A Few Hours Ago:
Serena’s hand paused on the doorknob as she spotted the figure standing just outside her room.
"Miss Hawk? What are you doing here?" Serena asked in wary surprise as she noticed the woman lurking outside her room. Margaret Hawk was Aiden’s aunt and refused to be addressed as Aunt by her. However, the woman had not really been exactly welcoming in the past so seeing her here was kind of worrisome.
"I came to bring you something," Margaret said smoothly, stepping closer. Serena instinctively backed up a step, not entirely comfortable with the woman’s sudden proximity. There was something about her presence that always put Serena on edge. Her experience with Charles Hawk had not exactly been stellar. So it was better to be wary of his sister as well.
"Peace offering?" Serena echoed, her eyes narrowing slightly. A peace offering for what, exactly? They had never been on good terms, but neither had they openly clashed—at least, not yet.
She reached into her bag and pulled out a small, velvet pouch holding it out to Serena who flicked a look at that before looking back at the older woman.." What’s in there?"
"Its nothing dangerous. Don’t look so worried. Just take a look."
Serena emptied the contents of the pouch to find a delicately carved bracelet inside and raised her eyebrows," This is not needed..."
"I know it is not needed. Aiden must have showered you with jewels. But, like I said, this is a peace offering.
"Why now?" she asked. "What’s changed?"
The older woman’s eyes gleamed, and for the first time, Serena thought she saw a hint of something more dangerous lurking beneath that polished exterior. "Things change quickly, my dear," Margaret replied softly. "Especially when it comes to family."
Serena stood in the doorway long after Margaret Hawk had turned on her heel and disappeared down the hallway. Looking a tthe bracelet in her hand, Serena frowned. There was no way she was keeping something from the Hawk family without having it run by Aiden. She didn’t know what could turn out to be dangerous.
Without another thought, she turned to walk towards his office. She knew she needed to get ready but talking to Aiden was mor eimportant at the moment.
She knocked lightly, waiting, but there was no answer. Frowning, she knocked again. Still nothing. Pushing the door open, she peered inside. Yup. As expected, the place was empty. Looking at the pouch in her hand, she went inside and placed it on his desk. Now, even if the bracelet had a bomb inside, it would explode in Aiden’s office. She was safe from any side effects of this peace offering.
Just as she was about to turn and leave, a sharp sound broke the silence, and she realized it was a phone ringing.
She froze, her eyes scanning the room. Had he left his phone in the office? After a moment, she realized it was coming from one of the desk drawers.
She hesitated, her hand hovering over the drawer as the ringing stopped abruptly. With a shrug, Serena stepped back, ready to leave, but then the phone rang again. What if it was something urgent?
With a grimace, she opened the drawer and answered the phone, only to have Owen’s panicky voice sound there," Thank God! You finally answered! Serena! I know I told you that I won’t contact you again, but this is an emergency. Did you read my message? There are some people here outside my house. I don’t know why they are chasing me but they said that if I give them money, they might leave me alone. I don’t have that kind of money... help me Rena... please. I promise I will return the money to you."
Serena blinked, staring at the phone in disbelief as Owen’s voice cut off abruptly. He had disconnected the call before she could even get a word in.
Why had Owen called Aiden’s phone, thinking it was hers? And what was all that about people chasing him for money?
She quickly pulled out her own phone and checked her messages—nothing from Owen. Not a single call or text.
Her gaze shifted back to the phone in her hand. Something wasn’t right. With growing suspicion, she opened the message app on Aiden’s phone and froze. The messages weren’t addressed to Aiden, but to her.
Slowly, she dialed her own number on her own and watched in horror as the other phone started to ring... Her stomach twisted. Someone had swapped her number. And that someone had to be Aiden... who else would..
With numerous questions plaguing her about the entire situation, Serena hurriedly tried to call Owen, only for his phone to be not reachable. She glanced at the time. She was almost running late for getting ready now but could she leave Owen in the lurk.
Making a quick decision, she walked towards the car park. And then stopped, hiding behind a pillar as she watched Aiden talking on the phone.
"Why can’t you follow a simple set of instructions? What is taking so long? If he is not coming out of the house just go inside and finish the job! Do you need me to come there personally?
Serena’s heart sank.
Handle it? What was he talking about? Could it be that, he was the one who had sent those goons... However, the next words shocked her as Aiden’s voice grew colder, "Make sure it’s a warning. Nothing too permanent, but he better understand. If there is a repeat of this, then he won’t be able to beg the next time..."
"Fine fine! I am coming to see things myself! But things better be done by the time I get there Or next time, I will take my business elsewhere."
As she watched Aiden get into the car, Serena could not help but frown. She needed to follow him. She had to save Owen from all this.. Why would Aiden go after him though?