SERENA'S P.O.V.
I can't believe Jade did that to me. I wanted to scream but I decided not to say anything knowing that I would be seeing my father in a few hours.

I was hella nervous.

But I was really happy. And what better way to spend my birthday than with my father.

Few hours later....
I was back from the mall after doing my nails and buying myself a present, since I wasn't expecting my "friends" to do that after the incident at the house.

I walked into the house, relieved that they had all gone. I didn't want to be angry again.

So I walked into the house to pack my things since I will be staying for two weeks in Brazil.

Apparently, my dad already asked for permission. Speaking of which, my mum was coming back home from her trip in three weeks.

I did miss her and she did call a couple of times when she was less busy but I already learnt to leave on my own so either ways.

I made sure not to forget all the necessities and I decided to shower since it was going to be a night trip and a little bit long since it was a trip to Europe.

When I was done, I put on the necessary on my body and changed into a navy blue thick Nike sweatshirt and a midnight blue plain juggers with black socks and grey, black and white Nike high top.

I also wore a cute golden necklace and my smart watch.

Since my hair was still in cornrows, I just did my edges and left it like that.

I looked cute so no point of wearing a bandana to cover.

Few minutes later.....
I hear a few horns from downstairs signifying that the drivers were her to pick me up and drive me straight to the airport.

I go down to open the door and greet the few men who I think I knew before from when I was little.

They were my some of my dad's personal bodyguards.

After they had finished picking up my things, I followed Bryan to the car.

He was going to be the driver, I guess that was why I was able to remember his name cos he used to take my dad and I out a lot.

I really missed him. He seemed like he was getting old maybe late 40s, I guess, cos he was really young when my dad hired him.

He opened the door for me and smiled at me while I giggled and enter the car.

The ride to the airport was quite peaceful.

We talked a bit and shared good memories of what had happened when we had not seen in each other in a while.

He told me about his wife and four kids.

And I couldn't be happier so I promised him that I must visit his family before I leave.

Yes, I know I didn't stay too long in Brazil but it was enough to make a few memories that I surprisingly remembered before we finally moved to Miami, the same time with Jordan.

Thinking about him, his face when I said those things. Maybe I was a bit too harsh but he couldn't blame me for what I said.

The look in his eyes when I said them. He was heartbroken, sad and confused.

Well, I would have to deal with that later but right now, I had to prepare myself for my dad.

I had so many questions to ask him

Was it really true that I was adopted?

Why didn't he tell me earlier?

How did he get back to Brazil after escaping his almost death?

Does mum know about him in Brazil?

What has he been doing been in Brazil?

How did he find me?

If mum founds out, will they divorce?

All of them and probably even more were roaming around in my head that I didn't even notice when we got to the airport and Bryan had stopped the car, telling me to come down softly.

I nodded and came down and I was walked into the airport but I, then, realized that I was not travelling with an aircraft but a private jet.

I don't know why I was surprised. I mean I knew he was extremely rich but I just didn't think that far I guess. But I really wasn't bothered.

Few minutes later......
We had gone passed all the security and I was escorted by Bryan into the private jet.

I obviously didn't notice that he was still behind me when I had gasped because I heard a soft chuckle behind me. It was so beautiful.

I opened various lockers and saw things like candy, chocolate, chips, alcohol, and so much more delicacies you could imagine.

It was decorated with this gold bronze kind of thing, I couldn't put my head around it and when I finally decided to take a seat, I knew I wouldn't want to leave cos it was so soft.

"And might I add, it has a button that turns it automatically to a bed".

I smiled because he was right.

He was a beautiful, cool headed calm man. His wife and kids were definitely lucky to have him.

His smile reminded me of Jordan.

I kept thinking about him.

I did miss him.

But I felt like I needed time to ease myself from everything including him and his secrets.

Those damn secrets.

Bryan finally left telling me that if I needed him, he was a chair away and I nodded releasing him and putting on my seatbelt

Soon after, the pilots announced that it was time to takeoff. I was next to the window since I loved the sight a lot.

I loved it as a child but that never changed and I don't think it would at all.

JORDAN'S P.O.V.
I'm pretty sure I just saw Serena leave the building.

Why was she leaving?

Why were men in black escorting her?

I was so confused. I wanted to run after her and figure out.

But I remembered what happened in the afternoon before she stormed out.

And then a wave of heartbreak and guilt hit me.

