Her new side
Last year, when Samantha turned seventeen, she decided she wanted her own house.
She begged her uncle for weeks before he finally agreed—reluctantly.
But there was one condition.
She would have a personal bodyguard. If not one, then several. Wherever she went, they would follow. She was the heiress to a massive business empire, after all. Protection was non-negotiable.
People called it privilege.
Luxury.
A dream life.
But to Samantha, it felt like a cage.
She didn't hate her bodyguards—Leonard, especially, had always been respectful—but some days she craved space. Freedom.
Tonight was one of those days.
So she planned an escape.
Brian confronting her at the party had been the perfect distraction. While everyone's attention shifted, Samantha slipped upstairs, changed into her disguise, and packed a small backpack.
Her bodyguard stood posted outside her room.
She didn't use the door.
Instead, she climbed out the window.
By the time she reached the gate, voices were already calling her name.
She ran.
And ran.
And ran—until her lungs burned and her legs ached.
Then she saw a parked car.
Without thinking, she rushed toward it, tugging desperately at the door handle. It opened, and she slipped inside.
Only when the door slammed shut did reality hit her.
What have I done?
"I—I'm so sorry," she said quickly, her voice low and tense. She couldn't see the driver's face in the dark. Please don't be a psychopath. "I'll pay for the inconvenience."
A familiar voice replied, amused.
"So even the Ice Queen knows how to apologize."
Brian turned slightly, just enough for her to recognize him.
Samantha's eyes widened. "This was clearly a mistake." She reached for the door—
Then she saw Leonard.
And the other bodyguards.
They were scanning the street.
She froze… then quickly slid down and lay flat in the backseat.
"Please," she whispered. "Just let me hide here until they leave."
Brian glanced at her through the mirror.
"Sure," he said dryly. "Make yourself comfortable. I'll just let the girl who ruined my best friend's life hide in my car."
"I'll pay," she said immediately.
"I don't want your money."
"Then what do you want?"
Brian paused, as if he'd been waiting for the question.
"I want you to fulfill seven wishes."
Her head snapped up. "What?" she hissed. "Am I a genie to you?"
"Fine," he said calmly, reaching for the window button. "I'll just snitch."
"No—wait!" she whispered urgently. "Okay. I'll do it."
Brian smirked and rolled the window back up.
"Really?"
But it was already too late.
Leonard noticed.
He started walking toward the car.
"Why is that man coming this way?" Brian asked casually.
Samantha panicked. "Drive. Drive now."
Brian didn't hesitate. He started the engine and pulled away just as Leonard broke into a run.
Brian watched him shrink in the rearview mirror until he stopped, probably heading for his own car.
"Wow," Brian said. "I thought the plan was hiding—not wasting my petrol."
"This is your fault," she snapped. "You opened the window."
"Sure," he replied. "Anyway, I should drop you off. Where to?"
Samantha hesitated. Her secret place was the last thing she wanted exposed—but she couldn't risk running into Leonard again.
"…The beach."
Brian raised an eyebrow. "The beach. At night. In the cold."
She nodded.
"All right then," he said, pulling onto the road.
"To the beach we go."
---
At the Beach
"Here we are."
"Thank you."
Brian let out an exaggerated gasp. "Wow. The Ice Queen can say thank you."
Samantha ignored him. She opened the car door and stepped out, the cold night air brushing against her skin. Brian watched as she walked away, her figure slowly blending into the darkness.
For a moment, he hesitated.
She would probably be fine on her own, he told himself. After all, they were barely on good terms—if anything, closer to enemies after what had happened earlier that night.
But then Mariam's face flashed through his mind.
This might be my chance, he thought. His chance to confront her. To put an end to the bullying.
So he followed.
He kept a careful distance as he walked along the quiet coastline. The waves crashed softly against the shore, the sound almost comforting. Samantha never looked back.
She walked farther and farther until the sand gave way to rugged rocks. Then she stopped.
Nestled between two large stones stood a milkwood tree.
Samantha dropped her backpack beside it.
Brian frowned. "What's a milkwood doing here?"
She jumped, startled, spinning around. "You scared the hell out of me!" She stormed toward him. "What are you doing here?"
"I…" Brian hesitated. "…I was worried."
