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.The sleek black car glided to a stop in front of the Royal hotel, its grandeur and sophistication standing out like a beacon amidst the chaotic cityscape outside."Where on earth have you been?" Kate's voice pierced the silence of the underground parking lot, a mix of worry and frustration lacing her words as they reverberated off the cold, unforgiving concrete walls.Serena could barely register her friend's outrage as she scrambled to restore some semblance of order to her disarrayed appearance. She frantically tried to smooth out the wrinkles in her dress and fix her tousled hair under the faint glow of the car's interior light.Serena practically catapulted herself out of the vehicle without any grace or poise, her high heels teetering dangerously on the edge of stability."Serena! You can't just vanish into thin air like that! We meticulously planned everything," Kate scolded, a mixture of concern and annoyance tingeing her voice with an edge.Serena met Kate's gaze head-on, defi
Serena had been on edge the entire journey to the Royal Hotel, her mind racing with thoughts of what was to come. But as she stepped into the lobby, a sense of calm washed over her.The opulence of the surroundings was overwhelming, but she knew she belonged here. She was meant to be among the elite, the best of the best.The red carpet stretched before her, a vivid contrast to the stark white of the walls and floor.Cameras flashed, the sound like gunfire in the silence of the room. People bustled about, their excited chatter filling the air.Serena felt like she was in a dream yet she knew this was reality. This was her life!With each step she took, the soft patter of her heels on the carpet mingled with the thrumming of her heart.She had learned long ago to control her emotions, to present a cool and collected exterior at all times. However, as she walked towards the grand ballroom tonight, she felt a fluttering in her chest that was impossible to ignore."You're going to knock '
Serena’s solitude was interrupted by a man, his probing eyes meeting hers. "Are you feeling nervous?" He ventured to ask.Serena responded with a soft laugh in an attempt to maintain her composed posture akin to an unyielding statue amid the jovial atmosphere around her. "Absolutely terrified," she confessed.Yet intertwined with this fear was an exhilarating thrill that pulsed through her veins, making everything so much more electrifying. It was true she had been waiting for this moment her entire life – as though all her hard work and sacrifices had led up to this one night."Indeed," he agreed before excusing himself, leaving Serena alone once again to grapple with her thoughts.She allowed herself to experience a fleeting moment of vulnerability as the pressure of expectation weighed heavily on her shoulders. Nevertheless, she straightened up and lifted her chin slightly, all while taking a deep breath in.This was her arena; she was its gladiator. Regardless of spectators or lac
"Remain calm! This is the police!" The bellow echoed through the hall, just as the double doors at the rear of the room exploded open with a force that caused several attendees to recoil.Serena's heart skipped a beat.The room morphed into a whirlpool of navy blue uniforms pouring in, stark against the sea of evening gowns and tuxedos.Serena’s vision narrowed on one figure walking amongst them—Alex, his eyes filled with an emotion she couldn't decipher from this distance."Serena?" A hushed voice nearby questioned, but it was swallowed by the rising cacophony of confusion enveloping her."Is this part of some performance art?" A woman's voice quivered with nervous amusement but it quickly smothered as reality set in."Alex," Serena mouthed soundlessly, her grip on the trophy slackening. Fear wove its icy tendrils around her heart and her breath felt as though it was being trapped within a cage of ribs constricted with dread.What could Alex be doing here? And why was he surrounded b
Serena felt her heart pounding against her ribs, each beat echoing a painful reminder that her world—the one where she had been ascending to the peak of her dreams just moments ago was now unraveling before her eyes like a tapestry coming undone thread by thread.The urge to scream and demand answers clawed at her insides, but a suffocating pressure gripped her throat as if invisible fingers were tightening around it.“Please let me do my job, sir. The press is present and we do not want others to assume you are trying to stop an investigation because the suspect is your daughter,” the officer interjected sharply, his tone laced with malice.Serena could already foresee the direction this confrontation was taking. "Please, Dad..." Her voice wavered, barely above a whisper in a plea for calm directed both inwardly and towards him. "Let's... let's just find out what they want."She dreaded dragging him into this mess, knowing how quickly people would judge and seek faults in those they
Serena's wrists, so delicate, felt the harsh bite of the unforgiving metal handcuffs as the police officer gently ushered her into the back of the van.She glanced over her shoulder at her father, President Bolting, who stood with a calm and composed demeanor at the entrance of the prestigious Royal Hotel. Despite his stoic exterior, his eyes revealed a tumultuous mix of pain and disbelief.The van doors slammed shut, sealing Serena off from the chaos erupting outside.She drew a shuddering breath. This had to be some cruel mistake. Her, accused of murder? The absurdity of it all threatened to overwhelm her.Her trembling hands fumbled for her phone before remembering it had been confiscated as evidence.A whimper escaped her lips as the van rumbled to life, its tires crunching on the gravel drive.Outside, President Bolting watched helplessly as the van carrying his daughter disappeared around the bend.As soon as it was out of sight, he pivoted on his heel and stormed toward his lin
The people in the crowd gasped in shock as President Bolting's fist connected with Alex Montgomery's face.A hushed murmur rippled through the gathered spectators as they witnessed the leader of their nation losing his composure in such a violent display.Alex staggered back, clutching his jaw, but the smirk never left his face. In fact, it seemed to widen into a satisfied grin as he straightened and squared his shoulders, seemingly relishing in the president's loss of control.This was exactly the reaction he had been aiming to provoke.President Bolting stood heaving with fists still clenched at his sides as he glared daggers at the younger man.The once immaculate suit was now in disarray, while his perfectly styled hair was now unkempt. It was clear that Alex's taunts had shattered the carefully constructed image of composure he presented to the world.The murmurs grew louder as phone cameras began documenting the scandalous scene.President Bolting could sense the scrutiny from a
It felt as though the bustling city had turned a deaf ear to President Bolting’s pleas despite him being the most powerful man in the country. The scandal seemed to have eroded people’s faith in him, chipping away at the respect they once held for their leader.But he wouldn't let them tarnish Serena's reputation this way. He couldn't.President Bolting made a silent vow then and there - he'd bring forth the truth and vindicate his precious daughter no matter what it took.Deep within him, the middle-aged man knew it was against protocol for authorities to divulge information about ongoing investigations, especially when relatives of suspects were involved.His presidential authority didn’t exempt him from this rule. Yet, propelled by desperation and paternal love, he decided to take matters into his own hands and reach out directly to the detective leading Serena's case.President Bolting searched through his contact lists with trembling fingers and dialled a particular number.He ha