Leap OF Fate

Chapter 31

It’s finally the weekend. Serene packed her overnight bag and headed over to the airport. She’s bound

to Coast City.

This was an unexpected break she needed. Things between her and Justin had her heart in a tight

knot. Thankfully, she did not need to go to Rain International, or else she’d feel more messed up. She

was not ready to face Justin.

She cannot help but sigh whenever she remembers him. And like the past couple of nights, the thought

of Justin stung her eyes. Feeling the imminent tears, she shook her head and picked up her bag.

After sitting in the plane for 45 minutes, she’s arrived in Coast City. She took a taxi home but did not

stay long. She just left her bag in her room, then drove away to Mary’s boutique.

Mary’s boutique was in a mall owned by her family. It’s stylishly decorated. Entering the shop, a mural

showing a calm blue beach welcomed her.

“Shen, you’re here!” Mary hugged her and kissed both her cheeks. She then cupped both of Serene’s

cheeks with her hands. Her brows furrowed as she surveyed her face. “What’s the problem?”

Serene rolled her eyes at Mary. Sometimes she hated it when Mary read her like a book. She can

hardly keep anything from her. She did not even need to talk, Mary would know right away if

something’s bothering her.

“It’s nice to see you too. I miss you.” She evaded her question, which did not escape her friend. Mary

just looked at her with her delicate brows raised. “So what would I be wearing?” She diverted.

Mary let out a sigh, knowing that her friend was keeping something from her. As much as she wanted

to know what was going on, she knew when to back off whenever Serene needed space. If she

continued to press Serene for answers, all the more that she would not get them. She would have to

wait when she’s ready.

Mary guided Serene to the back of the shop, where rows upon rows of swimwear neatly hung. Mary

ran her finger through the hangers and stopped when she found what she was looking for.

“I thought of placing you in the middle and at the end of the show.” She explained to Serene, who was

just listening to her. She picked up one hanger from the rack and gave it to Serene. From it hung a tiny

piece of clothing. “This one’s a bit conservative.” Mary gave her a wink. Serene took the hanger and

inspected the swimsuit that hung from it. It’s a black halter top and a high waist bikini.

“You’ll wear this when you come out first, which is towards the middle of the entourage. Then for the

finale, you’d be wearing this...”

Serene cannot help but swallow when she took the second hanger from Mary. If the first one was

conservative, this one definitely isn’t. It’s a microkini. The top were just two tiny triangles held by

strings; the bottom was the same. Her eyes felt like they would pop out of their sockets as Serene

looked at Mary incredulously.

“No way!” She finally found her voice.

“Oh, come on, it’s just a bikini” Mary waved her hand at her, dismissing her protest. “You look so fit, this Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

will definitely look good on you.” Serene’s arms crossed over her chest as she looked at her best

friend. “Come on, Shen… please?”

Serene rolled her eyes at Mary but said, “Fine.”

After fitting the clothes she will wear, the two went to the venue. The event is going to be tonight, and

Mary wanted to make sure that everything went according to plan. She rented one of Coast City’s

private resorts. It’s a cove at the far end of the city, known for its powder white sands.

Satisfied with how things are going, the two decided to just eat in the resort’s restaurant rather than

return to the city. It was just a few hours before Mary’s event they’d rather stay at the venue than get

trapped in the weekend traffic jam at night.

They ordered seafood, which they both loved. They thoroughly enjoyed the food and the surroundings.

“Mary…” Serene’s aggrieved voice broke the silence. She sounded like a child who was afraid of being

scolded. Mary raised her brows at her but said nothing.

“I like Justin.” Serene looked at Mary carefully, biting her lips as she waited for her reaction.

“Justin?” Mary’s forehead wrinkled a little as she tried to recall who Justin was. Her eyes suddenly

rounded when she realized whom her friend referred to. “You mean that bastard’s brother-in-law?”

Serene simply nodded. She continued to look at Mary in suspense.

“Are you out of your mind, Serene Ellis?!?”

There it is. Serene expected that Mary would blow her top once she knew about her feelings for Justin.

Mary did not disappoint. She looked at her like she was the dumbest person she knew, then her eyes

softened.

“You really like him, like him?” Serene simply nodded to answer her question. “But Babe, didn’t he

mislead you? I mean, it’s such a jerk move to let you continue to believe that he’s the bastard’s

husband, you know.”

Serene bowed her head, and with a barely audible voice she said, “I know. But I cannot help it, Sis.”

She looked at Mary with desperate eyes. “It just happened. I just knew that I liked him.” She tugged on

her hair and let out a heavy sigh. “I know it’s so fucked up. He’s Bryan’s brother-in-law…” she bit her lip

and looked at her friend. Her eyes became glassy as tears accumulate at the edge of her eyes. “But I

can’t help it, Sis.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, her tears rolled down her cheeks uncontrollably. She bit her lips to

stop her sobs, but they did not help her at all.

Mary hugged her friend, rubbing her back as she let her emotions out. She pulled away from Serene so

she could look her straight in the eyes. “We can’t choose who to fall in love to, Babe.”