Kiss of Thorns

Serena is a woman who always knew what she wanted and trusted everyone who is closest to her, but with trust comes deceit. When she meets Charlie, he changes everything for her, but can she trust him?

Cheryl Hughes stated that “The truly scary thing about undiscovered lies is that they have a greater capacity to diminish us than exposed ones. They erode our strength, our self-esteem, our very foundation.” 

Serena was standing on the deck of a boat that had white lights on the rails and flower petals everywhere around her in her white wedding dress drinking champagne, she was looking out in the water, she turned around bringing the champagne glass down to her side and saw a gun pointed at her and had a sad worried look on her face. 

“I am so sorry.”  The moment she said that the gun went off twice and hit her in the abdomen she got pushed back and fell over the railing into the cold water it took only a few seconds and she closed her eyes. 

Confucius once said “before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.”

Few weeks Earlier 

Serena opened her eyes slowly she heard the shower running in the bathroom then turn off. A man came in wearing just a towel and walked up to her in the bed and kissed her on the lips.”

“Morning sweetie.”

“Morning.” Serena said unenthusiastically, she got up slowly and walked to get some underclothes out of the dresser and went to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

“Are you ok, it seems like you are really out of it.”

“I am ok, just not looking forward to tonight, nervous really. It is a big party, and if the mixer doesn’t go well, well I am pretty much not going to get a good job as a party planner after that.”

“It will go fine my dear, I will be there to calm you down.”

“Thank you Sebastian, but you don’t need to, I have Cassie with me as well, so you can go ahead and just mingle with the guest of the party.”

“I will be there for you anyway to make sure you are still sane at midnight.” Serena kissed him on the cheek. “Aren’t you so sweet my dear Sebastian.”

“Are you going to see Cassie now?”

“Yeah, I just have to shower and get dressed and I am meeting her at the owner’s backyard to see if everything is prepped and ready to go for tonight.”

“Ok, I will see you tonight then.”

“Ok, see you tonight.”

  

“No, No, put the roses on that last table to your right. Put them in the center. Perfect guys.”

Serena walked into the the owner’s house, she hadn’t met the owner, but he must have a lot of money to buy this house. A pool on the outside, a theater room downstairs, a fantastic kitchen, a baby grand piano, a dining room, a gym, maybe she would get a house like this one day. It really was a great place. Serena walked through the kitchen in order to get to the backdoor to get to the backyard. Everything was looking good so far, the food was looking good in the kitchen and tables were getting prepped to put the food on. The fire and ice party was perfect so far. White and red table clothes, roses on every table, A fire is going to burn in the middle, candles on every table, the servers in white suites with red ties, there is no reason to think something will go wrong. Serena walked over to Cassie to see how she was doing.

“Serena finally, I am going nuts.”

“Hello to you to my dear best friend”

“I am sorry.” Cassie hugged her and stepped back. “I am just freaking out because this needs to go well because if it does, we will get a lot of offers to do other parties from the people coming.”

“It is ok, Cassie, just breathe, everything looks fantastic. What about drinks?”

“In the kitchen we have water,  Sangria, ice bowl, a fruit blend with rum, citrus rum, and blue orange liquor, and the Fire bowl, made with pear, peach, and orange vodka with orange liquor and cranberry juice. Already made, and a bartender to give out different kind of liquors for people who don’t want mixed drinks. We also have white wine and red wine out. Blue teal Moscato and Plum Loco wine. All put out in Glasses, and the drinks are made and ready to serve.”

“Good” Where are we food wise?”

“Food is all cooked and ready to serve. If more people come, then the cooks are ready to cook more, and for desert Strawberry Siam parfait.”

“Fantastic, see everything is ready to go Cassie. Oh what about our dresses.”

“They are both upstairs. For me a strapless white short mini dress with silver beading and for you a sexy red strapless floor length chiffon evening dress with ruffles and a split that comes up to your thigh, the perfect dress for you.”

“Aw, you know me well.”

“Of course I do, hence me being your best friend. We are allowed to change in the guest room.”

“Ok, have you seen the owner yet?”

“No, but he sent an email saying he loved what he was seeing, I don’t know how he sees anything if he hasn’t come by his house. Serena said. “Maybe we will see him tonight.”

“Is Sebastian coming tonight?”

“Of course, white tux with a red tie. He is coming to make sure I relax tonight, but Cassie, can you keep an eye on him and make sure he mingles with people, so he doesn’t have to keep tabs on me all night.”

“Of course I can.”

“S**t, look at the time, it is almost 6, the party starts at 6:30, we have to get ready and into our dresses.”

“The party will go really well, Cassie said.”

“I hope so Cassie.”

Serena noticed through the window that guest started to arrive, now the party was beginning, the music playing people laughing and talking amongst themselves, the servers serving drinks, and people getting to their tables. The party is going well, she saw Sebastian looking as handsome as ever arriving and taking a seat at the first table. The party is beginning, time to go down there and manage it.

Serena walked downstairs to the kitchen, and into the backyard. Everyone was in there seats or walking around. People enjoying the food. A server passed by and she took a glass of wine. She went over to the table that Sebastian went to. 

“Looks like the party is a success my dear.”

“Thank you Sebastian, Cassie and I tried our best. How do you like everything so far?”

“Everything is fantastic, the food, the drinks, everything.”

“I am happy you like everything. I need to go around and make sure everything is going ok, plus find the owner of this house and see how he is enjoying the party. The weird part is I have never seen him and he wasn’t even part of setting the party up. Are you going to be ok?”

“Yeah, go work sweetie, I will go mingle.”

“Ok, I will find you later Sebastian.”

Cassie, knew she should be looking over the party instead she was in the bed with her friend upstairs. She knew that she should help Serena, but she hadn’t seen him in so long, he was traveling watching as people adored his photography and bought it. He always didn’t want to show up at anything he was hosting or anything for him he would rather sneak in. He walked out of the shower dressed up to go to the party.

“Shouldn’t you be getting dressed Cass?”

“I hardly get to see you and you just came back for the party, come back to bed.”

“You know I can’t, I want to see how people are enjoying the party, it is the least I can do for not getting involved in your work. I always hate planning parties. Besides, don’t you have to help your friend with it to make sure everything is going ok?”

