Chapter 1

Serena’s POV 

I slid a silk dress off the rack and handed it to the sales attendant without looking at the price tag.

“That one too,” I said, pointing at the sequenced gown. “Wait. Take the bolts by the window. Oh Good heavens, no, take that skirt away. It's ugly.”

The attendant nodded, her arms already full. My bodyguard followed me, his expression blank while he helped the attendant. 

I wasn't in a hurry. This was my life. After three more stores and fifteen bags, I swiped my card without flinching. 

The girl at the counter repeated her usual dialogue. “Thanks for shopping with us today, Miss Serena.”

I gave her my usual polite smile and walked out of the store, heading for my car. 

Shopping was therapy for me. I was twenty three, young, rich, beautiful with a father that loved to spoil me. What more could a girl ask for?  

“Let's go home,” I ordered, taking off my glasses and sipping my cup of cappuccino as the bodyguard nodded and slipped in beside me after putting all the bags in the trunk as gently as possible because I had made it clear I didn't want it ruined for the hundredth time. 

It was expensive and I didn't spend eight thousand Euros to have them ruined. 

The car's engine started and I leaned back, scrolling through my phone, barely glancing at the window as we drove. 

I dropped my phone and stepped out of the car the second the car got to the mansion’s gate and I immediately felt something was off. 

All the maids and workers were outside which was very unusual. We weren't expecting any guests or did Dad forget to tell me? 

They looked down, hiding their faces and some started murmuring. I felt uneasy and walked towards them. 

“Welcome, Miss Serena,” they all greeted. 

I had enough. “What is going on? Why are you all out?” I asked, looking at them. They exchanged glances and I lost it. “Can you all raise your heads?” 

They obeyed and that's when I saw it. The sadness in their eyes. They had never looked like that before. 

Yet, no one would tell me what was wrong. I wasn't harsh to them. I had never been. Dad forbade it. He always believed workers and employees were equals. 

“Is someone going to say anything?” I asked, and finally the oldest maid, Maria stepped forward. 

Her hands were shaking, and she clutched her apron like it was keeping her from falling apart. 

“Miss Serena…we…there’s been…an accident,” she stuttered. 

“Accident? What kind of accident?” My voice was low and shaky. 

Maria’s lips trembled as she spoke. “It's your father, dear.” 

My heart skipped a beat when she said my father, but I remained still, letting her finish. 

“He was in a car crash...on his way back from Milan.”

“No,” I gasped. “T…that can't be. N…not my father.”

“I’m sorry, Miss,” she said, lowering her head. “He didn't make it.”

I froze. A loud sound echoed in my ears and I shook. My legs wobbled and I couldn't hold myself up. I felt my chest tightened and I couldn't breath. 

The coffee fell from my hand and splashed on the floor. I swallowed but my throat felt dry. She was lying. She had to. He couldn't die. He couldn't leave me all alone in this world. 

“He….my f.. father is…” I breathed and my vision turned blurry, then all I saw was darkness. 

~

I groaned, moving my head and slowly opened my eyes. I felt weak, but still sat up in my bed. 

Uncle Gabriel sat beside me and he quickly rushed to help me. “Easy, dear. You hit your head.”

Then it came rushing back and I started to cry. He hugged me and kissed my forehead. “It's okay, darling.”

“It's not true. Tell me it's not true,” I begged but no matter how I repeated it. It didn't change the fact that my father was gone. 

The next few days went by quickly but I still felt the same. Uncle Gabriel was there to help me through it. 

And Dad's funeral finally came. I stared at his portrait like a lifeless human wishing I had done a lot of things and kissed him one last time. 

I was deaf to the world around me and didn't notice the people passing by after saying their condolences. 

The priest's words drowned in my ears, and I felt empty just like the black dress I wore. 

“Come on, sweetie. Let's go home,” Uncle Gabriel whispered to me and I followed like a zombie with no strength. 

~

A Week Later:

I was reading the financial reports from Dad's company and noticed a lot of wiring calculations. Some money was missing from the ledger's account. I reached for my phone to call the secretary when my door burst open. 

My bodyguard entered, panting and he looked very disturbed. “Miss, you need to leave.”

“Why?” I asked, but didn't get the answer as a loud gunshot rang and I flinched. 

“Please, follow me,” he said, and I instantly rushed to his side. But we barely took a step when we heard footsteps coming towards the door. 

“Stay behind me,” he muttered, pushing me behind him and the footsteps stopped at my door’s entrance. 

I peeked from his shoulder and saw three men walk in, holding guns and my heart thumped fast. 

The man in the middle noticed me and he smirked. “Kill him,” he ordered. 

They couldn't. He didn't do anything wrong. I couldn't let this happen. Not on my watch. 

I jumped out, and screamed. “Don’t shoot, please.” 

They hesitated and the other two walked towards my bodyguard. They attacked and he fought but he got knocked out with the butt of the gun. 

I swallowed, watching the middle man turn his gun at me. “Hello, Serena.”

I stepped back, shaking like a leaf. How did he know my name? Oh, Lord. I was going to die.