Chapter 22 Nature To Adventure

Past

Time is such a fast-moving element, that when it's in full force, one doesn't even realize how it passes in a jiffy. The same thing happened to me. It has already been a year, since Serena and I started dating and now after Three Sixty-Five days, it was a remarkable year for us.

I was totally in awe of this girl for loving me. A man who was heartless enough to hide his family as well as a deep excruciating past from her. She has never questioned me. She was still patiently waiting for me to reveal but I knew the bastard I was, I wasn't going to confess anything.

Because as simple as it might seem, facing the past wasn't easy. It was a hollow hole for me. The more I thought about it, the deeper I got trapped into it.

I stood with my hands mixing the chicken which I was especially preparing for my girl as a way to start our new year; while she still hasn't returned from the Rogers where she was continuing her internship as I wanted. It was sheer luck that despite her stunts in the selection process, she was selected.

The reason of course being the number of flavors and techniques, she used in her dish which blew away the minds of the judges who were forced to keep aside her foul acts. Even if they wouldn't have selected her, I was sure I would have had the talk with the owner for her but knowing her well, I was sure she wouldn't like it. Thus, I was thrilled when she was selected.

But since she has started to work aside from studying, definitely our time together has been put at stake. But I wasn't complaining because a part of me was really happy that she was rising but I was afraid to lose her. I can't push that hazy fear aside which kept on tripling with every second.

Realizing that I was losing myself in the thoughts once again, I got engrossed in my work again to be only disturbed by the ringing of my cell.

Seeing Serena's name flashing on the screen, I immediately received the call thrilled to hear her voice, after so many lonely hours I spent at home today since she went to work. Being an owner, had its perk.

"Darling, where are you? It's New Year’s Eve, you should be here now!" I spoke showing my excitement clearly. No matter how much troubled I might be, I never showed her my worries.

"Baby, I am so sorry but since it's festive time, we are required to stay till late. Please don't wait up. Have your dinner and don't worry, my batch mate Liam will drop me". Came her concerned reply. I grind my teeth in anger looking at the amount of stuff I have done for us. I canceled my meeting to be with her, but she was more engrossed in the shit of work.

"It's alright. No need to apologize." I said half-heartedly, suppressing my anger by holding the wine glass. Liam; that asshole. Why does he seem to me a personality like Carolina? But I can't say anything to Serena. She won't believe me unless I will explain myself completely and I can't do that. Not in this birth in my opinion.

"Okay baby. Got to go. Bye and I love you." She hanged up clueless about my internal turmoil without even hearing my response.

Pissed, hurt, and feeling left out I mumbled the words to myself; "I love you, too".

Removing my apron, I threw it away in a corner. My mind was frazzled with anger. I so wanted to lash at someone at that moment that all sorts of insecurities will fly away from my mind. But most of my concern was that Liam. Her batch mate and now he was even an intern with her, whereas her girlfriends, Alina and Jessalyn were interning somewhere else which was another terrorizing thing for me, because Liam and Serena were together for most of the time.

Looking at the decorated table with candles, wine, plates, chocolate cake, red rose bouquet, I wanted to smash everything but the first thing I did was to discard the chicken in the bin.

What's the point of having it, when the person for whom I was preparing it, wasn't here to taste it?

I don't know why I was so infuriated with her? Maybe, because I canceled my plans for her, and yet she can't take a half-day off for me, or was it my fear thinking today?

I felt like pulling my hair out in frustration that was reaching to all new level, with the current happenings?

I grabbed a can of beer from the refrigerator, and taking a large swig from it, I marched up to the dinner table. With one kick, everything was on the ground while I gulped the cold liquid down my throat which instantly burnt my vocal cords due to the hot sensation it carried.

Throwing the emptied can, I went to the minibar, and sitting around on the high stool, I began drinking the whiskey which always helped me to ease my mind. I knew I did wrong by drowning in alcohol, but it was the only way to keep aside my fears.

I don't know for how long I sat there drinking. I was high. Everything seemed to be a blur in front of me, while my mind was once again replaying the night of my graduation.

If I could just get one chance, I will change that day but most of all I will change myself.

