It's quiet outside, and she no longer hears the sounds that used to evoke imaginary pain throughout her body. The mental attacks she used to endure for seven years.
Back then, she accepted them because having a complete family was already an extraordinary blessing for her. Finally, she could have parents, something she had never dared to dream of before out of fear of disappointment.
So, no matter how awful her mother-in-law treated her back then, she chose to approach it from the bright side—accepting it without protest. That's why Zake never knew about his mother's ill-treatment towards Serena.
They were rekindling the piled wounds until Zake's betrayal of their marriage.
Is it wrong if she becomes sceptical about something called love again? Zake's attention to her in the past could make her cross the logic barrier and embrace love with all its uncertain dynamics. And that very same man tumbling it down.
*Growl*
Serena's stomach growls loudly. She remembers the consequences if she ignores her body's call; gastric acid will mercilessly attack her, and she's running out of antacids in her medicine cabinet.
So, even though she has no appetite, she forces herself.
With a long exhale, she looks at the cold spaghetti she had earlier, making her nauseous. She then closed the box and put it back in the fridge.
Afterwards, she heads to the stove, takes out a pot and adds water, then grabs a stock of super spicy boiled instant noodles from the cabinet, adding protein with fresh eggs from the fridge.
Once the noodles are cooked, soaring hot in the pot, she sits on the floor facing the window, opens it wide, and eats on the wet balcony due to the rain. She quickly slurps the hot and spicy noodles as if she hasn't eaten for days.
Her gaze is empty, and she feels numb.
People might blame their dire circumstances, but Serena chooses not to feel that way. She will live her life as low-profile as possible.
She recalls the glamorous life after marrying Zake. Lavish dinner invitations from colleagues, often coming home from work to change into a dress from a famous designer to accompany her beloved husband.
Initially, she got carried away by the hype, but eventually, she realised the falseness within it, the fake smiles and grins.
Even the socialite wives' club she joined quickly ousted her and lured Rita when Zake's scandal became the talk of the town. She encountered no true friends in the world Zake introduced her to.
The phone in her work bag suddenly rings. She gets up from her seat, puts the dirty pot in the sink, and retrieves her phone.
She smiles upon seeing who's contacting her. She moves to the bed and lies down while chatting with Lili, her longest friend.
"Hi," she greets briefly, smiling broadly.
Despite all her absurdity and carefree life, Lili is the light in her darkness.
"Hey Trunkee, I'm running away. Can you accommodate me?" she points directly.
Serena can imagine Lili's pouting mouth pleading like a puppy. Just the tone of her voice can make Serena smile, remembering Lili's expressive nature.
Trunkee is Lili's nickname for the always rigid and stern Serena. In return, Serena calls her Drunkee for reasons that need not be explained.
People say Lili is just using her and that Lili doesn't consider her a friend. But Serena doesn't care. They don't know that Lili is the one who never gets tired of entertaining Serena when she's sad, even though their idea of entertainment is vastly different.
Lili will always invite her to go clubbing and looking for guys, which always ends with Serena watching from the sidelines while sipping soda and then escorting a heavily drunk Lili home.
Someone has to stay sober, right? And that's Serena's duty.
"Running away? Aren't you on your honeymoon? By the way, why am I answering your call? I should still be mad at you for not inviting me to your wedding," Serena pretends to sulk.
"Do you want to drag that butt of yours from the hospital to the Mediterranean?" Lili teases, knowing her so well.
"Besides, I know this marriage is just a business contract between Dad and Randall. I don't want to waste your time. By the way, I met an interesting guy..." Lili continues before starting to share her story.
Serena shakes her head, hearing her friend's antics.
Oh, Liliana, if only Serena could view marriage and matters of the heart with that flamboyant attitude.
***
The following day, Serena can't stop yawning. Her phone call with Liliana from last night continued until morning. But because her body is accustomed to her schedule, she can wake up on time and go to work as usual.
"Aah..." she yawns again while pressing the elevator button on her work floor.
"W-wait!" someone pleads loudly, and Serena, seeing someone running towards the elevator, quickly presses the hold button to keep the doors open.
The man carries a curly-haired child, and they both look like they've been running together.
Her attention is not on the man, who looks like the father, but on the little boy beside him, who shyly looks at her while smiling.
How cute!
Serena greets him with a gentle wave, which the boy reciprocates with the same gesture.
She feels that the nasty incident with her ex-mother-in-law and ex-husband's new wife from last night has truly been cleansed by the happiness from Liliana's phone call and the boy's smile.
The father standing right between them looks nervous and unfocused, but he notices his child's gaze and then turns to face Serena.
"Good morning—," the father greets, his words cut off as he sees Serena's face.
"Oh, you're the one from the bus and the rain last night," he points, smiling broadly.
Serena is familiar with that voice, looks at the father, and smiles awkwardly before correcting her stiff posture.
'What is this man doing here? Is this the child he talked about last night? Hmm... Not my concern,' Serena concluded, brushing away her thought.
"So, it turns out you're a doctor here? Wow... What a coincidence. Mmm… If it's not too much trouble, may I ask for your help? I want to meet the head of the pediatric unit to demonstrate my latest device, but people always say that the guy is rigorous and hard to approach. Can you introduce me to him?" Leo offers with a pleading expression.
After that, with a whisper, he says again to Serena, "This is going to be my first sales pitch, and I've spent my money left on this device; I can't pay for his daycare. That's why I have to bring him to work today," Leo continues, looking at Mark, who acts well, smiling broadly at Serena with sparkling eyes.
Serena, who was initially trying to avoid the situation, involuntarily gets caught up in an internal struggle.
"Oh? What technology are you offering?" Serena asks.
'Bravo!' Leo cheers inwardly. He promises himself that after this, he'll treat Mark to a doughnut store with various toppings that the who-cares-dentist-forbids.
"Are you sure? Because this is for the children's department..." Leo replies hesitantly.
"If I'm going to recommend it, could you let me know what you're bringing? My reputation is at stake, too," Serena asserts firmly.
"True," Leo agrees, pointing his finger, then briefly explaining the device he brought. It's a less invasive cancer detection tool, reducing the pain experienced by the treated children.
Serena nods approvingly. Just as the elevator doors open, she invites Leo to her office.
"That's so kind of you, but I want to meet the head of the pediatric unit," Leo protests, gesturing in a different direction.
"You're facing her right now, and by the way, 'the guy' is a 'she'," Serena clarifies, pointing at herself.
Leo pretends to be surprised.