TWO WEEKS LATER*
Serena just finished putting on some clothes after taking her bath, she checked the time and it was just 8:30pm.
She thought of what to do before sleeping but was interrupted by the buzzing of the black private phone which made her sit on the bed before answering the call from Lucien.
"Boss" Serena muttered as she swiped green.
"I believe you're alone right now" Lucien's voice came out blunt as usual.
Serena looked around her room.
"Yes....boss" She said.
"It's been three weeks now, how is it going? Still no leads?" Lucien asked.
"Not at all, his security is too tight. My safety comes first, I can't be caught, never" Serena told him.
"That's true, but we are not going to wait forever and you know that. We have a lot of works waiting here...."
"What about others? I'm not playing here and you know that, I have to work all day just to get close to him..."
"Who cares about you getting close to him? If you can shoot him right in the face,do so and get the fuck out of there. You are the one I trust the most with my clean jobs" Lucien snapped.
"You think I won't mention your name if I get caught somehow?" Serena chuckles and stood up.
"Is that a threat?" Lucien asked.
Serena sighed.
"I'm just asking for more time, you mentioned it yourself that this is not something we can rush. Wolfe is never alone, even if he is.....there's a huge probability of me getting caught before I escape. I need a good plan before I can do a clean job, you said you don't want suspicious type of death" She explained.
"Then tell me how many weeks you need to finish off everything and return, I'm lacking patience already"
Serena bit her lip.
"Serena...."
"Two months" She mumbled with her eyes closed.
Knowing fully well that Lucien will never agree, but still...
"Then get ready to do other side jobs without complaining" Lucien said and hung up before she could open her mouth to say something else.
Serena sighed out and dropped the phone.
Of course, Lucien is like the devil,he will never grant your wish without getting something in return.
But whatever, she needs to start planning something and get the job done.
And the best way she could think of right now is giving Wolfe a very silent death, which will buy her enough time to escape even if there are securities.
The phone buzzed again and she checked, a text from Lucien.
đź’¬ Two months it is then, and you know what comes after when you don't get it done in two months.
Serena dropped the phone and sighed.
Two months is more than enough for her, even less.
She walked to the window and opened the curtain, suddenly craving for fresh breeze. She dressed up in a short and a simple top, then left the room,making sure she locked up the door.
--
Serena sighed out loudly as she began walking, everything felt so good, the breeze and also the beautiful lights. Then suddenly she saw a figure in front of her which made her pause for a second.
Wolfe, also walking with both hands in his pockets.
Serena didn't think twice before increasing her pace and caught up with him.
Wolfe turned and raised his brows, seeing her.
"You're still awake" Serena said with a little smile.
"Why are you here?" Wolfe asked.
"Fresh air" She said and inhaled.
Wolfe stared at her shortly and kept on walking.
None of them talked, just the sound of their steps, until Serena broke the silence.
"Were you this cold to the previous lady? I mean your previous personal assistant" She muttered.
"What do you think?" Wolfe asked.
"I don't know, I just want to know....you just probably don't like me right?" She glanced at him.
"I would have asked for someone else if I don't want you, and in fact I can still do it right now" Wolfe said coldly.
"Then...why are you...."
"I'm not cold to you, lock that. This is me" Wolfe cut in.
"You mean this is you.....I've never seen you smile like normal humans"
"Maybe I'm not human" He smirked.
"Like a wolf?" Serena asked and he chuckled.
"Why do you pick Wolf of all animals?" He asked.
"Your name...Wolfe..meaning...Wolf" she replied.
Wolfe nodded but didn't say anything about that again.
"Are your parents in Chicago?" He asked.
Serena shook her head.
"So, where are they?"
Serena looked at him and their eyes locked.
"I don't have parents" She said,maintaining the eyes contact.
"I'm an orphan, I've been alone since I was born, I don't even know my parents,maybe they are dead or still alive...I have no idea" She let out a soft but sad smile.
Wolfe stopped walking and face her, so she did the same.
"So...who did you grew up with?" He asked.
"You want to know everything about me don't you? That's cheating" Serena muttered.
"Let's go slow, I'm also curious about you" She added.
