Happier

Chapter one

It's  the 2025 MET Gala awards and Samantha Monroe and Kathlyn Anderson are on the red carpet. Samantha is in a hot pink evening dinner gown with silver glass heels and silver bracelets. She is wearing a diamond butterfly pendant on her neck which matches her diamond studded earrings.
Kathlyn Anderson, Samantha's cousin is in a flashy diamond studded suit with matching Italian shoes handmade by designer Marc Russ. Her afro perm cut is silky and shiny, making her look fresh and cute. As soon as they step onto the red carpet, photographers and journalists swarm— scratch that— mob them.
Channel 11 reporter: Good evening Ms. Monroe. How are you this evening. How are you doing?
Samantha: I'm  great.
Channel 11 reporter: Might I say you look splendid!!! Who are you wearing tonight?
Samantha:[ flashing a wide smile] Thank you very much. Actually,  I'm wearing myself. I designed them on my own.
DTN reporter: Wow!! Impressive. [ turning to Kat who is talking to other   journalists and posing for the photographers] And you, Ms. Anderson? Who are you wearing?
Kat: Well, my cousin here designed and made it, so let's say I'm wearing Samantha Monroe.
Sam: Correction, you're wearing Empress Roe.
Kat: Oops, my bad. Sorry your Highness.
This elicits laughter from the journalists and other celebrities nearby. Sam and Kat make their way to their seats, stopping for the occasional chitchat here, the autographs there and posing for pictures. As they get seated, Kat's phone beeps as an incoming text arrives. She checks and her eyes light up as the sender is none other than her best buddy Alex. She opens it and is sorely disappointed by the message. "Sorry, won't make it, Bro." Kat heaves  a sigh and puts the phone back.
Sam: What's wrong?
Kat:[ forcing a smile] Nothogn. Nothing at all.
  Sam gives Kat an 'I-know-you-aren't-telling-me-the-truth-but-I-won't-force-you' look and generally distracts herself.
    After a long evening of glitz and glamor, Kat drives them home. The drive home is quiet.
Sam: What's eating you?
Kat:[eyes on the road] Nothing. Just tired,  that's  all.
   Small relapses into silence for the rest of the drive home. They head inside and Kat bringing up the rear locks up. After freshening up they sprawl in the lounge. Sam stares distractedly at the ceiling  for a while then sighs.
Kat: What's wrong?
Sam: What else can be wrong? The same old damn thing.
Kat:[sighs] Samantha, I've told you...
Sam: It's not working!! For years now, I've kept up this mask of fake smiles and even faker laughs, if there's even a word like that. Look at me. I have everything a person could ever want, yet I'm not happy.
Kat:[quietly] Maybe our best wasn't enough.
Sam: 'Our'? You and who?
Kat:[quickly] Oh, no, nothing.  Sorry. Slip of tongue. Right now you are exhausted. This emotional breakdown isn't helping. We'll  talk in the morning. Try and sleep.
   Sam calms down and is soon asleep. Kat watches her with a sad look. 
Kat: Hmmm.... I need to talk to Alex.