4 Chapter 4

"I've missed you, Serena," Hendrick's voice was muffled as he buried his face in her hair.

Serena smiled and pulled away from the hug and sat back on the piano bench, while Hendrick took a seat on one of the chairs in the studies.

"So, how are you?," asked Hendrick, "I heard you're taking care of one of the company's branches,".

"Yeah, well I'm designing a few buildings in Manchester, that's when uncle Will and dad decided to open a branch there," Serena replied.

"That's good, your dad told me that you did well," Hendrick nodded.

"What about you? You're still in the..Gang?," asked Serena tentatively.

"Yeah.. Hans and I took over our family business after dad died," Hendrick replied.

Serena's eyes went wide in shock.

"Uncle Johann died? When?," asked Serena looking at him.

"Two years ago, heart attack," Hendrick replied quietly, "One night we were having dinner together, the next morning he was gone,".

"Hendrick.. I'm so sorry," said Serena sadly, "I didn't know,".

"It's alright, Hans was the one who took it hard. He's always with dad everywhere, while my duty is more with our allies," said Hendrick, his hand itching to hold hers, "Besides, I don't think your mother told you anyway. You were difficult to get contact with,".

"Yeah, I haven't been on speaking terms with my family here. Stefano and I sometimes send each other emails," said Serena.

They were quiet for a moment and Serena had looked around the room, while Hendrick never took his eyes on her face.

"I should get back to the hall, they'll be wondering where I've been," said Serena as she stood up.

She walked towards the door but before she could open it, a hand had gripped her arm, turning her around.

"Hendrick..," she trailed slowly.

"Did you ever miss me?" asked Hendrick, stepping closer and letting her arm go.

Serena looked at him before answering.

"For a time, I did," she whispered, "It's good to see you again, Hendrick,".

With that, Serena left the studies and headed to the entrance hall to join her family. Hendrick stayed behind for a moment before stepping out and went the opposite way. He kept thinking about what she meant 'For a time'. Did she start to forget about him? Did she find a replacement? Is she in a relationship? The last part's kind of worrying. Hendrick keeps telling himself that Serena belongs to him and he's going to make sure that she will. He ended up sitting on a marble bench in the garden, plotting up a plan to make Serena stay with him. He finally went inside the house when the sun started to set to join the others for dinner.

Serena and her brothers were chatting at the dining table when Hendrick walked in. He took the empty seat next to Scott and helped himself with roasted chicken and baked potatoes, listening to some of the conversations. He looked up at the table and saw Lucia in deep conversation with Thomas and Antonio while spooning her soup.

"Finchley Tower? Wow, sis.. I'm so proud of you," Scott beamed next to Hendrick, "When it's gonna open?".

"In six months, or maybe less," Serena replied, "Then, we're starting on another project in Salford. We're collaborating with the government,".

"Office building?" asked Stefano.

"It's a school actually. For kids who're interested in music," said Serena, chewing her salads.

"Well that's cool," said Stefano, "I bet it's your idea since you love music,".

"I kind of propose it to the Mayor, and he approves it. I think his wife influenced him, she used to teach violin for children in Manchester," said Serena thoughtfully.

They laugh and talk at the dinner table like old times. The twins decide not to bring up why their sister doesn't want to be in contact with them for ten years. The conversation leads to love life and Hendrick looks up when Scott starts asking.

"So, any boyfriend? Or a girlfriend?" Scott wiggled his eyes.

"The last time I checked, I still love men, Scotty," Serena laughed, "And no, I'm just not ready for all that stuff,".

Hendrick took a deep breath of relief.

"What do you mean not ready? You're twenty-four, I thought you might have passed four boys already," said Stefano, earning a kick under the table from Serena.

"Well, men are jerks these days, except for dad and uncle Will," Serena replied.

"Thanks, sweetheart," said Thomas from the end of the table.

"Remind me to give you another raise when we get back, kiddo," uncle William called at her.

"Sure..," Serena grinned at both of them.

Then she noticed that Hendrick frowned at her.

"What?," she looks at him.

"So you think that I'm a jerk?," asked Hendrick and the twins laughed.

"Apparently, mia nipote here thinks that all men here are jerks except her own father and William," replied uncle Antonio, narrowing his eyes at Serena.

"Well I don't blame her," replied Stefano, "She's half right, I mean look what happened to Adriana,".

