[Phoenix' POV]

"You wanted this, might as well be firm about it!" I thought to myself. It has been 5 minutes and I'm still stuck in front of the Ashby's gate. Just looking like a fool standing there and nervous as hell I couldn't even press the doorbell.

Inhale-exhale. I need to do this. All I have to do is to say whatever is on the script written by my boss. Of course, with feelings like what she taught me the other day. God! Am I this crazy? Knowing my temper, I might explode and even forgot that I'm just pretending. Agh!

I was startled by the gate suddenly opened.

"Come in. Leah is waiting for you." It was the Ashby's butler. She was smiling at me and held the gate wide open.

She almost forgot the reason why she was there when she saw the house--oh, wait! this is not a house, it's a PALACE!

"Phoebe!" It was Leah. She's standing at the front lounge. "I'm glad you're already here. Are you ready?"

I wanted to say no but she spoke again.

"Anyway, from now on everyone here will call you Sam or Samantha. No one should know, most especially Alan. He doesn't have to know all about this. This is just between you and me and of course our butler, Nana."

"You can trust her, She's been with the family ever since I was born." she chuckled.

We were suddenly caught by the loud scream from the second floor of the house. From there, a uniformed nurse suddenly came rushing down the stairs. Based on what she looks like, it seems that she wanted to cry.

'That bad, huh?'

"It's alright. We're going to take it from here" Leah told the nurse.

I suddenly felt nervous.

"Ready? "

'Shit! can I back out?'

---

"Alan, you have a visitor." it was Leah who opened the door.

I saw him sitting on the floor, by the edge of his bed. It looks like he was in deep thought. He just looked over our way when he heard his Mom's voice.

'Where is the good looking guy I used to know?'

From what I'm seeing, he looks like a cave man. His hair is super long and as well as his beard. 'A drug addict cave man' she thought. But no doubt, this is the Alan Ashby. I don't know him
personally but I always see him before at the office when his band released their album.

I felt Leah's hands behind my back. It was her cue to start.

I held my breath and started to talk.

"B-baby".

He startled when he heard my voice.

"Baby its me..."

"What are you doing here?" I wasn't expecting his reaction. He frowned and looked over my way.

'Does he always have to shout?!' I rolled my eyes. "I came back because of you."

"Get out of here. I don't need you anymore!" He's still shouting and I can tell that he is furious because his face is turning red.

"Baby! Could you please listen to me first? I know I was wrong, but can you forgive me?" I needed to sound like I was begging.

"Mom, take her away from me! I don't want to hear any of her lies!"

"Alan, I think you and her should talk."

"But Mom?"

"No more buts Alan! You two need this. I'll leave you two alone."

What?! Before she can even say anything, Leah reached for the door.

I know you can do it. I have faith in you, she said in a mute voice and smile. She even winked at me then left her.

Ugh! Now I'm all alone with this jerk.

"Go away Sam. There's nothing to talk about. I don't want to see you anymore."

I rolled my eyes. Oh yeah, as if you can see me.

"I won't leave unless you forgive me." She thought of changing her ways since begging to him won't obviously work.

"You don't know what you're saying?"

"I mean it! I won't leave. I'm stuck here even if you drag me down
and outside of this house."

He smirked. "Why are you doing this, Sam?"

'Because your Mom practically begged me to do it.'
"Because I love you."

Eh?

Where did that come from? It was not on the script.

Alan laughed. Even with his current state, he's still gorgeous as hell.

"You love me?" His finger pointing at him. "Come on Samantha, I won't buy it anymore. Have you forgotten? It was you who told me that you don't love me anymore and that you've found another asshole. That you're tired of someone like me. You left me without any hesitation just to do what you want." He smirked. "You don't even care if I get hurt. You're a self-centered bitch!"

Now, I'm speechless. I was caught off guard.

"I lied to you. And I was wrong."

Silence.

"It seems like it's not you Samantha. What makes you change your mind?"

'Shit!'

"Because this time I will do the right thing. I won't never leave you again. I'll be the one to take care of you. I won't give up on you no matter what happens."

He smirked again. "Go away Sam. Its useless. I don't love you anymore."

Ugh! So stubborn! Until when does he plan on making this harder for her.

"I don't believe you! I know you still love me. And no matter how much you wanted to push me away, whether you like it or not, I will stay. Like what I've said, I won't give up on you."

"Get out!" He shouted again. "Get out of my room! Get out of my life!"

"You don't have to shout, Babe."

"I will do whatever I want!"

"Fine!" I can't take it anymore and shouted back at him. "I'll leave if that's what you want, Jerk!" I didn't give him the benefit of saying another word and left the room.

I hope you lose your voice as well. Hmpf!


[Alan's POV]

I rolled into my bed and tucked myself under the sheets. I wasn't expecting Samantha to come back. She really did surprise me. When I heard her voice again, it seems my heart wants to jump out from my chest. And I wanted to run to her and hold her in my arms. She's right. I still love her. But why? Why am I feeling this pain when she said she still love me?

I think it's just right to throw her away from this house. I don't want to feel this pain again. Enough's enough. I will never commit the same mistake again.

Never!

Enough of this stupid love. I learned my lesson.

The old Alan that they used to know won't come back again.

Notes