Chapter 3

Gerald stared at the approaching mansion, his mood getting worse by the second. The week he used to escape and done nothing to remove the anger from his heart and now he had to face it again. Taking in a deep breath, he tried to hide as much displeasure as he could possibly do.

Serena spotted his carriage the moment it drove him and stood up from the garden she was tending. Hurriedly cleaning her hands, she hurried towards the chariot, the joy in her heart immeasurable. A smile had worked it's way on her face, making her look radiant. For a moment, she forgot she was supposed to look cool and collected.

Gerald saw the look on Serena's face and all of a sudden began he struggling to remember why he was angry in the first place. Was she happy to see him? A man could hope. He descended from the carriage, and the butler bowed in greeting, taking the briefcase from him and walking into the house.

" Welcome back. How was your trip?" Serena asked, breathless. Gerald ignored the question, staring at her. Her hair slightly disheveled by the wind, a few tendrils had blown out, sticking on her face. A slight tan was evident on her skin, making her appear brazen. The smile was still there and her eyes were still shining. Gerald wanted to kiss her senseless. Fake. He told himself. It was all fake.

" Fine." Was all he muttered. Tearing his gaze from her face, it let drop to her hands. He immediately frowned. " Why are your hands dirty?" He asked.

Serena glanced at her hands. " Oh... I was the garden when I saw you arrive."

" You were at the garden? What were you doing there?"

Serena flushed, batting her eyelashes. " Um... Pulling out the weeds." She muttered.

" Isn't that the job of the gardener?"

" Well... He fell sick so he couldn't do it. And since I was bored I thought it was something I could do."

Gerald shrugged, not understanding why she would do that but not wanting to press any further. He began walking in and Serena followed. Occasionally he'd glance at her and catch her staring at him. Once he did, she'd blush and duck her head shyly. Gerald found it endearing.

" You need anything else?" Serena asked once they were inside.

" Nothing. I just need to rest." He replied and she nodded understandably. Climbing up the stairs, Serena called out for him, stopping him.

" What?" He asked when he turned to her.

" Your mom visited." She announced and Gerald heart skipped a beat.

" She did?"

" Yes. She asked you to see him once you get back."

" Okay.... That means I'll see her later then. " He replied. She nodded. And he turned back and walked to his room.

His mom visited, Why does she want to see him? There's only one way to find out. Go see her.

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A few hours later, Gerald was dressed to go see his mother. On his way downstairs, he saw Serena giving instructions to the maids in the household. Since he'd gotten married, she'd taken over managing the affairs in the house. And for someone who wasn't doing it all her life, she seemed really competent. A born leader, the thought crossed his mind before he could stop it.

Shaking the feeling of admiration off, he descended down the stairs. Only then did Serena look at him.

" Oh... You're already leaving for your mom's house?" She asked, coming over to him.

" Yes. " He replied as she smoothed his clothes. Looking up at him, she smiled.

" Would you like anything before you go?"

" No. I'll be fine." Moving backwards, he move around her, walking away.

" Would be back in time for dinner?" She called out, stopping him on his tracks. He turned back, a brow raised.

" Do you want me to be back for dinner?" He asked.

" Yes... I'd like it if you did." She replied rather quietly.

He mulled over it a bit before finally speaking. " I'll see about that." And with that, walked out of the house.

Serena sighed, watching him leave. At least he didn't say no.

On his way to his mother's house, Gerald wondered what it is his mother would want to talk about. His mother was always aloof with him most of the time and when he was younger, had used it to his advantage as she didn't care what he did and what he didn't, as long as he was disrespecting his family name outside. Now that he was older, he felt like his mother watched his each and every move he made.

The more he wondered, the nervous he got. His mom could be quite strict sometimes and lately she's been doing more of the latter, especially in the case of Serena. He soon arrived at his mother's house and the maids went to inform her of his presence.

Walking to the house he grew up in as a kid, he was assailed by memories. He had inherited the title and the mansion shortly after his father died so it didn't feel much of a home to him. But this did. Pictures scattered everywhere, he reminisced on his younger days, when he was freer and as a result made a lot of regrettable mistake. Gerald shook his head, trying to dislodge the memories.

" So you're here." Came the voice that sent chills down his spine. Gerald turned around and saw his mom all dressed up, a grim expression on her face. It didn't pass Gerald to know that she only smiled when Serena was in the room with him. How they got together, he has no idea.

