2

Serenity Jones

After the incident that occurred between my Dad and me earlier, I ended up locking myself up in my room. I cried my eyes out because it was the first time my Dad raised his hand on me. 

Minutes later I got in my room, I heard him knock on my door, apologizing for what he did. He asked I open the door so we can talk but I turned a deaf ear to his request. 

I wasn't in the mood to talk to him. Realizing the company I kept striving hard to make one of the best is on the verge of crashing isn't enough but now, I have to get married to a man I know nothing about.

Minutes passed, hours passed and I got tired already sitting in my room and doing nothing. I decide to go to a bar and clear my head. I freshen up, get dressed and walk out of my room. 

I walk past my stepmom's room but suddenly stopped walking as I heard my name being mentioned. 

Janet and her devilish daughter again!

Even though I'm aware this is wrong of me yet, I end up leaning on her room door and listening to their conversation. 

"Mom, you have to help me, okay? This is our only chance to become rich! Allowing that crazy girl, Seren to end up with a wealthy man is a slap in the face to us! She will end up controlling everything and everyone in this house! Is that what you want?"

"No! But, I have no choice. Mr. Smith chooses her already. There's nothing we can do"

"Stop giving me that bullshit, Mother! You can help me! I clearly heard Dad when he said the old man has no idea who she is. I can become Serenity, mom. All it takes is to pretend to be her and that's all!" 

I shook my head as I listen to their silly conversation. It's a pity my Dad end up bringing a whole set of gold diggers into this house.

"If we do that, what about Joel? How can I convince him to switch you with his daughter? He loves his daughter so much and I'm sure, he's been finding a way to get her a good and comfortable life. This is an opportunity for him"

"That's why you're his wife, Mom! You can convince him. Besides, that witch isn't interested in the marriage proposal. Do this for me and I will change our lives completely once I become the rich man's wife. I will take you out of this wretched family... Don't you want that?"

They will never change!- I thought, shaking my head, and sauntered downstairs only to meet with my Dad, seating on one of the couches with a newspaper in his hand. 

"Seren! Finally, you're out of your room" he said, smiling at me. 

"Yes, Dad" I answered curtly. 

"Are you going out?" 

"Yes. It's a friend's birthday party and I'm invited" I lied. 

"Look Seren, I'm... I'm sorry for hitting you earlier. It wasn't my intention to do that to you but you-"

"Pissed you off" I cut him off, finishing his sentence. "I made you angry by demeaning your precious wife and her daughter with my words" 

"No, Seren! Of course, not. Look, I'm sorry okay? And I promise such will never repeat itself again" 

"It's fine, Dad. Can I leave now?" I asked. 

He smiled a little and nod his head. 

I walk away with tears already welled in my eyes.

This is what I get for not having a mother. If my mom were to be here, I'm sure Dad won't even think of treating me this way. 

I drove straight to the bar and ends up getting myself drunk. Not wanting to go home and get scolded by my Dad for getting drunk even though, I'm not a kid, I decided to call my best friend Tiara to come pick me up.

Tiara has been my best since kindergarten. We grew up and do things together. We're more like sisters than friends. Though, her parents also stay here in New York but, in another house. Tiara stays alone and sometimes, I spend days with her. 

"Oh my goodness! Seren, how comes you end up getting this drunk?" I heard her complain the moment I felt her presence beside me. I can't understand things happening around me anymore because I'm too drunk and tired. The next thing I heard was my name being mentioned before darkness took over me.

•

Next Morning

"You mean, you'll be getting married in a week?!!!!" Tiara exclaimed, surprised. 

I woke up an hour ago with a terrible headache. I'm glad she already left me a painkiller and a glass cup of water beside my bed. After taking it, I entered the bathroom, did my business, and changed into one of her dresses. Now, we're in her living room and having our breakfast. 

"Mmmm" I hummed. 

"And, you're okay with that? You don't even know this guy for goodness sake! What if, he doesn't like you too, and decides to make life a living hell for you? I mean, I've read books and watched movies like that where the male lead ends up hurting the female lead even though, they always end up falling in love with each other at the end" she rants.

"This is not a movie, Tiara. This is me! My Life!!" I hissed, rolling my eyes at her silly talk. 

"Whatever! So, what do you intend to do now? Will you escape?" 

"Tiara!!!!" I squeaked. She's a bad idea when it comes to seeking advice.

