Sam's Confession

Sam came back with lunch and when he saw Ava was talking and laughing happily with Mia, he felt relieved. As long as he could see Ava's smiling face, he would be happy.

After lunch, Mia left because she had to attend a department meeting.

Ava kept resting on the bed. Sam sat beside her with a book in his hand. Ava looked at him and thought she didn't thank him for bringing her to the hospital and taking care of her.

"Sam, thank you very much for today," Ava said softly.

"Ava you don't have to thank me. I really like to be around you." Sam said with a sweet smile. His eyes were tender when he looked at her.

Hearing Sam, Ava felt very embarrassed she didn't know what to say to ease the awkward atmosphere. If Ava had any doubt before that Sam liked her now those doubts were all cleared. The problem was Ava never felt that way for him. They used to be close when they were children but that was a long time ago. Ava knew Sam was a trustworthy person but she didn't love him.

To change the subject Ava quickly said "Sam, I'm feeling a little sleepy, I would like to rest my eyes for a while. You don't have to stay here, you have already done enough. Go home and take some rest."

"Ava, I have nothing to do at home. Let me stay here with you. I won't disturb you, I promise." Sam said honestly what was on his mind. He hardly gets to see her how could he let go of such a good chance to accompany her.

Ava pursed his lips, she felt it was difficult to convince him so she decided to let him do what he wanted. She was actually feeling sleepy.

"OK then."

"Rest, I'll be here," Sam said gently.

Ava closed her eyes and tried to sleep but her mind drifted to Oliver. Ava knew she had no future with Oliver still her heart accepted Oliver unconditionally. Although Oliver was sometimes very overbearing but she still liked his company. She liked to sleep in his arm, she loved his domineering kisses.

Would she be really cheap if she wanted to stay with him just like now without any commitment or any promise? Was there no possibility for him to fall in love with her? The way he sometimes reacted Ava was sure he had someone in his heart, for a moment, Ava was really jealous of the girl who could capture the heart of a cold man like Oliver. She must be an excellent woman that Oliver still couldn't forget her.

Ava did not know when she fell asleep or how long she slept. She dreamt of Oliver in her sleep. In her dream Oliver was holding her in his arm and patting her head gently just like a mother would coax her child to sleep. Ava felt very warm and secured so she slept peacefully. When she woke up, it was already late afternoon.

Ava saw Sam was still there sitting quietly and reading his book.

Sam saw Ava moving from the corner of his eye and looked at her with a broad smile and warm eyes.

Ava also politely smiled, "Sam thanks for staying here with me."

"Ava, actually I wanted to tell you something for a while now. I know you regard me as a friend but I... I really like you. You're probably thinking that we haven't seen each other for such a long time then how could I feel something like that for you. Actually, I started to develop feelings for you when you were at your junior high but I always felt that I wasn't good enough for you so I never had the courage to ask you out. I never thought fate would give me another chance until I met you at Sarah's dorm. Now I know it was fate that brought us back together. Ava, please give me a chance I promise I will always take good care of you. I will treat you like a queen." Every word Sam said was sincere. He was very nervous while he was pouring his heart out in front of Ava yet he had to take this step today. He couldn't lose her again.

Ava was stunned to hear his confession all of a sudden. She didn't know how to tell him that she didn't feel the same way for him. How could she break this innocent man's heart? Ave fell silent.

Sam looked at Ava and saw the fleeting loss in her eyes, he knew that she didn't like him and she must be afraid to break his heart that's why she was silent. With a soft smile Sam said in an understanding tone, "Ava, it's OK. I understand you don't feel the same way for me right now but I will not give up. I'll wait for you until you change your mind."

Ava felt distressed, she had to tell him clearly today, she didn't want him to wait for her. There will never be anything between them. Instead, of giving him any hope it would be better to break his heart.

"Sam, I am honored that, someone like you could like me but I am really sorry, I have someone else in my heart. So please don't waste your time waiting for me. We can only be friends in this life." At that moment Ava was more sure of her love for Oliver.

She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It's a kind of irony that she loved someone who would never fall in love with her and Sam loved her but she didn't love him. Indeed the matter of heart cannot be forced. Ava sighed in her heart.

Sam was stupefied for a while. He didn't expect her to be in love with someone else, he felt a sharp pain in his heart which was even visible in his handsome face. There was someone in her heart again? Love was sometimes very unreasonable, now he knew whether it was then or it is now she never had him in her heart. However, Sam was reluctant to give up. He believed in fate and he felt, they met again because fate was giving him a chance. He will still wait. He will get her someday.

Sam gave her an understanding smile and said resolutely: "No problem but I will still choose to wait for you."

Ava felt helpless, she didn't know how could she make him change his mind so she thought maybe when he will see there was no point for him to wait for her he will eventually give up.

An awkward silence fell on the ward after Sam's confession.