Chapter 57 Waiting
THIRD PERSON’S POV.
“Is that the last of them?” Serena asked as the butler finished loading her luggage into the back of the Mercedes.
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied, shutting the trunk before turning to leave.
“James.”
He paused and turned back. “Yes, ma’am?”
“I heard about your daughter,” Serena said, her voice softening. “I’m so sorry she’s going through this.”
James gave her a small smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. The strain in it made Serena’s chest tighten.
“And I’m sorry I haven’t reached out sooner.”
He nodded. “I understand, Mrs. Serena. It’s been a busy couple of weeks for you.”
She let out a tired laugh. “That’s one way to put it. It’s been the most exhausting month of my life.”
James hesitated before speaking again.
“Forgive me if I’m overstepping, ma’am.”
She shook her head lightly. “You’re not. Go on.”
“I’m glad you’re leaving this house,” he said quietly. “It never felt like it was good for you. I hope you find happiness with Mr. Damian.”
Serena smiled at him, a real one this time.
“Thank you, James. That means a lot.”
James had been the most loyal of Charles’s staff. Even after his passing, his loyalty had never wavered.
“James,” she added gently, “I’ll make time to come see you. I promise.”
He inclined his head. “Your car is ready, ma’am.”
Serena walked toward the car, but just before she stepped inside, James called out again.
“And Mrs. Serena…”
She turned.
“I’ll keep an eye on things here for you.”
She couldn’t help but chuckle. James had always found quiet ways to look out for her.
“Thank you.”
She slid into the backseat beside Trisha.
“What happened to his daughter?” Trisha asked, still watching James through the window as he waved.
“She was caught in a mysterious fire,” Serena said softly.
The car turned quiet as it carefully rolled out of the Gregory compound and onto the street.
Serena and Trisha had both picked up their phones and were now too distracted to notice anything else on the street.
By the time they drove through Damian’s iron-clad gates, it was already past dinner time.
She had passed those gates a few times this week but none of those times felt as intimidating as tonight.
All the staff gathered in a single line, their backs facing the wall.
The car came to a gradual stop and someone stepped forward to open the door for them.
“Welcome ma’am.”
Serena smiled politely and stepped out of the car.
Trisha came around the car to where she was standing. Taking in the stiff posture and grave expressions of everyone gathered there, she leaned closer and whispered, “Is it an initiation?”
Serena snorted. “Stop it, Trisha,” she said, her voice laced with mock seriousness.
Edith stepped forward from where the staff was lined up.
“Mrs. Serena i’m pleased to have you with us finally.” She smiled.
“Thank you Edith.” Serena smiled back.
“Come meet your staff,” edit beckoned.
For the next twenty minutes, Edith walked her round the compound, introducing her to the hundreds of staff.
When they were finally done, they proceeded into the house.The place was so spotless it literally sparkled.
Serena’s eyes travelled round the house in one sweep. She wasn’t really looking at the furnitures, she was looking for Damian.
Edith noticed her looking, “Mr. Damian retired to his room already.” Edith said, “he’s not feeling so well.”
Serena lowered her gaze immediately and nodded her head.
“Come,” Edith urged, “I’ll show you to your section of the house.”
“Section?” Serena repeated.
Edith paused, her eyes facing down, she didn’t reply.
“Edit, tell me what you mean by section.”’ Serena’s commanded.
“Mr. Damian requested that you settle only in the west wing of the house.”
“And that means?” Serena urged her to explain more.
“It means you are not allowed to wander into the south wing under any circumstances, except when summoned,” Edith said before expecting her throat.
Serena scoffed, “Who gave that order?” She asked tentatively.
“The orders came from Mr. Damian himself ma’am,” Edith replied.
“And where did you say Mr. Damian was again?” Seren asked, already going up the stairs to the south wing.
“When she got to the top of the stairs, she headed straight for Damian’s room.
“Ma’am, you can’t go..” one of his bodyguards began, but Edith lifted a hand, silently ordering him to stand down.
Serena didn’t slow. By the time she reached Damian’s room, she kicked the door open without hesitation.
“What are you trying to do, Damian?” she demanded.
He looked up at her, confusion flashing across his face. “What are you talking about?”
“Why did you banish me to the west wing of your house?”
“Banish?” Damian let out a short laugh. “That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?”
“I’m glad you find this funny Damian, but I do not.” She said, folding her arms around her chest and stomping her foot.
“I didn’t want anybody getting in the others’ space, that’s why I gave you a whole section to yourself.”
“Damian, I understand you are upset about something I said or did but the entire reason why we got married is to convince the public to fall in love with the idea of us as a couple.” She breathed, “How are we going to convince them we are in love if we are cant even live in a house together.”
Damian replied with a pout, “I’m not upset about anything,”
Serena raised a hand to stop him, “I really don’t care Damian but you and I are going to share a room and you are just going to have to suck it up.”
“Serena,” Damian started softly, “I really don’t want to share a room with you.”
“Damian, darling, I don’t care what you want, this is about both our companies and legacies. It’s bigger than our personal wants and needs.”
She didn’t wait for Damian to reply, she didn’t need him to reply. She walked out the door, stood by the stairs railing, and called out, “Edith,”
“Yes ma’am,” Edith replied, her head snapping up m.
“Tell the staff to bring my things back to Mr. Damian’s room, Miss Trisha’s things can remain in the west wing.
Edith smiled and nodded. “Yes ma’am.”
Damian just stood there watching it all unfold, he didn’t argue or try to fight her because deep down he had a feeling if they had an argument right now, she would win.
On the other side of town, just a few streets from the Gregory estate, a black sedan sat beneath an old oak tree.
It had been there earlier when Serena’s car drove past.
And it was still there now.
From that same quiet spot, it watched the unusual white limousine pull up to the estate gates, parked and waiting.
It watched Horace step out minutes later, glancing around hurriedly before slipping inside. The limo drove off smoothly, disappearing down the road without drawing any attention.
The sedan had witnessed everything.
But its owner had not.
Because for most of the evening, the vehicle had remained empty.
Its driver was elsewhere
out in the night, walking the wide, dim streets alone.
Not lost.
Not wandering.
Just waiting.