CHAPTER 20 - This is love, right?
Samantha's POV
I never imagined I would cry in front of her. Yet there she was, holding me close, her warmth seeping into the cracks I'd worked so hard to hide.
She comforted me, and for once, I allowed myself to lean into it, to feel the weight of her embrace. It was like she pulled me out from a dark, endless void and steadied me with her quiet strength.
I'm deeply grateful she did, that she let her guard down just enough for me to feel her there, truly and honestly.
In her embrace, I felt safe and protected, as if the world and all its chaos couldn't reach me.
It was a warmth I didn't know I needed until now, a feeling I didn't even know existed for me.
With that single act of kindness, I realized something so profound that it sent a shiver down my spine-she is my safe haven.
Yet, even with this newfound clarity, there's a lingering sense of doubt within me.
I'm not entirely certain about these feelings that seem to be surfacing every time I'm around her.
Is this admiration, something innocent and pure?
Or is it love, something deeper, more consuming?
Whatever it is, I feel a strange thrill in knowing it's her that I'm falling for, her that makes my heart race and my thoughts spiral.
But just as I start to accept these feelings, she pulls away, slipping back into her cold, distant self.
The warmth that was once so present is gone, like a candle snuffed out, and in its place is a chill that feels almost like a warning.
The way her expression shifted the moment she stepped into this house. Rhe way her eyes turned distant, as if closing off that vulnerable part of herself-it's like we've returned to the beginning.
Back to that moment when she was so detached, so cold, and every bit the stranger I had first met.
I'm worried now, my heart unsettled, but I don't want to let this spiral. I don't want to overthink every glance, every word, every moment of silence.
I can't afford to lose myself to paranoia or to doubt, to let my mind run wild with questions I may never get answers to.
/////
"Lemme just say this feeling, m'kay? You are gorgeous, Samantha." My face flushed as I received such a compliment from my own inspiration in life.
Currently, I'm standing in front of the hotel, facing the most beautiful woman I admired as a kid: Adrianna Evans, a Hollywood star and former business partner of my father.
"It is an honor to be complimented by the star of Hollywood herself. I hope you enjoy your stay in our hotel and have fun discovering new things in this wonderful country." Leading the way inside, we walked past the doorman and the counter, heading straight to the VVIP room on the second floor.
"Good evening, madames." My heart skipped a beat as Jezreel and I crossed paths in the elevator. My face flushed when I remembered that we had slept together earlier.
Madame Adrianna greeted her back with the same light energy, complimenting her style and praising me again for choosing such a good-looking staff member.
"Your look could pass for a model, don't you think?"
"I get that a lot." It's amusing every time someone compliments Jezreel; she never thanks them, but responds with confidence, just like now. She seems well aware of her own beauty.
"How old are you?"
"27, madame. How about you?"
"I'm 41."
"I don't believe that for a second." My brows furrowed as I turned my gaze toward my president. A smirk plastered on her pretty face caught me off guard.
"You look way younger in my eyes; I thought you were only sixteen, madame." Internally, I laughed along with Madame Adrianna. Nothing was more surprising than Jezreel's sweet talking.
"I think I need to get my eyes checked because, in my perspective, you are a gorgeous fine queen. And I'm deeply hurt that this is where we part ways... Have a delightful evening." As the elevator door opened, she ended their conversation in the smoothest way possible, even bowing like a prince and walking out with authority.
What just happened?
"I like your president." Ignoring her words, I led her to her room, giving her a brief tour before finally leaving her alone.
As I returned to the ground floor, I saw Jezreel talking to a janitor. She stroked her hair elegantly while gesturing with her other hand as she spoke.
She stood tall with poise and authority, clearly indicating her high rank. Her blazer rested on her left shoulder, and the sleeves of her turtleneck remained unfolded, just as I had suggested.
I couldn't hear her voice amidst the chatter, but I imagined she was using that deep voice she employed while sweet-talking our VVIP earlier.
My heart skipped a beat, and my cheeks burned with fervor. Realizing I had been staring at her for too long with the widest smile, I finally resumed my tasks.
After finishing, I waited in the car for almost 10 minutes until Jezreel finally joined me.
We always went home together, as the couple we lived with had moved back into the hotel, leaving just the two of us sharing the same roof.
During the drive, the car was filled with comfortable silence. However, feeling a bit bored, I decided to play some music.
For some reason, I regretted looking at her arms once the song started.
She had rolled up her sleeves before we left, and now, seeing the veins wrapped around her muscular arms like a lightning tattoo, I couldn't help but be intrigued by her transformation since returning from Batangas.
I wondered what kind of workout she had done during her time there. If I went to the province, would I achieve the perfect body shape I wanted?
It seemed staying in the province made one look hotter-it intrigued me.
"Do you want me to roll it down?" She asked, and I couldn't help but look at her face.
My breath caught in my throat as I noticed her slightly messy hair, which surprisingly looked incredibly attractive on her.
"N-no, it's fine. We're not in public, so..." I trailed off, feeling flustered, and stared straight ahead, trying to calm my racing heart.
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