"I'm sorry Serena" said Andrew as he looked down at her from his standing position. They had been taken to social services as soon as Lily had been served the apparent notice that she was loosing her and Andrew. She was now in some kind of rehab program, both Amber and Rita had generiously offered to go with her and take her to the door. Not knowing the full details of what had happened they had just wanted to help. "Sorry for what, none of this is your fault". Confused by his sudden apology. He hadn't done anything wrong at all, if anything Andrew was the true victim, he was innocent completely. "For letting this happen to you a second time. I should have done something or told you about her addiction" he replied taking the seat next to her.
Serena didn't understand the guilt that Andrew was feeling. What had happen to her parents had been an accident and what had happened with his mother had been her own bad choices. "Andrew you are not the guilty one in this at all. I do wish I had known so I could have done something but this was her choice. Not mine not yours and I would never put that on you Andrew" Serena replied softly, trying to put his mind at ease. Andrew turned to look at her and gave her a meek smile of thanks. It was than that she began to stare at his prodominate features. The shape of his face mirrored Darien's so closely, they shared the same nose, his hair even seemed to fall into the same position. She wondered why she had never noticed any of it before. Probably because he had dark blonde hair and emerald green eyes with a whiter skin tone than Darien's. They shared the same basic features but it was their differences that covered any track of resemblence between the two.
Shaking back to reality she added "I'm sure your dad is on his way to make sure your okay." She really hoped he was. She didn't know how long it had been since they had seen each other. "He's not really my dad"he replied.
"What?" said Serena with a shaky voice. Did he know that Endymion Shields II was his father. "My real father was just some guy she was with a couple of times"he said.
"Do you know his name?"Serena knew she was pushing it, she had just found out that Andrew knew that Shane Adams was not his biological father. "No she never told me who he was. She said he knew about me but he was about to have a kid with his wife so he didn't want any complications." Serena bit her lip, debating what she was going to say next. He had a right to know. "Ändrew, your father-"
"Ändrew, your father just got here, he will be with you soon"said the social worker. "Thanks"he replied Quickly. Turning back to Serena, "Sorry what where you saying Serena"
"Nothing don't worry about it" she replied, shutting down the potentially impolding conversation. It wasn't time yet. It was the worst timing. Realising her near fatal mistake, she was glad she hadn't let the whole sentence slip before they had been interruped.
"Ändy"
Serena and Andrew turned to look at the figure that approached them. Shane Adams was a man of average height and average build. He had light brown hair and brown eyes. He looked nothing like Andrew, confirming even more that he wasn't Andrew's father. She wondered if he was awhare of the fact that Andrew knew he wasn't his real father. She guessed that after he left, Lily problably needed to give Andrew some explanation. She must of told him the truth so their was no resentment between them. Strangely herioc for a drug addicted.
"Dad" replied Andrew. Shane obvious had know idea that Andrew knew which was probably a good thing at the moment anyway.
" I'm going to step out and give you both a moment alone" said Serena quickly. Andrew nodded a thanks to her and she left the two alone so they could talk. Serena went to the end of the hallway to window that had blinds covering the view from outside. Pulling them back so she could look out she saw the heavy amount of press and reporters outside. Quickly closing them to avoid the camera flash. Oliver Evans would be here soon. Probably trying to determine what would happen next. Even if Andrew's fake father had agreeed to take her in she knew Oliver wouldn't have agreed to it with out being sure that Shane checked out as a good potential gaurdian. Oliver was head of the legal department now at Morasca Consultants and since she would legally be able to take ownership when she turned eighteen, Oliver would be seen as relevent in the situation.
Taking out her phone from her bag she dialled Molly's number. She knew that they would have crashed at either her or Diana's house after the game last night, so it would be easy to get a hold of them both. She listened to the dialling tone till Molly picked up.
"Sere, talk to me"said Diana, who had obviously seen the caller I.D on the phone and gotten to it before Molly. "Diana, she called my phone thats not fair"said Molly in the background, trying to snatch the phone out of her friends hand. "Chill Mols, I'll put it on loudspeaker"
"Hey Serena, can you hear us both?"asked Diana.
