Not so private dinner

Author's note: This is from Duke's point of view

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We walked in silence to the car, and I was trying to figure out what happened to Serina when she tightened her hold on my hand while we were in John's office. But I knew that it was not pleasant and I feared that if I bring it up, it might resurface again.

For a moment, I thought that she will snap and bring up Magda and deviate from the plan. Not that it would matter. I will support Serina no matter what she decides to do, but we spent some time planning this and gathering information. It would be a pity to be wasted.

As if she can read my thoughts, after we settled in the car, Serina leaned on me and released a slow breath. "I find it difficult to talk to John without bringing up Magda. I wanted to ask him if he is really so ignorant or two-faced."

"Is that what you thought about when he spoke about cleaning his image?", I guessed.

Serina nodded faintly. "John is good a cleaning many things, but when it comes to Magda, he only tucks her trash under the rug. I don't call that cleaning."

"I might regret saying this but…", I paused to pick my words. "It's not only John's fault. Magda was spoiled by her father, neglected by her mother, and she was surrounded by people who supported her or stayed out of her way. No one bothered to tell her to stop."

Seraphina's beautiful brows furrowed. "Are you telling me to show mercy to Magda or John?"

"Neither. I'm just saying it's a whole ecosystem that made Magda the person she is. You can't pick just one and blame him... or her. That also means that there are many other Magdas out there, but there are also people who grew up in similar circumstances and didn't turn full psycho."

Seraphina thought about my words for a moment. "You are saying, that it's Magda's fault."

"Bullying, scheming, murder, those are on Magda. John cleaned after his sister without bothering to correct her behavior. Those are two different things. He is not an angel, but his offenses shouldn't be equal to Magda's because one is the villain while the other one is a sidekick who acted in order to save not only Magda but his whole family as well."

Serina made a face. "I don't know how John would react if he heard you calling him Magda's sidekick."

"Ah, if that fish-face knew all the names I called him, he would be furious."

Serina burst into giggles. "Fish-face?" And then she laughed some more.

I love that I can make her laugh.

I kissed the back of Serina's palm and spoke in a low voice. "I booked us dinner at Aqua. Dimmed lights, romantic view, scrumptious food."

Serina smiled and glanced at Zoe and Luca who each looked through their window, pretending that they are not there.

I continued in the low voice, "I got a booth for the kids also if they are interested."

"We are!", Zoe exclaimed and widened her eyes when she realized that she was busted for listening in.

The car shook from laughter, and even Mitch laughed from the driver's seat.

Carefree moments like these make my day. I wish there are more of them.

…

Dinner was not so private as I imagined it will be.

I booked a table for me and Serina and a separate one for Zoe and Luca.

However, Sergio and Ash showed up, and that made Zoe and Luca join us at the table as well. So instead of just me and Serina, it was six of us.

I told myself to suck it up. It's probably better this way because my promise of celibacy is valid for another six days and being in a larger group will make me think less about undressing Serina. Maybe.

After this dinner, we will sleep, and wake up, and it will be five more days to go.

I noticed that the mood between Zoe and Ash was a bit off and Luca found himself in the middle of it, as usually.

Is it because Ash didn't show up for lunch?

No. Zoe would easily forgive him that. After all, it was during work hours.

Zoe was gushing how Serina was awesome during the board meeting at Notte Pharmaceuticals, and we gave a quick recap to Ash and Sergio about our meeting with John.

Sergio doesn't know that Magda shot me and that I died three months ago. I was planning to tell him, but then it got delayed, and now it doesn't seem to be important anymore.

"So, did you decide what will happen with the town?", Sergio asked, and I knew that he was talking about the abandoned town of werewolves that is close to our home that's being renovated.

"We are not sure yet.", I said honestly. "Fixing it up completely doesn't make sense financially, it would be a pity just to demolish it, and anything in-between would be a void that will eat up our money because if we don't have enough buildings and people to make it self-sustainable, we will always need to provide for them."

"Sounds to me that you need to think about attracting people.", Sergio said, and I agreed with him.

"Didn't we mention opening another branch soon?", Ash asked and when we all looked at him, he continued. "If we open a branch of Eclipse there, employees can settle in that town, and customers and business partners will get to see it."

Serina's eyes lit up. "Isn't the previous HQ of Bluemoon corp. nearby? It's on the land that we own. Definitely a drivable distance."

Zoa and Luca exchanged whispers, and then Zoe spoke for both of them, "We can add a hotel. The hotel will also have employees and whoever comes to attend meetings at the Eclipse, will get to stay there. Maybe we can create some trails nearby and publicize the hotel as a retreat in nature."

Serina approved. "Hotel can have a swimming pool and tennis courts that can be booked independently, and Mona can open another location of her spa. We can offer special packages that include stay, exercise, and pampering."

I liked her idea. "The hotel can provide the influx of money for the town. Fixing the town for just Pio and a handful of his people is not feasible, but if we think beyond werewolves, there are many humans who will relocate as long as there are jobs and good living conditions."

"I think we have a plan.", Serina beamed. "It would be best if we can have more werewolves around, but everyone should be accustomed to living among humans by now, so it shouldn't be a problem mixing them up. We can rebuild the stores and homes, add a hotel, and probably a few more things. Pio and his men can get first picks and if they are not into business, they can act as security. Law enforcement."

Ash had more to say. "Residents will pay us rent, and we can give them options that over time they can buy out the buildings."

I like Ash's money-oriented mind. He always finds ways to make profits.

"Once we have things figured out, we can ask Fynn and his group if they want to come also.", Serina said, and I saw Sergio's face flash with approval. I know that those are Sergio's friends whom he didn't see for more than a decade.

I also remember Fynn, Bert, and Otto, but I thought of them as my father's employees and not as werewolves. I am ashamed that I lived fourteen years with them and somehow I always found an excuse for anything unusual.

Serina told me that Fynn and his group of thirty werewolves are cooped up in one building that is next to the main facilities of Notte Pharmaceuticals, and even though there is a massive forest all around, they feel suffocated to be contained in one place.

"Won't your father be upset if he loses his security?", I asked.

Serina shook her head. "My father has a security setup that will work fine without them."

"Let's talk about this after we see how your crazy experiment goes.", Sergio said stiffly, his ambiguous words reminded us that the youngsters still don't know the whole situation.

Besides, if my wolf doesn't awaken, it's better for Fynn and his group to stay ignorant about my return to the world of the living. They are hoping that Damiano's son (aka me) will return and take over as the Supreme Alpha, but if I don't have a wolf, their hopes for better tomorrow will vanish.

"Serina…", Sergio called. "Can we have a word in private?"

I frowned at him and held Serina's hand tightly. "What in private? Talk here."

Serina placed her palm on my cheek and made me look at her. "It's just a talk. Don't make a big deal of it. We will be right there…" Serina pointed to my right and gave me a quick kiss before standing up and walking there.

OK. That's close. I should be able to hear what they are saying.

I'm not the one to eavesdrop but what's with all the secrecy?

"Shouldn't we go further away?", Sergio asked Serina.

"This is fine…", Serina said and then the two of them stood in silence.

Wait! Something is off. Did her wrist glow just now?

Their lips are moving but I can't hear a thing!

Why am I able to hear the chat from the other side of the restaurant, yet I can't hear a peep from Serina and Sergio?

Ah, she used her magic again!

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