Love and Trouble

Chapter 1

Hearing trees ruffle and sitting in a coffee shop with a book in her hands had never felt so good for Samantha. She had everything she wanted. A career, money and everything a girl could ask for. Samantha was happy with all that she had achieved but something was missing. She quickly dropped the book she was reading and became lost in thought about her life. Samantha put her hand under her chin and thought.

"I have everything I want, but why on earth am I not happy! What is wrong with me? What exactly is missing in my life right now"

As Samantha was deep in thought, she felt someone touch her shoulder and she jumped.

"Oh, Christ! Why would you touch me so suddenly! She said, turning abruptly to see who it was that touched her.

Samantha turned to see what has been missing in her life, a man to call her own!

He was so handsome, with a face so smooth like a baby's butt. His hair wa shiny. He had the darkest eyes that Samantha had ever seen. She couldn't look away. She was stunned, because she hasn't seen a man so handsome in a long time. "Samantha! Focus! She said in her head.

She turned to face her table, feeling bad for the gentleman she just yelled at. She Covered her face with both hands, trying to put herself together. Samantha was now ready to face the handsome stranger who touched her. She turned to face him again and this time, her voice was so low she didn't recognise her own voice. She sounded like a teenager who was smitten and talking to her crush.

"I am so sorry I yelled at you. I was deep in thought and got startled when you touched me so suddenly" she said to him.

The young man didn't say a word and kept looking at her.

Samantha was so confused, she kept looking around out of discomfort from the stranger's silence to her apology. She had to say something again, thinking he didn't hear her the first time.

"I said i am Sorry I yelled at you, didn't you hear me?

"I heard you loud and clear ma'am, and for the record, I never touched you suddenly. I have been calling your attention and you seemed to be thinking about something important, so I had to slightly touch you to get your attention"

Samantha had never been so ashamed and embarrassed before. He had been calling her attention and she didn't answer. She wished she could hide her face under the table and maybe disappear too, than face him again. It was her fault and she hated it. She smiled at him.

"I apologize again for my behaviour. What can I do for you? She asked him.

He looked pissed, but Samantha could see he was trying not to get so upset by her, so he just pointed outside the door and in a calm and almost inaudible voice he said.

"You are parked on the wrong spot and I wonder why" he said in between his teeth.

Samantha looked at him with a surprised look.

"Parked on the wrong spot? I did no such thing" she said, trying not to raise her voice again.

He looked at her again and asked " Are you sure about that?

"Ofcourse I am sure. Whatever gave you the idea that I parked on the wrong spot?

"If you think you were right to park on the spot you parked your car, then come with me.Let me show you how wrong you are"

Samantha looked at him, wondering who this hard headed man was. She scoffed at him, shook her head and said.

"Fine, show me how wrong I was to have Parked there. Lead the way" she said, standing up from her seat.

As Samantha stood up from her seat, she placed the book she had been reading on the table and it caught the gentleman's attention. He read out the book's title so loud that everyone in the coffee shop turned to look at them

"How to get a man of yours? Really? That's the title of the book you are reading while you parked your car on the wrong spot? He said, and everyone in the coffee shop laughed and whispered.

Doloris was so embarrassed that she quickly took the book and hid it inside her handbag. She carried her handbag as she knew she could no longer come back to the coffee shop out of embarrassment.

She walked out of the coffee shop like someone being chased. The stranger was right behind her. She hated him. Samantha thought she had seen someone who could be her soulmate or her lover, but clearly she was wrong. He was no gentleman at all! He was rude, he was uncultured and she hates him. He read the title of the book loudly just to embarrass her, she thought.

Samantha got to her car and looked at the stranger angrily.

"So? what's wrong with my parking, what exactly? She asked him.

He pointed at a sign in front of Samantha car and she had to go to the front of her car to see what he was pointing at. She saw it and it read 'Do not park here' Samantha looked at the sign confused and then turned to the stranger.

"What! But this sign was not here when I parked my car, I am sure it wasn't! She said.

He scoffed at her and said " That's what you all say when you are caught red handed"

"Red handed? What is that supposed to mean" Samantha said to him.

"You know what I am talking about ma'am. Please read signs when parking your car in a public place and stop reading books on how to find a man" he said , mockingly.

Samantha became uncomfortable and went closer to him.

"Can you stop mocking my single life! You are embarassing me! She said inbetween her teeth.

"I can say whatever I want ma'am. You brought it upon yourself when you decided to...;

"Enough! Enough!! Enough!!! Samantha yelled, cutting him off.

