Chapter 1090 It Was Like Looking at a Loved One
"I got the door," Alfred said, heading over.
"I'm coming with," Samantha chimed in, curious if it was really the neighbor knocking.
They strolled to the door together, and Samantha peeked through the peephole. A woman in her thirties stood outside.
"It's the neighbor from across the hall," Samantha said, a teasing grin on her face.
Alfred looked a bit flustered but pulled himself together and opened the door. "Hey, what's up?"
"Hi, do you have any salt? I'm cooking and just ran out," the neighbor asked.
Samantha burst out laughing, and Alfred couldn't help but chuckle too.
The neighbor looked puzzled. "What's so funny?"
"I'll grab you some salt," Alfred said, heading to the kitchen.
Samantha explained, "He was just singing, and we thought you were here to complain about his awful singing."
The neighbor laughed. "Was your boyfriend just singing? I didn't hear it while I was cooking."
Samantha was caught off guard.
"Your boyfriend is really handsome. Is he in the military? He has such a strong presence, I was a bit scared to talk to him," the neighbor continued.
Samantha felt a bit awkward. "He's just a good friend, not my boyfriend."
The neighbor looked surprised. "Sorry, I misunderstood. But you two look so much like a couple."
Samantha's heart started racing. She didn't know why.
"Do you really have no feelings for him?" the neighbor asked again.
Samantha's eyes flickered. "He's just a good friend."
The neighbor said, "That's perfect then. I have a cousin who just started her sophomore year in college and she's very pretty. Can you introduce them?"
Samantha's smile froze. Alfred's luck with women hadn't lasted long before someone else was interested in him. She wondered why Alfred was so popular.
Samantha's eyes twinkled. "Sorry, I don't want to ruin your cousin's life. Let me tell you, don't go for a boyfriend who's too handsome. You know, the more handsome a man is, the more women like him, and it's hard for him to stay faithful."
The neighbor was taken aback. "You mean he's a player?"
At that moment, Alfred came back with the salt.
Samantha quickly whispered, "Just forget about it. He's not a good marriage prospect."
The neighbor nodded and took the salt from Alfred, giving him a regretful look.
After the neighbor left, Alfred closed the door and asked, "What were you two talking about?"
"She asked if you had a girlfriend, and if not, she wanted to introduce her cousin to you." Samantha gave him a sidelong glance. "You're really popular."
Alfred raised an eyebrow. "What did you say?"
Samantha's eyes flickered, not daring to admit she had badmouthed him. "I said you already had a girlfriend."
Alfred stared at her. "You didn't say anything else? Like that I'm a player and she should forget about introducing her cousin to me?"
Samantha looked at him in shock, a bit dazed. "How did you hear that?"
Alfred smirked. "I know you too well."
Alfred knew Samantha too well, always guessing right. She was also a woman with little schemes. He was even more certain that she liked him. "Do you still want to keep singing?"
Samantha waved her hand. "Forget it, I don't want to summon any ghosts."
Alfred grinned, "How 'bout you teach me to sing?"
Samantha shook her head, teasing, "I don't take on hopeless cases."
"Alright then," Alfred said, looking all hurt.
Seeing him like that, Samantha felt a twinge of guilt. "You really wanna learn to sing?"
"Yeah, I do." Alfred figured if he learned to sing, maybe they'd have more in common.
"Okay, I'll teach you," Samantha agreed, and they started jamming with some music.
The whole evening, Alfred was trying to hit the right notes. Spoiler alert: he was totally tone-deaf.
Samantha found it both hilarious and frustrating. "Alfred, you're the most musically challenged person I've ever met."
A flicker of sadness crossed Alfred's eyes. Maybe that's why she didn't like him.
Seeing his hurt expression, Samantha realized she messed up. She patted his shoulder. "It's cool, when one door closes, another opens. You might suck at music, but you're a martial arts whiz."
But Alfred wanted something in common with her. He looked at her. "Samantha, am I boring? Do you find it dull hanging out with me?"
"Of course not, you're super caring and gentle. I feel really comfortable with you," Samantha blurted out.
The light in Alfred's eyes grew warmer. "You really mean that, or just trying to make me feel better?"
Samantha was speechless. It was like he was looking at someone he loved.
She shivered and quickly looked away. 'Don't overthink it,' she told herself. 'Alfred's probably just happy I praised him.'
She said, "Of course. So don't sell yourself short."
A hint of a smile appeared in Alfred's eyes. He wouldn't sell himself short; he'd be proud.
"It's late, you should go. I'm tired and wanna crash," Samantha said, glancing at the time.
Alfred's smile faded a bit. "Aren't you scared to be alone?"
Samantha thought of the horror movie she watched last night and felt a bit spooked. But no way was she letting Alfred stay and risk Wesley getting the wrong idea again.
"No, I'm not scared. Yahir's here, right?"
Alfred said, "He's injured. I told him to go rest."
Samantha was surprised. "How'd he get hurt?"
Alfred said, "He got banged up sparring with me."
Samantha blinked. "When did you spar with him? He seemed fine when he brought the groceries."
Alfred said seriously, "He was just toughing it out."
Samantha's eyes widened, speechless.
Alfred said, "I'll stay outside and keep watch. You can sleep easy."
Samantha bit her lip. "No need, you're not my bodyguard. Go back to the hotel and rest."
"I'm worried leaving you alone," Alfred said. "Alright, I'm heading out. You should get some rest."
Watching Alfred leave, Samantha moved her lips but didn't call him back.
Alfred sensed her hesitation. Even though she didn't call him back, her hesitation showed she cared, and that was enough.
Outside, Alfred said to Yahir in the shadows, "You can go. I'll keep watch tonight."
Yahir, slightly injured, shrugged. "No need."
"Are you defying my orders?"
Yahir was momentarily speechless and immediately gave in. He lost the sparring match with Alfred, so he had to listen to him.
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