" Mother. " He called, going over to kiss her on the cheeks. "How have you been?" He asked, straightening up.

" Hmm... I could be better." She replied perfunctorily, pulling her hands away from his.

" Serena said you requested to see me." He said. She shrugged and went over to sit, the maids immediately serving her with some refreshments. His stomach grumbled as the scent of freshly baked apple pies hit his nostrils but he didn't his mother would approve of the hunger he felt.

" Yes... I wanted to see you." She said moments later. Taking a sip of her tea, she glanced at him, a withering look her face. Gerald resisted the urge to look away.

" Well, I'm here mother. What is it you wanted to talk about?"

" Have you been avoiding Serena?" She asked and Gerald glanced at his mother, bewildered.

" What?" He found himself asking.

" I said, have you been avoiding Serena?"

" No." He lied. " Why?"

" Then why do you keep travelling to London at the first chance you get?"

Gerald opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out.

" I'm waiting for your answer Gerald." She prodded.

" I've just been really busy." He finally muttered.

" If you don't like her, just say it."

" Well I don't. " He blurted before he could stop himself. " I don't like her at all?"

" Why?"

" I don't know... Maybe because she keeps pretending to be something she's not?"

Sarah snorted, not believing the words that were coming out from Gerald's mouth. Setting her cup on the table, she looked at him. Really looked at him.

" Really? That's your reason?"

" Yes." He murmured.

" Then why didn't you get yourself your wife the time I gave you the freedom to?!"

" Well, I... " Gerald trailed off.

" Between Serena and the girls you introduced to me earlier on, who were the bigger fakes? Answer me Gerald!?" She thundered. Taking a deep breath, Sarah closed her eyes, then let it out.

" Or maybe, You're the fake one here. Because you don't really know what you want. Serena is a good girl and I will not have you disrespect her with anyone of your... Whatever it is you call them. If I hear one more time that you keep leaving your wife in that cold, big house by herself to God knows where, I'll begin to meddle in your affairs and you know what I mean when I say meddle." She threatened, her stormy eyes matching Gerald's.

" Stay at home and get to know her better. She's not fake." Standing up, she walked closer to him. " You know I want the best for you and I don't want you to get into trouble. For once in your life, just listen to me." She pleaded, her voice lacking the initial sterness.

" You can leave now. I'll call you if I ever have anything to say to you."

And with that, she walked out of the room, leaving Gerald alone and confused.

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Gerald was boiling when he arrived home. For as long since he could remember, this was the first time his mother had ever scolded him this terribly. And it was for no other reason but the fake living with him in that Mansion! Serena noticed the change of mood and immediately became worriedly. Normally, she would stay out of his way as much as possible but this time, she felt compelled to ask.

" Is something wrong?" She asked, walking towards him, her heart pounding in her chest. He didn't say anything, just kept on walking right ahead. All of a sudden he stopped, and turning to her with the most scary eyes she's ever seen.

Gripping her tightly by the arms, shaking her. " What charms to get my mother? Tell me!?" He growled, his eyes spitting fire.

Serena squirmed under his intense gaze, trying to struggle free but it was so futile as he was gripping her so tightly.

" Let me go! You're hurting me!" She yelled at him, still struggling free. Gerald only got angrier and in a swift motion, he had pinned her to nearest wall, towering above her.

Serena was beyond petrified. Her eyes as wide as saucers, she couldn't stop panicking. Was he going to hurt her?! Already she could feels her arms hurting from the way he gripped her. Tears began gathering in her eyes and her mind chose this at the perfect moment to show images of a past she was trying so hard to forget, a past that gave the scar she could never reverse, no matter how hard she tried.

In his moment of anger, Gerald caught the look. The look of fear. Cold, deep and raw. He saw the tears in her eyes and noticed one had already trickled out of her eyes. Dropping his hands as if electrocuted, he took a deep back. He had never been this violent before. What the hell happened?

Serena was shaking visibly, the fear still not gone from her eyes and she looked like she was in a trance, her lips quivering. He saw her mutter the word please and his anger disappeared into thin air. He felt the strongest pull to apologize, try to right his wrong.

Instead he cussed and running his hands through his hair in frustration, walked back to his room, slamming the door behind him. Serena dropped to her knees, crying bitterly.

Everything is down the drain again.