Serena.
The morning started just like any other, but I felt a bit off as I headed into the coffee shop where I worked. The smell of freshly brewed coffee usually gave me a boost, but today it made my stomach turn. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the nausea, while putting everything that happened last night behind me.
I pushed through it and went to the front, where a line of customers waited. Some were friendly, but a few were rude, tapping their fingers impatiently or grumbling if their order took more than a minute. I forced a smile, doing my best to stay polite, but every little thing was wearing me down.
Tom, my coworker and the only friend I had in my life, noticed. "Hey, Serena," he said gently, stepping over to my side. "Why don't you take a break? You're looking a bit pale."
I shook my head, brushing off his concern. "I'm fine, really. Just a little tired."
"Serena," he said firmly, giving me a knowing look. "You're more than just tired. Go sit down. I've got this."
I sighed, appreciating his offer but too stubborn to step away. "I'll be fine, Tom. Besides, we're pretty busy."
He frowned but didn't push it. After a while, I noticed his gaze was fixed on me, something he usually did when he had something to say.
"Come on, Tom. Ask away," I said, rolling my eyes.
"So you're telling me that in one night, you got harassed by a couple of drunk guys, a Greek god dressed in black pants and leather suits saved you and you lost your job?" He blurted our rather dramatically.
I had told him about everything that happened last night, and I guess he couldn't get it out of his mind.
Tom was known to be an exaggerator, but I was used to it already. I found it hilarious too, sometimes.
"Yes." I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
His next action came as a shock. His eyes suddenly lit up as if he'd remembered something. "Oh! I saw this job posting the other day. A wealthy family is looking for a nanny for their two-year-old. It pays well…like, really well. You wouldn't even need to work here anymore."
"A nanny?" I asked, a little surprised. "Tom, I don't think I'm cut out for that."
"Just think about it," he said with a shrug. "It wouldn't hurt to try, right? They probably pay more in a week than we make in a month here."
The thought lingered in my mind. As much as I doubted my ability to be someone's nanny, the idea of good pay was tempting. Life hadn't exactly been easy, and I could use the money.
"Alright," I said, giving in. "I'll give it a shot."
Later that afternoon, I found myself at the gates of an enormous mansion. I showed the guard the paper with the job listing, and he gave me a thorough look before nodding and letting me in.
The place had more security than I'd ever seen anywhere, and it made me uncomfortable. But I kept quiet, figuring that a rich family probably had their reasons.
Once inside, a housekeeper approached me and asked a few questions about my background and experience, her tone was polite but serious. Then she led me to a large, door. "The master of the house will interview you here," she said, nodding towards the door.
I took a deep breath and knocked. A low, smooth voice answered from within. "Come in."
I stepped inside and found myself in a grand library. The room smelled faintly of leather and wood polish, with shelves of books lining the walls and a massive wooden desk by a tall window. Behind the desk sat a man, his back turned to me.
"Sit down," he instructed.
I took a seat, my hands twisted nervously on my lap. He started asking me basic questions; my experience with children, my availability—but something about his voice tugged at my memory.
Finally, he turned to face me, and I felt like a bucket of ice cold water had been splashed on me. He was the man from the club.
He noticed my reaction, a smirk tugging at his lips as he strode toward me. He placed one hand on the back of my chair, leaning in close. "Are you afraid of me?" he asked, his voice low.
"No," I lied, swallowing hard.
He chuckled, his gaze flicking over me in a way that made my skin prickle. "You should be," he murmured, his eyes locked onto mine with a mysterious look that sent a confusing mix of fear and intrigue through me. His gaze lingered, moving down to my lips, then my body, making me shift uncomfortably.
The door opened suddenly, breaking the tension. An older man walked in with a stern expression. I started to rise, ready to excuse myself, but the man held up a hand, signaling me to stay.
"Luca," the older man said in a hushed tone, but I could still hear him. "The heir issue is getting serious. You need to deal with it."
Luca? Even his name sounded mysterious.
Luca's face turned dark, but he only nodded, dismissing the man with a wave. After the man left, Luca turned back to me, his eyes narrowing with a strange gleam.
"Do you have a boyfriend, Serena?" he asked abruptly.
I blinked, caught off guard. "Uh… why do you—"
"If you do," he cut me off, "you should break up with him immediately."
My mouth dropped open. "Who do you think you are to tell me what to do?" I clamored, standing up. "You know what? I won't be taking the job anymore. Thank you for the opportunity." I said through gritted teeth.
He smirked. "Right. You won't be taking that job after all. You'll be doing a different one; something far more important. You'll be carrying my heir."
My shock turned into anger. Without thinking, I slapped him across the face. He looked surprised, but I didn't stay long enough to see his reaction. I ran out of there as fast as I could.
Back at home, things were as bad as ever. My stepmother, Vicky and her daughter barely noticed I was there, except to bark orders or criticize me. My stepmother's brother, a man who drank far too much, often hung around, adding to the discomfort.
That night, as I tried to recover from my experience at the mansion, Vicky cornered me. "Why aren't you working at the club tonight?" she sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. "Do you think you can just sit around here for free?"
"I'm not going back to that club," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "Not tonight, not ever."
Her face twisted with anger, and before I knew it, her hand connected with my cheek, hard. She dragged me by the arm, hurling insults as she forced me back into the small, cold room I slept in.
My stepsister joined in, smirking as she threw in a few insults of her own. The blows kept coming, and all I could do was curl up, trying to shield myself.
When they finally left, I stumbled to my room, bruised and exhausted. I thought I could finally rest, but not long after, I heard someone stumbling down the hall. My heart froze as I saw my uncle, Vicky's brother, push my door open. His eyes were glazed, and he swayed slightly.
"Wrong room," I muttered, trying to keep my voice steady.
But he didn't listen. He staggered towards me, his eyes narrowing as he reached out a hand. "It's the perfect room, little Serena. I might have had a few drinks tonight, but you baby, you'd make my night better." He slurred, his bad breath fanning my face.
Panic immediately surged through me. Somehow, I found the strength to shove him back, racing past him and out of the house.
I didn't stop running until I was far enough away to catch my breath. That night, I slept outside, the cold air biting into me. But even with the chill, it was a relief just to be safe from the nightmare that waited inside that house. And for a split second— just a split one. I couldn't help but think if I should have taken Dimitri's offer, just to end the nightmare. But something told me he wasn't really the Prince Charming I needed.