“I guess.”

“When am I going to meet your friends anyways, it has been a year already.”

“I just want to keep you to myself you know. Plus, I don’t like her that much anyways. She took something from me. I am planning something big for her.”

“Aw, still playing the games I see.”

“Like you aren’t, I know what you did with that one artist.”

“She was over charging for one of her paintings she deserved it.” Charlie said smiling. Cassie went to get dressed and kissed Charlie on the cheek. Cassie didn’t want Charlie to meet her friend yet, he was the ace to put her big plan in motion. 

Serena was walking around making sure that everyone was enjoying themselves, so far she and Cassie had so many offers tonight to plan other parties, and one wedding reception. Finally she saw Cassie at the party, she was talking to Sebastian, she wondered where she was most of the night, but she would ask her later. Tonight was a good night, except it was already nine at night and she has not seen the owner or at least heard he was here. She went over to a server and got another glass of wine and went into the house and went to the living room where the piano was, she needed a break from the party. She put the wine on a nearby table and started playing the moonlight sonata. When she was done playing the song she heard slow clapping and she turned to see a man leaning on the wall. She looked him up and down and saw that he was the most handsom guy she had ever seen. She looked back up to his face before he noticed that she was truly looking at him.

“That was a great performance miss.”

“Guest aren’t allowed in the house without the owner’s consent.”

“My apologies, I just needed to get away from the party. What about you are you not a guest?”

I am the party planner, I just needed a break from it all. Also it is ok, it is not like the stupid owner is here anyway.”

“Great party, it looks amazing, and everything was delicious including the drinks, and I don’t usually like mixed drinks. So this owner, you have something against him?”

“Oh yeah, that jerk hasn’t even been apart of the party planning, so me and my partner were alone in this fantastic house to do whatever we wanted, granted we are good people so we didn’t take anything and I made sure no one did, but we could have, I have never seen him. Plus on top of that, everyone is out there in there beautiful attire and the party is going on and the owner has not shown up, I mean he could at least say good job. Not that I am a woman that needs praise or anything I just, he hasn’t been apart of it and I did this alone, I love to see the look on people’s faces when they see the decorations and how everything looks. I love making magical nights or magical days for people, everyone deserves that at least once in their lives. But no, not even that, so I am playing the piano, and drinking wine, and taking a break from the party. Anyways, what about you, why aren’t you enjoying the party with your friends?”

“Well, before I get to that, you did a great job tonight. Sorry I was a stupid jerk who didn’t help with the party and didn’t...well I did at least show up. the man said with a smile. 

“Oh, man, you’re the owner. Wow, I am embarrassed, I am so very sorry sir.” The owner sat down next to her on the piano bench. 

“Don’t worry about it, I was a jerk as you called me for not checking in with you. You see, I hate planning parties, my friend told me to plan the party as a way to celebrate, but I think it was an excuse to get together and get drunk. I almost didn’t show up.”

“Why wouldn’t you want to come to your party?”

“Just because I am just used to it. I take pictures for a living I have people wanting my stuff, people putting it up in galleries, I was actually in Paris, and someone had put some of my pictures in their gallery and I watched as a potential buyer. I just hate, to be myself around people, to be judged, do they like the party do they absolutely hate it. I don’t appear so people can talk about me all they want, I just like to hear it like I am everyone else.  To stay in the dark, and I will know what people truly think of me, than me being around them and telling me what I want to hear.”

“I know it is hard to trust people, but you know, you can trust me, to tell you the truth, I know that I am a stranger you just met, but I will tell you the truth. I try to tell people the truth anyway, and I don’t like keeping secrets never could.”

“Well thank you, this all started a year ago anyway, me pretending to be someone else at my own revealings or parties. Anyways, so you won’t call me a stupid jerk again, my name is Charlie.”

“I am so sorry Charlie for saying that, I always say what is on my mind and playing the piano helps. Oh, my name is Serena.”

“It is ok Serena, it is refreshing to hear someone speak their mind about me. My friends know I am here so they make sure that they speak their minds as much as possible.”

“I am always here to help I guess. Do you play or is this just for show?”

Charlie chuckled and he put his fingers on the keys and started playing fur elise. Serena smiled, after he was done she slow clapped for him. 

“I guess the piano is not for show after all. You play very well.”

“I have been playing since I was six I believe. What about you?”

Since I was ten, I love trying new things. You are not as boring as I thought you would be.”

Charlie chuckled, “You thought I was boring huh?”

“Well since I never met you, I thought you were just this rich guy who just liked parties and nothing else, you were just this boring rich guy who liked to throw his money around.” Serena and Charlie both laughed.

“And now, what do you think?” Serena looked into his eyes then and then to his lips and back to his eyes, his lips tempted her to kiss them, but she knew she shouldn’t because she had a fiancee. 

“You are just full of surprises and just a big mystery. Since you love a good disguise” 

“You are the one who is the mystery, that I would love to solve.” They were looking into each others eyes, Serena could feel a connection between them like it was fate that they had met, but she had to get these thoughts out of her head, she shouldn’t be having these feelings for another man. They were interrupted by Sebastian. 

“There you are, I was looking for you, we should be leaving now.”

“Sebastian, I am sorry, I lost track of time here. This is Charlie, he is the owner of this house.”

“Hi, we really should be going Serena, it is late.”

“Sebastian, don’t be rude, plus I can’t go yet, I have to help with clean up, and help everyone pack up. It is my job.”

“It is not your job, you did your job now, it is midnight and I want to go. Cassie is leaving now.”

“Well why don’t you give Cassie a ride home, hmm. I will meet you at the apartment later.”

“How are you getting home then, I am not driving all the way back to the Hamptons from New York City.”

“I will drive her home.” They both looked at Charlie.

“Yeah, Charlie will drive me home.”

“Fine, Charlie can drive you home, he better just do that and nothing else.”

“Sebastian, don’t be rude.” Sebastian was already walking away. 

“I am so sorry about Sebastian, it has been a long day for him. I am just really sorry for his rudeness.”

“It is ok, don’t worry about it.”

“It is not ok, he always does this, every time he has a bad day he is rude to everyone, I always try to get him to relax, but he hardly ever does. I am sorry, to tell you this it is not your problem. I am going to go clean up now. It was nice to finally meet you.”

