One More Chance novel Chapter 184

"How long are you going to stay in the Philippines?" I asked with a pout when Luke told me he had to go to the Philippines as he had something important to do in his company.

"I'm not sure, sweetheart," he replied as he sliced the steak on his plate. "I guess I'll have to stay there for a week or so."

"A week or so?" I repeated with my mouth hanging in mid-air.

"Yes, my team and I have to sort out some problems that Lucy's father left in the company."

"Ahh... I - I thought you were only staying there for two or three days?" I tried to keep the disappointment from escaping but it was so hard and a heavy sigh suddenly left my lips. Deep inside I was hoping to hear the other way around and that he would say 'Okay if you don't want me to leave then I won't or maybe he would ask me if is it okay to leave again after what happened,'

I stared at him... watched him as he gracefully chewed the food in his mouth and then smiled when he found me staring at him. He didn't seem to hear my sigh.

"Hey, sweetheart,"

"Hmm?"

"Don't you like your food?" He asked instead, which kinda shocked me.

"Huh? No, uhm---"

"We can order something else or whatever you want. Tell me, what do you want? Don't you like your steak?"

"No, I'm fine, I like it," I instantly shook my head. "I like it," I tried to smile and pretended to be excited in front of him.

"Are you sure?"

"Yup," I started to get a small slice and shoved it into my mouth without glancing at him.

We are at his favorite steakhouse in LA having dinner after watching a thriller movie and stepping out of the cinema.

And as I pushed through the third or fourth bite of my steak, I kinda lost count, my mind weighing whether to confront him or to just keep the disappointment to myself.

But a few minutes later, I slowly dropped my knife and fork and looked at him. I can't hold it any longer. He saw my reaction and gave me a look of confusion.

"You know what, honestly, I was expecting to hear the opposite of what you said. I was hoping you could cancel or postpone your appointment in the Philippines for a week or so and that you could stay until my parents' anniversary this coming Friday, but I guess you've already decided and your meeting is more important," I wonder how I said those lines without even batting an eye.

It's only been two weeks since we talked and sorted things out, but now he's leaving again.

"Sweetheart---"

"But it's fine, I mean, I'm fine," I shrugged, looking away from him as I don't want him to see the disappointment in my eyes but I guess actions really speak louder than words.

And because I was quick to avoid his eye contact, I missed the mischievous grin that appeared in the corner of his lips.

"No, I guess you're not," he said shaking his head as he leaned back against his seat.

"No, I'm fine, really," I grabbed the glass of wine in front of me and gulped a few.

"Sam..." I noticed how he bit his lower lip, maybe trying to stifle the smile that wanted to escape from them. "Why don't you come with me? I'm sure Dana and all your friends will be glad to see you again,"

That's a good idea but...

"Yeah, that's a good idea if I don't have a daughter who I promised to take on her field trip the next day and my parents aren't celebrating a wedding anniversary three days from now."

"Sweetheart, I'm sorry," he held my hand that was resting on top of the table. "I'm sorry, but I will try my best to finish my appointments immediately so that I can attend your parents' wedding anniversary celebration."

It took me a while to absorb what he said and gave him a listless smile.

"It's alright, I kinda understand that you need to go there, it's just that I didn't expect you would stay that longer."

"Sam..."

"Maybe I'm just paranoid and a bit scared after what happened. You know, you just told me you were having a new project, but I didn't know you already had an accident."

Having said those thoughts, he immediately stood up and without a word grabbed me by the cheeks and kissed me deeply on the lips.