Edge of Surrender

Chapter 6

Serena Rosette

Finally, it’s over, the suffocating orientation program. I tried my best to avoid Mason and focus on my speech. But in the last when she From the morning I’m not feeling well, from what I saw yesterday and then getting drenched in the rain. I was not going to come at first, But then Miss Lily wanted me to come.

When I arrived here I came to know that the chief guest for today’s event was none other than, Mr. Graves Graves. If I had known this earlier, I would not have taken any chance to come here. I am asking god, what did I do wrong? Why he is coming in front of me again and again? When I wanted him to come in front of me he didn’t and now I want him not to, he is coming again and again.

The arrival of Mason in this event was less shocking I guess, that another thing added to the list, Miss Lily told me that I needed to give a Vote of Thanks, before the event ended, as culture head. I prepared the speech at the last moment, after handling everything for the event.

Austin was continuously watching me and playing with my fingers, his gaze filled with an underlying curiosity and affection. Meanwhile, Jenna and the others remained preoccupied with their phones, completely engrossed in their virtual worlds.

I, on the other hand, felt utterly exhausted at this moment, yearning for nothing more than a restful slumber. The events from the previous night had left me sleep-deprived and now, to add to my distress, my body was beginning to heat up after getting caught in the rain.

“Sere, why don’t you take medicine from Nurse? Your temperature is going up very high. I’m worried now.” he said showing me his concerns. “And why are you wearing sleeveless when you are not feeling well? Wear your cardigan, for a while at least it will cover your arms.”

He is correct I have been careless since yesterday, from walking in the rain to wearing this sleeveless top. I shouldn’t have removed my cardigan, but I don’t want to wear it. It’s sticking to my skin. Anyway for now I want to go home, but can’t until the so-called guest, Mr. Graves Graves leaves the college.

We were all engrossed with our things when a voice came into our ears.

“Serena Rosette?” the receptionist of her college asked.

I was wondering why she was calling my name. I stood and replied, “Yes Miss, it’s me.”

“Professor Jameson is calling you in his office,” she informed politely. Now what he wants.

I took my cardigan and walked towards his office. Almost every student in the class was looking at me this time.

As I reached the door, I saw Alex, Mason’s assistant sitting on the couch near the reception. I knocked on the door, later opening slightly I asked, “May I enter?”

“Oh yes! Serena come in, we were waiting for you only,” he said. As I entered the room, I looked at Mason and understood very well that it must be his plan to call me here. Means it’s quite sure that he recognized me yesterday. Or maybe for the talk of the past events. Oh god!! I’m stressing out like hell.

Whatever it is, I don’t want to talk to him or see him or meet him, I just want to disappear. I wish if I had some magical power either I would make myself disappear or him for sure. I am not feeling well, and now talking to him is like stepping into hell.

“Good Afternoon Mr. Graves. Good Afternoon Professor Jameson.” I shouldn’t have wished him. He didn’t respond to my wish, but I didn’t care anyway.

“Good Afternoon, Serena. Mr. Graves is here to talk about the collaboration between our university and his company.” Professor Jameson initiated the talk.

“Professor Jameson I guess I added something extra too about talking with her?” he looked at him and said. I looked at him in confusion. What’s going on in his brain?

“Yes sure, Mr. Graves. Serena, Mr. Graves, wants to discuss something with you and help him with his doubts. Serena cooperate with him, I’ll be back in a short time.” he said. Now I got it so he added this extra point about the talk, and what about clearing the doubts. Did he tell him anything about us?

I nodded to the professor and he left the office in no minute.

As soon he left the office, he stood up and coming towards me, asked, “How are you, Sere?”

Does he want to know this? I’m not good, not good seeing him again, not good after what I saw yesterday, not good as he reminded me of those things which I forget hardly.

“I’m good, Mr. Graves. Thanks.” I want to keep the talk normal, without including the past. But he won’t let me, I know it very well.

“Mr. Graves really, Sere?” He was looking at my face as I called him that way. I said nothing. He sighed and held my hand. “Why your hands are so hot Sere?” he touched my forehead. “You have so a high fever, why are you careless about your health?” he left my hand turned to the chair, and grabbed the phone, from the desk, making a call.

“Alex get tablets for high fever quick, okay?” so it’s Alex.

“Mr. Graves it’s not needed, I’m fine,” I said. I don’t want to take any kind of favor from him.

“Bring fast, Alex,” he said and ended the call.

“I don’t need tablets, I’ll recover after a good sleep. I don’t need…” I was saying without thinking, as he was taking each step closer to me. He paused me by placing his finger on my lips.

“Keep these lips shut. You don’t have any idea how angry I am right now? If you were mine, I really would have punished you for this. And you know it very well too.” He held my arms and continued, “So you got drenched yesterday night, right? Why did you go out in the rain? Who told you to run away in the rain? You need to care for your health, Sere.” He made me sit on the chair. The way he made me sit, I can feel the anger in him.

“Mr. Graves, please. I don’t want to sit, I am here to help in clearing your doubts with the collaboration, not for this shit.” I am irritated with his presence, and the way he is forcing me is making me more irritated.

My eyes were wet, but I couldn’t let him see it. I can’t let him see that I’m getting affected by it.

“I told you to keep your mouth shut, still you are blabbering. So now you are sitting here quietly, until you take the medicine I’m not letting you go or speak anything. Am I clear?” he asked me, he stuck my legs between his legs so that I would not be able to stand. He was still holding my hands.

I forcibly pulled my hands from his. “No I am not, let me go, Mr. Graves, please.” I tried to push his legs, but I didn’t have much energy. My body is not supporting me, it’s so weak right now.

Looking at his face, it was clear that my words were not reaching his ears.

“Please Mason leave me, I don’t want to talk to you.” The tears I was trying to hold in my eyes for so long, fell off finally.

He relaxed his legs as he saw tears on my face. “Sere don’t cry please, let’s talk and clear out the things. I’m worried for you. That’s why I scolded you, I didn’t mean to hurt you.” he said wiping my tears.

“I don’t want to talk about anything Mason, please leave me alone with myself.” I stand up taking it as an opportunity. “Please don’t Mr. Graves, I can’t let you affect my life again. I promise I’ll not say anything about yesterday to anyone.” I said, and before he could take hold of me again, I moved out of the room hurriedly.

“Serena?” I heard the voice of Professor, but I couldn’t show him my face.

“Sir Mr. Graves wants to speak to you. I need to attend the call urgently, sorry sir,” I said hurriedly and moved from there.

I went to the restroom first, to wipe off my tears, and then to class again. I’ll fall for him again, he may be engaged now, and if his fiancee finds me to talk to him, and again she will come to me to say ‘Stay away from my fiancee’ and all. I don’t want her to create the scene like she did previously.

I went to the classroom and without showing my face to anyone, I placed my head down on the desk. I wish all this to finish fast, and I can go home.