Chapter 104

Mr. Ihshan Mobarek welcomed Samanta i n  his office. Although h e was still upset from being deceived like they did about Aháva. h e was fond of Samanta, and knowing she was alive actually made him happy. She was the closest thing h e had t o his son, after Maher made it very clear she would not return, after a heated argument they had after Amir's funeral.

“Mr. Ihshan, I must apologize for…” Samanta stumbled upon her own words.

“Don't worry. Let's not talk about that” Mr. Mobarek interrupted.

“I am sorry” she insisted.

“It was all my fault. I never paid him enough attention t o him. Maher told me everything. h e loved you s o much, that was the only way h e thought I would allow you t o marry him. At first, I did not get it. I asked myself, what does h e see i n  her? I knew it when you two got married. I had never seen my son s o happy. You made him happy” h e had t o pause a s h e was starting t o tear up. “Maher told me s o much. Things I ignored about my own son and I am sure there are s o many more that I will never know. It's too late t o wonder.”

Samanta was listening a s tears rolled down her cheeks. She had never seen her father-in-law like this. h e was devastated.

»I have lost my son, Samanta. I don't want t o lose my granddaughter, too.”

“You won't” she answered between whims.

They shared a warm embrace.

Mr. Ihshanse made sure  t o help Samanta i n  everything h e could. h e pulled all his strings t o fix every inconvenient she had. Also, h e granted her absolute authority over all of his son's affairs.

Sam returned t o the manor she had shared, for over 7 years, with the most dedicated and sweetest man she had ever met. Remembering h e was no longer with her was tearing her down, making her cry i n  corners.

Charlotte and Carlos often came t o visit. Sometimes they even stayed overnight at the manor. Thanks t o their help and a few of the Mobarek staff members, the house recovered that special glow that made it a home.

Amir's studio became Samanta's favorite place. She used t o spend her time there, meditating, looking at their family photo albums. Pictures of her, Amir and Aháva.

“Sam? Can I speak t o you for a moment?” Asked Carlos one afternoon, peeking i n  from the door. Sam dried her tears subtly.

“Sure. What's up?” She put the album away and put herself together.

“Are you alright, honey? Something wrong?” Asked Carlos.

“Nothing, I just miss my daughter. I wish I had her i n  my arms right now” she shook her head, noticing she was starting t o ramble. “What do you want t o talk about?”

“I wanna ask you something” h e paused. “As you well know, Charlotte and I are engaged and…”

“Yeah, I'm s o glad for you. I never thought my two best friends would…” she left her phrase unfinished and smiled. “You make a lovely couple.”

“Thanks” h e came over t o the desk. “You'll see. I need your opinion. We'd love t o have our wedding here, i n  Egypt. I told my mother and she loved the idea. Charlotte and I want something intimate. Her parents will fly i n  from Poland, I invited some friends, Charlie invited some of her own. Just a few… ehmmm…” h e paused. Sam was looking at him closely. “I was wondering if, maybe, we could have our wedding here… and you were our matron of honor. Well, you know, Charlie's matron of hon…”

“I love that idea!” Snapped Samanta and she jumped off her chair. “Actually, I'll tell the staff t o start working o n  the garden”. She looked outside her studio window. “A Victorian-style countryside wedding. I know Charlie will love that” she started walking t o and fro, shaking her hands i n  the air. Talking and planning. Carlos was observing her i n  silence. h e had no idea why were women s o excited about weddings. “Do you have a date yet?” Sam turned t o Carlos. Joy beamed from that pair of amber eyes.

“Since it will b e here… ehmmm… Two months?” Asked Carlos.

“One month!” shouted Sam. “Why wait s o long? If you guys love each other.”

“Well, I'd have t o talk t o Charlie, I don't know what she told her parents.”

“I'll take care of everything, Carlos. Count o n  me for it.”

Samanta was ecstatic. She found something t o occupy her mind a s days went by t o see her daughter.