Page 43 of Serena

“Was that not enough? Do I give more?”

She laughs. “No, I’m sure you just funded months of toy shopping.”

We’re the last people to leave. She and I stay to help clean up.

“What time is Augustus picking you up?

I had him collect her today, and as usual, she fought with him and then with me, but she gave in eventually. She realized there was no point in fighting this.

“Oh, I told Gus that I’d let him know.”

“Excuse me, did you say Gus? My driver?”

“Yes, Gus, short for Augustus. Like from Cinderella.”

“Did you nickname my driver after a rat?”

“A mouse, and yes. It’s my favorite movie. He didn’t mind…at first.”

“Oh, I guarantee he did mind, but like me, you have him wrapped around your finger. All it took was a couple of minutes.”

She stops what she’s doing and looks at me. The moment is interrupted by a child barreling into me. He catches me off guard, and I fall back onto the table and knock over the glass bottles. They hit the concrete floor, broken glass everywhere. I’mable to grab the kid as his mom rushes to him, and I hand him over unharmed.

I look at Serena, and the same can’t be said about her. She’s just standing there, frozen and staring at the broken glass.

“Serena.” No response.

I see Claudia approach. “Oh my god, are you okay?”

“Yes, can you please give us a moment?”

“Serena.” Fuck, still no response.

I lift her chin and see her eyes. Those beautiful brown eyes that are usually filled with fire seem so hollow. Shit, the broken glass.

“Serena, baby. Look at me. What is it? Tell me.”

Her eyes begin to fill with unshed tears. “There is so much glass everywhere.” I look down and see a couple of broken bottle necks from the beer lying by her feet. Fuck.

“Baby, I’m going to pick you up and take you to my car, okay?” She nods. “Use your words, Serena, use your words.”

“O-okay,” she whispers.

I gently pick her up and carry her to my car, placing her in the passenger's side. I take off her shoes and put them in my trunk. Claudia notices and comes to check on her boss, who I can see has turned into more of a friend. I make up an excuse about Serena not feeling well.

“Please let me know if there’s anything that I can do.”

“I will, Claudia. Thank you.”

I quickly call Augustus, letting him know I have her, then make my way to her apartment.

“Mi Reina, can you hear me? And use your words.”

“Yes.” One-word responses are all I'm getting. At least it’s something. Then she lays her head on the passenger window. I move my hand to her thigh and squeeze her gently. I know trauma when I see it, and right now she’s lost in it. After a couple of minutes, she moves her hand over mine and squeezes back.I make it to her place and use my key to enter. I lay her on the couch and just sit next to her, stroking her hair.

“Can you please stay with me?” The plea in her voice breaks me.

“You don’t have to ask.”