Serena Embracing Darkness

Serena Embracing Darkness

Laurie Bowler

Published by Laurie Bowler at Smashwords

Copyright 2010 Laurie Bowler

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Chapter One

Moving forwards had always been my dream, but at twenty-five and with two kids in tow, it was pretty hard. I’d met my partner when I was seventeen, and since then I hadn’t been allowed to go out, see any friends, or get a job. That was until the fateful night when I lost my mortality to a creature that roamed my neighbourhood looking for victims.

Flight 236 to Abu Dhabi is now boarding, the voice said over the airport noise.

My first holiday without dragging him or the kids along; he’d gotten angry about it and hadn’t been impressed with the idea. It wasn’t like I was going totally alone, my mother lived there, and it was a sort of girly time for me and her. She’d given me and my brother to our dad when I was very young so she could marry a rich bloke who owned places in Abu Dhabi and Spain.

Do you love me? Jake asked. He stood there with pain written in his eyes that squeezed my heartstrings, but it wasn’t enough for me to remain faithful to him.

Somehow, I’d find a rich man that could take care of me. The kids would be fine with Jake; he was a good father but a controlling idiot when it came to relationships.

Yes, I answered with a sigh. You know I do, I’ll be back in two weeks, and I’ll ring every night from Mum’s phone.

That was it! A quick kiss and I was home free, no more responsibility or kids running about making a mess. Now, to find a rich bloke. The conversations with Mum were intriguing before I agreed to the trip. As she didn’t like Jake at all, her ideas were the same as mine.

Serena, once you’re here, we’ll find a bloke you can bed;—a nice fella that’ll take care of you. Have a little fun away from Jake, she had said. He’s no good for you anyway.

Mum, that’s my decision to make. And yes, I’m unhappy, but what about the kids? I had asked.

They’ll be fine, she had assured me. You were when I left you. Jake’s like your father, he’ll take care of them, and you can’t stay with him just for the kids.

I sighed; the memories of the conversation filtered through my mind many times and seemed unwilling to let me go.

I wasn’t ugly, but I wasn’t beautiful like my best friend, Miriam. She had everything she wanted in life: looks, brains, and a good husband. What did I have?

Looking down at my own body and checking my reflection in my hand mirror, I saw dark hair cut short above my shoulders like my mother’s, and hazel eyes, also like my mother. I had a waistline that had gotten bigger over the years I’d spent with Jake doing nothing but sitting and becoming a lapdog, jumping to his command and asking permission to go to the shop.

See you then, Jake called, and I watched him walk away, his shoulders slumped.

Jake was a small man, losing his hair slightly because of his age, his stomach bigger than when I’d first met him. Neither of us worked, we relied on government benefits to live, and it was always a struggle.

But I didn’t want to live that way anymore, there were bigger things out there for me, and the first thing I had to do was find a rich sucker I could fuck to get myself on the first steps of the ladder to freedom. I didn’t even feel remorse or regret for the kids anymore because, as my mum said, they’d be fine with Jake, and he’d do a better job than I could; all I ever did was shout abuse at them anyway, not the kind of motherly instincts you’d expect.

Boarding the plane was exhilarating. Freedom pumped through my veins, the possibilities ran heavily through my mind, and I knew I’d bed anyone in Abu Dhabi that had the right bank account with the seven figures s I wanted. It was the most dubious place in the world to find someone, but still, my mother lived there and she’d help me find the right person.

I sat back and watched the clouds roll by the window, imagining the sunshine and the glorious nights ahead of me, without any cares in the world.

Finally, after dozing on and off, the captain announced we were approaching the runway that would take me to the place of freedom and the poor rich guy that would have to spend his entire fortune on me.

Serena! Mum shouted when she saw me, her face smiling the same way mine did. We were so alike with how we viewed relationships and what we looked for in them, such as money and more money.

Hi, I said, squeezing her hand.

Nice flight?

Yeah, not too bad, I replied. What’s happening then?

I have a party lined up tonight at mine. I’ve invited a lot of men that are both fit and have loads of money, she said. You’ll most likely find that ‘someone’ tonight.

Oh right, I answered. Well he’d better have a multi-figure bank account, Mum. I’m fed up of not having money and being tied down.

Believe me; you won’t be disappointed tonight.

The drive to Mum’s was short but interesting; the women walked around with headdresses on, the only part of them showing were their eyes. What kind of life was that? But still, it was their own religion; at least they didn’t have the problem of the man that I’d left in England!

