A VARIETY of special effects erupted along with the seemingly uplifting music. The dancers came out on stage and to the beat of the strange music, they showed unparalleled elegance.
From above, it seems that the most beautiful woman of all has fallen. Wearing her thin gown, she pretended to be a goddess who came down to earth to spread beauty.The voice-over rang out. “Silver Dust proudly presents its new star, Samantha Marie Johansson!”To the rhythm of strange music, Samantha took off her thin gown and exposed her beautiful body to the audience in her two-piece. Along with the other dancers, Samantha appeared on stage.In about two hours, Silver Dust’s biggest presentation that year also ended.Dressed with a fur coat, Sam came down the stage. She did not expect the press to approach her for an interview. Behind her was her dad who was so proud of her.She received flowers from the audience. Some asked for autographs. She was indeed touched by the warmth shown by the people. When the timing was right, she got away from the crowd. From the glass window, she could see a large part of Las Vegas. Who would have thought that she was a star today? She should have been happy, but why does she feel empty?Her father was very happy. Not just because the Silver Dust show was a success. He was happy because she had suddenly become a star. Many admired her performance and that was enough to make her father feel immeasurable happiness.She appreciates that. However, it seems that everything is still not enough for her to feel happy. There was a deep sadness in her heart.“That was amazing!” Her eyes widened when she recognizes the voice. She then turned around. She wanted to cry out loud at that moment when she laid her eyes on the man who is always inside her heart.“You awed me much, Sam,” he said as he walked closer to her, holding a flower bouquet.“You watched it?”“Yeah,” he replied and handed over the bouquet to her.She reached for it. “Thank you. But why I didn’t see you in the audience?”“I didn’t really tend to show up to you.”“Why?”“I don’t want to ruin your performance, Sam. I-I mean, I know you’re still mad at me and maybe when you see me, your performance will suddenly change."She looked at the man’s face. He’s still handsome as before. They walked towards the adjacent seats, near the stairs. She stared at the bouquet she received. The flowers were beautiful, as beautiful as she felt in those moments.“How did you find out about the show?”“I took the photos used in the ads. And of course, your daddy invited me.”The man helps her to sit. But instead of sitting down, he knelt before her, “I hope you will forgive me, Sam.”Her eyes widened, “You don’t have to do that, Andrius. Stand up.”He stood up. He pulled up a chair in front of her and sat there. “Do you forgive me?” he asked.“I have forgiven you for a long time.”“Thank you.” He held her hands and stared sincerely into her eyes. “I hope you will let me enter your life, Sam.”She was overwhelmed.“I love you, Sam.”“I will be a hypocrite if I do not admit that I like you too, Andrius. But what about Beatrice?”“Beatrice and I were over.” He lifted one of his hands and brought it to her cheek. “I will do everything to be worthy of your love.”“Can you forget about my old job?” she asked. Trying to test him.“It’s not important,” he said.“But that was a sequel to now, Andrius.”“No, baby. What matters is today because it will be our path to a happy tomorrow.”She smiled as she caressed the man’s face. “I accept your love. Andrius,” she said, finally.Andrius then crossed their distance and pressed his lips into hers. Astonished, she didn’t know how to respond but the man was a good kisser and she started to move her lips and meet his pace.As much as Andrius wanted to prolong the kiss, he can’t because they were not in a private place. He frowned when he saw Sam still stuck where she is. He then grabbed the woman’s arm, gently and lead her to his car.“Let’s have dinner first before I sent you home,” he said.He smiled when he realizes how strong his effect on the girl was.“Sam?” he called and waved his hand in front of her face. “Babe?” He snapped his fingers and viola she was back to earth.“You’re saying something?” she asked and fake a cough.“I’m inviting you for a dinner,” he said and smiled.“Is that a date?”He let out a soft chuckle. “It is.”Samantha doesn’t know how to describe the feeling if she was just thrilled or both.AFTER the dinner, they went to her suite. It’s already late and she just told Andrius to stay. Besides, she’s the only one living in that place. Andrius then asked permission to go to the bathroom. She just nodded and pointed to the guestroom where he was going to stay before going to her room.She heaved a deep sigh when she sat on her comfy bed. She can only feel the tiredness now. Her thought traveled around their relationship. Since she accepted his love, it only means that they’re officially on.The man even kissed her. And she felt embarrassed. Though it was not her first time kissing him, it was her first time doing it with him in a passionate way and with her own will.She removed the strap of her sandals and put them beside her bed. She unzipped her dressed and walked towards the bathroom. She badly needed to freshen up.When she was done taking a cold shower, she just put her robe on and went outside her room, and went to the kitchen. She needs to drink fresh milk and it became her habit before going to bed.She was humming as she poured milk into her glass when Andrius pulled a chair and sat.