Mona began to explain, "This morning when I was on my way to work, I heard rumors about a group of guards looking for a young man named Samson. I asked the people they questioned, and that's all I know."
"Maybe this Samson is a criminal or a fugitive they're looking for," Mr. Albert interjected.
"Well, he could be a major criminal if so many people are looking for him!" Mona added.
"Why are you suddenly so concerned about Samson, Mona?" Sarah teased.
"Gross!" Mona stuck her tongue out at Sarah. "Who said I care? I don't know him at all, and he has nothing to do with me." Mona pouted. Sarah and Mr. Albert chuckled at her sulking.
Mona then rose from her seat. "Sarah, Mr. Albert, I'm heading out! I have a task to finish this morning," she exclaimed, glancing at Sarah and winking. She then thanked Mr. Albert.
"Wait! I'll go with you, Mona!" Sarah exclaimed, about to get up, but Mr. Albert's hand stopped her.
Mona ignored Sarah's call. She just glanced back, smiled, and then quickened her pace. Several guests had finished breakfast and were leaving the restaurant.
Only Sarah and Mr. Albert remained. Sarah really wanted to finish her food quickly so she could catch up with Mona, but it felt too embarrassing to do in front of Mr. Albert.
"Oh, Sarah, I have something I need to give you," Mr. Albert ventured, starting the conversation.
He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a small box. Before Sarah could respond, Mr. Albert had placed the box in her palm. Sarah's face flushed faintly, her tongue tied, unable to speak.
Mr. Albert saw Sarah's conflicted expression. "Sarah, please accept this as a token of my affection all this time," he said. He paused for a moment, then continued, "Just so you know, Sarah, I've had feelings for you all this time. But I never had the chance to express them because I'm not good at sweet-talking. Open it, Sarah, I hope you'll accept it."
Sarah was still nervous, her hand trembling slightly as she opened the small box. Before the box was fully open, Sarah asked, "What is this, Mr. Albert?"
"Just open it first, you'll see!" Mr. Albert replied with a smile.
When the box opened, Sarah's eyes widened, and the small box in her hand almost fell to the floor.
Sarah took a deep breath. She intended to return Mr. Albert's gift. "Sir, I can't accept this, it's too expensive for me!"
Inside the box, there was a light green diamond ring.
Still smiling, Mr. Albert said, "Price is not the measure of affection. I hope you don't think about how expensive this ring is. The most important thing is the sincerity of someone when they give it."
Sarah looked into Mr. Albert's eyes. "Your words are like a poet's verse," she said.
"I don't know if that's an insult or a compliment to me," Mr. Albert replied with a laugh.
Sarah couldn't help but laugh along with him. "It turns out Mr. Albert is also good at stringing beautiful words together," she said.
Still laughing, Mr. Albert took the ring from the box and slipped it onto Sarah's ring finger. Sarah's heart felt like it dropped, and her soul felt drenched in honey.
"I've told you everything in my heart. I'm waiting for you, Sarah, waiting for you to tell me right now," Mr. Albert said, holding Sarah's fingers.
With a broken voice and still shy, Sarah finally said, "Me too."
"Me too what, Sarah?" Mr. Albert asked hopefully.
"I... I like you too, Mr. Albert," Sarah replied shyly, lowering her face deeply.
Mr. Albert kissed the back of Sarah's hand. "From now on, just call me Albert when we're off work, okay?"
Sarah nodded slowly. "Alright then, Sir. I mean, Albert." Sarah covered her mouth with both hands.
Mr. Albert chuckled at that. Slowly, he pulled Sarah's hand and said, "Work starts soon," while looking at his watch.
The two of them got up and left the restaurant, holding hands.
Meanwhile, news of the search for a young man named Samson quickly spread throughout the city. Zack, who was the first to hear the news, immediately rushed to Samson's house.
Zack rode his electric motorcycle and sped off. He briefly thought about calling but decided against it. It would be better to tell him in person to avoid misunderstandings. Not long after, Zack arrived at Samson's house.
