CH.7

The insistent humming of her phone jolted Serena from her tormented sleep.

She hadn't registered its presence on the bedside table earlier, so engrossed had she been in the tumultuous storm of her emotions. At first, Serena tried to dismiss the relentless ringing, but eventually capitulated when it became clear that the call was not going to cease.

She reached out a hand and plucked up the mobile device, squinting against the harsh light of the screen.

Her manager's name glared back at her. "Damn!" she muttered under her breath, pressing accept and lifting it to her ear.

An instant later, she recoiled as a shrill scream assaulted her eardrum. "Where on earth are you? The show is about to start! I've managed to delay it for two hours already but we can't wait forever for you to grace us with your presence!"

Her manager's voice was like ice water being poured over Serena's head; her eyes snapped open wide in shock. Oh no! Today was the award ceremony!

She had returned early from a tour last night with plans to bring Alex along as her date for tonight’s event. But instead, she had walked into an unanticipated disaster scene. That jerk!

Anger flared hot within Serena; she couldn't afford to miss this ceremony - not and give that koala-faced rival of hers any reason to gloat.

A quick glance at the time on her phone elicited another curse from Serena’s lips. "I’m coming! Try and stall for another half hour," she commanded before hanging up abruptly without giving her a chance to object.

In haste, she jabbed at a red button by her bed and within moments, a woman appeared in response: a middle-aged nurse with kind lines crinkling around soft brown eyes and hair streaked with silver pulled back into a neat bun.

A comforting smile graced her face, a contrast to the urgency of the situation.

"Ma’am—”

"I need a potent amnestic to dull my pain and get me on my feet! One that will last for days!" Serena interrupted, her voice sharp. Despite her current state of disarray, with tangled hair and tear-streaked cheeks, there was an undeniable allure about her.

Her eyes were a brilliant stormy grey, alight with determination and fire. Even in her distress, Serena was breathtaking.

"I’m afraid you can’t leave, miss. The doctor has ordered bed rest—" The nurse began to protest.

"I don't have time for this," Serena cut in again. "Name your price."

The nurse looked taken aback. "Ma—"

"Your price! Time is not a luxury I have right now!" Serena snapped impatiently.

She opened her banking app and handed over the phone for the nurse to fill in her details and desired amount.

"Please," she urged when the woman hesitated, perhaps on the brink of another refusal.

With a resigned sigh, the nurse relented; after all, she was being paid handsomely for something as simple as administering an amnestic. If it was what the patient wanted so desperately... who was she to refuse?

"Additionally," Serena's voice was firm yet polite as she extended her hand to receive her phone back from the middle-aged nurse. The soft beep of the payment confirmation filled the air, signaling the completion of the transaction. "I would appreciate a change of clothes, something comfortable but presentable, and if possible, an arranged ride to a destination of significance."

The nurse, with a kind smile that crinkled the corners of her eyes, nodded in understanding. She reached for her phone in her pocket, jotting down Serena's requests with meticulous care, her fingers scratching lightly against the screen.

Serena couldn't help but notice the gentle efficiency in the nurse's movements, a silent reassurance that her needs would be met with utmost attention to detail.

~Moments later~

Serena got the shot.

The potent serum seeped into her bloodstream.

She felt its effects like a tidal wave crashing against the shore. It was akin to having a lip filler, only this time it was coursing through an entirely different part of her body.

A peculiar discomfort spread within her, yet she was unyielding in her resolve to attend the event.

She pushed aside the strange sensation and summoned a chauffeur.

She scrutinized herself in the mirror, taking in her hastily put-together ensemble - no doubt chosen by the middle-aged nurse from some nondescript roadside boutique.

A sigh slipped past her lips; even amidst chaos, she radiated an undeniable grace. Her hair was disheveled, reminiscent of a raven's nest after a storm, but it framed her high cheekbones and almond-shaped eyes perfectly, enhancing her natural allure.

Serena made her way to the underground parking lot via elevator where a sleek black car awaited her.

"Take me to the Royal Hotel," she commanded crisply.

The driver acknowledged with a respectful nod and they were on their way.

Delving into her designer bag, Serena retrieved her makeup kit – an indispensable ally for impromptu touch-ups on-the-go.

She counted herself lucky for owning shares in the Royal hotel; it granted access to exclusive privileges and private spaces when required.

Swiftly typing out instructions on her phone, she messaged her stylist - standby orders for fresh attire and additional makeup supplies to salvage what remained of her look.

She couldn't risk being spotted in such disorder; every corner seemed teeming with paparazzi salivating over scandalous snapshots of Serena and her illustrious family.

A chill snaked down Serena’s spine at the thought of tomorrow's tabloids: those media scavengers had an uncanny ability for spinning truths into sensational tales.

Being born as President Walter Bolting's first daughter and stepdaughter of current Governor’s daughter didn’t shield Serena from scrutiny; it amplified every move she made into headline-worthy news in Madave - a bustling metropolis globally recognized for its fifty million inhabitants and its vibrant capital city, Star City.

Despite being born with a silver spoon in her mouth, Serena prided herself on her self-reliance. She had carved out her own niche in the industry, defiantly refusing to ride on her father's coattails.

Her accomplishments were a testament to her talent and tenacity.

Her audacious declaration of independence had initially earned her house arrest from an overprotective father.

The entertainment industry was notorious for its ruthless nature, with many stars mysteriously vanishing or meeting untimely ends.

Serena’s journey as an actress and music star had been riddled with danger and hurdles. She became the prey of every ambitious celebrity looking to ascend the ladder without any substantial backing.

Accusations that she leveraged her father’s influence were rampant, but none stung more than those from Madave’s current sweetheart, Mia Collins! Yet through it all, Serena remained steadfast and unbroken with a shining beacon of strength and determination.