Mall

Samantha glanced at Leon with knotted eyebrows.

" I'll serve you." She stood up but Alexander gripped her hand, " he can do it himself."

Sam turned her head gently, she glared Alexander's hand on hers before raising her chin slowly to stare him directly in his light blue eyes, which reminded her of cool ocean water.

Her eyes scanned his face in a second, his sharp jaw, perfectly shaped nose, thick eyebrows, thick long eyelashes and thin pink lips. She'd never concentrated on his devilishly handsome face before.

" You've to concentrate girl, he's such a bastard." Samantha reminded herself, she exhaled slowly. Clenching her hands into fists.

" l know he can do it, but l want to do it for him."

Her lips curved into a stiff smile, Leon chuckled upon hearing her words.

" So...you can let go my hand." Sam snapped at him coldly, she didn't want her hand to stay in his any longer.Alexander gritted his teeth.

" Do whatever you wish, who cares." He let go off her hand, picked up his fork and dug in a steak. He chewed the meat angrily, crashing it mercilessly inside his mouth.

" Well said, I'm allowed to do whatever l want. You don't care, right? why are you trying to stop me then?" Samantha smiled lazily, resting her hands on her waist.

Alexander didn't utter a word, he ignored her words completely. Samantha walked angrily to the other side of the table, brushing his shoulders with her butt.

Leon let out a throaty chuckle, winking at Alex.

" What's funny?" His husky voice thundered inside the once quiet room. Samantha concentrated on serving, she didn't want to pick another fight with him.

" You're funny man, you tried to stop her from serving me?" He laughed out aloud, Alex glared him with deadly eyes, just like a wounded animal.

" Are you jealousy of me man?" Leon said those words without uttering, Alexander read his lips movement. His nails elongated, he clenched his hands instantly, he didn't want Sam to see what had happened to his arm.

" Come on, let's eat." She sat down and began eating, they ate in silence. Leon kept on glancing Alex from time to time. He wanted to make sure he kept his anger in check.

" It's time for shopping." Samantha stood up from the wooden chair excitedly.

" Let's go then." Leon gripped her wrist gently, leading her outside the house.

She shivered slightly when the cold breeze brushed her flawless skin, Alexander followed behind them. He had to watch over Sam.

He regretted taking the oath of protecting Sam, it has turned him into a babysitter. There's no difference between him and a nanny who's taking care of a one-year-old kid.

Leon opened the car door for her, she knotted her eyebrows when her eyes landed on Alex who was standing behind her, dipping his hands inside his pants pocket.

" Where do you think you're going? you're not welcomed to accompany us to the mall." She muttered through her gritted teeth.

Alex walked past her, he opened the door of the backseat and entered inside the car.

" l hate you." She mumbled before getting inside the car.

Leon clutched the steering wheel and the car pulled off, Sam's eyes were fixed outside the window. She admired nature, Alex leaned his head backwards closing his eyes slightly. Although his eyes were shut, his senses were alert.

* * * * *

Meanwhile, Edward's car pulled up in Salvador's compound, he was worried since her friend Sam didn't attend university for the past two days. He feels like there's something off.

" Edward!" Skylar ran to meet him halfway, Edward leaned to his level, hugging him tightly. He creased his eyebrows when he didn't see Sam around, Mrs Sarah walked to him instantly, when she realised Edward had pulled up.

" Hello Edward, long time no see." She hugged him tightly, patting his back. He hugged Sam's mother back.

" l missed you aunt. l have been busy lately, preparing for graduation ball, that's why l didn't come to visit." Edward planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

" where's Diana? l miss her pretty face." Mrs Sarah glared behind him, to confirm she wasn't with him.

" Uhm...she got caught up with some family issues. She sent her apologies." Edward raked his jet-black hair backwards

" Okay, l get it."

Mrs Sarah nodded her head in understanding, she loves Sam's friends because they've been nice to her daughter throughout university life. She considers them as family.

Edward and Diana have been visiting Sam's family for the past eight years, Mrs Sarah was happy to realise her daughter had such good friends.

" Let's go inside, would you like coffee? it's too cold outside." Mrs Sarah led the way, Edward trolled behind her, darting his eyes around, hoping to find what he was looking for.

Mrs Sarah open the wooden door, she stepped aside to allow Edward to walk inside the house. Edward glared Mrs Sarah briefly, their eyes met and they smiled timidly at each other.

" Have a seat." Mrs Sarah pointed at the wooden chair.

