Chapter 32

Samanta looked once again at the keys between her shaky hands. They were Gordon's bike keys, which she had just parked outside her house. She slowly looked up and set her eyes on Dominik, who had an ample smile on his face. Inside of her, there was a strong conflict of emotions. She wanted to be next to him, kiss him and hold him, but she did not want to get her hopes up. She knew that in a couple weeks, he would have to return to his country, to his routine… it would be a matter of time for him to forget about her. She would only be a simple summer fling. At that moment, she decided to enjoy that, for as long as it would last.

“Would you like to come in?” she asked.

“Only if you promise your sister will not try to lecture me again” Dom answered.

Samanta laughed out loud. Dominik had an innate gift to make her laugh, even if unintentionally.

“Silly” she softly bumped his chest.

Dominik held her fist ever so delicately and kissed her. He leaned in slightly and kissed her lips. He loved the feeling of her lips on his.

Sam opened the door and invited him inside.

“Would you like to drink something?” She asked.

“Water would be nice” he said, taking off his hoodie.

“They must be looking for you” said Sam from the kitchen.

Dominik took the TV remote and turned it on. A vibration in his pocket startled him, it was his phone. When he looked at the screen, he realized it was Friedrich, so he ignored it and kept watching TV, waiting for Sam.

“In other news. These are the images that are taking the world by storm. What was only a rumor yesterday is news today. German footballer, Dominik Weigand  has been seen with his girlfriend this afternoon these images capture a romantic encounter between the two…”

The screen showed several images of Samanta and Dominik kissing. What shocked him most was where they had been taken. It was Samanta's secret spot. They had just captured these images.

CRASH

The sound of glass, shattering as it hit the floor made Dominik turn around violently to see the source of it. Sam was petrified, looking at the TV screen.

Dominik came up to her.

“Are you OK?” He asked, but Sam did not answer. She could not manage to coordinate her thoughts. “Samanta, I am sorry…”

“How the hell did they know we were there?”

“I have no idea.”

Dominik's phone buzzed again, but he ignored it again. He was not in the mood to put up with a lecture from his publicist.

Samanta had to sit down, she suddenly felt light headed. She hated being the center of attention. Knowing thousands of people already knew her name, where she worked and what she looked like terrified her.

The doorbell rang, bringing Samanta out of her own head.

“Your sister?” asked Dominik,

Sam frowned and shook her head in denial.

“No. She has her own keys.”

“Are you expecting somebody?” he asked.

Again, Samanta denied with her head. She stood up and walked to the door. Dominik followed her.

As they opened it, she could not recognize the two men staring inquisitively at her. However, Dominik knew exactly who these two were.

“Ewald? Friedrich? What are you doing here? How did you find me?” mumbled Dom.

“I have contacts” answered the youngest of the two men.

At that moment, Dominik mentally cursed Friedrich's gift to find him even under rocks.

“You went way beyond the line, boy, Thank me for talking the president of the federation out of fining you.”

“Let's get going Dominik” snapped Friedrich, extending an arm out towards his friend.

“Shit, Friedrich. I am not a 12 year old child” said Weigand.

“Then you should stop acting like one” sentenced Ewald. “Stop wasting time with…” he turned and looked at Sam, “this girl.”

“Excuse me?” Samanta took offense on this man's hateful tone when he referred to her. She could not help responding defiantly, trying to get close to Ewald, but Friedrich held her.

“I wouldn't go there if I were you, babe” he warned her, notoriously cockily.

“Dominik? Who are these men?” Samanta felt hurt by the way Ewald looked at her and what Friedrich called her.

“This is the Team's head coach” pointing at  Ewald, “and this, is Friedrich, my manager and publicist” Dominik seemed very uncomfortable.

“Let's go, Dominik” Friedrich urged him.

“No” mumbled Weigand.

“God damn it, Dominik, drop the childish act. I can be patient and let some things slip, for your condition, but you're way out of line. This is getting to my nerves.”

“What is getting to your nerves?” Dominik refuted. “I am the one feeling tired. As far as I can remember, I have had to live for everybody else. I have dedicated my life to this team. I have always put the National team first, even when it goes against what I feel. I have had to pretend, fake and lie, just so the federation can get more and more medals and trophies. Has anyone ever wondered how I feel?”

“Is this worth it?” Asked Ewald. Dominik frowned, the question went right over his head. “We are so close to making it. Are you going to throw it all away for some hormonal fit? For this…” he looked at Samanta, spitefully, again, “Mexican girl?”

Samanta's face became full of terror as she heard such xenophobia in his words.

“You know what? Out. All of you. GET OUT!” She exploded.

“But, Sam… I don't…” Dominik tried to defend himself.

“Leave, Dominik, and take Hitler and his dog with you. I've had it. GO!” She yelled, pushing everybody towards the door. “Get out of here!”

“Samanta, please listen to me.”

“Goodbye, Dominik” she said, slamming the door on their faces.

Samanta had never felt so humiliated and hurt since Alan. Dominik did nothing to defend her. He just stood there, watching those guys degrading her.

She could not hold back her tears anymore.

“Let's go” said Ewald, as he walked towards the car Friedrich rented.

Dominik remained immobile, standing by the door. He wished he could go through the wood to hold Samanta, apologize to her for being an imbecile and let those two treat her like that and stay with her for eternity. His feelings for her were very intense. A couple tears fogged up his blue eyes, but he held them back. He hated crying in public.

“Come on, Dom” whispered Friedrich, putting a hand on his shoulder.

“Don’t touch me” said Dominik under his breath, pulling his arm away.

*****

Sam leaned against the door and tears gushed down her cheeks. She could not describe the situation that invaded her chest, the need to scream, smashing things against the floor, hitting somebody. The anger and powerlessness.

Dominik's attitude disappointed her. Seeing how he did nothing to defend her, how he silently witnessed the slandering and offending against her that man perpetrated made her shake in disgust.

 She shook her head hard and took a deep breath, trying to calm down and stop crying.

“Mexican girl? What a Xenophobe! I wish I had bashed his face” she yelled.

She took her phone and called the only person who stood by her unconditionally, Carlos.

She tried three times, but it went straight to voice mail.

»Come on, Carlos, answer, please. Don't do this to me. I need you.