Chapter 58

"Is everything all right, Sam?" Marian asked. "Are you unwell?"

Sam raised his head. "No. I'm fine, Marian."

Lilly returned a few minutes later with the two books. She chuckled in excitement as she showed them to her father. Suddenly, she said, "We have to go and thank her, Daddy." Then she sat up. "I know. We can buy her something to show her how happy we are to get strawberries and books from her."

Sam frowned over this, and then he smiled. "How about we bake her a cake?" he suggested, his heart suddenly bursting bright with renewed energy. He had his eyes on the strawberries when he said, "How about strawberry shortcake?"

Lilly clasped her hands together and nodded enthusiastically. "Yes. Let's do it."

Marian chuckled when she saw the light in Sam's eyes. "How about I help out?"

Sam picked Lilly up and headed over to the kitchen. "No, Marian. No help from you please. This cake is from me and Lilly to Chan."

Marian shook her head. "Fine. I won't help then."

Sam rolled up his sleeves and even donned an apron while Lilly brought out the flour. Hence, father and daughter began their magic in baking. By the time it was done, the cake looked quite beautiful with the icing and strawberries on top.

When Marian offered to put it into a box for them, Sam refused. He did it himself, making sure it was perfect, with a bright-blue ribbon tied into a perfect bow at the top.

"It looks like a present, Daddy," Lilly said, clasping her hands together.

Sam chuckled. "Yes, it's supposed to be a present."

"Chan will be so happy," Lilly exclaimed. "When are we going to give it to her?"

"Now." With that, he grabbed the box, took his daughter by the hand, and headed out the door.

"Will you be home for dinner?" Marian asked at the door.

Sam said, "I'll call."

About a half an hour later, father and daughter were at the door of the Chandler's apartment. After ringing the bell, the duo waited impatiently for an answer. When the door finally opened, it was Dara who greeted them.

"Sam?" she said and then turned her gaze to the daughter. "Lilly? What are you guys doing here?"

"Is Chan home?" Sam asked.

"We got a present for her," Lilly said, smiling gleefully.

Dara looked worriedly from daughter to father. Hesitantly, she took a few steps back, allowing them to enter.

Lilly rushed along the corridor into the living area, hoping to see Chan there. Sam wasn't far behind. When he entered the living room, what he saw worried him. No, that wasn't it. What he didn't see worried him sick.

There, sitting on the couch, looking as miserable as ever, was Soriya. She was pale with worry.

She straightened when she saw Lilly. "Lilly? Sam? What are you guys doing here?"

"Hi, Soriya," Lilly said, coming to sit beside the young woman. "We have a present for Chan."

"Is Chan home?" Sam asked again, his voice urgent.

Dara and Soriya looked at each other, and then, slowly, Soriya nodded.

"Where is she?"

"In her studio," Dara said.

Sam frowned. "Why?"

Soriya hesitated for a moment. "She's not in a good mood. Something's up."

Sam thought about it for a moment and then handed Dara the box of cake. "It's a present."

"It's a cake," Lilly chimed in. "Daddy and I only baked it today."

Dara took it and said, "Oh. Thanks so much."

Then without another word, Sam headed toward Chan's office. Soriya saw and said, "You've been warned, Sam. Be careful."

Sam was ready for what eventuality waited for him. He was going to clear everything up with Chandra and tell her how he truly felt about her, how much he loved her and wanted her to go into a serious relationship with him.

Crossing the corridor, he came to stand in front of Chan's studio and then knocked.

Silence. Sam knocked again. More silence. Not giving in, he knocked again. No response.

Shit! He wasn't going to give up. Not just yet. Thus, he knocked again.

"What?" He heard the voice finally come his way. He heard anguish, frustration, and sadness all mixed up within that lovely voice, and it almost broke Sam's heart. Knowing very well she'd make him leave without opening the door if he were to utter a word and indicate to her who he was, he knocked on the door again.

"I said I'm busy!"

Again, Sam knocked. He heard a growl, which made him both amused as well as sad.

"I said I'm busy. Just leave me alone."

Sam wasn't giving up. Again, he knocked. His persistence worked to his favor, because suddenly, the door burst open and a shaky voice said, "I said—"

Sam watched the beauty before him. Braided hair in a wild mess, dark-brown eyes glistening wet with tears and red around the rims, face flushed. Still in her tank top and shorts, she was enchanting.

Sam took a step forward, which forced Chan to take a few steps back as she stared up at him in shocked surprise.