As Samantha yelled, a security guard walked up to them to know what the problem was.

"Is everything okay ma'am? The security guard asked.

Samantha wanted to redeem herself before this stranger and she needed to make him believe she didn't see the sign before parking her car. "Why do I need to redeem myself before him? Am I crazy! She thought.

Samantha looked at the security guard.

"May I ask you a question sir? She said.

"Ofcourse you can ma'am"

"This sign here, has it always been there? She asked him.

"Yes ma'am, it has, but sometimes some miscreants take off the sign just so they can park there. They also forget to put the sign back, making some other car owners park here wrongly which isn't their fault"

Samantha smiled and turned to the stranger.

"Oh! Is that so? Thank you for telling me sir, that will be all"

The security guard smiled and was on his way.

The stranger looked at Samantha.

"I am so sorry I accused you wrongly. How can I make you feel better? He asked Samantha.

"Just learn how not to run into conclusions without proper investigations. That's how you can make me feel better" she said.

"You still look really angry. My name is Allen and I am really sorry, please forgive me? How can i make it up to you" he said.

"Do you know how you can make it up to me Allen?

"Just say it, anything" Allen replied, enthusiastically.

"Just leave me alone and don't you talk to me ever again, now move! Samantha said, walking into her car.

Allen kept looking at Samantha with a remorseful look, but she ignored him. Before she drove off, she looked at him and said. "Allen? I forgive you, but don't talk to me again, goodbye"

"May I know your name please? Allen asked.

Samantha simply yelled "No! Before driving off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Allen had planned to sit at the coffee shop, but his encounter with Samantha made him unhappy, so he decided to go home. He entered his car and drove off.

As Allen was driving, he saw a familiar car in front of him.

"Isn't that the young woman I just had an encounter with? He said to himself.

Samantha kept driving to her house. She was pissed off, even though Allen had apologized, she still wasn't over the embarrassment. She got to the front of her house and came down from her car. Immediately she stepped out, she saw a familiar face parking his car in front of the house next door. It was Allen and he was also stepping out of his car.

"Oh my goodness! why is he following me! She thought.

She looked at Allen and yelled " Why are you following me Allen? I thought I said I forgive you" She said.

Allen looked at Samantha, smiled and shook his head.

"It's not funny anymore Allen. You don't have to stalk me now do you?

Allen ignored her and walked up to his front door. He got to his front door and turned to Samantha.

"It's not always about you, I live here! He said, before walking Into his house.

Again, he just made her look stupid! Samantha thought. "How can he be living next door when I never want to see his face again!

Their first meeting wasn't a pleasant one, and Samantha was exhausted from trying to prove herself innocent from Allen's accusation.

"I'll be damned! ! This is so crazy! I can't believe I have to keep seeing that obnoxious man everyday! This is going to be one hell of a ride" Samantha said to herself before walking into her house.

As Samantha walked into her house, she thought about her ex boyfriend Kay. She was not thinking of him because she missed him. She was thinking about the last word he said to her.

