Chapter 4
The warm atmosphere that surrounded her at that moment was just as she imagined, with her father time stood still. He gently patted her her for some minutes then finally broke the silence.
“How have you been mi hija?” he gently asked out.
“Never been better father, thank you for the regalo papi, I love it” she uttered while slowly helping her father the the coach.
“I heard you caused some trouble while I was away?”
Grinning in an amusing tone, she simply asked, “which one? The recent or the past?”
Shaking his head he turns to her ”Both“
“Father, I thought Cameron told you already? What's the need asking about the recent one? it happen today,”. She said causally, serving his green tea,then placed it by his side.
“Serena, I know you. I know what your capable of…and if it meant eliminating some peasants in your way,then it's good. He gently sipped his tea, his eyes never leaving hers.
”Ofcourse-I learnt from the best, Father did you come alone?“
Serena watched her father closely, trying to read his expression. He hadn’t changed much. The same cold calmness, the same air of quiet authority. Yet beneath it, she sensed something—unease, perhaps?
He set the teacup down gently. “I didn’t come alone,” he said at last. “But the one I brought won’t be staying long.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Oh! Is he from the east province to”?
“A friend I haven't in decades you could say and his joining us tonight hija.” He simply said while sipping his tea.
Serena straightened. That could only mean one thing..“ Father, is tonight the gathering of the BLACK TABLE?”
“Yes, and we are invited, so you shall join me and your brother tonight”
“It will be an honour, plus it's the first the first time I've been asked?” In the same calm tone she uttered out her thoughts. Serena stood up, she turned to her father.
“You won't be disappointed papi”.
Serena left the room after say those words. From a distance, Calix heard everything, he slowly stepped into the room, Mr Santiago smiled softly at him, like he already knew that he had over heard their conversation.
“Calix! It's been awhile?,how are you?” In his usual cold tone he asked, not taking his eyes off him.
“Sir I'm good…isn't dangerous for Serena to get involved with the The Black Table?” In a questioning tone he asked.
Mr Santiago smiled slightly, he placed his tea cup down, he gently took the napkin,wiped his mouth then spoke,“Do you think so?”.
“I'm not trying to interfere with your family matters sir I'm doing my job, which is looking out for Serena.” In a firm tone calix blurted out his thought.
“That's good, but remember your place, she's not a little anymore and can also take decisions into her own hands.”
“I understand, Sir“. After saying that Calix slightly bowed to leave, when—
”Tonight, you won't join us, consider it a small gift of mine, okay?“.
” Sure, Sir“….
Serena was thrilled at the news from her father, it was her first time going to an event of the «The Black Table». This was a very special event that happen every year. It was held by the High rank Mafia Family, noone had any clues of where the event was going to be held or what's going to happen. It was always just an invitation from them, an no other clue. But one thing was sure all Mafia families were invited in each Area which meant alot of security was going to be there for sure.
She quickly changed and decided to have lunch first before anything else. It was one tiring day« sometimes she preferred her missions to this new post given to her right now».
In a hoodie and shorts, she went into the kitchen. Suddenly the house maids panicked upon seeing her here.
“uhm, Miss do you need something?”
“Yes, a plate for two“. She went out of the kitchen, some of the servants didn't realised that they held their breath until she left the room.
A few moments later their food was served. Serena began eating,while Calix stared at her.
“Aren't you hungry, don't think I didn't know you haven't had breakfast?” she said looking at him.
“Thanks”. In his usual tone. Serena stopped eating and then turn towards his direction.
“You spoke to father didn't you?”
“Yea, I did, I won't be your bodyguard tonight“
“I know that already, enjoy your meal”. She stood up and left, from her voice, he knew she she wanted him to be there but couldn't admitt it.
……………
At 8pm,her dress was sent to her room. It was an elegant emerald green silhouette dress. It had a unique halterneck design,it dramatically fell down. It was paired with her golden emerald earrings, golden wrist bracelet, her purse and her golden saint Laurent heels. Her hair was delicate curled at the edges, with the aid of her golden emerald hairpin,it carried her hair up.
She descended the grand staircase, her gown trailing behind her like a river of silk. The soft click of her heels echoed in the vast foyer where her father and brother waited.There, her father in his wheel chair, dressed in an elegant black attire smiled softly at his daughter. Beside him, her brother Cameron wore a matching suit, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, looking every bit the charming young man he was known to be.
“As always you look exquisite hija” her father blurted out in his usual tone.
“Thank you father”. She smiled at her father, she turns to her brother.
“Hermano! Look at you! I'm sure a crowd of ladies will be fighting for your attention tonight.”
Cameron gave a half-grin, brushing an invisible speck off his shoulder. “As long as they’re not more interested in the suit than the man inside it.”
She laughed softly, the sound light and elegant. For a moment, the room felt filled with nothing but anticipation—an unspoken promise of the evening ahead.
They stepped into the waiting limousine, its sleek black body gleaming under the soft lights of the estate's entrance. The evening air was crisp, carrying the scent of night jasmine blooming along the driveway.
Inside the car, silence reigned for a moment, but it was the comfortable kind—each of them lost in their own thoughts.
Her father broke the quiet. “Tonight’s gathering is important. There will be people watching—not just with their eyes, but with their intentions. Hold your chin high, mi hija.”
She glanced out the window at the fading outline of the estate, her reflection staring back at her, poised and unreadable.
“I remember how you used to walk into a room and own it without saying a word.” She mummered softly staringather father.
“ You taught us well,” her brother murmured.
Moments later, the limousine pulled up to a towering black gate, its ironwork detailed with curling patterns and golden crests. Two men in black suits stepped forward, their eyes scanning the number plate. After a brief pause, one of them nodded silently, and the gates opened with a soft mechanical hum.
The car rolled forward slowly along a winding stone path, flanked by trimmed hedges and old lanterns that flickered warmly in the dusk. After a short drive, they arrived at their destination.
As the chauffeur stepped out and opened the door, she placed one heel gracefully onto the gravel, then emerged fully from the vehicle. The sight before her made her pause.
The entrance of the ancient mansion stood grand and intimidating, yet mesmerizing. Massive double doors framed by towering marble columns. Golden lights spilled from tall arched windows, casting a glow across the wide staircase leading up to the doors.
She stood there for a moment, her breath caught in awe. Then, a small, knowing smile curved on her lips.
“This is going to be fun,” she murmured to herself, her voice soft but sure.
Cameron laughed as he stood beside her. “Let’s hope that something doesn’t involve you walking out with a scandal trailing behind you.”
She gave him a mock gasp. “Please, hermano, I never walk into scandals. They chase after me.”
