Serena's Pov
7:45am
I stood right outside the company, staring at the building with anxiousness building up inside me. The fact that he had told me that it was an offer that would make me able to stand up to Killian and others and emit a powerful aura when I'm around them made me feel a bit tensed as I was now close to the building.
“Serena, it's just going to be a meeting where all you have to do is to say yes to everything.” I encouraged myself and adjusted my clothes.
I took out my phone and checked the time.
“7:50am. "I had better hurry before I actually ran late,” I uttered, and walked into the building.
Then I walked towards the reception.
“Good morning, ma'am. "How may we help you?” One of the receptionists asked me with a bright, welcoming smile.
“I'm Serena Callaway, and I'm here to see Adrian Volkov,” I replied in a calm tone.
“Do you have an appointment with him?” She asked politely without putting down her smile.
“Yes,” I responded, and then took out my phone again to check the time.
I just had five minutes left, and I really wanted to make a good impression by keeping to time. At least, I, who was in need of his help, had to make him see I was worth whatever help he was going to render to me. I couldn't rely on just the impression I made due to the answer I gave on stage.
“Alright, ma’am. It has been confirmed. "His office is on the 79th floor, the office at the right end corner.” She informed me, still keeping up her smile.
That was really a good job they were doing here. More things to learn to make my company better when I'm able to raise one again.
I began to hasten up my steps as time was ticking by, and then the elevator I was heading to was about to close up, but fortunately for me, I was able to hurry up and swooped in.
The man who was in the elevator looked at me weirdly and I chuckled awkwardly.
“Good morning.” I greeted him and tucked a few strands of my hair behind my ear.
It was better to get that little embarrassment than to wait for the other elevator to come down to the first floor.
“I guess you're running late.” The man suddenly spoke while adjusting his watch.
I was surprised he even spoke at all because he didn't look like he was interested in doing so.
“Uhm… yeah.” I responded and checked the time again.
2 minutes left!
“Gosh. "I guess I should just give up on appearing at his office, 8am sharp.” I said under my breath.
“Well, it's okay to be late sometimes.” The man sympathized with me and the elevator opened, then he walked out.
“Not on the first day.” I spoke in a low tone with a defeated expression on my face.
Just before the elevator doors closed completely, I saw a right foot walk in and then the left. The expensive-looking black shoes sparked at the touch of light, and I moved closer to the edge of the elevator, making space for the two men who had just walked in.
“Should I say you're right on time or not?” I heard a familiar voice speak, and I immediately raised my head to look at the person whose voice was directed at me.
It was Adrian Volkov.
His dark brown hair looked shiny and well taken care of and as my eyes drifted down to his face, I noticed how charming his eyes were, his nose perfectly designed for his face, and his pink lips looking really attractive.
And oh, my. His broad chest really made his suit fit him nicely. His hands were smooth and attractive to look at, especially with the wristwatch.
“Serena Calloway?” He called to my attention, and my eyes went straight back to his.
“Uhm… Yeah. Mr. Volkov. "Sorry, I guess I was lost for a while… didn't expect to see you.” I uttered, trying to distract him from any thought that could make him think like I was admiring him.
“Call me Adrian, please. It's nice to see you this close, and your dress seems to really portray that you are here for business. I like that.”
“Thanks.” I appreciated him, lowering my eyes as I didn't like the feeling I got each time I looked into his eyes.
It felt more like he was passing an underlying message to me which was really awkward.
“I believe you have met my P. A, Ethan Woods,” he spoke, and Ethan stepped forward and smiled.
“Yes, I have.”
These two men were just charming and handsome in their own way. I never really felt flushed by any other man while I was with Killian, but I guess since he proved how an asshole he was, I've been able to see how handsome other men were.
“Alright then. So, you hold on while I and my P.A. finish up some discussion here. "Your time with me will start when we get into my office,” he said, and clicked his tongue before he turned to look at Ethan.
Ugh!
That arrogance.
Killian was the one who brought me close to bear these kinds of things, but maybe it was best he acted that way. Probably something better than the business we both had together, could come up. But it didn't mean I would forgive him for the cruelty he showed me. It didn't have to be him to do such to me.
I folded my arms and leaned close to the elevator walls, waiting for us to get to the 79th floor.
After waiting for about a few minutes, which was spent feeling excluded and throwing me back to moments when I was sought for tasks to carry out, and decisions to make for the betterment of the company, the elevator finally got to our destination.
I unfolded my arms and walked out of the elevator along with Adrian and his personal assistant. Then I walked with them to the office at the right end corner, and Ethan opened the door for both of us to go in.
Then Ethan left, and I was left with Adrian, who had this weird way of looking at me. He walked to his chair and sat down, signaling for me to sit opposite him. I walked up to the chair, pulled it out gently and took my seat, then leaned close to the comfort of the comfy chair.
“I’m guessing you don't really need to have a drink. "You're here for business, isn't it?” he asked me with a smile.
That's it!
Adrian Volkov definitely knew what he was doing. He was trampling on me, knowing that I didn't really have anything, especially as he had researched about Killian and me.
“He is a CEO and so are you.” I recalled Bella's words, and that gave me more confidence.
Although I had lost my company to Killian, but I was going to establish another one in which I am so sure of its greatness, so I didn't need to feel any less than I should.
So, I leaned closer to him with my hands on his table.
“I think getting me a glass of water, at least, should show courtesy. "After all, we're both seated for business.” I spoke, ensuring he saw my confidence not only through my words and gestures, but through my eyes.