After another hour or so, I stumbled towards my bedroom hating the sight of the empty bed. My eyes went to the front wall, where my and Serena's portrait hung. I was back hugging her as we faced the camera. There was a serene smile on my lips, but no sooner it was replaced by Liam and Carolina who were in between us.

I have met Liam only once when I went to pick up Serena, but I knew that he had hots for her the same way as Carolina. And if that wasn't enough, then Serena's continuous praising was exactly like how my family praised Carolina.

As the flashes kept on increasing in my mind, I was losing it all, I punched the nearby wall, turning my hand blue; but it wasn't hurting me. Irony!!

"Ahhh!!" I threw everything in my room on the floor, as my anger surpassed all the limits. I was drowning in my self-loathing, guilty conscience, jealousy, and irritation to even realize anything rational.

"Daniel!!" I heard Serena's gasp behind me. Turning around, I was met by her teary and fearful eyes.

I didn't want to utter a word regarding Liam because I knew she wasn't going to pay any heed. But as she started to make her way towards me, I showed her my hand.

Staggering on my feet, I sat on the bed and I felt her sitting in front of me.

"Why did you do all this?" She was sobbing uncontrollably, while I wanted to wipe her tears, but my pride didn't let me do that at that moment.

"I am....tired. Can ...we talk....in the... morning?" I somehow managed to speak and laid down on my side of the bed leaving her sitting there in the mess I have made. Though I knew I wasn't going to sleep even if I am highly drunk, pretending to be in deep slumber is my habit now in front of her.

I felt her move around the room probably picking up the discarded things on the floor but she didn't make a sound. I knew I have caused a crack in our relationship, but it was destined. It can't be avoided any longer. My suppressed emotions were finally coming out and the damage was undeniable.

After few minutes, I felt the bed dip beside me, but I didn't turn around. I can hear her sounds of a whimper, but she didn't dare to disturb me.

I tried to think of something else but then Carolina's hateful words pierced my ears all of sudden.

"You will never be happy Daniel. If I won't get you, then even if the girl who you get along with, will not be able to have you. You will be with her but still you won't be hers. She will cry in front of you, yet you won't be a man enough to wipe her tears because you will always be drowned in your guilt. Goodbye Price. Your time in hell starts now!"

"Carolina!!" I sat up with a jerk screaming her name. Sweat beads formed on my forehead.

"Daniel, what's wrong?" Serena who woke up hearing my scream kept one hand on my shoulder. Without another word, I hugged her tightly; my breathing was shallow while the horror that was running in my mind was mind-shattering.

"Baby, relax. I am here, please. Calm down!" She consoled me rubbing her palms softly on my spine.

"Don't ever leave me or else I don't know how I will survive this time". The words were out before I could stop them.

I pulled apart from her as realization dawned on me as to the blunder I have committed. I wiped my face feeling her intense and curious gaze on me.

I turned my head towards her as my bloodshot red eyes glanced at her, and for the first time in the year, I saw the reflection of reality on her face.

Without even telling her anything, I have told her everything.

Tears pooled up in her eyes, as she kept on staring at me.

Cupping my face, she leaned in to kiss my forehead while I sat there rigid not knowing what else to do.

"I love you". She mumbled hugging me, but I didn't have the gall to repeat the words and unknowingly, it was the biggest mistake of my life because, from that day, our relationship started to go down the drain with no point of return.

Present

The morning was never my favorite time of the day, but today for the first time in my entire life I was having a smile on my face as I laid on the bed. Serena sleeping on one side, while Nathan was on the other hugging me tightly. I didn't know that having a family of my own can be so pleasant.

After my unexpected confession, last night, Serena and I just sat in absolute silence, watching the moon. Forcing was never her nature and last night was no exception for me when she didn't even ask me further about anything. I was thankful to her for understanding.

She raised her head to peek a look at me, whilst I gave her a small smile which showed my sincerity towards her.

Raising her head, a little, she peeked a look at Nathan who was sound asleep.

Then giving me a smirk, she pecked my lips lightly surprising me.

"Now is your morning, good?"

"What do you reckon?"

She narrowed her eyes at me, while I managed to put one arm around her waist, pulling her closer. Her lips were inches away from me and I had the urge to seal them, but knowing that my baby was right next to me, I controlled my desire.

