red velvet room (m.j.)

Chapter XXIV

Michael

The cast of the musical play stood in a clean straight line as they all held each other's hands for their final curtain call. Everybody in the theater gave the cast a standing ovation, including Samantha and I, in which we were several rows away from the stage.

As expected, the show's production was fantastic. The audience approved it with their uproar of an applause, and Samantha beamed her ecstatic grin as she clapped her hands together loudly with the crowd, hollering the stars as they all disappeared behind the red curtain signifying its end to this evening's hard-worked performance.

Samantha, who continued to applaud until the actors completely disappeared behind the curtain, looked up at me with a sheepish smile and let her purse hang from her shoulder after she had picked it up from her seat.

"That was amazing!" she beamed, like a child who had seen the best show of their life. I took a moment to admire her eyes sparkling under the lights that were now starting to turn on for people to see where they're going as they were exiting the area.

She must have noticed me staring right away as her cheeks turned red, and murmured her thank you.

Her cute flusters and teasing grins were satisfying enough that Samantha's night was made. I took a hold of her hand in the middle a commotion and planted a simple kiss at the back of it.

"C'mon, you can thank me later once we get back in the car."

While I usually would have a different meaning to what I had said, I really took her thanks to heart. It was, at the very least, progress in earning her trust in me, and more importantly, making my life easier when the moment comes in telling her the hard truth about myself.

With that in mind, I was reminded of my promise to Janet the other night about the Samantha situation. The confession will have to come very soon. I can't run away from it now, it's all a matter of good timing. Maybe once I show Samantha how capable I am as a partner, then it wouldn't hurt as much if I tell her then.

Looks like I got to work a lot on first impressions. Her mother's still around, I could start with Samantha's family first, but when exactly was the last time they have seen each other in person? It must have been years! Since her childhood probably. Maybe if I do her a favour, she might take the news more lightly. Yeah, that sounds like a great idea.

Somehow that made me feel better about myself as we were walking out of the theater to retrieve our car back from the doorman responsible in looking after and parking the car. I thanked the same man who took my car and patted him on the back for his hard work. I opened the door for Samantha and generously helped her in before getting in the car myself around the other side.

Once again tonight, I was the one who offered to drive and decided to take Samantha back at the house where she stayed the night Christmas day, and so she can stay over with me.

I have texted Janet beforehand that we will be arriving at the house late and that she shouldn't wait up for us (you would've guessed it right when she indeed reminded me about confessing to Samantha in her text, and that I will get into it later).

Of course it was nerves over how she will take the news. I had to expect the worst. Like I couldn't blame her for not wanting to speak to me again, but it would be so bad for me.

After some quiet time on the highway, I mustered a clearing of the throat and promptly asked Samantha, "What did you think of the show?" Just to fill the silent gap between us.

Samantha swiftly turned her gaze from the window to me. I gripped on the stirring wheel the longer I could sense her stare that held an incredible curiosity. It somehow made me insecure, as if she has the power to read my entire being like a book. Could she though?