“Hmm. Interesting. "I actually think you might be the right fit for the first step I want you to take in making your way back to that top position you desire,” he said, with a smirk.
This even made me more curious.
Serena's Pov The night was heavy with silence when I reached the old shipyard. My footsteps echoed against the cracked pavement, each sound bouncing back like a warning. The air smelled of rust, salt, and something stale, like secrets that had been buried here for too long.I kept Adrien’s cufflink in my hand, my thumb brushing over the tiny engraving as if it could give me strength. The coordinates had led me here, and every part of me screamed it was dangerous. But if Adrien had been here, then so would I.The shipyard stretched wide, filled with rusted cranes and rows of warehouses with broken windows. Shadows moved with the flicker of the dim dock lamps. My heart pounded as I slipped deeper into the maze of metal and steel.“Adrien?” I whispered into the dark, my voice shaking.But I got no answer. It was only the sound of waves crashing softly against the dock that I heard.I forced my legs to keep moving, checking every corner, every doorway. Then I froze. In the middle of a du
Serena's POVI didn’t sleep much that night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the scarred man’s face, his words about Adrien being alive, echoing in my head.Those words were both torture and hope. They kept me awake until the early hours, sitting on the bed with Adrien’s cufflink still clutched in my hand. I turned it over and over between my fingers, as if it could somehow guide me to him.The cufflink wasn’t just a piece of jewelry. Adrien was careful about details, he never wore anything ordinary. I lifted it towards the light and noticed something faint inside, so small I almost missed it.My breath hitched. It looked like tiny numbers engraved along the inner edge. I squinted, reading them out slowly.“41.3520, 2.1545.”Coordinates.My heart raced, and my eyes widened as I realized that Adrien had left me a clue.I grabbed my bag and slipped out of the hotel room, careful to check the hallway before stepping out. The memory of being chased last night still haunted me, and I co
Serena’s POV“Well, well,” he said, his voice low and rough. “Didn’t I tell you to stop searching?”My heart pounded so loud it drowned out the sound of waves slapping against the docks. I took a step back, my hand trembling, but I tried to mask my fear. “Where is he? Where’s Adrien?” I demanded of him, knowing the only thing I wanted was to see Adrien and know that he wasn't okay.The man smirked, shaking his head as if amused by my desperation. You really don’t listen, do you? He’s alive. But he’s in a place you’ll never reach.The words stabbed me in the chest. That single word, alive, gave me a flicker of hope, but it was quickly crushed by his tone.“Tell me where!” I demanded, forcing my voice to stay strong.He walked closer, boots scraping against the gravel. “Why would I?" You’re not supposed to be a part of this. Walk away, and maybe you’ll live long enough to forget.“I’ll never forget,” I uttered, gripping the cufflink tighter. “I’ll never stop looking for him.”For the
Serena's Pov I couldn’t get the note out of my head. The words kept replaying in my mind like a curse, and it was so annoying that I couldn't stop thinking about it.At first, fear gripped me so hard that I couldn’t move. My hands trembled, and my chest felt tight, like something was pressing down on me. But after sitting alone for hours, staring at that piece of paper, something changed inside me.If someone was threatening me, then it meant Adrien was really in danger. Whoever wrote that note wanted me to stay quiet, to stop asking questions. And I knew one thing about myself, which was the fact that I couldn’t do that. Not when Adrien could be out there, scared, hurt, or worse.I folded the note and tucked it into my bag. “I’m not backing down,” I whispered to myself, even though my voice shook.The woman I had met earlier had mentioned the docks. That was the only lead I had, and it felt reckless to go there at night, but what choice did I have? If Adrien had been seen there, the
Serena’s POVThe streets looked different when I stepped out this morning. People still bustled about, buying bread, drinking coffee, laughing in groups, but to me, the whole city felt heavier, darker, as if something invisible pressed down on me.I clutched Adrien’s watch inside my bag like it was a lifeline. “I’ll find you.” I whispered under my breath.My first stop was the café on the corner. Adrien and I had walked past it more than once, and I thought maybe, just maybe, someone might have seen him.The bell over the door chimed as I entered. The smell of roasted coffee beans filled the air. A young waiter wiped down a table and smiled politely at me.“Buenos días, señora. Table for one?”I shook my head quickly. “Actually, I’m looking for someone." My fiancé. He’s tall, dark hair, and usually wears black. "Did you see him here this morning?”The waiter thought for a moment, tapping the rag against his hand. “No, I don’t think so". At least not today. Maybe yesterday?”“Yesterday
Serena’s POVThe night was long and restless. I tossed and turned, staring at the ceiling, waiting for the door to open or for Adrien’s voice to break the silence, but neither came. By the time the first rays of morning light slipped through the curtains, I felt like I hadn’t slept at all. My body was heavy, but my mind was wide awake, filled with worry.I pushed the blanket aside and sat up, my throat feeling tight.“He’ll be back,” I said to myself. Even my words sounded weak in the empty room.Trying to shake off the uneasy feeling, I stood and began to move around. That was when my eyes fell on the small table near the chair. It was Adrien’s watch on it, the one he never left behind, and besides it was his wallet, neat and untouched.I froze, staring at them as if they might disappear. Adrien didn’t go anywhere without those things. He was too careful, too disciplined. If his watch and wallet were still here, then where exactly could he be?My heart began to beat fast as I picked