Chapter 43 HUBBY AND I.
\~~~SERENA.
I bolted down the stairs, my heart racing as I twisted my hair into a tight ponytail. The tote bag hung heavy on my shoulder, crammed with my laptop and notes for the assignment I'd been up all night perfecting. No time to mess around and school waited for no one, especially not a newlywed like me.
I pushed into the dining room, the smell of fresh bread making my stomach growl. I let the bag slide off my shoulder and hit the floor with a soft thump, then grabbed a slice of bread from the plate on the table. It was warm and crusty, perfect for a quick bite.
“You’re seriously going to school?” Damien’s voice came from behind the counter, full of that teasing edge I was starting to love. He held out a cup of tea, steam rising from it.
“Yes,” I shot back, snatching the cup. “I have an assignment to submit and defend. I’ll be back before you know it.” I took a sip, the hot liquid warming my throat and chasing away the last bits of sleep.
“We’re traveling today, remember?” he said, leaning closer with that smirk that always got under my skin. “I’ll pack your bag before you return.”
The words hit me like a splash of cold water. I nearly dropped the cup, but managed to set it down without spilling. Breathing out slowly, I stared at him. “Whoa, you really mean this honeymoon thingy?” I chuckled, shaking my head.
He crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes locking on mine with that serious glint. “I meant every word, Serena. We’re doing this. You deserve it after everything.”
I nodded my head with a grin tugging at my lips despite the rush. Patting his shoulder and feeling the solid warmth of him under my hand, I grabbed my bag and bolted for the door. “See you soon, Damien,” I called over my shoulder. Outside, my driver waited by the car, engine humming. He tipped his hat as I slid in, and we sped off toward campus.
\~~~
By the time we pulled up to the school gates, my nerves were buzzing. I hopped out, pulling my bag higher, and started the walk to the lecture hall. Heads turned as I went and whispers and smiles followed me like a trail.
“Congrats on the wedding, Serena!” someone yelled from a group of guys by the fountain.
“Thanks!” I waved, cheeks heating up. Another girl from my class jogged over. “You looked stunning in those pics online. Damien Hale? Girl, you hit the jackpot!”
I laughed it off, but inside, it felt weird. Two days ago, I was just Serena, the broke student scraping by.
Now? Everyone knew my business. More congrats came, high-fives, hugs, and questions about the ring sparkling on my finger. I nodded and smiled, dodging the deeper probes about how it all happened so fast.
Even those who have never noticed me before came to say hi. Bunch of hypocrites.
Finally, I reached the lecture room door. Pushing it open, a cheer erupted like I’d won some award. “Serena! Woo! Mrs. Hale in the house!” Voices overlapped, clapping and whistles filling the air. I covered my eyes with one hand, my cheeks burning as I weaved through the desks to my usual spot in the back. The noise died down a bit, but eyes stayed on me.
Maya was already there, grinning like a fool. She patted the seat next to her. “Girl, sit before they start a fan club.”
I dropped into the chair, letting out a breath. “What is this, a parade?”
She leaned in, eyes wide. “Everyone has been talking about your wedding non-stop. It was epic, Serena. Like, straight out of a movie. That venue? All those lights and flowers were insane. And the guest list? I’ve never seen so many big shots in one place. Influencers, CEOs, and even that politician from the news. How did you pull that off?”
I shrugged, pulling out my notes. “Damien’s world, I guess. It was overwhelming, but in a good way. The food alone could’ve fed half the city.”
Maya’s jaw dropped. “The food? Oh my god, those desserts looked to die for. And the band… Gosh, band live music?
“Please, let me breathe, Maya,” I sighed with a laugh.
She didn't answer and just fanned herself dramatically. “Luxurious doesn’t even cover it. People are saying it’s the wedding of the year. You went from zero to billionaire wife overnight. Iconic.”
We were deep in giggles when two girls stopped at our table, Lila and her sidekick, Jess. Everyone in the department knew them. They were the bitter duo who thrived on drama. Maya and I exchanged a look and breathed out slowly, bracing for it.
“I can’t believe how unashamed you are by the fact that people are cheering you for marrying a man twice your age,” Lila started, arms crossed, her voice dripping with fake pity.
I turned to Maya, who was already rolling up her sleeves like she was about to throw down. Her eyes narrowed, fists clenching. But I shook my head quickly as there was really no need for a scene.
Lila kept going, smirking at her friend. “I was expecting someone young… and… within your class. Don’t you think you need to publish an e-book on how you bagged a multi-billionaire sugar daddy?” She scoffed, loud and mean, as though she’d rehearsed it.
The old me, the one before Damien, would’ve shrunk back, and let it slide. It wasn’t the first time Lila poked at my poor background, my scholarships, and my everything.
But today? Something snapped. I leaned back in my chair, crossing my legs, and flashed a grin that felt sharper than usual. “I’d have done that if I weren’t so busy, honey. But what do we do? Hubby and I are heading on a honeymoon, so I’ve got no time to waste writing that kind of jargon.”
Lila blinked, caught off guard. “Hubby? Please. It’s been two days, and you’re already playing house with an old guy?”
I tilted my head, keeping my voice light but laced with sass. “Old? Nah, experienced. And yeah, my husband, Damien Hale, you get? The one who just swept me off to a wedding that cost more than your whole tuition. Jealous much?”
Jess jumped in, red-faced. “It is gross. You’re just after his money.”
I laughed, low and unbothered. “Money? Sure, it helps. But it’s the way my husband looks at me that keeps me up at night. You wouldn’t understand. Hubby’s got that vibe. You should try keeping up.”
The room stirred, murmurs turning to chuckles. A few guys in the back whooped. “Get her, Serena!” someone called. Lila’s face twisted, but she had nothing left. She huffed and dragged Jess away.
The class erupted in cheers for me with claps and laughs bouncing off the walls. “Queen!” Maya yelled, high-fiving me hard.
Just then, the door swung open, and Professor Grant strode in, his face all stern lines and clipboard.
Everyone snapped to attention, shuffling papers and zipping their mouths immediately. Maya scooted her chair closer to mine instead of pulling away, bumping my elbow.
“Hello, what have you done to my best friend, please?” she whispered, teasing as the lecture kicked off.
I shrugged, smirking. “Become Mrs. Hale overnight, and you’d understand.”
We both giggled softly, covering our mouths.
“But, are you really going on a honeymoon?” Maya pressed, eyes sparkling.
I leaned closer, whispering since Grant was always droning on about theories. “In fact, he’s probably packing our bags as we speak.”
“Girl, I envy you!” Maya exclaimed, a bit too loud, her voice cutting through the room like a siren.
The class went dead silent. Grant turned slowly, his glare sweeping over us, then the whole room.
“This is the part where I just stab myself to death, right?” she gritted through her teeth, forcing a straight face.
Maya sighed and then looked away. I did the same, pretending we were strangers, staring at my notes like they held the secrets of the universe. That lecturer was an asshole and he was always picking on us for nothing. And Maya? She had a knack for dragging me right into the mess with her.
“Bitch,” she hissed under her breath, just for me.
I laughed softly, biting my lip to keep it quiet.
“I love you too.”