SERENA POV

After waking from my much needed sleep, I decide to slip into the shower and get ready for the day.

Slipping into a knee-length tan dress with red flowers on it, I glance up in the mirror. My black hair is dripping down my back and sliding down my tattooed skin.

I took a second to admire the artwork on both my arms. The scars below were barley visible unless looked for.

Looking over my face, I let out a huff as I noticed the still yellowing bruise in the bag of my right eye.

"Good morning," A tired Joyce says as she peeks her head into the bathroom. I turn towards her and send her a smile.

"It's noon, but good try," I remark and she rolls her eyes.

She had severe bedhead and was still in her clothes from last night.

"So, I was thinking after I get ready we could head downstairs to the café and get breakfast before spending some time on the beach," She says while rubbing her eyes. "It's been forever since I've been able to just sit on the beach and relax by the water."

And she wasn't wrong. She was the head chef at a local restaurant that was constantly filled with customers coming to taste her gourmet cooking. She worked just as much as me and was always picking up more hours to help train new cooks.

"Sounds good to me."

"Alright, I'll come and get you when I'm ready," She says before departing my room and heading to hers, closing the conjoining door behind her.

After slapping on some simple makeup and packing a quick bag for the beach, my feet lead me to the balcony.

Swinging the door open and leaving it open behind me, I let the humid air brush my skin.

The weather was perfect here with the sun rising high in the evening sky.

The water was visible as the waves collapsed upon each other. The salty smell calmed down my nerves about being so far from the place I started to call home. I had never been this far from the states and my mind was prepared for something to go wrong.

It seemed in the best moments, something always ruined it.

As if manifesting the idea, my phone chimed on the small wooden table behind me.

Planning to ignore it and live in the moment, I watched the waves from a distance. I couldn't wait to lay on the white sandy beach and splash in the cool water.

Another chime alerted from my phone. I grunted before turning from the beautiful scenery.

Grabbing my phone and looking at the messages, my heart stopped. Multiple messages from Lance appeared.



Knowing he could see I read the messages, I started to type a reply when he started calling.

I watched it ring in my hand, frozen in place.

If I don't answer he will break down our front door to the apartment...

Picking up on the last ring, I put it to my ear.

I could hear his heavy breathing and a shiver went through me.

"Where are you?" He huffs out in a sadistic voice.

"I'm not home," I say softly.

"Then where are you? At work?"

"I'm not there either,"

"Tell me where you are right now, Serena! This is not a fucking game," He spits but I don't answer. "Tell me right this second or it will be much worse if I have to track you down!"

"I'm not in California, so good luck with that," I say snidely.

"What do you mean?" He spits and I look out at the water.

Suddenly I feel eyes on me. I look down at the water but don't see anyone looking up. Plus we were too high up for anyone to clearly see me.

My eyes scan over the other rooms curving around the water to see a form standing on the balcony a few rooms over.

It was the man from last night in the elevator.

His eyes were watching my every movement as if I were the most interesting thing he had ever seen.

"Answer me!" Lance screams in my ear, snapping me out of the staring contest. My body jolts slightly at his tone and I look down at my feet.

"Where I am is none of your concern," I say as quietly as I can so the man can't hear.

"It is my fucking concern when you are mine!"

"I am not yours!" I say a little louder than intended. "I broke up with you so you have no right to ask me where I am. I have never truly been yours and never will be. I am my own fucking person."

"You don't get to make that choice."

"Goodbye, Lance," I say pulling the phone away.

"Don't you..." I press the hang-up button and look out at the water as I try to take a calming breath. The phone starts to ring again.

Part of me is tempted to throw it out into the water.

"Ready?" A voice says behind me. I turn to see Joyce standing behind me with a wide smile on her face. She was wearing a long flowing dress with a cute pair of sandals.

Still feeling eyes on me, I look over my shoulder to see the man still watching me.

"Yeah," I say airily. "Let's go."

Leaving the door open behind me to allow fresh air in the room, I drop my phone on the bed.

I was going to enjoy this free time.

* * *

After a lovely breakfast at the hotel café, we quickly changed into our bathing suits and headed to the beach.

Ever since I hung up the phone, the conversation has been ringing in my head.

This all seemed to familiar to my past. I guess I really do have bad luck.

"I just can't believe we are here in Italy!" Joyce nearly screams next to me as she does a dramatic twirl while I lay the towels down on the lounge chairs.

I laugh at her and shake my head.

"You are adorable," I say through my laugh as she plops down in the chair next to me. I stretch my legs out and look out at the water. I would never get over this view.

"I know right," She smirks at me as she gestures at her tanned skin and bright pink bikini.

It was amazing we became friends since we were polar opposites. While she was this bright and bubbly person, I was more so a quiet and secretive individual.

I have always kept to myself and Joyce never pries, which is one of the things I love about her.

I watch as she pulls out her phone and pulls her sunglasses down as she frowns.

"What's wrong?" I asked leaning towards her to try and see.

"I have a notification from the ring camera," She says and I arch an eyebrow. "Lance was at the apartment."

She looks up at me with a hesitant stare.

"I know, he called this morning right before we left," I say and close my eyes as I rest back in the chair.

"Claims he will find me because I am his."

"That's just psycho," She says in shock. I nod my head in agreement as I watched the cars pass the café.

"I just attract the best people," I mutter jokingly and meet her stare. For a second I see sadness behind her eyes. She shakes her head with a smile before quickly standing and grabbing my hand.

"What are you doing?" I ask while being pulled out of the chair as she marches us towards the water.

"Forget that d-bag. We are here for a girl's vacation and we are going to make the best memories."

I let her lead me into the water until we are waist level.

The water was cold and sent shivers over my arms, but it calmed my nerves down.

Feeling cold water splash on my back, I let out a high-pitched screech while turning to her.

She had a large smirk on her face before I splashed her right back, the smirk falling instantly.

This was what I needed. Fuck men who think they can own people, friendship was all I needed.