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

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I have no idea how long I was trapped in darkness. Was it a second, or days, or years? But I knew that the sense of peace lulled me into indifference, even though I could feel that something was not right.

I was missing something important. I had it and I lost it, but I couldn't remember anything about it and the only trace of its existence was this overwhelming feeling of loss.

Everything was blurry, but then the scent of jasmine on a rainy morning pulled me out of my mental haze, and there was a hint of Japanese wisteria also, and I remembered. Serina!

She was standing next to me and looking at the ground that was empty.

"Serina!", I called to get her attention and I wrapped her in my embrace.

My heart fell into place when she hugged me back.

She asked me to follow her, and I said I will. I will follow her anywhere.

The moment she left, I was back in the darkness, but I followed her scent, and I knew that I will reach her as long as I don't give up.

Her scent intensified, and I could feel her warmth.

Is she holding my hand? I love it when she does it; it's simple, yet intimate.

Our fingers fit between each other snugly, reminding me of the tight fit of my cock inside her sweet pussy. I could be inside her all day and not get bored of it.

"Hey…", I called.

"Hey…", Her voice was a bit strained. Why did she sound like she was in distress? "How long do you plan to sleep?"

Something was definitely off.

I could hear the steady beeping sound. Is that a heartrate monitor? I peeled my eyes open and observed the unknown room. If Serina is not next to me, I would imagine that someone rich kidnapped me. Just the masonry on the walls told me that I'm in a luxurious place.

With Serina next to me, and I realized, "Are we at your house?"

How did we get here? And why is there an IV needle stuck in my arm? I was feeling a bit stiff, but fine otherwise. How long was I lying here?

Serina hugged me tightly and spoke into my chest, "You got me worried, Duke. Don't do that again."

I didn't get it. "What did I do?"

"You left me, Duke. You left me…"

Serina sobbed and I held her in silence while processing her words.

I would never leave her. It must be some misunderstanding.

I wanted to remember what happened, but my mind was hazy, and I decided that whatever it was, it can wait. The important thing was that I was with Serina. Nothing else mattered. When she cries it out, we will talk.

Her sobs turned into hiccups, and I watched her drink water while holding the glass with her shaky hands.

"Can I have some water?", I asked, and she helped me get some.

The IV needle restricted my movements and I yanked it out. It will heal within a minute like it was never there.

"I assume you are fine?", Serina asked me with all concern of the world in her voice.

I assured her that I was fine, but… "A kiss would make me feel better."

Serina's expression turned into a smile gradually and she inched closer.

If she thought that a peck on the lips will be enough, she was gravely mistaken.

I held her tightly, and kissed her greedily, stealing her breath in the process, and hoping to erase every trace of worry from her mind and body.

She opened up to me wonderfully, holding onto my back and returning my kisses while allowing me to push her on the bed under me.

I have no idea how long I was out, but I knew that I missed her like crazy, and the scent of her arousal told me that she missed me as well. There was no way I would pass on that.

This was more than lovemaking, it was confirming that we are together and well.

I could feel Serina's insecurities and her need to feel that I'm back as she desperately dug her nails into my flesh, and I hoped that the strength of my emotions will soothe all the negativity which seeped out of her.

Two orgasms later (three for Serina), I laid on my back and enjoyed the feel of Serina sprawled on top of me. She was relaxed and the lovely shine in her eyes was back.

Serina let out a weak laugh. "I can't believe you made me come on the bed where you spent a week unconscious."

That got my attention. "A week?"

She looked up at me and nodded.

"Tell me how I found myself here.", I demanded.

"What's the last thing you remember?"

"I was getting ready for two weeks are your place. Aldus was supposed to run some tests on me. Did I pass out due to the tests your father did?"

Serina shook her head. "We didn't reach there."

I lifted my finger, indicating to Serina to give me a moment. I wanted to remember on my own. It was almost there, a memory that scratched to come out on the surface.

"I finished packing and I wanted to surprise you by waiting down. I reached the garage and…" I was not sure what happened after that. It's like that from the elevator I stepped into a void. "I'm blanking after this. Tell me."

"I found you in the garage, Duke. You were lying in the pool of your blood, dying. Someone shot you. Do you remember who it was?"

Someone shot me? Wow! I should remember that.

That jogged my memory.

Images scrambled in my mind, and I remembered a figure with a hood over the head, and then the hood came off.

"Magda."

Serina's face contorted into a grimace. "Isn't she in Sweden?"

It took me a moment to complete the picture. "She was in the garage, talking nonsense and waving a gun. I knew she wouldn't hurt me, but then she said that she will kill you and you were about to come, so I panicked and grabbed the gun, and it went off."

"We knew that it was female, human, with blonde hair. But that was too vague, and I never thought of Magda because I assumed she was not in London.", Serina said dejectedly and let out a long breath. "How much misfortune can one woman bring?"

Rage bubbled inside me. I promised Serina that Magda will not get between us, yet she took another week. "Don't worry, Serina. I will get her for this."

"Wait.", Serina said. "Now that we know who did it, I want to find out if John has anything to do with this."

I didn't like it. "Why are you defending him?"

"I'm not.", Serina said right away. "But we know that he sent Magda to Sweden. There is a chance that she escaped and did this behind his back. I don't care what happens to him, but he is now the only one at the head of the Giantshade Industries. If we take him down, thousands of people will find themselves unemployed. They had nothing to do with this."

"If you are concerned about the employees, you can always buy the company."

Serina frowned. "I have so many things on my hands already. If I add another company I will go crazy."

I could feel the distress bubbling inside her. "I'm sorry, Serina. My intention was to help you out, but somehow, I always end up as a burden."

Her frown melted into a lovely smile. "Don't be silly. None of this was your fault. Besides, now you are awake, and you will help me, right?"

"I will do anything for you, my love. But I need you to do something for me first."

"What is it?", she asked seriously.

"Feed me. I'm starving."

It took a moment for Serina to process my words, and then she dissolved into giggles.

I love that I can make her laugh. I love everything about Serina.

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