Samira sat alone in her room. She had no idea of going outside. Her mind was heavy, her eyes still red from crying last night. But then her mother called her for lunch. Samira thought to ignore, but she knew if she did not eat, her mother also will not eat. So without liking, she went to the dining room and sat down quietly. She only touched little food, chewing without taste.

She wore a full-sleeve t-shirt, neck closed. Normally she wore simple short sleeves inside the house, because it was summer season. But today she wanted to hide something. Her mother looked at her and asked, “Why do you wear this hot t-shirt? In this heat?”

Samira lied fast. “This is only in front of, mummy. Others all in back.” She smiled weakly. Her mother believed. But the truth was different. She wore this to hide the marks on her neck and shoulders, the marks left from that secret night. She could not let her mother see.

The day moved quickly. Hours passed but Samira’s heart was restless. Far away, Sam and Lyra were already planning their next step. They wanted to meet Samira tomorrow. They were preparing to go again to the debt collector, the man who had given loan for her father’s house. Their plan was to manipulate him and push Samira again to bring money within seven days. Evil thoughts turning in their mind like poison.

That night Samira could not sleep. She closed her eyes, but every time the memories of last night returned. The stranger’s kisses, the bites, the soft and hard touches, everything came like fire. She turned left and right, hugged her pillow, and cried until she finally slept with tears on her cheeks.

On the other side of the city, Lucian was in happy mood. For the first time in his life, he had touched a woman, and enjoyed it without any allergy. His disease that always stopped him before, it was gone with her. He kept thinking, If this girl come into my life, everything will be okay. I will keep her like a queen.

Sleep did not come to him also. His mind was full of her. Samira’s soft eyes, trembling lips, her warm body, every curve, every piece of her came in front of his eyes. He closed his eyes and smiled. He was waiting for tomorrow, because he was going to that village again. In his heart he was praying, maybe God will bring her again in front of him.

Morning came. Sam and Lyra went to meet the collector, the officer who gave loan to Samira’s father. They entered his office, and Lyra started speaking with her sugar-sweet voice, telling their false story. But the man was strict and punctual. He listened, then shook his head. “I gave seven days. Before that I will not go to that house. When seven days finish, then only I will go. Till then don’t disturb me.”

Sam and Lyra left with heavy heart. “This plan also failed,” Sam muttered. “What can we do now?”

Lyra smiled cunningly. “Don’t worry, darling. Samira cannot arrange money in five days. We still have a chance. That old financier already agreed. If we manipulate Samira again, we can take her to him. Then we win.”

While walking outside, Lyra said, “Shall we go to Samira’s house today?” Sam nodded. “Yes. We must know her mood, her current situation.”

But the same morning, Samira and her mother left their house early. Her father’s old friend had called them, asked to come at ten o’clock. They didn’t want to miss chance. Samira’s heart was nervous but hopeful.

At the same time, Lucian also left his city house at five in the morning. He had one important meeting in the village at nine o’clock. He, Roy, and his secretary traveled together. Lucian was restless, heart full of hidden hope.

When Sam and Lyra came to Samira’s place, they found the house locked from outside. They tried to call her again and again, but no answer. Samira had already silenced their numbers, because she didn’t want her mother to see their names and questions.

By ten o’clock, Samira and her mother reached the house of her father’s friend. He welcomed them kindly. “My child,” he said, “I don’t have big money myself. But I arranged for you to meet one businessman. He is working on projects here. He is kindhearted. Surely he will help.”

Samira and her mother felt a little light in heart. “Thank you, uncle,” Samira whispered.

He nodded. “The appointment is eleven. He is finishing one meeting near this place. We will wait.”

Meanwhile Sam and Lyra sat far away, angry and confused. Lyra frowned. “Maybe Samira left from this place?”

Sam shook his head. “No way. She has no relatives here. Her mother also has no relations. They are alone. Her father had some far relatives in London and India, but all middle class, they cannot help. She will not leave.”

Around eleven, the secretary called. “Sir, your appointment people are here.” Lucian sat on a small sofa, discussing papers. “Okay, let them come in,” he said calmly. But inside his heart, he felt strange.

Samira, her mother, and her father’s friend walked inside. Samira whispered softly, “Excuse me, sir.”

That voice hit Lucian like thunder. His heart stopped. His eyes widened. His whole body shook. It’s her. The girl from last night. For a moment he did not know if he was dreaming or awake.

He stood up quickly from the sofa. His secretary looked shocked. Never before had Lucian reacted like this. He stared at Samira again and again, his eyes unable to move away.

Samira’s father’s friend started speaking, explaining their financial problem, but Lucian did not hear a word. His ears closed, his heart only beating her name without sound. He looked at her face, her lips, her shy eyes lowered. He wanted to run and hold her. But he controlled.

“Secretary, bring coffee, cold drinks,” Lucian ordered suddenly. His secretary was surprised again. This was the first time Lucian cared personally for such small things. He left the room quickly.

Lucian’s hand trembled as he picked his phone. He texted Roy, Come here now. Urgent.

Meanwhile Samira’s mother started telling their story, about losing her husband, about house loan, about Samira’s dreams. Samira sat silent, but she kept feeling strange. Lucian’s fragrance was in the air. Something familiar touched her memory, but she could not catch it.

Lucian closed his eyes for a second. In that moment, last night’s memory flashed like fire —

Her lips trembling under his kiss, her body arching when he bit her shoulder, her soft cries, her fingers pulling his hair. The heat of her skin, the innocence of her fear mixed with desire. The marks he left on her neck, the way she whispered without voice. All came back.

He opened his eyes, and there she was again, sitting in front of him, not knowing the truth.

Suddenly Lucian spoke. His voice was strong. “Now my family is searching bride for me. If your daughter agrees to marry me, I can help you. Also, I will support her acting career.”

The whole room went silent. Samira’s mother stared in shock. The old friend also blinked, not believing his ears. Samira sat frozen. She was only twenty-one. Lucian looked more than thirty. He was a billionaire, she was poor. They had no background, no knowledge about him. And suddenly he asked about marriage.

Confusion filled the air. Nobody could speak. Only Lucian’s eyes were steady, burning only for Samira.