"Yeah, I can. Listen guys somethings happened so before the press gets a hold of it which it seemed they are right now -lifting the blinds away again quikly to look outside than closing them soon after- at this moment. Lily made a mistake and now Andrew and I are at social services. Andrew is talking to his father right now."
Öh my god Serena, are you okay?"asked Diana.
"She hasn't been hurting you or anything ?"pushed Molly, who was deadly concerned about Serena. "I'm fine and no I haven't been hurt, Lily has a drug addiction. She has been clean for a while now but she slipped up. She was on her last warning" replied Serena, trying to put their mind at ease that neither her or Andrew had axperienced any physical pain. "Drugs, serious. What the hell was she thinking. Thats it Serena I'm coming to East Jubann right now to kidnap you. At least you would be safe"yelled Molly, who was so pissed at Lily for being so childish and putting her friend at risk.
Ït's not that simply guys. I don't know whats going to happen now" said Serena. She didn't know her next move or what was around the corner for her now. Just when finally things were going well for her and everything falls apart. "Which is the reason why we need to get you out of their like now" said Diana.
"Diana I would love you forever for that but this is out of my hands now. I don't know what will be the next step. Lily's not here anymore so I don't know who else their is for me to go to"said Serena lightly.
"Serena we just want you to be safe, are Amber, Rita or Andrew with you?"asked Molly.
"No, Amber and Rita weren't allow to come so they did the next best thing and helped take Lily to where she needed to go for now and Andrew is with his dad at the moment." replied Serena.
"Do you think Andrew's dad might-"
"No, there are other things at play here, trust me I doubt it will be an option."
Öther things, what kind of other things?" asked Molly, the open ended answer obvious annoying her greatly. "Yeah Serena, please tell me its not them same as Lily's?" added Diana.
"It's not like Lily's but its just other things. It's really not my place to say" answered Serena
Realising they where not going to get more than that they both left it alone. "Either way Serena, you can just move in with us. Your practically family."
"But the key word in that is practically not actual in the law's eyes and if they don't think it counts than it doesn't. I wish it was that easy and I could go back to West Jubann but its not going to be."
"Us to Sere, us to" she looked down at the ground, not knowing what else she should say. What else could she say now. Everytihng was unclear and the chance of going back home was impossible. "Serena?". Serena lookeded up and saw a social worker heading toward her obviously coming to inform her of something.
"I have to go."
"we love you, be safe" said both Molly and Diana. They seemed to both know that something was taken place and Serena's attention was needed else where. Ending the call she put her phone away and looked at the social worker.
"Andrew's father has just taken Andrew to his mother's house to collected his things. They will be leaving her in a few days. Now he has decided it would be best if he didn't get involved with -" She blocked this next part out. She knew what was going to be said but it didn't make it any more nicer hearing it. "- So we have spoken with Jarred Shallows' attorney, he as well as his oldest son are coming down. If we can not come to some kind of arrangement you will be put in foster care until you turn eighteen and become of age". This person was very straight forward, some might have found it harsh but at that point she need it. No soft truths that everything was going to be alright because it wasn't. "How long till they get here?" asked Serena. She didn't want to see them, any of them and why wouldn't they just decide to ignore her again. They did before. She didn't know why they just do it again. It was probably just for appearence sake. So look somewhat concerned because she was tecnically a socialite in some right so what ever happened to her may make the news, that was if someone hadn't died or started a war of course.
"Soon"
...
"The only reason I'm here is so that this will be the end of this problem for good" said Joel Shallows.
As soon as he and his father's attorney had entered the building they had been ready for a war. Oliver had arrived very soon after them to represent Jenna and Tyson's estate as well as Serena. The original intentions of the Shallows family had been that of completely dismissal. They would deny acknowledgement of Serena, as they had previously however Jarred Shallows seemed to have a change of heart and his son was slowly revealing these new intentions."May I inform you Mr. Shallows that it was made clear to me in this kind of situation that Serena would never be placed into the care of any member of the Shallows family, so exactly what are you suggesting."
