SARAH (Tender Beauty)

EPISODE 2

SARAH POV

The alarm that went off in my head would have jolted the dead to life. I wanted to tell Dad to repeat what he had just said, but I knew I didn't have any hearing issues.

"Leave," I replied quietly yet firmly, turning cold eyes on John. He inquired, his face betraying his ignorance.

I went carefully towards him, and before he could count one to ten, all he heard was a thunderous slap, I forgot about it and pushed John out of the home, oblivious to the fact that my hand was still aching from the slap I gave him.

I spun around to face my mistake of a father after slamming the door shut, only to be greeted with a searing slap.

The slap was so severe that I started seeing things, but I kept my cool and refused to cry.

'Never show your tears to them; it makes you vulnerable, I remembered my mother's words.

“You're such a jerk, this little brat. What gives you the right to slap John?

You should go after him right now and beg him." Dad snarled.

"Please, God, don't let this happen. You have no right to think you have any power over my life. What kind of person do you believe you are? I'm not going anywhere with you and that nobody's son, but you are free to go if you want. "For God's sake, I'm 22 and I have the right to make my own choice," I screamed.

"Not while you're living with me." You must follow my instructions." He responded with a shot.

I was about to say something, but I bit my tongue. "Like I said, you can go with him," I stated definitely. "But as for me, you better think twice, 'sir'," I said emphatically. I stormed out of the house.

My blood flow began to normalize as I went down our always quiet neighborhood, and the incident that I had been trying to forget began to resurface in my mind. The slap from my father seemed to resurrect that memories.

Despite my countless admirers, I managed to keep men at arm's length throughout secondary school and never had a relationship. My illusion was cut short in my third year when I found that there are some guys that your eyes can't finish assessing with one glance. I graduated with a wonderful grade and obtained immediate admission into the University. I also focused on my academics, not glancing twice at any male.

One afternoon, I was reading in the open field when one of my annoying admirer arrived.

"Oh baby," he chuckled, "you love reading." I ignored him again. "Beauty," he said in his normal tone. My head jolted up as my eyes drilled holes into his body as he pulled the book from my hands.

"Give me my book back," I said.

"Why didn't you respond to my question?"

"Hand it over immediately," I urged, stretching out my hand. He smiled and said, "A kiss and I'd give you." I wanted to hit him hard, but a voice said, "Give the lady her book." That voice chilled me to the bone, and I could almost feel the ground tremble as a result of it, but I was clearly hallucinating. That was the voice that shook my world in both good and bad ways.

"Enough with the nonsense," I thought. I need to find a solution to this issue. After a few moments of contemplation, I took my phone from my pocket and contacted the only person I could think of.

She picked the third ring.

Hannah said over the phone, "My Sweetheart."

"Babe, I'm in need of your assistance."

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JOHN POV

On his trip home, John sat enraged at the driver's side of the car.

He was busy squeezing his fist, as if he was about to box a human being to death.

He reflected, "No woman has ever slapped me." He couldn't believe it when he realized he has been slapped. And it was done by a woman?

He thought to himself as he took up his phone to dial a number, "No matter how gorgeous she is, she won't get away with this."

"my deputy governor, your excellency sir." " a voice said, "

"Please shut up David, I need you to do something for me,

Someone had the audacity to raise her hands in my face." John said.

" Is it a she? It's time to deal with her.”

"OK, here's what I'd like you to do..."

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SARAH POV

Sometimes you come to a T crossroads and realize that whatever way you go will change your life in one way or another. I remembered my conversation with Hannah and realized that sticking to my plan was the best option.

When I returned home, the house was deserted. My phone began to ring as soon as I sat down, and I quickly realized it was an unfamiliar number. I picked it up and waited for a baritone voice on the other end to say "hi."

"Good afternoon, please tell me who this is," I said.

“Is this Miss Sarah Marcus?” says the speaker. "Yes, please,"

"I'm Peter, and I'm calling from Heaven's Gate Chapel." I just wanted to remind you of the musical performance that will be held tomorrow," he says.

As I realized I had completely forgotten about that concert, I opened my mouth.

Despite the fact that I had never made an album, I was asked to minister in song by a few churches.

