CHAPTER 15: Truth is Out

"I'm not here for long, my baby. I'm just passing by. The world keeps getting hotter, baby, but I'm too cool to die." TOO COOL TO DIE - Post Malone 

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Samantha's POV

As I entered the restaurant, Ria guided me to Quadrant's table. Niran and Aarav were the first to see me, making Max and Lando turn, and they were very excited and shocked to see me. 

"Oh my God! Sam! It's been so long!" Niran stood up from his seat and hugged me. Aaraw scratched my head like a puppy, and I giggled. I missed his circle too much. 

"Were you lost this time around?" Max came to greet me, and I laughed. 

"Double meaning?" I said, and he lightly laughed. 

"Wow, I need updates then," He said and smiled. 

"It's good to see you again, Sam." He added, and I hugged him. 

"I've missed you, Max," I said. 

"Lando has a lot of explaining now." He said, and we all laughed. 

"I'm starving, guys; let's eat!" Ria said and sat on the chairs. I was across from Lando and Max. I felt awkward in front of Lando, and Ria noticed it and pretended to ask me some random questions.  

Lando shifted in his seat, his gaze flickering between me and the menu as if trying to gauge my mood. I could feel the tension in the air, but I tried to focus on the familiar banter surrounding us.

"Ria, what's your go-to order here?" I asked, hoping to steer the conversation away from the awkwardness.

"Oh, definitely the pesto! You have to try them," she said, lighting up. 

"And the Chicken Parmigiana is out of this world. Right, guys?"

"Absolutely," Niran chimed in, nodding vigorously. 

"I dream about those chicken parmigiana. They're a culinary masterpiece."

"Don't forget the lager!" Aarav added, grinning. 

"I think they put something magical in them."

Max leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a smirk. "Well, if you're dreaming about lager, you might want to start running again, Niran."

"Hey! I run in my dreams!" Niran shot back, laughter erupting around the table.

I couldn't help but smile, the warmth of their camaraderie washing over me. But Lando remained quiet, his expression unreadable. I glanced at him, and for a brief moment, our eyes met. Something in his gaze made my heart race, but I quickly looked away, focusing on the menu instead.

"Okay, who's ordering first?" Ria asked, breaking the moment.

"I'll go," I said, trying to sound confident.

 "I'll have the a pesto and coppa di fragole con panna."

"Good choice!" Max encouraged me, and I felt a little more at ease. Everyone placed their orders one by one, and Lando finally spoke up. 

"I'll have the same as hers," he said while pointing at me, his voice steady.

"Great minds think alike," I replied, forcing a smile. But inside, I was a bundle of nerves. Everyone looked at us and broke the short silence that happened. 

As we waited for our food, Ria kept the conversation flowing, asking about everyone's latest adventures. Niran shared a hilarious story about his recent trip, and Aarav chimed in with his misadventures. Laughter filled the air, and for a moment, I felt like I was back in the old days, before everything got complicated.

But Lando's silence loomed over me like a cloud. I could sense he wanted to say something, but the words hung unspoken between us. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the unease.

"Lando, what about you? What's new?" I finally asked, hoping to pull him into the conversation. He looked up, surprise flickering across his face. 

"Oh, you know, just the usual. Work is keeping me busy," he replied, his tone casual, but I could tell there was more beneath the surface.

"Busy is good, right? Are you ready for your wedding?" I said, trying to keep the mood light.

"Yeah, I guess," he mumbled, his eyes drifting back to everyone. 

The food arrived before anyone could speak, and the table erupted in cheers. Plates clattered, and the aroma of the burgers and fries filled the air. I took a moment to appreciate the scene—friends gathered around a table, laughter mingling with clinking glasses and sizzling food.

"Dig in!" Ria exclaimed, and we all reached for our plates, eager to indulge. As I took my first bite, I couldn't help but glance at Lando again. He was looking at me, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. Maybe this night wouldn't be so awkward after all.

After our dinner, Ria explained that our photoshoot will be held at a golf course tomorrow at Prescot. I was advised to spend the night at her place in London so we can go to the location early tomorrow. I was too shy to say 'no' to her, so I accepted her offer. I was initially annoyed at Lando since our agreement said it was only a photoshoot, but the annoyance surpassed since I was enjoying his friends' company. 

Ria and I sat in her cozy living room, the air filled with the rich aroma of fresh tea. She looked up from her phone, excitement lighting up her face as she shared the details about our upcoming photoshoot.

"I just wanted to confirm everything for tomorrow," Ria said, tapping her fingers on the table.

 "It's all set for the golf course."I took a sip of my tea and raised an eyebrow. 

"The golf course? Is that the one near Lake Side Resto ?"

"Yep, that's the one! The views are stunning, especially in the morning light," she replied, scrolling through her notes.

