Owned By My Ex-Fiancé’s Uncle

02: Sibling Struggles

SERENE’S POV

"MADAM, we're glad that you are finally back." My designers at Pristine Panache greeted me with enthusiasm, even showering me with confetti.

"Thank you, guys. You have no idea how much I missed all of you," I said, tears welling up in my eyes as we engaged in a group hug.

"Madam, we missed you so much! We can't stand your sister!" Pola exclaimed after breaking away from the group hug.

"I'm sorry I had to leave, but I had to do it for the economy," I explained.

"No worries, Madam! We understand, but at least you won't leave us again," Jenny added.

"Of course, we are working together for our dreams until we all reach them together," I said optimistically.

"Yes, Madam, let's go for the goal," they all chimed in.

"And congratulations on your degree, Madam. We are so proud of you," Patrish said, handing me a bouquet of roses and a small square box.

"Wow, thank you!" I was surprised. "I didn't expect this."

"Of course, Madam. We'll never forget your milestones, and you're the one who helped us all reach where we are now. We owe you so much, Madam, which is why we're not surprised that you're so blessed," Jenny said, wiping away a tear. "We love you, Madam." My tears flowed freely, feeling their sincerity.

"I'm speechless, but please remember that I love you all, and the reason I work so hard is for all of us. So, the chances I give you, please also extend them to others," I said in an emotional speech.

"No worries, Madam. You're our inspiration," Pola said, also tearing up.

I hugged each of them and thanked them from the bottom of my heart. Afterward, we laughed together while wiping away our tears.

"We look like fools!" I laughed as I wiped my tears. "Oh, anyway, guys, please don't mention that I'm here just yet. I'll be busy with my upcoming wedding with Aiden, so I won't be able to entertain clients."

"Don't worry, Madam. We'll take care of everything," Patrish assured me.

"Thank you," I said sincerely. "I'll go to my office for now." With that, they all waved me goodbye.

After placing the flowers on my desk, I reached for my phone in my bag and called a food service to have some food delivered for my designers. As I hung up, I heard a commotion outside my office and decided to step out again.

"AND WHY ARE YOU HERE? Didn't you leave?" Alison shouted angrily at Pola.

"Alison, what's going on?" I asked, trying to mediate the situation with my sister.

"Look at that stupid, Serene! Why did you have to accept that fancy gay guy? He left, so why did you take him back?" Alison shouted angrily at me.

"Alison, I think it's none of your business. I still have the authority at Pristine Panache, and I'm the only one who can decide to let anyone go," I firmly replied to Alison, which surprised her. I didn't like the way she talked to me or my designers.

"So, are you taking their side, Serene?" She asked incredulously.

"Alison, I'm not taking sides. I'm just stating the facts. You don't have to yell at them like that." I corrected her misunderstanding.

"No, Serene. You're taking their side, so if you prefer having them here, I will leave!" She angrily yelled at me again, turning to leave, but before she walked out entirely, she turned back to me. "I will make sure you regret this day, Serene," she added with anger in her eyes.

"Ali..." was all I managed to say as she left my shop. I could see an unusual level of anger in her eyes.

"Madam, I'm sorry. You and your sister had an argument because of me," Pola apologized to me.

"It's not your fault, Pola. That's just how Alison is when she doesn't get her way," I said, shaking my head.

Before long, our ordered food arrived.

"This is on me, guys. Let's forget what happened and be productive today, okay?" I said with a smile.

"Yes, Madam," Patrish happily replied.

"Madam, your behavior is so different from your sister's. Was she conceived in anger or something?" Jenny joked as she grabbed a slice of pizza from the box.

"Oh, she's just like that because she was overly spoiled. But don't worry, it will be fine tomorrow or the day after. I'm used to her attitude," I laughed. "Alright, enjoy your food. I needed to make a call to a wedding organizer," I excused myself.

"Go ahead, Madam. We'll take care of things here," Pola assured me.

"You mean you will take care of that pizza?" I teased them, making them laugh even more.

"Madam is too much," Pola playfully complained.

"Just kidding!" I laughed and went back into my office.

I spent the entire afternoon working on wedding-related tasks, and it was then that I realized how challenging it was to organize a wedding.

As I was about to head home, I remembered to call Aiden.

"Hello, babe? Where are you?" I asked as he picked me up.

"I'm still in the office, babe. We're dealing with a problem here," he replied, and I could hear the tension in his voice.

"Who are you talking to?" A sweet voice from a girl on the other end said, and I suddenly felt uneasy.

"Who is that?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Oh, it's, um... my boss's daughter. Yeah, that's who it is," he stammered, sounding nervous. My anxiety spiked. "Anyway, babe, we're about to start our meeting. I'll call you once I'm home," he quickly said, and he didn't wait for me to respond before ending the call.

I couldn't quite pinpoint where my anxiety was coming from, but I hoped I was wrong about my thoughts.

Yes, Serene, Aiden is not capable of doing what you're thinking. He's at the office, just dealing with a problem.

I quickly packed my things and left for home. I tried to push away the nagging thoughts about Aiden.

As soon as I walked into the house, Mom was there, fuming with anger.

"Serene, what's this your sister is complaining about, saying you've sided with your shop's employees over your own sister?" She didn't ask; it was a confrontation. I knew she was taking Alison's side once again.

"Mom, I haven't taken sides. I simply explained to her that she shouldn't treat my designers that way," I tried to explain while gently placing my belongings on the sofa.

"Serene, have you forgotten who managed your business while you were in Paris?" She continued to raise her voice. She never listened to any of my explanations when it came to Alison, so I had gotten used to it.

"Mom, I know that, and I'm grateful to Alison for what she did. But, of course, Pristine Panache wouldn't be complete or successful without my talented and kind co-designers," I replied. In our ongoing rivalry, Alison never took my side, even when she was the one in the wrong.

"Anyway, sort out your issues with your sister. Just because you own that shop doesn't mean you can disregard everything she's done for you!" She gave me a stern order. I was always the first one to extend an apology or try to make peace with Alison.

"Stop it, Brenda, with all your talking!" Dad yelled at Mom. "Serene is right, and the reason Alison is like that is because you've always taken her side, which is why she's going nowhere in life, because you keep indulging her. Even when she's wrong, you let her be, and that's why her ego keeps growing! She's nothing like her sister here."

"Yeah, Dad, I know that all I gave this family was a headache! Fine, Dad, I accept it!" Alison quickly interrupted whatever Dad was going to say next. "I've always been the black sheep in this family. I was never as good as Serene. Alison shouted, pointing at me.

"Alison, don't shout at Dad like that," I calmly intervened.

"That's where you excel, Serene! You always act like you're so good!" She yelled back, but I was used to her behavior and her never-ending tirades whenever we fought. "Oh well, I don't know about you people!" She added before turning and stomping up to her room.

"Look at what you've done, Serene. Even our family is in turmoil because of your decisions regarding that shop." Mom continued to blame me before turning her back on me.

Dad simply sighed in response to the situation. I had no choice but to go up to my room.

I felt an unusual sense of resentment. It seemed that no matter how hard I worked for our family, it was never enough in Mom's eyes when it came to Alison. Everything I had achieved and done was easily disregarded.

It hurt because it felt like something was always missing in me. Well, I know where it all started.