"You cannot get away from me, Samantha. I will find you. If you start dating someone new? I will find the both of you and you don't want to know what I am going to do. You turned me Into the beast I have become. You can run, but you can't hide! I will find you!

~~~~~~~~~

Samantha got Into her house and could not wait to take off her clothes to get into the shower. She took off her shoes, put a towel on her body and was about to go into the bathroom when she heard someone knock on her door. She was expecting her friend Nancy, so she didn't think about putting some clothes on. She walked to the door and opened it.

"Nancy, I didn't know you will be coming......;

Immediately Samantha saw who it was, she stopped talking and froze. She screamed.

"Allen? Allen! Oh my goodness! She said, quickly closing her door.

Seeing Samantha in just a towel did all kinds of things to Allen's mind.

"Stop it Allen, haven't you seen a woman in a towel before? He said to himself. He turned to the door and called Samantha.

"Neighbour? Please I need to talk to you, please?

Samantha stood behind her door, still trying to understand what had just happened.

"What do you want Allen? Please go away!

"I am sorry to disturb you, but I need to ask you something about the neighbourhood"

Samantha knew Allen might want to ask her things about the neighbourhood, but she didn't know it was going to be this soon. She had to go put on some clothes and she was back to the door. She opened the door to see Allen's back , facing the door.

"Why is your back facing the door? She asked him.

"Uhhhm, I don't know if you are still not dressed, so I don't want to be rude. I am a gentleman you know"

"You can turn around now, I am fully dressed" she replied.

Allen turned slowly, and when he saw Samantha was really dressed, he put his hand on his chest and said "Oh thank God"

"For what? Doloris said.

"Nothing, absolutely nothing" Allen replied, blushing.

Samantha could see his cheek turning red, but she ignored him and tried to relieve the awkwardness.

"So, what do you want to know about the neighbourhood"

"I thought you said you didn't want to talk to me ever again? Allen asked.

"Are you ready to tell me, or do you want me to go back inside? Samantha said, trying to leave.

"No, wait! Fine, you got me. I didn't want to ask you anything about the neighbourhood, I only wanted to know your name"

Samantha couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"What! Are you being serious right now? You mean I came out here just so you could know my name? You are so fraustrating Allen!

"I am sorry neighbour, I had to know your name. It's not right that I don't know your name when we are neighbours right?

Samantha turned to go back in, when someone parked in front of her place and came out of his car screaming her name.

It was kay, her vile ex boyfriend.

"Samantha! Samantha!! Can't you hear me calling you? How long do you think you can ignore me! I have been calling your place of work, your personal phone and you didn't responds whatsoever. I told you, that i will find you" Kay said.

Samantha would do anything to get rid of Kay. She had broken up with Kay in the past because he cheated on her. She also broke up with him because of his insulting and demeaning ways. Kay insults her at every given opportunity and now he wouldn't let her be. Kay wants her back but she doesn't ever want to have anything to do with him and he won't take no for an answer.

Samantha ignored Kay and tried to go back into her house, but Kay walked pass Allen and grabbed her by the arm.

"Let me go, Kay. I don't have time for this. I have told you to stop calling me. I don't want to have anything to do with you anymore, so just leave"

Kay didn't let Samantha go, and Allen was watching Samantha for any sign to let him take over, but Samantha didn't so much as look at him. She kept her eyes on Kay, still trying to take her hand back from Kay's grip.

"I said let me go, Kay! Samantha yelled.

Allen didn't wait for Samantha to give him a sign anymore, he wanted to step in and that he did.

"Let the lady go" he said calmly.

Kay turned to look at Allen, and then turned back to Samantha.

"Who is this guy? Is he the one you have replaced me with? Really?

"It's none of your business Kay, let me go! Samantha said.

Allen walked to Kay, looked him In the eye and said again.

"She said you should let her go, and I know you aren't deaf or hard to hear, right?

Kay let Samantha go, but it didn't end there.

"Samantha, you think you can just break up with me and I will let you go? Never! You haven't seen the last of me. I will be back and remember you have no place to hide. If I can't have you, then no one will! Kay said, before walking to his car and driving off.

Allen kept watching Kay to make sure he had left before turning to Samantha who was rubbing her wrist. Her wrist was visibly red from Kay's tight grip.

"Are you okay? Allen asked her.

"Yes, I am fine. You didn't have to interfere, I could have handled him myself"

"Wow, for real? I thought I was going to get a thank you or something"

"A thank you for what? I never asked for your help. Goodbye Allen" Samantha said, before walking into her house.

Allen stood in front of Samantha's house, wondering why she was still being hostile towards him, but he couldn't blame her so much. He had embarrassed her at the coffee shop and he should probably give her some time to forgive him.

"I'll be in my house if you need me! He yelled at Samantha's door, before walking back to his house.