“I will help you clean up and then I will drive you back to your apartment into the city.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

“Well you threw me a party so it is the least I could do for you.”

Serena and Charlie finished cleaning up and Serena got into Charlie’s car and he was driving her home.

“Thanks for driving me home Charlie, you really don’t have to do this.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it, it is my pleasure, especially when you threw a party for me.”

“What made you get into photography?”

“I guess it is a little like why you like party planning. I love to capture those magical real moments in life. Not the fake moments when people dress up and pretend. A picture can never tell a lie, you can dress it up as a lie, but looking at it you see a person’s true self.”

“I guess that is why you like to pretend you are someone else huh.”

“I guess so, just to get the truth out of people. Well, here you go, home sweet home.”

“Thanks again, I really appreciate it.”

“No problem, oh, before I forget I will send you the last check in the morning.”

“Thanks, have a good night Charlie.”

“You too Serena.”

As he saw Serena walk up those steps and enter the door to get to her apartment, he didn’t want to let her go, he wanted to go after her, but he knew he shouldn’t, she had a boyfriend, that never stopped him before. Maybe I am just tired he thought. He got that thought out of his head. It is not like he would ever see her again he thought to himself. He drove off.

As Serena opened the door, she called out for Sebastian, but he wasn’t in the apartment. The way he wanted to get me home, it seemed like he wanted to talk in private she thought. He was so rude tonight and she didn’t understand why. She tried to get that out of her head, he did have a long day, but she was going to talk to him about it tomorrow. She went to get ready for bed, and then her thoughts went to Charlie and how she wanted to kiss those lips tonight. Charlie wasn’t anything she expected him to be he was more down to earth and more like her than she thought anyone could be. She got that thought out of her mind, she shouldn’t be thinking about another man since she is going to be married soon. She went to get into bed. It is not like I am going to see him again anyway, she thought to herself. 

Serena woke up to see the spot next to her was still empty. She couldn’t understand why Sebastian did not come home last night. She got out of bed and took a shower and when she got out Sebastian was sitting at the desk.

“Sebastian, you got home rather late, and by late I mean very late. Where were you?”

“I was drinking late last night, I took a taxi and accidentally  went to Cassie’s apartment instead of ours, she let me stay the night. She didn’t call you?”

“No, she didn’t, at least I know where you were. I am glad you are alright. Now, can we talk about last night, because someone was a little rude to the owner who is paying my checks. What was up with you last night?”

“I am sorry I was rude with the owner ok, I had a bad day, had a lot of drinks, they collided hence the rudeness, I am sorry sweetie.”

“It is ok, are you feeling better?”

“Yeah, I just hated loosing my case, I am feeling better, just waiting to hear on another case.” Serena walked up to him and sat on his lap and kissed him on the lips.

“You will win the next one sweets, definitely.” There was a knock on the door, Serena went to open it and found Cassie standing outside her door.

“Oh, hey Serena, I thought you were opening the story today.”

“I thought you were……well I will get dressed and head down there to open it. Come in. Are you coming with me after I get ready or, what are you going to do? Because all we are doing is getting ready for my wedding, we have no clients for a while.”

“I need to run some errands first and then I will be there.”

“Ok, take your time, I just have the reception to go over. Oh, by the way, thanks for taking care of this goof, while he was out drinking.”

“huh, oh, no problem, it was my pleasure.” Serena was dressed and ready to go. 

“Are you coming Cassie?”

“I will go in a second I need to talk to Sebastian about something.”

“Ok, I will see you both later then.” Serena said while walking out the door. 

After Serena closed the door, Cassie walked up to Sebastian and sat on his lap and pulled out a cell phone. 

“So, you left your phone at my place last night, I just wanted to come and give it to you, I  didn’t expect for Serena to be here though. Good thinking telling her that I just helped you out she fell for it.”

“We have to be more careful if we are going to keep doing this Cassie my dear.”

“But it is much more fun when we almost get caught.”

“Cassie, Serena can’t know about this, you get that right, just because we had sex last night doesn’t mean I am breaking it off with her, it meant nothing between us, it was just because I was upset got me.”

“I got you, but what does twice mean?” Cassie got up and slipped out of her dress, and Sebastian got up from his chair and walked toward her he was inches away from her and stared into her eyes, “I will let you know.” He kissed her on the lips passionately. 

Serena finally arrived at her party shop, she went in the back to drop of stuff at her desk and went back to the front to work on her reception, and to work the register and watch for people coming in to buy party decorations or to plan a party. While she was working on her wedding she heard the bell on the door to let her know that someone had walked in but she didn’t look up.

“Knock knock, didn’t think I would see you here. I didn’t even know you worked in here.”

She looked up and saw a man looking as good as he did last night with his brown eyes and short brown hair, he was wearing a black leather jacket with a white t-shirt, blue jeans, and black boots. He also had a helmet with him, if he drove a motorcycle she definitely couldn’t get him out of his mind then she always had a thing for guys who drove motorcycles. Charlie was the one man she didn’t expect to see again, the man that was on her mind since the party. 

Charlie went back to the city the next morning. He wanted to talk to Cassie about a new game, since he was bored. He wouldn’t be traveling for a while because he needed to start working on pictures and he had gotten a job to take pictures of the Smith wedding that was taking place in 4 weeks from today. He was going to ask her last night, but she never came back to his house. So he went to get a new camera for the wedding, and he was going to stop by her party shop before he went back to the house. When he finally got to the party shop he walked in and expected to see Cassie at the register, but when he opened the door and walked in he stopped, he saw a brunet  haired girl working at the register, she looked up for a moment and he saw that she had chocolate brown eyes that he had been thinking about since he dropped her off last night at her apartment. Serena was so beautiful with her long flowing hair in a ponytail even though she looked so much better with it down, and she had on blue skinny jeans with black and white chucks, and a white lace crop top, while wearing a black leather jacket. He had to admit the girl knew how to draw attention and knew how to dress. Just then he wanted to go up and just kiss her right there but he knew he couldn’t she was seeing someone, nothing could ever happen no matter how much he wanted it too. She was busy doing something so she didn’t notice that he had come in. 

