(Serena's POV)When I felt the two bobby pins stuck to my hair strands, my heart suddenly lifted with the hope that I could get out of here.I've heard of this before. Why not give it a try?With the hope of making things work out, I grab the pin on my hair, bending it at a 90-degree angle, then spreading the wavy and straight ends of the bobby pin apart so that it bends at the center and looks like an L. With a trembling breath, I stick the straight end of the hairpin about one centimeter, or about 1/3 of an inch, into the keyhole of the doorknob while applying enough pressure to bend the end of the pin into a hook.I know this will take long but I hope I can successfully open this Goddamn door before Ryle arrives.My surroundings became mute as I darted with an eye, full of concentration on the doorknob.After, I guess a few minutes of turning the pin, I heard a 'click' sound from the knob.With sweat streaming down my temple, I attempted to open the door carefully while trying to

(Serena's POV)I rise up to consciousness out of a dead blank into a world that is whiter than anything I have ever seen, like a fish of the bottomless rising to the surface of dazzling air and sun. Because there was a small gap between the currents, sunlight bounced off the carpet. I could clearly hear voices chatting softly and in an official manner quite close by, almost behind my ear. I was lying on my back on the bed, ramrod straight as the blanket warm on my skin.As the two hazy figures moved in the room's corner, my vision was still a little bit fuzzy. I look around to carefully examine my surroundings. As my vision gradually improved, the gray canvas in front of me changed into a rock-walled ceiling. I looked back toward the corner, still only partially conscious, and noticed Marcus and a man in a white robe talking intently.Where am I? Probably in the hospital, Serena. I noticed how strange it was to wake up in this way. My hazy consciousness eventually vanished, and I onc

(Marcus's POV)Slamming the file folder on the table as my frustration kicks my nerves. Mr. Ortega, Lauren's father, wants to pull out his stocks in the Italy branch. If that happens, my company in Italy is at stake. All because my Uncle is doing dirty stuff behind my back. Now that I'm against his plan, he's doing these things on purpose.I'm gradually losing regard for him, and I'm worried that I might stop thinking of him as a family as a result of his disrespect for my father.Uncle Gregor is the son of my grandfather's mistress. When my father found out about him as his sibling, he gave him a position in the company as one of the Board of Directors. Which I believe was the wrong move of my father before he died.He is gradually taking over the company that my father and grandfather worked hard for. He's bribing the board of directors by taking me down and proving I lack in knowledge to run the company.My head is messed up.The stocks are losing their percentage and some of my p

(Serena's POV)Staring at his glorious face, I snap myself back to the present and to the book I am reading. We sat by the parlor, him staring out to the forest while I sat by the window, staring aimlessly at the pages laid on my lap.It's been a week since Ryle abducted me. Actually, I'm trying my best to forget that moment, also, the moment with Ryle as a precious friend. That's why I forced Marcus to take a day off. Speaking of Suzy, her father found out her staying at Marcus's house, maybe that's why Uncle Gregor is damn mad at Marcus. The morning sun is now high up in the sky, announcing mid-afternoon; the breeze has ceased, replaced by the ever-prickly warm haze. I huff, shifting my feet so that I am leaning by the window pane."Siri, what would you like to do for the rest of the day rather than spend it with your book?" I stared at him for a while as he leaned across the open doors, his head tilted to the view of the forest, as though he isn't really talking to me. I raised an

(Serena's POV)I was bored like crazy.I lay down on the floor, my thoughts and emotions in unrest. I really miss him and the way my hormones raged on, doesn't help me at all. I pulled at my hair and turn so that I am facing the balcony, the view of the beautiful Sunday morning trying to cheer me up but failing. I push myself up so that I can sit. I've been in our bed for quite an hour now after breakfast, eating my Cheerios with Nutella as I stare at the empty canvas. I couldn't seem to find the motivation to do something. All because I miss him.He is still not here. He didn't say goodbye to me yesterday morning. I know he's too busy but here I am impatiently waiting for his arrival. He didn't even bother to send me a text or call or send Suzy to my aid.I did try to call him a few times and it just directed me to his voicemail with his very sexy voice saying: 'Marcus Walton. I am quite busy at the moment, please leave a message'.It's quite disappointing that my effort in prepar