Serena

Chapter 4

Serena's POV

The 3 hour flight have finally reached to the private island where all the heirs of Vespertine have lived in history. Our names had conquer and claimed many advantages of power, wealth and connections through centuries of business and social standings in the hierarchy. Currently now my mother is the first woman to stand on top and rule.

In the past 25 years she had the throne, our empire has been the strongest generation built in the name of Vespertine. Mother had played her games mercilessly against anything and anyone in her path for power.

She has a total of 5 husbands that have brought upon more power and benefits for her in marriage, a blood and vows of alliances. With a total of 3 sons with each husband's along with myself being her only daughter with my father. And with her latest husband, she is currently carrying another child.

Mother had raised us all to become weapons for her own use and purposes. She had groomed and calved us into her personalized chess pieces that all waits for her orders to obey. She had kept us under her wings since birth and  taught us the secret history of our bloodlines.

And once we all reach the age of 13, she abandons us to live with our individual fathers but we were still strictly controlled and watched. It is knowledge that the family of Vespertine carries the blue blood in veins, we are to attend and present events for other Privileged, Noble Families such as ourselves.

Now insight of the front gates, Father and I walk along the front garden in silence as memories of my childhood flicks through my mind like old pages of a book. The game of 'run and hide from mummy' and the little laughters I had so little of but the amount of tears I had to hide in the thorn bushes.

The palace is structured in the late Victorian fashion where I remember the walls being a dark murky cream walls, a dark sad ash blue for the roofs. Many large glass windows with curtains behind them and Marble sculptures everywhere from the Large water fountain to the edges of the grass maze to the sides of the bifurcated staircases.

As father and I enter the main entrance, Vincent and my father's secretary; Knoxville parted ways to one of the Lounge room far from the main hallway to where all the bodyguards, assistants, and secretary of my brothers and uncles awaits in.

Entering the dinning room after the long walk, we see mother is already seated at the end of the table where she can overlook all her husbands and Children down the long rectangular table.

Father and I proceeds to our seats in the centre, "Evening Malantha and everyone." My father greets mother first then the rest before taking a seat.
I follow with greeting my mother and my uncles... my brother's fathers.

"We'll now begin." She announces and all the maids and butler all scurry to bring the food to the table. In her empire her words are absolute.

My eyes fixed on my mother, her appearance still remains the same, Cold and distance even when we are having a fucking Family dinner.
She's still as I remember in my childhood, wickedly beautiful and elegant. Perfect hazel curls and pitched black eyes that carries emptiness pairing with her black heart.
As the first plate comes, our napkins are placed onto our laps like we are some disable freaks who can't move for our own sakes.
Etiquettes were one of mother's strict lessons.

As we all eat, we all await for mother's questions to strike at any moment. How I hate how suffocating this place makes me feel. How little me used to shake in fear as mother sometimes like to compare my academic achievements with my elder brothers.

"Killian and Adelio, how are business now?" Mother finally breaks the silence questioning my two eldest brothers without lifting her gaze from her plate.

"The company is now stable after I taken care of that old Gabriel Pollington. There's nothing to worry about, Mother." Killian my 1st brother spoke with steadiness and calm. Then he takes a sip from the whiskey he had poured himself from his personal flask.

"College is just as boring as it is while I still complete the tasks you order." Adelio my 2nd brother spoke a little differently compared to Killian with a hint of immaturity to his voice.

Mother's brows slightly rises after they answered but she still focused on cutting into the steak. Without lifting her head, "and how's your senior year, Serena?"

"I'm currently on a assessment right now but school hasn't been challenging in anyway."

"What's the assessment?" Rafael Usoro, Killian's father asks drawing mum's attention away from the steak.

I look towards her seeing her place the cut meat into her mouth with a slow blink of 'continue'.

"To erase all evidence a man name Peter Lewis had collected to overthrow and expose what St. Hunter Academy which he believes would bring him a boost in rank in the politic status. My team is to approach his only daughter, Chloe Lewis within her school and gain her trust to locate her father's hiding or in worse case to use her as bait." I proceed to briefly explain the assessment.

"Your assessment sounds better than what I had when I was a senior." Adelio comments with a bored glare.

"When you successfully abduct Lewis, bring him to my door, alive. " Mother's sudden interest in my assessment hinges a chill down my spine but I don't hesitate to answer.

"Yes, Mother."

We continue to eat as Killian and Adelio's fathers discuss to mother on topics like Upcoming events they suggest would be a great opportunity for business connections.

I quietly sat without touching the food as I had lost appetite remembering the horrid memories of sitting in the exact room as a child.
Memories of sitting along side Killian and Adelio while mother circled the table, examining us on our table etiquettes.

Mother was beyond strict. She didn't let excuses stop her from punishing a child for losing grip on the fork. If anything, she would make it into an unforgettable lesson where you won't make the same mistake twice.

She wouldn't say anything or express any emotions. She would just take the hand you'd dropped the fork and drag you to the room.
The dark room with two big doors which traps you in.

She'd take you in front of the door and call the maid to get her favourite whip. She would asked you to hold your hand out for her facing downwards then she would whip your hand leaving dark red lines. Then she would ask you to flip to your palm facing upwards. And she would repeat.
You'd cry and cry and beg until she locks you inside the room... alone.

I was only 6, yet I was somewhat glad I escaped her even when I was alone in the dark. But a child I was, I still hoped and pray for mother's attention and affection. I would blame myself for not being enough like my elder brothers.

How I was so wrong.