Chapter 0181
[The present, Madrid]
After a long conversation between Maximus and Serenity, he signaled for the bill. It was getting late, and he didn’t want her walking alone through the streets of Madrid after dark. Just as he turned to flag the waiter, Serenity snapped a photo. Maximus didn’t notice until she showed it to him.
“Do you like it?” Serenity asked, her eyes full of anticipation.
“Why did you take a photo of me?” Maximus asked, clearly uncomfortable. He wasn’t a fan of such things.
“Well, I thought you had a great angle–it’s natural, you know? Usually, I just sense when it’s the right moment, and I capture it. That’s what happened with you. You’re a good–looking man, Maximus Palmer, but I think you’re trying too hard to see yourself as old.”
“I think you’re going to have to sell me that photo or give it back,” he said seriously. “I don’t like people taking pictures of me.”
“I’m sorry, but even if you call me a stalker, I’m not giving it back. We’re at a casual meal, and I haven’t done anything wrong. I can send you a copy, but the original is mine. Hear me loud and clear–my film stays with me, always!”
Maximus was stunned into silence. He didn’t want to argue with her, so he let the matter drop. He could only hope she wasn’t some future stalker. For reasons he couldn’t explain, he just couldn’t push back against this young woman. Sure, she reminded him of his ex–wife, but the strange feeling in his gut wasn’t solely about that. It had to be something deeper–though he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
They left the bar, but by now it was after 7:00 p.m. Serenity began to feel a little dizzy; the glasses of wine she’d enjoyed during their conversation were starting to hit her. When the dizziness grew stronger, she grabbed onto Maximus’s arm for support. Seeing this, he concluded she was tipsy and decided it wasn’t safe for her to go home alone or take a cab.
He guided her to the parking lot where his luxurious car was waiting and helped her into the passenger seat. Serenity felt embarrassed–she’d never drunk so much during a single meal before. But what was done was done. She just had to deal with the situation and hope Maximus wasn’t a creep or a stalker himself.
“Where do you live? I’ll take you home. I think the wine wasn’t such a good idea after all.”
“I live in Chamartin. It’s relatively close to here,” she said, slurring slightly.
“Alright, it won’t take long. Put on your seatbelt,” Maximus said, sounding more like a parent than anything else.
“Okay,” Serenity mumbled, fumbling with the strap.
“Good girl. Let’s get you home,” he said, noticing how her eyes were already closing as sleep overtook
her.
Chapter 0181
As he drove, Maximus couldn’t help but think about his ex–wife. This young woman, who was about the same age Mary had been when they met, reminded him of her in so many ways. But their personalities were worlds apart. Mary had endured a difficult, even torturous, childhood under her father’s watchful eye. Serenity, on the other hand, radiated confidence. Her parents had clearly done an excellent job raising her. She was a whirlwind of energy, he thought
The longer he drove, the clearer it became that what he felt toward Serenity wasn’t attraction. It was a profound sense of protection. Her gaze reminded him of Mary’s on that first night they’d met in the kitchen. She had been a young woman bustling through the mansion, delivering flowers to his study with enthusiasm, painstakingly reviving the gardens, and bringing life to every corner of the house. He had even installed lights and other features just to make her smile.
He let out a soft sigh, memories washing over him of that house that had been his home for so many years. Now, it lay abandoned, lifeless. Suddenly, an overwhelming urge to visit it again swept over him. That place had held so many memories–both joyful and painful. It was calling him back.
