Two days passed like smooth wind in Santa Ynez Valley. The morning was bright, the sky clear, and Samira felt happy heart. That day she and her mother walked to Peter Crook's spice shop. When they stepped inside, they saw the place busy like never before. Customers come and go, the smell of chili, pepper, and cinnamon dancing in the air. The new shelves shined, jars full, and business alive.
Samira smiled proudly. "Daddy, this is amazing. The shop looks so big now."
Her father laughed with chest wide. "See, my girl? Hard work pay off. Just seven more days, we will go to Los Angeles. Then your dream will start."
Her eyes sparkle. She run and hug him, kissing his cheek. "Seven days only! Daddy, I love you."
They sat there some hours, enjoying shop life, eating simple meals together, and talking with customers. Family moment was sweet, like life promise them long happiness. After a few hours, Samira and her mother return home, leaving Peter to finish work.
Behind the shop, Peter packed spice into bags. His hands fast, mind half on work, half on daughter's dream. Suddenly he smell burning wire. He look around, and in one moment, a spark fly from old plug. Fire catch quickly. Powder of chili and dry spice make smoke heavy, sharp.
Peter cough hard, eyes water. He try to stop the fire, but the heat is too strong. In his head one thought scream: If the shop burn, I must save myself. My family need me alive. He push away fear, and in a rush he run outside.
But when he burst from the back door, panic blind his eyes. He didn't see the road in front. At the same time, one car speed down the street. Before the driver can slow, Peter step into the path.
Bang!
Body hit metal. Peter thrown down, blood flood on the road. The driver brake hard, jump out, face pale. Fire siren scream, trucks come, water spray. The shop is already in flames, spice jars explode with smell, roof collapse. In minutes, all stock was gone.
Ambulance rush in. Men lift Peter, bleeding heavy. They carry him to a nearby hospital. Message reach Samira's house like a storm.
Samira and her mother run breathless. Heart beating, hands shaking. When they reach the hospital, the doctor meet them, eyes low. "Sorry, madam. We tried maximum. But we cannot save him."
The world break. Samira scream, her mother fall to the floor, tears endless. Their pillar, their dream-giver, gone. After long sad hours, they complete the procedure and bring Peter's body home. The funeral was quiet, painful.
Sam and Lyra come, helping. Sam stand close, carrying wood, arranging. He look like a caring man. Lilly see him and think maybe he is a good boy. For now, she trust him.
When the last prayer finish, the body gone to the ground, everyone leave slowly. The house is silent, only crying sound of crying remains.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Lucian Mark sit in his tall chair. His secretary walk in. "Boss, all permission ready. We can go to Santa Ynez the day after tomorrow."
Lucian nod coldly. "Fine. Arrange it."
Secretary clear throat. "One problem, boss. That place has no five star or seven star hotel. Only two or three star. Not fit your status."
Lucian look with sharp eyes. "I know. I went before. There is one three star—Rich Mart Hotel. Not our level, but okay. Book rooms there."
"Yes, boss." The secretary write quickly.
Back in Samira's house, dark clouds of sorrow still heavy. That evening, knock on the door. One man stand, face hard. "I am the financier. Your husband borrowed from me. He gave me the house paper. Now he is dead, the shop also burned. No income left. I must recover the money."
Lilly's lips tremble. "Please… this house is our life."
Man shake head. "Shop gone, nothing left. The only option is I take this house."
His words fall like thunder. Samira step forward, eyes red from crying. "No! This is my father's dream house. I cannot give it. Please give me time. I will settle the money and take the deed back."
He sneer. "How do you pay? You have no income."
Her voice shake, but strong. "I will work. Somehow I will pay."
The man think, then coldly reply: "Seven days. Only seven. If not, the house is mine."
Samira nod, even though inside her chest is breaking. "Okay, sir. I promise."
When he left, Lilly hold her daughter's shoulders. "Sami, how? Money is big. Seven days only. Impossible."
Samira wipe her tears. "I don't know, mom. But we must fight. We must save this house."
That night, Sam and Lyra visit. They hear the story, eyes serious. Sam speak first. "Don't worry. I know one of the financier. He can help. First, get back house from this man. Then we think of the next step."
Samira and Lilly look at each other. They have no choice. They agree.
Later, when they leave the house, Lyra glance at Sam with a secret smile. "Now is a good chance. Her father stopped our plan before. But now he is gone. The door is open."
Sam grin, hugging her. "Yes. Now everything is in our hand."
He takes the phone, whisper to someone. "Tomorrow night I will return to the village. Day after, take her to the Rich Mart Hotel. I will be there."
He cut the call, his eyes dark. Lyra press against him, both laughing low in night air.
In a small room, Samira sit by the window, stars above. She hold the pillow tight, her face wet with tears. She whisper, "Daddy, I will not let your dream house go. I will fight."
Far away, in Beverly Hills, Lucian prepare to leave. His cold eyes on papers, his world full of power. He doesn't know his path is moving to collide with a broken girl in Santa Ynez Valley.
Fate is already writing the next page.