"Worried?" she scoffed. "Don't you hate me for bullying that friend of yours?"
The words cut deeper than Brian expected. For a moment, he considered leaving.
But he stayed.
"You didn't have to be so rude," he said quietly. Then, firmer, "For my first wish, I'm staying here with you. And there's nothing you can do about it."
Samantha opened her mouth to argue—then closed it. Instead, she turned away.
She pulled a picnic cloth from her backpack, spread it on the sand, and sat down.
Brian stood there awkwardly.
"Can I… sit?"
"Sure."
The answer surprised him.
He sat beside her, still confused about why the Ice Queen of Dominic High was sitting beside a milkwood tree on a deserted beach at night.
Samantha worked quietly—brushing dirt from the base of the tree, tending to the soil with gentle care.
Brian loved nature. Plants especially. His gaze lingered on the tree. It wasn't fully grown yet, but it was strong—its trunk thickening, branches twisted with quiet resilience.
"Of course," he murmured.
Samantha sprayed water onto the soil. Nearby, a flat stone rested like a natural table.
"This tree has meaning," Brian said softly. "Milkwoods grow slowly, but they become incredibly strong. They symbolize survival. Strength." He looked at her. "Isn't that fascinating?"
Samantha froze.
Then, just barely, the corner of her mouth lifted.
Brian noticed—and smiled.
Something inside her loosened.
"I planted this with my parents four years ago," she said suddenly, pulling out a framed photo. "These are my parents. Today is their birthday."
Her smile faded into something sad. "They were both born on the twenty-fifth of January. Isn't that… sweet?"
Brian nodded. This wasn't the girl everyone feared.
This was someone grieving.
"It was my father's idea," she continued, lighting candles. "He said this would be our secret safe space."
She placed a small cake on the stone and lit the candles. She tried to stay composed—but the memories overwhelmed her.
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
"Happy birthday, Mom and Dad," she whispered. "You'd be forty-three and forty-two now. Officially old." She laughed weakly. "Just kidding."
Brian said nothing. He reached for her hand.
She felt it—and didn't pull away.
She hadn't been comforted like this in a long time.
She blew out the candles. "What's your wish?" she whispered to the photo. "Mine is for you to come back." Her voice broke. "I miss you so much. I'm so lonely."
Brian's eyes burned. Without thinking, he pulled her into an embrace.
She didn't resist.
"You're not alone," he whispered. "They're still with you. In your heart."
The words soothed her.
After a while, Samantha pulled away, embarrassed. "People might be looking for me. I should go."
She stood and walked ahead, confident even in the dark.
Halfway, she turned back. "You'll drop me off, right?"
"Yeah. Of course."
She continued walking. Brian chuckled softly.
She's complicated, he thought. And full of surprises.
---
Back at the House
When they returned, the music was gone.
The LED lights were off, leaving the mansion unusually quiet.
Samantha's stomach tightened.
They're here.
"Looks like you're in trouble, young lady," Brian teased lightly.
She rolled her eyes and stepped out. Then she turned back.
"Please," she said softly. "Don't tell anyone about tonight."
"Sure."
"I'm serious."
Brian hooked his pinky around hers. "Pinky swear."
She nodded. He winked and drove off.
Inside, all eyes locked onto her.
Uncle Ben paced anxiously. Aunt Favour sat praying. Leonard lowered his phone when he saw her.
"Samantha!"
They rushed toward her.
"Are you okay?" Aunt Favour asked.
"Where were you, Ms. Andreas?" Leonard demanded.
"I'm fine," Samantha said flatly, sitting down.
Uncle Ben stopped pacing. "What were you thinking? You're moving back home."
"I'm not."
"I know you forgot," Samantha said coldly, "but today is my parents' birthday."
Silence.
"I wanted to celebrate it in our private space," she continued. "I didn't have a choice."
"With all due respect," she added, standing, "I don't belong here."
She walked to her room.
Aunt Favour cried softly. "She's hurting so much…"
"I'll keep an eye on her," Leonard said.
Uncle Ben nodded. "I just hope one day… she lets us in."
---
Brian
Under the shower, Brian couldn't stop thinking about Samantha.
She wasn't heartless.
She was grieving.
When he finished, he picked up his phone and typed:
Brian: I'm going to melt the Ice Queen's ice.