9 Chapter 9

Serena's weekend had been great, apart from going out with Lucas, she got to watch Manchester United vs Chelsea with Lorcan and Charlotte on Sunday at Old Trafford, celebrating the winning in a nearby pub, and a sleepover at Charlotte's house. The three of them were on their way to work in Charlotte's car on Monday morning when they got a call from uncle William, telling them to come to London on Wednesday for the company's meeting and Serena told him they would fly to London tomorrow. 

"Hey guys, hate to break it to you, but I think we're being followed," said Charlotte suddenly, her eyes were gazing at the mirror in front of her as she drives, "They've been tailing us for the past fifteen minutes since we got out from my house,".

Lorcan who was sitting in the back seat pretended to get something on the dashboard behind.

"There's like four of them inside that blue Mercedes," said Lorcan.

"You guys bring your guns, right?," asked Serena.

"You think something like in New York will happen?," asked Charlotte with wide eyes.

"It's just precautions, Lorcan can you call your sister and tell her that we've been followed?," asked Serena.

Lorcan's older sister, Sasha, is a Chief Superintendent in Scotland Yard and lives in London.

"On it..," said Lorcan as he slid unlocking his phone.

Thankfully, nothing happened when they arrived at the office but Charlotte was worried that those men would follow them when they head back home. They continued with their work normally that day and by the time it's time to go home, they gathered at Serena's office before heading to the parking lot. Lorcan looked around and nudged Serena.

"What?," asked Serena looking at him.

"It's that same car again," said Lorcan and they all looked at the blue Mercedes outside the gate.

"What did your sister say when you told her?," asked Charlotte. 

"She'll look it up and she'll send someone," Lorcan replied. 

"Tell her we're going to Arndale," said Serena, "And tell your mom that we're not going home, Lorcan,".

"We're not?," asked Charlotte.

"Nope.. We're gonna go shopping for our nighties, and attire for tomorrow and for London," Serena replied, "We're going to need toiletries and luggage,". 

"Alright, let's go," said Charlotte. 

They drove to the heart of Manchester with the blue Mercedes following closely behind, when suddenly a police car started following them. Blue lights start streaming inside their car and suddenly the police car stops right at the traffic light. Two policemen got out of the car and walked towards the blue Mercedes. As the light turns green, Charlotte keeps on driving, leaving the two cars behind and by the time they reach Arndale, none of them are followed. 

"Now what?," asked Charlotte.

"Now, we need to change our appearance," Serena replied, "Let's shop for casual and I was thinking about dying my hair a bit,". 

She looked at the saloon and Lorcan chuckled.

"Alright, shopping first," said Lorcan.

They went shopping for clothes and bought luggage for their trip and other necessities. Then, they head to the bathroom to change. Lorcan had put on a cap and a hoodie, while Charlotte had changed into a shirt and jeans, taking out her lenses and put on her glasses. Serena had put on a simple Manchester United jersey and jeans before heading to the hair salon. She came out of it with a red highlight on her brunette hair.

"Ok, now I'm hungry, and I'm famished for Italians," said Serena.

"That's because you're half Italian," said Charlotte.

"She's like quarter British, American, and Italian, like a mixed tape," said Lorcan as he picked up his bag, "Come on, let's go to Bella Italia,".

They ordered pasta and pizza and had their dinner.

"So what's the plan?," asked Charlotte.

"We'll check in at Clayton Hotel tonight, then we'll take a flight to London tomorrow," said Serena, "I've already asked Fatima to book the hotel and flight just now,". 

"Alright..," said Charlotte. 

They finished their dinner and drove to the hotel which was a few hundred meters away from Manchester. After checking in, they start to pack everything and iron their formal clothes for tomorrow. As they prepare to sleep, Serena's phone vibrates and she looks at the screen: I missed you and I wanna hold you badly. You have no idea what I'll do to you if we're alone together. I wanna touch you everywhere. Love H, xxx. Serena's eyes went wide. What the fuck is wrong with him? She thought furiously. She typed her phone furiously: If you think I'm that type of girl, then think again. I'm so thankful that our friendship only lasted until tonight. Goodbye Hendrick. She sends the text and searches his number to block it. 

Their flight was smooth that morning and Charlie was already waiting for them at the airport. They went straight to Evans Construction where Fabian had waited for them in the lobby. He grinned as he saw his cousin and they both embraced. 

"Looks like you guys will be staying for a few days here, so dad set up a temporary office for you guys in his room," said Fabian, "Three MacBook are already waiting for you and you might be working on the sofas,".

"That's alright," said Lorcan, "We don't mind, Fabes,".

They start working alongside William and Thomas, sometimes with Fabian as well. Alexander will join their meeting the next day by video call from Dubai. After telling her father and uncle about their encounter in Manchester, Thomas decides that he could hire a security for his daughter, or maybe get a bigger home for Serena so Lorcan and Charlotte can live with her. They had a takeaway lunch, ordered by aunt Lizzie who had come to visit the office. Her phone rings during lunch, glancing at the ID, she picks up her phone.

