Page 36 of Serena (Shattered Queens #1)

“Idon’t want anything big, just a small dinner,” I beg Yuri, who’s sitting across from me.

She’s visiting me for lunch to discuss my upcoming birthday dinner.

She makes it a point to celebrate all our birthdays.

The last birthday celebration I had with my parents was when I was nine, but my grandmother always made a big deal up until her passing.

“I promise it will be small this year.” She giggles because that’s what she said last year and the year before that.

“Is it safe to assume Ian will be coming with you?”

“I haven’t asked him. He’s been away on business, but I thought it should be something I do in person. That and I'm nervous—this is a big step for me.”

“Well, E will be there, and they’re friends. So, it’s not like he’s a stranger.” There’s a pang of guilt in my gut, but I push it away. There is no reason for me to feel guilty. I need to talk to Elias, but he returns from his trip right before my birthday dinner. He wouldn't tell Ian. Would he?

“Ser—” Yuri’s interrupted by a knock on my door. It’s Claudia, and she has a troubled expression. She opens the door enough for me to hear the reason why.

“Ms. Nerva, we have a situation.”

“Where is he?” I hear Mila shout behind Claudia.

I turn to my friend. “Do you think she knows about Ian and me?”

“That’s a bit of a stretch. I don’t see how.

But is there an Ian and you?” She throws back the question, but I don’t have an answer.

I’ve learned that when Ian sets his mind on something, there is no stopping him.

I’ve seen it in business over the last couple of months.

Unfortunately, or fortunately for me, I am that something, but I can’t decide which I prefer.

“I don’t know, but what I do know is that I need to get Mila out of here.”

You’ve got to be fucking kidding me with this. The last thing I need is to deal with an irate ex-whatever she is. I make my way to where the commotion is taking place.

Yuri joins me. “I'm going to warn you, she’s the biggest bitch I’ve ever met.”

I turn to my best friend. “I thought I was the biggest bitch you’ve ever met,” I whine and pout my lips.

“Okay, she is second, but be careful with her. She loves to threaten people with the fact that her family is part of the media.”

“Thanks for the heads up.”

“Ms. Livingston.” She swiftly turns in my direction, then to Yuri, who is standing next to me.

“Yuri Lobo, I didn’t know you worked here.” Did this bitch just look past me? Yes, yes, she did.

“I don’t. I was having lunch with my friend when you decided to interrupt by making a scene. Kinda desperate, don’t you think, Mila?” Well fuck, where did that come from? Yuri rarely acts on her disdain for others.

“Desperate. Never.” Mila brings her attention back to me, but I see the ire on her face.

“Well, Ms. Livingston, Mr. Kayde isn’t here. You are disrupting the workspace and need to leave. I’m sure his assistant will inform him that you stopped by.”

“And who the fuck are you? His secretary?"

This bitch. “No, I’m Serena Nerva. What you need to know is that I will call security if you don’t leave.”

“She’s the Vice President of Finance,” my friend proclaims proudly. I grin, and it only seems to piss off Mila even more.

“Well, I don’t care who the hell you are. You don’t talk to me like that.” Mila raises her voice at me. Fuck this, and fuck her. I turn to Selma.

“Call security.” Then I approach Mila and whisper, “I don’t care who you are.

If you’re Ian’s fiancée or not, but you don’t get to come in here and yell at everyone.

If he doesn’t want to see you, there is nothing Selma or I can do about it.

If you know your ‘fiancé’—I make air quotes—“then you know none of us can change his mind. So, I recommend you leave with dignity before security walks you out.” Her eyes look like they’re going to pop out of her head.

She’s clenching her jaw tight. Her nostrils are flaring.

She’s pissed, but so am I. Just calling her his fiancée makes my stomach sour.

I continue, “Please remember my name. It’s Serena Nerva, and I’m the person who asked you to leave.

I am the Vice President of Finance, although there is nothing wrong with being a secretary.

Let’s not minimize my role. This isn’t high school.

” She turns and sees all eyes on us. Security is approaching.

Jacob walks behind them. “So, what will it be, Ms. Livingston?” She stares at me for a couple of seconds, and without a word, she turns and walks away.

“I came to see what all the commotion was about,” Jacob says, standing next to me. “Thought you might need help.”

“No, I’m perfectly capable of handling the situation.”

“He must be in the doghouse again.”

I’m going to regret asking this. “What do you mean?”

