I sat on the stairs itself, facing the door as it had been some time since Channing had left the house. My left foot impatiently tapped on the floorboard, making a periodic sound of my taps resonate in the silence of my house. The sound of my tapping foot was complimented by a knock on the door and I immediately sprang up from my seat, striding towards the door.

There was a relief that washed over me expecting Channing to have found Sam and brought the note back, "Did you find him-" My lips sealed on looking at the person at my door. It wasn't Channing but Sam. "Oh, Sam," I unconsciously exclaimed.

Sam's brows crinkled at the way I had framed it, "Were you expecting someone else?" He turned behind to check if anyone was headed towards my house. But there was no one except the dried grass and Sam's motorbike.

I was truly expecting Channing, more like wishing that it was Channing who brought back my stuff. There were no grudges against Sam but the last thing I wanted was for Sam to have gone through the note and now that he was the one who had brought my stuff back, my heart picked up its pace. I should have destroyed the note when I had read it in the first place. Even though that would have raised suspicions, at least Channing would have backed me up as he had read it.

"No, I mean ya," I tried to compose my demeanour, but it only led to me messing my response. "Actually, Channing just went looking for you," I continued, while still staring at Sam awkwardly. "I should call him and tell you are here," my hand fished in my pocket for my mobile.

"Ya, that would be better," added Sam with a hum, "or he might end up roaming around."

I dialled Channing's cell number, hoping he was nearby. Maybe he would be able to handle the situation better when Sam asks to clarify about the contents of the note. The rig died, and a beep followed, indicating the other person had picked up the call. "Hello, Channing," I called out hastily.

"Yes, Selene, did you need anything else?" Channing was calm with his tone and yet a concern laced his voice. It took me back to what had happened here.

I can't possibly show dependence on him. I might trust him, but I can't have him meddle with everything about me. That would only end up with Channing getting more involved with me, and I had to avoid that.

"No," I presented him with an awkward laugh while scratching my forehead with my index, "I just called to inform Sam is here."

"Oh, that's great," Channing sounded relieved with that news. There was an awkward silence that followed with that sentence as I did not know how to respond anymore. Not when I knew this man was heartbroken because of me and yet was working to keep things in line for my sake. "Do you want me to come there?" He asked doubtfully.

I shook my head as if Channing was standing in front of me, "No, thanks that's alright. I can handle it."

"Okay," Channing's voice same heartbroken, "take care."

"You too," I couldn't help but feel sad for him. Channing probably never liked any other girl after Ellie, as he did not mention about any other relationship he had. But cannot prolong this process, so without any goodbyes, I cut the call.

There were other things that needed my immediate attention. I walked back to where Sam was waiting, still outside the door. "Did you get my stuff, Sam?" I was quick with it so he could just tell it if he had read through the note or not. Irrespective of that, I get the note and burn it this time.

"Yes," Sam nodded his head, bringing out two things from his pocket. "There wasn't a lot just this chapstick and a piece of paper."

"Thank you," I grabbed the note as fast as could and crumpled it in my fist before slipping it into my jeans pocket. I returned a grateful smile to Sam, and that was when I realised I had not invited him inside. "Come inside. Do you want some tea?" I asked, correcting my blunder.

"No, I am fine," Sam said with a hidden, apprehensive look on his face. He turned to leave, and I almost panicked. But Sam's legs halted after two steps as he turned around rubbing the back of his neck, "I think I will have some water."

"Sure," I opened the door wide for him to step inside. This was great I could tell even he wanted to talk about something.

The awkwardness that weighed between us was mutual, as if both of us were trying to talk about the same thing while avoiding it at the same time. If I wasn't confirmed that Sam had read the note a while back, then I was now. It contained enough to get people through shock and make them curious at the same time. It contained my truth, and anyone who read it was bound to get things out of me. If it was Suzan who had found it, the entire of Winterwells would have known about me by now.

"Nice work with the house. It looks habitable now," Sam remarked, looking around with awe.

I couldn't help but giggle at his comment. The first time he was here Arina and Sam were in an argument that there was no was possible for anyone to live here as Sam claimed it to be 'inhabitable.' I guess Arina and Sam always had the chemistry they must have realised it late as usually the first time you meet your soulmate you know they are your. "thanks," I replied as I lead him to the kitchen.

Going to the water tank, I filled in a glass for Sam and handed it to him. I could tell he was holding back something as he gulped down the water hastily. There was no use beating around the bush now.

"Did you, by any chance, see what was in this?" I asked, raising the note. A lie could always be made up if he had not read what was written in there. I just hoped he did not lie now.

Sam gulped down the entire glass. He stole his glances from me as he guiltily said, "Yea, I am sorry."

I was so grateful that he admitted it. Sam was a trustable man, but this information weighed my freedom to me at this moment. I took a seat beside him, and requested in a low voice, "Please don't tell it to anyone."

"Oh no, of course, I won't," Sam was quick to shake his hands in a refusal. He had a genuine smile on his lips, "I understand you were hiding it for a good reason."

"Thank you, Sam," I could not even start to tell how much his words felt relieving to me.

"No worries, Selene, isn't that what close friends do for each other." He had placed his hand on my shoulder reassuringly. I was so grateful to have met such people as friends outside of the castle. Of course, I met some crazy people even here, but it was nice to know not all of them were that way.