Mum’s house appeared as we rounded a corner, its white walls and the expansive front garden revealed her own bank account and the grandeur she’d ditched me for when I was a kid, but I was the same. Fuck Jake and his controlling ways, and fuck the kids too! Who needed them as baggage?

Here we are, Mum said, getting out of the taxi and walking away. She’d put on weight since I’d last seen her, and her healthy complexion told me she’d probably done a lot of sunbathing.

Where’s Mitch? I asked, realising my stepfather wasn’t there. He’d always liked me, and whenever he saw me his wink was returned.

Now Mitch was a handsome man, his dark skin and blue eyes melted any woman’s heart, and I knew he saw me as something more than just the daughter of his wife. I couldn’t see anything wrong with sleeping with him, after all, we weren’t blood related.

At work. He’ll be home soon, she answered as she led the way through the massive house towards the room at the back. I’ve given you this room. It’s far away from mine because I don’t need to hear any noise you want to make, she said, grinning.

Yeah. I grinned back, little did she know it would be with her husband and anyone else I chose to string along to put up the huge amount I’d need to live without barriers.

You’d better get ready, guests will be arriving soon, Mum told me. Look in the wardrobe.

The wardrobe was crammed full of brand-new clothes. My mother stood behind me, her hands on her hips, waiting for my response. Fingering the materials lightly, running my hand down all their smooth seams, it seemed unimaginable that they should be for me.

The guests began to arrive in floods, their jackets dark and the night sky illuminating their dark skin. Laughter and the clink of glasses came from the room where my mother had planned to hold her party.

I stood in front of the mirror trying to decide whether I should change my dress, shaking my head in disgust at my sudden negative thoughts. I thought about being delicious, smiling slightly at myself. Not many men would be able to resist me tonight. But my first target was Mitch, since it was him that had stolen my mother and turned me into the person I’d become: full of revenge and spiteful hate.

Mitch was lounging against the wall talking quietly to a friend of his, another person that most likely had more money than brain cells.

Serena Taylor, Mitch shouted, making heads turn in my direction. His hand stretched out to clasp mine, and his face lit up with a huge welcoming smile.

Hi, Mitch, I said. Nice to see you, it’s been so long.

I know, you look as delectable as ever. He crushed my body to his, making sure his crotch rubbed itself against my own, and his hand strayed down to my bottom, squeezing gently.

I used my newfound confidence and rubbed my own crotch back on his, feeling his dick harden in response. Together we pulled away, and I kept my face sweet and innocent with a matching smile as if I hadn’t a clue about what I’d just done. His answering smile was of things yet to come, and I felt my pants starting to get more than a little wet with the thought of having him naked.

Come and meet my friend, Mitch urged. He’s got more money than sense.

Oh! I responded. Has he?

Yes, his house is two rows down.

We approached the silent friend, and I gazed at him in amazement. His eyes were the darkest brown, and the slight darkness of his skin made him look formidable. He was clearly rich; his Rolex gave that away, along with his expensive-looking cufflinks he wore on his shirt.

Tim, Mitch said. This is my stepdaughter, Serena Taylor. Serena, this is Timothy, or Tim to his friends.

The introductions were short but the smiles were long. Timothy didn’t sound very Arabian to me, but most of the people around here had come to live and earn a profit with their salaries. It was supposed to be a luxurious place to live.

Absolutely stunning, Tim remarked, kissing my cheek lightly in welcome.

Thank you, I said innocently. He had no idea I’d take away his riches before long and start my own life of wild parties and champagne.

Want a drink?

Yeah, go on then.

Champagne? he asked with an impish grin on his face.

Sounds good to me. I could do with a glass of champagne, knowing I was setting out to destroy their lives, but it was only what they deserved.

So, Mitch tells me you’re from England, what’s it like there? He started the conversation about my homeland; big mistake considering it was a miserable part of me that I’d rather not remember.

It’s OK, nothing spectacular, I answered, very non-committal.

I remember when I visited a long time ago, it certainly didn’t look nice, and the people were rude as anything, he said, handing me a glass of champagne.

I sipped my drink and watched him from over the rim of my champagne flute. He looked handsome enough, but there was something captivating that drew me in, even though I didn’t want to be.

How long are you staying for? He interrupted my thoughts, and I found myself smiling at him.