CHAPTER 4
LILY’S POV
The taxi glided through the illuminated streets of the city as I lost myself in my thoughts. How did I, Lily Thompson, end up in the arms of Samuel, the lead singer of my favorite band?
It was one of those moments that seemed to come straight out of a dream, a fantasy I never thought would become a reality. The thrill of the music, the energy of the stage, the shared laughter during the after-party, each fragment mixed with the surprise of waking up next to Samuel.
An involuntary smile formed on my lips, but it soon gave way to a perplexed expression. How did this happen? My thoughts were interrupted by the phone, and I cursed as I saw “dad” flashing on the screen. I answered, trying to disguise the surprise in my voice.
“Hi, Dad.”
“We need to talk. Come home immediately,” my father's voice came from the other end of the line.
A chill ran down my spine. Doug Thompson, the father who raised me alone, was not one to show anger, but his tone conveyed a seriousness that worried me. I responded, trying to stay calm.
“I'm on my way, Dad.”
I hung up the phone, feeling a knot forming in my stomach. The reality of the situation hit me hard. My father knew I hadn't spent the night at home, and now I would have to face the consequences. My father had always been understanding, but I knew sleeping out without notifying him was something he wouldn't tolerate.
The taxi stopped in front of my house, and I hastily paid the driver. As I climbed the stairs to the door, the gears in my mind were turning in search of a plausible explanation. I couldn't tell the truth about the night with Samuel—that would be a disaster. I needed something more conventional, something my father would believe.
Opening the door, Doug was there, with a serious and inquisitive expression. He expected an explanation, and I knew I needed to give a convincing answer.
“Dad, what happened?” I asked, trying to appear concerned.
He sighed as if containing some frustration. “Samantha arrived, and I wanted you to be home to meet her.”
My eyes widened in surprise. Samantha, my father's girlfriend, was at home at that moment, and it was because of the lunch my father told me about last night. Still processing the revelation, I tried to keep calm.
“I'm sorry, Dad. I forgot she was coming. I was at Emily's house, studying for the... literature test.”
He stared at me, evaluating my reaction. I decided to add a touch of drama to make my excuse more convincing.
“But then I got your call, and I got really worried... So I took a taxi immediately.”
My father frowned, suspicious. “You look a bit disheveled for someone who left here and went to study with a friend.”
My hands automatically smoothed my clothes, seeking a more composed appearance. “I left here in a hurry today because I overslept the time I agreed with Emily, and I didn't want her to worry and all.”
Doug sighed again, seeming less annoyed. “You should have let me know, Lily. Samantha was upset about arriving here and not meeting you.”
I lowered my head, pretending remorse. “I know, Dad. I'm so sorry. I didn't want this to happen.”
He seemed to ponder my words for a moment before sighing once again. “Alright, let's try to put this behind us. Now, go freshen up and go greet Samantha. She's in the living room.”
I nodded, mentally thanking myself for having avoided the complicated situation. I went up the stairs, relieved to have dodged the real reason for my absence the night before.
In my room, I collapsed on the bed, reliving the night with Samuel in my mind. It was a secret I would keep under lock and key, at least for now. The complications of my personal life were far from over, but for the time being, I needed to focus on maintaining the façade and facing Samantha's new presence in my life.
I quickly put on a yellow blouse and shorts, tied my hair in a ponytail, and hurried down the stairs. My heart was pounding, and I wondered what it would be like to meet Samantha, my dad's girlfriend. Still processing the information that my father was in a serious relationship, I tried to keep an open mind as I walked into the living room.
Inside, I was greeted with a lively scene. My father, Doug, was chatting cheerfully with an elegant woman with blonde hair and a black dress that accentuated her beauty. It was Samantha Valdez, the new presence in our lives. With a serene expression, she smiled as she noticed my entrance.
“Dear, this is my daughter, Lily Thompson.” My father turned to me, introducing me with enthusiasm. “Lily, this is Samantha Valdez.”
I approached, trying to hide my anxiety, and extended my hand.
“Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Valdez.”
She accepted my gesture gracefully, shaking my hand gently.
“The pleasure is all mine, Lily. I've heard so many good things about you. And please, don't call me Mrs. Valdez, call me Samantha.”
I felt relieved by her warm reception. Doug intervened, suggesting that we move to the dining room, but Samantha hesitated, adding an intriguing detail.
“Alright, but I think we should wait a little longer for lunch. I invited my son to join us.”
Doug nodded, agreeing with Samantha's proposal.
“As you wish, Samantha. We'll wait.”
My stomach tightened at the idea of another introduction, this time to Samantha's son. However, I knew I had no choice but to face the discomfort.
We settled in the dining room, the atmosphere laden with a silent tension. The chairs were filled, the wait for Samantha's son prolonging the already anxious atmosphere. I engaged in superficial conversation with my father and her, trying to ignore the knot in my throat.
“How did you two meet?” I asked, looking from one to the other.
Samantha smiled, sharing a loving look with my father before answering.
“We've known each other for many years, but life separated us. However, fate brought us together again recently.”
The conspiratorial glance between them indicated that there was more to the story, but I chose not to delve deeper. Instead, I shifted focus to the next question that occurred to me.
“And your son, Samantha? Has he met my father yet?”
A trace of nervousness passed over her face before she answered.
“Not yet, Lily. He will meet your father today. It hasn't been easy for him to cope with the loss of his father.”
The revelation about Samantha's husband's recent death caught me off guard.
“How long ago did he pass away?” I asked, surprise evident on my face.
Samantha answered with honesty. “Six months.”
My eyes widened at the brief timeframe since the loss. Instinctively, I let slip a careless remark.
“Only that? It seems so little time.”
My father's immediate reaction was a reproachful look, warning me not to continue. Samantha, however, seemed to understand my surprise.
“My son thinks the same, Lily. That's why this lunch is so important, especially for my son. However, it seems he won't come, and we'll have to share the good news only with you.”
Confusion settled in my mind as I tried to understand what Samantha meant by “good news.” Innocently, I asked:
“Good news? What good news?”
Doug, my father, cast a meaningful glance at Samantha, indicating that the revelation was imminent.
“Samantha and I are getting married at her house. Tomorrow.”
The news hit like a bomb, leaving me speechless for a moment. The silence in the room was broken only by the distant sound of my own tumultuous thoughts.
“You're getting married? Tomorrow?” I stammered, trying to assimilate the information.
Doug nodded with seriousness. “Yes, Lily. We decided it was the right thing to do, and we wanted to share it with you before it became official.”
The magnitude of the situation began to unfold before me. My father, whom I had always seen as a stable figure, was about to embark on a journey that would directly impact the family dynamic I knew.
“I... I don't know what to say,” I murmured, unsure how to react to this sudden revelation.
Samantha tried to ease the situation. “Lily, we understand that it's surprising news, and we hope that, with time, we can form a united family.”
Still stunned, I nodded, unable to articulate my thoughts. The whirlwind of emotions within me reflected the complexity of the situation.
“I hope you can accept this, Lily,” said my father, his voice full of hope.
I nodded, still in shock, promising myself to deal with the emotions that this news had brought. The rest of the lunch unfolded in an awkward silence, each of us immersed in our own thoughts. The news of the wedding hung over us, and the promise of a new family chapter unfolded rapidly before my eyes.
At the end of the meal, I rose from the table, wishing them both the best in their future together. However, as I exited the dining room, I knew that the consequences of this revelation were yet to come, triggering changes that would shape the narrative of my life in a way I still couldn't fully comprehend.