BOUND BY HER NAME

BECOMING HER

Serena’s POV:

My stomach dropped. I thought Mrs Elena said she would talk to him so why was he here.

I opened the door and it was actually Chris.

“Hey my love”

He said while drawing me into a hug.

“Hi um I…I didn’t expect you.”

I said.

“Oh really but aren’t you happy to see me though.”

He said while raising an eyebrow.

“No no I am don’t get me wrong I just thought my mom talked to you about me staying for a couple of days.” I replied.

“Oh yeah yeah, she sent me a voice message but I was already really close before I listened to it and I just decided to see you if you’re not coming today.”

He explained.

“Honestly I’m not really happy about this whole extension to be honest. Yes I understand you’re the only child and your mom is gonna really miss you but she’s asking for a whole week babe.”

He added.

“I understand what you mean but you also have to understand my mom. Besides what’s one week if we’re going to spend the rest of our life together.”

I said trying to deviate from the topic.

“You’re right but I did make a sweet deal with her and we agreed on 1 day.”

He said grinning from ear to ear. “What?! Why would she agree to that.”

I couldn’t help but express my shock.

“Not the reply I was hoping to get, you don’t wanna come? You’re making me feel kinda weird Armelia.”

He said.

“It’s not what you think, I’m just shocked that she agreed because um you know how my mom is.”

I replied.

“Oh, well yeah she didn’t technically agree your dad did. He overheard me and he was like yeah a day is enough.”

He explained.

“Of course my dad agreed to that.”

“So what were you doing here? I thought I’d find you upstairs but some of the staff told me you’d be here.”

He asked.

“E..rm I was just um looking for my personal cleaner. She’s usually in this room. I just got carried away”

“Okay so can we go for a drive?”

He asked.

“Yeah we can. I’d love that.”

I said forcing a smile.

“That’s why I asked, I know how much you love drives.”

We headed to the car and he opened the door for me as usual.

“We won’t take so long because I know your mom would want you back soon and you’d have to pack so.”

He said.

“Yeah so where are we driving to?”

I asked.

“Your favourite ice cream spot. We’ll just hang for like 30 minutes, sounds good?”

“That sounds lovely.”

I responded.

When we got to the ice cream store, it didn’t look like as fancy as I expected. It was a cute small store and I loved it, the colours were vibrant and the atmosphere seemed warm.

“Hello, what would you like to have?”

A lady behind the counter asked while writing something down.

“Jenna we’ll get the usual.”

Chris replied.

The lady raises her gaze and she starts smiling.

“Long time Chris didn’t even realize it was you, how are you Armelia?”

She asked.

“Jenna I’m great, how’s work?’

I asked letting out a nervous laugh.

“You look great and kinda different. Work’s okay”

She said with a warm smile.

“Good to see you.”

Chris replied while leading me to a chair.

“She’s right about you looking different you know.”

“Oh”

I said

“I know before the engagement we didn’t see each other physically for like year plus and I know a lot can happen in a year but you just seem like completely different,”

He explained.

“How so?”

I asked.

“ You’re just more natural, more humble too. You actually listen and I think I like this new you.”

He said.

“Wow, I’m glad you like this new version of me”

I replied.

He reached out for my hand and kissed it.

“Here’s your order.” Jenna said as she placed the two ice cream cups on the table. “Thank you, they look great.”

I said.

“Hm Armelia complimenting my work that means I really outdid myself today.”

Jenna said letting out a soft laugh.

“That’s another new thing about you, you’re more appreciative.”

Chris interrupts.

“Oh I guess a lot actually changes in a year.”

I said.

30 minutes later…

“So did you enjoy yourself today?”

Chris asked as we walked to the car park.

“Yes I did, today was really nice.”

I said.

“First time in a while since we’ve been alone. I enjoyed today.”

He said.

We drove back to the mansion and he walked me to the door. He hugged me goodbye and I actually started to miss him. Chris was the only person around my age that I’ve actually spent time with and I enjoyed his company.

As I walked into the living room I couldn’t help but notice tense atmosphere. Mr and Mrs Blackwood alongside my mom and a man whom I didn’t recognize were sitting with unreadable expressions.

“What’s going on?”

I asked.

“What’s going on is these people think they can just make us do things because we work under them.”

My mom said in a cold tone. “That’s not the case here Tina.”

Mrs Blackwood replied.

I didn’t know what exactly to think. I just wanted to know what was going on.

“This is our new private investigator Gabriel and he already has a lead he just needs some time.”

She explained.

