Heart Of Ice

Chapter 4

Samika's POV

"All of you," I say as I pant, dragging my last bag into the house, "did not see a thing!"

I see the maids and three chefs stifle a laugh. They offered help but I dragged every single bag of mine inside by myself. I don't have much to do anyways.

I walk to my room with the bag in my hands and shove everything into my wardrobe and drawers again. It is already early in the morning and about time for the sun to rise and shine.

I fall on my bed finally done with everything. Yes, you can go ahead and call it OCD or whatever.

Now that I am alone and my mind is actually functioning, I recall today's incidents again. I might totally be imagining things but it felt so real. The wolf's eyes looked like Nyle's when they changed.

First of all, how did Nyle's eyes change? I am totally seeing things. Moreover, a wolf having the same eyes? I am insane. Life is taking a toll on my mental state, I think.

I close my eyes once they start getting heavy and I fall into deep slumber just as the sun is rising.

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I wake up with a jolt when I hear the loud noise of my phone. I quickly search for it on my bed and see it's Olive. I groan and answer the call.

"Where are you? We were supposed to visit the art museum to check out the new works!" Olive almost screams at the other end and I check the time. It's 11 am and I close my eyes again.

"Can we do this some other day?" I ask groggily.

"b***h! Are you still sleeping?" She asks me back and when I don't answer, she laughs at that.

"Fine. This is unlike you so I will let this slide. How about tomorrow?" She asks and I hum in response before hanging up and getting back to sleeping again.

My phone rings again, making me almost scream out in frustration. But, when I see dad's name flashing on screen, I sit straight and answer the call.

If sleeping until this late is unlike me, then my dad calling me is the same level of unlike me as well.

"Dad?" I say as soon as I answer the call.

"What was your call about? Yesterday?" He asked me and momentarily, I forgot that I called him yesterday and Lexi answered it.

"Not in a mood to bring that up, dad" I say and the real answer is, I know where this goes. Just like my mom leaving for another business meeting.

"Sam, you need to understand that this is the life we have. Your mom and I are doing all of this so you can have the luxuries you want" dad says and this is probably the first time I have heard my dad say something like this.

"All I want is some time with you and mom. Is that too much to ask for, dad?" I pause, "when was the last time we sat together and talked? Laughed? Ate together?"

Just like mom, I am greeted with silence again. If they think working hard can give me all the luxuries I want, then I want them to know that the absolute luxury I want is to have my parents with me.

"Fine. Choose a place for dinner tonight and text Lexi. She will get us a table there. It's just you, mom and me. No work and nothing" dad says and I probably have the widest smile I have had in a while.

"Thanks dad!!" I almost scream and I hear him hum and hang the call up.

I browsed through all the restaurants and chose the one with the best ambience before texting the details and time to Lexi. Once the reservations are made, Lexi texts me back confirming it.

My mood is instantly brightened as I go through my wardrobe to see what to wear for tonight. Sarah brought me food to my room when she noticed I wasn't getting downstairs to the dining room.

It took me until evening to finally get everything ready. The outfit, footwear to go with it, the jewelry and the purse. I take a nice warm bath and invest my time in getting ready.

I reach the restaurant ten minutes before the reserved time and go through the menu. Dad loves champagne so I think we will go with that. I think I'll go with steak and mashed potatoes. There is a chef's menu also, and I think I'll try that instead of the steak.

When the waiter arrives, I ask him to give me a couple more minutes until my company arrives. Fifteen minutes pass by and still no sign of mom and dad. I call dad but he is not answering. I try calling my mom but it's switched off.

I hope they get here as fast as they can. It is starting to get awkward over here.

Half an hour finally passes again and I keep calling Mom and Dad for any updates on where they are. As my final straw, I call Lexi.

"Lexi, when did my parents leave from work? They are not here yet" I say hoping I would get the answer I am searching for.

"I am so so sorry to be the one telling you this, Sam. But your parents are still here, in a board meeting that came up out of the blue" Lexi says and it is clearly evident how terrible she feels for me.

I don't say anything except, "oh"

I hang the call up while Lexi keeps apologizing. I stare at the empty table and chairs before me and fight my tears. I don't want to cry. I should not cry. This is a public place and people are already watching me.

I must not cry!

But it's just getting harder at this point. I call Olive to see if she is free but when I hear Matt's voice in the background, I know she is not free. I just told her that I called her to confirm if tomorrow's plan is still on or not.

I gather my purse and phone to get up and walk out, but my fingers involuntarily start dialing an unfamiliar number until I realize I am calling Nyle.

"Hey Sam!" He says as he pants.

"Are you working out?" I ask him and I hear him chuckle on the other end.

"I just came from a run. What's up?" He asks me back.

"Free for dinner? It's on me" I say and he takes a moment before telling me he is up for it.

I text him the details and skim through the menu once more and this time, I am having company and I am going to goddamn eat here!

I know this might not be the greatest idea, inviting someone I just met. But that seemed like a perfect option right now.

After a few minutes, I see Nyle walk in. He scans through the tables and crowd. When his eyes land on me, I smile at him. His smile is warm and tender as he walks towards me.

He is dressed in a dark green shirt and brown pants. His eyes are sparkling and I wonder if it is even possible. He takes a seat before me and the waiter finally smiles as if he just won a national medal in waitering.

"The chef's special and the costliest champagne you have on the menu" I say and he nods appreciatively before he looks at Nyle, with a disapproving look.

"I'll have what she's having" he says and the waiter notes down before leaving.

I look at Nyle again and I cannot help but think of it again. The wolf has Nyle's eyes. The more I see it, the more I feel like I am not imagining things.