Chapter 33 Time to go over the balcony again
THIRD PERSON’S POV.
I just got off the phone with Bill, it’s official, the reading has been postponed.” Serena said, walking into Trisha’s study.
“That’s great. Has Damian sent the address?” Trisha asked, sitting up on the chair.
“Yes,” she said, unlocking her phone.He just did.”
She turned the phone toward Trisha and read aloud,
“Mariner’s Crest Private Marina, Pier Seven. 23:40.”
“That’s all the way at the outskirts of town.” Trisha said thinking for a second.
“I guess he really wants the conversation to be private.” Serena replied with a shrug.
“Rena, you don’t think he’s figured out what we did, do you?”
Serena shook her head, "No way, we were very careful,” she said,trying to convince herself.
“Moreover, he didn’t sound like he was about to unleash a firing squad on me.”
Trash laughed. “ I guess you are right.” She stood up now, “what are you going to wear.”
“I already have an outfit planned, speaking of which I should start preparing.” She checked the time on her Cartier watch.
17:30
“My God, it’s so late already, I have to head home and start preparing.”
“I wish I could come with you, but I have to attend this mandatory briefing session. The magazine is preparing questions for the press conference tomorrow.” Trisha replied with a pout.
“It’s okay mama, I need you more at that press conference tomorrow than I’ll need you on the docks tonight.”
“I guess. Okay well start going, so you don’t go late.”
They exchanged tight hugs and air kisses and Serena slipped out of the door. Trisha said a silent prayer for her friend.
The message entered her phone immediately she climbed into the car.
Horace was accusing her of meddling with the will. She knew he was going to contact her, she knew as soon as she got off the phone with Bill.
She swiped the message a way, she was not in the mood to deal with her father.
Another message came in almost immediately, but this time the message didn’t come from her father, it came from an unknown number.
Her hand hovered over the text;
UNKNOWN: CONGRATULATIONS OR IS IT?
She couldn’t make out what the message meant, but she decided to focus on the positive. She locked the phone and put it back in her purse.
Relaxing back on the heated seats, she called out to the driver, “please take me home.”
“Yes ma’am”.
The moment her compound’s gate came into view she felt a change in the atmosphere, something felt different. The air felt lighter and the houses didn’t look so cold in the evening sun.
But all that flew out the window when she walked in and saw her father standing by the fireplace, waiting.
“Hello father.” She smirked.
“I texted you hours ago, why didn’t you reply me?”
“I only saw your message on my way back home.”
“Yet you still didn’t respond.”
“I didn’t have a response to give dad, you didn’t really ask me a question.”
“Do not be coy with me Serena. I know that you made Bill move the reading.”
“Father, I haven't spoken to Bill since the funeral. I didn’t do anything and I’m going to my room.”
Horace’s eyes twitched, it was clear Serena no longer held him in any regard and he couldn’t have that.
“Where have you been all day?”
“Out” she replied courtly. It’s not that she hated her father, but she did feel bad that he had sided with Clara over her.
She knew once she got married to Damian and claimed her inheritance her father would come to his senses and see Clara for the scheming snake she was.
“That’s not a good enough answer.” Horace’s voice was anything but calm.
“Well that’s the answer I have for you dad, excuse me please, I need to get ready, I’m going out.”
Horace didn’t say anything. He just watched her disappear up the stairs and then her bedroom door shut.
Quietly, he walked to his study and brought out the master key, he walked up the stairs and headed for Serena's door.
Cardi B blasted from the speakers in the ceiling. In the corner, scented candles burnt their flames forming a golden brown cascade of lights that enveloped the room.
Serena had concluded tonight was her night, the day she blooms into the next chapter of her life and she was trying to do everything right, Including her selfcare routine.
She stepped out of the shower and slipped into a sleek, fitted white dress, mid-calf and well tailored.
Over it, she wore a long structured coat that was cinched at the waist, her heels were waiting by the bed.
She adorned her wrists and fingers with minimal gold jewelry, her Cartier watch sat on her wrist, catching every ray of light.
She slipped her feet into her red stilettos, one after the other, she locked her purse and after checking that everything was intact she made to leave.
Except
The door didn’t budge, She turned the knob again.
Nothing.
She tried the key, but it didn't move. Then realization hit her, only one person could have done this.
Horace.
She hit the door, hoping one of the staff would hear her but all she got in reply was silence.
“Open the door” she yelled out. No reply.
She thought to call Constance but the moment the thought crossed her mind the network deactivated.
Now she was locked in a room, with no way to call for help.
The time on her wrist watch read 22:00, she was already running late.
She tried shaking the door some more. Nothing.
An hour passed by, Serena sat on her bed,head lowered in defeat. She had screamed and yelled and thrown things at the door but still it remained locked.
She thought about Damian’s reaction when he realizes she wasn't going to come, she wondered if he would feel disappointment or relief.
She had dreamed too big, leapt too high, how could she have thought she would be able to defeat Clara and Jonathan.
Just when she was about to take her shoes off something flew in through the glass window.
Against her better judgement, she picked it up.
It was a note tied to a rock, she unwrapped the note and read aloif(
I’ve put a ladder out by your balcony. Won’t be the first time you go down via that exit. Xoxo.
She ran outside hoping to see who sent it, but the compound grounds were empty, her father had probably asked the staff to retire for the night so nobody could save her.
What she did see though was a rusted ladder leaning against the wall of her balcony.
That means her anonymous tipster was just in her compound, how did he get in?
She touched the ladder carefully with the tip of finger and it creaked loudly. She cussed her father under her breath.
“Time to climb off the balcony again. Hopefully I don’t die this time.”