CHAPTER 9

Some morning Tyler for you😉

~Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace~

~Dalai Lama

Demi Lovato: Heart by Heart

SERAPHINA'S POV

I checked the clock hung on the wall and my heart momentarily stopped.

11:09 am.

Shoot, I'm late for sch...wait. I checked the date and exhaled in relief when I saw Sunday written in italics at the centre of the huge device. I yawned and stretched, dragging my lazy ass to the bathroom. It took me less than an hour to get ready, unusual, compared to other days but hey, an empty stomach can only bear so much injustice before lashing out.

Distinct chattering could be heard as I neared the living room, and as if on cue, last night's events replayed in my head. One part of me was telling me to ignore everyone, eat breakfast and go out. But another part, the most reasonable one, advised me to act normal and be the apparent "clueless" girl. Without a breath of hesitation, I chose the latter and plastered on a show-stopping fake smile. Perks of being a model in the making.

"Morning birds." I jumped on my dad's lap and placed my head on his shoulder, making his chest vibrate with laughter.

"Somebody is in a good mood." Asher drawled.

"Daddy's pet." Severina scoffed, sipping her coffee.

"Jealousy." Tiffany mused. Severina frowned and stuffed her mouth with a handful of Cheetos. I pray Mom walks in right now.

"Graçias." I blew Tiffany a kiss, which she pretended to catch mid-air.

"Daddy, you know what I want?" I put on my best puppy-dog face and pouted.

"Bribery and corruption. " Asher laughed, and I tossed him the middle finger.

"Dad you're ignoring me."

"Me? You're the one who hasn't said anything for the past five minutes you've been seated here. Speaking of seats, please get off me. My knees are cramping already, geez."

"Burn." Asher cackled.

"So you mean to say I'm fat? How nice of you dad."

"Nope, honey, you're perfect. Almost too perfect. Your old man just has weak knees." He hugged me and kissed the top of my head. His hugs were the best.

"It's bad to lie to your kids Grayson."

Talk about bad timing. She walked into the living room in all her glory, wearing a tight, long-sleeved red turtleneck and a black, knee-length pencil skirt, with a side slit. She paired her outfit with red stilettos and midnight dark lipstick. Her hair was parted at the centre and pulled into a sleek low bun with two loose strands neatly curled to frame her sculpted face. She defined fashion icon in so many different ways.

"You look, gorgeous honey." Dad complimented.

"Gross," Tiffany mumbled. I smacked her upside the head and grinned when her frown deepened.

"Dad, so I was saying."

"Saying?"

"Ineedanewphone." I blurted out in a breath.

"You what?" I facepalmed in defeat. Guess I'll have to do this and face the consequences.

"I need a new phone."

"What for? What happened to your other phone?" Mom chimed in, suddenly interested in the conversation. Bitch.

"Please, dad. It's very urgent." I pleaded, not giving maleficent the time of day.

"What happened to the other phone?" What's with this family and questions?

"It accidentally slipped and the screen cracked."

"How bad?" He pressed. I glared at him but answered nonetheless.

"Very bad. Like Mom's runway-falls bad," I smirked. He scowled at me but Mom merely rolled her eyes.

"And coincidentally your mirror had the same terrible crack as well, or did it slip from your hands too?" She taunted. My head whipped sharply in her direction. What did she just say?

"Excuse me! you went to my room." It was no point asking because I know for a fact, she did. My mom's that nosy, and her signature smirk was all I needed for confirmation.

"You've no right to go into my room without my permission. That's an invasion of privacy and bottom line barbaric!"

"Seraphina!" Dad yelled but I dismissed him with a raised hand.

"Don't you ever dare step a toe on my doormat again!" I stormed to an empty couch, my mood ruined.

If there's one thing I hated more than burger, it's going through my stuff.

She left shortly after and awkward silence settled for some time until Tiffany disgustingly cleared her throat.

"That's so unladylike." Asher cringed.

"Whatever. Dad, I'm going for a class picnic, I'll be back before ten I promise. Thanks, love you, bye." She was out the door before dad could muster up a reply.

"But I didn't even give her permission." He stated more to himself.

"That's her way of showing you that she's informing you and not seeking permission. " Severina countered.

"They would be the death of me," Dad mumbled on the way to his study.

"You were kinda rude with mom today you know." Severina started.

"Severina."

"No Ash, someone has to tell her the truth. Look, I know Mom can be a handful sometimes but she was only concerned today and Seraphina had to throw in unnecessary attitude."

"Yeah, I feel like she was kind of embarrassed," Asher added.