“Knock knock, didn’t think I would see you here. I didn’t even know you worked in here.”

“Ch…Charlie, hey, I didn’t expect to see you again.”

“Oh so it is a bad thing huh?”

“No, it is not, it is good to see you again, I just wasn’t expecting it. What are you doing here?”

“Well I thought someone worked here, but I guess I was wrong, I found you instead.”

“Is that a bad thing, I feel like a second choice for prom.”

Charlie laughed. “It is nothing like that,  She just told me she worked here, I guess I misunderstood. Sorry, I guess it is my turn to have that embarrassing moment, it is not like it is good to see you too, I will just shut up now.”

Serena chuckled. “I was joking it is ok, who are you looking for, maybe I know her.”

“Cassie Blake.”

“Ah, you know Cassie, she is my best friend, and told me this morning that she had some errands to do, and will be by later, knowing Cassie, and since we don’t have clients right now, she either won’t come today or she will be in later this afternoon.” Serena said chuckling. 

“That would be her” Charlie said laughing.

“How do you know her?”

“She is one of the friends I told you about, I just wanted to talk to her about something, but it can wait, I can just call her later.”

“Oh ok, I didn’t know you two were friends. I guess that’s why she wanted the party to be perfect. It all make sense.” 

“Yeah, so what are you looking at anyway, when I came in you were really into it.”

“A wedding, actually, mine and Sebastian’s, I was working on the reception, and the wedding is in 4 weeks from today, and Sebastian is not helping one bit, so I am mostly doing this alone, and sometimes with Cassie, but apparently not today. But soon I will be Mrs. Sebastian Smith.”

“Smith?” Charlie said looking shocked. 

“Yeah. I think it is more better to take the guy’s last name, if I just kept my last name it will feel like the wedding wasn’t official.”

“Is your wedding reception on a boat?”

“Yeah, how did you know?”

“That was your husband, I didn’t put two and two together until now. I am sorry I am rambling now. I got a call from my friend who sells my pictures and artwork, he got me a job here, and he said it was to take pictures of a wedding, last name Smith, I was suppose to meet the couple tomorrow.”

“You’re the photographer, wow, this is a very big�"

“Coincidence yeah.” 

“I guess we were meant to meet after all like�"

“Destiny, just like I was thinking.”

Serena moved a piece of hair behind her ears and looked up into Charlie’s eyes, there was something about him that attracted her to him. She couldn’t say what it was, but she couldn’t help but think about what it would be like to be with him and to feel his lips on hers to feel him touch her she stopped thinking about it, she was getting married in 4 weeks, she should be thinking about Sebastian and her life with him. 

“Well, um, I guess I will see you tomorrow then, I will tell Cassie you dropped by.”

“Um, would you like to grab dinner with me?”

“Wh…What, dinner?”

“Yeah, you know, strictly professional, to talk about the photos and how you want them done and everything.”

“Um, yeah, people have to eat right, I mean you eat dinner, I eat dinner, everyone eats dinner. Um, sorry, I am rambling.” Serena said smiling awkwardly. 

“What time are you leaving here, I can pick you up here.”

I get off at 6. Let me give you my number.”

“Ok, I will see you then.”

“See you then.” Serena said as he walked out the door. I am in trouble, Serena said to herself, No I am not in trouble, this is strictly professional, nothing to worry about. 

Cassie was about to walk into the party shop when she saw Charlie talking to Serena, she opened the door slowly so the bell wouldn’t ring to hear some of thier conversation. She went back outside and started walking back out to her car. She knew how to get to Serena and ruin her. Her plan will start now and it was the best plan ever. 

Sebastian heard a knock on the door and opened it, it was Cassie, Cassie walked right into the apartment without a word. 

“Cassie, come right in.” Sebastian said sarcastically. 

“Sebastian, I am sorry to barge in like this, were you busy.”

“Just reading up on a case, what’s up, come to have more fun?” Sebastian said with a smile 

“No, I have come for a different reason. You see I have my suspicions that Serena is not being honest with you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think she has a guy on the side. I think his name is Charlie, she met him at the party last night.”

“The owner, I will confront her about it.”

“I wouldn’t. Sebastian, I have a proposition for you, I don’t think you should refuse.”

“Well Cassie, tell me all about it.”

Charlie opened the door and went into the living room only to find Cassie there.

“Cassie to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”

“Oh, this is business. I want to play a game. I know you love a good game.”

“I do especially yours.”

“Well there is this couple who is getting married in 4 weeks, and I want the guy.”

“And what, you want me to break it up?”

“Yes, I want you to seduce the girl into falling for you so I can tell her husband she is a cheating w***e and call off the wedding.” Cassie smiled. 

“What did she ever do to you.”

I tried everything to get him to notice me.”

“And he fell for her, aww so sad. Who is the target?” 

“Sebastian Smith and Serena Bennet.”

“I am suppose to be their photographer, I met Serena. As much as I love a good game, I don’t want to do it.” 

“Why not, she deserves it.”

“It is too easy.”

“Lets make a wager then, I bet you couldn’t do it.”

“You know I like a challenge. What do you get if you win?” 

“I get your house.”

“And if I win?” 

“I will give you me. The one thing you have been obsessing about since we started this on and off thing.”

You’ve got yourself a deal honey.”

“Happy hunting Charlie.” Cassie said as Charlie was going to his room. 

Let the games begin Cassie thought as she walked out of the house. 

Serena, was waiting outside for Charlie. She really wasn’t ready for this date, no, not a date, professional dinner. Hopefully he saw it that way. Of course he did, there is no way he was into her, but the way he was staring at her today it seemed he wanted to be more than just friends. She got that out of her head as she saw him pulling up on his motorcycle. “You are not going to make this easy for me are you.” She said to herself aloud.  Charlie got off his bike and took off his helmet.

“Hey, are you ready for dinner?”

“Yeah, where are we going?”

“Well it is only a few blocks away, we can walk, but we are going to Bubba Gumps. Is that ok.”

“Yeah, I love that place.”

They finally got to the restaurant and took a seat in a secluded booth. 

“So, what would you like me to take pictures of at the wedding reception?”

