Chapter 5

Ten Years Later

I walk into my kitchen—well, not just my kitchen. I share it with my roommate, Marcus.

We live in a penthouse in the heart of London.

He is also my best friend. He reminds me so much of Tasha. I really miss her,but I couldn't keep in touch with her.

I wonder how she is now. How many children does she have? Did she become the real estate agent she always wanted to be?

So many thoughts, but I shut them off. Thinking about the past brings nothing but pain.

It is my past, and that is where it will remain.

"Good morning, Princess," Marcus’s deep voice says from behind me.

"Good morning, Prince Charming. I am about to make breakfast. Pancakes?" I ask.

"Sure." He smiles and walks over to the coffee machine,but kisses me on the cheek before.

For a British man, he does love coffee more than tea.

"Are you ready for your biggest breakthrough?" he asks.

"More than ready, but a little nervous," I tell him.

"That’s normal. I need to leave very early today to check out the venue before the show starts. Everything has to be perfect—Gary must take the deal," he says with determination.

"Thank you so much. I don’t know what my life would have been like if I hadn’t met you. I love you so much," I say, hugging him tightly.

"You also found me at my weakest point. You pulled me out of the dark pit and brought life back to me. I should be the one grateful," he says, kissing my forehead and hugging me tighter.

It is true. The day I met Marcus, eight years ago, he was on the verge of ending his life.

I saved him that day, and he also saved me.

Marcus is an orphan who has been through hell in life. Moving from one foster home to another, he was abused and mistreated.

The day I found him, he had been robbed by a gang. They took everything—his life savings, all he owned—leaving him with nothing.

I had just arrived in London and was looking for a cheap hotel to stay in when I found him standing on the railing of a bridge.

He jumped off. I jumped after him, rescued him, took him to the hospital, and stayed with him until he woke up. From there, we became inseparable.

We lived in a shelter in London while working and going to school. Sometimes, we slept on empty stomachs as we saved up enough to rent a place and pay our tuition.

Two years later, we were finally able to move into our own small apartment. It wasn’t big, but we made it work. We turned it into our home.

After college, I opened a small clothing shop, and Marcus started promoting it. Month after month, it became popular and well-known.

We were finally able to move into a bigger apartment and open a larger fashion house.

I told Marcus the truth about me and my kind. I warned him to stay away from me during my heat period.

At first, he thought it was ridiculous—until I shifted in front of him and let him talk to Averia, who, I must say, is stronger than ever.

We fought hard through life, battled against the odds, and now we stand at the brink of our biggest breakthrough.

"You saved me, and I am forever grateful," he says.

"You saved me too," I tell him.

I finish breakfast, and we eat together while going through the event lineup for our runway show this evening.

My dream came true—I finally became a designer and a model. Marcus is my manager.

Tonight, I am making my biggest debut, one that will secure me the most significant contract ever with Collen House, a well-known production company.

Looking back at who I was before today, I can say that I am proud of my achievements.

Ten years ago, I left home and became a lone wolf, wandering the streets of New York, homeless and met with countless misfortunes.

I worked from restaurant to restaurant, saving enough to finally leave the USA.

Two years later, I did—and here I am, living my best life.

.

"Miss Gun, over here!" the paparazzi call as cameras click and flashes go off everywhere.

I walk backstage after taking pictures to check on my models.

"Everything is ready, Serene. I’m taking the lead. Good luck," Marcus says and kisses my forehead.

He walks away and takes the stage.

I don’t know what I would do without him.

People think we are dating, but no—we’ve never even tried. He is like an older brother to me, and I am his little sister.

Besides, I know he is secretly seeing the librarian down the street.

Two hours later, the show is finally over, and I am standing with Marcus and the CEO of Collen.

"This is mind-blowing, Miss Gun. I can’t believe I didn’t notice this before. I’ll send over the contract to you, I look forward to working with you," he says, shaking my hand.

"We did it!" I tell Marcus excitedly as soon as the man walks away.

"We need to celebrate. I’ll call Hamson to make a reservation," he says.

"Well, you can call Kiara to join us," I tease, and he chokes on his drink.

I walk away before he can deny it.

.

"Cheers to us,for a good life and an even better one ahead," I say as we toast.

We ended up making a big reservation for everyone to join us.

We drank until dawn before Marcus drove us back to our penthouse.

By "we," I mean Marcus, his little Kiara fling, and me.

She is the only woman who hasn't left him, despite he temper and dismissal ways. She is good woman and I try to convince Marcus to see that,she is the only one who doesn't see me as a threat.

He made sure I was comfortable before leaving me alone in my room.

In the darkness, alone with my nightmares.

"Don’t go there. You are stronger than him now,tronger than any of them. You are safe here. We are safe here. No one can hurt us anymore," Ria says.

"I know."