Page 5 of Serena (Shattered Queens #1)

There are two versions of Serena Nerva. The one staring back at me in the mirror right now is the one I present to the world.

A confident woman who takes no shit from anyone.

Who is respected by her colleagues. Who walks into a room with her head held high, knowing she is smarter than half the people in the room, if not all of them.

Always in control. The problem solver people rely on.

The other version is a ticking time bomb. Always looking over her shoulder when she walks down the street. Who feels shattered beyond repair. Whose past reckless decision has caused permanent scars. Respira. I chant to myself. Respira.

I’m standing in front of my full-length mirror, admiring the beautiful dress the stylist at the boutique picked out.

I’ve hated dress shopping ever since college, but I make exceptions for work.

It took me a couple of changes to find the right one.

The dress is mid-length, dark blue, which stands out against my tan skin.

It’s not too tight, but it still shows off my curves in all the right places, yet keeps it modest for a work function.

My brown hair is pinned to my left side with curls cascading down.

I look into the mirror to make sure it doesn’t move out of place.

For tonight, I’m sticking with neutrals when it comes to my makeup but applying my favorite red lipstick.

I’m on the shorter side, so the heels give me some additional height.

I smile in the mirror, sliding on the mask I present to the world. My phone vibrates.

Yuri

Downstairs, want me to come up?

Serena

No need, I’m coming.

I exit my building and hear a whistle coming from a black sedan that’s parked right in front of the entrance. I look up and laugh at Yuri's attempts to catcall me. “That’s very anti-feminist of you.” I give her a flirty wink.

She’s wearing the green dress from the boutique; it was the first one she tried on.

It looks gorgeous on her beautiful olive skin.

My best friend radiates sunshine. Even when the sun isn't shining, she always is. I honestly don’t know what I would do without her.

I take a deep breath and get in the car.

I’ve been feeling anxious all day, and I can’t seem to shake off the uneasy feeling.

“Todo Bien?” Yuri asks.

“Si, un poco nerviosa,” I admit.

Yuri speaks a little bit of Spanish. She learned it from her Puerto Rican mother, but she doesn’t speak it often.

On the few occasions that she does, it’s usually to calm me down.

There is something about speaking the language that settles me.

It may have to do with my grandmother, whom I was close with.

It brings back the feeling of comfort and safety.

“What do you have to be nervous about?”

“I don’t know.” Because honestly, I don’t know. I pretend it’s excitement. It is my first gala, after all. But I know better. She takes my hand and holds it, taking deep breaths with me.

By the time we arrive, the gala is in full swing.

The company spared no expense. The servers are walking around with trays of canapés and flutes of champagne.

Tables are placed around the dance floor for spectators.

The music is instrumental, which allows the attendees to network.

I’m sure that will change later. I don’t plan on drinking at these events, but just to keep up appearances, I grab a glass of champagne for Yuri and me when the waiter walks by and ask for a bottle of water.

From across the dance floor, I catch a glimpse of red hair.

Claudia, my assistant, sees me and makes her way over.

“Hi Serena! You look amazing!” She hugs me.

Since the first day I met Claudia, I knew she was a hugger.

“Quite the party, huh?” I nod in agreement.

“Claudia, this is my best friend Yuri. Yuri, this is my amazing assistant.” Claudia smiles.

“It seems that the marketing department that was hired is all here as well. There are three of them, but I haven’t been able to meet them. You won’t be working with them, but they may want to do a photo session for the social media and final budget stuff,” she goes on to say.

I have to remind her that she isn’t working, so she needs to enjoy herself.

She smiles and returns to her socializing.

Yuri finishes with her champagne and moves on to mine.

She is very comfortable at events like this.

She grew up attending them largely due to her father.

Now that she lives a couple of states away from him, her brother sometimes extends an invitation, but since she began her relationship with Xander, her attendance at events is minimal.

So I was surprised when she accepted my invitation to be my plus one.

I turn to her. “Yuri, isn’t Elias friends with the Kayde brothers?

” I’m curious because I know nothing about my new boss.

Like anyone with a curious mind, I googled him, but all I found was general information about his businesses.

I did see a lot of articles about him and women. It seems he’s the non-committal type.

“I tried to look him up but didn’t find much. He could be a total asshole for all I know.”

She laughs. “He is. I mean, Ian Kayde is an asshole—a hot and rich asshole. E and Ian are really good friends. E should be coming, since this is part of social networking, and all that jazz, so you should ask him.”

To say the Lobo siblings have a complicated relationship is an understatement. I’m close to Elias too. After a while, he became the brother I never had. He is protective of Yuri and me, but unlike Yuri, I don’t have a trust fund that attracts suitors.

“How are you two doing?”

“As best as we can be. Considering he hates my fiancé.”

It’s no secret that Elias isn’t a fan of Xander. Truth be told, I’m not either, but I stand by my friend.

I’m scanning the room, letting my eyes drift, people watching, zoning out—when Yuri goes still. Her glass stops midair. Her face pales. “What is it?” I ask, already knowing I won't like the answer. I follow her gaze.

And there he is. My past, dressed in gray and walking straight toward me. My stomach caves. My hands tremble. Yuri grabs my left hand. “Respira,” she whispers.

Then—

“Hello, Serena.”