“Mostly any of the happy moments, of course when people give their toasts, um, when we all sit down at the table, the father and bride dance, and any other happy moment at the wedding, oh and also when Sebastian and I cut the cake.”

“That is fine, I can do that.”

“And we will pay you tomorrow for it.”

“That is cool. Why don’t we take a break from work for a second, work is all I ever talk weeks about.”

“That is fine. You know meeting you and looking you up, you don’t seem like the mysterious brooding type.”

“What makes you say that?”

“People have said you are outgoing and it seems like you get along very well.”

“Well, only for my friends I am outgoing for other people not so much. I just don’t like people seeing the real me you know. Like I said before that is why I like being mysterious.”

“You know what your problem is you take yourself way too seriously, and you use sarcasm to cover it.”

“I do not.”

“Yes you do. You should try to lighten up.”

“I am lightened can you drop it please?”

“Fine, ok.” They sat there in silence until Serena made funny faces at him.

“What are you doing?” She made another face.”

“Sop it, it is distracting.” Charlie said smiling.

“It is ok, you can relax, I won’t tell anyone.” Serena said smiling.

Serena looked back down at her food, while Charlie just looked at her amazed.

When they finished dinner they walked back to the shop. 

“Thanks for inviting me to dinner.”

“Thanks for the company.”  Charlie kissed her cheek and then her other cheek, then slowly he moved to kiss her lips. He has wanted this ever since he first saw her. 

Serena’s heart skipped a beat as Charlie kissed her cheek, and then her other cheek. Her heart slowed as he kissed her on the lips the one thing she kept thinking of. The kiss felt so good. She put that feeling aside and pushed him away. 

“Charlie, I am getting married I can’t. I will see you in 2 week with the payment ok instead of tomorrow. Bye.”

As she was leaving he wanted to pull her back and kiss her again, but he should’t he kept reminding himself that this was a game and nothing more.

 

Cassie was hiding in the restaurant and followed Charlie and Serena back to the store, and saw the kiss and took a photo of it. This would come in handy in the future she thought. She then sent it to Sebastian’s phone. 

When Cassie got home she undressed, she couldn’t stop thinking about the kiss she had shared with Charlie, it was hot and passionate, nothing compared to what she felt with Sebastian. Being with Charlie just felt so right, he really understood her. Sebastian was being standoffish as we got closer to the wedding. She got this out of her mind she was getting married in 4 weeks, nothing not even Charlie was going to stop it. She can’t start having doubts now. 

Sebastian was sitting at the bar having a drink before he went home. He couldn’t believe that in 4 weeks he was going to be married to Serena. Marrying Serena was right, being with Cassie was just a one time thing even if he was with her twice. He has always loved them both, he lost his chance with Cassie, but now he had a chance with Serena. Time will only tell who he chooses, but he didn’t have to make that choice now. He felt a vibration from his phone, he looked at it was from Cassie, she wanted him tonight no doubt. He looked at it and saw a picture of Serena and the owner of that house Charlie kissing and it had read, “I thought you should know.” He couldn’t believe it, Serena wasn’t the girl he thought she was. Cassie was right after all. If she wanted to have fun then so could he. She was going to pay for this he thought. He chugged the last bit of scotch from his glass and went to see Cassie. He couldn’t believe he almost was sorry for having sex with Cassie.

Sebastian heard the door bell ring and he opened the door to find Serena standing there breathing hard. 

“Cassie what are you�" He couldn’t finish the sentence because she kissed him passionately, and he kissed back. he pulled her in and closed the door and pushed her up against it. They stopped kissing enough for Serena to take off his shirt and unbuckling his belt. he stopped and looked at her. Suddenly he felt wrong, he didn’t know what he was feeling. This would win him the bet, he would win the game, but it didn’t feel like a game, not anymore. 

“Serena I am sorry, I can’t. You have to go.” Serena looked surprised and left in a rush. 

What was he thinking, he shouldn’t have let her go. 

What was she thinking, she shouldn’t have done that, she was getting married soon. It was good that he stopped it before it got too far. Then why did she feel so sad and angry over that, that she had no answer for. 

Two weeks later

“Morning” Charlie woke up to see Cassie on top of him. 

“How did it go with Serena?”

“If you are asking if I had sex with her the answer is no.”

“She shot you down because of her stupid morals.”

“No just the oppistie.”

“what went wrong?”

“I don’t know, she was in fromt of me and ready to do it, but I was…I just didn’t feel right about it.”

“Your telling me you had a chance to f**k her and you didn’t, you are a chump.” 

Charlie pushed her off of him. “You better go, she is coming here today to give me the check.”

“Oh she is not, I am giving you the check, it seems she doesn’t want to see you and she didn’t tell me why.” Cassie said with a smile. But it seems she is settiing up for the wedding anyway on the boat. 

Charlie arrived on the boat looking for Serena and he finally saw her in one of the rooms. She was trying to make it perfect for her and Sebastian he knocked on the door. Serena turned and saw Charlie, she was not ready to face him after what happened two weeks ago, she never thought she would see him until the wedding. Charlie walked into the room and closed and locked the door. He went up to her and was inches away from her. 

“I am sorry Serena.”

“I am impressed you showing up here.”

“I think that I…” They both looked each other in the eyes, Serena was drawn to him and Charlie was drawn to Serena. He kissed her and and she kissed him back. 

“Are you sure about this Serena?” Charlie asked.

“Yeah.” They started kissing again. Not knowing who was behind the door Cassie was listening to every word with a smile on her face. 

Sebastian could hardly sleep since he got that text that Serena was kissing another man. He couldn’t believe it. For days he was waiting for her to tell him, but day by day she never told him anything. She was going to pay for this, no one makes a fool out of Sebastian. Seastian called Cassie.  

“Cassie, what is the update with Serena?”

“I am meeting her today. I will keep you posted my dear.” Cassie

“Fine.” 

Cassie was waiting for Charlie when he came home. 

“Aww, I care about you a lot? I heard you on the phone.” He looked in the foyer and saw her siting in the chair. 

“My god, you are completly whipped.”

“Shut up.”

“What happened to us?”

“Nothing has changed”

Yes it has. You love her, you don’t love me anymore.”

“It is just a game Cass.” Cassie walked up to him and kissed him, but Charlie pushed her away.

