CHAPTER 73

"I hope this isn't because of your wife," Samantha questioned, her gaze drifting toward the café entrance. Her eyes narrowed as she saw Margaret walking towards the door. Samantha's mind raced, piecing together the situation. "Oh, I see," she murmured, a mix of bitterness and understanding in her voice.

Margaret was oblivious to the tension inside the café, and her thoughts were solely about seeing Alexander. Samantha, however, quickly packed her things, her movements sharp and controlled. She gave Alexander one last piercing look before standing up.

Margaret, unaware of the drama unfolding behind her, continued her walk towards the building, her focus entirely on seeing Alexander. Samantha quickened her pace, her heels clicking sharply on the pavement, and caught up to Margaret just as she reached the door.

Without saying a word, Samantha stepped close to Margaret, catching her attention with her sudden presence. Margaret looked up, surprised to see Samantha so close. Before Margaret could react, Samantha leaned in, adjusting her blouse in a way that revealed just a hint more than necessary, her fingers brushing her collarbone provocatively.

She smoothed her hair, letting her fingers linger suggestively near her lips, and cast a smoldering look directly into Margaret's eyes. The gesture was subtle yet undeniably provocative, implying an intimacy that left Margaret momentarily stunned. Samantha locked eyes with Margaret, a slow, taunting smile spreading across her face, daring her to react.

Margaret, taken aback by Samantha's bold demeanor, felt a wave of unease wash over her. Before she could react, Samantha gave her a final, lingering look, then walked out of the café, her hips swaying deliberately with each step.

Margaret stood there for a moment, stunned by the interaction. She couldn't quite place it, but something about the encounter felt deeply unsettling as if there was a hidden message in Samantha's actions. It was as if Samantha wanted to plant a seed of doubt, to make Margaret question what had really transpired between her and Alexander.

Pushing the thoughts aside, Margaret opened the café door and stepped inside. She spotted him sitting at a table, his expression a mix of concern and determination. As she approached, he looked up, his eyes softening at the sight of her.

Alexander, still processing Samantha's abrupt departure, turned back to Margaret with a mix of surprise and relief. "Margaret, it's a bit early. You should have called," he said, trying to regain his composure.

Margaret raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly. "I did text you," she replied.

Alexander quickly pulled out his phone, scrolling through his messages. Sure enough, there was a text from Margaret informing him that she was on her way. "Oh, right. Sorry, I must have missed it," he said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

As he put his phone away, his eyes drifted to the large, transparent glass windows of the café. Through them, he could see Samantha walking away, her hips swaying exaggeratedly. The deliberate movement and the way she glanced back at the café sent a clear, provocative message. Alexander's stomach twisted as he realized how the scene might look to Margaret.

He turned back to Margaret, his mind racing to find the right words. "Margaret, about Samantha..."

Margaret held up a hand, stopping him mid-sentence. "Alexander, I understand. I trust you," she said, squeezing his hand reassuringly. "No need for any explanation."

Alexander blinked, taken aback by her unwavering confidence. "Okay?" he asked, still feeling the need to explain. "Samantha and I were just talking. I needed to ask her some questions about a few things I've been investigating. She's involved in something, and I needed to understand what's going on. That's all."

Margaret reached across the table, placing her hand gently over his. "Yeah, okay. I understand."

Just then, the server arrived with their drinks, breaking the tension. Alexander took a sip of his coffee, feeling its warmth spread through him. He glanced back at the window, where Samantha was now just a distant figure.

As they settled into a more relaxed conversation, Alexander couldn't help but feel the trust Margaret placed in him was a powerful motivator.

They spent the rest of their time at the café talking about lighter topics, enjoying each other's company. As they prepared to leave, Alexander stood up and helped Margaret with her coat. "Are you ready for your new office? "Alexander will ask excitingly.

Margaret's face lit up with excitement. "Yes.." she replied. " let go. "

Hand in hand, they walked out of the café, leaving the morning's unease behind them.

As they drove, Margaret's mind raced with ideas and dreams she'd held since graduating from university.

"This is what I've always dreamed of," Margaret said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I can't believe it's finally happening."

As they continued driving, the route grew more familiar, and the streets and landmarks reminded her of past experiences. Her excitement started to wane as they approached an office building she recognized all too well: Victor's office. Her heart sank, and a heavy feeling settled in her chest.

"We're here," Alexander announced, pulling into the parking lot.

Margaret tried to muster a smile, but her body felt heavy. She forced herself to move, each step feeling like a struggle. Alexander noticed her sudden change in demeanor and looked at her with concern. "Is everything okay?" he asked.

Margaret quickly faked a bright smile. "Yes, of course. I'm just a bit overwhelmed, that's all."

They entered the building and were greeted by a real estate agent named Ava, who began showing them the available space. The office was everything Margaret had dreamed of: spacious, comfortable, and luxurious. Ava explained the details and potential of the space, but Margaret's mind was elsewhere. She couldn't shake the fear of running into Victor, knowing his hospital was in the same building.

As they walked through the office, Ava highlighted the modern amenities, ample natural light, and flexible layout. "You can customize this space to suit your needs perfectly," she said with a friendly smile.

Margaret nodded, trying to focus on the positives. "It's beautiful," she managed to say, though her voice lacked the enthusiasm she usually had.

Alexander noticed her distracted state but didn't press the issue further. They continued the tour, and Margaret tried her best to stay focused and positive. Despite the perfect office space, the shadow of Victor's presence loomed over her, making it hard to embrace the moment fully.

Margaret's mind was flooded with the fear of a potential encounter, which made her stomach churn. She tried to push the thoughts aside, reminding herself that this was her opportunity to build something new and meaningful.

As they concluded the tour, Ava handed them some brochures and contact information. "Take your time to think it over," she said. " Though This space might not be available for long."

Margaret forced another smile, and Alexander added, "Thank you. We'll definitely consider it."

As Alexander and Margaret just opened the door to leave, they saw Sandra emerging from Victor's office across the way, her expression turning to surprise as she spotted them.

"Margaret! Alexander!" Sandra called out, her voice a blend of surprise and delight.

Margaret stiffened, her mind racing. Sandra approached them quickly, her demeanor friendly yet inquisitive. "I've been so busy taking care of Victor, I hardly get a moment to myself," Sandra said, giving Margaret a scrutinizing look. "But it's great to see you both. How are you holding up, Margaret? I hope you're alright now? ."

Margaret forced a smile, trying to mask her discomfort. "Yeah I am fine, It's good to see you too, Sandra."

Sandra's eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief as she continued. "Victor's been in such a bad state since the incident. I've been tending to him nonstop. I mean, you understand the severity of Victor's condition since you were there, don't you?"