The mountain of work that her father left occupied Serene’s time for the past months. There had been a lot of things she needed to learn and do in a short amount of time. She’s thankful that Albert had been there to assist her. Subconsciously, she thought of Justin. His business acumen would really help her this time, but just like the previous times she thought of him, she immediately buried the thought down. As much as she could, she did not want to remember him.
She massaged her back as she took a quick breather from all the documents in front of her. Albert convinced Conrad to put up a canning business as a contingency. That way, their harvest would always have a consumer and would not depend heavily on the orders from hotels and restaurants.
Since the canning business is still in its infancy, there are a lot of things that need to be esta
Justin once again stared at Serene’s picture with their children. They happily ate at a family diner in New York. He let out a sigh. The photo had been with him for the past two years. Since then, there had been no news about her or their children. Justin’s heart tightened. His children were probably four or five years old now. He had been longing to see them for the past four years.Each day and night he wondered how they were, especially Serene. Did she get married? The thought of her marrying another man was a torture he endured every day.A gentle knock on the door brought him back to reality. He put the photo back in his drawer before saying, “Come in.”When the door opened, a tall, modelesque woman came in. Anyone who saw her would describe her as sophisticated and beautiful. Anyone but
She established a gallery in Coast City two years ago. Did that mean she’s back? How could he not know about it? Justin paced the whole exhibit venue in search of a familiar figure. How he missed her. He heard his heart felt like it was beating in his ear, it felt as if it’s beating in his throat. Excitement pumped his veins as he scanned each person in the venue but after spending almost an hour of searching, he still did not find her. He’s convinced that Serene did the painting and it was not a mere random coincidence as the artist Felicity Pax explained. He looked at the gilded card on his hand. He traced it to calm his nerves and left the venue without telling his mother. He left her a message and asked for his driver to pick them up. As for him, he went straight to the airport.
It’s the weekend, and she made sure she spent it with her children. Serene had some business to do in Hyacinth Bay for Ellis Inc. for the coming week so she and the children stayed in her Hyacinth Bay villa.She brought the property a couple of months before her return. Initially, she wanted it to be a halfway home for Conrad when he traveled to Hyacinth Bay for business. However, since his stroke, she had assumed his responsibilities from their business.In the past year, their business began exploring opportunities outside of Coast City. Thus, she and her children had been living in the villa for the past year.Like Magnolia Crescent, her villa is on the outskirts of the city, away from all the noise and pollution. The property had two villas. She used one as her studio while the other was where she an
Felicity’s bright, smiling eyes looked up at Justin. The smile on her face pierced Justin’s heart. His chest tightened at the sight of her. Her smile brightened her face, removing the veil of gloom that blanketed his heart for the past five years.“Lizzy!” Serene’s stern voice made Felicity release her hold on Justin’s leg and take a step back towards her mother.“What did we talk about strangers?” Serene said, looking at her daughter’s eyes with warning.Justin felt a painful blow on his stomach from Serene’s voice. Stranger? Of all the people in the room, she knew best that he’s the child’s father. How could she carelessly say that he’s a stranger? His eyes challenged hers, but she did not budge. Fury met fury. Fire met fire.
Serene watched as the cars outside her studio left one after the other. She breathed a sigh of relief when the shadow of the last car left her line of sight.The day she had been dreading for finally came. Justin learned about her children. She had played various scenarios of this day in her head for the past five years, but she never imagined that it would be the same day she’d learn he’s already getting married.Fiancé. The word rang in her ears in a loop. The thought that he’s marrying another person bothered her. Once upon a time, she dreamed of becoming Mrs. Justin Rain, but Fate had other plans for them.They’re just meant to be part of each other’s journey, but never their ending. She smiled bitterly at the thought. She sighed one more time. Now that he’s final
Justin kicked the door to Serene’s studio. He’s glad that he did not hastily ask for this room to be repurposed. It had remained the same over the years. This had been his sanctuary and a silent witness to his struggles.He knew Serene would not easily give him a chance to be with their children. He expected that and was in fact happy that she did that, after all the wrongs he did to her, he expected her to not want him near their children.However, what he hated most was how he pushed her to Crystal. Did she really want him to build a family with somebody else? He hated Crystal even more. She just added another hurdle for him to cross. It’s hard enough to gain Serene’s forgiveness. Add to that Crystal who did nothing but flaunt that he’s her fiancé. Fiancé my ass!H
Justin learned Serene recently enrolled the twins in a play school in a mall the Lewis’s owned in Hyacinth Bay. This was also where they met Kenny, Chester’s son. He also learned that since Serene’s return two years ago, she had been leading Ellis Inc. Under her leadership, she’s able to expand their network. A proud smile left his lips. Serene’s always been sharp and hard working. Her work ethics were admirable, and it’s almost no surprise that she’s doing well in the business world.He looked at the list of establishments she’s doing business with. He sneered as his eyes went over the list. None of the establishments she dealt with had anything to do with Rain International. Apart from the businesses the Lewis’s operated, the businesses she dealt with were mostly small independent restaurants. Even the hotels she supplied their seafood for were mostly
Serene woke up early to ready her children’s belongings. They did not need to bring much, just their essentials. She needed to keep her children away from all the drama that comes with Justin coming into the picture.Yesterday, she completed all the paperwork to get her children removed from the school’s roll. She felt a little sad because she knew they had already gained friends and enjoyed being in playschool.Their flight to New York is at 5 PM. She had less than 12 hours ahead of her, but there were still loose ends she needed to clean up.While her children slept, she gave Mary an early morning call.“Hello…” the husky voice of a man answered, making Serene knit her brows.“Kurosawa?&
Serene stood in front of a closed door, holding onto her father’s arm. She felt weak on her knees and him lending his strength is all that she needed. Her heart was in her throat and her hand tightened around the bouquet she held.“Ready, love?” Conrad asked his daughter. His loving eyes looked at her. She was just a tiny baby he held before and now he’s walking her down the aisle. Recalling everything she has gone through; he felt a sense of pride rush through him. She’d grown to a strong independent woman, the best mother to the twins. He could not be prouder.They signaled for the door to be opened. Father and daughter walked down the aisle. All eyes are on them. Serene insisted on having an intimate wedding. She wanted their intimate moment shared only with people who mattered to them. Every single one of those in attendance we
Serene and Justin were co-parenting for the past six months, and it had been a bliss so far. Every Friday night, he’d have dinner with Serene and the twins at her place. After dinner, he would take the children with him. They agreed weekends were his, but he preferred to spend Sundays as a family. They would go to parks, museums, or hang out either at his place or hers. He would then drive Serene and the children back to her place at Hyacinth Bay.As for the two of them, they’re building trust at their own pace. Serene’s more open with him, although he wished she’d be more affectionate. He missed holding her and feeling her close to him.It’s Friday night. Justin would come over for dinner before driving back to his place with the twins. Serene finished cooking, but Justin has not arrived yet.
