𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 - 19

                                    

                                          

Hey guys, let's get started with this chapter.
Date - 20 September 2020
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Third-person Pov
In an unexpected turn of events, a heated exchange between Serena Williams and Asher culminated in a sharp dismissal that left Serena emotionally distraught. As the words "You know what Serena Williams, Fuck off!!" hung heavily in the air, Asher's abrupt departure seemed to trigger a visceral reaction within her. 

The sudden numbness that engulfed her body was swift and overwhelming, causing her to collapse in a flood of tears. The confusion was palpable as she wept, her mind racing with the question, "What did I do?"—a moving realization of her struggle to understand the unfolding situation.
Meanwhile, Blake found himself in a precarious position, emotionally torn between the desire to intervene and the uncertainty of his role in the unfolding drama. After a moment of self-composure, he approached Serena, offering words of comfort and a tight embrace in an attempt to soothe her escalating sobs.

"Hey, babes... Listen shuush!!! Calm down don't cry. I am here."
 Yet, his efforts were met with an increase in her distress, her cries a testament to the depth of her emotional pain. 
Unbeknownst to both Serena and Blake, they were being observed by a third party, whose gaze lingered with a dangerous intent on Blake, yet softened with a tenderness towards Serena.  Nick, harbored a complex history marred by domestic violence and parental neglect, which had instilled in him a deep-seated aversion to love.
Nick's own experiences with love were shaped by the tumultuous relationship of his parents, his father's abusive tendencies, and his mother's inexplicable resentment towards him. The abandonment by his mother, followed by the introduction of a stepmother who showed him genuine affection, presented a stark contrast to his earlier life. It was a contrast that allowed him to witness a different, more harmonious domestic dynamic, one that had a profound impact on his perception of family and relationships. As he pursued higher education, Nick had resigned himself to the notion that love was not in his cards, only to find himself unexpectedly ensnared by its allure.

His analogy of love to a rose—beautiful yet thorny—aptly described his ambivalence. The sight of Serena's tears was a visceral blow to him, compelling him to intervene with a gentle touch and a silent vow of protection. 

"I guess you should leave her to me and you should go find Asher he was angry."
When Nick addressed Blake, suggesting he leave Serena in his care while tending to Asher, it was clear that Blake was conflicted, torn between his concern for Serena and his loyalty to his friend. Despite his hesitation, Serena's sudden resurgence of strength and her insistence that Blake attend to Asher sealed his decision.
As Serena retreated to the sanctuary of the girls' washroom, Blake, with a heavy heart and a resigned sigh, entrusted her well-being to Nick. 
Despite Nick's internal eye roll at the perceived implication that he needed instruction on caring for Serena, he acknowledged Blake's request with a nod, masking his protective instincts with a veneer of civility. With Blake hastening to locate Asher, the stage was set for Nick to assume the role of guardian over the emotionally vulnerable Serena, his own feelings for her adding a complex layer to the already charged atmosphere.
Serena's Pov
So, I went to the washroom to clean up the mess I made. Luckily, no one else was around. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I was a complete wreck. My makeup was a disaster, and even after fixing it, my eyes were still swollen and red. My contact lenses were driving me crazy, so I decided to just head home. 
As I made my way to the entrance gate, all these questions started swirling in my mind. What did I do wrong? Why was he so angry? Why did he tell me to go away? My heart was hurting, and I couldn't figure out what I had done. Tears filled my eyes, and I wiped them away, but the pain lingered. He had just walked away from me, leaving me in a state of confusion. 
As I walked, lost in my thoughts, I accidentally bumped into someone. When I looked up, I saw Nick looking at me with concern.
 "Hey," I managed to say with a weak smile. 
"Are you okay?" he asked. 
"Do you want the honest answer?" I replied. 
He smiled and nodded. "No," I confessed. He fell silent, and we walked to the gate. 
Suddenly, he stopped and asked, "Heading home?" I nodded. 
"Let me take you. Blake told me to make sure you're okay," he insisted. 
I hesitated, but eventually agreed. We walked to his car in silence, and the drive home was equally quiet. When we arrived, I thanked him and started to walk away, but he reached out and grabbed my wrist. 
After a moment, he let go and ran his hand through his hair. "Serena, I'm sorry. It's all because of me," he said.
 I furrowed my brow. "How?" I asked. "Because I proposed to you!"
Suddenly, it all came back to me. "Oh," was all I could manage.
 I didn't know how to respond. Should I tell him I wasn't interested, or come up with some other excuse? "Serena, you don't have to answer now. I want you to get to know me first. Without knowing me, of course, you'd reject me. Let's just be friends," he suggested, extending his hand to shake. I hesitated, then took it. 
He smiled, moved closer, and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. I blushed, and he let go of my shoulder. "Go inside," he urged. 
I nodded and practically sprinted to my house. As I unlocked the door and stepped inside, my brother's voice startled me. He was leaning against the wall, his eyes fixed on the window. 
"Stay away from that guy," he warned. I was taken aback. 
"Do you know him?" I asked. "No," he replied. 
"Then why are you telling me to stay away from him?" I questioned.
 He started to explain, then abruptly stopped and scowled. 
"Did you cry?" he asked.
 I nodded, and he clenched his jaw. "What an asshole," he muttered. "Language, Mike," I chided. "Yeah, sorry. Now go and change your contacts," he instructed. 
I nodded like a child and headed to my room. I changed my clothes and removed my contact lenses before taking a warm bath.
After drying my hair, I collapsed onto the bed and began to reflect on the events of the day. Tears welled up in my eyes once more, and this time, I let them fall freely as I closed my eyes, allowing sleep to wash over me.
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Words -1130
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