Chapter 57: Chapter 57



Samuel was wearing a brown sweater with a sweetheart neckline, a white shirt inside, white pants and white shoes. He was erect, with red lips and white teeth, delicate cheeks, high nose bridge and curly black hair.

He stroked his sister’s head, “Simona, did you hear Mama?”

Simona nodded vigorously, adoring her brother. The two were minutes apart, but Samuel was much more mature and understanding. Simona still looked like a girl next door, naïve and cute.

Dolores had already brought dinner to the table, “All right, wash your hands and eat.”

Sampson approached, reaching out to Simona but was stopped by Dolores, “Sampson, go eat. I’ll wash your hands.”

“Let me help you.” Sampson didn’t distance himself from Dolores despite having had that discussion just now.

“Dr. Herbert, let Lola do it. She should sit down.” Jessica said kindly.

Sampson had no choice but to settle at the table, while Jessica grabbed a bottle of wine and sat down at the table.

She glanced into the bathroom to make sure Dolores wasn’t eavesdropping and said to Sampson, “After all these years, thank you.”

She poured a glass for Sampson and herself. The foreign wine wasn’t as spicy compared to the white, so she finished the glass of wine in one gulp. “I hope I can be with you, but you know Lola. She’s stubborn as a mule, besides, she has to take care of her two kids now. You’re not young anymore, Sampson. If you’ve met the perfect one, go.”

“Auntie, if you can, help me convince her.” Sampson stared at her glass of wine, still not touching it.

How could Jessica possibly not have persuaded yet?

She was always grateful to Sampson, always helping Dolores through the most difficult times, taking care of her.

It was fair to say that without Sampson, there would be no Dolores.

Jessica was grateful and satisfied with Sampson.

But Dolores refused, what can she do anyway?

Jessica smiled bitterly, “I’ve already persuaded her, but she won’t listen.”

Anyway, she understood her daughter’s intention. After all, she had given birth to two children. Sampson had a good family and a lovely face, but she didn’t care at all.

But her daughter cared.

She knew how important one’s innocence was to a husband.

Sampson picked up the wine glass and finished it in one gulp, setting the glass down hard, “I won’t give up.”

He was going to wait until she accepted him.

“Why are you doing this, she’s not worth your time…”

Dolores walked out with Simona hugging her hand, while Samuel in another.

Jessica changed the subject, she held out her hand for Simona, “Come let grandma hug you.”

“I want mommy.” Simona wrapped her arms around Dolores’ neck tightly, she was closer to her mother.

Dolores was always busy; she didn’t have much time to take care of her daughter. How could she pass up this opportunity by having dinner while hugging her mother?

Jessica pretended to be unhappy and said, “Look at your brother.”

Samuel climbed into the chair himself to eat. Hearing Jessica talking about him, he looked at his sister and said, “He’s still young.”

“…”

Jessica thought, “You’re only a few minutes older, though.” His man-child look made everyone laugh.

Dolores hugged Simona and sat down.

After dinner, Sampson had to leave. Jessica took charge of Simona, who was still on Dolores’ arm, and said, “Go say goodbye to Doctor Herbert, will you?”

Dolores politely got up and said, “Sampson, I’ll see you out.” Even if she didn’t accept her feelings, she was still grateful for Sampson.

Over the years, he really helped a lot.

“Okay.” Sampson smiled.

The two left the house one after the other; Dolores was behind to close the door.

“Have you ever thought about going back?” asked Sampson shyly.

Dolores shook her head, “No.”

What came out of her was genuine; she felt her life was so much better.

Sampson lowered his head, “I won’t be able to visit her during these days.”

He had work to attend to, besides, he had to return to the country later, he didn’t have enough time.

“You do it, we’re fine here.” He could go to work while Jessica took care of the kids at home.

“Okay.” She walked over to Dolores’ shoulder and rested her hands on it and licked her lips, “Just now your mom said something to me.”

Dolores looked down at her hands resting on his shoulder, “What did my mom say?”

“She told me to propose, she probably thinks I’m too old, afraid I’ll be alone for the rest of my life,” Sampson said cheerfully.

Dolores laughed, “Yeah, you’re older. Get married soon, will you?”

Sampson stared at her, “Can’t we have a real chance?”. Dolores’ smile froze; she knew Sampson was good.

Not that she had forgotten, but he was keeping his promise to Mrs. Herbert.

“You deserve better…”

“But in my eyes, you’re the best.” Sampson stopped walking, gripping her shoulder tighter, facing her, “I like you, not just as brothers, but as man and wife.”

Dolores didn’t know what to reply.

“I…”

“Hush.” His body moved closer, feeling his warm breath at that distance, she froze completely.

Dolores was an adult too; she knew what Sampson was doing.

Just as their lips were about to meet, Dolores spun on his face, planting a kiss on his cheeks. However, she didn’t get angry, “Alright, let’s test if you’re allergic to this first, next time we’ll try lips.”

Dolores, “…”

“Sampson…” She wanted to explain that they really weren’t possible.

“We’re not related.” Sampson interrupted, he wasn’t young, and he really didn’t want to wait.

Dolores lowered her head, “I have work tomorrow, I’ll be back.”

“Okay.”

She went back to her house and saw Jessica busy cleaning the kitchen. Jessica knew it was Dolores and said, “The kids won’t let me bathe them, do you have time?”.

“Yes, I will.” She went into the bathroom to prepare hot water for the children.

Simona pointed to the pink bottle of body wash, “Mommy, I want to take a shower.” She stood in the tub naked, splashing the water. Dolores pointed at her, “Stop moving or you won’t get shampoo.” Simona pouted, looking unhappy.

Samuel was fine; he didn’t need much attention to himself. Compared to Simona, Dolores’ clothes were all soaked, no thanks to him having bathed her.

He toweled her to the bed, handed her a pair of pink elephant pajamas and put them on.

Simona started jumping up and down on the bed.

Samuel couldn’t stand it and said quietly, “Quiet, please.”

His words were more forceful than his mother’s, as Simona crawled toward him, her voice soft, “Brother.”

Dolores could only sigh lightly, looking at them, Simona only listening to her brother.

“Samuel, take care of your sister, I’m going to take a bath.”

“It’s okay, don’t worry, mommy.” Samuel patted her chest, assuring her, “I’ll take care of my sister.”

Dolores scratched her hair, grabbed her clothes and went to bathe.

After bathing, she told them bedtime stories.

In the morning, Dolores was about to go to work after breakfast, Samuel came over and said, “Mommy, can I follow you to work?”

“Huh?”

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