A week had come and gone since the disastrous diner incident. Serenah had spent the current week in a daze. Amanah continued to harass her. She could see Romeo's frustration at being unable to fully protect her from her sister's machinations. She went home every day and cried out her stress in the privacy of her bedroom. It was the only place that seemed to be a safe zone from her sister's evil intentions. She knew Lael was worried. There wasn't anything she could do about the situation. Her sister always got what she wanted.
She hated being miserable. She glanced down at her planner. It was once again Friday. Today, however, was a bit special. This evening was the scheduled dinner with Romeo, Romeo's father, her father, and herself. She knew that her sister had tried to get invited but was refused by Romeo's father. In fact, Romeo's father had threatened not to come to the dinner if her sister was present. Serenah could only imagine how that conversation had gone between her sibling and father.
It didn't matter. She was tense just thinking about how the dinner might go. Her father's mercurial moods kept her walking on eggshells. She didn't want to be punished. She prayed to Autem that the dinner would be peaceful and uneventful. She deserved a break.
"Sera?"
She flinched when she heard a snapping next to her ear. She turned her head and stared at a frowning Romeo.
"Um, yes?"
"Where were you?"
"Huh? I'm here."
Romeo chuckled and she blushed when she realized what she'd said.
"Oh, sorry. I mean, I'm listening."
He stroked her cheek and she blushed again at his touch.
"Sera, it'll be alright. I'll be there and so will my dad. I'm sure your father won't do anything crazy this evening."
She only hoped he was right. She pasted a smile on her face. She needed him to believe everything was fine.
"You're right. It'll work out." She knew she didn't sound convincing. Autem, grant me strength tonight, she prayed.
Soon, school was over and she went home to get ready for the evening dinner. She chose to wear a simple short-sleeved, knee-length violet dress with matching heels. Lael did her hair in a simple French braid that draped over her left shoulder. She applied a light lip gloss. She refused to overdress like her twin often did.
"You look beautiful, My Lady."
"Thanks, Lael," she whispered, grabbing the matching purse, and sliding her cell into it. She jumped at the loud knock.
Lael answered the door and stepped aside to let one of her father's servants into the room.
"Your Highness, His Majesty is waiting for you in the garage."
"Understood. Bye Lael," Serenah said and followed the servant to the garage. She spotted her father in a three-piece suit, his gaze assessing as he gave her a once-over.
She tried not to fidget. She was not going to provoke her father tonight. She let out a shaky breath once he turned his attention to the driver. She moved to get in the car and let out a yelp when her father grabbed her. He slammed her against the car. Her eyes flew to his face and she froze.
He got in her face and she whimpered.
"You will be seen and not heard. This dinner is for me. You are just a tool. If you don't fulfill your function, I will break you. Do not test me, Serenah. I have no problem making you bleed."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
He squeezed her arms in a bruising grip until tears dripped from her eyes. He released her.
"Get in."
She hastily slid inside, keeping her head lowered. She didn't want to let him see her tears. It might prompt more violence from her father. The drive took forever but finally, they arrived. She took a fortifying breath and got out of the car. She looked at the elegant restaurant, Johnny's Story, a locally owned high-end fine dining restaurant.
It was beautiful and she smiled. She could feel Romeo through her mark. He was happy and waiting for her. She smiled. Even though she'd seen him at school, she couldn't wait to be with him again. She was yanked from her thoughts by her father's crushing grip on her left wrist.
She couldn't stop the hurt yelp that left her mouth. He squeezed harder and she clamped her mouth shut.
"Remember, Serenah. Seen, not heard."
She frantically nodded her understanding. He squeezed hard one more time and let go. She cradled her wrist to her chest. The throbbing almost pulled tears from her eyes. She fought them back. She didn't want more pain. Silently, she followed behind her father. She saw the bruises forming on her wrist and on her arms. She cursed the fact she'd forgotten to bring a jacket. She hadn't thought he would leave visible marks on her.
She was so embarrassed by the bruises. What would Romeo and his father think when they saw it? Would they say something? She hoped not. It would make her father angry with her, even though he was the cause of the bruises. Anxiety filled her. Would she be able to last through this dinner? She didn't know. She had to find a way or suffer the consequences.
"Sera!"
She looked up and saw a smiling Romeo coming toward them. Her heart thumped in her chest and she smiled back at him. She didn't move from behind her father. That would invite punishment. Her eyes stayed on Romeo. He came to a halt before them. He nodded at her father.
"Mr. Holland, thank you for coming."
"I appreciate the invite. Always happy to meet with fellow community leaders."
Serenah heard the undertone of her father's words. He poked at Romeo's father's reputation as a fair man. She felt bile rise in her throat. Her father was in predator mode. His goal was to come out on top. She hated the position she'd put Romeo and his father in. She had to make it up to them somehow. Right now, she needed to focus.
Romeo stepped to the side and held out his hand. Sera stared at him, not understanding what he was doing.
"Shall we, Sera?"
She blinked and sneaked a glance at her father. His fake smile was in place. Taking a chance, she slid her hand into Romeo's.
Romeo took them toward the back where his father was seated. Mr. Lancaster stood with a grin.
"Sera! Glad you and your father could make it."
"Good evening, Mr. Lancaster," she quietly replied. She could feel her father's gaze on her. The heat of it scared her. Was he angry? She wasn't doing anything wrong, though.
