"From This Day Forward (Part 3 to One Night Stand)"

"Serena's Secret"

Summer wasn't the only one faced with difficult decisions. Serena was also faced with a decision to make. Someone who had been close to her in the past had made his way back into her life & wanted the chance to make things right. She had been texting & calling him for the past few months & now he was asking her to meet up with him. He also expressed a strong desire to meet her daughter. Serena was fine with the texting & calls because she felt safer behind her phone rather than face-to-face with him. She didn't tell anyone about the exchange of communication between this person. Not even Grandma or Summer knew let alone Brian. But today, he would find out on accident. And Serena wasn't ready to come clean.

It was a Monday, the day that Brian & Serena would usually meet up to study & go over their projects together at their spot at the campus corner cafe. Since Brian & Serena has different majors, all their classes were separate from each other except for their last class on Monday. They sat together for the class & sat in the back so that they could bounce right after the teacher dismissed. Serena seemed distracted from the lesson & was constantly on her phone texting. Brian couldn't see who it was that she was texting. It was about 3 minutes 'til dismissal. Brian leaned over to whisper to Serena.

Brian: You want your usual?
Serena: Oh, I'm sorry. I actually can't make it today.
Brian: What? But we always...
Serena: I know. Something came up. We'll meet up next Monday.
Brian: Yeah, next Monday.

The teacher dismissed the class. Serena quickly landed a peck on Brian's cheek before heading out. Brian stayed in his seat watching everyone walk out.

Brian decided to go follow Serena. She was still getting into her car as he was at this point briskly walking to his own car. He trailed behind her, but didn't want to get too close. Where was she headed? Was it an appointment? Why was she blowing him off like this? His mind wandered to all the possibilities of where Serena was going. Brian followed her as she started to drive out of town & then on the freeway for about half an hour. His stomach started to grumble & he could feel himself starting to get hungry, but this was more important. He looked at his surroundings. He never came to this part of town. Serena finally exited the freeway & drove to a park. It was a beautiful park surrounded by trees & bordered a pond. The park was empty except for a park bench by the pond which was occupied by a gentleman. He was a little older & had blonde hair. He didn't look suspicious or anything by what he wore. He wore khakis & a sweater vest. At least he didn't look like a thug. But who was he? Brian parked at the very edge of the lot away from where Serena had parked. He sunk into his seat just enough to be hidden, but kept his head above the dashboard just enough to see Serena & this mystery man. The man smiled as Serena walked towards him & they met with a long embrace. Brian thought the embrace was long enough. The man started to caress Serena's back & then he kissed Serena's cheek. Brian's eyes widened from all that he saw. He didn't care about laying low anymore. Brian got out of car, slammed his door shut & marched right up to Serena & the man.

Brian: Hey bud...

Brian tapped the man on the shoulder & he let Serena go.

Serena: Brian? What are you...

Without thinking, Brian instinctively punched the man in the jaw.

Serena: Brian!!

Serena held the man & inspected his jaw.

Man: I'm fine.

The man regained his composure. He looked at Brian. Brian looked like he had more punches to give. Serena left the man's side & placed her hands over Brian's fists to calm him down.

Serena: Brian, what are you doing here?
Brian: I could ask you the same question.
Man: Oh... This is Brian?
Serena: This is Brian.
Brian: I'm Brian.
Man: He's a lot different than how you described him to me. He's a lot more violent than I thought he'd be.

Brian was confused. Who was this man? And how did he know so much about him?

Serena: Brian, you owe my dad an apology.
Brian: Dad?!