I just slept with her ex-bestfriend.

What the hell was I thinking?

But my phone distorted my thoughts as I looked over to see who was calling me?

Mum?

Why was she calling at this time?

Maybe she was worried.

I picked up the phone with a little bit hesitation as to why she was calling.

"Hey citã, you called?"

"Why wouldn't I call? I was dead worried about my papaya. When are you coming home?"

"Oh, its alright, I'd be home in 10 minutes, ma, don't worry".

"OK, papa, I truly miss you and all this work is getting pretty hectic so I need rest and that can only happen when my boy is here".

And with that, she cut the call.

I truly loved my mother a lot and I'm happy to have her in my life. I mean with all the work she goes through, even in a rich company all because she is aiming for a promotion as the director and the pain she had to endure  from my good for nothing father.

I hate him. I hate the fact that James reminds me of him. I hate that he chose James over his first son instead of putting us equally. I hate the fact that he  despises my friends. And I hate him for choosing James's mum and his company over his first wife, my mum.

I quickly dress up not ready to start reminiscing over the past and keep my mum waiting.

It takes exactly 10 mins to reach my home. A house that I had promised myself and my mum that we would cherish and make good memories here.

But by the time, I reached, the sight I saw was

Horrifying.

I didn't even know when I ran towards my mum and was crying.

It was as if the world just turned upside down and I was sinking.

She was bleeding on the floor.

It seemed like someone had stabbed her in the back.

I couldn't lose her, no, not now, not ever.

She was struggling to keep her eyes open.

Who had done this to her.

Just when I thought everything would go back to normal. Here we are.

I quickly called 911 and in less than 5 minutes, the ambulance was here and I was gladly allowed to follow her into the ambulance since I was her child, her only family here in California.

I couldn't stop hyperventilating and crying.

If only Rina were here. She would comfort me with the right words.

She would know what to do to keep me at ease.

God, I missed her dearly and I knew I had to make it up when I see her.

I couldn't lose her, not again.

When I left Miami to England, I thought we would never see again until now and I was sure I would stick by her and be the best friend, the boyfriend, fiancee, husband and father, she ever asked for.

Yes, I know, I just said it, I was freaking in love with her and I wanted her all to myself and I didn't care what that would cost.

I love her with my life and I want her to be my wife and the mother of my children.

I already made up my decision but right now, I needed to focus on my mum.

I tried thinking of who could have done this but the only two people in my head were my father and James.

I know I hated them and that was not a good reason to suspect them.

But my guts felt like it was the truth.

Few minutes later.....
We were at the hospital and they immediately rushed her to the emergency room saying they would have to start treatment on her immediately.

I nodded in silence and went straight to the bench.

All of a sudden, my phone started buzzing. I wonder who would be calling me at this time. I'm pretty sure it was already night time meaning most people should be heading to bed.

I don't know why I kept on wishing that it would be her but from the name, it couldn't be her.

My Bro with the emoji "🤩" popped on the screen and I knew it was Damien cos I saved Williams' emoji as a clown cos he really could be a fool most of the time.

I picked up sluggishly not having any much energy after what I had just encountered.

It was like ,as if, any of us could sense if something was wrong when it had to do with us because immediately I picked up the phone, Damien asked.

"Is everything alright?"

I sighed because I didn't even know where to start.

"Shit. Where the fuck are you?"

I was able to put out one word.

"Hospital".

The phone went off on the other side and I switched off not wanting to receive any more calls.

If I wasn't running mad now after what I just saw, I was sure to run mad soon.

I closed my eyes and set my head on my elbow, hoping to release some stress from my body.

10 minutes later....
Someone tapped on my arm. Due to the shock, I sprung up to see who had disturbed the little sleep I have.

But, it was Damien and Williams, but the difference was Williams' facial expression.

He looked at me with worry and concern.

Damien always had a neutral face, he rarely smiled so I was already used to it but for Williams, this was definitely different.

The last time I saw him like this was when his father almost killed his mother.

They sat down close to me and that was when I realized that they were holding food.

They gave it me and ,somehow, it lifted my spirit because I didn't realize until now I was famished.

I checked the polythene bag and saw Egg Chinese Rice, Prawn Sauce, Prawns, Chicken, Chinese Noodles and Sprite.

I silently asked them if they wanted but they said they had eaten in the restaurant on their way here and that was what delayed them if not they would have been here, 5 minutes earlier.