“Hi,” the man greeted. “Can I have one too?” he added.She smiled and got another glass, then she poured milk into it and put it in front of him. she pulled the chair in front of her and sat, facing the man.“Where are you staying?” she asked.“The same suite,” he replied.“Oh. Fancy it is because I’m just next to you and you didn’t tell me?” she asked, voice lit with sarcasm.The man laughed. “You never asked it. Just now.”She hates it but he’s right.“Hmm... what’s your plan tomorrow?” the man asked.“Maybe I will try to study things about Dad’s business since I’m just her heiress,” she said, proudly. She's been doing it for a week now. “Why did you ask?”Andrius sipped on his glass of milk and put it down. “Well, I want to explore some places tomorrow, I would just ask if you wanted to—”“Sure,” she replied as she cut in which makes Andrius laugh even more.“You seem excited,” the man said.“Okay, I will take it back then,” she said and pouted her lips.The man bit his lower lip trying to hold the amusement he saw in her.“Don’t. Ever. Try. To. Laugh!” she warned. Andrius shook his head, and put his hands up, surrendering.Now, she’s the one who’s holding back herself not laughing. They look adorable together, acting childishly.Andrius cleared his throat. “So… can I take you out tomorrow?” he said.She crossed her arms and just stared at him. The man’s eyes then seem to be not at ease as it started to move down then it goes to its left. She frowned. ‘What’s wrong with him?’ she thought. No one dared to talk again. But Andrius's eyes are still not at ease. Seems like they were bothered by something.She raises her left brow. “What?”The man looked at her again, particularly below her face, and looked away as he bit his lip.‘What the… Is he seducing me?’ she thought.“Are you avoiding me?” she asked.Andrius shook his head.“Then can you explain to me, why are you avoiding my gaze?” she asked.The man looked at her and she followed his gaze and it stopped on her chest—holy molly!“I can’t just stare at your pinkish tip peeking like saying hello to me. I might not control myself,” he said.“Ah!” she screamed and run to her room. It’s embarrassing! And it’s so stupid of her to act like a virgin—well, she’s still had her 50% of virginity since Andrius stopped midway when they do it. She looked at her robe as she leaned on the door. She’s been dancing in the Peregrine without any cloth hiding her breast, but she feels different when it comes to Andrius. She became more conscious about her body and clothing.“Stupid, Samantha,” she whispered.THE NEXT DAY, Samantha doesn’t know how to face the man. “For Pete’s sake, she's your boyfriend... nothing to be ashamed of,” she whispered.She got off her bed and went straight to the bathroom to take a bath—it’s her daily routine when she wakes up every morning.She took a deep breath and exhaled before she exited her room. Her eyes darted to the vintage wall clock and it was just five in the morning. She continued to walk through the kitchen to get some water.As she enters the kitchen her eyes widened when she saw Andrius wearing a cute apron—her hello kitty apron, while flipping something in the pan.The man looked at her as she walks closer. Andrius smiled at her. “Good morning, babe,” he greeted.Putting the incident last night at the back of her head, she walked closer to him. she gave him a peck on his lips. Andrius seemed stunned by what she did but get back to his senses immediately as she talks. “What’s that?”“An omelet for breakfast,” he replied and took another peck on
SAMANTHA keeps blabbering things when she went inside her suite. She knew that she was acting weird again but it was her personality. Even if she was a bit afraid that Andrius might turn her off because of her attitude, she still maintains her uncompromising posture.Andrius couldn’t believe that Samantha has a different side. That the woman acted like a teenager who threw tantrums at her boyfriend. He found it amusing. He’s not mad. She just wanted to tease her girlfriend and try to study her attitude.Guess, he’ll do the coaxing now. He smiled and shook his head and knocked on Sam’s door. He attempted to twist the knob, but it was locked on the inside. He can’t stop himself but smile again.She’s adorable, she thought. It was just their first day, but many things happened between them.“Sam, babe. Will you please open the door?”Samantha on the other side stumps her feet towards the door. She twisted the knob and pulled it. She crossed her arms, “what?” she asked as she raised her l
The weather is chilly, but Samantha got sweaty palms. Andrius opened the door on her side and reaches for her hand. Her heart thumps fast as they walk right in front of the main door.“Andrius?” a girl who's a little bit older or younger than Andrius approached them.“She’s my older sister. Second to the last,” said Andrius and let out a smile at the girl.“Gosh!” the girl gasped. “What’s the name of the gorgeous girl behind you?” she asked.“Samantha.” He looked at Sam before he looked at his sister. “She’s Samantha, my girlfriend.”The girl extended her right hand, “Hi, I’m Athena.”She then reached for the girl’s hand and shook hands.“Come in,” Athena said.Andrius held her waist and lead the way inside.“Where’s mom?” he asked.“She went to the designer and tackle things about her birthday party tomorrow,” Athena replied.Samantha’s eyes roamed around the house, and she was amazed by the interiors. Then what caught her attention were the photographs of different sceneries.“They’
