THE SONG

"It's an amazing song. Even if I wanted to, I don't think I can reject it or modify it. It's perfect the way it is. But Sam, I do know that you although have written many songs this way, still are you sure you want to do a collab in this genre?" Sam's manager, Tim says as Sam looks up and meets my eyes. I am not wearing a cap, but instead sunglasses and a mask. It literally seems as if Sam is staring right into my soul and it's making me uncomfortable. I slightly shift in my seat, but Sam still has his hazel eyes fixed on me as if he can see through me. Anna and Tim too notice his intense stare on me as they frown. But they don't understand the reason as I do. Has he recognized me? No there is no way. Tim pats Sam's shoulders as he finally stops looking at me and asks Tim.

"I....th-this song....." His voice breaks as I furrow my brows in confusion. "I need a minute. I will be right back." He says and leaves in a dash as we all look at the door he left appalled through in bewilderment. 

"Is he ok?" Anna asks Tim as he looks at us cluelessly.

"It's the first time he has been like this. I have never seen him panic like this. I have never seen him look lost like this." I clench my fists and gulp as I get up. Anna and Tim look at me in union.

"Uhh...I need to go to the restroom. I will be back soon." They both nod as I exit the room and go to look for Sam. Why am I looking for him? Ughh I don't know. I am just slightly worried about his reaction. I take the lift and go to his office which is on floor 80, the top floor.

I flinch when I hear a thud sound from inside his office. But then my heart sinks when I hear his muffled screams and sobs....is he crying? Why is he crying?

I contemplate going inside and talking to him. Just as I am about to twist the doorknob, I regain my sense and immediately back away. No way! How can I go inside? Am I insane? Ugh stupid, I almost ruined everything! I am about to leave when the door opens and my breath hitches when I see it's Sam, who looks at me in confusion but then it turns into...despair? Hope? Fear? I can't really understand but my mind goes blank when he suddenly asks.

"Who are you?"

"I-I...." I curse in my mind for stuttering but then speak "I am Kay, your collab partner?" He shakes his head and I see tears in his eyes again.

"No....who are you actually?" I gulp a big lump in my throat when he says.

"A-are you L-lienna--"

I widen my eyes but quickly compose myself and say with a monotone.

"That's not me. And I think I told you very clearly, I won't reveal my name or face." He looks away and rubs his hands on his face taking a deep breath. When he looks at me again, he seems a bit distracted, yet he smiles softly, that smile that can fool anyone that he is completely fine.

"I am sorry. Can we please continue tomorrow? I am not feeling well, I am really sorry." I stare at him with my cold eyes behind the sunglasses and nod after a while.

"It's alright. Take care. Let me know when the next meeting will be." He gulps but still smiles and nods.

"Thank you so much." I shake my head telling him it's no big deal and turn to leave. Just when the lift door is about to close, I look up and freeze when I see Sam looking at me with a pained expression. It's as if he can see through me. As if he knows everything. It makes my heart race the way he is looking at me and I release a quick rush of breath when the door finally closes, and I am away from his intense gaze.

"Oh my god," I whisper and compose myself before leaving the lift and going to Anna.

.....

"That was so weird. He acted really strange."

"Stop thinking about it, Anna. I told you he said he was not feeling well." I annoyingly say when she again starts to discuss Sam's 'weird' behavior.

"But he was fine when the meeting started. And suddenly he got so unwell that he had to cancel it? I just--"

"Ughh....I swear if you won't stop talking about it, I am going to get out of the car right here." Knowing I am serious by my face and voice she finally shuts her mouth. I look outside my car window as I think about everything that happened today. No, Sam cannot recognize me...he cannot know who I am. Never. This was the reason I didn't want to work with him at all, this was the reason I didn't want to collaborate but just because of Kim, I had to do it. I cannot let Sam know who I am. I never wanted it. I did not reveal my identity because of fear of being involved with him again. The worst part is, he doesn't even know who I am.

....