"Good evening, Mr. Holland. Thank you and your daughter for joining me and my son this evening," said Mr. Lancaster as he extended his hand and shook her father's.
"It is a pleasure to be here. I've been trying to catch you for a while now but life seems to keep us both busy."
Mr. Lancaster laughed. "True. Please have a seat."
"Sera, here," her father ordered, pulling out a chair for her to sit.
Reluctantly she let go of Romeo's hand and sat. Before anyone could object, her father slid into the chair beside her. Serenah saw Romeo's frown before he schooled his features and sat across from her. His father sat next to him. Their fathers talked for another moment before pausing when a waitress came over.
"Good evening, everyone. Welcome to Johnny's Story. What can I get you to drink tonight?"
"I'll take a Sprite," Romeo said.
"I'll take a Coke," Mr. Lancaster ordered.
Sera started to give her drink but froze at her father's look. She dropped her head and listened as he ordered Coke for both of them. She didn't like Coke. She'd rather have Dr. Pepper or even water. She would have to make herself drink it. She couldn't afford the consequences if she didn't drink it.
"Sera, are you alright with Coke?"
She tensed. She knew Romeo was only trying to help. "Yes, I'm fine," she murmured.
Through her mark, she felt his disbelief. She risked a glance in Romeo's direction. He was frowning. She fully looked at him. "Coke is fine," she insisted.
"Okay," Romeo agreed.
"Mr. Holland, I'm glad we could have dinner together. I just wanted to say how impressed I am with your daughter."
"Before we continue, let's dispense with the formalities. You can call me Ben," her father said warmly to Mr. Lancaster.
"I like that idea. You can call me Mark. And, of course, you know my son, Romeo."
"Indeed, my daughter has spoken highly of him."
"My son has done the same about Sera. When I met her in person, I understood why."
"Is that so? Good to hear," her father replied.
Serenah started to sweat. She could hear the irritated undertone of his words. She needed to change the subject but her father had told her to be seen, not heard. She fretted over what to do. She was saved by the waitress's return with their drinks. Their fathers placed an appetizer order and resumed talking.
"As I was saying, I am impressed with Sera."
"Really? What has my daughter done to earn such praise from you?"
"I'll explain if you don't mind," Romeo chimed in.
Sera sensed her father's anger. He wasn't happy at the attention she was getting.
"Sure, young man. I'm all ears."
"Well, for starters, she's ranked high in our class rankings."
Serenah blinked and stared. What was Romeo even saying right now?
Romeo chuckled. "Sera, you looked surprised. Did you not know?"
"I don't understand what you mean. Class rankings?"
"Yes. Each letter grade is assigned points. For example, an A is worth four points, a B is three points, and so on. An F is worth zero points. If you take an AP or Honors class, the points are higher. An A is worth five points, a B is four points, and so forth. You are given points for each class. They are added together and then averaged to get your GPA or grade point average."
"Okay, but what does that mean for my daughter?" her father asked.
Romeo grinned. "Sera is in the top three of our senior class. Specifically, she is currently in third place."
"My son is currently in first place. I was worried that none of his peers would be a challenge for him. I'm so glad, Sera, you are pushing him to do his best."
Serenah couldn't stop a gasp from leaving her mouth. Third? She dumbly stared at Romeo and his father. How in the world was she that high in the rankings when she had missed her junior year of school? She couldn't wrap her mind around it.
"I view her as my friendly rival in education," Romeo continued with a pleased smile. "She is definitely giving me a run for my money."
She was flustered by his words. Friendly rival? Third? Oh!
"What about my sister?" she blurted out, forgetting her father's warning.
She started to ask more but the waitress's arrival with their appetizers briefly halted the conversation.
"If you are ready, I can take your orders."
"Sounds good! I'll take the number fourteen entrée with loaded baked potato and broccoli," Romeo responded and handed his menu to the waitress.
"I'll take the number ten entrée with a Caesar side salad and a bowl of the house soup special," Mr. Lancaster told her.
"I'll take the number three and my daughter will have the number five. We'll have the loaded potato and side salad for the sides," her father ordered and handed the menus to the waitress.
"The food should be out in about fifteen minutes," the waitress explained before leaving to place their order.
Once the waitress was gone, Serenah glanced at Romeo. "What place is my sister?" She desperately needed to know. She prayed her sister had the number two spot.
"Amy? She's in sixth place at the moment."
"What?" Surely she had heard Romeo wrong.
Her father's grunt of disbelief made her look in his direction. She saw the tic on his cheek twitch. He was getting angry! She had to change the subject. She didn't get the chance.
"Why is my oldest daughter in a lower spot?"
"It's the classes she's taking."
"Explain," her father demanded.
"Sera is in all AP and Honors classes. They carry a higher point count. That makes her GPA higher."
Serenah was stunned by Romeo's revelations. Her head swam with many thoughts. This was not how she envisioned this dinner going. Any other time the news that she was so high in the rankings would make her happy. But not today. Today it would get her in trouble. She could feel it.
"Sera, you should be proud of your ranking. If you maintain your grades, you could surpass my son. I would truly enjoy seeing that!" chortled Mr. Lancaster.
She opened her mouth to respond but instead yelped. She doubled over for a second the pain in her right side overriding her thoughts.
"Sera!"
She gasped and blurted out, "Bathroom!" Sera slid from her seat and rushed toward the back of the restaurant where the bathrooms were located. Her only thought: escape the table and her father.