Dreams Can Come True

56. South Africa

The afternoon sun gently streamed through the curtains, bathing the living room of the apartment in a warm glow. The soft hum of the city outside was the only sound breaking the silence as I sat at the kitchen table, my thoughts lost in a whirlwind of emotions after the recent events.
Suddenly, the sound of the front door broke through my thoughts. My heart skipped a beat as I looked up and saw Bill entering the living room, his face tired but filled with concern. He looked like he had stepped straight out of a movie, with his tousled locks falling casually over his forehead and his dark eyes shining with worry.
A warm feeling of relief washed over me as he caught my gaze and a smile spread across his face. Without a word, I ran to him and fell into his arms. His strong arms enveloped me tightly, and I felt the warmth of his body against mine, melting away all my worries.
"Is everything okay?" he whispered softly, his voice filled with concern as he gently lifted my face. His dark eyes searched mine, seeking reassurance. I nodded almost imperceptibly, a smile of love and gratitude on my lips.
I wondered if he could see the worries and fears hidden behind my smile, but before I could say anything, he asked with concern, "Are you sure?"
I felt a lump in my throat as I saw his worried look, but I did my best to remain calm. "Yes, everything is okay," I replied, knowing he wouldn't be completely reassured until he saw it for himself.
I asked him the same, and saw his hands clench into fists, a sign of the restrained emotions raging inside him. "Yes," he finally answered, his voice determined. "That bastard will never come near you again," he said, his voice filled with determination and love. His hand gently caressed my cheek, a reassuring touch that melted my heart.
In the background, Jacob coughed, his faithful security man, reminding us of his presence. Bill released my jaw and turned to Jacob, gratitude clear in his eyes. "Thank you," he sincerely said to Jacob, who simply nodded in response.
Bill looked back at me, a sigh of fatigue escaping his lips. "I actually had a surprise planned for you," he said with a mischievous smile, excitement sparkling in his eyes. "I was going to ask you at our party, but David put a stop to that..." he continued.
"Are you going to leave me in suspense?" I teased him, my lips curling into a playful smile. He chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with excitement and love. "Next week, we're going to South Africa!" he announced, his voice filled with excitement and enthusiasm.
My eyes widened in disbelief. "What?" I exclaimed, incredulous at this unexpected news. A trip to South Africa was something I had only dared to dream of, and now it seemed like it was becoming a reality.
"Yes," confirmed Bill, his smile widening even more at my reaction. "We're going to shoot our music video for 'Automatic' there, and I want you to be there." My heart skipped with joy at his words. A trip to South Africa with the man of my dreams seemed like a fairytale come true.
"Oh Bill," I grinned widely, my eyes sparkling with excitement. "I would love to go to South Africa with you."
He leaned forward and gently kissed my forehead, his love palpable in every touch. "There we will finally find the peace we deserve," he said with a smile.

Jacob's words cut through the intimate atmosphere between Bill and me like a sharp knife through the silence. "Um, sorry to interrupt you lovebirds," he began, his voice a mix of discomfort and professional determination. He cleared his throat and continued, "But I just got a call from Hans. You need to go back to the studio immediately. There's an interview scheduled for the release of the new CD."
Bill nodded understandingly. "Okay," he replied curtly, his mind already on the tasks ahead of him. He looked at me. "Are you getting your coat?" he asked with a slight smile.
But before I could respond, Jacob's voice sounded again. "Um, Bill, I've been instructed to only take you back," he said hesitantly. "There's already a suspicion because of the incident that Elise might be there. And management doesn't want any gossip about you two."
I felt a pang of disappointment when I saw the look in Bill's eyes. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, as if struggling with the decision to stay with me. "Okay," he finally replied calmly, his voice laden with determination. "Then I'll stay here too."
I gave him a light punch and shook my head. "No Bill, that's not necessary, go ahead," I insisted, knowing that this was an important moment for the band. "An interview without the band's frontman, that's just not right!" I added, my voice full of conviction.
He looked at me, his gaze filled with doubt as he considered my words. "Are you sure?" he finally asked, his voice softly vibrating with emotion.
A smile played around my lips as I took his hand. "I feel like spending a day cuddled up on the couch with a blanket," I teased, knowing he couldn't just shrug off the pressure of his work. "Go ahead, I'll be fine."
He leaned in and planted a soft kiss on my lips, his love tangible in the gesture. "I'll see you later," he whispered lovingly as we said goodbye, his gaze filled with love and concern for me. And as I watched him disappear behind the door, I felt a surge of pride and love for the man he was.