I bit my tongue to refrain from throwing in a snarky remark. They're not worth it, they've not been worthy as of yesterday and hopefully never will be."

"Not kind of, she was. No matter how much we deny it, she's our Mother. She mostly contributed to making us who and what we're today. Without her, a part of us would be missing."

I took that as my cue to leave because I couldn't take it anymore. I wasn't in the mood for unnecessary drama.

"I think you should apologise Phina," Asher affirmed.

"As if she...look, we're talking to her, first off she ignored us as though we're some sort of space aliens and now she's walking away." Severina spat.

I was already halfway up the stairs leading to my room.

"Yeah, you do what you're best at, walking away from your problems. Coward!" I had to stop my feet from returning downstairs and beating the crap out of her.

I entered my room and slammed the door shut before throwing myself on the bed. Damn, life without a phone, boring's an understatement, depression fits best. I stared at the broken device on the floor and after much contemplation, decided to take a proper look at it. Hopefully, it works.

I pressed the power button with all my strength and almost leapt in joy when the broken screen lit up. That was easy.

Fifty missed calls, one thousand and five unread messages. Damn, just how much was I needed yesterday. I went to my call log and scrolled through it,

Maya, 10 missed calls, Enrique, 25 missed calls, Miskha, 10 missed calls, 5 unknown. Thought as much. I scrolled through my Instagram DM, same shit.

Maya or Enrique? Maya or Enrique? Ugh, I'll just call Enrique and see if he's free. I need a warm cuddle right now. I dialled his number and as expected, he picked on the first ring. Here goes nothing.

"What the hell happened to you!" I scrunched my face up and moved the phone from my now ringing ears.

"Hello to you too boyfriend. "

"Don't give me attitude Seraphina. You got me worried sick yesterday!" He gritted out, trying not to raise his voice at me but miserably failing. I didn't blame him though, because my reaction would've been way worst had I been in his position.

"I broke my screen and it blacked out. I'm sorry,"

"It's okay. I'm sorry for lashing out, I was just worried." He said in a much more even tone. I couldn't fight the smile that crept up my lips. He was such a cutie.

"You're the best,"

"Anything for my woman." The way he always refers to me as his, makes me feel so loved and wanted.

"What are you doing right now?"

"Playing video games. " Stupid boys, stupid Xbox, stupid game company.

"Oops, okay then."

"Why? you need something?" My cheeks instantly flamed in embarrassment from his question.

"Um yeah, I wanted to come over but it's fine, maybe sometime we could, I mean I co...

"Babe!" He barked, cutting into my blabbering. Great, I managed to embarrass myself yet again.

"Do you even need me to tell you to come over? Here's your house as much as it's mine. I told you we're motherfucking married so bring that fine ass over here." He informed in a forced British accent, making me laugh my heart out.

"Okay see you in a few." I hung up and placed the phone on my study desk.

One hour had passed and I'm still having a staring contest with my closet. The fact that girls suffer more in a relationship couldn't be more authentic. To be physically flawless is a must, exemption of the whole "cool girl" vibe is a smooth downfall, while guys were allowed to wear whatever and behave, however, anywhere and anytime. While I was seemingly facing the battle of my life, trying to find a perfect outfit, Enrique was busy playing video games and probably stuffing himself with junk food. Without a single care in the world.

After another thirty minutes of rummaging, I ended up settling for high-waisted ripped denim Jeans and a sleeveless white cropped top. I brushed my hair and pulled it into a high ponytail before slipping on my white sneakers. I opted for a makeup-free look because it was too hot outside and not the best time to wear foundation. Enrique doesn't live that far so I'll just walk. Besides, it's been forever since I last had an afternoon stroll.

I reached earlier than expected and unlike last time, I wasn't pestered by the securities at the gate. Yes, you heard right, security guards. I know you might be wondering why fascinated by another mansion when I already live in one but you won't understand.

This wasn't an ordinary mansion, it's a fucking estate. Everything screamed glamorous from the gate to the backyard which outlooked to a huge ocean. Now you understand why after two years and I'm still awestruck.

I eventually reached the main door after walking the never-ending driveway. I raised my hand to ring the doorbell but it opened right before my finger could connect with the device.

"Hey." I smiled. He pulled me into a hug and lightly pecked my lips, before stepping aside to let me in.

The young maid cleaning the lobby threw daggers at me as we passed. I silently chuckled and shook my head, guess some were being paid to sneak into their boss's pants.

"What's funny?" Enrique asked, and it was then that I realised he must've heard me laughing.

"Oh nothing, I just find it weird that your maids always glare at me."