"I'm sure my sister and her husband made note of that but when you live in the public eye as we do there is no way around this"
"Are you saying the only reason your father want Serena living with you and the rest of your family is so it doesn't give a bad impression of you to the media?" asked Oliver, who was shocked that such a things was even throught of.
"For what other reason, my father is awhare of the alternative placement that the girl will be in if he doesn't take her in. "
"You don't even care about Serena, none of you do. You all ignored her when Jenna and Tyson died. Not once in the past twenty year have you tried to reconcille with Jenna. If you had any kind of a heart you would leave Serena be" replied Oliver. He had worked with Tyson and Jenna for years and to watch their only daughter be thrown around like a piece of property was maddening.
"Mr. Evans may I remind you that the alternative is foster care. What do you think would happen to Jenna's precious daughter than" Joel spat back at Oliver.
"Mr. Shallows, Mr. Evans please calm down. I suggested that a trial period of three to four weeks takes place. In this time we can all decide if this is the best placement for Serena. " said one of the workers that where mederating the two.
Oliver seeing no choice but to agree nodded. "I can see their is no way around it but if Serena suffers any physical or emotional abuse in that time there will be hell to pay" said Oliver and he marched out of the room hating to see the smirk that was plasted all over Joel's face. Oliver left to join Serena who was waiting outside standing by one of the closed windows, deep in her own throught. "Serena" he called out to her.
"Hey. sorry they dragged you down here, you probably have real work to do at the company" said Serena, casually with a smile.
"Serena I don't know how to tell you this - "
"Am I going into the system?" asked Serena.
"No" he replied. Not knowing what else to say. He could see the wheels turning in her head putting it all together to what would be next. " Why would they care, why are they doing this now?" she asked as a single tear slide down her face but she quickly removed it. "Serena, I would like to say its because they are concerned or worried but it wouldn't be the truth. It's more about public relations and appearences."
"Really, I didn't think they actually cared what people throught about them".
"Serena, if you want to start proceedings for emancipation than I will help you" said Oliver quickly. Serena could look after herself and the company was still going strong so money would not be a problem. "The company is important, this wouldn't look good for it's own P.R. "
"Serena that is not as important as you."
"Oliver the company is my life line. It's what is going to keep me going so for that it needs to survive. It's time I stop being selfish about everything. I need to get more involved in everything Anyway I'm sure I'll probably just be ignored as much as I am now" said Serena. Many people now knew about the Morasca-Shallows relation and it would make for a scandal if this didn't happen and if she did fight this than she would be portrayed as a spoiled heiress and no doubt the Shallows would use it in there defence. She also wasn't about to drag all her mother's secret out of the closet just so she could get people on her side. They where all better left buried for now.
"How involved where you thinking?" asked Oliver.
"I think we set up a second office in East Jubann. Covering more of the East and North business in Tokyo. What do you think?"
"Your parents where already making plans to expand. We can go over it, make the changes need. I'll talk to the accountant see if it's a good risk to take."
"Thank you Oliver. I want full updates" she said with a smile. She needed this. A distraction while this was all going on. She knew a lot about the company because of her mother and father but their was still much she didn't know. That would have to come with time. For now however she had to get everything straightened out. Lily wasn't there anymore. She was kind of glad for that because Lily had lied over and over again, making everything to suit her. Andrew, she really didn't want him to leave. She really hoped he would stay and continue going to East Jubann High. She would miss him so much. She had never had a brother and he had really taken that kind of place in her life over the last few months.
"Your the boss" he smiled back at her. "Also I should tell you their will be a trial period of three weeks to decided whats final with all of this. If it gets unbearable we will revisit emancipation okay"
She nodded. He was just worried about her but he didn't need to be. She had her friends, Amber, Rita, Melvin, Greg, Birdie, Sam. Diana and Molly as well and no matter what happened with Andrew she wouldn't stop being his friend. She was fine, more than fine. She had more motivation than she had in weeks. She would finish high school when that time came, apply for a cheerleading scolarship and study business. It was a good start. "Don't stress, it will be okay."