"Thank you very much, I'll be there."

I dropped the phone a few seconds later and began mentally searching for a suitable music for the event.

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MR. MARCUS POV

Mr. Marcus entered his friend Mr. Wilson's big compound and glanced around enviously. Every time he walks inside this place, he is reminded of his happier days.

He owned three buildings on the island, and one of them was a mansion.

On the mainland, there is a modest structure. He had enjoyed a life of luxury, but after five years of marriage, his business collapsed. To pay off his debts, he sold his island assets and relocated with his family to the mainland.

As he entered his friend's sitting room, he thought to himself, "I must be rich again."

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JACK POV

"Now, Samuel, let us go; I don't want to be late..." For the past five years, Jack and Samuel have been inseparable buddies.

They were not only medical professionals, but they also worked in the music industry. They were the envy of other guys and the object of women's desire because they were so handsome. Jack took advantage of this and had a bunch of girlfriends by flirting with them. Samuel, on the other hand, was the quiet kind, cheerful at times, which made him more appealing, but he could unwittingly turn the hearts of any female.

When it came to women, Jack appeared to have arrived at his bus stop, whereas Samuel had become indifferent to them.

Jack had gone to a church musical performance a few weeks ago and hadn't stopped talking since.

Samuel felt compelled to accompany Jack to the next edition.

"For God's sake, Jack, you said the concert would start at 5 p.m., it's 4:20 p.m., what's the big deal?" Samuel inquired, his face betraying his frustration.

"If we don't arrive on time, all the nice seats will be taken, and we'll have to sit at the back." Samuel sighed and walked into the bedroom, leaving the movie he was watching behind.

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SARAH POV

I grinned as I looked in the mirror in my bedroom. I thought to me, "I surely look stage worthy." I combed my hair to perfection with a styling comb. Thank goodness for long hair; it may make you look nice even if you haven't styled it.

I set out with a little makeup and lip gloss.

I got off a public bus and double-checked the address.

Andrew had warned me that the chapel was large since he had made sure I was one of the guest performers. I was almost passing by a large structure when I noticed the sign-board and realized it was my destination. My heart began to race as I opened my mouth.

"Good morning, Miss."

My head snapped around, and I realized I am already at the entrance of the chapel.

"Hello," I said.

"Are you one of our artists, ma'am?" said the fellow, who appeared to be an usher.

Yes. "My name is Sarah Marcus."

Before calling a lady to escort me inside, the guy checked his file and smiled at me. My heart practically stopped as I walked in.

I counted at least 500 individuals and yet saw vacant chairs that could easily seat another 300. I had never performed in front of more than 200 people before, and I was terrified that day. As I stood transfixed, I debated turning back. My fright was observed by the lady usher, who gave me a consoling smile. "I'm confident you can manage it," she responded, looking at me from head to toe and back again.

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MR. MARCUS POV

Mr. Marcus sat in his living room, contemplating the best method to persuade Sarah. He hissed as he remembered the conversation he had with his friend the day before.

Mr. Daniel stood up to welcome him and said, "Oh... it's wonderful seeing you, my friend." Mr. Marcus gave a small smile.

"What do you expect from me since I need to get an appointment letter before I see you?"

Mr. Daniel said, "It's not like that."

Mr. Marcus sat down without asking permission, Mr. Daniel handed him drinks from his overflowing bar, and they were conversing within minutes.

"See, this Sarah of a girl wouldn't murder me; she sees a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity but unable to seize it." After a few minutes of conversation, Mr. Marcus said.

"What exactly do you mean?"

"Do you recall Mr. Wilson's birthday celebration, which you invited me to a long time ago and which I dragged her to?" After receiving a nod, he proceeded to tell everything up to the most recent development, and what did he receive?

"Listen to me, my friend; I recommend that you leave her alone." Every child has the right to do things their own way; our responsibility as parents is to advise them, and if they persist, we should-" "Shhh, please spare me the lecture, Mr. .Lecturer; I don't need it okay?" he muttered and walked away.

For the hundredth time, Mr. Marcus hissed. He soliloquized, "That moron does not want someone to be better than him." Whether Sarah likes it or not, she'll have to fulfill my wish. I'd figure something out.