(till chapter three)

"Cheers!" The room erupted with harmonious voices coming from the throng of professionals that gathered up for a certain reunion. The clicking of glasses was heard accompanied by exchanging of conversations. It was a deafening atmosphere as the music went ear piercing and people became unconscious of their wild dances. Everything was at great spirit or should I say not all to be exact.

At the far end corner of the room was a woman seated on a chair covering her ears and refusing to drink any beverage with a connection to alcohol. She was feeling uncomfortable looking at the atmosphere surrounding her.

Another woman noticed her queer reaction and she chose to approach her. "Hey, why are you not enjoying this party. This is the first time in decades that we actually had a family reunion along with our old comrades" The woman said who appeared to be the cousin of Serenity Alexandria Avertini. She sat beside her trying to heighten up her cousin's odd behavior.

"Cous, can I tell you something?" She inquired looking at her beaming cousin.

"What?!" She drew a question back, not audibly hearing what her cousin had just said.

It was useless, the rowdy atmosphere was far too powerful for their voices to be heard. Standing up, Serenity pulled her cousin carefully not to affect her delicate condition. Being a soon to be mother made Serenity ecstatic for both her cousin and cousin's husband.

She guided them outside of the mansion, towards a breathtaking view of the setting sun on the garden. Both girls sat on the bench.

"So, what was it that you asked earlier?" Her cousin asked glancing at her.

"Can I tell you something?" Serenity looked at her cousin.

"Sure you can, you can tell me anything Serrie" She smiled at her for assurance.

"Well, I just think that I don't belong inside" she mumbled.

"Why not?" Her cousin inquired, confused of her statement. "was it because of your dislike of a disorganized ambiance or was it because you're the only one in the family who at your thirty-first years of existent still isn't ready to settle down"

"I'll take the second one but I have my own reasons" She answered.

"Really? Like what" Her cousin arched her brows.

Serenity gave her the you-already-know look before looking at the well-trimmed grass below their feet.

Her cousin sighed before placing a hand on her back to soothe the unhappy Serenity.

"Serenity for once please do your family a favor and stop blaming yourself. It happened years ago when you were fifteen."

"How could I not blame myself. I could've given him a chance and I could've learned to love him but I was afraid to enter a relationship at that time more less It was my best friend who confessed to me" She looked at her cousin with tears threatening to escape.

Her cousin enveloped her into a tight hug as the poor girl began to cry. "Still the same old Serie who's all nice and couldn't move on" Her cousin whispered.

*********

"Andrei, you need to get a wife," The senior Willforth said, his voice was stern but his appearance was serene.

Andrei spluttered on the wine he was drinking at the sound of his father's command. Earlier, he planned to visit his father and now he suddenly regretted that idea. He looked at his father oddly like he had just grown two heads.

"What?" He managed to say.

"You need to get a wife and produce an heir as soon as possible," He said as he took a sip of his wine. little did he know his son was getting annoyed at this topic.

His father cleared his throat before saying "You have three options: Get a wife of your own choosing, I'll let your grandmother choose for you or you'll lose your position at the Willforth Industries" His father said as if enjoying his son's deathly glares that were continuously being thrown directly at him.

"You can't possibly do that. Who do you suppose will be the next ow-" He retorted but didn't get to finish it for his father had once again taken over the conversation.

"Owner?" His father chuckled. "Due to the fact that you're my only child and successor, I think I'll let your cousin have it"

What he had just heard was solemnly unbelievable. "but you hated Drake!"

"Hate him or not. I'll do whatever it takes to save this empire that was once started by your great ancestors" His father said in the most authoritative manner. As much as he loves his father, he hated him now for demanding nonsense things.

"Oh, enough with the face Andrei" His father snapped at him. "You are fully aware of the family's disease. Once you reach your late thirties or early forties the symptoms might show attack" At this point, his father's tone softened and his face suddenly became void of any emotions. Andrei clearly knew that this was a sensitive topic for his father. He could still remember how devastated his father was when his mother died of that disease. it runs in his mother's family and a possibility that It will run in his veins too.

His father cleared his throat"You're already thirty-three, the sooner the better." His voice became stern again. "I'll give you a month to find a wife. The month after will be the wedding If by chance you haven't found one yet. I'll let your grandmother choose and if you refuse. Your ownership of Willforth Industries will cease to exist."

"What!, A month. You can't be serious!" Rage filled him. A month was too soon. He abruptly stood up making his way outside of the blasted chamber they called a library.

"Mark my words boy" His father called from behind before he finally exited the library. Once outside the mansion, He stomped off to his Ferarri then rode the road with a rapid motion.

*****

Serenity kneeled down in front of her beloved best friend's grave letting her tears fall down rapidly and Letting her hands roam against the surface of the marble stonetomb as she reread the engraved words.

Here Lie's

Nathaniel Diaz

A Loving son, A smart man and a beloved Best friend.

A force smile crept in her face as she continued to sob. Unleashing all the emotions in her heart for her dear lifeless friend.

"Hey Nathan, (sobs) I'm really sorry for not trying. I should've listened to you and gave it a chance. I'm really sorry, (sob) I hope you could forgive me" She managed to choke out before saying the final statement "I love you" then again tears streamed down her face.

Not long after, her phone rang disturbing her unpleasant reverie. Reaching through her pocket, she grabbed her phone, slide the answer button and brought it near her ear not bothering to look at the caller's name.

"Serenity Avertini speaking" she spoke restraining the tears that were once again threatening to escape and maintaining her voice audibly.

It was her secratary

"Ma'am, your next meeting with Mr. Willforth of Willforth Gadgets and machinery industry will be in thirty minutes ma'am "