"I have to say I'm surprised. I really throught you would fight this" he said with concern.
"Sometimes you have to pick and choose you battles. This isn't worth the end result" she said with reason. It wasn't work fighting for emancipation at this point in time. Besides she was still very much convinced that she would not be spoken to at all and treated as if she wasn't there. Which was something she more than wanted but would encourage. "I'll call you soon to verify the plans for the new office."
"Okay, so can I get out of here?" she asked.
"Yes, I will make the arrangements between Joel Shallows and his attorney. The less your involved in this part the better. Just go back to the house and start getting everything you need to take. I'm sure that Lily's son will be there too. "
"Sure, thanks" said Serena and she said goodbye to him before travelling up the hallway. On her way out she saw Joel and what she assumed was his lawyer, leaving the meeting room that Oliver had come from. She said nothing to him. She didn't need to, it was the start of complete non-communication between her and all of them. She was actually looking forward too it.
"Serena"
She stoped and turned to face him, completely destroying her niave plan. "Joel Shallows, right?" she asked making small talk.
"Yes. I assume that you know the reason behind all of this. Don't expect my brother or I-"
"I expect nothing but silences from you and everyone else while we all wait out the time need till this 'arrangement' ends. You have your people to think about and I have mine. Trust me when I say this, I have no misunderstanding or misinderupted reasoning for what this all means. Oliver will discuss what else needs to be said. Thank you Mr. Shallows " she said quickly and continued her trek out of the building.
He obviously throught she was bubble headed idiot clinging to a hope of being accepted into the Shallows family when it was far from reality completely.
...
"Serena, I'm sorry I left you there" said Andrew as he came toward her when she entered the house. "Don't worry, its all been taken care of and I hear that your leaving"
"Yes, but only for a little while. He wants to take me for a trip, you know father-son bonding. I'll be back in a month." he replied.
"Oh Andrew, I'm so happy your coming back" and she hugged him with relief that he wasn't leaving forever. "So where are you going to be when you get back?" asked Serena
"Here. Dad's going to take it over till I graduated." He smiled, obviously happy as well that he wasn't leaving East Jubann.
" That so great" replied Serena still overly excited. "Yeah, I'm sorry about him not letting you stay I tried to get him to change his mind but he - "
"It's fine I'll be alright" said Serena, taking note that this was probably the fifth time she had interuped someone whilst they where trying to say something. Ït seems that italls become a strange turn of events. My mother's family seem to think it would be in their best interest if they step in so to speak." said Serena, passing Andrew and sitting down on one of the chairs located next to the table. Andrew took a seat next to the one she had just occupied, facing Serena square on completely.
"In their best interest, since when have they ever throught that you and them in the same sentences was in their best interest?" asked Andrew, confused by this information.
"Joel Shallows was here after you left. His father sent him with his lawyer. It seems he has changed his mind from him original decision he made months ago."
"Wait, you are not telling me that you are going to be living under the same roof as the Shallows?"
"It seems likely. All the arrangements are being made now so it may just be offical"
"The Shallows, come on Serena. You can't be around people twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week that feel nothing but animosicity toward you. This isn't going to end well."
"It's already been decided. It's not only bad P.R for them but for my parents company" said Serena quickly. She didn't want to have to explain all the details to him. There where many things at stake including her mother's past. Whilst she wanted it to stay hidden from the world she wanted to know more. What better place than the one where she had grown up. It was a scary notion, she knew and no one would truely understand it because they didn't have all the information. However she didn't either. She had to know more because their was undoubtably more to this story than even Raye problably knew or let on.
"I would think that you wouldn't be so casual about this. Why ain't you fighting harder against this Serena. I know I haven't known you for long but one thing I do know is how determined you can be and if you really didn't want this you wouldn't just give up."
"Than maybe it is what I want" she replied, knowing she was just confusing him more. "I don't believe that but for whatever the reason don't be niave about this. What are you trying to do"
"I can't tell you"
"You can't tell me, why?"
"I need you to trust that there is a good reason behind all this".