"Ignore them, they did the same shit with the girls I used to bring home." He dismissed me in a bored tone and I felt a little pinch of jealousy at the mention of his exes.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean that in a bad way. I was just trying to...

I stood on my toes and placed my lips on his, effectively shutting him. It took him barely a minute to react and kiss back with twice more intensity. We pulled apart for air after some time and I stared up at him from under my lashes.

"Was that better?"

"Best." He lightly chuckled and intertwined our fingers, leading us to the living room. Like the rest of the house, it was equally glamorous.

"Are we sitting here?" I asked when Enrique picked the remote from the coffee table and switched the huge plasma TV on.

"Yeah, but if you're not comfortable we could always go inside."

"Yes please." The weird stares I was receiving from the house help was beginning to irk me.

"Ignore them," Enrique stated, as though he could read my mind.

"I'm trying but it's hard to." I nervously laughed.

"I can just fire them you know." He offered but I was quick to shake my head, immediately dismissing the idea.

"Nope. That won't be necessary."

No matter how creepy they are, I couldn't afford to get them fired just because of something I was uncomfortable with.

"You sure?"

"Positive," I assured with a genuine smile.

"Alright then. So my room or yours?" He asked, making me laugh. I forgot to mention earlier that Enrique gave me a special room in his house, fully furnished and with the whole hotel ensuite model. A gift from his mom to me, he said. I was initially reluctant to accept such an extravagant gift as it was too early into the relationship for such gestures, but after endless begging and convincing from Enrique, I decided to give him peace and accept it.

"I still can't believe you gave me an entire room, but yeah my room would be fine."

"Correction, our home." He leaned in and brushed his nose against mine. When I was least expecting it, Enrique hoisted me on his shoulder and dashed for the stairs. I squealed and repeatedly hit his back but the guy barely flinched except for laughing at my futile attempts.

"Here we're milady." He gently laid me on the bed.

I sat up and looked around the huge room. Nothing changed, everything was intact. Not even the lipstick I forgot on the dressing table three months back was moved. I was so lost admiring the room that I didn't notice Enrique's absence. I wonder where he went? It couldn't have been outside because the door was locked.

"Babe?"

I knocked on the attached bathroom but got no response.

"Babe you in there?" Silence.

I was about to go inside until a deep chuckle halted me. I turned around and saw Enrique leaning on a door frame that was slightly opened. There was another room in here? Wait, what!?

"How can you expect me to be in there when you didn't hear the shower or tap running? You amaze me, babe." He mused and gestured for me to follow him with his finger.

The small oak door opened to a huge spacious room and my jaw almost hit the floor upon taking in the sight. It was a room belonging to fantasy land. Beautiful was an insult, luxurious was a provocation. The place was beyond description. It's a Mediterranean built-in indoor cave-like lagoon that looked out to the huge ocean, with flowers decorating the rocky walls of the cave.

The water was crystal clear, so clear that our reflection could be seen inside. A shower like structure was built at the top in such a way that it'll appear as though there was a waterfall inside the cave. A king-sized bed was placed at the far end of the cave with several fluffy pillows. The place screamed vacation in the highest tone.

"Babe, you're gonna catch flies." Enrique husked in my ear, nearly giving me a jump scare. My brain could no longer connect with my mouth. Never in my entire twenty-two years of existence have I imagined myself in a place like this.

"Just how rich are you." I couldn't help but voice my thoughts out.

Enrique chuckled and removed his shirt, revealing his sculpted body. God, was today torturing Seraphina day or something? I couldn't for the life of me form a coherent sentence after seeing this place and now a Greek God with eight defined packs.

"Like what you see?"

I had to pinch myself not to jump his bones.

"Fucking love." I breathed, unable to avert my gaze. He's too perfect for words.

"But you know what'll make this hotter?" I whispered, biting my lip.

"What?" Instead of responding, I took that as my cue to make his brain haywire.

I seductively stripped off my clothes, all the while looking at him dead in the eyes until I was left in nothing but my black, Victoria's secret two-piece bikini.

"Damn baby."

His pupils dilated and lust took over those orbs. I love the effect I've on him and it pleased me to know that only I could make him feel that way. I seductively walked towards him, swaying my hips until we were barely an inch apart. I wrapped my arms around his neck and moved my lips to his ears.

"You want this," I bit his earlobe and smiled in satisfaction when he visibly shivered.

"You damn well know I do." He pulled me flushed to his body to emphasize his point.

"Well come get it." I broke out of his grasp and ran to the water before he could react, giving him one final inviting look before diving into the pool.

😂😂I'm sorry. I had to end it there. I promise I'll add the sauce😉

Next update, soon.

Xoxo,

Mina.