Samantha stood behind her door, waiting for Allen to leave. She heard him say he will be in his house if she needed him, but it will take the heavens to fall before she will ask him for help. She went to her room, took off her clothes and got into the shower. Samantha sat in her bathtub, soaking herself inside a warm water and she felt relaxed immediately. She had been tensed immediately she saw Kay approaching, but she didn't want to let him see how scared she was. When they dated, Kay had initially been a good boyfriend, but all of a sudden, he became this Jealous and insecure person. He didn't let her associate with anyone of the opposite gender. He would nitpick at every little thing she did, insult her and make her feel irrelevant. Samantha couldn't take it anymore and almost left him. Kay apologised and promised never to continue his bad behaviours, but what broke the camel's back was when Samantha came to visit Kay at his house, she opened the door to see a female's shoes. She didn't want to believe that Kay would bring another woman to his house. She walked to his room and Kay didn't hear her walk in. She saw Kay in bed with another woman. Right there and then, she said to him " It's over between us Kay! I am so glad I can finally end this relationship!

Samantha left Kay and it's been two months. Now he is back and wants to get back together with her, but Samantha didn't want to go through such emotional abuse ever again. She would rather remain single all her life than go back to Kay.

Samantha wished she could stay in the shower all day, but she had other things to do, like calling her friend Nancy. She and Nancy grew up together and were practically like sisters. They tell each other everything and Samantha couldn't wait to tell Nancy about Kay's unwelcome visit. Nancy had promised to visit her and she had been expecting her when Allen came, so she needed to know why she hasn't come.

Samantha stepped out of the shower and went straight for her phone. She picked up her phone to dial Nancy's number, but someone knocked on her door.

"Who could it be again, I hope it's not Allen" she muttered to herself.

She put the phone down and went to see who it was at the door. She opened the door and she couldn't be more pissed.

"What nerve do you have showing your face here. I can't believe you both have the nerve to show your face at my place. Leave here immediately!

Samantha was speaking to the woman she caught Kay with on bed. She was Kay's co-worker, Rose. When she and Kay were dating, Rose always said she admired their relationship, but clearly, she admired more than their relationship. She also admired the man in the relationship and she finally got what she was looking for.

"You mean Kay was here? What was he doing here? Are you trying to make him come back to you Samantha? Are you? Rose asked.

"Just shut up and leave my house, Rose. I have told you that you can have Kay for all I care. I don't want him and I never will. I don't go back to my vomit, and Kay is one to me. I suggest you also tell him to stay away from me. You all should leave me the hell alone!

Samantha wished Nancy was here. It was moments like this that made her wish Nancy lived with her. Nancy knew how to face situations like this, she knew how to get these people off her back, she knew how to fight Rose anx Kay off for her.

Rose tried to say something to Samantha when they both heard a car pull up in front of Doloris's house, it was Nancy!

Nancy walked out of her car, straight to Samantha's front door. She saw Samantha looking at her for help and immediately knew something was wrong.

Samantha smiled at Nancy and she smiled back. Nancy looked at the other starnger and asked Samantha.

"Who is our guest? Sammy.

Samantha didn't want to create a scene, so she wanted to give Rose the last chance to leave on her own.

"Oh, it's no one Nancy, she was just leaving" she said.

Rose stood her ground and didn't want to leave. Nancy looked at Rose and then back to Samantha.

"Samantha?I thought you said your guest was about leaving?

"She isn't my guest Nancy and yes, she is supposed to be on her way, but clearly she does not want to leave me alone"

Nancy turned to Rose.

"My Friend says you should leave. You have overstayed your welcome. That shouldn't be hard to do, is it?

Rose ignored Nancy and tried talking to Samantha again but Nancy stopped her with her hand.

"I said you should leave here this minute! Nancy yelled.

Samantha wished Nancy would bring her voice down, as she didn't want to attract the attention of neighbours and worst of all, she didn't want Allen to hear them yelling. Samantha didn't like the fact that Allen keeps seeing the bad side of her life. She turned to Nancy.

"Please bring your voice down Nancy. As for you Rose, the next time I see you close to my house, I promise to call the cops on you, now leave my house" she said.

Rose looked at Nancy and scoffed before facing Samantha.

"Let me tell you something Samantha or whatever it is you call yourself. Just let my man be, stay far away from him and do not accept him when he comes back to you. If you do accept him, you don't know what will be coming for you. I will show you why they call me the crazy ass bitch! Rose said before leaving Samantha's house.

Nancy looked at Samantha, waiting to hear an explanation of what just happened, but Samantha didn't want to tell Nancy until they were inside. She knew how Nancy would react if she told her while standing outside.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Samantha pulled Nancy by the hand, dragging her inside her living room. When she was sure that Nancy was settled in, she went back to the door to secure the lock. She walked back to Nancy and stood facing her.

"I know you have been waiting for an explanation about the lady you just saw"

"Ofcourse I need an explanation, Samantha. Tell me now, or I find out myself, make your choice"

