Chapter Thirty-Six
Flashback (continued)
The engagement was held at Eric Parker's mansion. The Lennard family went in the evening for the engagement. Serenity was ready in a beautiful dark blue sleeveless dress embellished at the neckline but she looked too pale as Kathy, their housekeeper led her to the living room where everyone was gathered.
"Oh, she looks so beautiful, Eugene, " said Penny Lennard as she sat beside her husband. An unhappy Laurence sat alone on a couch, waiting for Serenity to arrive. His face was grave and he looked like his soul had died a thousand deaths.
Liam, Serenity's younger brother excitedly came down looking dashing in a crisp white shirt and a pair of denims. He was excited to see Lisa. Ever since he had danced with her on Lucas's wedding, he was in love. Although she was just seventeen, he just couldn't forget her. He rushed into the room and looked around. He was extremely disappointed when he didn't see her in the room. He smiled at Laurence but his downcast face told another story. He learnt that Lisa was at a friend's house.
Appetizers and drinks were served as their parents chatted and planned the wedding which would happen in two days.
Serenity sat quietly in one corner not interested in the ongoing conversation. Penny Lennard came to sit with her. She discussed with Serenity about her likes and dislikes, about her work and such general topics. Laurence didn't look towards her much and talked to Liam mostly. Finally their parents made them sit together for the exchange of rings. Serenity's mom brought in the engagement tray beautifully decorated with floral decorations.
Amidst lots of cheers and congratulatory wishes, the engagement was over. Penny Lennard clipped on a pair of diamond earrings on Serenity's ears as an engagement gift. Her parents gifted Laurence a designer wallet.
A buffet table was laid out and everyone enjoyed the delicious dishes. Laurence helped himself to the food and sat down beside her with his plate. He just nibbled at it as an obligation not wanting to draw any attention towards himself by not eating.
"You won't eat?" he asked Serenity formally, his tone was cold, his expression devoid of any emotions.
"I'm not hungry now, I'll eat later," she answered. He nodded and concentrated back on his food. They didn't utter a single word to each other. At last the torture ended and they went home.
The next two days, Penny Lennard was so excited to gear up for the dream wedding of her son with Serenity Parker that she forgot about her fake illness. Laurence was too busy at office, overworking himself to forget his woes, to notice her. Sandra observed everything quietly but didn't say a word. Their cooking arrangements had been again fixed like it was before. Jennifer had been caught stealing red-handed and thrown out of work and Sandra had been appointed back as the housekeeper for the entire household. Harry and Penny Lennard couldn't contain their excitement and their sense of victory. Laurence was like a dead man while Lisa wasn't interested at all to attend this wedding. She wanted Arianna back and sobbed in the church next to her friend's house. She prayed and sobbed at the altar refusing to do anything else.
The wedding day arrived. The ceremony would be held in the banquet hall of the Parker mansion near the reception room. A huge statement wreath arch took on a circular shape on one of the walls to represent the couple's unity. The ceremonial table covered with a white satin cover was placed at the altar for the lighting of the unity candle ceremony.
The marriage officiant was waiting with Laurence and Liam as his best man. Serenity's cousins were also there as bridesmaids but Laurence didn't take any interest.
Laurence had cried the whole night and morning like a broken man who had lost everything. His red eyes connected with Serenity's grave ones as she stood on the other side of the altar. He smiled at her, a painful smile that didn't reach his eyes. She smiled back in the same manner.
The music began and the bridal procession started. Eric Parker led her to the altar and handed her to Laurence. Laurence led her to the officiant and the ceremony began. Throughout the ceremony Laurence's throat choked with painful emotions and images of his crying Aria. The vows and the rings were exchanged and they were proclaimed man and wife. Laurence kissed the corner of her mouth in a formal kiss. Everything was over, his life was finished.
In a daze Laurence led her to the lawns for their photographs. Everyone present congratulated them. Laurence led her to the reception room where everyone gathered for a toast.
Serenity's head swooned and she clutched at Laurence's hand. "Laurence, I'm not feeling well," she said.
Laurence told his mom that Serenity was unwell. His mom informed everyone and they were made to cut the wedding cake early amidst cheering and congratulations.