To confirm if it was true, Williams burped but he surprisingly excused himself. I guess he really wasn't in his playful mood.

I couldn't blame them. I'm pretty sure anyone who saw me right now would definitely know that something was wrong with me.

I had cried earlier so obviously my eyes would be red.

I thanked them and started eating slowly.

I was happy they didn't ask me what was wrong but instead gave me time to think and understand whatever had happened.

Soon enough, as I had just finished the noodles since it was the smallest, a doctor came in.

I rushed up ,luckily, not dropping my food since Damien was quick to swipe it off my lap before it fell.

"Doctor, please tell me she is okay. I can't lose her".

"Young man, from the kind of injury initiated, this is a very serious incident. So do you want the bad news or the good news first?"

"Please the bad first".

I never picked good first because I knew when I start rejoicing, the bad news would drag me down more than I expect so I felt it was best the other way round so the good news could come as an after comfort if that made sense.

"Well, I'm really sorry to say this but the bad news is she's going to be paralyzed. The injuries sustained were severe and it affected her spinal cord badly so unfortunately, she would become paralyzed, PERMANENTLY".

When he first said paralyzed, I assumed it would be temporary so I was feeling a little bit better until he broke me down further by saying PERMANENTLY.

I didn't even know when I started crying and when the boys had rushed to hold me from collapsing at this news.

I didn't even know when Williams finally spoke up and said "So doctor, what then is the good news?"

"Of course, she didn't die, she is a very strong woman and so her bleeding was not much luckily because you brought her in, quite early, so we were able to contain it and we've performed the surgery already. So hopefully in two days, she will be wide awake but she would have to stay here for two weeks before she is discharged and given her wheelchair. I'm so sorry son, I know what if feels like having yout mum suffer like that?"

I don't know why it shook me a bit that the doctor had gone through the same thing.

"You do?"

"Yes son, my mum was stabbed also but it was in the stomach so unfortunately she couldn't make it."

Immediately I saw him crack up a bit.

I did the only thing I thought was reasonable and hugged him.

And he hugged me back. I guess not all doctors are hardhearted. Some have to pretend they are because of what ever incident that might have happened in their past.

I finally released.

"Thank you doctor for helping my mum in the best way you can".

"No son, I should thank you for being with your mother. It was my relationship with my mum that cost her her life and if I could take back all the mistakes I made, I would in a heart beat so please don't me thank me, thank yourself for even being there to catch her at the right time when it just happened. And please call me Luke".

For some reason, what he had said made me happy and I smiled at him.

And he smiled and left.

The three of us finally went back to our seats but when I remember part of word included the word, "relationship", I immediately became sad because that word only brought my memory back to the silly mistake I had made hours ago.

The boys noticed my change of reaction quickly and asked what was wrong again.

I looked at them with so much guilt.

I couldn't even bring myself to tell them that I had done such atrocity and worst of all with her arch enemy.

They pressed on.

So I finally narrated every single thing that happened. It wasn't really a long story but by the time I was done, I knew that if it wasn't for the fact that my mother was in a bad state, Damien would have killed me by now.

He was clenching fist and trying to control from doing something bad while Williams was there, his eyes wide open and his mouth hanging like as if he never expected it from me.

I didn't even know what to say but I knew the tears were already forming up.

I had cried so many times today.

It was frustrating and devastating.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hi guys. So this might be a long note but I actually want to apologize for leaving this story hanging. I haven't updated in a very long time. I wasn't even taking this book as serious as I was meant to and I didn't care about the amount of votes and reads. I'm pretty sure you all already know that this is my first book and so I just started the book immediately I entered Wattpad so unfortunately, I didn't have much of a strong writing experience compared to now but I've definitely gotten way better and the difference is quite obvious now. I've started editing this book for your convenience and I decided to read it all over again so as to remember what I intended to write since its been long. For those who got stuck with this book, thank you so so much for all that. I promise will get better by the time I start updating again and of course, there will more drama to come.
Also, I wanted to announce here that I've started a second book but that one is completely Nigerian and I believe you guys would like it. You don't need to be worried about the vernaculars because they're all translated for non-Nigerians. You might not read it immediately but you can at least add it to your library for future use. The name is Choices.
Thank you once again, don't forget to vote, comment, and share!!!

Love,
Faith❤