"Oh I'm sure theres a reason behind it but there is no reason good enough. Does this by any chance have anything to do with that meeting you had with Raye?" he asked, almost hitting the nail completely on the head.
"Not completely. I have to do get my things, we can talk about this later" she said, taking off up the stairs inorder to aviod more questioning from Andrew.
Getting to her room she closed the door behind her. She knew that she would have to start gathering her things together. Everytihng she wanted to take to the Shallows estate. Pullling out two suitcases she orginized all her clothes, shoes and jewellery into one of the suitcase, reserving the other for her pictures, albums and everything else she wanted to take with her. The furniture would stay until she could put it into storage. Closing the two cases she pulled them up and sat them next to each other.
Just when she was about to take a break from everything that had happened her phone rang, Serena quickly got it out of her purse. It was Molly, no doubt wanting to no what had happened. Answering the call, Molly and Diana asked question after question the find out what had happened. she told them what she had told everyone else. That she was moving to the Shallows estate and would be living the perminately, leaving out all the details that she hadn't told anyone including Andrew. Ending the call as soon as she could she said goodbye and put her phone down. No sooner had she that Oliver was calling her.
"Oliver?"
"Serena, I have finalised everything. They are expecting you soon, do you have the address?"
"Yeah I have an idea where it is. Thanks again. Take care?" and she ended the call. Se got her things and headed downstairs. "Your leaving?" asked Andrew, who apparently hadn't moved from his place.
"Yeah, their expecting me so I'll see you when you get back right?"
"Yes, please be careful with what every it is that your up to."
"I will, I'll call you" and she left out the front door. Getting to her car she put her two suitcases in the backseat and got in the front. Pulling out of the drive she headed off to the large estates on the other side of East Jubann. Looking out her window she saw the large mansion. It wasn't quite as big as what the Shields Mansion appeared to be but it was still challenging in it's size. Serena prepared herself for what lay a head. Stepping out of the car, Lita seemed to appear out of no where, right infront of her.
"Hi Serena. My grand-, I mean our grandfather was going to get one of the employees to show you around but I volunteered instead" she said explaining why she had came to join her outside. "How, nice of you" Serena replied, not knowing what to say to Lita at all. Infact it was probably more awkward than ever before.
Lita just nodded, like she understood that there was nothing more she could say to improve the situation or make it less strained between them. "The staff will get everything out for you and put the car in the garage, come on. I'll take you inside" and Lita turned and headed back into the house. With nothing more to say, Serena followed with out a word.
As expected the interior screamed richness and wealth, from the wooden colour of the walls to the clearly expensive candlestick lights position on either side of the room. "Well I'll give you a tour of the estate" smiled Lita and she took her to each level and each room. The dinningroom was spectcular, there was no other word for it, the multiple loungerooms and sitting rooms also had the same level of splender. There was a definite vintage look to all the room that Serena found endearing and comfortable. "
Sorry to hear about your godmother, I hope you and Andrew are both okay"said Lita, making conversation outside of relevences to the layout of the house.Ändrew's fine, so am I but thanks for your concern" said Serena casually. " I'm sure. Anyway this is where Mina, JayJay and I stay" she replied refering to the lower part of the house.
"What, do you separate by age" joked Serena lightly.
"Yes actually, my mother and father, aunt and uncle are on the floor above. Our grandfather occupies the top floor at his insists. Its so annoying. Mina and I have been begging to trade. It makes no sense with his health but he always thinks he is right. Anyway come on I'll take you too your room. I actually picked it out. I think your gonna like it" smiled Lita with excitement. Serena knew no what to make of it so she decided to wait and see that had her so happy that she believed she would like it as well. "Here we are" said Lita and she pushed the grand doors open. It surprised Serena that Jarred and Joel where allowing her to be so close to Mina, Lita and JayJay. She did have some assumptions that she would be placed in a distant room, out of sight and out of mind so she couldn't infected anyone with her mother's choices and ideas. " It took me hours to find the key but I think it was worth it. "
Going inside the bedroom she was shocked and surprised. It was dusty and looked untouch for years. Like it had been locked up for ages. Was that why Lita throught she would like it. because there was some synic to her life and the once very fancy room. It had once been beautiful that Serena was sure of. It had very expensive furnture and other asorted items placed around the room. "Sorry the maids haven't been in here in awhile but I'll get them to clean it up for you. "
"Thats fine I can do it" said Serena as she walk toward the dresser and picked up a photo frame placed to the side.. "This w as my mother's room" said Seena. This was what she had come here for. To find out about the secrets in her mother's past.
