Chapter 8: When worse becomes worst III

Serena noticed Emily's eyebrows twitching. Well, it does sound a bit too much for Emily to ask her Ex some help for her current lover, especially when Emily's the one who dumped the said Ex. But still… desperate times call for desperate measures…

Emily should have expected that response, but it still made her feel exasperated. She took a deep breath before answering. "You think I haven't thought nor done that?" she replied.

"You did? Already? What did he say?" Serena asked, anticipating some form of positive response.

 "Do you honestly think I would have the need to tell you if everything has already been resolved?" Emily asked back with annoyance and sarcasm lacing her voice.

Serena was also annoyed with Emily's tone but beggars can't be choosers. "But he got to have said something…"

Emily sighed. Well, Christopher did really say something. Not that she would fully tell Serena all the details.

Emily saw the Court Summons sitting on the porch of this residence about a week ago and it was only early that morning when she was able to have a meeting with Christopher. It was not a scheduled meeting, but through her efforts of roaming around the judiciary building trying to have a chance encounter. In any case, it was not easy to schedule a meeting with the minister of justice, and it's not like she was welcomed in his home.

Anyhow, Emily was able to approach Christopher and broach the topic regarding Leonard while subsequently asking for his help. However, Christopher only shook his head and told her that it was a difficult matter to involve himself with especially since it's the new regime which was pursuing the matter.

Since Emily told Christopher about Leonard's medical condition, he advised that she produce a written response to the court and provide medical proof of Leonard's condition to delay the time when he needed to make his physical appearance.

Christopher explained that the most he can do for her was help delay the process, and that it was close to impossible for him to meddle in the decision making.

Emily would have believed him totally, until he said the words, 'please send my regards to Serena. It would be lovely to see her again in one of the balls these days.'

If Emily didn't catch on to that, then she could just give up on Leonard's matter entirely.

Christopher said it was the most he could do for her, meaning herself, and the word close to impossible but again, he didn't say it was impossible and that he couldn't do it entirely. Meaning he can do it even with difficulty depending on who asks him and what he gets in return.

After that conversation, Emily had to mull it over the whole afternoon. For a long time, she has already known that Christopher has a strange… should she term it admiration? Fascination? Or maybe obsession? She was not sure. Anyhow, Christopher liked Serena in some way. Although during her relationship with him, there was only one instance when she found out.

It was a very memorable instance though as it was when they were doing the did. Mortifying as it was in her memory, she could never forget that he called out Serena's name as he came. Which by the way was the reason of their break-up and why she was able to convince him to allow her to tell everyone that it was she who dumped him.

Moving on, Emily was still thinking about it through dinner. She could understand why Serena was in hiding because first, she was very much ashamed to show herself in public. Two, she will be the focus of all tabloids, which mind you would only have unsavory news about her. Last, she doesn't know how many haters she must have and how many people might want to see her suffering or even worse, dead.

Still, even with this knowledge, when push comes to shove, Emily would choose Leonard over Serena. Besides, Serena can't possibly live all her life hiding in the shadows, could she?

They've known each other for almost a decade, standing on other ends of the spectrum and now on the same side. Emily must say that she's one of the people who knew Serena through and through. She knew that Serena was overly conscious of her appearance and how people perceive her, but can she live her whole life this way? Emily highly doubts.

Sooner or later, Serena would step out of the shadows and figure how to get herself out of her predicament. Obviously, she can't handle the lifestyle she's currently living. Well, who would? After being a diamond spoon all her life, then this sudden change… really, that she was able to last for more than a year was already a feat on its own.

Anyhow, removing all the excuses she's been making up to say what she was to say, she's not only doing this for Leonard's sake. Ok, she was. But still, it might be good for Serena too. Besides, it's not like she's pushing her to become Christopher's mistress or anything. But really, wasn't Christopher a bit sadistic? Wanting to see Serena out in the public?

Looking at Serena still waiting for her response, Emily can only sigh.

"Christopher did tell me that the most he can do for me is to delay the matter. There are still other cases lined up, so Leonard's can wait but only by a few months at most." Emily explained.

Serena digested the words. A few months… well it was better than nothing. But what can she do during those few months? Who can she approach? If Christopher said that he can only help Emily that much when she was his Ex, then what more her who's just a friendly acquaintance? There's no one else she knew from the neutral party who was as influential or held more power regarding this matter than Christopher.

The only hope she has left was if she were to venture to those highly positioned people from the radical faction, which was the current regime.

But… there's only one person she could think of from that side. Would he be willing to help them? If not her, at least her brother?

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TBC