Chapter 59 Something Big
THIRD PERSON’S POV
The following morning, Serena woke up curled in Damian’s arms.
The moment the last traces of sleep left her eyes, panic followed.
What had she done?
The events of the previous night rushed back to her in fragments,the laughter, her flirting, his hands, her surrender.
It had all been reckless and impulsive, a clear consequence of the wine she had indulged in previously. Or at least that’s what she told herself.
Heat flooded her cheeks as the memory sharpened, the way they had explored each other, their bodies dissolving into one.
Careful not to wake him, she slowly slipped from beneath the covers. Her bare feet met the cold floor, grounding her in the harsh clarity of morning.
She tiptoed to where her shirt lay discarded on the floor.
“Trying to sneak off again like last time?” Damian’s voice cut her unaware, stopping her in her tracks.
She smiled, “Even if I wanted to, I can’t run. I live here now.”
Damian’s jaw twitched, she said that like she actually wanted to run.
He smiled and patted an empty spot next to him, “come back to bed.”
She shook her head, “I wish I could. But I need to go check on Trish.”
“I’m sure Trisha is fine,” he scoffed.
“I know, I’d just like to see for myself.” She said, already slipping out the door.
Damian sighed as the door closed shut, drawing the blanket over his head, he went back to sleep.
“Come in,”
Trish called from behind the door.
Serena popped her head in, “Hey, you up?”
“What are you doing in my room by this time?” Trisha asked half awake.
“I wanted to talk,” Serena replied sheepishly.
“Come in, what’s up?”
“Promise not to judge?” She asked, her voice low.”
“When have I ever judged you?” Trisha deadpanned.
Serena cleared her throat, “I and Damian had sex last night.”
Trisha’s eyes widened but she disguised it immediately, “again?”’she asked.
Serena nodded.
“Hmm,” Trish replied. “So is this like a sex partner thing?”
“What?” Serena stuttered, “Eww, of course not.”
“So what is it then? Cause last i remember, you two were quarreling, so how did we get here?”
Serena covered her face, “I don’t know.” She grumbled.
“I’m not judging you babe,” Trisha cleared, "I'm just saying, you have to know what you are doing, what you want from him so you don’t get consumed by something else.”
“I know, I know.” Serena replied, “I need to get my act in order.
“Yes you do,”Trisha replied.
After thinking for a moment, she added, “wait, if you just had amazing ground shaking sex then why are you here in my room?” She asked Serena.
“Damian wanted to cuddle afterwards and I panicked and ran.”
“You did what?” Trisha half yelled.
“I’m not proud of my behavior.”
“Girl look, “ Trisha’s voice softened, “you have to be clear with that man concerning what you want, because if you keep stringing him off and on like this, one day you will lose him.”
“I know,” Serena dragged a palm over her face. “I don’t know where to place him.”
“Mhhm,” Trisha mumbled.
“Where is my father?” Clara asked the chef serving her breakfast.
“I haven’t seen Mr Horace since last night , ma’am.”
“Has anyone checked his room? “
“Yes, the maid that took his morning coffee to him said he didn’t answer the door.” Constance replied.
That was unlike Horace, he always had an annoying habit of showing up right on time for everything.
Clara dialed his number, and the call went to voicemail.
Just then, Jonathan strolled in, casually whistling, with a newspaper in one hand, the other hand was hidden behind his back.
“This table hasn’t been this empty all week.” He commented.
Clara rolled her eyes, “Jonathan, do you know where my father went?” She asked, seemingly annnoyed.
“Why would I know that?” He snapped before realizing himself, he then shook his head and said “I’m sorry baby, I don’t know where he is.”
“But,” He paused, then brought his hand to the front. “I brought these for you,”
Clara’s eyes brightened, “oh my,” she gushed, taking the flowers from him. “These are so beautiful.”
“Just like you baby.” He said, planting a kiss on her lips, “please forgive me for Last night,” he apologized.
“Consider yourself forgiven.” Clara said, kissing him back.
Jonathan heaved a sigh of relief and took a seat next to her while she admired the bouquet of white roses.
“So, what were you saying about Horace?”
“I haven’t seen him all morning, and he never misses breakfast.”
“Maybe he has something urgent to do, have you called him?” Jonathan asked.
“Yeah, it went to voicemail.”
“It’s okay, you don’t have to be worried about Horace, he is stronger than you know.” He squeezed her hand reassuringly.
“It’s bright out already. I should get going,” Horace said, his voice rough from sleep.
“But you just got here,” the woman turned to him, a pout forming on her lips.
“I know, my dear,” he replied smoothly, buttoning his shirt. “But this was only meant to be a brief visit. I was in the area.”
The truth however, was that.
Horace had been summoned for a meeting the night before. Under normal circumstances, he would have ignored such a demand, but this caller was not someone he could refuse, he couldn’t deny the authority of the person who had called.
“Speaking of which,” the lady said, propping herself up on the bed. “What were you doing here in the dead of the night?”
“I had a meeting, some business to attend to.” He answered offhandedly.
“Since when do your meetings take place in this part of town?” She asked.
Horace stopped mid-button and walked to her side. He cupped her face gently, pressing a kiss on the tip of her nose.
“Dont worry yourself about that my dear. Just be rest assured that I’m securing our future.”
She smiled, letting it go. “How are your daughters?” she asked lightly, changing the subject.
“They’re alive,” Horace replied coldly. “Serena, however, is becoming more of a threat by the day.”
“She doesn’t fully understand what you’re capable of.”
“Exactly,” Horace cut in, “she thinks she’s protected by the will, she will learn soon that I have my ways and I am a man who cannot be tamed.
Horace’s mind wandered to his meeting from last night:
“Before we started this plan you said you had it all figured out. You said it would be easy to get rid of Serena.” A distorted voice said.
“And I was right, I just didn’t count on the fact that she was going to imerge with a whole new personality.”
Horace paused, watching the other figure in the room pace back and forth.
“Don’t worry,” he continued reassuringly. “I’l figure out something.”
“You already have one,” the figure snapped.
“I told you we can’t use that information,” Horace said, his tone firm. “If we tell Damian about Trisha, Serena will have Jonathan arrested for attempted murder.”
“And who gives a damn about Jonathan?”
It wasn’t a question.
“You may not care,” Horace replied evenly, “but he’s Clara’s husband. If we intend to siphon the inheritance from her, we’ll need Jonathan intact and cooperative.”
The figure stopped pacing and stepped closer — inches from Horace’s face.
“I’ve kept you around this long because you’ve been useful,” the man said quietly. “The moment you stop being useful, I won’t hesitate to remove you. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” Horace had answered.
“Hey,” the woman beside him waved her hand in front of his. “Where did your mind go just now??” she asked.
“No where, my darling.” he said, taking her hands gently. “I’ll see you soon.”
He kissed her knuckles, slipped on his jacket, and walked out without looking back.
The meeting may not have reached a final resolution, but one thing was certain:
Something was coming for Serena.
And with Horace orchestrating it, her chances of escaping unscathed were dangerously slim.