"Dad, what are you doing? Stay still!" Nathan's pissed tone echoed and we instantly pulled apart. A blush crept up on Serena's cheeks while she moved away from me.

"Sorry Man!" Glaring at me, he went down under the duvet; wrapping his arm around me, he slept hugging me again.

Like really!! Now my son is glaring at me. Awesome.

"Nathan, wake up. You have school". I reminded him pulling the covers off his face. I can see Serena controlling her laughter seeing his scrunched-up nose.

"Why can't these adults ever let us small babies sleep? Always waking us up!" He cried melodramatically which wasn't his style but boy, he looked so damn cute with that creased forehead.

But did he just use those rich kids line that was darn famous here?

"Wake up baby. You will get late else!" Serena cooed him hovering above me, literally banging her head on my chin while Nathan sulked.

"Can someone let me sleep in this house?" He yawned rubbing his eyes while I had the urge to ask him, that how did he learn all this stuff? But I knew he will go a personality change now since he was going to meet several types of people each day. He is going to learn and grow into a fine man.

"We will let you sleep on the weekends baby. Now you go and get ready or else I am giving you double cereal treat!" Serena warned him with a mischievous look, while Nathan sat up straight, pushing the covers off him.

"No. I am off to washroom. Dad get up. I don't want to be late because of you." He yelled and almost ordered me like he was my father and jumping out of the bed, he ran like a tsunami to the washroom.

Still gaping in his direction, I sat up and so did Serena who was suppressing her laughter, seeing my expressions which I was sure were resembling any Hollywood actor at the moment.

"Am I witnessing the same scene as you, or did you saw something else?" I asked her in disbelief.

Smacking my forehead, she pushed me down on the bed, climbing on top of me, making my eyes go wide.

"What is this?"

"So you can't even see in morning, so I guess I saw a different scenario few minutes ago, unlike you who saw our Nathan learning the tactics of every school going kids too fast!" She replied trailing her index finger from my forehead to my chin, making me groan in frustration.

She started to caress my lip, with her intense eyes roaming all over my face, while I was simply lost in her.

"Ouch!!" She winced when I bit her finger. Pouting her lips, she started to move her finger down to my neck till my chest halting exactly on my shirt buttons.

"Are you unbottoning?" I inquired in an evil tone.

"Will do for Five dollars. If you are ready to pay!"

"What???" My jaw fell on the floor.

For unbuttoning a shirt, she is asking five dollars? Like seriously!

The most expensive female in the world.

Good that I never had intercourse with her, or by now I would have become a beggar.

"Oh God!! Look at your face. Priceless!" She burst out laughing like a madwoman falling beside me, while I continued to stare at the ceiling trying to grasp the terror of her.

"Alright enough. It's not even that funny!" I chided.

"Ohh really!! I doubt seeing your expressions which were like someone forced you to participate in a skiing competition".

She chuckled and rolling my eyes, I got down the bed, to only be stopped by her. She held my wrist authoritatively, and in one pull, I was on top of her as her mischievous eyes took in my every feature.

She pulled my head down planting a chaste kiss in the middle, "Before I used to only love you, but now I breathe you."

"People might think I am crazy, but I am only crazy for you and I am not ashamed to accept it". She confessed kissing me in both eyes. I was so touched by her words that my voice choked in my throat.

Raising my hand, I tugged a hair strand behind her ear as she closed her eyes relishing my touch. I knew Nathan can come anytime, but I didn't want to pull back from her. I felt closer to her now and the fact that she was giving me my space yet helping me to heal was only melting the ice.

Leaning down, I placed my lips on hers finally taking the initiative. I can't live without her and it was given that neither can she so why playing this hide and seek?

She immediately responded to me by wrapping her arms around my neck, while our lips move slowly in perfect sync. I bit her bottom lip making her moan my name and I felt as if my name got its lost meaning back. It didn't felt merrier than this.

"Dad!!"

"Ohh Shit!!" We broke the kiss instantly, and due to a sudden pull, I fell on the floor on my butt getting myself embarrassed for no reason.

"What the?" Nathan cracked up as I tried to get up, while Serena was in fits.

Crazy family!!

"It's not even that funny people. Stop laughing like banshees!" I reprimanded them while they were in hysterics.