Later, Laurence took permission from Serenity's parents to leave. Serenity's mom packed a lot of food for them to eat when they felt better. Serenity kissed her family a tearful goodbye.
She climbed into the car with him. Laurence knew she was forced into this. He had seen her with her brother's best friend Alexander whom she loved. "Why did you marry me if you love him so much?" Asked Laurence in a small voice.
"How did you know?" She whispered, while wiping her eyes.
"I saw the two of you together. It was obvious that you both were crazy about one another. You were destined to be together," Laurence said as he drove towards his home. He had seen them at Lucas's wedding.
Serenity sighed heavily and turned away towards the window. He quietly drove on and reached his house in twenty minutes. "Our rooms are on the fourth floor. There are two elevators, so it wouldn't be a problem. Mom and dad live on the second floor. Lisa lives on the third. I occupy the fourth and fifth floors. The 1st floor has the gym, a library and our family entertainment rooms. We eat with mom and dad. There are chefs to cook for us since mom doesn't keep well," he informed as they entered the elevator to take them to the fourth floor.
The elevators opened and they walked into the fourth floor lobby with a door where Laurence punched in a code. The door opened and he led her inside towards a huge master bedroom. There was a huge custom made bed where four people could sleep comfortably.
"You can rest here. Your clothes and stuff are being brought in from the car. Make yourself comfortable," he said. He told her the security code of the door. "One of our housekeepers Sandra will be here shortly to help you. I have to goto work. I'll see you tonight," he said, leaving her.
She nodded and inspected the room. The door opened and a middle aged woman wearing a uniform walked in with a smile on her face.
"I'm Sandra, dear. You're Laurence's new bride. What's your name?" She asked.
"I'm Serenity," she said with a sad smile.
"I've seen Laurence since he was born. He's like a son to me. Welcome home, dear. Are you sick?" She asked taking in Serenity's tear stricken face.
"Yeah, a little," she said.
"Are you hungry? Let me get you some food," Sandra offered.
"No please. I'm off food since morning," she confessed feeling a strong sense of nausea at the mention of food. She rushed to the en-suite and threw up continuously. Sandra looked at her suspiciously. Was she pregnant? Afterwards Serenity was drowsy and fell asleep. Serenity woke up feeling much better. It was late afternoon and Serenity couldn't believe that she had slept for so long. Sandra came to check upon her after fifteen minutes.
"Feeling better?" She asked and Serenity nodded at her. "Can you go downstairs to eat or should I bring something for you here?" She asked with concern.
"My head's spinning. I don't think I can go down, " she said, apologetically. Her new family might find her behaviour a little odd but she couldn't possibly go downstairs in this condition.
"No problem, Serenity. I'll get you something to eat, " she said with a smile.
"Call me Sera. Everyone at home does," she said and Sandra smiled.
"It's a lovely name. I'll call you Sera. Happy?" She said and Serenity nodded.
She returned after thirty minutes with chicken soup and crusty bread. Serenity ate it hungrily and thanked her. "Penny ma'am's unwell. She's resting. Lisa has gone out. Laurence will be here with you in a few minutes. He's on his way home. Come, let me get you ready," said Sandra.
She got her ready in a loose fitting lilac sleeveless dress with a lace detailing at the neckline. It was long and flowy, maxi style and very comfortable. Sandra combed her hair in a sweet romantic updo and picked up the makeup box. She was just doing as she had been instructed by Penny Lennard.
"I don't want any makeup, Sandra. I can't tolerate the smell," she said. Sandra looked at her with a strange expression. Laurence came inside and Sandra left the apartment in a rush.
"How are you?" Asked Laurence with a haggard face. He didn't look normal, as if something was eating him up, that was for sure.
"I'm better. How are you? You don't look very well. Are you ok?" She asked him and he looked at her with disbelief.
"Is it so obvious?" He asked her.
Serenity nodded. Laurence sighed and picked up his clothes and went to his en-suite to change. If he could he would have spent his night too at his office but it wasn't possible. He couldn't live at his office forever. He would have to talk to Serenity and explain to her about his condition.
