~~~~~~~~~~~~Samantha~~~~~~~~~~~~

Both of us were pretty tired when we returned back. As soon as I entered, I noticed some changes. All the dirty dishes were cleaned, our clothes arranged, beds mended. I gave a confused look to Oliver.

"What?" He asked taking his t shirt off.

"Who did all this?"

"Caretaker sent someone for housekeeping after we left", he replied casually.

"Wow! But there is no one in the house".

"Of course. I prefer privacy", he said lying down on the bed.

"Oh. So, I think I should leave you alone for sometime. I'll go in the other room", I said and turned around to move out of the room.

"Wait, I didn't mean you. I want you to stay with me. You are not just anyone, you are the one person I never want to leave. Stay close to me all the time", he said pulling me closer.

"Okay. What are we eating tonight?" I asked because I was starving.

"What do you want for the dinner?"

"Can we have pizza?"

"Sure. I'll call Mrs. Patrick", he said picking up his phone, but I snatched his phone from his hand before he could dial her number.

"What happened?"

"Nothing. I don't want you to bother that old lady at this hour of the night. I'll make something for us", I said.

"Sam, you don't have to do that. You must be tired too".

"I know I don't have to do this, but I want to cook for you", I said folding my hair up in a messy bun. I went down the stairs into the pantry and checked the fridge. The refrigerator was filled with vegetables, cheese, butter, eggs, milk, chicken, ham, fish, lobsters, chocolates and what not.

"Wow, there are so many things here. Now I am confused what should I make", I said resting one of my hands on my waist.

"Something easier. I don't want you to get too tired", he said crossing his arms around my waist.

"Are you allergic to anything else, other than strawberry?", I asked.

"Mmmmm not that I know of".

"Alright then, you sit back on that couch and watch TV, I'll make something quickly", I said pushing him lightly.

"No ways. I am helping you".

"I don't need any help".

"I am still helping you. I can cut vegetables for you", he insisted.

I gave a sigh and said, "all right, you can cut this onion and some garlic".
Then I took out the lobsters from the fridge and started washing them up.

I was busy doing my work when Oliver screamed,"Ouch ! Fuck!"

I immediately left everything and turned towards him, he had cut his finger which was bleeding now. "Oliver, I told you I don't need help. See now, what you have done. Where is the first aid kit?"

"Calm down Sam. It's nothing", Oliver said putting his finger in his mouth.

"Shut up and stand still here, while I look for the first aid". I checked in the drawers in the kitchen and then in the living room. All of them had something or the other, but not the first aid kit.

"Sam, leave it. It has stopped bleeding. See", Oliver said showing his index finger to me and I sighed. "Alright, but please now you just sit back and let me finish the cooking", I said. He kissed on my forehead and nodded, "Alright".

I cooked some bisque for both of us which he ate with a lot of interest.

************

"Oliver, I really don't think I want to ride a horse", I said. Oliver had planned for us to visit his horse farm and I was freaking out at the idea of riding a horse.

"Don't worry, you'll love it", he didn't seem to be bothered at all about it.

The farm was at ten minutes drive from our place. Weather was warm, sunny today and the path was lovely, beautiful, scenic and serene. Within no time we were at the farm. It was huge with around twenty horses. The farm staff was busy with their daily chores when we arrived. As we climbed down the car, a short middle aged mexican guy came running towards us and greeted Oliver and me, "Welcome sir, welcome ma'am", he said bowing his head a little.

"Good morning Mr. Lorenzo. How is everything going?", Oliver enquired as we moved ahead.

"Fantastic Sir, everything is fine. Please come I'll show you the horses", he replied holding his big hat as the wind struck us.

There were around thirty beautiful horses at the stable. Smell of wet hay mixed with horse poo hit my nose as we halted. I scrunched up my nose a bit. "It takes time to get used to this smell", Oliver said caressing the head of a beautiful black horse.
The horse made a purring sound shaking it's head violently and I moved back a little in response. "Shhhhh.... Calm down Rocky, it's ok, it's alright", Oliver patted its neck brushing it's hair and the animal pacified. But I was terrified. "Sam, come touch him", Oliver called me.
