Chapter 79 Pool Side
THIRD PERSON’S POV
“I can’t believe they came here just to mess with me.” Serena said pacing up and down in her hotel room, “and did you hear what Karim said? They came with a content creator, who does that?”
“Well the fight for the ownership of the company is still on, you think Horace will let them come here just for pleasure?”
“But we are on vacation, why does theirs need to be so heavily publicized?”
“Because the world thrives on watching the lives of others, plus she obviously wants to get the better of you.”
“True.”
Trisha thought for a moment, “But….you know you can use this as an opportunity to get one up on her.”
“What do you mean? Serena asked, slowing her pacing.
“Since his Valentine’s Day speech to Clara, Jonathan and Clara’s marriage has been an internet sensation, nobody even remembers you and Damian are also a couple,”
“I know all of these, Trish,” Serena interrupted impatiently.
“What I’m trying to say is, they’ve fucked up by bringing a content creator on this trip, nobody wants to see professionally edited pictures from a holiday trip, that’s vain, and nobody likes vain people. We will use Clara's obsession with an exclusive lifestyle to our advantage.”
“So how do I get the people's attention to my side?”
“You know that Instagram page I created for you?”
Serena nodded.
“The time has come to put it to use. We have to go full-on couple goals on that page, and we will make it authentic, relatable to the average person.”
“I don't want my social media to only revolve around Damian though, he’s not my entire world.”
Trisha threw a hand over Serena's shoulders, “And this is exactly why we are friends, I was hoping you would say that,” She said, “don't worry, your page will highlight your life, your journey.”
“Okay,” Serena breathed. “But can we post the pictures without revealing that we are in the same location as Clara?”
“Sure thing, we just won’t reply to any comments asking where you went.”
“Good. So, when do we begin?” Seren asked.
“Right now, let’s go down to the pool and get some cute pictures.”
Serena laughed, “Okay, I think I have a new bikini I can use, I still have to go shopping for more clothes later though.”
“Perfect, that will be our second activity.”
Trish said, opening the door. “Let me go change, I’ll meet you in the living area.”
That reminds me she said before walking out, “What did Sarah say about the status report in Monterra?”
“She hasn’t called me in almost two days now, even when I tried calling her number, it did not go through.”
“Well, I’m sure she’s fine, just occupied with work,” Trish concluded.
“I think so too.”
“This is the smallest room I’ve ever lodged in,” Clara said, picking up a pillow from the bed and examining it.
“It’s an amazing room Clara with an amazing view of the city. I don’t know what you are whining about.”
“This looks dirty,” she said to the bellhop, ignoring Jonathan.
The bellhop paused trying to fit Clara's many suitcases into the wardrobe, “err..” he stammered.
“Say something, don’t just stand there making funny noises,” Clara said with a disgusted look.
“Emm…sorry, my English is not so good, Ma’am.” The bellboy said, slowly.
“Of course, your English isn’t good.” She mocked, flinging the pillow back on the bed.
“Can you let him do his job in peace now?” Jonathan mumbled.
“What are you, spokesman for the less privileged?” Clara snorted.
“Why are you being so unnecessarily difficult?” Jonathan asked.
“Why did you bring us out here just to spend time with your ex?”
“You need to let that go, I told you we are just here to keep an eye on Serena and Damian.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“You know what?” Jonathan said getting up from the chair, “I think I’m going to go for a walk.”
“You can’t go out alone,”
Jonathan did not wait for her to finish her sentence, he slammed the door shut before he could hear any more of her words.
Clara hissed, picking up her bag from the table, and she ran out after him.
“What are people going to say if you are seen walking alone on the first day of our honeymoon?”
“How the hell will people know I’m strolling alone? We are in a whole new country, and we are not known here.” Jonathan replied, visibly annoyed by her presence.
“We came here with a whole ass videographer to record our every moment here, did you forget?” She asked, pointing back at the man with a Canon digital camera pressed to his face.
Jonathan ran a hand down his face in frustration. The main reason he wanted to go to the poolside was that he had hoped he would see Serena down there and have a moment alone with her, but now Clara was going with him. Fuck.
It was nearing afternoon now, and the Crowne establishment in Marrakesh wasn’t nearly as busy as the one in Monterra.
Oscar had been scribbling away on his iPad when Damian walked into the office.
“I'm surprised you came to work today,”
Oscar said, looking up. “Didn't you want to spend some more time with Serena?” he teased, wiggling his brow suggestively.
“Didn't you want to spend time with Trisha?” Damian retorted.
Oscar laughed nervously, “Trisha? What do you mean?”
“I’ve been seeing you two move weirdly around each other these days,” Damian replied. His tone revealed this was just him wondering out loud and not stating facts.
But Oscar still looked like a deer in headlights, a bead of sweat forming instantly on his forehead, not because he didn’t want to talk to Damian about his relationship (or lack thereof) with Trisha, but because she had specifically instructed him that their arrangement was to remain a secret.
“I don't know what you think you saw mehn, but there's nothing there.” he finally said, “But I did see you sneaking out of Serena's room this morning. What's going on there?”
Oscar was wise to move the concentration back to Damian.
“Nothing,” Damian said quickly, his face turning serious. “We are only husband and wife on paper, anything else is just us trying to make the best out of a bad situation.”
Oscar didn't reply, the hooded expression in Damian's eyes let him know that Damian was done with that conversation.
Turns out, Oscar wasn't the only one holding out information in this friendship of theirs.
“Call Jake,” Damian declared. “I want to know what new update he has on the attack.
“These are so gorgeous,” Serena shrieked as she scrolled through the pictures Trisha had taken of her by the poolside.
“Now, we just have to find the perfect song to go with it. When we post these, everyone will know you are on vacation and they will be hungry to see more posts from your trip.”
“Speaking of hungry people…” Serena said, her eyes trailing the couple that had just walked in through the sliding doors of the pool area.
“Great,” Trisha hissed when she spotted them, “it’s Mr. and Mrs. Beast,”
Serena snorted, nearly choking on her Piña Colada.
Clara and Jonathan rounded the corner before turning and walking straight toward where Serena and Trisha were lounging casually on the pool chairs.
“Hello, sister,”
Serena slid her glasses off her face before she replied, “I’d prefer we both continued on this trip like we don’t know each other, okay?”
Clara laughed, “Do you think I’m desperate to be seen with you”
“Then why did you come to Marrakech?” Serena hissed.
Clara was about to reply, but the words died on her tongue. How could she possibly tell them that the man she had so proudly snatched from Serena had dragged her across the world… just to be in the same space as that very Serena?
The thought alone made her stomach twist. If they ever found out the real reason they were here… the humiliation would be unbearable.