"Yeah, I asked my mum if she knew which room had been her's. She spoke to my father."replied Lita simply.
"Thank you, I'm truely grateful" and she was very much so. She felt closer to another side of the mother that she wished she could have known. Lita nodded and smiled. Serena read it as genuine but the silent understanding the fell over them was interupted by the sound of a small boy, probably about the age of ten running into the bedroom. "Hey Lita, I got Mina's diary" he yelled and ran around the room with it in hand whilst Lita desperately tried to catch him. " JayJay give that back, you know Mina will kill you if she finds out you have been reading her diary." Serena couldn't help but laugh at the two Shallows. They where both so normal and acted almost like brother and sister. It was very comforting in away to say the least. " Back I don't understand half of it Lita" he said quickly.
"Give me that" Lita demanded and took the pretty orange diary out of JayJay's hand when he stopped to answer Lita. JayJay ran to Serena with out a care in the world and whispered "Actually I can it says, dear diary today Micheal bought me a diamond ring, I think this means its offical. I'm so in love and tonight's the night we will finally - "
"JayJay, you don't understand it enough to talk about stay out of Mina's diary because its just going to scare you for life" laughted Lita and JayJay smiled. " Hi your the girl everyone tries not to talk about around it" said JayJay bluntly but Serena found it inspiring that he was so honest about the situation even if he mostly didn't get everything that was probably going on.
"JayJay" glared Lita.
"Well its true. Only when the ugly girl with the red hair said anything. She wasn't very nice. She would say things like Beech and boyfriend-stealer. I haven't seen her in a while"
''Beryl'' thought Serena putting it all together. "Well boyfriend-stealer only by repuatation most of my friends call me Serena" she replied sweetly. "" Yeah I like you, are the most pretty out of all of Darien's girlfriends" said JayJay with a smile. Serena was shocked and Lita just smiled, "Come on JayJay out you go, Serena and I have things to do" and JayJay smiled and left. " I don't know who you cousin has been listening to because I am definitly not his girlfriend."
" Only unoffically" said Lita.
"Unoffically. What are you talking about?" Serena was so confused.
"You've never wondered by no guy besides Darien outside of your circle has talked to you since you got here?"
"My circle"
"Yeah well your friends, like Andrew are no threat to Darien. You didn't know did you that he had put a claim on you?", it was now Lita's turn to look surprised. "What do you mean a claim?" Serena felt like she knew nothing at this point because the was obviously some kind of secret messege she was missing. " Oh well Darien, Jacob, Micheal, Nathan and Zack make claims on girls they want and no one is allowed to be with them till they end their claim. A claim is like a nonexclusive relationship. Sometimes its just until the girl says yes to a hook up other times it last longer. Of course Darien is the only one who isn't in an offical relationship so he can claim more girls" replied Lita.
"You make it sound like a government benefit or a tax return" said Serena, who couldn't believe such a system actually existed let alone people actually took seriously. "Its not that bad. Raye, Mina, Ami and I are exclusively claimed. That means more respect" said Lita with pride. It was the stupidiest thing Serena had ever heard in her life. "And how long has this claim been going on for", she cringed at having to ask. "The day you got suspended"
"So, there's nothing I can do to end this claim" asked Serena.
"You can't really, he has to. I guess you could hook up with him. I might end it after that but than maybe not. I really don't no what he is planning and neither do Raye and my boyfriend, Nathan."