"What? It's just a mere suggestion. Besides, you don't want to marry the guy so, I'm just suggesting if you want to es-"

"No, Tiara. I'm going nowhere. I know my Dad was wrong but at the same time, his company is also on the verge of crashing. I've worked hard to lose that company to someone else's" 

"So, you're getting married? Is that it? To a man, you don't love and know anything about?" 

"I don't know yet, I'm still thinking about it " 

"We don't have much time. In a week is the wedding!" She stated, worriedly.

"I know" I answered, surprisingly in a calm tone. Just yesterday when Dad told me I'll be getting married to someone I know nothing about, I was furious but now, I don't even know what feeling I'm having inside of me.

"That reminds me, your Dad keeps calling non-stop yesterday but I didn't pick up. I sense something must be wrong and the reason why you end up getting yourself drunk. I think you should talk to him and sort things out between yourselves. He called quite a lot of times " 

I hurriedly got up and sauntered up to our room. Taking my phone, I slide to unlock it and saw 25 missed calls from my Dad.

8 missed calls from Janet.

And lastly, a threatening text from Alex. 

"Bitch! Where in the world did you disappear to? I swear, you better come back home now. If anything happens to Dad, I'm going to find you and kill you because I'm never going to forgive you for hurting him"

I swiftly grab my bag and ran out of the room in a hurry. 

I might be upset at my Dad but if anything bad happens to him because of me then, I won't forgive myself. 

I bumped into Tiara and I almost my balance but thanks to her who held me firmly from falling. "Easy girl. Is everything okay?"

"I don't know but I have to leave now. Where is my car key?" 

"In your bag. You want me to come along with you?"

"No, I will be fine. Talk to you later" I hug her briefly and rushed out of the house. Got into my car, ignite the car engine, and drove straight back home.

I walk into the house still in a worried state only to find my Dad, his wife and Alex eating, talking, and laughing at the same time. They all look so happy.

"What's going on here?" I asked, walking towards them. 

"Seren, you're here. Come on, join us" My Dad offered, smiling. 

"What in the world is going on here?! I rushed here in panic after receiving several missed calls and texts from you guys only to come and see this?" I asked in a pissed tone. 

"Several calls? What do you mean?" My dad look confused. 

"You called me, Dad! You gave me several missed calls. Alex sent me a threatening text and Janet called me too!" 

"Firstly, she's your mother. I told you countless times to stop calling her Janet but your mom and, what are you talking about? I never called you" 

"She's not my mother, Dad! She is not and will never be!" I hissed.  "You called me, I will believe these are your calls, right?" I move closer to him and showed it to him. I also show him the threatening text I got from Alex but, when they all showed me their phones, none of them called me or send me a text. 

What in the world is going on?! 

I'm not a fool, right? I'm sure I got the texts and calls from them so, what in the world is going on?

"Believe me, Dad! Alex sent me the text. She made it look like something bad happened to you because of me! I'm not lying!" 

"ENOUGH!!! Enough of your nonsense already, Serenity. I can't believe, some hours ago I regretted my actions towards you but now, seeing you display this crazy act of yours again, I didn't regret it one bit. I'm so disappointed!!!" He stated in a disappointed tone. 

"Dad please, I'm not-"

"I said, ENOUGH!! The same girl you're accusing volunteered to get married in your place. Just to make you happy, she volunteered to marry Mr Smith's grandson! Look, I need you to watch what you say about her because if you continue this way then, I will have no other choice but to disown you!"

"W... What?!!!!" Tears swiftly stream down my cheeks as he said that. 

"Yo... You did not just say that, did you?"

"You heard me correctly, Serenity. I will disown you and never look back" He said and walk away in anger.

Janet looked at me and smirked before running after him leaving behind Alex and I. 

She walk closer to me as her lip curled up in a wicked smile. "So, how was the little drama, dear sister? Did you enjoy it?" She asked as she burst into a wicked laugh. 

I wipe away my tears. "You did this, didn't you?!!" I asked through gritted teeth.

"Yes, I did... Why? You have something to say? You know, it took me a whole lot of work before I could convince your Dad to allow me to get married and you think I'm going to stay put and allow you ruin it for me? No, NEVER!"

"How could you-"

"This is a tip of an iceberg. When I'm done with you in this house, you'll regret not dying with your wretched mother" 

"You bi-!" I tried to slap her but stopped me as she hold my hand.

"If you know what's good for you, do not upset me further than this because if you do, I will make sure your precious Dad sends you out packing and, you're never going to set foot into this house again!" She threatened and left too. 

I stared at her retreating back dumbfounded and ends up slumping on the floor lazily before crying my heart out.