“So what you’re saying is I’m actually going away tomorrow?”

I said with a shaky voice.

“Yes that’s what it means and it’s not fair.”

My mom sighed.

“Please just a little more time. I really trust this guy he has worked for a friend of mine.”

Mr Blackwood finally spoke.

“It’s fine.”

I said.

“Are you sure?”

My mom asked.

“Yeah as long as this man can bring Ms Armelia back then I’ll do it.”

“Oh my gosh!”

Mrs Elena exclaimed as she pulled me in for a hug.

I felt bad for them. Yes I was tired of being someone I wasn’t but I realized that they’re just as tired as I am. I can’t even imagine how overwhelmed they must be feeling looking for Armelia.

“We will compensate you dearly, thank you very much.”

Mr Blackwood said.

“If I’m going to live with Chris for a while, I think I need to learn more about Amelia.”

I said.

“Hmm I think I have an idea. Let’s head to her room shall we?”

Mrs Elena asked.

I wonder what she has in mind. We entered Armelia’s room and Mrs Blackwood walked towards a large cabinet close to the window.

She opened it and brought out a large brown box which she placed on the bed. “What’s that?” I asked.

“Well I know one day isn’t enough to know everything about my daughter but what’s in this box will give you all you need to become her.”

She explained as she opened the box.

Inside were hundreds of photographs, awards and some toys. They were pictures of Armelia from every stage of her life, as a baby, a high schooler, pictures at family events and some with friends.

Mrs Elena picked a photo.

“This was taken when she was six.”

A little girl with dark hair and blue eyes looked back at me, her smile was so wide it made me giggle.

“She looked so adorable.”

I said.

Mrs Elena picked another photo.

“Her sixteenth birthday. God I remember this day so well she wanted everything to be perfect and she kept ordering everyone around.”

Mrs Elena said as her expression softened.

“I remember too. She came to me to ask if I liked the colour on her and she told me to tell her five reasons why.” I said.

“Typical Armelia”

She said while letting out a laugh.

“Is pink her favourite colour?”

I asked.

“Oh yes it is. That’s why I brought you here so I’ll tell you all about her.”

Mrs Elena said as she brought out a white board.

“So where do we start from?”

I asked.

She began to explain. Armelia hates seafood I remember that from the dinner. She loves chocolate cake, she preferred coffee to tea. She always slept on the left side of the bed, she hates squirrels, she hates being called by her full name and she absolutely hates rompers.

I tried to remember everything but it was so much.

“How do I remember all of this gosh?”

I asked.

“You’ll just have to try don’t worry we’ll go over it again.”

She answered trying to reassure me.

“Ugh okay.”

I said rubbing my eyes.

Mrs Elena picked a photo from the box. It was a picture of Armelia and Chris, they were standing by a lake.

“Is this the lake?”

I asked while laughing.

“Yes the one we mentioned at dinner.”

She said.

“I feel kinda guilty. Pretending to Chris isn’t easy.”

I blurted.

“I do too. He doesn’t deserve any of this.”

She said while letting out a sigh.

“Yeah.”

“That’s why we’re doing our best to find her. “

Mrs Elena said while looking down at the photo.

The room was filled with silence for a while.

“Take this notebook let me quiz you.” She finally spoke.

“Okay, I’m feeling a bit confident.”

“What’s her favourite flowers?”

She asked.

“White roses.”

“That’s correct, what’s her favourite dessert?”

She asked.

“Cake?”

“What type?”

She asked.

“Chocolate cake.”

I replied immediately.

“That’s correct too, what’s her favorite colour for decor not her personal favorite.”

She asked.

“Emerald.”

We spent hours on the quiz and now it was finally time to move on to discussing important events.

She began to explain childhood moments, one after the other. Trips with friends, names of places and people I had never seen before. By the time we were done, the sun had already gone down. My head was filled with all the information on Armelia it could contain.

I learned her walk.

I learned her smile.

I learned the most common phrases she used.

I learned her style, even her make up routine

I learned everything Mrs Elena thought I should know.

“I think you’re ready Serena.”

Mrs Elena said.

“Really?”

“Yes you’ve learnt everything there is to become her.”

She added.

I was completely exhausted. The more I learnt about Armelia the more guilt swallowed me. I wasn’t just pretending to Armelia his wife, I was learning how to be Armelia his childhood friend that he had shared so many memories with. The girl he had grown up with.

My chest tightened. Was I really ready for tomorrow? What if Chris finds out I’m not Armelia? Can I pull this off?