prettiest girls Cainan has ever met, tall, dark skin, brown eyes, full red lips and a great body, but there's an ugly side to her and Cainan always try as much as possible to avoid it.

"Hey? We haven't talked or seen in two weeks and all you have to say is hey?" She demands loudly.

Cainan's eyes shut as his head pound harder at her loud voice. "Sam your voice... Please"

"Are you cheating on me?" She asks, ignoring his plea as she turns to him.

"Sam–"

Her teeth grits angrily, "Just answer the damn question! It's a simple yes or no."

"Sam–" His words are cut short as she silences him with a hard slap to his face.

"You are aren't you?! The rumours were true you pig! I gave you everything and this is what I get in return?!"

Cainan sighs and rubs his now hot cheeks as a result of Samantha hard palm strike. "What do you want me to say? If you want to break up with me then go right ahead."

"Who is she?"

Cainan wants to say there's no one anymore, at least not after Clara painfully dumped him to go live a miserable life with her husband. It's hurt him so much and again just like five years ago he feels betrayed and cheated because he'd hoped to have been able to convince Clara to give Hugo a divorce and come marry him instead, but that will never happen.

First, he thought she left him five years ago because she considered him immature being 7 years younger than her and incapable of taking good care of her. Then she revealed that she left because she thought he'd never make the move and put a ring on it which was the exact opposite of what he was hoping.

Five years ago the Inferno Company worldwide was only taking its root into the world, and he needed time and most of all support from his loved ones. He was going to ask her to marry him immediately the company hit its financial success, but Clara couldn't bear to wait for him and broke up with him and six months later, she was married to Hugo.

Marrying Hugo was a mistake, they both knew it and Clara told him she hated every moment she spent with him, but why she'd choose to spend forever with him now, he has no clue.

"No one." He answers truthfully, "things, to be honest, have not been going my way these couple of weeks and I just needed time." He walks towards her and softly strokes her cheeks, "I'm sorry for hurting you the way I have, I was selfish and insensitive and if you love to, I'd like to start afresh."

She smiles brightly at him and nod, "Yes, I'd like that, but promise me there will be no hidden agenda between us."

He nods, "I promise."

***

"How's your mom now?" Neriah asks as Shawn comes into the room.

There's a happy smile on his face and his cheeks warm up as he tries to conceal it. Neriah wouldn't know though because one of the good things of being dark skin is embarrassment blush don't show on your cheeks.

"She's good," he nods and sits down, "what are you doing?" He asks, noticing her on the sewing machine.

"Well I put in at a fashion house in town and I was called back this morning.

"Does that mean you've got the job?"

She smiles weakly, "I only get the job if I'm able to please them with my masterpiece."

"Well I've seen your work, they are a delight!"

"Are you saying that as a friend or as a fashionista?"

"How about as someone who's seen your work?"

"Cocky." Neriah mumble, "how about you? How did the job search go?"

"In the city of Excellence and malicious wickedness, it's really hard to find something good."

"Well you shouldn't give up faith though, better days are coming."

"I believe you" he gets up and walks over to where Neriah is and stretches his hand to her. Her brow furrow as she stares at his hand then up at him.

"I'm taking you out." He says, cutting straight to the point.

"Why?" Her brows drop in a frown.

"Because soon we'll get our dream jobs and we won't be able to have fun then, this is the only time we have, let's seize the opportunity."

"Okay," she replies.

"Yes!" He exclaims and she takes his hand, "I promise we'll have fun."

"We better do or you'll have a lot of explaining to do."

The fun part was overrated, but Neriah didn't complain because it was a good time out. Shawn being the earth friend that he is took her to a karaoke shop and told the owner they were buyers who just wanted to test first. The seller agreed and after performing a horrible 'Don't stop believing,' Shawn opted out of buying, claiming the karaoke was too loud and old. They were both chased out by the old seller. Neriah was gaging from much laughter and at Shawn for how bad he was.

"I'm right though didn't you hear the sound?"

"I heard your voice and it was horrible!" Neriah laughs.

"Says the jealous girl who doesn't know how to sing."

"I don't because I'm not good at it, you shouldn't because you're not good at it either."

"I'm not a quitter Ria and you shouldn't be either."

"Ooh, you're so cute!" She squeals before reaching up to ruffle his hair. "But thanks for dragging me out tonight, you're a lifesaver, Shawnee."

He slaps her hand off but couldn't wipe off the smile on his face. "Only mom and future wife gets to call me that."

She makes faces at him, "Still going to call you Shawnee in your wife's face just to make you mad."

"You little!" He reaches for her, but she slips out before he can firmly grab her. "I don't know why I'm still your friend!"

She sticks her tongue at him, "Because you love me and can't live without me."

He heaves a deep sigh, "That's true, I'm just glad you're having a great time."

"Yeah I am," she is smiling as she nods, "and that's the first time in a while so thank you." She wraps her arms around his.

"You're welcome." He responds cheerfully, and together they make their way towards her door, and she unhooks her arm from his; "you should get some rest." He tells her.

She bites her lips lightly and nods as she climbs up to the veranda, "I will you should do the same."

"I will," he replies then leans in to give her his usual goodnight kiss in her cheek, but he decided to do something different, he's always wanted to do it since the first day he talked to her, what he's been wanting to do the past two months and so instead of kissing her cheeks, his lip meets hers in a soft but passionately deep kiss.

The kiss takes Neriah by surprise, nevertheless, she'd expected and therefore had prepared for it beforehand. His lips are soft but a little dry, but as she kisses back, she wets up his lips with hers.

They pull apart and their eyes open up and Shawn notices the smile on Neriah's face and he finds himself smiling as well.

"About time," she says with her smile increasing.

"Yeah, about time." He agrees, stuffing his hands into the pocket of his jean trousers.

She opens the door and steps inside, "Goodnight then."

He takes a step back, "Good night sweet dreams."