*Samantha’s Point of View*
---
"Samantha?" The woman asked me, and she's about to cry.
She walked to me, and I didn't know what to say to her. Should I forgive her?
"Mom?" I said in a shaky voice, and tears started to fall from my eyes.
She smiled while she's crying and finally wrapped her arms around me.
"Is this you, my Samantha?" She asked while sobbing and kissing my head.
I nodded, and I'm crying too. I missed her so much. It's been a decade. And she still smells the same.
"I'm so sorry, Sam, that I've left you. I should've brought you here. I'm so sorry." She apologized as we sat on the couch.
I have been wiping my tears with the scarf that dad gave me. He's right. I really need this.
"I missed you so much, Mom," I told her, and she kissed my forehead.
"I missed you too, Sam. There has not been a day that I don't think of you. I'm such a bad mother. I'm so sorry." She expressed and kept apologizing. This feeling is so wonderful. I never thought that I could finally see her again.
---
I asked her about what happened between her and Dad back then. And she told me that they got divorced because my father doesn't want us to migrate here to London.
They had a long fight about it. But he ended up choosing to stay there, and he even threatened Mom that he would do everything to bring down my mom and her parents' business if she takes me away from him. That's why it's only her and Samara who went here.
He chose his business over his family. He really is selfish, and he even made me believe that Mom left because of some guy.
And now, Mom is one of the most successful fashion designers here, and she has her own clothing line. While Sam lives in a condominium unit near her workplace, she often visits our mother.
After our long talk, Sam dropped me at the hotel where my father and I were staying. She told me that we'd just see each other tomorrow at the party.
---
"You look wonderful, Sam. And I believe that you'll be the most beautiful girl at that party." He remarked, and I just scoffed.
I just went out of my room, and Dad's been waiting for me. He'll be my escort to the party, and he looks good with his gray tux. But I'm very mad at him.
Mom has told me never to tell him that I met her and what we talked about.
"How could I be the most beautiful girl if it's a masquerade party? Everybody will be beautiful there. You can't see their faces." I told him with facts, and he just breathed in deeply while his hands were in his pockets.
"Well, everybody will unmask five minutes before midnight. So, they will still see your beautiful face. Trust me. They got nothing on you." He uttered and winked at me.
I just shook my head, and he told me to turn around. Then he put a necklace on my neck that surprised me.
I didn't say a thing, and he just started walking to the elevator.
---
"Dad? When can I have my phone back?" I asked him while we were inside the elevator.
He turned his head to me, and he seemed like thinking.
"Maybe tomorrow." He answered, and my face lightened.
Finally! I can call Red, and I'll tell her that we'll run away to a place where no one knows us. We'll eventually build our own house, and we'll have our own family. I will be the one to name our daughters and our pets. We will have---
"Are you okay, Sam?" Dad asked and brought me back to reality.
I fake-coughed, and he looked at me weirdly.
"I'm fine," I muttered, and the elevator door opened up.
He opened the limo door for me, and I went in first.
---
"Put your mask on, now." He told me as he put on his mask.
He looked like he's not fifty since he shaved his beard that never happened before. I wonder why he wants to look handsome again.
I put on my mask, and the limo stopped in front of a very tall building. It looks so luxurious. And there are also lots of cool cars that are about to park.
This party could be one of the most spectacular events of the end and start of the year. And_ for whoever is hosting this, they sure are very wealthy.
We walked down the aisle, and a man was asking for our invitation cards. Then Dad gave him our VIP cards, and we walked in.
"I want you to enjoy the night, and if I call your attention later, be there immediately." He told me.
And as he's about to walk away, I asked him something.
"Uh, Dad, how will I know if you are calling me? I can't identify you from this crowd with masks and suits the same as you." I asked him, and he just shrugged. What the f*ck? Is he kidding me?
"You'll know." He answered and left me there standing in the sea of people.
I just sighed and went to the counter. I'll drown myself in alcohol. I'm just kidding—just some light drinks.
I wonder if they offer a soda or a choco drink. Ugh, damn it! I just miss you so much, Red.