"So there's nothing I can do" said Serena, also declaring that she and Darien would never be together in that way. "I guess not than" said Lita, who didn't see any other alternative. "You know most girls jump at the chance and Darien has never had to make a claim before. Usually he doesn't have to." Serena shrugged her shoulders which said it all. She wasn't interested and it was obviously something she would need to confront Darien about. " Thats probably why he did it you know because your harder to get and he didn't want anyone to try whilst he was - " Lita cut herself off when she heard a door slam shut. It sounded like the front door but Serena couldn't be sure.
"Lita, my brat brother just told me that Serena is hear please tell me that he is just being delusional and - " Mina stopped her self as she stood in the door openning and saw both Lita and Serena occupying the room. " Well I guess he isn't imagining things. What are you doing here. I throught we had an understanding." glared Mina.
"Mina, our grandfather has change his mind, Serena is going to be staying here from now on. Well we better leave Serena to settle in, come on Mina" said Lita practually pushing her cousin out the door and closing it behind it.
Serena didn't know what to say to Mina's remarks, she however had plenty to say to another individual. Picking up her phone she accessed the directory. Searching for the number she was looking for she pressed call. Placing the phone to her ear she waited and final they answered.
"Hello Serena" said Darien in a smooth voice. She just knew he was enjoying the fact that she had called him. " Get over yourself Darien we need to talk so don't you dare try to aviod me"
"I was under the impression that that was what you where doing to me" he replied. He had her there because she had but she had a reason to talk to him now. " I'm not going to argue with you because your not worth it. Meet me at midday tomorrow at the river court" and she hung up on him. He was becoming a real problem in the bigger picture. She had other things to do like trying to find out about her mother's past. She took a deep breath and headed toward the balcony doors. Pulling the curtains back she opened doors and she walked out to see outside. It was so natural and felt carefree, how far from the turns her life was yet again taking. Leaning on the railing she entered her own throughts to find retreat. To find some way she would come out off all of this victorious.
"You look like my daughter with that look on your face" Serena looked up and turned to see Jarred Shallows. The rage she felt pulsing in very part of her was overtaking ever logical part of her. Her hatred for this man was bigger than she had relised. She had to remind herself that he was now sickly old man with little life left in him just to restrain herself from lashing out.. He however looked tired but still critical. He was in a wheelchair being pushed around by an older woman who was no doubt a nurse helping to take care of him. "Get out" he said sharply to the woman her left without a word and closed the door behind her. When there was only them in the room her began to speak after he had done an inspect of her, probably to see if she really was his daughter's daughter. "You hate me don't you Serena". He said her name slowly like her was testing to se if it was a worthy name.
She wan't to scream, yes. She hated him with all her being but she didn't. He had come hear for a reason. She would let him say his part and listen. " I doubt you care if I hated you most in this world. You have something to say, say it."
"You have more courage than my daughter. It took her longer to talk back, to disrespect me. You must get that from you father."
How dare he talk about her father as if he knew anything about him because he didn't. It took all her will power to calm herself down and continue what had been started. "Maybe so but the qualities I inherited from my parents is not why you have come to speak to me".
"I suppose not. I want no confusion what this -"
"There isn't, your son made it clear of what you all truely think"
"I'm sure Joel had many things to say. However I owe my wife this much. She would no like what has happened to you and would demand I take you in. She was more forgiving than I am, it is for her I am doing this. She would tell me you are innocent in all of this. It wasn't you who left this family in shame."
"Don't you talk about her that way. My mother was better than all of you, better than all of this. She loved someone more than money unlike the rest of. Their is nothing shameful about that. It is you who should feel ashamed." snapped Serena, her hand was tightly wound around the rail. "Really and will you let history repeat itself. I hear that the newest generation of Shields is quite taken with you. Will you leave him out to dry as your mother did so his father?"
"Darien has nothing to do with this, he is innocent in that respect I'm sure that considering your close ties with the Shields you ain't more careful about what you say about them. I'm sure they wouldn't like what you aretrying to pass off as truth rather."
"You are quick to come to other's defence. I have always valued loyality. I enjoyed this, we will do this again" he banged on the door and the nurse reappeared. " Take care Serena, you may find a similar fate to my daughter but I assure you it wont be a happy ending as she claimed her's to be" he said leaving her to wonder what he meant by that.