The thug chose to listen to Serenity and gave Carrie a call. Serenity told the bodyguards to prop him up for the call. The thug would be panting for air while prostrating and talking at the same time. Carrie was urged by her mother to call the thugs when the call came in. She happily told her mother, “They’re calling, Mom! They’re calling! I bet they finished the job.” She eagerly took the call. “Ms. Jones, we trashed the woman’s car and beat her up. She’s knocked out cold but still breathing. She’s not dead. Hurry up and make the final payment. We want to leave Wiltspoon now.” “It’s good that you didn’t kill her. Snap a photo. I need to be sure that you finished the task before I can pay you.” “We really beat her up real bad. We left the scene immediately since she was bleeding. How could we possibly have stayed for a photo? Hurry up and pay up. We need to run away.” “Are you sure you hit the right woman?” Carrie was not scared at all when she heard Serenity was mangled,
“I’m fine, Zachary. My car was smashed. That’s all.” The thugs were bashing her car by the time Serenity got out. She and the two bodyguards quickly subdued the perpetrators, but it was too late for the car. Zachary glanced at the smashed car and remarked, “All that matters is that you’re safe. We can always replace the car.” “But you gave me this car.” “I gave you one on Valentine’s Day too. You can drive that and send this one for repairs.” Serenity replied, “I prefer the car brand I have right now.” It was discreet. Zachary said, “I’ll take you to get a new car of the same brand tomorrow.” She had a thing against showing off and parading her riches as the wife of the richest man. Zachary was happy to meet her standard and lifestyle. He would do anything to please her so long as he was in the picture. “Did you manage to get who is behind this?” Zachary’s question was meant for his bodyguards. “It’s Carrie,” Serenity answered. Since everybody here had not met C
Carrie simply got cocky and carried away that she forgot to delete the call history that included the recorded call. Zachary and his wife left the rest to the police. Back home, Zachary clung to Serenity. He went everywhere she went. He was her shadow when Serenity grabbed her pajamas to go to the bathroom. “Zachary, Mr. York, just tell me what’s on your mind. We’re a married couple. You can be straight with me about anything.” Serenity stopped at the bathroom door and leaned against the door frame before giving Zachary an amused look. “You’ve become my shadow since we got back from giving our statements. You’re following me wherever I go.” “Seren, please don’t leave home without a bodyguard. I’ll assign four bodyguards to keep you safe on a shift rotation, 24/7. I can promise you that they’ll only report to me if you encounter danger. They won’t be there to spy on you.“I know you can fight, but what if a professional is hired next time? You’ll get hurt.” Zachary’s mind
“Seren, don’t put the pressure on yourself. We’re only taking preventive measures. Besides, people in our circle often go around with security detail. No one will be caught dead without one.” Serenity blamed herself. “I’m concerned that the Newmans will get back at me through my sister and Sonny.” However, she did not regret helping Camryn. Carrie went too far. “It won’t happen. Don’t worry. I’m here for you. Besides, your sister rented the shop from Duncan. Duncan is pretty responsible as a landlord. He won’t let his tenants get into that kind of situation. Heck, he owns the commercial space of half the street. He has never had a problem.” Duncan had been on the other side of the law before. Even though Duncan had turned away from the dark side, he was still on good terms with many people from his past. No one would stir trouble on his turf. Plus, Duncan was fond of Sonny. Duncan would not sit by and watch if anybody were to lay a finger on Sonny. “The only people with
Josh uttered with a smile, “You’re not the Zachary I know anymore. I can’t believe you said that to Mr. Moe.” “Seren was stopped in the middle of the road, and her car was trashed when she was on her way home.” Josh was intrigued. “Who’s the fool to block the missus’s car? I bet the person is in the hospital right now.” Zachary was caught between tears and laughter. “I’ll get someone on the case right now.” “It’s fine. I know who it is.” “Who?” Curious, Josh asked. He was nosy, and gossip was his game. His imagination wandered to great heights. “Was it your admirer?” Zachary replied, “Yours, actually.” He added peevishly. “It’s Ms. Carrie of the Newman family.” It did not take long for Josh to find out who Zachary was talking about. Josh uttered, “Ms. Carrie must have it in for the missus. Mr. Newman apologized not too long ago, and here his precious daughter was at it again. “Was she arrested?” “We called the cops on her. She’s been detained since we have evidence
Serenity had no idea that her man had everything sorted out while she was enjoying a good soak. She came out of the bathroom and found Zachary sitting on the bed. Drawing close, she wrapped her arms around the nape of his neck and pressed him onto the mattress. She was on top of him. “Honey, you’re killing me.” Zachary’s voice was raspy when he hinted at his beloved wife. With a smile, Serenity brushed her lips along his face and gave him butterfly kisses before rolling away from him. She gave him a kick. “Off to the showers, you go. You smell of cigarettes.” “I didn’t smoke.” “Well, someone did. You got the cigarette smell on your clothes.” Zachary took a whiff of his clothes. Nothing smelled like tobacco. Nevertheless, it must be true since his wife said so. He went to take a shower and changed into a fresh set of clothes. By the time he came out, Serenity was snoozing away in dreamland. Zachary stared at her serene face, feeling envious of her sometimes. Serenity
Serenity and Zachary were an old married couple now. A while later, Serenity emerged from the bedroom and watched as Grandma May kept up the act of rummaging for her non-existence reading glasses. Serenity uttered, “Never mind if you can’t find them, Nana. I’ll go with you to get another pair of glasses later.” “Alright. I’ll stop looking then. I’m getting old. My memory isn’t as good anymore. I remember putting them here, but I can’t find them now. Maybe the glasses grew a pair of legs and ran off.” Serenity replied with a smile, “Maybe they grew a pair of wings and flew away like a butterfly.” Grandma May thought it was a shame. “Oh, I didn’t get to see them flying away like a butterfly.” Serenity was amused by the old lady’s antics. “When did you come home last night, Nana?” “I was back before you were. I went to bed early last night. I don’t know what time you guys came home last night.” Although Serenity was skeptical of Grandma May’s answer, she left the conversat
Sonny was pretty well-behaved, but he was less than three years old after all. He had a cheeky side to him. Hank took Sonny to a nearby park the other day, and the playful and active child ran everywhere. Sonny would wander off far away if Hank took his eyes off the boy for one second. It frightened Hank as he thought he had lost his child. Since then, Hank did not want to take his son out anymore. In fact, the first time they went to the park together was because Hank ran out of excuses not to go. Sonny sensibly asked, “Oh. Do you need to work?” Hank lied, “Yeah. I need to work and make money.” He still had no luck in the job department. Since it appeared Liberty was doing well with her business, it got Hank into thinking of setting up a business with Jessica after the wedding. They could be their own boss.Without needing to take orders from other people, they could work on their own schedule. Would Zachary come after him if Hank were to set up a business though?