Andrius took her upstairs, gently guiding her as her knees started to tremble. Her vision got blurry as tears started to wrap around her listless eyes.“I won’t ask you if you’re okay when I obviously see that you’re not,” he started when he closed the door and face her. He’s holding her hand and looked into her eyes, trying to meet her gaze, but she bowed down to avoid it.“Dylan is always like that, and I hate it that Beatrice seems to told them—”She looked up, “about my recent job? Well, your brother was right. I’m a stripper and a stripper like me will never be fated to be in love—to experience love. We’re just—”Andrius cupped her face and let her look at him. “Look, why do you need to bother with what they say? Why don’t you just show them and prove to them that it is wrong to judge you.”“How am I supposed to be unbothered with those things, Andrius? How?” she asked, frustratingly as she stepped backward. “You were right! No matter how I dress, no matter how I try to be your i
Samantha wears a maroon melody fashion front tie puff sleeve smock dress for Andrius’s mom’s party. While putting the shade on her lips, she can see Andrius's reflection in the vanity mirror. The man never spoke a word since she woke up. And she doesn’t know if it is about the slap. She was a bit afraid to talk to him first, that’s why she chooses to remain silent. She doesn’t want to argue with him, and silence is the only way to prevent it.She gasped when she met his eyes. The man is currently tying his tie. He looked handsome in his slim-fit tuxedo. His veins were visible as he was tying it which makes her gulp and averted her eyes. She finishes her stuff and stands up. She grabbed her stilettos inside her luggage and wear them. She looked up when she saw a pair of shoes in front of her, their eyes met. She doesn’t know but she suddenly felt like she wanted to burst out. Her eyes became gloomy as she stares at him. Thus, she looked away. She heard his deep sigh and suddenly she fe
THE NEXT DAY, Andrius decided to get back to Vegas. He just wanted to prevent any scandal again and he could also feel how awkward the atmosphere inside their house was. He cared so much for Samantha’s mental health. And he knew that staying longer with his family can make the woman overthink.“Are you sure about this?” Samantha asked when they were climbing downstairs.He nodded, “it’s for the better,” he replied.She stopped, “but they miss you too, and I don’t want them to think that I’m a sort of a bitch controlling you.”“How many times do we have to talk about this, babe?”She looked down, “I’m sorry.”He approached her and lifted her head, “look at me,” he started, and she then met his eyes, “you have to rehearse for the event in Atticus, right? Besides, mom’s birthday was done, and I have nothing to do in here—”“You have to manage your restaurant, isn’t it, Andrius?” his mother said as the old woman climbed down too and stopped in front of them.“Mom, Samantha has lots of wor
“How’s your practice?” Andrius asked while cutting his beef steak. Andrius fetch her after their rehearsal and invited her over to dinner in a fancy restaurant.She twirled her fork to curl up her Italian pasta, “all good. And of course, tiring. But we’ll have money with it. As what we’ve dealt with the event organizer, half… the half will be given to us and we’re going to donate to the Silver Dust Foundation for kids and adults who were in need,” she said.“Hmm… I really admire Mr. Johansson for having such a big heart for other people,” he concluded.“You’re right. And I’m lucky to be her daughter. I requested that we also help those people who were in need of their medication. Like those cancer patients who are having trouble financially with their treatments.”“You sure got his kindness. And you will be his only heiress. Sooner, you’ll be the CEO of Silver Dust, from the hotels and restaurants down to his studio and foundations.”She smiled, “it takes time for all of that. I need
THE NEXT day, Samantha woke up early than Andrius. When she got down in their kitchen, she saw her father sipping on his cup of coffee while reading a newspaper. Well, nothing changes. Her father's routine was always like that.“Good morning, Dad,” she greeted.“Princess, you’re early today,” he said. There he goes with the princess thing again. It sounds too girly. And she’s not used to it, but she kind of likes it.We will be having our final practice for the event tomorrow,” she replied.The old man put down the newspaper on the side of the table.“I’m so proud of you, Samantha. And your mom will even more proud when she’s still alive.”A maid put down a plate of toasted bread in front of her and a jam beside it. “Thank you,” she said to the woman before she looks back to her father.She grabbed a piece of bread and a butter knife to spread jam on it. “Hmm… about mom, dad. When will we visit her grave?” she asked.Her father sighed. “I will just finish all my projects this year and