100 Days With Mr Romero

CHICAGO:

“You know him? ” a surprised Emma asked Mike after he called out to Sam the moment he walked into her apartment.

“Of course I know him. ” retorted Mike, disgust clear in his voice.

“We used to be friends in high school.” added Mike. Sam stood at the the entrance of Emma’s door, shock evident on his face as he saw Micheal. Seeing him after so many years especially at such an unexpected place brought back too many memories he had tried to forget over the years. The two men continued staring at each other not knowing how exactly to react without making Emma think something was up.

“Why don’t you come in and have a seat.” offered Emma to Sam whose feet were still glued to the passage right outside Emma’s apartment. Sam entered into the apartment and his eyes did a once over at Mike then at Emma’s apartment. Mike had on a shirt who’s three buttons were opened up, his black suit was left resting on the arm of his couch and the belt of his trousers no where to be seen. Sam shuddered at that, not liking the thought of Mike and Emma being together and hating the thoughts of what he would do to Mike if he dared lay a finger on Emma. He wondered where the sudden territorial behavior over Emma was coming from. The tension in the room was as thick as a fog. Emma didn’t know why, but she felt there was bad blood between the two men. Clearing her throat, she asked Sam to take a seat which he ignored his eyes still focused on Mike who was in turn glaring at him.

“What are you doing here Micheal” questioned Sam, his hands in a tight fist beside him. Mike just ignored the question and finally took a seat on the couch while and angry Sam just kept throwing daggers at him.

The room was suddenly filled with the smell of something burning. Emma dashed into the kitchen crying ‘my potato chips’ leaving the two men alone. Sam

fell down on the couch beside the one Mike was on, his eyes still on Mike.

“I asked you what you are doing here Michael” Sam asked again trying to keep his voice low so that Emma wouldn’t hear him. Mike turned his eyes to Sam, clear anger and hurt could be seen swirling in his brown pools.

“What am I doing here? What am doing here? I should be asking you that Samuel. After what you did, you disappeared, you never even cared to ask how she was doing!”. Mike was beyond angry with the question. He should be the one asking Sam all these even throwing punches at his face. After so many years after that day’s incident and Sam’s disappearance. What he had expected was at least an apology and an explanation. Sam diverted his eyes from Mike to the floor, his body beginning to shake

While in the kitchen, Emma kept wondering why Sam showed up. If he came to make amends then she will gladly tell him she had gotten a new job and he shouldn’t bother about her anymore. Meanwhile, she never thought Mike and Sam would know each other. She could feel something had happened between the two, something bad. She grabbed the potato chips and guacamole alongside a bottle of wine and heading to the parlor. The two men looked uncomfortable, she noticed. Announcing her presence she dropped the chips and guacamole on the table for them to eat. Sam still had his head down, paying no attention to Emma or Mike. His legs hitting aggressively on the titles floor of Emma’s apartment.

“You need to leave bro. ” Mike told him.

“What? Why?” a confused Emma asked. Sam finally raised up his head and glared at Mike for the hundredth time that day and said

“I am going no where.” his tone menacing and his hands still fisted. Emma didn’t understand why Mike wanted Sam to leave so she tried to intervene.

“Mike what’s the matter? ” she asked . Mike went to her, held her hand and said

“I think Sam is not currently in a good state so I feel it will be better for him to leave now.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“I don’t get it, why isn’t he in a good mood? Are you sure there isn’t something you guys aren’t telling me?” she said expressing her lack of understanding. Sam turned towards them and caught a glimpse of Mike holding Emma and before both of them could realize it, Sam ran towards them, pulled Mike away from Emma and pinned him to the wall.

“How dare you? ” growled Sam while Mike tried to free himself from him. Fear could be seen in Mike’s eyes, he saw this coming that was why he had asked Sam to leave

“You were telling her I was a maniac huh? ” Sam yelled at Mike as his hand was wrapped around his throat. Emma then realized the calm, handsome Sam was soon replaced by a manic. She looked into his eyes and saws terrifying storm in them.

“What is wrong with you Sam? ” she screamed at him rushing to mike’s aid. Sam pushed her violently and she landed on the hard floor in agony crashing into the plates. She screamed which attracted Sam and he immediately ran towards her.

“Don’t touch me. ” she screamed at him as he moved closer and she kept backing away.

“I am so sorry. ” pleaded Sam while breathing heavily. He wanted to kill himself right now for what he just did. First her now Emma, he’s never forgive himself if something happened to Emma too. Mike who was at the corner trying to catch his breath, ran to Emma’s aid.

“Leave my house and don’t you ever show your face here again. ” Emma yelled in tears as she held her ankle which was hurting. Sam wanted to run to Emma and apologize for his gross misconduct but he knew it will be like adding more fuel to the fire especially at her current state. She must be disappointed in him he thought and walked away biting his lips.

“Are you alright Emma?” Mike asked as he stooped beside her trying to lift her up

“My ankle hurts but I’ll be fine. ” she said cleaning her teary eyes with her palms. Mike then helped her to sit by the edge of her bed.

“What happened to Sam? ” she asked Mike. Her apartment was already in a terrible state. The potatoes and guacamole were scattered around and the glass of wine broke the moment Sam rushed to pull Mike away from her.

“I knew it might result to this that’s why I beckoned on him to leave earlier. ” Mike said looking hesitant to spill more.

“What? Has something like this ever happened before? ” Emma asked trying to push him to give her the answers she desperately needed.

“Yea I know Sam. Remember I told you we were buddies in high school right? ” Mike said while Emma nodded then he proceeded.

“Sam got kicked out at the end of our senior year because he assaulted the hall monitor. ” Mike revealed. Emma looked at him dumbfounded.

“How do you know him? ” Mike asked her.

“He used to be my boss, I once worked in his club as a bar tender before I left the place. ” Emma added.

“Meaning you don’t know then. ” Mike concluded.

“Know what? ” she inquired, wanting to know more about what Mike was blathering about concerning Sam.

“That Sam has bipolar. ” confessed Mike and Emma’s eyes immediately lighted up in realization. She thought about his shaky voice sometimes, his rough appearances, his exciting and sometimes cold moments and it all summed up to one word ‘Bipolar’.