A Winter in California
Part 1
Serena stared at the rain through the only window in her worn down studio, trying to track each one that hit the glass to slowly descend into oblivion. Usually this weather would make her happy since California usually didn't see much of it. But she wasn't happy. Not since this morning when he came to her door. Demanding. Angry. Controlling.
He had come in her shabby low-rent studio inspecting it, and inspecting her. His eyes were dark and swirling with conflicting emotions, his body rigid and hard. It was hard to imagine that a few years ago those same eyes held tenderness and love. But just like the rain drops, it too faded into oblivion.
Her life, she reminisced, had been one of a fairy tale one upon a time. Her father and mother were wealthy socialites living in southern California's beautiful and exclusive Lavender Falls; a community hidden in the hills beyond San Diego.
Her father was an intelligent and much admired business lawyer, who made connections by defending powerful corporations and men. He had built an impressive empire backed by his influential friends, if you had the money and needed the best, you would ask for Mr. Ken Kensington, that is, if you could afford him.
Her mother was studying to be an engineer in college when she met her father and they decided to run off and get married. Linda Kensington's father had disowned her soon after, angry she would marry a man with no more than twenty dollars in the bank. Linda is currently paying her fathers bills now.
And herself? Well, she was an only child doted on by her parents and loved by all that came in contact with her. She was sent to the best private schools soon after her father had landed his first major victory at his firm, and from then on, lived life the average American would only dream of. She lived in a mansion that overlooked 34 acres of private forest, with over a hundred servants and numerous comforts.
But there was a price. A price she realized too late.
Now resting her head on a cheap pillow a friend had given to her, so far away from the silky ones she used to have she thought sadly, she reached out to close the light.
She wondered as she closed her eyes, if her mother still used the pink silk pillows she gave her for New Years…no probably not, its been two years. The wealthy only keep things for one...
Across the street in a beat up and inconspicuous black Honda Civic, a man opened his cell phone and dialed a number.
"Mr. Kensington, yes sir. She has just turned off the lights,"
Pause.
"Yes sir, I will wait until 2 hours have passed,"
Pause.
"I will call back after it's been done. Good night sir,"