16. Sinful Book 2

I drove fast, moving past cars and through lanes, only one goal in my head; to get Samantha and keep her away from my family, especially my little boy. When did I think about it? I had a feeling that Samantha's plan was more than just Diego, she wanted to feel like a mother with Antonio as the father. She wanted what I had, Antonio. What annoyed me more was that Antonio had an idea, he knows more than anyone what Samantha is capable of, but he's letting it happen. Given he didn't approve her request, he didn't deny it either, he's being negative with a hint of hope at the end of the tunnel for her, something she can look forward to if she behaves a certain way.

I thought about Dan and the conversation we had at Aaliyah's wedding, he told me Samantha had been talking nonstop about Diego and how she wants to make it right, I didn't know she'd go through with it this fast, even going to Antonio's office to see him. Dan didn't want Samantha around Diego, but in all truth, what Dan meant was deeper than just Diego. He doesn't want Samantha close to Antonio, he just didn't want to say the words. Dan was doing everything for her, trying to make sure she's sane enough to make better decisions, but she's running back to the root of her problems. I believed Samantha could change, but this was not the way. Dan on the other hand loves her so much that he put his life on hold for her, waited patiently for her and even though she never returned his love, he loved her enough not to be bothered by her lack of love. He even went as far as getting Diego from her line of sight so she'd get better, but here she was, trying to get back to the kid and the man.

I pulled over to the driveway, calming myself down so I don't go overboard when I see Samantha. She was still trying to get better, and saying the wrong things could be triggering to her. Then what exactly was I supposed to say to her then? I sighed and thought to drive away, but I was there again, it would be better to talk it out.

I knocked on the door and Samantha came to open it in less than a minute. Was she expecting someone or she already saw me? Anyway, I was grateful I didn't have to wait out long.

"Sewa hi," Samantha smiled, making way for me so I can pass through. The apartment smelled like Dan, it was a comfortable scent. I took a deep breath and turned to Samantha who was trying to lock the door. I studied her and her appearance.

She looked way better than the last time I saw her at Diego's school, she looked brighter, even her hair looked healthier, and they had a certain shine in them. Samantha's face was void of any eye bags or show of sickness. Her appearance made me happy, she was taking her medications and therapy seriously, but that didn't mean I could let her anywhere close to Antonio. The yellow sundress Samantha looked pretty and maybe too much for her pale skin, but it fit her nonetheless.

"I didn't think I'd come here to have this talk with you," I started, folding my arms so she'd know that despite the small friendly smile on my face, I wasn't there to joke.

"Antonio told me about your visit," I kept my eyes to see her reaction. Samantha smiled, dropped her head down, and raised it, still smiling.

"I guess you guys tell each other everything," she smiled, running her fingers through her pale hair. What did that statement mean? Wasn't I supposed to know that she went to see him?

"You sound like he wasn't supposed to tell me," I pointed out. Samantha shook her head, running her palms together like she was begging me.

"No, I swear that's not what I meant," I kept steady eyes on her. I couldn't help but notice the old slits on her wrists from the times she attempted to take her own life. I sighed, willing myself to calm down.

"Samantha, I know you mean well, but this is a serious case regarding a small boy that is scarred. We can't make that decision for Diego. You saw what happened at his school, Diego is scared of you, and while we're trying to shake him out of that, I was hoping you'd stay out of his line of sight, for his sake and yours. We don't want you getting sick again and Diego going back into the state I found him in. I'd hate to see my son like that again," I explained, making emphasis on "my son" so she'd know that she doesn't have that much hold over Diego anymore. I said the words as calmly as I could, just so I wouldn't annoy or trigger her in any way.

There was a mixture of emotions etched on Samantha's face, something I couldn't pinpoint. Samantha's eyes started watering, and then the sniffing came.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have gone to Antonio, but I wanted to talk to him instead because he was bad to the boy, and he got his redemption. I felt like Antonio would relate to me, I'm sorry. I understand that you're doing this for Diego, and I've never for once doubted your love for the little boy. I'm sorry Sewa, I'm sorry. I just thought that the key to overcoming my problem was to mend ways with Diego, just like my therapist said. I didn't know it would be an issue," bullshit!!! I heard Aaliyah's voice say in my head. I shook the voice from my head and sighed.

When Samantha put it that way, I couldn't help but feel bad. She was trying to help, and I was only thinking bad about her and her actions. I know you don't believe that bullshit! Deep down you know she's spewing trash! I didn't want those thoughts to be true because Samantha didn't do anything that would make me think in that way, but I had more doubt than belief for her.

"Give it some time, when we're sure Diego is ready and you're fully recovered, I would give you access to him," I smiled at her. Samantha walked towards me and hugged me.

"I'm so sorry Sewa, and thank you, thank you so much," Samantha's gratitude didn't feel real. I shouldn't be thinking that way, but stories I had heard from Aaliyah and Antonio, he'll even from Dan, but not directly, showed that Samatha could be a snake, a sly fox if she wanted to be, and I couldn't help but feel like she was using that card on me.

I smiled and hugged her back, telling her it would be okay, and if she needed anything, she could come to me. I left Samantha's house feeling weird, I was having double thoughts about everything, about her and her motives.

I got into my car and called Aaliyah, I needed someone to talk to, and thankfully Aaliyah was still in town since her honeymoon vacation wouldn't be till the next week. Aaliyah sent the location of the cafe she was in and went out to meet her. Dan would've been the best person to go with this, but I couldn't tell him what happened for obvious reasons. I could bet on everything I owned that Dan knew nothing about Samatha's visit to Antonio.

The whole thing was making my head hurt, I wasn't built for stuff like this, not even my work stressed me this hard, and that was saying something because I worked with people like Annabeth and Frank, who are not good for ones mental health.

The cafe Aaliyah was at was easy to spot, despite being a new cafe, and surprisingly it had a lot of customers, and it was past lunchtime. The cafe had an office theme, the wallpapers had an office view, like you were looking out from a company's top floor, on the tables, there were small opened briefcases that had the menu in it. The waiters were dressed in dress shirts and pantsuits. The cafe was cute, and whoever owned it knew what they were doing.

It was easy to spot Aaliyah, I mean she's Aaliyah, it's hard to not spot her, with her very blonde hair and bright skin, and not to even talk about the red lipstick she always looked good in. As if thinking about her brought her attention to the entrance, she turned to the door where I stood and waved at me with a smile. I returned her smile and started over to her when a voice stopped me.

"Sewa?"