SAM POV
For two weeks after Tristan left me in the elevator, my mind has been filled with thoughts of him. Every quiet moment echoes our last conversation, his words weighing heavily on me.
As I stepped out of the house on this Monday morning, facing another day's routine, I felt an emptiness without Tristan. The absence of his car outside reminded me of his absence in my life, a void I couldn't fill.
With a deep breath, I walked towards the jeepney stop, my steps echoing in the calm morning. The streets were quiet, with the city still asleep.
As I reached the corner, a shiny black car pulled up beside me, its engine humming softly as it stopped. My heart raced at the sight, hope rising as I dared to think it might be Tristan's car.
But my excitement was short-lived as the tinted window rolled down, revealing the driver behind the wheel—a familiar face, but not the one I had been hoping for.
"Kent..." I murmured his name softly, my disappointment clear in my voice. He responded with a broad smile, his demeanor friendly as he opened the passenger door. "Come on, hop in," he said cheerfully, motioning for me to join him. "I'll give you a ride."
Despite my inner resistance, I mustered a smile in return. It wasn't Alex's fault that he wasn't the person I had hoped to see. He was simply being kind, offering me a ride when I needed one. Yet, despite his cheerful demeanor, I couldn't shake the sense of longing that tugged at my heart.
I sat in the car next to him, the familiar scent of his cologne surrounding me as I settled into the seat. It felt odd to be so close to someone who was trying so hard to uplift my spirits when all I truly desired was for Tristan to be beside me.
"So, how's life treating you, Sam?" he inquired after a moment, his tone cautiously casual.
I shrugged, lacking the enthusiasm for idle chatter. "Fine, I guess," I responded vaguely, my attention focused on the passing landscape beyond the window.
"So, did you think about me?" Kent asked with a chuckle as he maneuvered through the busy streets.
"I chuckled in response, though my mind was still preoccupied with thoughts of Tristan. "Of course, who else?" I replied with a teasing grin, hoping to hide the slight pang of guilt I felt for not missing Kent as much as I probably should have.
"Is that so?" Kent glanced at me with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I heard someone's been picking you up and dropping you off, a handsome guy, they say."
My heart skipped a beat at his words, guilt tightening its grip on my chest. "Oh, that's just gossip," I said quickly, my voice sounding more defensive than I intended. "There's no truth to it at all."
Kent raised an eyebrow skeptically, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Come on, Sam, you can't deceive me that easily," he said, his tone teasing. "I know you better than anyone. So come clean, who's the mystery guy?"
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, desperately searching for a better explanation. "It's... complicated," I finally admitted, knowing full well that how weak my excuse sounded."Just someone helping me out, that's all."
Kent nodded understandingly, though I could tell he wasn't entirely convinced. "Well, whoever he is, he must be pretty special to have you blushing like that," he commented with a playful wink.
I rolled my eyes, feeling a blush rising in my cheeks despite my attempts to stay calm. "You're seeing things," I argued, though the butterflies in my stomach gave me away.
As we drove through the busy streets, we talked about easier subjects, offering a break from the emotional turmoil inside me.
"Oh by the way how's your mom? Is she okay? You should have told me you were coming home, then I wouldn't have been the one fetching you."
 
"Thanks for asking about Mom, she's doing better," Kent answered, a mixture of relief and gratitude in his voice. "And as for fetching me, how would you manage that without a car? You wouldn't take a taxi just for me, would you?" he teased with a smile. "You're loving me too much."
A laugh slipped out of me at his joke, the playful exchange lightening the mood. "Well, for you, I'd make an exception," I joked back, pretending to be offended. Deep down, I knew I'd go the extra mile for those I cared about, even if it meant spending a little extra money to ensure Kent's safe journey home.
"We're here," Alex informed me, prompting me to look outside
As we pulled up in front of my workplace, a sense of hesitation washed over me. The prospect of diving back into the routine of work felt daunting, especially with unresolved emotions still hanging in the air.
I reached for the door handle, ready to exit onto the bustling street, when Kent's hand unexpectedly clasped my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. Startled, I turned to him, noticing his unusually solemn expression.
"Why?" I asked, curious about his sudden change in demeanor.
Kent hesitated for a moment, his face displaying a hint of deep thought. It seemed like he was struggling with something, his words hesitant as if he wasn't sure how to express himself.
"Is there something on your mind, Kent?" I asked softly, noticing his hesitation.
Looking up, Kent seemed unsure. "Um... I... I'm not sure..." he mumbled, scratching his neck nervously, clearly struggling with something personal.
I patiently waited, allowing him the time to gather his thoughts. Despite the awkwardness, I empathized with him, knowing whatever he wanted to say was important.
Eventually, Kent took a deep breath, preparing himself. "I was wondering if you'd come with me to my mom's anniversary as my date," he blurted out quickly, as if he couldn't hold back any longer. "If you're okay with that."
I blinked in surprise, taken aback by his sudden request. For a moment, I was speechless, unsure how to react. But as I met Kent's sincere eyes, I felt a surge of fondness for him.
"Of course," I answered readily, a smile forming on my lips. "I'd love to go with you to your mom's anniversary."
Kent's face brightened with relief, a thankful grin appearing. "Seriously? Awesome!" he said excitedly, his enthusiasm was contagious. "I'll tell her you're coming. She'll be so happy."
"Okay," was all I could manage to say.