Bracelet

She instantly shot her gaze down, her pulse leaping.  

“Today is Sera’s quiz competition,” Hannah excitedly told her mother. Ara gave Sera a look of approval. 

“That’s really nice. I am sure you’ll do amazing,” Ara reassured her with a smile. Ginger rolled her eyes. 

“Who is attending? Franklin?” Ara asked nonchalantly. Sera’s smile wavered at the question.  

“Umm….Dad has some work so he won’t be able to make it,” Sera replied, struggling to ignore someone’s intrusive stare.   

Realization dawned on Ara. 

“I’ll see what I can do,” Ara told her, feeling a pang of pity for the girl. 

“No, it’s okay. He said he had an important meeting today. I don’t want him to cancel his meeting for me. What if I lose the competition? That would be so embarrassing,” she replied, covering her nervousness with a fake smile.  

“I am sure he wouldn’t care. We parents only want our kids to grow through both success and failures,” Ara told her. After saying that, she excused herself to attend a call from Killian.  

“If you somehow manage to win, will you treat us?” asked Ginger, a sly glint in her eyes. Sera nodded, unaware of her true intentions. 

Gigi mocked, “How about Harvest Moon?” 

Sera was dumbfounded. Harvest Moon was one of the most expensive hotels in their state.  

“And why would she take you? You haven’t done anything to help her in the competition,” Hannah countered, her eyes narrowed at her older sister. 

“Well…. Sharing happiness makes it grow,” Ginger argued with a shrug.  

“I..I wish could take you there. But I don’t have enough money,” Sera explained innocently. A hopeful smile trembled on her lips as she continued,  “but I can take you to Midnight Diner. Their food is delicious and affordable too.” 

“I would rather starve myself than set foot in your cheap restaurant,” Ginger snubbed, her voice laced with loud disdain. Sera’s face fell while Nate observed her quietly.   

“You’re already starving yourself,” Hannah pointed out in a murmur. Ginger, comfortably perched at her high horse, missed the taunt. 

Ara returned. 

Hannah pinched the bracelet around Sera’s wrist and showed it to her mother. 

“Mamma, Isn’t it beautiful? Will you also give me one like this?” Hannah asked. It was a bracelet made of colorful beads. 

“It’s indeed beautiful. Where did you get it from?” Ara asked, noting the vibrant colors. Hannah giggled. 

“She got it from her childhood best friend…..” Hannah gave Sera a mischievous grin and continued, ”A very, very special friend.” Sera instantly turned red, unable to hide her blush. Ara smiled but didn’t dig further. 

“He gifted her this before moving to another city with his family,” Hannah added further. 

The unmistakable clicks of heels echoed in the air just then, everyone turned to see Gloria approaching, except for one person. Standing at 5’9”, Clad in crop top and mini-skirt, Gloria was nothing short of a Goddess just like Ginger.       

“Good Morning, Mrs. Serrano,” Gloria chirped, taking off her shades and revealing her stunning amber eyes. 

“Good Morning, Gloria. Come, have breakfast with us,” Ara invited Gloria with just as much warmth as she had invited Sera. 

“Thank you, Mrs. Serrano. You’re too kind but I’ve already had my breakfast,” she answered, her tone polite and composed. Gloria’s eyes swept over everyone, resting briefly on Sera. Sera lowered her gaze. With the huge distance between them, no one could tell they were cousins. Gloria had always viewed her with disdain.   

“Hi, Nate,” Gloria greeted, checking him out. Her eyes now sparkling with admiration and interest.

“Hi,” Nate responded, his tone tinged with irritation. Sera stiffened.   

“I am done,” Ginger chirped before rising to her feet. She left with Gloria. Whereas Ara went inside the kitchen, Hannah raced upstairs to retrieve her school bag, leaving Nate and Sera alone in the hall. Consciously avoiding eye contact with him, Sera quickly leaped to her feet. Her instincts were hinting at the looming danger. 

Quickly, slinging the bag over her shoulder, she fast-marched towards the door. 

“Stop,” his command cut through the air, causing her stomach to churn with cold dread. 

She froze, unable to do anything but obey. Her heartbeat skyrocketed with every footstep he took to close the distance between them. She inhaled the familiar scent of his cologne mixed with his musky odor first before he came into view. Her trembling eyes locked onto his black shirt which clung to him, accentuating that taut muscle beneath. The first two buttons were open, revealing the silver cross resting against his chest. 

Her soul almost left her body as he pushed closer, his towering built loomed over her small frame like a death angel. She moved to retreat but Nathan caught her wrist, forcing her to stand close. His fingers squeezed her wrist, eliciting a whimper from her dry throat. 

“Who gave you this?” he demanded, painfully gripping the bracelet. 

“A..a friend,” she mewled, her gaze stayed on his chest. 

“Girl or a boy?” Nathan pressed, the underlying threat in his voice unmistakable. Sera swallowed hard, caught between the instinct to lie and the fear of the consequences. 

“A..a boy,” she answered, her voice trembling with fear. Her brimming eyes shot up to his as she felt a tug on her bracelet. 

“Please, it’s..it’s my lucky charm,” she pleaded, her voice breaking with desperation. His jaw wounded tight but, surprisingly enough, he released. Sera felt her chest tightening at his unexpected act. Casting a lethal glance at her bracelet, he stormed off.