Wolfe nodded nonchalantly.
"Go on"
"Your parents too...."
"Dead" He replied sharply.
"Huh?" Serena blinked.
"Yeah, since I was ten" he muttered.
"Oh...sorry about that" Serena said.
"It's fine,that was a long time ago"
"You don't have any other family?"
"I do" Wolfe started walking again.
"That's cool" she followed.
"I have a brother, a granny and other family members" He told her.
"I'm jealous of you then" she bit her lip and Wolfe glanced at her.
"Whoever raised you is like your parent too" He said.
Serena nodded.
"I guess" She smiled and looked away and continue walking.
True, whoever raised you can be considered a parent, but not when he's the leader of the biggest assassin syndicate. Lucien.
Till now, she's still paying for it,because he raised her.
Wolfe stared at her for a minute before he stopped walking, Serena blinked and also faced him.
"I'm going to bed" He said very shortly.
"Goodn....." Before she finished,he already turned around and walked away.
Serena sighed and also went her own way.
--
NEXT MORNING*
Serena opened the door after a second knock and was quite surprised to see Zayne standing there.
"Hey, morning" He greeted.
"Good morning Zayne" Serena smiled a little.
"The boss said you are free for today and tomorrow, you can resume back Monday morning" Zayne said.
"Oh..." Serena mouthed.
It's Saturday,but this is the first time he would give her freedom to leave the estate.
"Is everything okay?" She asked.
"Yeah, I guess" Zayne nodded.
"Thank you then" Serena muttered and watched him walk away before closing the door.
Since she's free,then...maybe she should go home??.
Right?
That thought alone made her smile, but at the same time,she wouldn't see Wolfe for two days and somehow it felt weird.
Probably because this is the first time since she began working with him.
Nevertheless, she started packing few stuffs she might need for the two days off.
While doing that, she got a text and that made her pick up her phone.
đź’¬ Hello pretty!! Wanna hang out?!
Serena blinked...the message came from none else but Magnolia.
She stared at her phone screen, frozen without knowing what to do exactly with it.
--
KYREN'S MANSION*
"Dude fucking calm down!!" Kyren shouted when Wolfe won the video game for the third time.
"Stop sleeping then" Wolfe smirked.
Kyren dropped his controller and turned his seat to face Wolfe.
"Tell me you're spending the whole day with me" He said.
"Watch your words bro, that sounds like what I would ask my girlfriend" Wolfe said and Kyren laughed.
"But it's a pity though, you don't have a girlfriend" he said.
Wolfe was about speaking when his phone started ringing on the nearest table, they both turned and saw the name of the caller...Avianna.
Wolfe cut off the call and Kyren raised his brows.
"Don't even talk about Avianna, for real. She crossed the line" Wolfe said.
"What happened this time?"
"Was it two weeks ago? She suddenly showed up while I was busy with Serena...."
"Who's Serena? Oh...your PA?"
Wolfe nodded.
"I don't know what the heck she was thinking, she poured the girl water and even tried hitting her. I took her out and she fucking kissed me, can you even believe that shitty attitude?"
Kyren sighed.
"Just why is she so insecure and jealous when she's not even my girlfriend yet? Now imagine if she's indeed my girlfriend,no..I can't date someone like that. She's been calling and texting, I rather fry water than to answer her calls or reply her texts" Wolfe said and Kyren laughed out.
"How do you fry water?" He asked in between laughter.
"Exactly,which means..it's totally not possible. I'm never going to answer her" Wolfe rolled his eyes.
"I guess your PA is quite pretty for Avianna to feel jealous" Kyren grinned.
Wolfe sighed.
"What was I even expecting from you?"
Kyren laughed again.
"You can't say that, I'm supporting you no matter what. But you should try to have a girlfriend...."
"Dude you don't have a girlfriend either, so shut the fuck up" Wolfe snapped.
"Oh oh..I totally forgot I don't have one either" Kyren faked a surprise expression.
"You're crazy" Wolfe scoffed and he chuckled.
He checked the time.
"Let's go find something to eat and come back home, or you want us to go to your place?" Kyren asked as he stood up.
