SERENA’S POV

“This is the end,” Marcus said without a hint of empathy.

“It is. Goodbye, Marcus... and thanks for nothing!” I exclaimed, disdain burning in my eyes.

“This divorce left you with not even a single penny. How do you intend to survive?” He asked, feigning concern.

“I’d rather live in the gutters for the rest of my life than stay with you,” I spat out the words slowly, dripping with disgust.

“Hahaha, very funny. Don’t come begging when you’re finally homeless and impoverished,” he warned, his tone laced with anger.

“You don’t get it, do you? As long as I’m away from you, I’m the richest woman on earth,” I retorted, walking away from the despicable conversation.

“I am finally free!” I exclaimed, releasing a joyful squeal as I made my way out of the courthouse.

After years of bondage, I was finally free from the shackles of that monster I called husband. I had just concluded my divorce and I felt like the happiest woman on earth having survived a loveless and abusive marriage.

I considered taking a cab home to celebrate my newfound freedom, but a couple of champagne glasses and some turkey wouldn’t cut it. I needed the energy of people screaming, dancing, drinking, and having fun. And I came up with a better idea, “How about I go clubbing?!” 

I took a long, soulful walk of freedom and ended up in the biggest club in town, Popping's City!

As I approached the club, a profound force halted me. I stood a few feet from the entrance, watching people go in, but found myself unable to take another step. The weight of my past life bore down on me, pulling me back.

From cleaning houses and doing menial jobs for food as a child to being married to a monster as an adult, my life hadn’t exactly been blissful or worth celebrating. But today, for the first time in my life, I stood in front of a club. Part of me wanted to turn around and go back home, thinking this might be too much for me to handle. Then I realized if I could survive being married to a monster for four years, I could definitely handle a little bit of clubbing.

I took a deep breath, steeled myself, and waltzed into the club. The incredibly loud music and the throng of sweaty bodies with palpitating breaths overwhelmed my senses. I managed to find my way to the bar and sat down. 

Next to me was a familiar figure, though I couldn't see his face as he was bowed, seemingly lost in thought. I brushed off the faint sense of recognition and ordered a couple of drinks.

As I gulped down a cup of matinee, a sudden fit of coughing seized me, startling the man beside me.

“Oh, I'm sorry, are you okay?” The stranger's voice was gentle as he reached out to pat my back and offered me a glass of water.

“Thank you,” I managed between coughs, accepting the glass of water he offered.

After a few sips, I regained my composure, lifting my head and placing the glass on the table.

Turning to express my gratitude, I was taken aback by the unexpected sight before me. 

"Serena?! Wow, I can’t believe it's you. How... What... Honestly, I don't know what to say," he stammered, clearly surprised.

“Tristan... What a surprise,” I replied, my voice tinged with astonishment.

“How have you been?” His concern was palpable.

“I've been... you know, good,” I replied, though the truth was far more complicated since our breakup.

“Why don't I buy you another drink?” Bart offered generously, attempting to ease the tension between us.

The waiter refilled our glasses, and we took a shot before continuing our conversation, despite the club's noisy ambiance making it challenging to catch up.

"Why don’t we go to the VIP section to catch up?" Bart suggested.

“Yeah, we should,” I agreed, leading the way to the private area.

Once settled in the secluded room, a bottle of champagne awaited us, offering the perfect backdrop for our reunion.

“Wow, I don't know how to articulate my words right now. I'm really happy to see you; it's been so long,” Bart expressed, affection evident in his eyes.

“It's good to see you too,” I replied warmly.

“I heard you got married,” he mentioned.

“That was four years ago, Bart. Anyway, I'm divorced now,” I announced enthusiastically.

“Oh my goodness, I'm sorry,” he reacted.

“Nah, there's nothing to be sorry for,” I reassured him. “I've never been this happy since…” I trailed off, uncertain how he'd react to what I was about to reveal.

“I'm sorry for how we left things. I'm really sorry,” Bart apologized sincerely.

“You mean how you left me?” I countered, tension brimming.