After their lunch, the group transferred to the nearby hotel. She and Justin watched their children play in the pool in silence. Her eyes soften at the sound of their laughter. It still fascinated her to see how much they’ve grown.“So, you guys back together?” Mary asked as she walked towards Serene and handed her a glass of juice.“No,” Serene answered, then sipped the beverage Mary gave.“Hm… I like to remind you, Shen, how difficult things were for you in the past,” she said, throwing a glance at Justin. He remained quiet throughout the exchange.Serene chose to not respond to Mary. She knows how hostile Mary could get, especially after what Justin did to her.Mary held her
The weekend finally came. Vivienne instructed him to go to Lewis Tower. From there, he took the helicopter going to Pines City. He could not help but sneer. He and his team focused on the airport when she used a helicopter to shuttle to and from Hyacinth Bay.Thinking alone that he’d see her and their children, he could not help but feel excited. The weekday felt like a drag for him. He wanted to fast forward the days, so it’ll be the weekend and he’d finally be able to spend time with Serene and the twins.His heart thumped in his chest as soon as his foot touched Pines City ground. His palms felt sweaty and cold. The food park occupied part of the mall’s outdoor space. It’s composed of many stalls featuring various cuisines.Vivienne welcomed him upon arrival. His eyes search the venu
Seeing her packing their things shattered his world. She’s running away again. He just had a taste of how it felt to be a part of the twins’ lives and she’s taking them away.He knew he hurt her before, but he wanted to make up for it if only she’d give her a chance. One chance to make it right and prove to her how much they mattered to him. A single chance is all he wanted.He has not asked her about it yet, but here she is packing her luggage, poised to run away again. They’ve been playing cat and mouse for such a long time, it has become tiresome. How long would it take him to find them again this time?He sat at the edge of Serene’s bed. His elbows dug into his knees while his hands held his head. With his head down, a veil of dark hair fell on either side of his face. His slu
Serene’s incoming call cut off their conversation. “Al,” Serene answered her call while getting up from her seat and walking away from the dining table. “How are the twins? Bryan told me what happened.” “They’re safe now, a little shook but safe.” “That’s good. Are you at Justin’s?” “Um…” “That’s fine, Shen. He’s the children’s father. After all these years, and all that has happened, don’t you think it’s time for the twins to know him?” “I don’t know, Al.” “Hey, it’s just my ten cents, Shen. In the end, it’s your call. By the way, if you have time, come down to Pine City. Susie tho
As their car entered his Villa, Serene felt a tug in her heart. This place contained some of her happiest and her most painful memories. She clutched Pax closer to her chest and looked at the sleeping Felicity in Justin’s arms. She looked so peaceful and at home in his arms.Jane, Justin’s helper, could not hide her surprise at the sight of Serene. Her eyes were as wide as her open jaws. It’s been years since she last saw Serene. And it was when Justin ordered her to send Serene away. It broke her heart to see her pitiful condition then. But she was a mere helper, and her master forbade her to help Serene.“Ma-Madam!” Jane could not help but cry at the sight of her. Her smile almost reached her ears.“Jane, good evening,” Serene said, smiling at Justin’s helper.
Justin picked Serene up from the hotel she stayed in. There was no longer a need to hide from him since she needed to work with him to rescue her children. She sat in the front passenger seat while he drove.Justin looked concentrated on his driving, but he’s biting the inside of his cheeks from anger. The hotel where she and her children stayed was only a couple of blocks away from Hotel Le Grande. She always hid in plain sight, it made him look stupid already.He pushed his anger aside and concentrated on the issue at hand. The kidnappers gave him the location of the meeting. It’s an abandoned warehouse near the pier. They instructed them to leave the money beside a trash can near the entrance.Justin got off the car and did exactly that. After dropping a huge duffle bag beside the trash, he walked awa
Serene’s vibrating phone cut off the staring contest between her and Justin. Her brows furrowed as she looked at the unidentified number flashing on her screen. “Hello?”“Serene Ellis” a raspy man’s voice spoke on the other end of the line. From the background, Serene could hear children crying.“Yes.” she answered, her voice trembling. Her heart tightened and the angry flush on her cheeks drained.“We have your children --”“Please, please, don’t hurt them. Don’t hurt my babies,” she whimpered. She felt her phone snatched from her hand. Justin put the phone on speaker, not making any sound. The entire room listened in silence.“We won&r