"No, I am fine here", I said gulping on my throat.

"You have to make yourself friendly to him, before riding his back", he said smiling at me.

"There is no way that I am riding that creature", I said folding my arms over my chest.

"I doubt that, Amigo, take him out, my girlfriend wants to ride him", Oliver instructed Mr. Lorenzo, completely ignoring my rejection. The next moment I was standing besides that horrifying black creature, who I was admiring for its beauty a while ago, but now was terrified to my core. "Don't worry sweetheart, I'll ride with you", Oliver said adjusting the saddle. He then held me by my waist guiding me as I climbed up the horse and he climbed as well. As we sat the horse moved a little and I panicked, "oh no no. No no no. Please calm down. Don't drop me".

Oliver put one of his arms across my waist and held the belt from the other and whispered in my ears, "do you trust me?"

"Yes, I do", I replied.

"Then let all your fears go and enjoy the ride", he said before hitting the belt on the horse and the horse started galloping. The first few steps made my heart pound at each trot but after a while all my fear vanished. It felt like I was flying in Oliver's arms with the cool breeze playing with my hair as they hit Oliver's face and I could feel his grip getting tighter around my waist. I turned my face to look into his eyes and could see love and happiness in his eyes.

***********

"Did you enjoy?" Oliver asked as we lay down on the bed after our dinner.

"Yes", I said leaning over him, "thanks for such a wonderful weekend".

"You don't have to say thanks. I love spending time with you. Infact I want to spend every second of the rest of my life with you".

"I love you, Oliver", I said and he gave a reply by covering my mouth with his in a kiss. I couldn't understand how kissing someone could cause butterflies in my stomach. But it happens everytime he kisses me. He kissed me and kissed me again and again and said, "whenever I kiss you, I want to kiss you more. I just can't get enough of you" and I smiled kissing him back.

Suddenly our little romantic moment here was interrupted by my phone call. I realised that I had lefty phone behind today as we went outside and forgot to check it when we came back. I looked at Oliver and said, "Can you pass me my phone please?".

"Leave it", he said pulling me back.

"Oliver, it might be important", I said and then stretching over him grabbed my phone from behind the bedrest. I looked at the screen, it was Ben. I looked at Oliver who was looking at me, "I'll be back", I said.

"No, talk here only", he said.

"Alright", I rolled my eyes and picked up the call.

"Hi Ben"

"Sam, where the hell are you? I have been calling you since morning".

"Er.. oh sorry. Actually I am not in the city. I am with Oliver. What happened".

"Sam, you need to come back immediately. Your mom is in the hospital".

"What?.... What happened? How is she? Is she alright?"

"Calm down Sam, you need to be strong. She had a major heart attack yesterday night. I tried calling you as soon as I got the news but you didn't pick up. I am on my way to hospital. Please come as soon as possible".

"Alright. You keep me informed. Take care of mom".

"Don't worry. Bye!"

"Bye!" , I said and hung up.

"What's the matter?", Oliver asked.

"My mom is in the hospital. I need to go there", I said before bursting out in tears.

He rested my head over his chest and calming me down he said, "we'll go right now. Don't worry".

"No, not we. Only me. I remember you have the meeting with the Miller's tomorrow"

"I can cancel it".

"No, Oliver it's important. You can attend the meeting and come back after that. I'll go first".

"Sam, I want to come with you. I want to be there with you, when you need me".

"I know. And I love you for this. But I don't want you to compromise on your work like this. I'll be fine really!", I insisted.

"All right. I'll send Max with you. I don't want you to go alone".

"Fine. But I want to leave now", I said getting up.

"Alright, you do your packing. I'll call Max".

I nodded and went back to pack my stuff. After half an hour we were standing at Oliver's private helipad, with Max waiting for me there with Oliver's chopper.

"Oliver, thanks. I'll call you as soon as I'll reach there", I said hugging him.

"Stay safe and don't worry. Your mom will be fine. I'll join you as soon as possible", he said and then kissed on my forehead.

I was escorted to the chopper by Oliver and he gave some instructions to Max after which we left.

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