HIS SECOND CHOICE

PROLOGUE

The night was a dreamy one. 

Her bow-shaped lips curved into an endearing smile as soft fluffs of wind began flirting with her long, loose hair. As she smiled, the night turned brighter. Her innocent gaze was following the moon as it constantly drifted through the heavy chunks of cloud. A golden halo surrounded the celestial globe. Sometimes the gigantic clouds would completely swallow the poor orb, leaving no trace of it. And every time it disappeared behind the layers, she would patiently wait for it to come out and light up the jet-ink sky once more with its divine light.  

She didn’t own a halo like the moon, but she was no less divine. Her angelic aura was her halo. 

She was sitting at the edge of the pond with water reaching the middle of her legs. She drew a deep breath and inhaled the sweet aroma of night jasmine. Her husband had them planted especially for her as they were her favorites. The entire garden was swarming with them. He had planted them with his own hands and built this entire garden for her by himself. Every tree and bush in here is his work of art. She once had offhandedly told him that she loves staring at the starlit sky at night. Her garden provided the best view of the star-studded sky in the whole city. A perfect spot for star-gazing. The small pond adorned with lotuses was created so if she ever got tired of looking up at the sky, she could still enjoy the moon's reflection on the pond's water.   

There were also cabbages planted right across from where she was perched. Weird, right? It also has a story attached to it.  

She lifted the mug to her lips and took another sip of her tea.

Her ears perked up at the approaching footsteps but it didn’t surprise her. She knew who it was. Asher. Her husband. 

“I knew you would be here, pumpkin,” his deep voice reached her. She craned her neck to look up and their eyes locked. Blue striking green. He smiled and sat down beside her. Before he could lean in to steal a kiss from her, she turned her focus back to the sky. Her face was void of expression.  

“The moon looks beautiful today,” she commented, staring up. He followed her gaze and agreed with a low hum. But his gaze didn’t linger long on the moon and gravitated back to her face. He was charmed by this face more. 

He grasped the cup she was drinking from and took a sip- placing his mouth right where her lips prints were. A momentary silence followed, interrupted only by the silken rustle of winds. 

“I think it’s going to rain,” he assumed without moving his eyes from her. She didn't react.  

“Do you remember our first date? When you took me stargazing?” she asked out of nowhere. A nostalgic smile pulling along her lips.

“Mmm,” Asher replied, admiring her beautiful face in silence. 

“You didn’t kiss me or even hold me. I thought you were a traditional type,” she added, still smiling. But his smile slipped when her words caught up to him. A pang of guilt shot through his heart. He set the cup down, suddenly looking uncomfortable. He didn't want to talk about that time. He didn't want to talk about anything that could threaten their blissful married life. He didn't want to talk about anything that could make him.....make him lose her. The realization hit him like lightning. That weird feeling pulling taut at his heart was fear. It was the fear of losing her. He didn't want to lose her- not now, not ever. 

"We should head inside," his voice was hesitant as he tried to change the topic. Serena was as calm as the water in the pond.  

“I didn’t know back then……I am just your second choice,” she concluded in a smooth tone. A tear slipped down her eye but the smile on her face remained intact. She had always been good at hiding her true feelings. The time had taught her this much. 

Her words were well-composed and her voice was steady. But her heart…. It felt as if someone was threshing her heart with a hammer with no mercy. It was bleeding profusely. Writhing in burning agony. 

It took her seven years to discover she was his second choice. His first and only was her best friend- Shanice Cooper. Shanice was his first love and she was just a compromise.  

How would you feel if the man you love with every ounce of your heart chose your friend over you and settled for you only to get her back?  

She felt used and her trust was broken. 

The night was dreamy but now she was fully awake. 

And Asher.....he had never felt so scared before. Never.