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

I was not expecting Oliver at the hospital and seeing his face brought all the pain back in my heart. I was surprised to find myself speaking so harshly with him, while he was begging for forgiveness. It was hard to be tough at that moment, but I had to. Oliver had not only hurt my feelings but betrayed the trust I had in him, in our love. I just couldn't forgive him. I will never forget what he did and said to me.

I came out of that room leaving him begging on the floor and ran towards the elevator. I did not want him to follow me, so as the elevator's doors closed I felt a sense of relief.

I came back to Ben's room feeling a bit exhausted with all the drama I had gone through. I could see police officers coming out of Ben's room and a small arched smile appeared on my lips. Ben was awake. I ran towards his door but stopped on the door as I saw Julianne sitting besides him holding one of his hand in her hands and weeping. "I am so sorry Ben. I didn't want to hurt you. Especially you. But look what I did. I did this to you", she said crying.

"Hey Princess, did I ever tell you that you tears don't suit you at all", he said in a low voice. Typical Ben!

"Ben, I .... I wanted you to know that I ... I", she stammered.

"I know Princess. I always knew that you love me. I don't know why you took so much time to figure out the same. I mean, who wouldn't fall for a handsome, hunk like me", he said joking, which brought a smile on Julianne's face. Only Ben could joke even in such complicated situation.

"So, aren't you angry with me?" She asked.

"Not at all Princess. How could I be angry with the only girl in the whole wide world who has got the key toy heart. But I can definitely ask you to give me something in return of my forgiveness", he said.

"You can ask for anything Ben", she said.

"Well normally I would have asked for more, but considering the current situation, I am ready to settle for a kiss. Or probably a lot of kisses", he said.

I saw Julianne blushing all red and she leaned over carefully towards Ben. I carefully moved out of the room to give the two love birds some privacy.

As I turned around I was startled by Claire standing only inches away from me. "Gosh Claire, you scared me", I said puffing air out of my lungs.

"Sam, I know you are very angry with Ollie at the moment, but please don't just cut him off. Please forgive him, he is really sorry", she said and I could see Oliver standing at a distance behind her.

"Claire please I don't want to talk to him, see him or listen to any of his bull shit excuses. I hate him. I hate the man who thinks so low of the woman who he claims to love", I said in an angry voice.

"Sam please don't say that. Don't say that you hate him. I know you don't hate him. You love him and you are saying all this because you are hurt. But please can't you forgive him once. Just this one time Sam", she said.

"No Claire, I can't", I said in a firm voice.

And before she could say anymore Oliver rushed towards me and grabbing my arms pulled me towards him and hugged me tightly. "Please Sam, I am sorry. I am really really sorry. Please don't hate me baby. Please don't leave me. I'll die. I can't live without you. I..." , With all my force I pushed him away and he almost fell on the couch lying behind him.

Claire grabbed him by his arms and stopped him from falling down. "Ollie,  watch out", she said out if concern.

He stood up and was about to approach me again when she stopped him and said, "Ollie, I think you should go right now. You can try again later. She is not in the right state of mind currently. Her friend is injured and everything else."

Oliver looked at her and she said again rubbing his arms, "please bro, just go home. I'll talk to Sam".

And I turned my face against them. I could hear Oliver leaving and that did not feel comforting at all. I was in a state where my mind and my heart were at war with each other. I closed my eyes for a moment to remember just those words which he spoke to me at the office last time and could feel immediate hatred for Oliver once again.

**********

"Hey buddy, how are you feeling now?" I asked Ben.

"Fine as a fiddle. You know I am thinking by the time grandma will arrive, I would already be planning my wedding", he said winking at Julianne.

"Typical Ben!", I said rolling my eyes.

"What about you Sammy? Where is Mr. Rude?" He asked completely unaware of the current situation between me and Oliver.

"You know what happened?" I said.

"Yeah, but didn't Julianne told him already what actually happened", he said confused, looking at me and Julianne.

"Yes she did and he came to apologize too, but I don't think he deserves a second chance", I said pouring a glass of water for myself.

"Why not? Don't you love him anymore?" He asked.

"It doesn't matter. I don't think he really loves me. If he really did love me, then he would never have said all those things to me", I said almost crushing the glass back on the table.

"Listen Sam, I know you are hurt, but I think you should hear him out at least. I mean, I know he is an egoist, arrogant, male cheuvenist pig, but, I also know that he loves you a lot".

I just stared at him in response.

"Alright, I'll zip up for now. But I think you're being too hard on yourself. I mean look at yourself, I can already see dark circles under your eyes and bone peeking out of your collars. You clearly are not taking all this break up thing well. Because you love him."

I couldn't take all this anymore and burst into tears and Julianne immediately came and grabbed me under her arms.

"Hey, hey, Sammy I am so sorry sweetheart. I didn't mean to hurt you." Ben said trying to wake up and I stopped him by putting him down and said, "No Ben, you don't have to be sorry. I am just crying because Its hard. It's so hard. I am trying to be tough but I am not. I know I love him. And I am mad at myself for loving him even after what he did to me. I am trying to be tough to save my self respect. I deserve to be loved. But,I believe I deserve to be respected more, which he never did. Never. He agreed to his mom's stupid deal, to test me, as if I was some interview candidate to marry him. He should have rather told his mom that I am irreplaceable. Then he so easily believed that I stole the designs for money. I never ever asked for a penny when I was with him. He couldn't trust me for once. He doesn't deserve my love. I love him, but I also hate him. I wish I had never met him."

"I am so sorry Sammy. You are right. And I am with you in all your decisions", he said holding my hand and I nodded.

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