Chapter 5

Diana's POV

He caught up to me, slammed me against my car, and took out a dagger. “Give me your money now!”

I shook with fear. “I don't have any,” I begged.

“Don't play with me,” he spat, shoving the dagger close to my face.

I screamed and his fist hit my face. “Shut up!”

I did.

“Give me your bag and car key.”

I didn't hesitate, and surrendered. He pushed me off, entered the car and was about to close the door when a tall man rushed at him.

The man stopped the door from closing, and punched the thief.

He dragged him out, tossing him to the floor like a rag doll.

Every hard punch made a cracking sound and I flinched.

“Stop!” I screamed.

The stranger’s fist stopepd mid-air. He grabbed my purse from the floor, dusted it and rose to his feet.

“Get lost!” The stranger warned.

The thief scrambled to his feet and ran away.

The tall stranger came to me and helped me to my feet. The bright street light landed on his face and I gasped.

“Xavier,” I breathed. “W…why are you here?”

“I was going to a friend's place when I noticed you were in trouble.”

He helped me back to my car.

My eyes scanned the area and couldn't find his car.

He caught on fast. “My friend's place is close.”

So, he lived around the area.

I nodded, expecting him to say more but that was it.

I wanted to ask if his friend was the pretty lady he brought to the shop earlier, but I thought it was stupid and didn't say it, letting it stay in my mind.

He held my hand. “You're shaking. Let me drive you home.”

I refused, stuttering and failing to come up with a good excuse.

“Diana, let me help you. I'll only be satisfied if you're home safe.”

That ended any further arguement. I let him take the driver's seat.

He drove while I kept stealing glances at him.

“Is there anything on my face?” He asked, taking me by surprise.

He knew I was staring. Double embarrassment.

“No,” I coughed and immediately looked ahead.

My heart pounded like crazy as my mind rang with the warning that I could not be having these weird feelings for a man I barely knew for a day.

Xavier dropped me home and left right after while I watched him go.

I went to my room and slept off.

Brrr! Brrr!

My buzzing phone woke me up. I grumbled, and picked it up, placing it to my ear.

“Hello, Miss Diana,” the voice said and I yawned. “The bank is giving you a day to evacuate the house on the terms of defaulting your loan. You are two years due. Do well to follow the right procedure.”

My eyes widened, the sleep clearing off my eyes. I didn't understand anything.

Loan? I had never taken any. Then, it hit me. It was all Julian.

I redialed the number, ignoring his greeting and went at it. “I haven't taken any loan.”

“Your husband did,” he answered. “Your signature was on it too.”

My what? Flashes of me signing whatever papers Julian gave me came to mind.

“An eviction letter had been sent a month ago,” he said and I pressed the end button.

I was screwed. And there was nothing to stop it.

I dropped the phone on the bed. Could I get a fucking second to breathe?!

My alarm beeped. It was going to be late for work.

~

My mind was scattered at work and I kept making mistakes.

“Get your head out of the cloud, Diana,” the manager warned for the fourth time.

I tried to focus and was back home after work. My soul dead.

Sam welcomed me with a hug. I didn't move and confessed softly. “The bank is taking the house tomorrow.”

He didn't ask questions and kept moving his hand gently on my hair. “I'll get us packed up for tomorrow.”

I looked up at him in tears. “Where would we go?”

“I have a family house around the area,” he answered. “You are always welcome wherever I am.”

I smiled, wiping my tears. “What would I ever do without you, Sam?”

The Next Morning:

The bags were packed and Sam helped me move them into the trunk of my car.

I took one more look at the house, the memories crashing back at me. I got into the car with Sam in the passenger seat as I started the engine.

I parked the car at a nice house in a calm neighborhood.

I helped Sam take the bags into the house. The interior was spotless.

“This is my grandson’s place. He's a neat freak,” Sam cheered. “Your room's upstairs.”

I smiled, took my bag up the stairs, and found the room.

Gently, I opened the door and walked in, smiling brightly as my eyes welcomed the peach and pastel blue colors.

I giggled, dropped my bags, then ran out of the room and down the stairs, crashing into Sam in a playful hug.

He embraced me as I told him, "Thank you."

He responded sweetly. "You're welcome, child."

We broke the hug when someone knocked on the door. He went to answer it and a deep happy voice came with a hug. “Grandpa!”

Sam pulled away and let the man in. “I brought a pretty girl. I bet you'll love her.”

“Grandpa,” the man spoke and I shivered as the voice awakened a familiar sense in me.

The man walked in, the wind blowing his wavy hair from his face and I met those emerald eyes.

All I could hear was my heart pounding. The universe was rolling with everything and he smiled.

“Nice to see you, Caramel girl.”

I gulped. My heart raced wildly as I stared at Xavier.

Sam asked in surprise, looking between us, "Wait. Do you two know each other?"

Xavier nodded. His smile gave way to a playful smirk. "She was the girl I told you about last night."

My mind panicked. He did what?