Author's note: this is from Duke's point of view

- - -

​​

Lunch with Serina was like a meal in Heaven and I wished for my every next meal to be with her. And not just meals… I wished for my every moment to be filled with Serina's presence.

She is beautiful, smart, witty, and totally focused on me. And let's not forget that her scent is intoxicating.

It was just like in high school, with the addition of me holding her hand and kissing it occasionally. She didn't pull back or protest. Amazing.

I wanted to embrace her and kiss her senselessly, right on those inviting lips, just how she asked me many times before in what she believes were dreams, but I knew that it's not time yet. Soon.

God, how much I missed her!

Other than a few insignificant interruptions, things went great.

I still didn't address any of the issues that are bothering her, but I made sure to keep our chat on the bright side. I reminded her of many things we did together and the happiness reflecting in her eyes told me I'm on the right path.

My plan was simple. I will set the right mood, and talk about the last seven years, admit my feelings, and things will be set straight, and we can start our relationship properly. It was early to celebrate, but things were going well.

I wanted Serina to open up and admit that she is happy to be with me, but then she dodged me with an excuse that she needs to use the restroom. Fine. I will let it pass this time, but I'm not giving up.

It didn't take long before Serina was out of sight, and three wenches approached me.

"Hi, Drago…"

"Why are you here?", I cut them off.

The last thing I needed was for Serina to think I'm flirting with random women from the moment she left.

"We came to say hi."

"You said it, and now you can leave.", I said dryly.

"Cynthia said that you are rude. What's with the attitude?"

"I'm rude toward people who are wasting my time. So, tell me… are you here to waste my time?"

They exchanged confused looks and continued standing there like idiots. Is it so difficult to understand that I don't want them close to me?

Their shallow gossip-hungry personalities were not welcome.

I know very well who my ex-classmates are, and if they thought that I will be friendly with them if Sanya was not with me, they would be gravely mistaken.

From the first day, Sanya was my anchor, she was the one preventing me from flipping the whole school upside down. When I came to London, I was angry and I hated the world, and Sanya showed me that there is beauty and kindness, even when one doesn't deserve it.

I was about to say something rude and shoo them away, when Sanya returned. Why did she look upset? Did something happen? Or was she angry about these three nobodies who were still lingering nearby?

Wow! She was leaving!

The only good thing was that we exchanged phone numbers, but I still wanted an explanation.

Things were going well, why was she leaving abruptly? I had nothing with those three, and I hoped that she didn't misunderstand the situation.

I haphazardly threw a few bills on the table, that should cover the meal for both me and Serina and I dashed after her.

"Young master!", Sergio exclaimed as he grabbed my arm.

Sergio?

"Let go, Serge. I don't have time for this."

"You can't go after her.", he pleaded and stood in front of me while holding onto my shoulders.

Was he serious? He was blocking me from going after Serina!?

"Stay away from me, Serge!", I growled at him.

Ignoring him, I ran out after Serina. He didn't hold me with much force, probably because we were in a public place, but I didn't have time for his nonsense. Serina just came back, and things were going well, I can't risk losing her again.

I stepped on the street and realized that I had no idea where Serina went, but I was desperate to find her so I picked a direction and started running.

"Stop!", Sergio shouted after me. "You need to listen!"

Why the fuck is Sergio on my case? Even if he doesn't know how important Serina is to me, he should know not to get in my way.

I was contemplating between continuing to run and stopping to beat that stupid Sergio into a pulp, when I heard Serina's voice, "Duke! Get in!"

And there it was… customized Bentley with Serina in the back seat, opening the door for me.

Without thinking, I threw myself inside the car.

'THUMP!'

Ow! That was my head. I jumped in with more force than necessary, but then… this was my first time to jump into a moving car and I didn't want to risk missing my chance to be with Serina.

"Drive, Mitch!", Serina shouted and closed the door.

"Are you OK?", Serina asked with concern in her voice.

I nodded in response, and she got her phone.

"Marius… capture that man and find out what he knows."

I blinked, unsure what's going on, but I was in the car with Serina, and she didn't leave me behind. I was ready to roll with it.

Serina cupped my cheeks in her palms and forcibly moved my head left-right while inspecting it.

"That was quite a bump. Are you sure you are OK?"

I liked the attention she was giving me, but I didn't want her to worry about me needlessly.

"It hurts, but I will live."

Serina scrunched her nose and then her eyes moved on my legs and torn pants. "Are you bleeding?"

Only then I realized that the car reeks of blood and the hot sensation under my right knee, told me it was mine.

"It seems I scratched my leg when I jumped in.", I said. "Don't worry about it."

"How can I not worry about it?", Serina asked, and I feared that she might cry, but before I got a chance to comfort her, she was talking to the driver. "Mitch, take us to my place. Get Maria to prepare a first aid kit…"

I was doing cartwheels of celebration inside my mind. She is taking me to her apartment! Should I scratch my leg and make my injury worse?

Serina let out a shaky breath and turned to me.

"That man who was chasing you. Did he say something?"

Is she talking about Sergio? It looks like it.

"He wanted to stop me from leaving.", I said the half-truth.

"I'm sorry."

Why was she apologizing? It seems there was some misunderstanding, but I had no desire to clarify it, because it got me in the car with Serina, and I was on my way to her apartment.

"It's not your fault, Serina. You left and I went after you and…", I took her hand into mine.

It feels so good to touch her, it's like some energy is being transferred into me and filling me with joy.

"I'm glad our reunion is not over.", I said before I kissed the back of her palm.

She shook her head at me. "Even after all this time, you are still reckless and silly."

And yours. I hoped that soon she will add that part as well, because I am hers, and the only thing missing was for Serina to become aware of it.

---

If you are not reading this at 'W e b n o v e l . c o m', then the content you're reading is stolen! Please support the author by reading this novel from the original source.