Ring

Serene just finished her rounds when she was cornered by Mary. She is the mother of Boris. She never approved of Serene dating Boris back when they were together. She always found chances to taunt and demean Serene. She thinks that Serene is beneath them.

"Mrs. Clive" Serene greeted her camly.

But Mary looked absolutely pissed. Her whole face red with anger and she is breathing fire.

"You bitch, I heard that you wanted to break up with my son. What do you think of yourself? You are a pathetic orphan who has no family or kin. Its my son's kindness that he readily accepted you. How dare you discard his kindness like this?" she demanded angrily, successfully gaining all the attention from everyone around. Staff, patients, now everyone is waiting for the showdown between both the woman.

But Serene doesn't want to downgrade herself to Mary's level. She didn't shout or cried at the face of Mary's insults.

"Mrs. Clive, you always thought that I am not worthy of your son. You are right. How i can be worthy of a cheater? He was kissing another girl in broad day light cheating on me. Ofcourse i cannot compare myself to the likes of him. That's why I broke up with him. This a hospital. Not your house. Insulting a doctor on duty and creating nuisance here can earn you a few days in prison. If you don't want someone to call the cops, I suggest you to leave" Serene said camly and gracefully.

Mary is so angry at Serene's words, she wanted to slap Serene. In the last two years, Serene always tolerated Mary for Boris. Now that her relationship with Boris is no longer exists, she doesn't want to allow Mary to keep insulting her like this.

"How dare you" Mary raised her hand to slap Serene, but a couple of security guards came at that moment to drag Mary away. Serene instantly recognized those men. They were no ordinary guards, they are His men.

She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. It looked as if He always had his eyes on her. But its her who believed that she was hiding.

After a long day in the hospital, one of His men approached Serene. He is His right hand man, Arthur.

"Miss Rivera, boss instructed me to assist you to pick up your engagement ring. Mr. Rivera has announced your engagement in two weeks" Arthur, a man in late twenties informed Serene. Arthur's face is as blank as his Boss's.

If she could help it, Serene wanted to run away again. But she is no fool. There is no where in this where she can hide from Dante Volcov. If she marries him obediently, atleast he wouldn't torture her like Alexander did. She knows that marriages in their world are no fairytale. Its true the weddings and the celebration would definitely look no less than a fairytale. But its a facade to keep up appearances.

"I want to talk to him once" Serene gathered her courage to place her request.

Arthur hesitated briefly before he fired a text. His mobile started ringing soon after. Arthur handed her his mobile before leaving, giving her space. She felt glad that he didn't stood there waiting to witness how she is going to embarrass herself.

"Dante" she answered the call and greeted him camly, trying to hide her fear.

"I don't have much time. What do you want?" Danted demanded, coming straight to the point.

She cleared her throat before she started speaking.

"I know i am in no position to make demands. But still, I want a promise from you before I went to pick our engagement ring" she spoke up.

A brief silence passed before he spoke again.

"Not bad princess. I thought you are spineless. Looks like you finally have grown some backbone. Alexander would be pissed" he murmured casually, as if he is not insulting her. She ignored his taunt.

"We are not talking about my father" she reminded him softly.

He chuckled darkly.

"Intresting, what do you want?" he inquired with a hint of curiosity, but his tone still as cold as artic.

She gulped audibly, preparing herself for what she was about to ask him.

"After our engagement, I promise to be loyal to you, I want the same from you" she requested. She might still survive marrying a man like Dante, but if he makes a joke of their marriage by bringing another woman, then that would be her breaking point.

"You have a deal. But don't regret it" he replied before the line went dead.

She is not a day dreamer. She knows that men in their world has countless women apart ftom their wife. She knows she is willingly offering herself to Dante, but she is trying to make the best of her situation.

As if summoned, Arthur appeared a second later.

"Miss, this way" he extended his palm urging her to move.

....

In a high end shopping mall, Arthur escorted Serene to a jewelry store on the top floor. This jewelry store is known for its limited edition expensive jewelry. She is used to luxury, because Alexander loved showing her off. Her closet used to be filled with designer stuff, and limited edition jewelry. But her heart, it always used to be in pain feeling lonely lost.

"Miss, I need to make a call. Please feel free to choose whatever you want" Arthur encouraged her before he walked out.

Serene was walking around the store looking at the rings. One particular ring caught her eye. That ring has an oval shaped diamond in the middle surrounded by several smaller ones. It looked simple among the others, and she liked it.

"Can you show me that one" Serene pointed at the ring.

"I am buying it. Pack it for me" a familiar voice rang loudly, making Serene became stiff.