Serendipity – A Chance Encounter - Chapter 365

As they walked inside the restaurant, they were greeted and ushered by the waitress to a table near the window.

Just as they settled on their seats, a woman came by their table catching their attention. “Hi, Sam.”

Turning her head, she saw Nancy in a pale pink dress. Compared to how she dressed before, she looked more amiable and simple. Samantha was surprised to see her and so all she could say back was: “Nancy…”

A small smile formed on her face before Nancy said, “Can I talk to you for a minute if that’s okay?”

“Umm… yeah, sure.”

Daniel’s ears perked up. Samantha told him about everything that transpired back when she was kidnapped. He didn’t like it one bit but after she convinced him to let it go and not take any revenge at her, he could only nod. Nancy was indeed pitiful because of her pregnancy loss but that didn’t mean that Daniel forgave her of everything that she did to Samantha.

Sensing Daniel’s protectiveness, Samantha touched his hand and gave it a squeeze. She leaned closer and whispered into his ear, “I’ll be fine. We’ll just be nearby. Don’t worry.” She kissed him on the cheeks before getting up from her seat.

“Let’s sit over there.” Samantha pointed at the table in the corner of the room.

When they sat down, the two of them did not talk and only looked at each other. Samantha was waiting for Nancy to say something, after all, she was the one who walked up to her first. However, Nancy was clutching her hands as she was having difficulty in saying the words that she wanted to say.

“Have you been well?” Samantha decided to start.

Nancy nodded with a smile. “Yes…”

“That’s good…”

“And you? How are things with you?”

Samantha glanced at her son from across the room and noticed Daniel watching her every now and then at the same time that he was watching over their son. “It’s been fine.”

“I know this is long overdue but… Sam, I want to say I’m sorry.” Nancy looked down on her hand as she felt her eyes getting misty.

Samantha half-expected her to say that but she did not interrupt and let her continue.

“I’m not asking you to forgive me. But I still want to say that I’m sorry… for what I did when we were young, to you and to… Mia. I still blame myself for what had happened.” At this point, Nancy’s tears streamed down her face. She wasn’t wearing any makeup yet her bare face was still pretty. “I killed Mia…”

When Samantha heard her last words, she felt a prick in her heart and the image of their friend Mia flashed before her. She tilted her head up as she didn’t want to cry.

“You didn’t. What happened was an accident. We were young and we didn’t know any better.” Samantha said. Daniel had helped her to believe in that. Despite what their decisions were when they were still young, the incident was still a car accident.

And although Samantha still thinks that they could have avoided it by not getting in the car at all, it already happened and that will no longer change.

“It’s all in the past… let’s not live in it anymore,” Samantha added.

Nancy smiled. “I don’t know how you do it, Sam. You are always nice. And all these years I felt very bitter towards you. I hated myself but I directed my hate on myself to you instead.”

“I’m not really that nice, Nancy. I’ve done some things too… But I only retaliate on people who have hurt me or my family.” Samantha looked down on her own hands that were resting on the table.

Pursing her lips, Nancy continued, “I’m sorry that I suspected you for the threats…”

“And for kidnapping me?” Samantha deadpanned.

Nancy’s eyes darted to the side, “I’m extremely ashamed of what I did. I’m very sorry about that too.”

“Honestly, I was mad about that but I was more concerned about… them.” The two of them looked at the table where Daniel was with Ashton.

“Yeah, I can feel your husband hates my guts.”

“He does.” Samantha didn’t hide it. “Just don’t do it again.”

“God, no. I don’t even know why I did that. I was so blinded by what was in front of me.” Nancy shook her head and then she added, “You have a really beautiful baby.”

“Thank you…”

The door to the restaurant opened and in came Director Troy Smith. When he spotted Nancy, he walked towards her table.

Nancy briefly introduced Troy to Samantha and was ready to leave with him. “I still have a lot to say actually but… words are just words. I hope that you can see my sincerity, Sam. Back at the hospital, I truly saw who my real friends are.” She sniffed, “I guess we’re no longer friends… but, thank you for sticking up to me. I really appreciate that.”

Samantha only nodded and was unsure what to reply.

“I’ll be leaving in a few days. I’m going overseas with Troy… I guess I’ll just see you around someday.” Nancy got up from her seat.

“Nancy…” Samantha called and stood next to her. “It was brave of you to do this. I wish you good luck and I really hope that you find your happiness.” Hesitantly, Samantha inched closer and gave her a brief hug.

Nancy got surprised by her action but nevertheless, it made her smile so she returned her hug. Samantha really had a heart of gold.

When they parted, Samantha strolled back to their table and sat next to Daniel with a smile on her face.

“How are you?” he asked.

“Hungry.” She revealed her pearly whites at him and leaned in to give him a kiss.

Seeing her like this, Daniel chuckled. He was so proud of her. The love of his life was such a kind woman.

“All right, let’s eat.” He said as he started to put food on Samantha’s plate. “Why don’t we go and visit the old men soon? They’d been bugging us wanting to see Ash…”

Samantha looked at Daniel with wonder.. “You call yours, I’ll call mine.”