73 Terrible Months (1/2)
Daniel and Samantha arrived at the venue where the charity gala was being held. There were a lot of guests, probably big shots in the country. Most of the people who attended have really deep pockets who cannot wait to show off during the auction.
Lucas' immediately saw them and he ushered them inside and introduced to some of his business friends. Daniel also had the chance to meet influential people that were potential partners. Samantha stood beside Daniel looking very attractive, though she didn't talk a lot during the conversation, she understood what they were discussing about and just chose not to interrupt.
At the corner of Daniel's eyes, he saw a familiar figure. Samantha noticed the change in his expression, she followed his gaze.
She saw Stefan Yoo talking to a beautiful woman near the items that were part of the auction later.
”Your… I mean, Stefan is here? Did he know Lucas too?”
Daniel turned to face Samantha and he shook his head with a smile, ”I didn't know that he did. Don't mind him. Let's go grab something to eat.”
He led her towards the food table and picked out some food for her. Handing a saucer with assorted mini canapes to Samantha, he thought of asking her about going home.
”Can we talk about something?”
She took a piece and ate it, ”What is it?”
”When do you plan on going home?”
Samantha stopped eating and lowered the saucer as she thought about her answer.
”Do you not want to go home with me?”
”It's not that I don't want to… ”, she clenched her fist.
Daniel held her hand, smoothening it from the clench. He stroke it gently and comforted her,
”Hey… It's okay. I understand… I was just curious, that's all. I'm sorry I asked.”
”No… don't say you're sorry, you didn't do anything wrong.”, she paused before nervously asking, ”Are you- are you leaving?”
”I didn't plan my return yet, I wanted to go back with you.”
”But your work…”
”Don't worry about it.”, he smiled reassuringly.
”It's just… I've been living a different life here, I miss my family and I want to go home.. But they suffered when I lost my memory 12 years ago. And I left after pretending it happened again. I just don't know how to face them.”
Samantha sighed, ”I'm such a terrible person.”
Daniel cupped her face, ”Baby look at me… you're not a terrible person. Don't ever think like that. You're an amazing woman. You were just having a terrible day, that's all.”
”I stayed here for months, Dan.”
”Fine, you had terrible months. Happy?”
Samantha chuckled, ”You're bad at this.” --'You aren't, you're the best.', she thought.
”There you go…”, he smiled and then he leaned in to whisper low in her ear, ”now keep that smile on you or I won't let you off when we get home.”
A flirty laugh sounded near them disrupting her thoughts. Instinctively, Daniel and Samantha turned to the voice behind them. The two people looked at their way too.
”Mon Daniel.”, the lady in purple spoke when she saw Daniel, her eyes full of wonder and excitement.
Samantha looked at the woman who just called Daniel, 'What? 'mon'? Who are you to call him that?' (1)
Daniel didn't even glance at the woman beside Stefan Yoo despite her calling him.
”Daniel, I'm surprised to see you here.”, said Stefan.
”Not as much as I am.”, Daniel said with meaning.
Stefan cleared his throat and turned to Samantha, ”How have you been, Ms. Bella?”
”I've been great, thank you.”, replied Samantha politely.
”Daniel, on peut parler?” (Daniel, can we talk?), she asked.
Daniel held Samantha's hand and the lady in purple looked at the pair, she looked at Samantha from head to toe.
”Dis à ton amie que je suis occupé.”, (Tell your friend that I'm busy.), Daniel spoke to Stefan without emotions.
He then pulled Samantha away from the two and went back to Lucas.
”Why didn't you wanna talk to her? Was she an ex?”, she asked directly.
Daniel turned his head to her, ”You speak French?”
Samantha nodded proudly, ”Oui. Je parle et j'embrasse.”, (Yes, I speak and I kiss.)