Zack pressed the doorbell beside the door. A moment later, Mr. Steven opened the door. "Oh, it's you, Zack!" he greeted.
Zack greeted Mr. Steven. "Good afternoon, Uncle. Is Samson home?"
"Yes, Zack! He's in the backyard building a wall fence. Come on in!" Mr. Steven invited Zack to the back of the house. "Please, Zack, that's the back door." Mr. Steven showed him the direction of the back door.
"Thanks, Uncle Steven, I'll go see him in a bit," Zack said.
Upon reaching the backyard, Zack waved his hand, greeting, "Hey, Sam! Do you have a moment? There's something I need to tell you."
Samson turned, then waved back. "Hey, Zack! I have plenty of free time. Hold on, I'll just clean myself up first." He cleaned himself with water from a bucket. "Oh, what do you want to drink, Zack? Coffee?" he asked again.
"Thanks, Sam. Just black coffee, no sugar," Zack replied.
"Okay! Wait a moment, Zack!"
Samson saw his younger sister, Vivian, lounging on the couch. He called out and asked for help. "Vivi, please make two cups of black coffee!"
Vivian, hearing Samson's command, glared sharply at him. "You have hands, you have feet, why don't you make it yourself?" Vivian retorted with an annoyed snort.
Samson and Zack exchanged glances, observing Vivian's cynical attitude. Both just shook their heads. Finally, Samson walked into the kitchen to make coffee for himself and Zack.
Samson returned with two cups of coffee in his hands and placed them on his porch. Then Samson took out a cigarette and lit it. "What news do you have for me, Zack?" he asked.
Before answering, Zack took a sip of his still hot coffee. Only then did he reply, "Sam, have you heard that a group of people are looking for a young man named Samson?"
Samson frowned, then shook his head. "I haven't heard anything about it, Zack. And why are people looking for a young man named Samson? Are they referring to me?" Samson asked, full of surprise.
"I don't know, Sam. But after I investigated, it turns out I know some of the people who are searching; they are Mr. Sebastian's guards. I'm not sure, Samson, if the person they're looking for is you," Zack replied.
Vivian, who heard their conversation, exclaimed, "Just how many people named Samson are there in this city?"
Samson and Zack once again shook their heads, hearing Vivian's remark. But they thought there was some truth to what Samson's younger sister said.
Samson and Zack didn't expect that their three other colleagues would also arrive. They had already entered through Samson's back door.
They all waved their hands in unison, exclaiming, "Hey, Sam, Zack!"
Samson and Zack waved back, replying, "Hey, Tom, Hendri, Ferdy!"
Samson said to the three of them, "Geez! You guys came here too. Don't tell me you're here to tell me about the news of the search for a young man named Samson."
The three of them exchanged bewildered glances; their reason for coming had been guessed by Samson.
"That's right, Sam! Zack must have told you first," Ferdy replied.
Samson chuckled softly, then said, "But, are they referring to me as Samson? Oh, and do you guys want coffee too?" Samson asked, walking back into the kitchen.
They nodded slightly, and Tom reminded him, "Sam, no sugar, as usual."
"Okay!" Samson replied.
A moment later, Samson returned with three cups of coffee on a tray, which he placed on the porch.
"Why are they looking for someone named Samson?" Tom asked curiously. He paused for a moment, then continued, "If the Samson they're looking for is you, what's the reason? Do they want revenge because we hurt them the other day?"
The five friends were still uncertain and wondering which Samson they were looking for.
"There's only one way to find out: we'll just wait until nightfall. And if it's me they're looking for, I'll confront them and ask them why they're looking for me," Samson replied.
"That's right, Sam! If they're looking for you for revenge, I'll face them all myself," Zack interjected.
"Good heavens! Great... great... great!" Vivian's remark was heard as she was still lounging on the couch, busy with her phone.
Zack took a deep breath and shook his head. Samson merely offered a wry smile at his younger sister's behavior.