One Night Stand With Alexander Blackwood-Chapter 82 — Eighty-two

Serena was seriously scribbling on a piece of paper when her phone buzzed, breaking her concentration.

She picked it and mumbled under her breath. "Maya? Isn’t she supposed to be busy at work?"

"Serena!" Maya’s screams echoed from the other end when Serena picked the call.

She immediately pushed the phone away from her ears. "You know I can hear you, you do not need to scream." She remarked.

"Girl, where are you? Neither you nor the boss showed up today." Then her voice dropped lower. "Don’t tell me you both decided to have an early honeymoon even without marriage?"

Serena’s eyes bulged in shock. "Maya." She whisper--yelled. "Do you want the other nosy colleagues to hear what you’re saying?" She cautioned.

"Relax, I’m not in the office." Maya replied casually. "Now you tell me, where are you?"

Serena rubbed her forehead and answered. "I’m at my mom’s bakery."

Maya was taken aback as she asked confusedly. "Your mom’s bakery?"

Sensing the confusion in her tone made Serena realize that she hadn’t informed her best friend about having ownership of the bakery.

Taking a deep breath, she explained everything from Alexander handing ownership over to her, to her quitting her job and building her mom’s bakery once again, to Alexander becoming an investor. She didn’t leave out a single detail.

Maya’s expression changed countless times till Serena was done.

"Am I still your friend?" Maya asked, a trace of disappointment crossing her beautiful feature.

Serena felt guilty. "You should be on break, right? Why don’t you come to the bakery? Fortunately, it’s not far from the company."

"Address." Maya demanded coldly. Without complaining, Serena sent over the address.

After the call was disconnected, Serena took a deep breath as she looked out the window. Her beautiful face softened as she watched the passing cars. She envisioned customers filling the bakery, and her lips curved upwards. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"What are you thinking about?" Clara took a seat in front of her, which snapped Serena out of her beautiful imagination.

Serena shook her head. "I was just thinking about how wonderful it’d be to have this place filled with customers."

"Aunt Clara, do you think that would be possible?" Serena asked quietly. She had a tough exterior, undeniable.

But she also doubted herself. What if she couldn’t be the phoenix which could rise from the ashes? What if she failed? How could she face her mom and even Alexander? Various negative thoughts crossed her mind.

Clara extended her hand and took Serena’s hands into hers.

"I believe you have what it takes to make this bakery bustling with customers. I believe that you can bring this place to its glory days once again." Clara’s eyes were sparkling. "But to do all of these, you have to believe in yourself. Because if you don’t, then you’re setting yourself up for failure."

"Your mom is watching over you, and I’m sure she would be happy wherever she is seeing that you are trying to restore the bakery." Clara paused and gently squeezed Serena’s hands. "You can do it. I trust you."

After Clara was done with her speech, Serena’s eyes were already filled with tears. "Aunt..." she trailed off, unable to come up with words.

"Thank you." After a few seconds, she said sincerely..

"I’m glad I could help you with clarity." Clara chuckled, her gaze drifting to the door. "I guess your best friend is here."

Serena’s eyes also drifted to the entrance, and there she saw Maya who had a blank expression on her face. Serena’s teeth caught her lower lips. Maya was angry... extremely angry.

Clara could sense the tension between both ladies and she quietly excused herself.

Maya calmly took slow steps to Serena who had already risen to her feet.

"Serena ’May’ Wilson." Maya called out.

Serena closed her eyes. Maya didn’t call her full name often, she only did so when she was really angry.

"What else are you hiding from me?" Maya asked with her hand folded.

"Why don’t we have a seat first? Talk like civilised adults." Serena laughed forcefully and suggested.

Maya narrowed her eyes, but she still took a seat, the chair scraping loudly against the floor.

Serena forced a smile and also took her seat.

"Tell me, Serena. What else are you hiding from me? I’m your best friend. When were you planning on telling me such a huge thing?" Maya asked. The hurt in her eyes was undeniable, and she didn’t bother hiding it.

"Wait a minute. How about a cup of boba tea? To calm your nerves?" Serena suggested.

"I’m not interested in boba tea... yet." Maya rejected her without batting an eyelid. "Tell me, when were you planning to inform me about you quitting and regaining your mom’s company?"

"I’m sorry. You should have been the first to know about this." Serena scratched her head. "I know apologies cannot solve this, but I’m deeply sorry."

Maya was silent for a while, while she rubbed her chin. "I’ll only forgive you if you promise that you are not hiding any other thing from me."

Serena lowered her head, playing with her fingers. Seeing her hesitation, Maya came to a conclusion. "You’re keeping something from me, aren’t you? Rena, spill it. Now."

Serena sighed and explained everything about the issue with Liam. This time, she didn’t leave out a single detail. She made sure she told Maya the entire truth.

When she was finally done, Maya sat frozen on her seat.

"Are you okay?" Serena asked, waving her hand in front of Maya, but there was no response..

"He did what?" Maya asked after a few minutes of silence.

"Drugged me." Serena replied quietly..

"That motherfucker!" She yelled, shooting to her feet. "I always knew he was up to no good. Darn it!"

"Calm down." Serena cautioned, whispering.

Maya stared at her in disbelief. "Do you expect me to calm down? That son of a b*tch drugged you, and you want me to remain calm."

She laughed hysterically. "He should thank his stars I wasn’t the one who saved you. I’d have broken his legs and the one in between his legs."

Serena chuckled seeing her this way.

Maya rolled her eyes, and took her seat. "What did you do to him?"

Serena turned silent, playing with her hair. How could she reply? Maya would definitely stop talking to her if she told the truth.

Seeing her hesitate, Maya’s eyes narrowed. "Tell me, Serena. What was his punishment?"

The two besties stared at each other as the silence stretched between them.