"Hey bro," Serena answered her phone, "I thought you said you're going to contact me by owls?,".

"I want to but mom didn't let me," said Scott sadly, "She said that we're going to get bird flu. I mean I already planned to name it,".

"What are you gonna name it then?," Serena laughed.

"Archimedes.. Archie for nickname," said Scott, "Anyway, that's not what I'm calling you for,".

"You're getting married?," asked Serena.

"Bloody hell, nooo..," Scott groaned, "I'm coming over to England,".

Serena squealed with delight making everyone in William's office look at her.

"Scott's coming over, dad," she yelled at everyone making her father chuckle.

"Wait.. You're in London?," asked Scott.

"Yeah, I have a meeting with dad and uncle Will," Serena replied, "When are you coming?".

"Flight's tonight," said Scott, "So I'll see you tomorrow morning I guess,".

"Good, I'm taking you to the Harry Potter Studio Tour. Stefano said that you got obsessed," said Serena.

"Obsessed is a big word, I'm more like a fan," said Scott, "So I'll be seeing you tomorrow then?,".

"Oh yeah.. Tell mom and Stefano I missed them," said Serena before she clicked her phone off. 

She walks back towards the coffee table where everyone was still eating. 

"Scott's coming. I can't wait to see him again," Serena beamed.

"Is he coming alone?," asked William.

"I think so, uncle Will," Serena replied. 

They finish their lunch and Serena receives a text message from Lucas telling her that he missed her and was hoping for another date. She smiled to herself as she replied back that she loves it if she's back this weekend. After that, they continue with their work normally. William had invited his brother, Serena, Lorcan, and Charlotte to stay in their home as long as they're in London and they gladly took it since it's easier with transportation. They had another surprise that night when they got to William's home. 

"Alex..," Serena squealed as she ran and hugged her cousin.

Alex laughed as he hugged his cousin.

"How are you, kiddo," asked Alex as he held her tight.

"Doing great," her voice muffled.

She pulled away from the hug when she saw a figure walking towards them. Her eyes went wide.

"Emily..," she gasped, her eyes traveling to her stomach.

Aunt Lizzie beamed at them and walked towards her daughter in law, pulling her into a hug. 

"Oh my baby.. We're going to be grandparents," aunt Lizzie hat started crying and laughing at the same time, "Will, we should celebrate.. WIll?,".

Everyone turned around to look at William and there he was sitting on the loveseat crying his eyes out. He wasn't the only one, Fabian had slid down in front of Emily and put his ears on her stomach, tears were falling fast from his eyes.

"Awwhh.. Fabian," said Emily as she smiled, ruffling his hair.

"I'm going to be an uncle," he whispered.

Alex was hugging his father as William howling on his shoulder.

"We should celebrate," said Thomas suddenly, "Bernie, can you get us a few champagne for us, pour yourself a glass too,".

"Coming right up, sir," said Bernie, William's butler.

They had a feast that night, in celebration for Emily's pregnancy which will be due around December. After dinner, Bernie showed them their rooms and they started to clean up themselves and unpacked. Her phone started to ring again and she answered it, smiling to herself.

"Hello, Lucas," said Serena.

"Hello, beautiful," said Lucas through the phone, "God, I miss you,".

"I miss you too," she sighed and threw herself on the bed.

"So, when are you going to come back?," asked Lucas.

"You can't wait for that date, aren't you?," Serena laughed.

"No.. I just.. I don't know.. Not seeing you for nearly a week kind of torturing," said Lucas.

"I'll be back on Sunday though," Serena replied, "So be patient, Mr. Whishaw,".

"I can't be patient when it comes to you, Miss Evans," said Lucas.

"Well then you have to right now," Serena replied.

"Fine..," Lucas sighed.

"I have to go, I have a meeting tomorrow," said Serena.

"Oh alright then, beautiful," said Lucas.

"Goodnight, Lucas," Serena yawned, she could feel her eyes drooped.

"Goodnight, Serena," Lucas replied back, "Oh and Serena?,".

"Yeah?," Serena opened her eyes. 

"I love you.. Been waiting to say that in front of you when you get back, but I feel like every second that you're not here, I fear that I will lose you," said Lucas.

Serena had gone quiet.

"You don't have to say anything, If you wanna say it, I want you to say it when you're ready and with all of your heart," said Lucas calmly.

"Lucas?," Serena whispered.

"Yeah?," Lucas answered.

"I love you too," said Serena quietly.

There was a sharp intake from Lucas.

"Are you sure?," asked Lucas.

"Yes..," Serena replied.

Lucas sighed on the phone.

"God, you have no idea how happy you made me today," said Lucas, "I want to kiss you so bad,".

Serena laughed.

"You can kiss me this Sunday when you pick me up from the airport," said Serena.

"I will baby, and I'll make sure that it'll be epic," Lucas replied, "Sadly, I'm going to let you go to sleep right now. Sweet dreams, Serena.. I love you,".

"Love you too, goodnight," Serena replied and she clicked her phone off, putting it at her bedside table before closing her eyes to sleep.