Chapter 1

(Serena's POV)

Everything seems so void. How ironic is it that I feel lonely at a bustling cafe full of patrons?

"Table three, Siri."

I looked back leisurely to meet the smiling face of my employer, Lily. She was expecting while looking at my face to see a smile but all she received from me was a nod.

I desperately wanted to give her that grin back, but I was unable because I had lost the ability to do so. The only two things that make me happy right now are watching kids play and when my one and only friend pulls some ridiculous prank.

Lily is a wonderful person and my savior.

She rushed me to the hospital where I was found lying on the chilly floor in the dead of night, unconscious and covered in blood. She took me to a hospital and afterward even gave me this job.

"This will be your last table for the day,"

When I once more heard her weak voice, I started moving toward Table 3.

She is well aware of the fact that I never stay out beyond dusk. That day, everything was altered. She is aware that I have to get home before sunset. I am too terrified to be out alone after dusk.

I moved over to table 3, where there were two business-casual-dressed males seated. No doubt they were handsome but I have seen better in the past.

It gets worse, I told myself.

I sighed and gave them one of my phony smiles before approaching them.

"Hello sir, my name is Serena, and today I will be your server. What can I get for you?" I said in a hollow voice.

To my astonishment, the taller person's tone was pleasant as he said, "I will have a black coffee." I turned to face the other man.

"And for you, sir?"

The man smirked and replied, "I would like a cold coffee along with a brownie."

I nodded and returned to the kitchen to prepare their orders. Soon, I went back to their table and served them.

They eventually left the cafe.

I returned to the table to collect the bill and noticed a small tip, which I tucked in my apron's pocket.

I returned to the staff lounge to retrieve my belongings.

"Siri." Kris, a coworker, was staring at me with anticipation when I turned around. "Uhmm... You recall I..."

I handed him a piece of paper that I had taken out of my backpack before he could finish his words.

As soon as I handed him the paper, he began to grin madly.

"Thank you. Now you wait and watch I will make the best cupcake for Shiela. The look on her face will be worth my efforts." Kris said dreamingly.

I felt astonished towards Kris. His wife, Shiela, adores the cupcake I gave her. In order to surprise her on her birthday, he decided to make the cupcakes himself.

"Shiela is fortunate to be married to a man like you."

Even I were so fortunate before, I once more reasoned with myself.

After telling him this, I part ways with him and headed to my apartment in a run-down neighborhood where even the cops never showed up, but it was at least better than being homeless and living on the streets.

People tend to think that depressed individuals isolate themselves and avoid social interaction. However, that is only partially true because a depressed person constantly talks to and battles his own ideas.

A battle that I always lose. Willingly or Unwillingly.

I shook my head and carried on through the New York streets. Then, two hands came down on my shoulders.

"Bo!"

I recoiled at the contact and backed up a few paces. I waited with my eyes closed for a miracle and for the person who touched me to disappear.

"Serena, it is me, Ryle." The man's voice was gentle but deep. When I opened my eyes, Ryle was staring at me closely.

I exhaled a sigh of relief and swallowed my unshed tears. As I feared that the man might be one of those monsters.

He approached me slowly before hugging me.

I nodded and he added softly, "It's okay, Siri. I'm here and I won't let anyone hurt you."

He is the only one who is completely familiar with my past. Lily only knows the fact that some creatures tore my soul to bits. I've met Ryle few weeks after I moved here in this neighborhood. He was so nice to me and helping me when I'm in needed of his hands.

"What brings you here?" I asked him after I broke free of his hug.

He placed a packet in my hands, "Your medicines."

My chest constricted with shame as I cast a glance down at the package and remembered the money he had to spend on my medications.

"You didn't need to do that for me. I should have managed." I remarked in a low voice.

However, I was aware that I couldn't have managed. It is so tough.

"Hush puppy. Just take these pills." He said jokingly.

"Thank you,"

"Now, I need to go, or my dearest mother will kill me," Ryle said as he ran down the street not before kissing my cheek.

I looked at his retreating figure and then continued down the street. Soon, I was covered in small crystals that had fallen from above.

I kept walking toward my house even though it started to rain heavily, since I adore everything about rain. And as I proceeded to walk down the street, thoughts of my joyful past began to flood my head.

---

"Serena, my love, please let's go back home. You are going to catch a cold." Marcus begged for the thousandth time. It was always funny to see a ruthless man pleading with you.

I continued to dance in the rain, yelling, "No!" I always get sick after playing in the rain, but it doesn't stop me from loving rain so much.

"Mi amore, please."

When I turned around, my husband was standing beneath the umbrella. I grinned in my head.

"Marcus, I am under the rain after for so long. At least I should enjoy this one." I begged Marcus to let me enjoy this rain since it had been so long since I had experienced it, but the obstinate guy shook his head. Marcus had never enjoyed the concept of getting wet in the rain.

"It's time for plan B," I muttered to myself before I gathered a few drops of water in my hand.

"Do you think it is the smartest idea, Mrs. Serena Walton? Your hands are too small," He teased and I just nodded.

I quickly flung the water in his direction, but he quickly positioned his umbrella in front of him to shield himself, utterly oblivious to the fact that it was pouring. Soon, he was soaked by the rain that was coming down over his head.

I laughed as soon as he realized what was going on.

"See, my plan worked," I said, chuckling.

Marcus pointed at me and said, "You." He had a look in his eyes that said, 'You will regret it.'

I was running bare feet in the rain with him following me.

He finally caught me after three minutes, but I couldn't stop giggling.

He laughed himself as he cast a downward glance at me. "Guess I am not that smart," He remarked before he pressed a chilly kiss on my damp forehead.

---

As I reflected on those recollections, I sighed. But that was the past, and it will never return because Serena the person before has changed, and I will never be able to forgive Marcus for what he did to me.

My crumbling apartment soon came into view, with booze bottles scattered across the street. As I walked down the street, I picked up the pace.

This was one of those locations where killings frequently occur, where drugs are freely peddled, and where the police never patrol. However, it is the only location I can afford, not because my waitressing job pays me less, but rather because my medical care costs a lot of money.

I soon arrived at my apartment and began moving toward the second floor, where my house was located.

As soon as I got to my floor, my eyes locked with the man who had the nicest pair of blue eyes in the entire world.

"Mi Amore."