"We will. Once you get up on your feet". Nathan teased jumping on the bed, only in his jeans. Serena chuckled sharing a hi-five with him.

Gosh, he loved being shirtless from now on only. The tragedy for future females.

Taking the support, of the bed I finally got up after a lot of futile attempts while my family laughed at my expense.

"Okay, enough.!

"But wait, what were you both doing when I came?" He asked rubbing the back of his neck clueless.

"Oh crap!!" I muttered sharing a deadly look with Serena who was giving me a sheepish smile.

"Baby nothing that concerns you. You wear your shirt and shoes; I will be done by then". I managed to shoo him away, running to the washroom, saving myself from further embarrassment.

I can't answer my ten-year-old son, about the kissing part.

But I can hear both mother and son, having good laughs like they have hit the jackpot. But I was more than pleased to hear the sounds of their beautiful laughter.

Once we were dressed, the breakfast was a silent affair and the ride in the car was crazy because out of nowhere, Serena wanted to drive, and I was speechless about her skills because she could kill people in a blink.

Thank heavens. I am still alive.

But I was confused when she halted the car at a different place rather than at Nathan's day boarding school.

"Mommy, what place is this?"

"St. Patrick's Cathedral baby. Jesus's home. Come out, I will show you around and then we will pray." She explained making his face lit up in excitement. Of course, he wouldn't have visited it. Seeing the bronze doors, his thrill reached the peaks while I was still standing near the car, afraid to go inside.

I haven't visited any holy place after my family's funeral, but today my feet were frozen. There was some unknown pain rising again maybe because I have lost faith in him when he took away everything from me.

Serena turned around to look at me, indicating me to join them. With a heavy heart, I followed them.

Since it was a Monday morning, there weren't many people around. But still, I felt conscious of their eyes on me. My heart was in my sleeves as I heard Serena explaining to Nathan about praying. It reminded me of my mom when she used to teach me ethics and the importance of prayers in our daily life.

Nathan was listening to her keenly, yet I can see that he was mesmerized by the beauty inside. No doubt the church was a sight to watch, not because of the architecture alone but because of the peace it was providing.

I just sat on one of the benches, staring at the almighty with the pain while Nathan and Serena went ahead to pray.

"Jesus, I have never come in your home before, so I don't know what should I ask you, but can you please make my Dad happy? Pinky promise, I will do anything and everything, for him; just keep him happy. I don't like seeing him sad. He said that his parents are also in your home just like mine, and we both are sad, but he makes me so happy. So, will you please make him smile too." I heard Nathan praying in his babyish voice while I stood up in my place and so did the rest of the people who had tears in their eyes listening to the selfless prayer of a young boy.

Serena stroked his hair lovingly, while my tears kept on flowing like a waterfall. My baby loves me this much. What did I do to deserve this?

Turning around, Nathan ran to me and hugged my legs while I wrapped my arms around him, bending to his level.

"I love you, Dad!"

"I love you too, baby!" I kissed his forehead as he wiped my tears while my eyes set on Serena who still stood far away watching us with a small smile.

I forwarded my hand asking her to join us, and she ran instantly. Approaching us, she hugged both of us, while we stood in the peaceful home, in a group hug.

The few people around us clapped seeing our love while we pulled away with a smile playing on our lips.

Serena drove us to Nathan's school while we just stayed quiet. Once Nathan was out of sight, Serena pinched me on my arm making me wince.

"If you become so emotional dude, what will happen to the girls of New York?"

"No one told me New York girls are heartless". I raised my brow at her sarcastic approach.

"They are not heartless, but they don't even love crying. And seeing their favorite man, wasting his precious waterfall, poor souls would have to give you company now". She teased knitting her brows together.

"So, what's the plan now!"

She fisted her palms on the steering showing that she was in full mode of fun.

"How about I drive you insane today?"

"That you do daily!" I crossed my arms over my chest, showing that I was already prepared for the blast.

"So, let's go for it. Beat Serena Waldorf in the skiing competition, Price!!"

"What??" I gasped as every fiber in me was screaming dread because I can't do skiing even for my life.

But you can't lose from her.

Bring it on Waldorf. You will remember this skiing competition forever.