HER VICTORIOUS SMILE

Chapter 1: Unexpected Return Lily Costa was in the middle of a lit up stage with her signature hair as she performed her hit singles. Below the stage were Costa Navy, who were screaming their lungs out due to the excitement they felt as they cheered her on. Lily Costa performed, not forgetting to display her break dance moves along with her army of dancers. Soon, it ended. "Thank you so much! I love you!" she screamed as she bowed down for her fans and left the stage. The joyful screams didn't stop for a while as her fans were so thrilled by her intriguing performances. She never disappoints. "You were so great today! Have some water." Kira Jones said, handing a bottle of chilled water to Lily Costa. "Thanks Kira! What would I have done without you . " Lily Costa said taking the water and started drinking it as she walked into the dressing room to take off her costumes. "You should come have some rest. I'll drive you to the hotel." Kira Jones said, dressing her hair in a bun just as usual. "No, I want to travel back." She answered, rejecting the offer. "Return? Aren't you tired?" "I am, but you see, I just feel like I should surprise Mark. What do you think?" Lily Costa said to her manager, blinking her tired eyes and pouting her lips. "You know I can't argue with you. I'll prepare for us to leave asap." Giving up, she agreed. She understood how much Mark Twain meant to her artist even though she herself felt like he doesn't deserve Lily Costa. Not long after, Lily Costa and Kira Jones got into a plane and in a few hours, they arrived at NYC airport. "I'm home!" Lily Costa spread her arms in joy and freedom as she spined around. The cool breeze from the airport blew her loosed hair backwards, making her look like an angel. Kira Jones didn't stop laughing. Her mood was always up whenever she was with her artist. "Yes we are!" she replied her as she dragged their simple luggages into the car she had prepared earlier and got into it with Lily Costa. "Here is the address." Kira Jones said, handing over Mark Twain's house address to the driver. The driver was really good and in less than ten minutes, they arrived at Mark Twain's apartment. Without waiting for the car to stop completely, Lily Costa jumped out of the car in excitement, ran to the door with the spare key in her hands and had it open. "Lily w.... Oh my gosh!" Kira Jones tapped her head and smiled. "Please wait here, I need to ensure she's settled before you drive me home." she said to the driver and stepped down to chase after Lily Costa. Lily entered inside the luxurious but simple apartment and couldn't find her fiance in the sitting room. She felt surprised at first because she knew how much he loved sitting on his chair in the sitting room. Looking at her watch, it was almost 10pm. He was probably at the office trying to round up, she thought as she threw herself on his sofa to catch some breath. Staring at his wall, she could see pictures of herself and Mark Twain. Smiling, she walked towards them and looked at each one of them, reminiscing about the past. Lily Costa got tired of standing and walked into the fridge and picked up a few things to eat and drink. "Lily, what's good?" Kira Jones asked, entering into the apartment. "No one's home." Lily answered as she looked at her manager. "You mean no one is in this building? Like this whole building, by this time?" Kira Jones asked to be so sure. "I am not sure. Hold on, I'll check." she said and walked into Mark Twain's study room. When she opened the door, she couldn't find him. When she thought about going back to the sitting room, she remembered she had not checked him at his room. Turning, she walked to his room. On getting closer, she started hearing unexpected sounds. "Oh yes! Someone must be in." she muttered under her breath and walked closer. Allen Old Mansion "You called for a meeting grandfather." Ray Allen's cold voice sounded as he looked at his grandfather with seriousness. "Behave rascal! This is no business meeting." Grandfather Allen's deep voice responded. "What's this about?" confused Ray Allen asked. "When are you planning on bringing in a young woman? When your father was at your age, he had already given birth to you." Grandfather Allen said, dissing him at the same time. Ray Allen froze. He had never expected that question. Ever since he knew his grandfather, he had never asked him this question. The act of him taking his time to schedule this meeting by this time of the night could already tell how serious he was being. "Grandfather, this is a very little issue. It could always be..." "Indeed, so go out now and bring in a wife. I don't care to know where you picked her from, as long as she is good, you have my full support." he advised. "Thanks Grandfather!" he said as she stood up and walked out. "I need the name of every single young woman from a socialite family here in New York City." he ordered and got into the vehicle. "Yes Master!" his assistant replied and shut the car door. Not long after, the car disappeared from sight. Mark Twain Apartment Lily Costa dropped all she had at her hand as she walked closer to the room. "Promise me you won't marry Lily. She doesn't deserve you, I deserve you and even more. Tell me, does she do what I do for you?" a woman's voice sounded from inside the room. "No she doesn't, that's why I'll never leave you." What was going on? Lily needed to find out as her ears was about to burn. Gathering her courage, she forced the door opened and looked into the room. When she saw what was going on there, she froze.