*Samantha’s Point of View*
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"Go, Sam," Samara told me, and I slowly walked up to the stage while the people clapped their hands.
My hands start to sweat, and I feel like I'm about to melt.
"My daughter will be the one to continue my legacy, and I just know that she is capable of doing that." My father spoke, and I am looking at the floor since I am not used to being in front of a huge crowd, especially in the business world.
I'm not proud of just following his steps. He might be a successful businessman, but he sucks at a lot of things. One is being the head of a family, and the rest is him being a selfish a**hole.
"Dad, what is this?" I asked him as he gave the mic to the man beside him.
I can't clearly see his face because I can only see his side view.
"Just do what I want you to do, Sam. Trust me, you'll thank me after all of this. It's the only way that can make our lives better." He replied, and it made me more puzzled.
Is it only business that he wants in his life? He is sick.
"What is it exactly?" I asked him with a bit of anger.
Don't tell me that he's planning to make me marry someone to merge his business with this man? This sounds really familiar.
If he does so, this will be the time that he should start to think he has no daughter with the name of Samantha.
I'm going to run away, and there's no other perfect time to do it but now. Red is here, and I'm not afraid of anything anymore. I want to be with her for the rest of my life.
"You'll know." He uttered, and the mic is in his hand again.
"I'm happy to announce to you all the engagement of our heirs. In this way, our business will be stronger and will be carried on until the next generations." He spoke, and my jaw dropped as I felt my world shattered into pieces.
That's it. How the f*ck could he do this to me?
I shook my head, and tears were about to fall from my eyes. All I want now is the ground to open up and swallow me alive. I shouldn't have gone with him here.
I can hear the faint applause of the crowd, and my mind is entirely blank. I don't know how to react or what to think anymore.
And as I closed my eyes, tears finally streamed down my face.
I need to fulfill my plan.
"Dad, please don't do this to me," I begged him, and he just looked at me sternly.
"Do it." He asserted, and I just shook my head.
"I… I'd…" I began and paused as I gasped for air.
"You know what? Right now, my only wish, Richard Rivers... Is that I never have become your daughter." I told him with venom in my voice.
I can't stay quiet and hold my grudges forever. He is the worst father in the world. If he loves me, he won't do this, or he'll never make me upset. But I guess it has proven things.
I looked at him one last time in despair, and I turned around to walk to leave the stage. But I bumped into someone.
Then I looked up to the person who just bumped into me; just as then her green eyes stared deep into my soul, and her smile assures me that everything is okay.
"Red," I uttered, and she wiped the tears on my cheeks.
I hugged her tightly, and she pats my back as I cried on her shoulder.
"Everything's going to be okay, Sammy. I'll always be with you. I promise you that." She started and broke off from the hug to wipe my tears again. Can you take me away from here where there will only be the two of us? Please?
She looked at me in the eyes and inhaled deeply.
"And for me to do that---" She continued, and she knelt on one knee. What is she doing?
"I will ask you to marry me, Samantha Rivers." She added, and I am astounded by all this.
Did she? Did she just ask me to… marry her?
I opened my mouth but closed it again.
I don't know what I'm feeling right now. Is this a dream? What exactly is happening?
She smiled hopefully, and I looked at her right hand to see that she had been holding a ring. Maybe this is not a dream after all.
I held her chin, and she stood up. She looked so nervous and cute at the same time.
Then her gaze went to the ring that she's holding, and she looked back at me.
"Uh… Ummm... Sammy? Can I... Can I get an… answer?" She asked nervously, and I can't help but feel light and loved. Oh, Red! My Clairedaven.
I didn't say a word; instead, I pulled her close to me and locked her lips with mine. Her hands are on my waist, and this is the best feeling of all. I can now die happy. No, I don't want to, because I can't be able to spend my time with her. We will live forever together.
And as I am savoring our moment, I can hear the people cheering and clapping.
Oh, sh*t! I forgot that we are on stage. Now, it finally makes sense. Red is the one I'm going to marry. Oh, my good Lord, you answered my prayers!
"I was the one who asked you that in the letter I gave you, Red," I told her as we parted our lips.
Yeah, my younger self asked her that. I know it's too early to feel true love, but I know deep down in my heart that she is the only person that I want and need.
"Uh, yeah! So, is that a yes?" She asked with full of hope, and she's still not getting it.
"Of course, Clairedaven Lawrence West, I will marry you," I told her, and her mouth hung open. Maybe she just can't believe it.
I gave her a light kiss on the lips to bring her back to reality.
"Put it on," I stated while smiling so wide, and I guess she's back with herself.
"Yeah, yeah, sure." She uttered as she put the ring on my left ring finger while smiling and biting her lower lip.
Well, I have never thought that my childhood dream will come into reality.
This is the best thing that has happened in my life. My Red will be mine, and I am hers. And this is more than enough for me.