“Well, if your fiancée comes to your work to have it out, then you must have done something pretty big to piss her off. He seems to be quite the ladies’ man.” He looks at my friend and introduces himself.

Now all eyes are only on me. “Let’s all get back to our day, please.” I turn and walk toward my office, with Yuri behind me. I need to get away from Jacob.

“Holy shit, Serena, that was amazing and hot.” I am trying to calm myself. I look at Yuri and cross my arms.

“She’s a bully. What’s your excuse? That outburst? You never act like that.”

“It’s just that she’s always going after things she knows she can’t have.” She doesn’t elaborate, so I don’t press her. “So, I guess that answers the question about Ian and you. Also, Jacob is a creep. I can still feel his pervy eyes on me. Ew.” I agree.

I change the conversation to her wedding because I don’t need any more attention on me.

The whole office will be buzzing with gossip, and I’m sure that Selma has notified Ian about Mila’s visit.

I see Yuri stiffen when I ask about the wedding, so I switch to the studio's anniversary celebration in a couple of months, and she tells me all about her ideas.

After spending longer than anticipated on my lunch date, I get back to work.

When an email pops up. It’s my birthday invitation, and I see who’s been copied on the email.

Ian Kayde. There goes me personally inviting him.

I know Yuri thought I’d chicken out, so she beat me to the punch.

I need to release some of this tension. I check the time; I can still make it to the late kickboxing class.

“So, are you and Annie coming to my birthday dinner?” I ask while catching my breath. My arms are aching from sparring with Nina. Sweat is running down my forehead and back. My legs are shaking from the combination of front kicks and side kicks she’s making me do.

“Yes, Annie and I will be there. So, think of this session as your pre-birthday gift.” I roll my eyes. “Your ass is going to look great in whatever you wear. You’re welcome, by the way.” She laughs. The joke’s on her. My ass already looks great.

I raise my hands in surrender. When I asked her to help me release some tension, I don’t remember asking her to kill me in the process.

“Do you need a date?” Her question catches me off guard.

“Um, no. I have my own birthday party covered, thanks.” Well, I think I do.

“It’s just a reminder that I can still call James.” Shit, for his sake, I’m not going down that road.

“Don’t bother. I’m kind of talking to someone.” I close my eyes as I confess. When I open them, I see her smiling.

“I can’t wait to meet him.” Unlike her wife, Annie, Nina hides her emotions with indifference. Annie is loud and vocal about her excitement. At the moment, I’m glad I decided to come to kickboxing rather than the range.

I make it home and settle for the night when I hear a knock at my front door. Ian stands there with a bag of food. He’s in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. Fuck, does this man look sinful.

“Hola, Mi Reina. I thought I’d surprise you. Can I come in?”

“Is that Mexican food in the bag?” I know it is. I can smell it.

“Yes, your favorite from the Mexican restaurant by the office.” He lifts the bag and waves it in front of my face.

“Well then, come in.”

We sit and eat together, and it feels so normal. Is this what it’s like to just be with someone?

“So, I heard the office was eventful today.” Straight to the point as always. “Yes, it was, but I took care of it.”

“Oh, care to explain?” He has a smug look on his face.

“Actually, no, because I’m sure you already know. If security didn’t tell you, then Selma did.”

“You’re right, they both called to inform me. But…”

“But…”

“But I also have the security camera that recorded everything. And I heard the argument you had with Mila.” He slides his tacos away from him, pushing his chair back.

He reaches for me, and I go to him. He sits me on his lap, and his fingers pinch my chin, making me face him. Which I now realize he does a lot.

“Baby, you were jealous.” It’s not a question. I hate it.

“There is nothing to be jealous about. I just didn’t like how she was being rude.” I try to cover up.

“Lie to yourself all you want.” He lays kisses on my neck while his hands caress my inner thigh. I’m wearing sweatpants, but his touch instantly burns my skin.

“I saw your birthday invitation. Did you plan on not inviting me?" He continues kissing me.

“Well, you’ve been gone. But I had planned to ask you the next time I saw you.”

He stops and faces me. “You were?” I wrap my arms around him and straddle him. I see the look of surprise on his face.

“Yes, that was my plan, but Yuri jumped the gun and sent out the email. So, Ian, would you like to go to my birthday party as my date?”

“Mi Reina, I would be honored. Now, let me show you how much I missed you.” He carries me to my bedroom and does just that. All night.