A week came and went without him even trying. What the goddamned hell happened to their agreement!

She had waited for him sheepishly every single night, bearing in mind that she would ask him when he returns, but it turned out that she would often fall asleep before he could come back. The thing was it shouldn't bother her, right? for she hated the mere presence of him- or so she thought, and yet there she was for the past seven days like the good old classic docile wife waiting for her husband to take her at night.

Serenity was well aware of the event that had him all worked up for the past days yet it also didn't occur to her that it would go as far as to not seeing him for almost a week.

Serenity released a breath she didn't know she was holding. She felt disappointed partly because Andrei hadn't touched her, but mostly because... her period came in today.

I'm not pregnant. The sad reality came crashing to her again like a huge pile of rocks gyrating towards her direction and hitting her exactly in the gut.

He didn't even show up on our ride to Africa. She mused.

She did not know exactly where her emotions were getting at. It's just that she had this undecided feeling of emptiness and longing? Wait, does she miss him?...

Serenity shrugged that thought aside. It was pretty random and horrifying. She couldn't... and she might as well shouldn't...

She shook her head no, grabbing a glass of water resting atop the table in front and gulping its lukewarm contents.

No, this is what I'm afraid of. I should not feel an emotional attachment to him. I should be careful. I should be.

Meanwhile, a knock echoed inside the room and a voice called from the other side of the door.

"Miss Serenity"

For the night, she and Andrei would be residing in one of Cape Town's grand hotels and currently, she's inside the master suite preparing for tonight's event.

"Come in" Serenity called, looking at the door through the glass surface of her vanity mirror.

The door swung open and there emerged her stylists and makeup artist with her attire and accessories.

"Hi" Serenity whirled on her seat acknowledging the all too familiar faces of artists that she'd worked with for the past years. The reason why she'd been given the title crowd stunner on every media prints.

"Hi!" came the high pitched voice of Pnina, her makeup artist who had already closed the distance between them to envelop her in a warm embrace.

Jeff, her stylist laid the gown on the bed, smoothing every uneven crease and crinkles with his hand before approaching and giving her the same thing Pnina did.

Red, her hairstylist did three consecutive claps in the air whilst making his way towards her. A known trait of him when he's in a hurry.

"Chap, chap. We've got so much work to do and the time, oh look at the time." His thick Spanish accent was easily perceived as he glanced on his watch. "We've got 5 hours. Aye Dios Mio! Five hours is not enough" the man lamented massaging his forehead to cool down his frustration.

Serenity chuckled. Among the three Red was the so-called time freak. Sometimes too exaggerated for his own good. "Red, I think 5 hours is enough to get everything done"

Red released an incredulous gasp, bewildered at the words that came out from the woman's mouth. He placed a hand on his chest whilst looking at her like she had grown two heads. Told you, somewhat too exaggerated for his own good. "Ayssttt, ¡Cuánto te quiero mucho! (I love you a lot!)... But Qué vergüenza! (Shame on you) Serie, you never know. Beauty takes time. Although you are already beautiful. But still, we must make you the most beautiful among them all."

It wasn't long till he gave her the teasing smile, nudging her playfully on the shoulder and wriggling his brows like a maniac."We must make all the men in the room drool for you. O la la ... deberías verte sexy para tu marido! (you should look sexy for your husband) "

Serenity grimaced, scrunching her brows in disapproval "¡Eres loco" she muttered under her breath which only made the latter laughed out loud.

***

Andrei was on an aerial flight to Cape Town. Earlier this day he had stayed behind, for the reason that he still had things to sort out. Now it was all done and currently, he's racing against time to get to Cape Town for the annual anniversary of Liberty International.

"How much time do we have until the event?" Andrei inquired on his secretary who was seated at the other side of the aisle across his seat.

"Four and a half hours sir" Terry spluttered out with a hint of difficulty on his part while on the process of gulping down his saliva to refrain the bitter bile from climbing his throat. He had his sickness bag ready in case his actions becomes futile.

"And how long will we be staying on this plane?" His boss added.

"The captain said about 4 hours sir"

Andrei sighed not very pleased with the circumstances. Good thing he had already changed into his event outfit earlier before boarding the plane.

His mind momentarily drifted back to the past days just after his wife had made him sign the agreement. Somehow, it would benefit both of them in terms of securing their companies' futures and escaping a loveless marriage. Hell, It was his ticket to becoming a free man again. and Besides, a successor was what he wanted the most from her in the first place. Nothing more.

***

Serenity examined herself on the full-length mirror. Once again her team did not fail to stun her with their handicrafts. Even she herself could not recognize her own reflection. Every bit was perfection. It showed sophistication.

Though had attended multiple opulent events in the past, she never got used to the way the wealthy dress up. Quite ironic actually considering the fact that she herself was also well-heeled.

"You look absolutely superbly stunning and regal," remarked Red who was starting to tear up for his masterpiece. In this case, she was his masterpiece.

Her hair was styled into a rose bun with delicate tendrils framing the side of her face. Her make up did little to hide her natural beauty. Pnina decided to settle with a simple smokey yet sophisticated airbrush make up that neither conceals Serenity's beauty nor expose it.

She wore a Silver Spaghetti Straps Backless Fitted High Slit evening gown designed by her chosen fashion designer; the great Giambattista Valli.

The satin fabric was neither too thick nor too thin. It clung to her body perfectly accentuating every curve and dip, from the outline of her bosoms to the narrow of her waist down to the roundness of her derriere and the broadness of her hips and finally pooling down to the floor creating a train of fabric illusion.

All were paired with diamond accessories and silver heels courtesy of royal gems and the iconic red soles Louboutin heels.

"It's time" Jeff, her stylist stepped in and handed her a designer embellished shimmering silver clutch which Serenity could only describe as too-small-to-actually-fit-anything-bag.

When you choose fashion over practicality.

Sighing to herself she accepted the bag. If she were to complain it would only look as if she were there to question her stylist fashionability which was something that she wouldn't do.

***

Andrei was waiting inside the hotel's lobby engaging in a conversation with a former business associate who was also here for the anniversary.

"I know that this will be another successful event" The man was seven years his senior.

"You never changed Mr. Smith. Still the optimist, but thankyou. I sure hope so" Andrei replied appreciating the immense positivity that poured from the man's face.

"Oh you know I never doubted your abilities, Andrei. You always come up with amazing ideas, not to mention hosting great events such as this one. You know one of these days you're becoming even more prominent for your humanitarian acts rather than your looks?" Smith had to chuckle at his hinted words of levity. It was visible, he admired the younger man's tactics.

"Philanthropist eh?" He added smiling warmly at his former business associate.

"It's smart business," Andrei simply replied before shoving his hands on the trouser pockets of his tailor-made, expensive suit.

The two men stood in silence for a long while at the foot of the grand staircase.

When Smith finally spoke, his tone was different. "Amazing" It seemed like he was in awe for something.

Andrei gazed at the older man. The man's gaze was no longer on his but rather over his (Andrei's) shoulder. Andrei noticed that Smith's eyes held fascination which made him even more curious as to what object could possibly be behind him.

Andrei decided to check it out himself. He turned, gazing upward, his eyes ascended the marble staircase, which shone stark white against the illuminated chandelier that hung above them. Then... he saw it.

A lone figure stood at the top of the grand staircase.

***