Phone Call

Sam wakes up to her phone buzzing, she stretches before reaching for it and reading the text message she got. A smile tugs on her lips when she sees that it's from Kei.

'Good morning, beautiful.

I just wanted to say, have a good day.

And make sure you think of me…a lot.'

Sam's grin splits her face in two. 'Why is he so cute?'

'I will do my best.' She replies while giggling.

She lies in bed for a bit longer, feeling the warmth of the morning sun on her skin. Sam is extremely grateful that she had that conversation with Kei the day before. She recalls the way he held her hands on the beach, and how he told her his story. Her chest fills with fuzzy feelings.

Knowing what really happened thirteen years ago makes things clearer. Sam even feels somewhat relieved. She stretches again and decides to start her day.

With Nina Simone playing in the background, Sam prepares breakfast while swaying to the music.

"It's a new dawn

It's a new day

It's a new life

For me"

She sings into the spatula before flipping her eggs. She hasn't felt this happy and playful in years.

After she eats, Sam heads to her studio. With music still playing, she prepares a blank canvas and gets the tools she needs. She feels the spark of creativity in every cell of her body.

As she works on her latest piece, she can't help but feel inspired and grateful for the life she has. To be able to create art again, she can't ask for more.

Ed shows up a few hours later. He notices her good mood immediately.

"Did something good happen, Sam?" he asks.

"Something good?" She ponders. "You can say that," Sam tells him with a smile.

"Oh my gosh, tell me everything."

"Aren't we going to be late for our appointment?" Sam teases.

"Ugh, when did you start being so suspenseful?" he complains, making Sam chuckle.

They visit the art gallery that contacted Ed to host an exhibition for Sam. They are delighted to hear that Sam decided to have her exposition at their establishment. They settle on ten pieces, and Sam is confident that she can deliver. In fact, she is excited about the event and can't wait to paint more for it.

"Are you going to tell me now?" Ed asks when they finally sit down for lunch.

The gallery manager suggested a small restaurant close by, and both Sam and Ed liked it instantly. They sit at one of the tables on the wooden porch, just outside of the little old building. The décor is tailored to the restaurant's clientele–artsy and modern. The entire neighborhood exudes a similar atmosphere.

Sam beams. "It's a long story," she utters, remembering Kei's words the day before.

"We have the afternoon free." Ed shrugs as he takes a sip of his iced tea.

Over lunch, Sam tells her assistant and friend about the whole story. She briefly explains to him what happened thirteen years ago and how much Kei meant to her. She tells him about the abortion, and everything that Kei told her at the beach. Sam also reveals that she has decided to give Kei a second chance.

Ed listens attentively, offering words of encouragement and support. He has been by her side for years, and was grateful that she could finally trust him with her secrets. He reaches for her hand and squeezes it.

"I really hope you find happiness, Sam," he says. "You deserve it."

Sam's eyes water. She feels so lucky to have someone like Ed in her life, someone who not only appreciated her art and believed in her when many didn't, but also cared about her on a personal level.

Talking about Kei this whole time makes Sam itch to text him. She finally reaches for her phone and types.

'Just fyi, I am thinking about you.'

"I just want to be done with the divorce as soon as possible," Sam tells Ed after a moment of silence.

"How about I call Kim when it's morning over there and ask her about the progress?"

"That would be nice." Sam gives him a tired smile. "I just can't deal with it anymore."

"I got you, girl," Ed jokes.

Suddenly, Sam's phone rings. Thinking that it is Kei, she picks up immediately, a grin splitting her face.

"Is it loverboy?" Ed teases.

"Shh," Sam warns playfully before she answers.

"Hello?"

"Sensei, it's been too long," the male on the line speaks in Japanese.

"Excuse me? Who is this?"

"Did you think you could just get rid of me like that? Forcing me to drop your class, only to learn that you're seducing my brother-in-law. You're a bad bad sensei."

A cold chill runs down Sam's back. It's that student, Denji. Hana's brother.

"How did you get this number?"

"You shouldn't leave your things laying around, Sensei."

"Okay, well I am hanging up now."

"Is that your boyfriend? Are you two-timing him? Or is it my brother-in-law that you are two-timing?"

Sam freezes. She glances at Ed who's been eyeing her since she answered the phone. She looks to her right, then to her left. Ed sits up when he notices that she is as pale as a sheet.

"What is it?" he asks.

"No need to look around, Sensei. I am hiding," Denji says, his voice dancing with amusement.

Sam immediately hangs up and pushes to her feet.

"We have to go." Her voice is alarmed.

Ed stands too. "What happened?"

"Someone is watching us."

Sam doesn't have to utter another word. Ed reaches for her and wraps an arm around her. She is shaking. He quickly pays the waiter and guides Sam to the car.

As they drive away silently, Ed keeps checking the rear-view mirror to make sure that no one is following them. Thankfully, there is no one.

Ed accompanies Sam inside her apartment and guides her to the couch. She is still shaken.

"Are you alright?" he asks as he hands her a glass of water.

Sam takes it and drinks a generous gulp. "I think I will be."

"Do you want me to stay over tonight?"

But before Sam can answer, her phone rings again, making her jump. This time she reads the name on the screen before she answers.

"Hey lovely, sorry I was in a meeting when you texted," Kei says. "So, you've been thinking about me?"

"Hey."

Kei frowns. "What's wrong?"

Sam only hesitates for a moment, remembering their promise to tell each other everything. "I got a call from Denji, Hana's brother. He was stalking Ed and me when we were eating lunch."

"Where are you right now?" Kei asks, already heading to his car.

"I'm home."

"Okay, I'll be there in ten minutes."