ANDRIUS AND BEATRICE entered the dim-lit hall of a certain poet’s bar while holding each other hand. They were welcomed by the brightly colored detailed aesthetics which give life to what seemed like an oversized living room. There were board games, magazines, and books everywhere.
A brown-haired guy is reading a poem by Shakespeare on the stage. Some are drinking while listening. Some are reading books and magazines from page to page. Andrius get a glass of wine on the counter while Beatrice, who was a bookworm, picked one book from the shelf.He followed her fiancé where she was seated, carrying two glasses of wine. The woman put the book away. She dipped her index finger into the wine and licked it. he then just looked at her.“Andrius…” she suddenly looked in the other direction.“Is something bothering you, Beatrice?”“How much do you love me, Andrius?”He opened his mouth, but he did not answer. Now that he has fallen in love with Sam, it is already hard for him to say if he loves her still or not.“There were many times that you professed your undying love to me.” Beatrice sighed. “And I believe you. I know how much you love me, Andrius.” She raised her hand and stared at the diamond engagement ring she wears before she looked at him. “You don’t deserve me.”“What do you mean?” he asked, confused.The woman removed the ring from her finger and put it in front of him. “I’m sorry, Andrius. I can’t marry you. I fell in love with someone else,” she said.One day he was dreaming of this end and now he couldn’t believe that Beatrice is the one who was breaking their red string. He admits that he felt sad but miraculously, he was not offended by what she said. He just smiled at her.“Who is this lucky man?”“Van. He is an audio engineer in the station I’m working in,” she replied.He just nodded and it seems like the woman couldn’t believe his sudden reaction. “Aren’t you mad at me?” she asked.He shook his head, “I want you to be happy, Beatrice.”Tears fell from the woman’s eyes, but she wiped them immediately. “You’re such a magnificent man I’ve ever met.”He grasped one of her hands resting on the table. “Let this ring remind you of our good days. I’m setting your heart free, Beatrice. But memory will always stay here in my heart.” He pointed his chest and let out a genuine smile.Beatrice then caressed his face. “Thank you, Andrius,” she said, seeming like she felt relief.Andrius nodded slightly to himself. And Beatrice gave him also a feeling of relief. At last, he was free.ANDRIUS FEELS the loss of Beatrice's presence in his life. He used to be with her for almost everything—parties, private sessions, and the rest where they can spend together… alone. Parting ways would be better for both of them. Now, the guilt that persecutes him has also been reduced. As he set Beatrice free, his heart was also free. And he was now okay to be in love with another woman.Now, even if he is tempted again by another woman, he will no longer feel the guilt. He is truly free.He loved Beatrice very much and they shared many good things. Parting doesn’t mean forgetting special places and shared experiences. For him, it’s still an important place where they went when they were young. One is the poet’s café on Brunswick Avenue where one can read poems aloud or silently. In that place, he will not just feel relaxed but can also learn how to be poetic.Beatrice took him there. Being a writer, she’s fond of that kind of environment getting the vibes she wanted to relax her mind. And he’s also an artist who is already attracted to that place.One day, while drinking wine and scanning a thick book, he happened to read a poem that reminded him much of Samantha. This is the content of the poem:‘Midnight Beauty’‘Darkness bathed her world and gouged out the moon from the space.’‘Slowly, she wore her mask, setting aside her stoic soul.’Like the character in the poem, Samantha once lived in a dark club. Her real identity is masked… hidden behind her naked body. Unbeknownst to the audience, the woman was still pure and clean.He continued to read.‘Her silhouette slithered in the forlorn alley where friend lurked.’‘Her invigorating scent was irresistible, and the fiend was trapped.’He stopped reading. It’s real that demon tries to lure humans… Adan’s earthly counterparts did indeed roam, but it was truly wonderful to be like Samantha who remained untouched. And like a potion, it was something he longed to taste once.He went on reading.‘The tinkling of mighty penny popped up her cork, she crazily lay in a bed of sins.’He closed the book. He doesn’t want to read it further. Money is not the only reason why Samantha worked at the Peregrine Club. Sam is a sensible woman. She’s not like other women who pawn their souls to Satan just to live. This proves the woman’s virginity even though she has been working as a dancer at the club for a long time.He was shocked when he discovered that matter. It was almost impossible that a woman like Sam had never been touched by any man.He drank the wine in his glass before he left. As he was walking at the intersection of Brunswick Avenue and Los Feliz Boulevard, he came across the whimpering Chuck.“Brace yourself, dude!” With great excitement, he almost pushed him. “You won’t believe this. The girls in the neighborhood are all after me.”“Are you serious?”“Of course, I am. Now that I have turned a new leaf, these women came to realize what a sex symbol I am,” Chuck said.He just shook his head and continued walking. His friend accompanied him.“Shocks! They are pleading… begging,” Chuck said with action. “Granted that these chicks are beautiful, I still have my word.” Chuck breathes deeply. “I don’t like girls anymore.”He let out a sigh, “Behind a man is always a woman.”Chuck ignored what he said.“Why can these chicks leave me alone?” Chuck tapped him on the shoulder. “What am I going to do, dude?”“Learn to love, Chuck.”“I know that you’re in love, but you don’t look happy.”His friend was right. But he will do everything to be happy again… this time, with Samantha. He will make sure that the woman will forgive him. if that happens, he will do anything… everything, just to get the woman’s heart. He was invited by Mr. Johansson for the Silver Dust presentation. And he has been looking forward to that day.ON THE other side, Samantha gives her time in rehearsing for her performance for the upcoming presentation. She must not disappoint those people who are looking forward to the presentation. She wanted her father to be happy. She didn’t want to put Silver Dust to shame. No matter how busy she is, there are still times that she was unfocused. And her dad knew that.“You’re thinking deeply again. Are you not feeling well, Samantha?” her father asked.“Nothing, Dad.” She forced a smile. “I just remembered something.”“Is it a what or a who?”“Dad…”“Maybe we’ve been together for a while, but I almost knew you, sweetie. You’re my daughter. By the look of it, I can conclude that you have a problem. Care to tell me about it?”How can she lie to his father? He wasn’t an unconcerned father like she had thought when she hadn’t found him. Ever since they met and she moved into his place, they have become very close to each other. He is like a mother to her child who is always behind her and offering help.The old man laughed and put his arm around her, “Smile, my daughter. In just a few days, you will be the star of Silver Dust,” he said.“Do you think, Dad, that people will like me?”“Certainly.”A shy smile flashed on her face. “You really think so?”“Yes! You’re beautiful and you have the body. And based on what I’ve watched, I’m sure Silver Dust won’t embarrass those who waited to witness the show.”“Thanks, Dad,” she replied.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 th
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