12 Chapter 12

Serena, Lorcan, and Charlotte took a flight back to Manchester on Sunday while Scott, Hendrick, and Adrianna stayed in London. Serena had continued her silent treatment of Hendrick and she had avoided him as long as she could. As they walk through the Arrival hall, her eyes scanned for Lucas when suddenly strangers start to hand out single roses to her. One by one they gave it to her until she had a bunch, Lorcan and Charlotte laughed as she struggled to hold the roses and luggage at the same time until Lorcan took the luggage from her hand. Charlotte nudged at Serena and glanced in front. Lucas was waiting for her carrying a sign saying 'Anha Zhilak Yera Norethaan.. Jalan Atthirari Anni'. (I love you completely.. The moon of my life)

"Awwwwhhh.. He's speaking in Dothraki," said Charlotte.

Lucas slowly put down the sign as Serena reached him. She gave the flowers to Charlotte and put her arms around his neck.

"Shekh Ma Shieraki Anni," Serena whispered to him. (My sun and stars)

They sealed with a deep kiss and Lorcan took a picture of it before sending it to their text chain. Both Lucas and Serena pulled away from their kiss and smiled at each other. Lucas was clearly deeply in love with her.

"I miss you, angel," Lucas whispered to her.

"I missed you too," Serena replied as she ran her hand wrapping around his waist.

Lucas gave her another tight hug, not wanting to let her go until Charlotte cleared her throat.

"I hate to break it up to you two, but I'm actually starving," said Charlotte loudly, "You can actually hear my tummy growling like Hulk,".

Lucas chuckled.

"Very well, Charlotte, let's go and have lunch then," said Lucas as he helped pulling Serena's luggage.

They had their lunch at the airport restaurant and after they finished, Lorcan followed Charlotte to her car which was parked at the parking lot while Serena followed Lucas to his car. They chat with each other in the car and when Serena opened her phone, she saw the picture that Lorcan had sent. Smiling to herself, she posted it on her Instagram and tagged Lucas's name. They arrive at Serena's home and she starts to unpack as Lucas makes some snacks for both of them before choosing a horror movie for them to watch. Lucas left Serena's home after dinner since they both had to go to separate offices the next morning. 

Things start to go normal after that and for months Serena went out with Lucas two or three times a week when they're free. After that, it's just work. Serena's Finchley Tower was a huge success and during the opening, her father and William's family had all flown to Manchester to attend the ceremony. The Mayor of Manchester gave Evans Construction a recognition and a plaque which Thomas asked Serena to receive on stage. Both Lorcan and Charlotte were thrilled and Lucas told her that he was so proud of her. The four of them went to Finchley Tower together and as she received the plaque from the mayor, her eyes scanned the people that she loved below and beamed at them.

"Good job, sweetheart," said Thomas as he hugged his daughter when she came down from the stage, "I'm so proud of you. By the way, your mother wants to speak to you, I record the whole thing and send it to her,".

"Thanks dad, couldn't have done it without you.. Actually, I couldn't have done it without all of you," she looked fondly at her two best friends, "I'll call mom after this,". 

She could feel her phone vibrating but she was already distracted when Lucas came over to her giving a kiss on her lips. 

"You're so beautiful," Lucas murmured as he rested his forehead on her temple. 

"Well you look handsome," Serena smiled. 

"And I still need to talk to you, Whishaw," said Thomas loudly.

"And you still need approvals from Evans," said William, "And face the wrath of her Stefano and Scott Evans,".

The entire group laughed.

"Well I don't mind, I'll do anything for her," said Lucas looking adoringly in Serena's eyes.

"Awwwhhh.. So sweet," Elizabeth cooed, "I remember when William first met my father,".

"Honey, please don't start here," William pleaded and they all laughed again as they walked to their table.

"What happened, mom?," asked Fabian.

"Well..," Elizabeth trailed off.

"Honey, please..," William pleaded again.

"Well, let's just say that my father is much scarier than the White Walker," Emily smiled. 

Their dinner was delicious that night. They talk and laugh, even the Mayor came to their table to have a little chat. Later on, they all went to the hotel where William had booked a suite for the entire family including Serena, while Lucas, Charlotte, and Lorcan went back home. As people one by one start to retire in their room, Thomas and Serena were the only one left in the living room. 

"I have something to give you," said Thomas smiling at her, "It's kind of a family heirloom,".

"Dad, you don't have to," said Serena.

"My mother gave this to me when I was the same age as you, she told me it was from my real father," said Thomas slowly.

"Real father? Dad, what do you mean? Are you adopted?," asked Serena.

"No.. Apparently my mom used to date someone else before she married Charles Evans," Thomas replied, "She married him when I was three months old, and he loves me like his own son, so he adopted me and put his last name on mine".

"How old were you when you found out?," asked Serena.

"The day when she gave me the family heirloom," Thomas replied.

He looked sad and Serena took his hand to hold it for comfort.

"My biological father found out about me when I was five but I had no idea at that time he was my real dad," said Thomas, "He even ordered his men to kidnap me, but my mother and father put a stop to it. They seek help from an old detective who still had connections with the Scotland Yard,".

"His men? Dad, is he in a gang?," asked Serena, her eyes went wide.

"Yes, he and his twin brother run a powerful group called The Firm during the 50's and 60's," Thomas replied, "He had a messed up life, I was lucky that both my mother and my father had tried so hard to protect me from that life,".

"Hang on..," said Serena slowly, "Did you say The Firm?,".

"Yes, you're quick in catching up," asked Thomas smiling at her.

"Oh God.. No way, dad," said Serena, "Which one are you? Ronald or Reginald?,".

"Apparently, my mother used to date Reginald," Thomas sighed.

Serena gasped.

"Holy shit.. How do they even meet?," asked Serena looking at her father.

"Well, your grandmother's brother, Albert used to be Reginald's right-hand man," Thomas replied.

"Wow.. That's a lot to take in one night," said Serena, "When was the last time you saw him, dad?,".

"When I was fifteen," said Thomas, "In jail, he requested to see me. That was the first and the last time I've seen Reginald Kray,".

"What did he say to you?," asked Serena again.

"Well he had a glimpse of me, then he said that I'm Charles Evans son after all," he chuckled, "I told him I'm proud of it. Then he said that he regretted not taking me with him, and I told him Thank God for that. I was really harsh at him during that time,".

"I don't blame you, dad," said Serena, "I mean, look at me, I'm a daughter to a Don in New York,".

Then she looked at her dad, her eyes went wide again in excitement.

"Oh my God, dad.. That means I have both gangs and mafia blood in my body," said Serena, "To think that I want to run away from it all,".

"Since you already know about your other grandfather," said Thomas as he stood up, "That means you can guess what is the family heirloom,".

Serena gasped again and clamped her mouth with her hands.

"The African Star..," she whispered.

Thomas nodded and walked inside his room for a moment before walking back out carrying a leather box.

"Holy shit..," Serena whispered again as her father handed the key to her.

Serena slowly took it and unlocked the box. As the box unlocked with a click, she took a deep breath and opened it. There, inside the box, on a silky cloth, the size of a tennis ball, was the shiny sphere diamond. The diamond that has raised wars with gangs all over the world, the diamond that had people ready to kill for.