 "We want to make the most of the golden hour."I nodded, picturing the scenic backdrop and smiling at the thought. 

"What time do we need to be there?"

"Hmm, seven-thirty," Ria said. 

"Sounds perfect! Are there any specific outfits you want me to buy since I didn't bring any today?" I asked, curious about the theme she had in mind.

"Oh no, Sam. I've got you covered. I bought a bright yellow polo you have. It'll pop against the greens and maybe the blue shorts. They'll match perfectly. Plus, it's our merch, we got you," she said enthusiastically. I laughed, remembering that I was about to have a photoshoot with their latest merchandise. 

 "I wasn't sure about that yellow polo you bought, but—it's perfect for summer!"

"Exactly!" Ria beamed. 

I finished my coffee and leaned back in my chair, my mind racing with ideas. "What if we add some action shots? Like, me swinging?"

"Yes! That would be amazing. You're the model so you will rule it," Ria agreed. 

"I'll suggest that we get some shots from different angles. Maybe even a slow-motion shot on video."

"That sounds epic! I can already picture it—me in motion, looking all pro while the ball flies off into the distance," I said, feeling a rush of adrenaline.

Ria chuckled. "Just remember to breathe and relax. You've got this! Plus, we'll have plenty of time to play around with poses."

"I can't wait!" I exclaimed. 

"This is going to be so much fun. But if I miss that perfect shot, I might need a do-over!" I jokingly said. 

"Don't worry about that! We'll get it right. Just bring your best energy, and it'll all work out," Ria reassured me, her enthusiasm contagious. With our plans set and the excitement in the air, we said goodnight, feeling pumped for the photo shoot, ready to take on the golf course with Lando's friends by my side. 

samanthamiller

Liked by landonorris and 9371 others

samanthamiller Too cute not to post @team_quadrant 

view 1840 comments

team_quadrant thanks, popstar!

user_1 I KNEW IT!!

user_2 Why the 'model' c? It's not the fashion industry, hun 

user_3 CAN U PLEASE TURN AROUND SO I CAN SEE THE NEW QUADRANT COLLECTION THANKS

               samanthamiller 😂🤭

               user_4 OMG GIRL SHE REPLIED 

               user_5 ur so lucky!!

riabish TOLD YAH THE MERCH IS CUTER! 

                samanthamiller I know!! I judged too early! haha

theofficialfng you can be a professional golfer now 

maxfewtrell so, tea time

                  user_6 WHAT TEA 

Right after I posted the photo, I felt dizzy; I was very hot, even though the aircon was on since we were inside a cabin to cool off since it was so sunny outside the golf course and it was nearly lunchtime. And I felt drained. I started getting pain under my left breast. It felt like somebody had put a bullet in my chest. And my back was burning. It was like indigestion. The last thing I knew, I fainted and fell to the floor. 

"Since we're not her legal guardian, the doctor said he can't disclose what happened to her." I heard faint voices as I woke up in an unfamiliar place. I tried to move my body, but I felt weak. 

"Lando, did you call her sister?" Oh no, I don't want her to be worried about me. Not again. 

"Yes, I did. She's on the way," Lando said. 

"Sam, Oh my God! Are you okay?" Ria said warily. I tried to sit down, but my body felt heavy. They noticed it and helped me immediately. 

"Thanks, guys; I feel fine now," I lied, and they noticed it. I tried to defend myself, but Lando interrupted. 

"I should call the doctor," He said, and I nodded. 

"Have you overworked yourself lately, Sam?" Max asked. 

"I do. I stayed at my sisters' house for days before--" I stopped, and they looked at me and shook my head. 

"Before?" Niran curiously asked in time for the Doctor Doctore in. 

As I rose from the bed, feeling more stable, the Doctor returned with a thoughtful expression.

"I am Doctor Luke Harris. Ms. Miller, I wanted to discuss something with you," he said, his tone severe yet calm.

I paused, sensing the shift in the atmosphere. "What is it, Doctor?"

"I guess you want to hear it in private?" He asked, and I nodded. 

"Can Ria join me?" I asked and smiled at Ria. 

"Very well, gentlemen?" Dr. Harris said, and they left the room. 

"Is there something wrong, doctor?" Ria asked, putting her hands on my shoulders and lightly squeezing them. 

"We should probably do an ECG just to rule out any underlying issues," he explained. 

"Given that you fainted, it's always a good practice to monitor your heart's rhythm, especially since your heart rate was elevated."

I felt a slight flutter of anxiety in my stomach. "Is that necessary? I mean, I feel better now."

Dr. Harris nodded. "It's understandable to be concerned, but fainting can sometimes be linked to more than heat exhaustion. An ECG is a simple, non-invasive way to ensure everything functions as it should. It'll only take a few minutes."