“Look at you, and what you are reduced to, she has changed you. Wait, she doesn’t know about your past does she? As her best friend it is my duty to tell her what you are up to.” She got her phone out to call Serena. 

“Put the phone down.”

“Shh, this will only take a second.” She whispered. Charlie took the phone away from her.

“I was thinking about telling her everything myself. I don’t care what you say anymore.”

“I forgot, you care for her. People don’t change in one day. You and I are the same, we love games. Don’t do it Charlie or you will end up a joke.”

“I will take my chances.” Cassie left as he said those words. 

Serena went back to the apartment tired from her planned. She couldn’t stop thinking aobut what happened with Charlie, she didn’t know what to think anymore. She had to think about it and she had only one week to do it. 

“You are home early.” She turned and saw Sebastian sitting at the desk. 

“Yeah, I needed a break from the wedding planning.”

Sebastian went up to her and kissed her. “Good. How is it coming along?”

“It is good, it will be ready this week.”

“I know what has been going on.”

“What do you mean?”  Sebastian wanted to say I know you kissed Charlie, but he didn’t want anything ruining his wedding day. He was going to wait until afer the wedding. After the wedding everyting would change, for them. He was in control of everything and she would pay for what she did to him to make him into the fool. 

“I saw the present you got me, sorry.” She let out a breath, she wasn’t ready to tell him anything until she really knew what she wanted. 

“It is ok, you can wear the watch for the wedding.”

“Thank you I really love it. You know I love a good watch.” Serena kissed him on the cheek. 

“I am really tired ok, I am going to go to take a nap before I meet Cassie.” Serena went into the bedroom and laid down, she didn’t know what to do, she was torn bewteen if she should follow her heart or stick with what is easy. She was going to talk to Cassie later, but she really wanted to follow her heart. 

Serena finally met up with Cassie at the Starbucks near Cassie’s apartment. 

“Hey Cass, it feels like forever since I have seen you.”

“I know, I have been trying to get new clients, plus doing your wedding at the same time. I have been busy. What is it that you wanted to meet up about, you sounded sad.” At that moment Serena’s phone rang and she noticed it was Charlie. 

“Hold on one second.” She picked up her phone and got up and went inside Starbucks and into the bathroom to take the call.

“Hey Charlie, I am having lunch right now, can I call you back?”

“I will make this quick. I am messed up ok. I thought I cared about you, but it was just a lie. I just wanted to screw with your head and mess up your marriage. I don’t care about you at all.”
You don’t mean that”

“You don’t get it, I don’t like you, you were just another conquest for me. Everything was just an act.”

“You are messed up in the head! After the wedding I never want to see you again!” Serena hung up, and while she was crying she went back to the table. 

“Sweetie what is wrong.” Cassie said in a comforting tone.

“I cheated on Sebastian with Charlie. And I thought that there was a reason I met Charlie, whenever I saw him I felt a connection with him, more than I do with Sebastian, but he just called and said I was just a conquest. I can’t believe I did this to Sebastian. I need to come clean.”

“Oh sweetie, you shouldn’t come clean, it is over, you already got your heart broken once, you shouldn’t break it again. It is over between you and Charlie. Sebastian has no need to know.” 

“Thank you Cassie, I will just forget Charlie ever exsisted. I will marry Sebastian, he is the real love of my life anyway.” Cassie hugged Serena while Cassie was smiling. 

Sebastian’s phone was ringing he answered it. 

“Hello”

“Hey, Sebastian, its Cassie.”

“What is the update Cass?”

“I am sorry but they did the deed. She even said that she was going to leave you for Charlie.”

“She can’t do that, I have done everything for her. Noone leaves me and gets away with it.”

“Well, at least you have me, you can leave her and come back to me.”

“You don’t get it, after I marry her I get her money and become rich since her father is rich. I am marrying her. I deserve that money. She is not going to do this to me now, when I am so close to the finishline.”

“I know what I can do to help you with that, and you could also leave her. I will be in touch.”  Cassie hung up the phone angrily. She was not happy, Everyone wanted Serena. Serena was going to pay for this.

“What can I do for you” the person at the register said.

“I want to purchase a pistal please.”

“Ok, that would be $110. Have a good day.” Serena was going to rue the day she made a fool out of me. Her wedding day is somethng noone will ever forget. The person thought as they left the store.

Cassie got back to her apartment and went to drop her keys on her table. She turned and jumped. Finally noticing that Charlie was there. 

“S**t, Charlie you scared me.” 

“Don’t like people coming in unannouced do you? Now you know what it feels like.”

“What are you doing here and what is with the champagne?”

“I thought you would like to know what happened between me and Serena. It is over.”

“Really?”

“You were right I can’t change. I thought we should celebrate. What do you want to toast to?”

“My triumph.”

“Ok, whatever. To your triumph over Serena.” Cassie laughed at that. 

“What is so funny?”

“My dear Charlie, my triumph isn’t over her, it is over you. You gave up on the first person you ever loved becasue I threatened you. Don’t you get it, You are still in love with her, but it made me smile to make you ashamed of that. You are just my toy I loved to play with and now I am done with you. Now you have officially blown it with her, I think it is the most patheitc thing I have ever seen and heard. Never get in a game that you can’t win. Cassie smiled and took a sip of the champagne. Haven’t you heard, I am the b***h in this town, noone says they are done until I say so.”  Charlie stormed out of the apartment. 

Serena saw that her phone was ringing, she noticed it was Charlie, and quickly ignored him. She didn’t want to have anything to do with him anymore, especially the way he talked to her. She couldn’t believe she almost broke off her wedding for a guy she only knew for a few weeks just because she thought they had a connection. She wasn’t going to think about it anymore, she was done with him officially. After the wedding she never had to see him again. 

Charlie went to Sebastian and Serena’s house to try to explain what happened. He loved her he knew that much and she deserved the truth. She knocked on the door hoping Serena would answer, but Sebastian answered instead in nothing but a towel. 

“Charlie, what a surprise, what do you want?”

“I need to talk to Serena is she here?”

“Oh, she is in the shower right now.” 

“Hey Sebastian I just took the last bit of the soap Serena uses, she needs more.”

