Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

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~ London ~

The familiar scent of pine trees mixed with the ocean soothed me in the complete darkness of my dream.

I didn't dream about Duke in what seems like forever, and the way his arms wrapped around me with urgency put a smile on my face.

"Hey…", he murmured into my hair.

"Hey yourself…", I responded dreamily while nuzzling his neck with my nose. His scent was intoxicating.

"Will I see you today?", he asked.

I didn't get it. "Hmm?"

"Are you coming to the reunion, Serina?", he asked, this time with impatience in his voice.

I was confused. Why did he ask me that? It's my dream and he should know what I know. Right?

Maybe this is my subconsciousness making sure I won't bail out at the last moment.

In the last few days, both Aldus and Calista were going after me and repeating like parrots how I need to come to the reunion. They mean well, but for the first time in both of my lives, I experienced the part of family life when father and aunt are naggy.

"I know you got my invitation, Serina.", Duke continued talking. "Come today, please. We need to talk."

I sighed. Why does he sound so desperate? Is he reflecting my anxiety to see him?

The distinct melodious sound of bells from the nearby Parliament's Clock Tower interrupted my thoughts, ding-dong-ding-dong… ding-dong-ding-dong… … … dong-dong-dong-dong.

Ah, it's four in the morning.

"Is that… Big Ben?", Duke asked with surprise evident in his voice.

This dream was getting weirder by the minute. What happened with us hugging in silence and he kissing my face? "I guess."

"Ha-ha…", a low laugh rumbled through his chest as he tightened his hold on me. "You are in London. You are coming. I will see you today…"

I was not sure how to respond to this. This was my subconsciousness; shouldn't he know where I am? Why was he shaking? Strange.

This dream was different.

…

"It's time to wake up, Miss!", Maria called while opening the heavy curtains and letting the sunlight in. "You need to start getting ready or you will be late for your event…"

I saw that it's 7 AM and I groaned into the pillow. The ridiculous event starts at 11 AM in my old high school and continues with lunch.

Aldus demanded that I don't leave our property without security and he prepared a special car with tinted windows. Mitch and Maria are here with me, they are staying in the apartment, under mine. I have no idea how Aldus managed to secure that unit for them, but I didn't want to know.

Mitch will drive me everywhere, Maria will make sure I have everything I need, and Marius (and probably a few more people) will follow me covertly.

Aldus promised that they will not be in my way, but he wanted someone to always have their eyes on me so that we don't have a repeat of what happened at the event organized by the Council. I didn't complain. Knowing that someone is taking care of me was a different experience, and I enjoyed it.

"I'm awake, Maria…", I grumbled. "Can you prepare breakfast?"

"It's ready, Miss.", she said cheerfully. "While you eat, I will prepare a bath. Did you decide what dress you will be wearing?"

I took a deep breath and a hint of pine trees mixed with the ocean seeped into my system, reminding me of my dream from last night and Duke.

I will get to see him today! And he sent me a note that he wants to talk.

Ah, I was nervous! How will I keep my breakfast down?

I took my steaming cup of tea to the balcony and observed the majestic view of the London Eye on the other side of the River Thames, the Westminster Bridge, and Big Ben.

I fell in love with this apartment because of the view. It's breathtaking.

A smile slithered on my face when I saw on my left a tall trellis covered in green leaves of passionflower. Aldus told me that they are due to bloom in about one month and that the sweet scent of white and purple flowers is amazing. I look forward to it. Aldus is very thoughtful.

Somehow, the events from ten days ago seem like a distant memory.

I wondered, why am I not scared? Three hooded creatures wanted to kidnap me and do who-knows-what with me. Maybe fear is one of those useless feelings that my body decided to discard. Who knows?

The biggest clump in my throat forms when I remember that Lazarus kissed me. I'm still not clear how I feel about it, but I wish that he went for a kiss under better circumstances.

The next day, Lazarus sent me flowers with a note of apology.

[ I am sorry. Let me know when you are ready to talk… as friends.

Lazarus ]

He didn't say for what he is apologizing, but I knew.

We didn't talk since then and I'm not sure how to approach the situation. Laz was never much of a phone person, and I assume that he will not show his face in front of me on his own accord anytime soon because he fears what my reaction will be.

He said that he wants to talk as friends, but can we really continue like that kiss didn't happen?

With that note, Lazarus put the ball on my side of the court, and as much as I appreciate that he is not pushy, I hate that he is making me decide on this.

What is mine to decide?

Can one kiss spoil nearly three years of friendship?

There are many friends who kiss occasionally (and more than that), and they are just fine. I'm not saying that I want to be kissy-kissy friends with Lazarus, but the problem is that Lazarus doesn't want to be just friends, and asking him for that would not be fair. At the same time, I can't make myself push him out of my life.

"Miss, the bath is ready…", Maria said from the door, pulling me away from my unpleasant thoughts into the scary present.

The reunion! Oh, God! It's happening!

"If you need more time for breakfast, I will add more hot water."

What breakfast? I barely managed to swallow three bites. "No need. I'm coming."

I let out a long exhale. This is it. I'm getting ready for a reunion. To meet Duke. To talk to him.

I was so nervous about the possibility of meeting Duke in person, that I was not fazed by the reality of how I will see a bunch of ex-classmates who used to degrade me at any chance they got.

I never understood how Duke connected that I am Seraphina Mezzanotte and that I'm friends with Mona, but I guess that with my occasional appearances in London, it was only a matter of time for someone to make the connection.

Mona told me that Duke showed up in her office one day and asked her if she can give me the letter. I had a feeling that Mona was concealing something, but I was not in a mood to question her further because just the idea of Duke delivering a letter in person for me, made my mind spin.

Maybe all this is just my imagination. I will go to the high school and see that it's closed and there is no such thing as a reunion. The letter and the note are just a joke and it's not real.

I rubbed my face forcibly. Lately, my dreams feel real, and my reality is unbelievable. Am I losing my mind?

I told myself to calm down. Even if the reunion is real, the reports that Mona gave me are clearly showing Duke (aka Drago Orsini) as a private man who doesn't attend events. Maybe he won't be there. I will show up, smile, see that he is not there and leave. After all, I don't care about anyone else who might be there, other than Duke.

I wonder if he is getting ready or is still sleeping…

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