20 Clear Suspicions

"Whatever, let's go eat," Nancy muttered before walking away.

One thing she couldn't accept was Samuel ordering her around. NEVER.

They went to a nearby restaurant, and Nancy ordered Pelmeni, Russian dumplings, using Samuel's card.

However, Samuel just sat opposite her and watched her munch down on the dumplings for the first time.

"I heard these were like... The best. They really fucking are!" Nancy said as she chewed down before she looked at Samuel's neutral expression. "You're not going to eat?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

Samuel shook his head.

"Why not? You literally got shot… And you didn't even sleep. How are you planning to recover?" Nancy raised a question.

"I appreciate your concern. However, I have recovered. You need not worry." Samuel clarified.

"I never had any concerns about you." Nancy clarified as well. "I'm just concerned that I have a sick person guarding me." She scoffed, still wondering how a gunshot wound can heal so fast. Why was he even standing?

Samuel quietly looked away and let her enjoy her meal.

"We shall leave here tomorrow at 10 pm sharp. We have told your mother that we were on a hiking trip. Please refrain from mentioning Russia, Pelmeni, the chip, Sebastian, and anything related." Samuel said. "We shall reach the US within 9 hours."

"Mhm." Nancy nodded.

"This is a serious matter and it would be appreciated if you take it as such. Your mother cannot know about any of this due to her blood pressure issues. Keep this matter in the dark." Samuel stressed it.

"Alright, alright! I get it, nerd!" Nancy complained. "All you do is ta-"

…

She stopped.

An eerie presence grew about her.

Samuel's eyes had widened to the sight.

"Please continue your chat," Sebastian said before taking a seat next to Nancy. "Let us not cause a commotion in public." He said before moving his handgun close to Nancy beneath the table.

Nancy looked at Samuel's calm and collected reaction.

WHAT THE HELL?!

Was it what she had feared? Was Samuel Sebastian's accomplice?

"I am not here to declare war." Sebastian clarified as he eyed Nancy. "I'm not here for you." He shook his head slowly.

Wait what?

Nancy couldn't say anything at all, as Samuel's reaction just made it impossible. He was so calm and collected that it seemed as if he could care less if Sebastian happened to hurt Nancy.

"What is it that you seek from me?" Samuel asked as Sebastian was there to see him, not Nancy.

Nancy narrowed her eyes.

Were they pretending or what?

She had to think about it rationally. 

Why would Samuel take a bullet for her if they were associated? To gain her trust? For what?

Were they still at it? Were they trying to get something out of it?

Live programming! Maybe it was because they wanted to see what happens after Live Programming.

Nancy sighed in disbelief. The perfect Samuel was an accomplice of her newly made enemy?!

Her eyes widened as she saw Sebastian glare Samuel down.

"You don't remember me?" Sebastian asked. "What a shame."

"I do remember you as Sir Roth's former colleague," Samuel replied.

Sebastian chuckled.

"What about Bradley? Did you forget him too?"

…

Samuel's expression changed. It went from calm and collected to sudden panic. It was visible on his face.

Did that mean he wasn't an accomplice?

Nancy's head was full of questions. Who was Bradley? Why was Samuel suddenly panicking?

"W-Who are you?" Samuel hesitantly asked Sebastian before swallowing the lump in his throat.

Sebastian smiled eerily before putting his gun away and standing up to leave.

"Good luck with the prosecution, Samuel. Let's see what you can do." Sebastian was seemingly pleased as he left.

Samuel, on the other hand, seemed devastated. He put his hand on his chest as he took heavy breaths.

Nancy kept staring at him in confusion.

When he noticed her stare, he quickly shook his head and returned to his calm state.

What was he, a robot? It almost looked like he controlled his emotions, panic attacks, and expressions on command. 

"My apologies. I spaced out. Are you alright? You must be startled. I apologize."

Nancy stood up to his apologies.

"Fuck you." The only thing she could ever utter in any serious situation had come out of her mouth before she grabbed his phone and walked out of the restaurant.

He followed her, of course. She was the thief who had stolen his wallet and phone.

"I apologize for not acting appropriately," Samuel said once again as he followed her.

But she was busy on the phone.

[n.doesn'tgiveashit_ : I agree to your terms. Don't let mom know.]

Nancy texted Nina urgently.

[_nina.xx_ : You have my word.]

Alright. She had to finally start avoiding Samuel. In that case, she would have to stay home for most of the time. And for that, she needed to agree to Nina's terms.

"I don't need your apology, Samuel," Nancy said as they stood by the sidewalk, waiting for a ride once again. "I want you to stay the fuck away from me. I don't trust you at all."

Samuel sighed deeply.

"Very well."

With that, they drove back to the motel.

Nancy disagreed to even fall asleep in the same room as him. Her fear kept her awake all night.

The next morning, she watched him pack the things he had brought. She couldn't believe he brought a set of clothes for her amidst all that mess. Also, his first-aid kit?

She could never let this happen again now that her suspicions were clear. She just didn't know if Samuel was pretending to be innocently involved or not.

At least she knew he was involved.

She felt like she needed to watch him closely, but her fear grew and grew every time she imagined the dumpling restaurant incident.

She could only leave unscathed out of that restaurant because Samuel was somehow connected to Sebastian.

And to think that Sebastian came to their location and didn't care to try to kidnap her again was overly creepy.

What did he have to do with Samuel?

And who was Bradley?

The name that shook Samuel's core for a longer time than Nancy ever got to witness.

She needed to find out more as soon as possible.