Chapter 65 All Roads Lead To Marrakech
THIRD PERSONS POV.
“Come in,” Serena called at the persistent knock.
“Good morning, ma’am,” the maid said as she stepped inside. “Mr. Damian would like to see you on the terrace.”
“The terrace? That’s strange.” Serena slid out of bed, already frowning. “I need to brush my teeth. Tell him I’ll be up in a bit.”
The maid bowed slightly. “Yes, Mrs. Crowne.”
About thirty minutes later, Serena made her way to the terrace.
She wore a two-piece lounge set that hugged her skin, the soft fabric whispering with every step.
“There you are,” Damian said the moment she stepped through the glass doors.
Her gaze swept the space, confusion knitting her brows.
“Why is everyone up here?”
Damian, Oscar, and Trisha were already gathered, the air carrying that strange, too-careful stillness she had come to recognize.
Damian clasped his hands loosely behind his back.
“At my conference meeting yesterday, it was concluded that I needed to take an urgent trip to Morocco for a few days.”
“Oh.”
The thought of him leaving so soon after the wedding pulled something tight in her chest.
“So,” Damian continued smoothly, “Oscar raised a valid point, if I travel and leave you behind this soon, it will spark unnecessary gossip.”
That was a lie.
Oscar’s brows twitched almost gradually, his head turning slightly in Damian’s direction, but he said nothing.
Serena’s eyes flickered between them. She moved to stand where Trisha was seated.
“And?” she asked slowly.
A faint smile touched Damian’s mouth.
“And I’ve arranged everything. Your passport is valid, so you’ll be coming with me to Marrakech.”
“Wow Damian, that’s wonderful,” she sounded excited, but the excitement didn’t quite reflect in her eyes.
He observed her and smiled, “I know why your response sounds half-hearted. It’s because you are worried about Trisha.”
Serena breathed, “I don’t mean to spit in your gift but I can’t leave Trisha alone right now,”
Damian held a hand up, gushing, “I knew you would say that. That’s why arrangements were also made for Trisha to come on this trip.”
Serena and Trisha squealed, excitedly.
“I can’t believe we are going to Morocco,” Trisha screamed. “Pinch me.”
Serena laughed, “Damian, thank you so much." Her eyes glistened, “This is so thoughtful.”
He nodded, “I’m sure it will be exciting, Oscar will also be coming along.”
Hearing that made Trisha’s heart skip several beats, she was about to be on a getaway trip with Oscar.
No one noticed when Oscar slowly moved to her side or when he whispered in her ear, “I can’t wait to make you call out my name in another city.”
She stiffened, the thought both exciting and scaring her.
Damian’s voice carried on like nothing just happened. “You should pack your bags today because the jet leaves tomorrow morning.”
Just then, the maids walked in with breakfast trays in hand. They served the tables quietly and disappeared back out the door.
Damian and Serena sat next to each other.
Serena leaned in and whispered, “This is so impromptu, I don’t think I have anything to wear on this trip. “
“Serena,” he replied. “You are the wife of a billionaire, anything I’ll buy you anything you want to wear, I’ll buy you the store if that’s what you so desire.”
Serena chuckled, “Oh, please Damian.”
The serious expression on Damian’s face didn’t shift, instead the seriousness doubled in his voice when he said, “I’m not joking.”
Serena cleared her throat, she had been rich her whole life but never rich enough to buy a store on the spot. The feeling of being that liquid had her unconsciously smiling from ear to ear.
“I can’t believe we are actually packing to go to Morocco,” Trisha said, folding a shawl into her bag.
She glanced over at Serena, who was just sitting there. “Aren’t you going to pack?”
“Damian said I don’t have to. Says he’ll buy out the stores over there for me if I want.”
Trisha swooned. “Sweet Lord,” she breathed, fanning herself. “You see? That’s why a woman needs to be with a rich man. Oscar would never say such a thing, because he cannot afford it.”
Serena looked like she was about to choke on her own laughter. “Trisha, you need to stop being mean to Oscar.”
“It’s not like I’m lying,” she shot back. Then her expression shifted. “Also… did you monitor Damian through the night?”
“I was just about to tell you.” Serena adjusted in her seat. “So get this,” she whispered, “he woke up at exactly 4:00 a.m.”
“So you didn’t imagine their conversation.” Trisha said slowly.
“No. I didn’t.”
“Whatever it is, it must be very horrible for it to have been wiped off the internet.”
“How else can we figure out the information we need?”
“I’m afraid asking him is the only option we have.”
“Damian is far too secretive about his life,” Serena said quietly. “And he doesn’t trust me. He would never tell.”
She drew in a steady breath, then turned to Trisha, hesitation flickering across her face.
“What if…” she began, her voice faltering slightly. “What if you asked Oscar about it during the trip?”
Trisha’s expression tightened immediately.
“You know that’s dangerous, Serena. We’re already walking on eggshells around him as it is.” She lowered her voice. “If Damian finds out I was the one who pushed the idea of you two getting married…”
She trailed off, the implication hanging heavy between them.
“Let’s not poke the bear any further.”
A sharp beeping sound cut her off mid-sentence.
They both looked around, searching for the source.
Trisha picked up a phone from her side of the bed.
“Is that yours or mine?” Serena asked.
“It’s yours,” Trisha said ominously. “You have a message.”
Serena’s breathing immediately turned ragged.
“Who is it from?” she asked.
But she didn’t have to. The look on Trisha’s face told her everything she needed to know about the sender.
Serena grabbed the phone and unlocked it.
UNKNOWN: YOU MAY THINK ALL IS CALM AND WELL NOW BUT THE MINUTE YOU CROSS THAT BORDER, ALL HELL WILL BREAK LOOSE.
“What does that mean?” Trisha whispered, as if the sender were in the room with them.
“He’s saying we shouldn’t go on the trip. But how did he know we were going in the first place?” Serena asked, her mind already racing.
“You’re right,” Trisha said slowly. “I thought he was only watching your house.”
“How did he know what was going on here as well?” Serena finished, and it wasn’t a question.
“What are you going to do?” Trisha asked.
“Nothing,” Serena said firmly. “I’m going to ignore it.”
“Is that wise?”
“This is something that Damian set up in good faith, I’m not going to insult him by turning it down, not after all the trouble he went through to set it up.” Serena took a deep breath in, “We are going.” She stated.
“But Serena, this person has never given us wrong information before,”
“I said we are not turning down Damian’s offer.” Serena declared.
Trisha’s eyes flashed. “I think you’re just avoiding being around your family so you won’t have to figure out whether or not they were the ones responsible for your death,” she spat in one breath.
“Stop bringing that up Trisha, I mean it.”
“You are the one who should stop.” Trisha retorted.
“I’m not dealing with this,” Serena said, getting up.
At the door she paused. “I have an appointment with my father, so I’ll see you later.”
Trisha didn’t respond.
Serena slammed the door behind her and walked away, silently cursing under her breath.
She was about to take the biggest risk since her rebirth.