"Calm down Nancy, I will tell you myself. Rose is the lady I caught Kay on bed with"

"What! Hold on Samantha, are you telling me that the lady we just saw now, was the one who slept with Kay when you two were still dating? What nerve! Who does she think she is! Nancy said, standing from where she sat, raging.

"Relax Nancy, we got her to leave, remember?

"You didn't get her to leave Samantha, I did. I can't believe you didn't tell me right away! I can't believe you let me speak quietly to the person who made life miserable for you. It's shocking how she shows up here out of nowhere. What did she want anyway? Nancy asked.

Telling Nancy that Kay showed up at her house was like adding fuel to fire, but Samantha had no choice but to tell her. She stalled, which made Nancy restless.

"I am still waiting for you to tell me what she wanted, Samantha"

"Look Nancy, Kay was here earlier. I didn't want you to flare up and attract attention, that was why I couldn't tell you in front of Rose"

"Rose? So that's her name. You mean Kay and his cheating partner both came here today? That's it, I am moving in here. I am so angry that they had the guts to show their stupid faces here. What the hell! How dare they! After all they made you go through?

Samantha was so excited to hear Nancy, talk about moving in with her. She has been waiting for this moment. She screamed.

"Oh my gosh! You are moving in? Really?

"Yes, I am moving in, for real this time. I just can't take the fact that those two showed up here because they know you live alone. The next time they show their faces here again, they won't have only you to face. They will have both of us to contend with"

"Oh Nancy! I can't believe you will be moving in after all these years. I have practically begged you like my life depended on it but you refused to move in. You don't know how excited I am! I guess Kay and Rose showing up is a blessing in disguise for me" she said, grinning from ear to ear.

Samantha walked to Nancy, took her by the arm and led her to take a seat.

"Have a seat Nancy. Don't let Kay and Rose put you in a shitty mood today. I have gist for you"

Nancy looked at Doloris to see her blushing.

"Wait a minute, this 'gist' you want to tell me, is it about a man? Is it? Nancy asked, sounding excited.

"Maybe?

"What do you mean maybe, Samantha? It's either about a man or it isn't! So tell me quickly"

"Okay fine, it's about a man"

Nancy screamed.

"Oh my! Who is he? is he tall? Is he handsome? What does he look like, tell me already!

"So many questions Nancy. One question at a time, okay?

"Okay, question number one, who is he?

"He is my next door neighbour" Samantha replied.

"What! You have a new neighbour?

"Yes I do, regrettably"

"Regrettably? Why do you say that?

"You see, I met him at the coffee shop downtown. We had some altercation about car parking. He literally made me look like a fool. He makes me so angry!

"Really Samantha? He makes you so angry? But I didn't see anger when you were about telling me about him. I saw you blushing!

"What? Me? Blush? I did no such thing, Nancy!

"Yeah right. My second question, is he tall and handsome?

"Well, he is kinda tall, but I don't know about being handsome"

Nancy looked at Samantha, waiting to hear her say, if her neighbour was handsome or not. Samantha looked away, trying to avoid the question, but Nancy's inquisitive look couldn't let her ignore the question.

"Fine! He is handsome okay, there you have it! Are you satisfied now? She asked, smiling.

"I knew it! I knew!! I knew you couldn't be talking about him and blushing if he wasn't handsome"

"He may be handsome Nancy, but I don't like him one bit. He makes me think less of myself. He thinks too high of himself and that drives me crazy"

"Don't you think you may be judging him too early, Samantha?

"I don't think so. He accused me of parking in a wrong spot and he was wrong!

"Did he apologize?

"Yeah well, he did but I still don't like him"

"Relax Samantha. I think you are being too hard on him. I know you have been single for a long time, why don't you take this time out to keep yourself open for a relationship"

"I will, but it definitely will not be Allen. It sure can't be Allen!

"Allen? Is that his name? Nancy asked.

"Yes, that's his name, why?

"Nothing, I like his name. His name sounds interesting, I think I like him already"

"Seriously? How can you like someone you have never met, Nancy?

"I don't know, maybe the way you have talked about him, makes me think I will like him or something"

"Stop it Nancy. You tend to like everyone, and that's your biggest flaw"

"You call seeing the good in people, my biggest flaw, Samantha? I don't think that's a flaw at all"

"Yeah, whatever you say Nancy. How's your mother doing?

"My mother is still being my mother"

"Is she still trying to make you go out with her male friends?

"You should know, she still does that. I have told her that nothing in this world will make me befriend men who are old enough to be my father. I still wonder why my mother thinks it's a good idea to date older men. I wish she could date them herself and let me be"

"Have you seen any of the older men? Have they approached you? Doloris asked.

"They do approach me whenever I go to see my mother, but I ignore them. It doesn't make sense dating my mother's friends, I just find it crazy!

Nancy stood up to go to Samantha's kitchen. She was hungry and needed to make something for herself, when someone knocked on Samantha's door.

"I'll get the door" Nancy said.

Nancy got up and went to see who it was. She opened the door and he was standing there like a sculpture out of a fairy tale in all his glory. Nancy stared at him. She couldn't look away. He was everything Samantha had said and more.........;

~~~~~~~~~~~