"No, let's come back here. Or should we just hang out somewhere? I've been working for three weeks straight without resting" Wolfe also stood up.
"Or maybe you should fuck some...."
"Shut up"
Kyren nodded.
"Let's go then" He led the way and Wolfe followed.
--
SERENA'S PLACE*
Magnolia stepped down from the car and looked at the apartment in front of her before removing her sunglasses, she slowly closed the car door,still trying to see If she got the address right or not.
She was about dialing Serena's number when she saw the door opening and Serena appeared.
"Heyy" Magnolia waved from where she was standing.
Serena stared at her blankly before walking over to her.
"You live in a very nice neighborhood, really quiet, I love it" Magnolia smiled, still looking around.
"You got the address right" Serena muttered and Magnolia smiled.
"Because I was fucking bored at home, I would have preferred we go out, but I don't want to stress you...we should get to know each other first I think" She said.
Serena nodded.
"I brought us some food" Magnolia smiled and opened the car truck.
"You came alone" Serena said when she noticed, helping her with some of the stuffs.
"Yeah, I drive around alone. As long as I have my windows up, all good" Magnolia replied.
After getting everything, they both went into the house.
"Wow I like this place" Magnolia smiled.
"Thanks" Serena muttered.
They place everything on the table and Magnolia kept looking around.
"I guess you don't really live here...what do you do?" She faced Serena.
"What about you?" Serena questioned back.
"You're not trying to tell me you still didn't search me up right?" Magnolia smirked.
"Hmm" Serena sat down.
"I know you did, and yeah I'm an artist....a celebrity...so what about you?" Magnolia asked.
"I work with Hayes Global" Serena answered.
"Hayes Global? Really?! You mean you get to see Wolfe Hayes everyday?!" Magnolia gasped.
"Yeah...I'm his PA..."
"Oh my fucking gawd!! Really?!" Magnolia screamed.
"Don't tell me you're one of the girls crushing on him" Serena placed her palm on her jaw and Magnolia laughed.
"Who wouldn't? He's hot...and I bet he even looks hotter in reality. But I can't date him anyway" She said and sat beside Serena.
"Why not?" Serena raised her brows.
"Oh please, it's possible we might not even meet,ever....and I don't have time to date right now actually...really busy." Magnolia muttered.
"Oh" Serena nodded.
"So officially, can we be good friends? How old are you by the way?" Magnolia asked.
Serena blinked.
What is she supposed to tell her??? Her real age or the fake one she's currently using for her job?
"You don't wanna say? I bet you know mine already,it's everywhere" Magnolia pouted.
"Yeah...you're twenty one" Serena chuckled.
"Now tell me yours...or am I too young?"
"Of course not, I'm actually twenty one as well" Serena smiled.
"Really?!" Magnolia's eyes widened.
"Yeah" She nodded and then bit her lip.
Another lie.
Well it's no longer a new thing, her whole life is based on lies...and well...she won't be here in the next two months so no need of feeling guilty.
"So now are we friends?" Magnolia asked.
"I've...actually never had a friend" Serena said.
This one is true.
"Now I feel more special,I'm your first best friend...and yes me too. I've never had a best friend. But when I saw you for the first time, I loved you right away" Magnolia smiled prettily.
"Fine...let's be best friends" Serena said and without thinking twice Magnolia jumped on her,hugging her tightly.
They both laughed out loudly.
"Our first picture!!" Magnolia brought out her phone and took a selfie of them together.
She kissed Serena's cheek and took the picture again.
"Two pretty besties" Magnolia smiled and dropped her phone.
"Let's eat, I'm actually starving. Believe me...and do you love food? Cuz I do..."
"I love food" Serena nodded
They both stared at each other, then burst into laughter.
"Gosh I love you so much already" Magnolia said.
--
MONDAY, MONARCH CROWN*
Rose was walking in between the shelves in the library,looking for a particular book, a novel precisely.
"Gosh, where is it?" She mumbled impatiently,pausing in front of the next shelf and finally she found it.
But the problem is that, she's too short and her hand wouldn't touch the book.
"Oh no" She tried to jump and ended up losing her balance that she almost fell but her back pressed against someone's chest.