I glanced at Ria, who gave me an encouraging smile. "If it'll put your mind at ease, it's probably a good idea," she said.

"Okay, if you think it's needed, I'm on board," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

"Great choice. Let's get you to a quiet area where we can do the ECG," Dr. Harris said, gesturing for us to follow him alongside the nurses. They helped me stand up and go to the wheelchair. 

"It won't take long, and I'll explain everything as we go along."

"Thank you, Doctor. I appreciate you looking out for me," I said as we walked together.

"Of course, it's my job to ensure you're safe," he responded reassuringly.

As we approached the examination area, I could feel the tension easing. "I'm ready for this, whatever it is," I declared, determined to face the next step head-on. I saw the boys waiting and getting up on their chairs as we left the room. 

"No, guys. Don't worry, it's just a test." I said, and they nodded. I smiled at them and waved.

Once we reached the examination area, I was greeted by the soft hum of machines and the faint scent of antiseptic. The room was bright, with large windows letting in natural light that felt warm against my skin. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. Dr. Harris placed the blood pressure cuff around my arm, and I could feel the pressure building as it tightened. Ria stood beside me, her eyes fixed on my face, silently offering support. As the nurses prepared the ECG machine, I glanced around the room, trying to distract myself from the fluttering anxiety in my stomach. The walls were adorned with calming images of nature, and I focused on a serene landscape painting, letting its tranquility seep into me.

"Just a little pressure, Samantha. You're doing great," Dr. Harris encouraged, his voice steady. I settled in, still feeling unsteady but determined to keep my composure. Ria stayed close, her presence a comforting anchor.

As the cuff deflated, he jotted down some notes. "Your blood pressure is slightly elevated, but let's see how your heart reacts under the ECG."

I swallowed hard, trying to push away the anxiety creeping into my thoughts. "What happens next?" I asked, my voice slightly shaky.

"Next, we'll attach some electrodes to monitor your heart's electrical activity," he explained, gesturing to a tray filled with small, sticky pads.

 "It won't hurt at all."

Ria squeezed my shoulder gently. "You've got this, Sam. Just breathe."

Dr. Harris carefully placed the electrodes on my chest, arms, and legs, explaining each step. "These will help us see how your heart is functioning. It'll only take a few minutes."

As the machine whirred to life, I focused on the rhythmic beeping, trying to calm my racing heart. The screens displayed waves and lines that danced in sync with my heartbeat.

"Everything looks stable so far," Dr. Harris said, glancing at the monitor. "But we'll need to analyze the results closely."

I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and unease. "So, what happens if there's something wrong?"

Dr. Harris paused, his expression shifting slightly. "Let's wait for the results before jumping to conclusions. It's important to stay calm."

A few moments passed in silence, the only sounds being the beeping of the ECG machine and my breathing. Finally, Dr. Harris turned to me, his brow furrowed with concern.

"Samantha, I need to talk to you about the results," he said, his voice low and serious.

Ria leaned closer, her hand still on my shoulder. "What is it, Doctor?"

Dr. Harris took a deep breath. "The ECG showed some concerning signs. It appears you have ischemic heart disease."

I felt the room spin slightly, the words hanging like a heavyweight in the air. "Ischemic heart disease? Wh- What does that mean?"

"It means that your heart isn't getting enough blood and oxygen, which can lead to chest pain or even heart attacks if not managed properly," he explained gently. 

"We must discuss treatment options and lifestyle changes moving forward."

Ria's grip tightened on my shoulder, and I could see the worry in her eyes.

 "What do we need to do?" she asked, her voice steady despite the news.

Dr. Harris continued, "We must run additional tests to determine the severity and underlying causes. Lifestyle changes, medication, and possibly further interventions may be necessary."

I felt a wave of emotions wash over me—fear, confusion, and a strange sense of determination. I felt tears running down my cheeks and didn't bother to wipe it. 

 "What kind of lifestyle changes?" I asked, my voice steadier than I felt.

"Things like diet, exercise, and stress management will be important," he replied. 

"We'll work together to create a plan tailored to your needs."

"Okay," I said, trying to absorb the information. 

"I want to do whatever it takes to manage this."

Dr. Harris smiled softly, appreciating my resolve. "That's the spirit, Sam. We'll take this one step at a time."

Ria leaned closer, wiping her tears, her eyes filled with encouragement. "You're not alone in this, Sam. We'll be with you every step of the way."

Sitting on the examination table, I felt a flicker of hope amidst the uncertainty. I was ready to face this challenge head-on, with my friends by my side and a plan in motion.

currently enjoying this summer too much!  and HAPPY 1K READERS!  sorry, but I'll keep you hanging ;)

R.