**Now**
"Three! Two! One! Happy New Year" the cheers, and clanking of forks against glasses as well as the fireworks that shot up in the sky made thirty-nine-year-old Hannah Morales believe that the coming year held the best wishes for her.
As she joined in, screaming 'happy new year' and hugging those closest to her, she knew in her heart of hearts that this year will be a good one. She looked up to the sky, dreamingly staring at the combustible device producing a striking display of light and loud noises that created a sparkle in her eyes."Happy new year Hannah" she whispered to herself and brought her glass of champagne to her lips. She smiled to herself, looking one last time at the display before following the small group that began walking back into the mansion. As she watched several couples smiling, some kissing as they walked back in, Hannah Morales felt her chest tight. It was such a pity that she could not experience something like this. "No, no, no. We're not doing that today. It's fucking new year Hannah. Who gives a fuck about welcoming the new year with someone? You have been doing fine all alone. You worked hard for what you wanted. You should be content with that" Hannah's friend, Rachel Fisher took her by surprise as she wondered about the beautiful illuminated common room that was part of her house.Hannah rolled her eyes"I know, but I can't help but wonder sometimes" Hannah defended. "About?" "My life and certain decisions I took" Hannah zoomed off."No, no. We're not taking an impromptu trip down memory lane. This is not the time nor the place for it" Rachel Fisher quickly spoke up before her friend could journey into her past. Given Hannah's past that she knew too well, the forty-one-year-old woman made a vow to herself to always support Hannah's choices. Which is why when Hannah told her of her plans of selling her father's business, Rachel supported her and helped her find a buyer. When Hannah told her about her need to gain back control in her, Rachel supported her, and when finally, Hannah confessed to Rachel her silly idea about wanting to open a BDSM club, Rachel stood by her. Without thinking, she gave up her job at the hospital and followed her friend to Baltimore. After all, she'd wanted to leave the small neighbourhood too. "Look, I know we've talked about it and I understand where you're coming from, but I don't think it's a good idea" she put a comforting hand on her friend's shoulders. Rachel was about to speak when her gaze landed on a young man with dark hair. "Why don't talk about this tomorrow at the club yeah? I just spotted my next boy toy for the week. In the meantime, have some fun" before Hannah could reply, Rachel walked off, leaving the older woman wondering what to do in her house.She had no idea where she was headed to. She just needed to get away from the crowd of people. She was going to take Rachel's advice. Have fun at her party and mingle with others.But for now, she needed to collect her thoughts. She walked up the large stairs leading to the hallway which had so many doors on either side. The following months when Hannah Morales moved to Baltimore were challenging. Whilst struggling to process her sudden need to dominate, she found herself trying to start up a business she had no knowledge of, whilst trying to heal from the psychical and mental pain of her past. But she had Rachel next to her. She never complained. She listened, understood and supported Hannah. On nights when Hannah would wake up at night screaming and sweating because she dreamt of him, Rachel was there. On days when Hannah would fall into depression for days, Rachel was there. There are times when Hannah Morales hated coming home. Whilst she loved spending time at her club, because she felt in charge, she couldn't stay there forever. Sometimes, she'd crash at Rachel’s house. On days when Rachel was busy or out on a trip for work, Hannah would lodge at a hotel. She knew, that after this party, her life would go back to its everyday monotony. No one could ever imagine that Hannah Morales stayed at hotels to escape the hell that was her house. Deciding to go back downstairs and make the most of tonight, Hannah walked back downstairs with more enthusiasm than she did a while back. A few persons smiled at Hannah as she walked into the crowd, and others congratulated her for throwing a bomb-ass party. She smiled back at them in gratitude, scanning the room for anyone she could have a conversation with. She spotted a mutual friend and began to walk in that direction. Hannah Morales didn't see the silhouette standing before her and bumped into them, causing the contents of their glass to spill on the other person they were talking to.At once, Hannah began apologising but her breath hitched as the silhouette before her turned with a frown on their face.Everything around Hannah faded as she look mesmerised as she took in the woman before her. The room had suddenly turned the world aflame with silver when Hannah saw her. Her Amazonian figure sat well on her wafer-thin body. She had a decanter shaped waist and her complexion had an impeccable, ochrous hue. Her pencil-thin eyebrows eased down gently to her black, beetle’s-leg eyelashes. A sculptor could not have fashioned her seraph’s ears and pixie’s nose any better.She began to speak and all Hannah could notice was her beguiling, oyster-white teeth that lit up the room. It jolted her like an electric current as Hannah had her full attention. Filed to perfection, her Venus-red fingernails clinged firmly to the glass of Champagne on her left hand, whilst her other hand swam through her glorious tumble of star beam-gold hair. Spools of it plunged around her photogenic face and hid a swan’s neck, elegant and smooth. Hannah instantly fell in love with her nebulous, sapphire eyes which were a-sparkle with the ‘joie de vivre’ as it set her heart a-thump.When unconsciously took a step closer, she noticed the young girl's scrolled ears and her elegant nose. Her oxbow lips positively drooled with goodness. Hannah Morales refused to believe that the young woman standing before her was real. To her, she looked like she was sculpted from another race. It wasn't until she felt a hand on her shoulder that she came back to herself. She yelped at being caught. Her languid eyelashes of velvet-black blinked once slowly, as if to invite her over. Hannah's gaze dropped again to her lips which were now moving but she could barely hear a thing. She blinked and when the hand that was on her shoulder gently shook her, sending shivers down her spine. "Are you okay?" the young girl's voice resonated in Hannah's ear and she found herself swooning and her legs turning to jelly O as if she was seconds away from combusting at the sound of someone's voice.------
Turns out they were headed to Phuket. Hannah had barely shaken off the exhaustion from their flight before Serenity had dragged her onto the warm sands of Phuket’s beaches. It was breathtaking; the way the golden light of the setting sun reflected off the waves, how the air smelled of salt and blooming frangipani. It was their first time here so this moment still felt new, untouched, like a dream they had yet to wake from.Hannah and Serenity walked hand-in-hand on the beach, letting the cool water kiss their feet as they strolled along the shoreline. The morning air was crisp, and the beach was almost empty, save for a few early risers. The rhythmic crashing of waves was the only sound between them, but it was enough. This was their peace.Then Hannah saw it.A beautiful setup stood just ahead of them, something that hadn’t been there yesterday. White folding chairs lined either side of a petal-strewn aisle, leading to an archway wrapped in soft fabric and adorned with fresh flowers.