" Thank you." Edward exhaled slightly, the corner of his lips curving into a little smile.

" Let me prepare a cup of coffee, I'll be back in a short while."Mrs Sarah sauntered towards the kitchen.

" Where's Samantha?" Edward questioned Skylar who was playing with his Pappy.

" Uhm... Sam? l don't know. You'll ask mother about her whereabouts." Skylar answered.

" Are you sure you don't know? how can that be possible? She's your sister for heaven's sake" Edward heaved a slow sigh.

" It's true l don't know." He pouted his lips, brushing his Pappy's ear soothingly. Edward squinted his eyes at him.

" Is this little boy trying to play games with me?" Edward wondered.

He concentrated, trying to read his mind. He decided to enter inside his head to confirm if he was saying the truth.

"It's Okay."

He nodded his head when he learned he wasn't lying, Skylar smiled timidly at him, nodding his head back.

" You broke your promise Sky, you assured me that.... you'll watch over your sister for me.Edward tilted his head playfully, Skylar raised his head to face him.

" Yes l promised you but those people...." Mrs Sarah walked back with a cup of coffee, he stared at his son with cold eyes, warning him against speaking more.

" Your coffee is ready, you've to take it before it turns cold." Mrs Sarah placed the cup on top of the wooden table.

" Thank you." They smiled at each other.Edward picked the cup of coffee carefully, he sipped the delicious coffee "

" Uhm..it tastes sweet, just as always." He complimented, placing the cup back on the table.Mrs Sarah smiled broadly.

" Don't flatter me, young boy." He waved her right arm in the air jokingly.

" It's true aunt, l love your coffee so much. You'll teach me how to prepare it." Edward let out a throaty chuckle.

" Sure, I'm glad you love it." Edward exhaled calmly, blinking his grey crystal eyes.

" Uhm....aunt, where is uncle and Samantha? She didn't attend school for the past two days."

He questioned her calmly, Mrs Sarah's stomach swirled upon the mention of her daughter's name, her eyes welled up but she tried her best to hold back tears.She swallowed hard, composing herself.

" Uhm... about Sam's father, he's in the garden confirming if the grapes are ready for harvest. The gardener is helping him out." Her lips twisted into a little smile.

" Oh, l see." Edward nodded his head in understanding, he sipped his coffee for the third time, placing it back on the table before parting his soft lips once again.

" What about Sam? l miss her jokes." Edward chuckled lightly when the image of her goddess's face flashed in his mind.

Mrs Sarah exhaled slowly, she didn't want to look suspicious. She was avoiding this question but it seems there was no way out, a timid smile crept on her lips.

" You already miss her, don't you?" She took a deep breath, trying hard to keep her emotions in check, Edward nodded his head coyly upon hearing his questions.

" She's not around, l sent her to the city to check on my friend." She heaved a slow sigh, her lips curving into a convincing smile.

Edward knotted his eyebrows, the sweet smile on his lips disappeared subtly. He knew something wasn't right, his heart twisted mercilessly inside his masculine chest, it seemed like someone was squeezing it into a tiny ball.

He had no choice but to do what he hates the most, invading someone's privacy. He decided to enter inside her head.

" l hope l'll find out something related to Sam's sudden disappearance." Edward crossed his fingers hoping for the best.

Edward heaved a deep sigh, he held the armchair firmly, biting his inner cheeks.

" No! this can't be" Edward muttered inside his head.

Edwards's heart sank when he learned he

wasn't telling him the truth, why would Mrs Sarah lie to him? does this mean she doesn't trust him?.

Many questions flashed in Edward's mind, he decided to find out the reason why she was doing it but her mind was blank.

" Damn it." Edward cursed underneath, he knows it'll be hard to know since he has been inactive for years.He needs more training.

" Edward! is everything okay?" Mrs Sarah brought him back to the real world when she popped the question.

" Uhm....yes, I'm perfectly fine."

He shook his head violently, trying hard to calm down. He picked up the cup of coffee and gulped like a maniac, Mrs Sarah creased her eyebrows, confusion plastered on her face.

" Are you sure you're fine?" She asked him once again.

" Yeah...no, l have a headache." He closed his eyes slightly, leaning on the palm to justify his lies.

" You can stay till you feel better." Mrs Sarah's voice was full of concern

" Don't worry aunt, l can manage. It's not that severe." He raised his face, a reassuring smile plastered on his lips.