One More Chance

***Without communication, there is no relationship. Without respect, there is no love. Without trust, there's no reason to continue*** Well...

That was the last call I got from him. No chats, emails, or even messages from him. Caleb came home on Sunday afternoon and told me that Luke had to stay there for 'another business meeting', which I don't understand why their meeting seemed never-ending. It has been a week since Dana's husband came back to the Philippines and since then I haven't heard anything from Luke again. I tried calling him and reaching him through his assistant Patrick in LA, but even he had no idea why Luke wasn't calling. He said he does not contact them either.

"What is going on, Caleb?" Dana turned to her husband with wide eyes.

We were at the office and they were trying to comfort me.

"Honey, trust me I don't know! I'm also confused about what's going on with my friend." He shrugged but instantly put his attention back on his phone. "I tried to call our business colleagues in Saudi Arabia, but they said they have no idea where Luke is. "Didn't he tell you anything before sending you off to the airport?" Dana asked him again.novelbin

"No, he just told me to have a safe trip that's just it, and oh--- a few words about our business."

And they both fell silent.

"Oh, God!" I exclaimed, dropping myself on the couch. "I think I'm going crazy! I don't even know what happening to him right now--- is he okay? Is he fine? Is he sick--- oh, God!" I put my head in my hands as I let out a long, frustrated sigh. "Wait!"

But then I looked up and saw Dana eyeing her husband suspiciously.

"What?" Caleb asked her in confusion.

"Tell me, is Luke cheating again on my friend?"

"What?" A single word that Caleb and I asked in unison. Hearing that question made my insides tremble. It's something I wouldn't want to imagine anymore.

"Is he cheating again on Sam?"

"Jesus Christ, honey, what the hell are you thinking? Sam is just right behind you---"

"And so if she's right behind me? Answer me! Is your fucking friend cheating again?"

"Honey, please---"

"Don't you dare lie to me, Caleb! Is Luke cheating again?"

My eyes moved from Dana to Caleb, waiting for whatever will happen next. I suddenly felt like I didn't want to hear what Caleb was going to answer. "No, he's not! He couldn't do that to Sam and I know he won't do that!"

"Guys..." I tried to interrupt them but it was no use.

"And how can you say that if you yourself do not know where he is right now, what he is doing and why doesn't he call Samantha?"

"Because he told me he loves her and how he would do anything for her!"

"If that is so, then why is he doing this to her?

"Honey, I already told you I don't know and I have no idea!"

"You know what, I'm starting to question his love for Sam right now!"

"Why don't we trust him first?"

"What do you mean by trusting him?"

"Because we don't know what's going on! Let us not judge him right away. I'm sure he will call Sam soon, maybe later or maybe tomorrow. Let's just wait for him because for sure he has a reason for this right, Sam?" I held my breath when he turned to me and asked.

"Yes, Caleb has a point, Dana. I'm actually freaking out not because I'm thinking that he's cheating on me again but because I'm worried about him."

"Hmmp! Fine, let's just hope he's doing fine and is just stuck with too much work so he can't call you."

"Yeah, that's right. Let's trust him, Sam,"

I just nodded when Caleb flashed me a smile.

Honestly, that's what I've been doing since he came back into my life again... trust him... trusting him... and I'll do it again now, later, the next day, the following days until he calls me and can finally able to explain himself.

"I'll just check the volume of customers outside," I decided to get up and walk outside to calm my worried mind and heart at the same time.

"Are you sure you're okay with that--- I mean, are you okay, Sam?" I heard Dana's voice just before I reached the door.

"Yup, I'll just help Martha and Toni so I could think of something else other than Luke."

"Okay, just please call me if you feel like you need to talk about it,"

"I will, thanks, Dana,"

I went home that evening still wondering what had happened to Luke. Dana's question earlier at her husband was still ringing in my ears. What if he's doing something behind my back again? What if he's doing it again? What if he's cheating on me again? What if... and so many what ifs that kept occupying my mind until midnight.

"No!" I exclaimed, banging my hands on the table. "He can't be! He won't! He won't do that! He promised me he won't do the same mistake again!"

I told myself while staring at his photo hanging on the wall. I kept trying so hard not to entertain that thought because that thought itself can already flare up the sad and painful memories in my head.

"No!"

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I took my phone again and tried to call him for I don't know how many times. I have already lost count. But then again, it only went to his voicemail.

*Hi, I'm sorry, I can't take your call right now. Please leave your message after the beep.*

"What is going on with you, Luke Marcuz? Why aren't calling me? Where are you? Don't you know that I'm going insane thinking of what could have happened to you? It's been a week since you last called me!"

I didn't notice I was gritting my teeth while typing those words. I also didn't notice my eyes have already betrayed me.

"Haist!" I let out a long, frustrated sigh as I wiped the set of tears I didn't know were already flowing down my cheeks. I don't understand the weird feeling that suddenly crept into me.

I really wanted to call my daughter and ask her if her father was calling her, but I held back. I decided not to inform her of what was happening as I don't want her to worry either.

And to get out of my mind even just for a while, I decided to turn on the TV and watch some random movie, and thank God because it helped me fall back to the couch and sleep. I fell asleep and completely forgot about the movie or turning off the TV.