The morning sun streamed through the Inn’s curtains. Hannah stretched lazily, a contented smile tugging at her lips as she turned over, expecting to find Serenity beside her. Instead, the other side of the bed was empty, slightly warm, evidence that Serenity had been there not too long ago.She sat up, rubbing her eyes, and spotted Serenity at the dresser, folding clothes and slipping them into their suitcase. Hannah’s brows knitted together in confusion.“What are you doing?” she asked, her voice thick with sleep.Serenity turned, flashing her a mischievous smile. “Packing.”Hannah frowned. “Why?”Serenity zipped up the suitcase and walked over to her, cupping Hannah’s face in her hands before pressing a soft kiss to her lips. “Because our flight leaves in an hour.”Hannah blinked. “What flight?”Serenity only smirked and kissed her again, deeper this time, her fingers tangling in Hannah’s hair. “You’ll soon find out.”Hannah wanted to protest, wanted to demand answers, but the way S
Hannah had never believed in magic, not the kind in fairytales, anyway. But the moment her lips met Serenity’s after so many weeks, she felt it, an undeniable spark that sent warmth rushing through her veins. The world outside of their embrace faded into insignificance; all that mattered was the way Serenity melted against her, how perfectly their bodies fit together, how the past seemed to dissolve into nothingness.Serenity’s lips were soft, hesitant at first as though worried that Hannah would push her away, but as Hannah deepened the kiss, she responded with equal fervor. Fingers tangled in hair, arms wrapped around each other like they were afraid to let go. A soft sigh escaped from one of them, Hannah wasn’t even sure who it was, but the sound only intensified the moment.When they finally pulled apart, breathless and dazed, they stared at each other. Serenity’s eyes were wide, shimmering with something Hannah couldn’t quite place. Relief? Gratitude? Maybe all of it. Then, as if
Serenity's breath hitched as she stared at Hannah, her mind struggling to catch up with reality. After weeks of searching, hoping, and nearly giving up, she was here. Right in front of her. For a fleeting moment, she thought she was dreaming. The world around her blurred, and it was only when her father spoke that the spell broke.Patrick leaned in, voice barely above a whisper. "I'll be waiting outside."Serenity barely registered his words, too focused on the woman before her. Hannah looked different. She looked tired, but still breathtaking. Her curly dark hair was pulled into a loose bun, her eyes shadowed with something. Serenity wasn’t sure if it was pain or hatred.Hannah, on the other hand, was overwhelmed. She hadn’t planned for this. Not today. She had just come back from her retreat, seeking a quiet moment in her childhood home before heading off to Dartmouth. Yet, here she was, standing face-to-face with the person who broke her heart. Someone she wasn’t sure she was ready
Serenity barely heard the knock at the door before it creaked open. She had been lying on her couch for what felt like hours—days, maybe. Time had blurred together into an endless loop of sleepless nights, swollen eyes, and the dull ache in her chest that refused to fade. She didn’t need to turn her head to know who it was. The worried voices, the heavy footsteps, the scent of home that clung to them—it was her parents.Her mother gasped, a sharp intake of breath that spoke volumes. “Oh, Serenity…”She rolled her eyes. “Don’t start, Mom.”Her father sat on the edge of the couch, his brows furrowed in concern. He reached for her hand, but she pulled away. She wasn’t ready for comfort. Not when the pain still sat so fresh in her chest.“You look terrible,” her mother continued, ever blunt. “When was the last time you ate? Drank some water?”Serenity exhaled sharply, forcing herself upright. The room tilted slightly, and she realized, belatedly, that she probably was dehydrated. “I’m fin
Serenity stumbled out of the red room, her bare feet hitting the cold floor of the club. The music pounded in her ears, but it was nothing compared to the hammering in her chest. Her dress hung off one shoulder, her hair was a mess, and the sting of last night’s emotions still burned through her veins. “Hannah!” Her voice cracked as she called out, scanning the dimly lit club. Faces turned, whispers started, and she could feel the judgment radiating off the crowd. But she didn’t care. “Hannah, where are you? Please, just talk to me!” The air smelled of sweat, alcohol, and regret. Serenity’s vision blurred, not just from the harsh lights, but from the panic setting in. She knew she looked desperate - hell, she was desperate. But Hannah wouldn’t just leave her, right? Not after everything they shared last night. A hand grabbed her wrist gently. “Serenity, stop.” Serenity turned, eyes wild, and met Rachel’s sympathetic gaze. “She’s gone,” Rachel said softly, her grip firm but not forc