Rose immediately turned around and her eyes went wide when she saw Ezran.
"Again?!!" She screamed inwardly.
Just like the last time,she stood there,her lashes going up and down.
Ezran said nothing and almost turned to go when...
"I'm sorry" Rose finally found her voice.
Ezran glanced at her.
"For what?" He asked.
"Uhm...the milk..and today. I'm sorry" Rose mumbled.
"So you're not dumb" Ezran said and she blinked.
"I thought you can't talk or somebody" He added.
"That's....rude" Rose muttered.
"Staining me with your milk without apologizing is not rude?" Ezran snapped.
Rose bit her lip.
"I'm sorry about that, I was just...shocked" She said softly.
Ezran rolled his eyes.
"Ezran!!" Hazel came into the library and grabbed Ezran's arm.
She frowned when she saw Rose.
"Why are you here?" She asked.
"It's a library" Rose told her.
"What?" Hazel scoffed.
Ezran removed his arm from her grip, he took the book Rose wanted to pick and she immediately looked at him.
"That's...that's...." She stopped talking when he looked at her.
"Ezran..." Hazel called but he didn't wait, he walked away.
"Senior wait!!" Rose ran after him.
"Wait!" She grabbed his shirt and he stopped.
Rose let him go.
"I'm sorry,but...I was in the library for this book. Can you please give me after you're done with it? I think it's just one in there...please" She pouted.
"And why should I do that?" Ezran asked.
"Come on, this is cheating. I already apologized" She touched his shirt.
Ezran looked at her hand and she immediately dropped it.
"I'm sorry...but...."
"Here" Ezran handed the book over to her.
"Huh?" She blinked.
"I don't read novels" Ezran said.
"Whoa, so...you took it for me?" Rose smiled and took it from him.
"Thank you senior" She said.
"Senior?" Ezran raised his brows.
"Oh...what should I call you? Can I call you Ezran then...."
"Nope"
Rose pouted.
"Okay I...." Ezran walked out of her sight before she could complete that one.
"Baby!!" Grace and Ava rushed over to her.
"Tell me...that's not Ezran just now" Ava grabbed her hand.
"Yeah....it's him" Rose smiled.
"What?!" They gasped.
"How come? How..."
Rose said nothing and just smiled.
"Tell us what happened! Please!" They gushed.
--
3PM, HAYES GLOBAL*
Avianna stepped out of the car and entered through the entrance door.
She wore a fitted beige dress and heels sharp enough to hurt someone. Two of her bodyguards followed closely behind, dressed in black, their eyes scanning every corner.
As expected, heads turned. Some of the Staff paused mid-task. Someone even dropped a pen.
Avianna didn't blink.
She walked straight down the hallway, her hips swaying, the heels tapping–slow and loud on purpose.
Just before she reached the main elevator leading to Wolfe's office, she turned slightly.
"You two stay here."
The guards nodded and stopped at the hallway entrance as Avianna continued on alone.
Soon, she got to Serena's desk and Serena looked up from her desk just in time.
Avianna didn't greet her. She barely glanced at her actually.
She almost reached for the office door handle when Serena spoke up.
"You can't go in," Serena said.
Avianna paused, her hand still on the handle.
"Excuse me?"
"Mr. Hayes said he doesn't want to see anyone today."
Avianna laughed without humor.
"I'm not anyone."
"I know," Serena replied calmly.
"But the glass is covered for a reason. He doesn't want to be disturbed."
Avianna turned fully toward her now.
"You think you can stop me?"
"I'm doing my job." Serena said.
"Hey, who do you think you are to stop me from seeing Wolfe?..."
"Who are you? Coz I don't even know who you are either" Serena replied.
Avianna's eyes narrowed, and in one sharp motion, she raised her hand–and slapped Serena across the face.
The sound echoed.
Serena didn't even blink once.
She dropped her pen, stood up slowly, and without hesitation, returned the slap.
Harder, louder.
Avianna stumbled back half a step, her hand flying to her cheek which already turned fucking red.
Her eyes watered at once.
Before she could react again, the office door flew open.
Wolfe stepped out, his eyes cold and unreadable.