"Scusami? What do you mean by that?," asked Adriana, her eyebrows raised at Stefano as she looked down from the table. (Excuse me?)

"I mean, you've been through how many breakups now?," Stefano answered and Adriana glared at him.

"Sweetheart," Thomas called his daughter suddenly, "If men are jerks except us, does Lucas belong in the category?,".

"Dad..," Serena's eyes went wide staring at her father.

At once the table went chaotic, and Hendrick looked at her in horror.

"Who's Lucas?," asked Lucia.

"Is he handsome?," asked Adriana

"Does he know that you're half Italian American?" asked uncle Antonio.

"Does he treat you better?," asked Stefano.

"Are you still pure?," asked Scott.

"Are you dating him?," asked Hendrick.

Thomas, William, and Elizabeth had laughed looking at Serena's frustrated face. She gave her father a shot of angry look for letting the cat out of the bag.

"One answer at a time, everyone," Thomas chuckled, "I'm sure Serena will provide the answer,".

Serena rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Fine..," she replied slowly.

She looked at her mother.

"To answer your question, mom. Lucas is a guy," she said simply before turning to Adriana.

"To answer yours, Adri. Doesn't matter if he's handsome or not, as long as he has a good heart, I'm all for it," she replied and then looked at her uncle Antonio.

"To answer yours, uncle Antonio. Si lo fa," she then looked at Stefano. (Yes, he does)

"To answer yours, Stefano. Yes, because he has high respect for women like Shawn Mendes in his song," then she turned to look at Scott and frowned while he smirked.

"To answer yours, Scotty. What do you mean, pure? Like, am I a virgin? Sorry to say but that's my privacy," finally she turns to look at Hendrick.

"To answer yours, mate. Well, we went out a couple of times," she finished and drank her juice, "That's all for tonight, any more questions can be sent by my email. Thank you,".

Hendrick wants to ask more but he decides to shut his mouth not wanting to push her more. They finished their dinner after that and decided to call it a day. They bid each other goodnight while the twins walked Hendrick and Hans outside the house since they're going back to their place.

"See you guys tomorrow morning," said Hans as he yawned.

"Yeah, thanks for being the pallbearers, guys," said Scott, "Grandfather would be happy that we choose you,".

"What time is the meeting again?," asked Hendrick.

"Ten, after breakfast," Stefano replied.

"Alright.. Goodnight boys," said Hendrick as they climb into their car.

He glanced at Serena's bedroom window and saw that the light was on. Thinking to himself about the man named Lucas, he drove along the driveway and straight out of the gate. Hendrick and Hans arrive early in the Verdino mansion the next morning. The two brothers were always invited to join the family meeting since they were loyal allies. Hendrick scanned the table when he first entered the dining room and saw that Serena was still in her jogging attire and was talking seriously with her mother while eating her toast.

"Good morning, everyone," Antonio entered the hall wearing his suit, "Did everyone have a good sleep?,".

He sat down in front of Serena and frowned.

"Why are you still not dressed yet?," he asked her, "The meeting's going to start soon,".

"What meeting?," Serena looked at him puzzled.

"Antonio..," said Lucia quietly.

The table went silent. Both Scott and Stefano eyed at their sister nervously. Thomas frowned at Antonio.

"Family meeting of course. You're old enough to join now," said Antonio, "It's time you learn about our business,".

Serena nearly choked on her drinks and started coughing out in her hot chocolate.

"Well sorry to disappoint you, uncle Antonio," said Serena as her cough subsided, "But I'm not interested in the business,".

She wiped her mouth with a napkin while her uncle stared at her.

"It's a family business, Serena. You're always involved with it whether you like it or not," said Antonio firmly.

"The only business I'm interested in right now is my own job in England," Serena replied, "Thank you for breakfast, mom. They're delicious,".

She stood up.

"Now will you excuse me, but I believe aunt Lizzie and I have a shopping spree to do today, so we're going to clean up first. Do you mind if I borrow one of your drivers and a car for the day, mom?," asked Serena.

"Sure..," Lucia answered, not looking up.

"We're not done here, Serena," said Antonio glaring at her.

"But I am," replied Serena briskly as she and her aunt Lizzie walk towards the door, "Besides, I'm not interested in being chased by the authorities or having my picture in a wanted poster, or a mugshot,".

She continued walking but then stopped at the entrance of the dining hall and looked back.

"And I don't like killing people," said Serena and followed her aunt upstairs.