The evening sun was soft in Santa Ynez Valley. Wind blow slow across the hills, carrying the smell of fresh grass and spice from Peter Crook's small shop. Inside the house, Samira sit next to her father. Her face shine with hope. Her eyes wide, like waiting for magic words.
"Daddy," she whisper, "you know my dream, no?"
Peter look at her, his hand still carrying some spice dust. He smile soft. "I know, my girl. You always talk about acting, movies, big city life. Now listen. Soon I will take you to Los Angeles City. That place is full of cinema people. Shooting houses, directors, actors. If we go one time, maybe we will meet someone who gives us a chance. Direct heroine role may be too far. But small roles, side roles, those are possible. First people need to see your face. After that, slowly, slowly you climb."
Samira's heart beat fast. She jump and hug him, her arms tight around his shoulder. "Daddy, thank you. I didn't expect this. You are really awesome dad."
Peter touch her head gently, eyes soft with love. "You are my daughter. My only little girl. Till my last breath I will support you. Nothing matter more than your dream."
Tears almost come to Samira's eyes, but they are happy tears.
Then, as they still smiling, her mother Lilly walk inside. Her voice sharp, little worried. "Again you talk about acting? Peter, why you always support her like this? Acting field is not safe. Not good for girl. Too many problems there. I am not allow this."
Samira look at her mother with pleading eyes. "Please, mom. Try to understand me. From childhood I love movies. Acting is my life. If you stop me, I cannot live happy. Please allow me."
Peter hold his wife's hand. His voice is calm. "Lilly, listen. This is her childhood wish. She is not small child now. She is brave. Outside she look innocent, soft. But inside, she is strong and clever. We must trust her."
Lilly hesitate. Her eyes go from husband to daughter. Finally, after long silence, she sigh. "Okay. But promise me, Samira. You must keep yourself safe. Always careful."
Samira nod quickly. "Yes, mom. I promise. I will take care. Thank you so much." She hug her mother also, the family sitting close, feeling both love and little fear of future.
Peter then clear his throat. "Listen, dear. Wait only few days. Next month first week, we will go to Los Angeles. Already I talk with one of my goods supplier. He say he knows some casting director. He can help."
Samira clap her hands like a small child. "Wow, daddy! Thank you, love you!"
But Peter's mind is not only in her dream. He also think about his shop. "To support her, I need to expand spice shop. For that I need money. So I will take loan. For loan, I must give proof. I will mortgage our house paper."
Lilly's face is pale. "House paper? Peter, are you sure? This is our only home."
He nodded slowly. "I know. But without money, no growth. For our daughter's future, for her career, I must do this."
Finally, Lilly agreed, though heart heavy. Next morning, Peter carries the house deed to the financial broker. The broker takes the paper, give him seventy-five thousand dollars loan. Within one week, Peter expand the spice shop. New shelves, new jars, bright light. Customers smile. Business start growing.
Samira and her mother see the shop shining new, they feel proud. At home that night, Peter say, "All ready now. Ten more days, and we go to city."
Samira count on her fingers. "Ten days! My ambition is near. I am so happy, daddy."
At the same time, in Los Angeles, Lucian Mark sit in his office. Papers spread across the table, assistants waiting. One assistant speak carefully, "Boss, project in Santa Ynez side project cannot start quickly. Maybe two weeks delay."
Lucian lean back in chair, his cold eyes look through glass wall at city lights. He nod. "Fine. We wait." His voice is strong but calm.
Back in Samira's village, her life is not only dream and family. She also have friends. Lyra, her close friend, always come to the house. Many times, Lyra bring one boy also. His name is Sam. Samira introduce him as friend, so her parents don't doubt much. Because he always come with Lyra, it look normal. But truth, Sam is not only friend. He is her secret boyfriend.
Samira like him, but she already tell him, "I cannot marry or show love now. First I want acting career. Then only I can think about relationship." Sam, not fully happy with this, but he wait.
Peter, her father, sometimes look at Sam's eyes. He feel not good. Something in that boy's face he not trust. He ask around the village. Some people say bad things, whisper he is not honest. One person even say Sam and Lyra have a secret affair together. Peter's heart is uneasy. He think to warn Samira soon.
That evening, Sam and Lyra again come to house. Sam look serious, like he plan something. Peter sit near the door, watching. Sam clear his throat, then speak direct. "Uncle, today I need to tell you the truth. You don't know me fully. Me and your daughter… We love each other. We are in a relationship. Now I want to make this public."
Samira freeze. Her hands cold. Sweat appear on forehead even though the evening air is cool. "Daddy… that…" she whisper, but words stuck.
Peter look at Samira, then at Sam. He think few seconds. Finally, his voice was calm but firm. "Samira, if you like him, okay. I agree. But one condition. First you achieve your goal. Finish your acting dream. Only after that, the relationship can continue. Until then, nothing more."
Samira's eyes wide. She never expect her father to speak like this. She feel sudden relief, happiness filling her chest. "Daddy…" she try to speak, but he stop her with hand. "No need. My word is final."
Sam's face turn dark. He did not expect this. His plan was different. He thought Peter will reject, then Samira will give up acting and hold him tighter. But now, opposite happen. Peter allow love but only after career. Sam feel defeated.
Lyra also silent, biting her lip. After some time, they leave the house, both unhappy.
Peter watch them walk away on the night road. He think inside himself, I know this love will not last. When Samira reach Los Angeles, when she shine like star, she will forget this boy. That is her real destiny.
But he never speak this thought. It remain secret in his heart.
Outside, Sam and Lyra walk together. Sam kick small stone on road, angry. "What happen today? I thought her father will stop acting dream. But he support it more. How can this be?"
Lyra shrug. "Fate play its own game. Nothing in our hand."
They both silent. Moon rise above the valley, cold and silver. In distance, Samira sit in her room, hugging pillow, counting days to city. She feel excitement, fear, happiness, and unknown storm waiting.
Because fate is already moving pieces. Lucian Mark will come for the project. Samira will go to Los Angeles. Their two worlds are moving closer. Soon they will collide. And after that, nothing will be the same.