CHAPTER FOUR

Serena and her father pulled in front of a gate that enclosed the biggest house that she had ever seen. She would not even call it a house. She would call it a mansion. It was beautiful and the gardens surrounding were even more incredible.

"Are you sure we're in the right place?" asked Serena not taking her eyes off the scene before her.

"Yes I'm sure. Kevin is actually the CEO of his own security company and they are very successful," explained her father. Her father pressed the button of the doorbell and they waited.

That was when Serena noted a sign next to the mailbox. The moment she read it, panic set in. HAVERS. It just could not be. Havers was not a very common last name but her luck could not be that bad. Or God would not be that cruel as to put her in the same house as the guy she personally physically abused this morning.

"Kenny? Is that you?" called a super excited man through the voice box that was attached to the doorbell.

"Yes, Kevy. It is us," replied her father.

Serena looked at her father with amusement clearly showing in her eyes. It sounded as if they were the best of friends. She wondered what had happened that they drifted apart. The gate opened at this time and through it they drove.

The short trip up the driveway showed Serena what a magnificent home it really was. She noted how inviting and welcoming the place was. It was as if it had its arms wide open and beckoned her to tale comfort and shelter in them.

Immediately Serena felt comfortable. I could live here, she thought with a smile.

As the van stopped in front they saw someone standing there, waiting for them with the biggest smile on their face. Serena let the breath she did not know she was holding. She was relieved. There was just no way that this could be that jerk's home. The man standing there was short of stature and very chubby. It was like looking at a very jolly dark haired Santa Claus minus the beard.

When they got out of the van, her father and Mr. Havers hugged each other and just jumped up and down like a couple of school boys. Serena stood there waiting with a smile on her face.
"This must be Serena," said Mr. Havers when they had stopped.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Havers," replied Serena extending her hand for a shake.

"Please, call me Uncle. My father was Mr. Havers. I would recognize you anywhere, my dear. You look exactly like your mother," he explained as he shook her hand.

Serena gave her own dad a questioning look. They both explained that her dad, her mom, Uncle Kevin and his wife had been really good friends at school. Apparently they had lost contact just a few years before her mother passed away to move overseas for the company that he ran. They did not learn of her mother's passing until they had returned a year after she died. By that stage Serena's parents had moved so her mother could receive treatment for her cancer.

"Please, please come in," Uncle Kevin said as he ushered them in through the door.

It was a magnificent home. So warm and welcoming. This was definitely the home of a very close and happy family. The touch of a woman's hand was also very evident in the décor. It was definitely something that Serena had missed her whole entire life.

"Serena?"

Coming towards her was a very pretty woman. She appeared very excited to Serena who was politely confused.

Serena assumed this was Uncle Kevin's wife. She was not what she was expecting at all. Her hair was midnight black and pulled back in a beautiful elegant bun. But it was her eyes that really drew Serena. They were sapphire blue that reminded her of someone else's that at this present moment she did not want to think about lest her mood soured again.

"Thank you for letting us stay here, Mrs. Havers."

"Aunty, you must call me Aunty. Mrs. Havers was my mother-in-law."

Serena choked back a laugh. She could see why the two of them were married to each other; they had the same sense of humor. They all made their way through the home and into the lounge room where snacks were laid out across the coffee table. From the smell, Serena could tell that they were all homemade and would be delicious. Even though she could not cook herself, Serena had been around her father's cooking all her life and she what delicious food tasted and smelled like. These assortments of pastries and sweets were making her mouth water. She didn't think she was hungry until she smelled the food.

"I'm so happy you are here. I could use another woman in the house. Raising two boys has not been terribly exciting," aunt Jenny said.
"You have two sons?"

"Yes. My youngest is only eight. The older one is your age. I also hear that you two even attend the same school."

"Really?" she said absentmindedly.

The four of them sat there getting to know each other. Well, her father, uncle Kevin and aunt Jenny were reacquainting with each other with many stories of their past. Serena sat there eating and observing her father and his friends. Serena could see that they were incredibly close with each other and it was clear that her father had missed them. It was like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

Just then, they heard the front door opening and closing. Light footsteps were coming down through the hallway. Serena wondered who it could be.

"Ah, that must be my oldest," stated aunt Jenny.

Just as Serena was grabbing another pastry, she heard a voice that belonged to the person she wished with her whole being that it was not.

"Good afternoon. I'm sorry for not being here earlier."

And when Serena looked up, there stood Darien Havers introducing himself to them.

This was not good.