"Wolfie!" Avianna broke into tears.
"Can you believe this bitch just slapped me?!! She slapped me!!" Avianna cried.
Wolfe glanced at Serena and she was about speaking up when Wolfe grabbed Avianna's wrist and took her away.
Serena bashed her lashes.
She clenched her fist together hardly and bit her lip.
She swallowed and quietly sat down.
Some minutes later, Wolfe showed up again and her eyes followed him.
Still he didn't glance her way,he just entered his office and that was all.
Serena sighed.
--
9PM, WOLFE'S ESTATE*
The pool water shimmered under the soft glow of the overhead lights. It was quiet–just the gentle ripple of movement, the way water broke softly around Serena's skin.
She swam slow laps across the pool, her body moved smoothly and gracefully through the water. Her black bikini clung to her frame, hugging every curves, her perfect boobs, butt,her hour glass shape and her long hair was slicked back, wet and dripping as she came up for air.
Her eyes were half-closed. Her breathing steady.
There's just something about swimming at night that she likes so much, it helps her breathe. Helped her think. Helped her forget, even for a few minutes, who she is and what she came here to do.
But tonight, her thoughts didn't drift away.
They stuck to one person.
Wolfe.
The way he'd pulled Avianna away earlier. The silence afterward. How he didn't speak to her. Didn't look at her. Didn't even ask if she was okay.
And worse?
She had to come home alone.
No driver. No update. No explanation. Just a text from Zayne saying Wolfe had 'gone out' and would return later.
Gone where?
She still didn't know and he's not even back yet.
She didn't realize she'd stopped swimming until her hands touched the pool's edge.
She took a breath, leaned back against the wall, her eyes looking up at the dark cloud.
And then....footsteps.
She looked up, only to find Wolfe.
Walking toward her, hands in the pockets of his black slacks, shirt slightly unbuttoned at the top.
Just that cold, unreadable stare. That quiet energy that somehow always reached her before he did.
Serena didn't move.
She stayed in the water, her upper body totally exposed, hair dripping, and her heart ticking a little faster than before.
And their eyes locked, followed by silence.
"You're back" Serena muttered, her eyes still on him.
Wolfe stood in front of her staring straight at her before bending low.
Serena blinked like thrice, thinking of moving away or not.
"You have something to say" Wolfe said.
"I just....thought you are mad at me" Serena mumbled and bit her lip.
Wolfe stared at her lips and smiled.
"No I'm not....."
"But you took your girlfriend out of the...."
"I told you she's not my girlfriend" Wolfe groaned.
"And I know she slapped you first, taking her away wasn't because I was mad at you" He added.
"Really?" Serena asked in soft voice.
"Hmmm" Wolfe nodded.
Their eyes locked again.
"You should go in, it's getting cold" He stood up.
"Oh" Serena mouthed and quickly came out of the pool without thinking twice,she only realized when she was fully out.
Wolfe's eyes fell on her and worse part? He didn't bother to look away,his eyes moved all over her body as she stood in front of him.
"Boss" Zayne called from some distance,walking over to him, Serena immediately moved behind Wolfe.
"I will meet you inside" Wolfe stopped him before he got closer.
"Okay" Zayne walked away.
Wolfe wanted to turn to her again but Serena held his shirt and stayed behind him.
Then suddenly he noticed she was shaking.
"You okay?" He asked.
Serena swallowed hard, her eyes already turned red behind him.
Wolfe turned sharply and saw her eyes already got teary and was breathing heavily.
"Hey...Rena" Wolfe called and tried tapping her but she moved away instead.
"Don't touch me...please" She stuttered.
Wolfe blinked.
"Are you....."
"Don't look at me!!! Don't!!!" She screamed and broke into tears.
"What's wrong..." Wolfe asked, she lost her balance and Wolfe's hand touched her waist while trying to catch her.
"Please no!!!!!" She screamed so loudly and slowly passed out,in his arms.
"The fuck" Wolfe's eyes widened and immediately carried her properly.
Staring at her slender and soft body in his arms.
Then...her soft voice came out of nowhere.
"Someone...help...please"
She clung unto him even tighter.