“I didn't leave you by choice,” he argued.

“Well, sure, you didn't, if that helps you sleep well at night,” I retorted.

“Are you really blaming me?” he questioned.

“Who else is there to blame?” I replied pointedly.

“So, you're telling me you've forgotten how all of this happened?” he asked incredulously.

“Oh, how you left me to study abroad with no word whatsoever? How I was embarrassed and humiliated by your mom? How she called me an impoverished squalor who intends to drag her son down with her. Yeah, it's best forgotten,” I concluded, bitterness seeping into my words.

"Serena, I begged you," he reminded, his voice tinged with melancholy. "Come with me. Let's run away together and start our lives all over, with no one holding us back."

"We were kids! How would we survive in the wild, all alone by ourselves? If you had run away from home, you would have been cut off, left with nothing," I countered.

"I didn't care! I was willing to give it all up for you, Serena. But you said no. You said no," he repeated, his voice seeping with hurt.

“I couldn't watch you turn against your family because of me. Living in this world with an impoverished parents is so difficult let alone living all by yourself with nothing. I didn't want to see you suffer, just like I did. That's why I had to say no. Besides, we were just kids. We had our whole lives ahead of us, and I didn't want us to make a decision that might ruin our futures," I explained apologetically.

"I would have left everything and everyone just to be with you," he confessed.

"I know, and that's why I refused," I replied, hoping he'd understand my premise.

"But why didn't you tell me before you left for College in another continent? You knew you were going for a long time and you couldn't even say goodbye," I asked, my tone filled with hurt.

"How could I, Serena? You broke my heart. I thought you'd be happy with my plan, but to my surprise, you said no. I couldn't face you anymore before I left," he confessed.

"I'm sorry I didn't run away with you. It wasn't easy for me either. I was convinced I was doing the right thing," I admitted.

"Well, that's all in the past now. Maybe that was the right decision," he concluded skeptically.

"Oh my goodness, we've finished the entire bottle," I exclaimed, surprised, as I held up and shook an empty glass and an empty champagne bottle. We both shared a laugh, a moment of relief amidst our complicated past.

"Let me order another one," he offered.

"Is that a good idea?" I asked cautiously.

"Don’t worry, if you get drunk, I’ll take you home," he said confidently.

"Hmm, how can I trust you, Mr. Stranger?" I teased, intending to lighten the mood.

"Haha, you know me," Tristan replied, catching onto my joke.

"I haven’t seen you for years; who knows how much you’ve changed," I remarked, feigning skepticism.

Tristan laughed at my obvious pretense and then, in a more seductive tone, asked, "Look me in the eye and tell me if I’m different?"

I couldn't help but giggle at his playful challenge. Fixing my gaze into his eyes, I suddenly felt a shift in the atmosphere. The smile on my lips faded as I stared into his dazzling blue eyes. In that moment, the world seemed to stop, and memories of our past love flooded back in. My breath caught in my throat, and my senses became overwhelmed. I couldn't resist the pull, nor did I try. What I did next changed the entire course of my life. POV

As I tidied up the nightstand in Mr. and Mrs. Aveeno’s room, I couldn't help but notice their unusually early departure for work. I speculated to myself about their sudden hurry, assuming they must have had an impromptu meeting.

Lost in my thoughts, I was startled by the creak of the door opening. A smile spread across my face as I turned to see Terry standing there. . “Terry! what are you doing here?” I said sheepishly as he approached me.

Every chance he got to be alone with me, Terry never missed it. He took my hands, drawing me closer, and enveloped me in his embrace. I dropped the rag I was holding onto the floor, running my fingers over his chest.

“What are you doing here Terry?”, I asked again, unable to hide my smile.

“You know exactly why I'm here.” Terry replied with a soft smile. He leaned in to kiss my cheek, and I felt a rush of happiness flood over me. Despite spending the entire night together, his presence still made my heart flutter.

“I miss you, Betty,” Terry whispered in my ears as he caressed my cheeks. I chuckled, teasing him about missing me already.

We reminisced about our epic night together. It had been challenging lately, with his parents constantly around. 