A woman called out from behind Sebastian. Charlie looked past Sebastian and saw Cassie standing in a towel. He couldn’t believe it, Sebastian was cheating on Serena, she need to know. 

“Wow Cassie, you wouldn’t have done this if you didn’t think I should know.”

“This is a coincidence Charlie, I didn’t expect to see you.” Charlie faced Sebastian again.

“You need to tell Serena about this or I…”

“You will what, because Cassie has informed me that you have been having your own little trist with my girlfriend. You tell her anything you are done. No one is going to keep me away from my money that she has. Not even you. So turn around leave and forget you ever saw anything.” 

“What money?”

“Cass, I thought he knew about the money, that is why he was with her.”

“Oops, did I say he knew, my mistake Sebastian.”

“Forget everything or you will regret you even knew me or Serena.” Sebastian slammed the door in Charlie’s face, he was going to tell Serena the truth, it felt wrong lying to her. He would tell her everything one way or the other.

One week later

The night before the wedding

“Tomorow is the big day are you excited?” Cassie asked Serena as they did finishing touches on the boat. 

“I am, I have waited for this day ever since I met Sebastian.”

“Have you heard anything from Charlie?”

“No, not since he kept calling multiple times last week. He just stopped.”

“Lets make a toast, to the wedding that no one will ever forget.”

“Cheers to that.”

“You better get some rest you are a wife starting tomorrow.”

“And nothing will stop me from going down the aisle.”

The Wedding Reception

Charlie didn’t stop the wedding in time, Serena still married him even after he wrote her the letter. “I thought I would get the girl in the end” He said to himself. He would take the pictures she needed and leave her alone for good. 

“Mrs. Smith…” Serena turned around and saw a waiter.

“I love hearing that. Is something wrong?”

“No, I have this package for you I wanted to give it to you before, but the wedding had already started. This person wanted you to open it immediately.”

“Thank you, I appreciate it.”  Serena left to go below deck, the party was dying down and everyone was starting to get off the boat to go to the beach. She was able to sneak away. She got a champagne glass and went downstairs to the room where she and Sebastian were suppose to sneak off to, and closed the door behind her. She opened the package and found a note that could have been a book. She noticed that it was from Charlie. 

“Serena, I don’t know what to say to repair the damage that I have caused you. Being with you is the only time I have been happy and truly myself. My life has been a mystery and a joke, I loved playing games with other people, until, you. You were the person that wasn’t  a game, because I succeeded in hurting the first person I ever loved. Enclosing, I give you the truth, please read the other pages. No more lies, and no more hiding. Please give me another chance my dear Serena, I love you with all my heart and I mean that. Always and forever yours, Charlie.”  Serena put down the notes and read the other pages. “Oh my god.” She said to herself surprised. 

Serena was standing on the deck of a boat that had white lights on the rails and flower petals everywhere around her in her white wedding dress drinking champagne, she was looking out in the water, she turned around bringing the champagne glass down to her side and saw a gun pointed at her and had a sad worried look on her face. 

“I never saw this coming any of it. Why did you betray me?” Serena said.

“Why, because you get whatever you want without any consequences, Sebastian, Charlie, you are just a w***e who had to have both.”

“Cass, how could you do this to me. You set me up from the beginning, you even toyed with Sebastian, and you have been having sex with him?”

Cassie laughed. “Oh Charlie, he got to you huh. I knew I should have delt with him first. First you got the man I ever had feelings for and then when I moved on you had to get Charlie.”

“I didn’t know Charlie was yours, and we just happened. And you, you have been having sex with a man that doesn’t even love me, he only wants my money. So you have him.”

“No, I don’t officially have him until you are out of the picture. We will get your money, I pretended to be your lawyer, I changed some things around for you. See if you die, Sebastian and I get your money you inherited from your father.”

“All this so you could hurt me?”

“Exactly.”

“I am so sorry.”

“It is too late for apologies.” Cassie pulled the trigger and shot Serena in the abodomen, when she didn’t go down Cassie shot her again. Serena dropped champagne glass that shattered when it hit the ground. Serena got pushed back and fell over the railing into the cold water it took only a few seconds and she closed her eyes. Cassie, put the gun in her purse while she smiled and walked away. With Everyone at the beach, and with all the music and festivities, no one will figure out that the bride is missing until that last possible moment.

“Sebastian, you look rather lonely.” Sebastian turned around to see Cassie.

“DId you do it?”

“Yes I did, no one will find Serena, or figure out she is gone, it is like she never exsisted. And you are my alibi.” Cassie went to kiss him on the lips.

“I am glad you told me what you did. Thank you for getting me that money, now that we both have it we can do anything we want.”

“Of course we can. Now we can finally be together.” Sebastian kissed Cassie passionately. Cassie and Sebastian stopped kissing when they heard Sirens. The sound was coming near the boat. They both ran as fast as they could, the boat was a walk away from the beach. They saw that people were gathered and the police were all over the boat searching and looking around.

“I thought you said no one would find her body Cassie!”

“Relax, she probably floated to the surface or something and someone saw her body. We just talk to the police, no one knows it was us who killed her.” Cassie and Sebastian got through the crowd and went to talk to the police. 

“Excuse me officer what is going on.” Cassie said pretending to be surprised and concerned.

“Are you Cassie Blake? And are you the husband to Serena Pierce

“Yes I am, and this is her husband, is something wrong? Did something happened to her?” Cassie said pretending to be worried. 

“Cassie Blake, you are under arrest for the premeditated murder of Serena Pierce and Sebastian Smith you are under arrest as her accomplice for planned murder of Serena.”

“What!!!! This is absurd!!.” As Sebastian said that and they were taking him away to the police car he saw Serena standing there with Charlie by her side. 

“Cassie you said you had taken care of it, I can’t believe I believed you.” Cassie turned to see what Sebastian was talking about and she saw Serena. 

“I killed you, it is not possible that you are here.” 

“Officer can my friend and I have a moment with these two before you take them away please. Oh and check her thouroughly when we are done, she didn’t throw the gun in the ocean.” 

“Sure, just make it quick.”

“I watched you die, I shot you and you fell in the water. How is it possible you are still alive?” Charlie handed Serena a glass of champagne. 

“Cassie, remember our toast. I would like to make a toast now, to my triumph.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Would you like to do the honors Charlie?”

