Chapter 11: Facing forward I

Serena was squatting in front a basin of hot water as she tried agitating the dirt on the cloth with her hands. Gods, she hated the day where she had to do laundry.

Granted that there was an electrically powered washer at home, but operating it was more troublesome than manually washing the clothes especially that its summer and the clothes they wore were mostly made of light cotton.

Serena wringed the cloth but getting tired of it, she threw it back to the basin and suds went flying to her face. She plopped down on the floor annoyed. Must she keep on doing this? She looked at her hands, her fingertips wrinkled because of submerging them in the water for too long.

Serena heaved a heavy sigh. The chores were getting more and more difficult when she has another thing in mind. The other night, she told Emily that she would think about it first. Well, seducing Christopher Cross with the intention of making him want to marry her did sound tempting, but was it even feasible? That aside, it was easier said than done.

To meet him frequently enough, she needed to join the ton once more. She must appear in public and attend those balls. But how can she just waltz back to those balls and parties like nothing's happened? That aside, she was sure that she would just look like a clown with everyone laughing at her.

Well, on a positive note, she's not worried about procuring invites since she knew that everyone would like to invite her just so that there would be a spectacle in their party.

Anyhow, that aside, Christopher was not stupid. Obviously, he would know her intention and he might even avoid her before she could approach him. To be honest, she can't even imagine how he would perceive her if she were to suddenly appear and start making moves on him. Wouldn't that make her seem too comical or even conceited? Definitely. Not just to him, but other people too.

How can Christopher possibly consider her seriously? Then again, who would take her seriously nowadays? She did hope for Charlton despite her situation, but they had a lot of history. However, realistically, she knew that the best outcome for her was becoming a mistress. That's why despite her daydreaming, she never ventured to use her beauty.

For how can she handle being just a mistress, or even a mere plaything to any man? 

Yet… if she doesn't take a chance, then how about Leonard?

Serena looked behind her, the window of Leonard's room in sight. He must be inside his room, blissfully unaware of what's going on. Not that she rather it any other way.

Has she ever done anything good for her brother before?

Not because he was adopted by her family meant that he owes them or her the whole of his life. Yet, he has sacrificed so much, lost too much. How can she let him lose his life too?

Then again, the same was true to her. What has she left to lose? Self-respect, dignity, her life, yes, but at the end of the day, there she was living in hiding. Was living the way she was truly a life worth living?

What did she have to look forward to? Charlton coming to her rescue? Obviously, that pipe dream completely went down the drain after Emily broke the news to her.

Now, the only person left that she cares about was her brother, Leonard. If he loses his life, what's left to her? she might as well die.

The only thing, the only person left that she does not want to lose was her brother.

So, what can she not do for him? 

Well, not that she's being poetic nor overly dramatic. She's also not completely selfless. Emily's right. She has nothing to lose for herself, but everything to gain. If she can succeed, not only can she save Leonard, but she can also get herself out of this situation. She doesn't think she can last one more year doing all the house chores!

--

It was 7 in the evening and as usual Leonard, Serena, and Emily were having dinner at the 4-seater dining table in the house.

It was a typical routine in Leonard's current everyday life, except that he could not help but notice Emily who kept on eyeing Serena. In fact, he has noticed it since the other night. Not being able to hold it in any longer, he placed the spoon he was using on the side of his plate before finally addressing his concern. "Emily, did Serena do something to trouble you? You've been eyeing her since the other night."

Emily paused from eating but could not really look at Leonard. yesterday upon her arrival, Serena asked her to go with her upstairs to tell her that she had decided to give charming Christopher a try. It was good news to her because with Serena agreeing, she felt like they were already halfway in resolving Leonard's issue.

However, before they can move forward in discussing how to go about it, they were faced with the issue of how to explain to Leonard Serena not being at home most of the time. Should they outright tell him that Serena would be attending the Season again? Or should they lie about it?

Leonard wouldn't know about it instantly, especially with his condition but… what of the future? Should they just tell him once there's positive outcome? But if he learns about it, and knew that they lied to his face… Emily's usually a very decisive person but when it comes to Leonard…

In any case, a bit unsure how to respond, she just circled her spoon on the soup while lowly uttering the words, "It's not that…"

Serena understands Emily's predicament as it is also the same for her. It's true that they can lie to Leonard, they can simply say that she will be staying at Emily's clothing store as she'll be working on clothes or whatever but doing that to Leonard… they are already hiding something from him, but lying to his face would be too much. Besides, he might not be able to forgive Emily if he learns she was the one who gave the idea.

Since that's the case, might as well get this out of the way. She's a villainess anyway.

Serena cleared her throat making Leonard and Emily turn to face her. "Actually, brother, I did."

Leonard wanted to ask Emily what's it all about, but she was still not looking at him, so he can only turn to face his sister.

--

TBC