“It’s been tough hiding out in this big old house with your parents always here,” I lamented.

“But they're back to work now, which means we have the house to ourselves,” Terry pointed out, planting gentle kisses on my neck.

“Terry! That's enough”, you need to go before someone sees us. I protested, attempting to pull away from his embrace.

“No one is coming, My Mom and Dad already left for work and my brother is probably dead asleep, you know he never gets up early. So no one is coming, besides the door is shut. “Don't worry baby, we won't get caught.” Terry reassured me, his hands gently brushing against my lips.

We laid in bed and cuddled for a couple of hours, immersing ourselves in each other’s presence, savoring every moment we’ve got to share. 

“I can't believe we are cuddling in your parents’ bed, in your parents’ room?! That’s bold of us don’t you think? I asked with a hint of excitement. 

“Well, your man has got balls”. Terry smiled proudly.

 “ If you’ve got balls then why haven’t you announced me to your parents, why keep me a secret?” I asked, a sting of frustration in my voice.

Terry words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of unspoken fears and uncertainty.

 “You know why Betty.” Terry finally responded, his voice steady and composed. 

 “There is a lot at stake, there is alot you don’t understand Betty, you know my parents and how brutish they can be, at the right time, I promise I will”.

 Despite his assurance, doubts lingered in my mind. “Terry, How much longer will I wait? Will there ever be a right time for us to be together openly without fear or reservation? Terry, I just…I don’t know how much I longer I can wait.” I confessed turning to face him.

In response, Terry pulled me closer, his touch a gentle reassurance amidst the storm of doubts that raged within me. “Baby, please Trust me”. He pleaded,  his voice soft and earnest as he pressed a tender kiss on my cheek. 

As we nestled together, though briefly, I felt myself drifting into a peaceful state of serenity until I snapped back to reality, realizing I had work to do. 

"Oh my Goodness Terry, I have so much work to do,"I exclaimed, a tinge of panic creeping into my voice. "I'm not even done with cleaning your parents' room!”

He flashed me a confident grin. "I'll help you clean up." Terry offered, his tone reassuring.

 I couldn't help but chuckle at his eagerness. "Do you even know how to clean? I mean, really clean?" I teased, raising an eyebrow. "You've had maids and servants all your life. The most you've probably done is make a cup of coffee.” 

Terry's smile widened at my playful jab. "You don't know what I'm capable of, Betty." Terry replied, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Actually, I do," I countered with a smirk, recalling a few instances where he surprised me with his hidden talents.

We shared a laugh as we both rose from the bed.

As I wrapped my arms around his broad shoulders, I found solace in the strength of his embrace. Leaning my head against his chest, I felt the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, a comforting reminder of his presence amidst the tumult of our circumstances.

 In that moment, I wished fervently for a world where we were just two souls bound by love, devoid of the constraints of classism and prejudice.. A single tear escaped my eye, trailing down my cheek as a silent testament to the ache of our forbidden love.. 

I wiped it off with my hands almost immediately before he could notice and lifted my head up, stretching upwards to kiss his perfect lips. But his towering height made the task all more challenging, with a teasing grin, he deliberately kept his head out of my reach.

“Terry, lower you head” I demanded, a smile dancing on my lips as I playfully pleaded for his compliance. Yet he was persistent in keeping his head straight. I giggled and demanded a second time. “Terry, stop teasing and lower you head, please.” I implored in the cutest way possible.  

He smiled, lowered his head and kissed me so passionately that I could feel my undies get sticky.  His lips trailed down my neck sending shivers down my spine, I immediately pulled away before it could get more intense and looked at Terry with a bright smile, “You’re  bad boy” I teased. “I know.” He admitted with a smirk as he began to walk towards the door. “Don’t forget to call me once you’re all alone at the boy’s quarters”.  He reminded me, his voiced laced with an hint of longing. “I will. Now go!” I urged, pointing towards the door.

Just as he opened the door, Terry stumbled into his mother. My heart sank as realization dawned upon me… I’m so dead.