“No, you are the one who got shot, you should be the one to tell them. Serena.”

Few hours earlier

“Oh my god.” Serena said with surprise. She left the room and rushed to find Charlie. “Where is everyone” she said to herself. She looked around the deck and no one was on the boat. She went off the boat and ran until she got to the beach. She finally spotted Charlie at the bar.

“Charlie!!” She screamed. Charlie turned around and ran toward her. When she stopped he noticed that she was out of breath.

“Are you ok, what is wrong?”

“Can go back to the boat for a second?”

“Yeah sure.” He motioned to someone that he was leaving.

“Oh, I am sorry, you are with someone.”

“Oh no, I am not, it is fine, I can go with you.” They both walked back to the boat, while Serena was unaware that they were being followed. When they finally got back to the boat, Serena took him to the room. 

“Is this the truth?”

“Is what the truth Serena?”

“Everything you wrote in this letter. Or is this some more of your lies.”

“Like I said in the letter, no more lies, no more mystery. This is me. I hope that you can forgive me, and I hope you give me a second chance. I…I love you too much to hurt you or to watch other people hurt you.” Charlie walked up to Serena and was inches away from her. “You are the only person who knows the real me and I will do anything to get you to fogive me, even if it takes a lifetime. I am going to count to three and then I am going to pick you up and put you on that bed and kiss you. If you don’t want me to, walk out that door right now. One….two…..” He didn’t finsh Serena kissed him passionately on the lips. Charlie picked her up and laid her on the bed and he continued kissing her. Serena put her hands on his chest to stop the kiss. 

“What is it Serena?”

“Even after everything you told me, I am still married.” Charlie smiled. 

“No you are not. Charlie stood up and took Serena’s hands to help her up. “You three can come in now.” Three people walked in, but she didn’t recognize them.

“Serena, meet my friends Ashley, Samantha, and Hunter.”

“That is the minister.”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t call myself a minister, I actually just help him get his pictures and art work sold. Hunter said smiling.

“Charlie what is…”

“I knew that Sebastian just wanted your father’s money. Ashley and Sam here are  police officers, so I asked  if they could keep an eye on Sebastian and Cassie for me while I looked out for you. They found out that Cassie, changed things around so Sebastian can get your money and she could get your money. Samantha went in and told the lawyer what had happened and he changed it back so you can still get the money and you alone. And I would tell you the truth no matter what, so for one thing you are not really married.” Charlie said with an awkward smile.

“How is that possible?”

“Well Charlie told me what was going on with you and told me all about it, so I offered to help. I played a minister for you and you signed fake papers for a marriage license. The party was really fun though, I got a girls number which was awesome.”

“Hunter really.” Ashley said. “In otherwords we got you out of a really bad perdicamemt.”

“Why would you all do this for me?”

“Well, Charlie did it because he loves you duh, even if he was a mean, arragant, a*s…”

“Sam, point.” Charlie said

“Sorry, oh, he does love you and you are the first person to make him happy. The three of us did it  because Charlie is like family to us, he gets hurt we hurt someone for hurting him. And since he is family and he loves you, you are like part of the family too or whatever. Sam said smiling.

“There is one more thing I need to tell you, they are planning on killing you tonight because they both want the money and they want to run away together.”

“What!!!”

“We are going to arrest them before they can do anything.” Ashley said reassuringly. 

“No.”

“No? Look girly, they are going to kill you if we don’t arrest them now.” Hunter said

“Look, I want to know why Cassie is doing this ok. She owes me that much.”

“If you get shot…”

“She won’t. Take off your dress.” Sam said.

“Sorry sweetie, you seem like a great girl, but your not really my type.” Serena said smiling. Sam threw her blouse at Serena. 

“Pushing it. This is a bullet proof corset made for me, I know a person. Anyway I wore it tonight just in case. Ashley and I will tell the other officers to stand down, and then after she shoots you, well if she does we will wait a while then get them and arrest them. I can understand why you would want closer.” 

“Thank you Sam.”

Serena dropped the champagne glass that shattered when it hit the ground. Serena got pushed back and fell over the railing into the cold water it took only a few seconds and she closed her eyes. Serena sunk down in the water and opened her eyes, and quickly held her breath. She waited a few minutes to give time for Cassie to leave. After fourteen minutes Cassie swam back up to the surface and gasped for air. She swam to shore where Charlie and Hunter were waiting for her. 

“S**t!! Getting shot really hurts.” Serena said angrily Charlie helped her out of the water and put a blanket around her. 

“So closure, did you get any?” Hunter said smiling.

“I will hit you. But yes I did, you can call Ashley and Sam they can arrest them now.” Hunter laughed and walked away to make a call. 

“Are you ok?” Charlie asked Serena now that they were alone.

“I am just peachy keen. Thank you Charlie for everything. You didn’t have to do this.”

“I did, I am the one that hurt you, I owed you one.”

“Is that the only reason?”

“No, I love you that is the other reason, I knew we had a connection when we first met. I love you Serena Pierce. What do you say to that?”

“I love you too Charlie, and you have already paid your debt, the only thing I ask of you is to love me unconditionally forever.”

“I will have no trouble doing that my dear.” Charlie picked her up in his arms and kissed her. 

Presently…

“You counted me out before we even finished our little game Cassie. Don’t start a game you can’t win, isn’t that what you said?”

“Screw you. Charlie.” 

“Never f**k with the king of games, you will loose everytime.” Serena walked to Cassie and Sebastian.

“There there, Cassie and Sebastian, at least you two still have each other in jail.” Serena said smiling. “We are done now you can take them away.” 

“This isn’t over Serena I will be back.” Sebastian said angrily.

“Aww sweetie, it is ok, I think you will meet alot of guys who want you. I can move on.” Serena said while laughing.

“What do you want to do now my dear?”

“Well Charlie let’s go home, well your home, and then we can kiss, and spend the rest of our lives together.”

“Sounds like a plan. I finally got the girl of my dreams.” Charlie said smiling. Serena kissed him on the lips. She finally found true happiness, and found someone who truly loves her. 

Reviews

[Rikita Singleton]

Please give me feedback on the story if you like it, I would really appreciate it :)