The Billionaire's Dark Obsession

Bruce took Jennifer to his study room and locked the door behind them.

"What do you mean by my daughter is his for the week, Bruce?!" Jennifer spat angrily at him that she didn't bother addressing him properly. "You know that today is when the engagement date will be finalized and you are talking about giving out my daughter!!!"

"Shhhh! Call down, darling." He soothed his wife by rubbing his palm over her back but she hissed, pushing his hands away.

"You seem to have forgotten that you do not have only one daughter but two. Serena is available. She is the daughter I would be handing over to Mr. Molinero until I decide on how to get the money back."

Jennifer became relaxed upon hearing about Serena. Sometimes, she forgets that Serena was even part of their family. But a question lingered on her mind.

"How are you owing Mr. Molinero a billion dollars? He said something about loaning you a huge amount of money. Where did the money go?" Jennifer couldn't help but spill the question.

Anger flashed through Bruce's face as he remembered what transpired two years ago but the anger went as soon as it came that Jennifer didn't notice it.

"That's a story to tell for another day." He dismissed her question. "Where is Serena? Mr. Molinero mustn't see the wounds and scars on her body. Cover them up with some makeup and make sure her hair is dyed again."

"She must be in the kitchen. I will get right to it." She eyed her husband suspiciously before leaving to find Serena.

As soon as she left, Bruce kicked over the books on his table whilst running his hands over his hair angrily.

"How dare he come back for his money! Hakim had told me he finished him off. How the hell am I going to get a billion dollars? I just hope the Smith's gives us half the bride price as soon as possible. Perhaps if I have sure odds, the money will multiply. I have to meet Hakim soon."

He muttered to himself before stepping outside his study room back to the living room where Mr. Molinero was seen on a call with taut and clenched jaws. His eyes were red with anger as if he couldn't wait to kill somebody.

Bruce decided to not disturb him and wait for his wife to bring Serena down.

*******

Serena body was growing weak as she kept on washing the dishes for the umpteened time today. Jennifer had instructed her to keep washing the dishes until they were sparkling new. Whenever she stopped and rinsed the plates, Jennifer would appear from nowhere and make her wash the plates again.

At least Serena was glad that it wasn't a severe job like the ones she had been doing since the past week.

Beads of sweat rolled down her face and she used her arms to wipe them off. Her eyes were begging to get some rest, and her hands were growing stiff. She could hear her stomach rumbling in hunger.

"Serena!!!" She heard a shrill voice call her name and she turned back to see Jennifer walking towards her in full force as her hair bounced up and down..

What has she done wrong now? She has been washing the dishes since morning without slacking off. Has she come to punish her again for a thing she didn't commit? Different thoughts began swirling in her mind as she dreaded the reason why Jennifer was walking towards her...

"Serena," she jerked up on the mention of her name.

"Yes, ma'am," she responded, making sure that her voice was sounding very gentle and polite, the way her madam had thought her.

"You should stop this menial task, child. See, your hands are rough and bruised up." She clicked her teeth in pity.

Serena was dumbfounded and surprised upon her Madam's sudden kindness towards her.

"Follow me," she ordered and Serena followed.

As they passed through some hallways, Serena realized that she was taking her to her own bedroom.

Jennifer walked inside the room and guestured for Serena to follow suit. When she noticed her hesitancy she spoke.

"Don't be afraid child, come inside." Serena walked in and sat in front of the vanity table.

"You have been hurt so badly, I'm here to take care of you." Serena heard Jennifer whisper into her ears as she began wiping off the sweat from her face with a cloth.

Feeling scared and afraid, she jerked from the seat to a kneeling position, "I'm sorry miss please forgive me. Anything I have done to anger you, please have mercy upon me. I promise I will not do it again." Serena cried out as she clasped her hands together.

Jennifer rolled her eyes, "Get up Serena," her tone was curt. "You are not going to be punished again, at least for a week. Your father's business partner has come to take you for some job offer. You will be back here in a week's time." She paused, seeing Serena shudder upon her words.

"Calm down Serena. Meredith can't go because she is out shopping and the man is leaving very soon. If you do not follow him, your father will be loosing a huge business deal."

She didn't wait for any reaction from Serena before she grabbed her arm, positioning her back to the seat.

She began cleaning the wounds and covering them with make-up. She dyed her hair black again so her natural hair colour won't be seen. She made her wear false contacts so her real eye colour won't be seen.

Serena kept mute as she watched her madam cleaning and decorating her as a doll.

*****

Marcellus hung up the call angrily and turned towards Bruce, "Where the hell is your daughter? Or do you no longer want the deal and wish to have your legs in prison and your mansion in flames?!" He hissed through gritted teeth.

After the burning call with his old man, he felt itchy and angrier at the news he had told him.

Three more of his workers were found dead. Two were from his famous club while one was from his hotel.

Bruce felt his heart up his throat and when he was about forming an excuse, he heard a recognizable voice.

It was his wife, Jennifer's voice.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting, Mr. Molinero. Our daughter is here and ready to leave with you." She grinned as she announced.

Serena hair was styled in a low ponytail. Her face was clean and the wounds on her face and skin was hidden with foundation. She was wearing a black sundress and flat slippers as she descended the stairs with Jennifer by her side.

Marcellus didn't spare a glance at her until she was standing few steps away from him with her pounding chest.

He turned, looking at the shuddering plain looking lady that stood few steps away from him. There was nothing special about her features, she was ordinary and he didn't care because he had no business with her. He just wanted Bruce to beg for his daughter back when he had no other way to return his money.

"Expect your daughter in a week when you have paid me in full." He said and started walking towards the exit door.

Serena who heard his words, felt her stomach sinking in. She was not well educated but at least she understood that she was being offered as a collateral until her so-called father had paid the money he owed the man.

She turned looking at her madam who gave her a weird smile she had always recognized as a deadly warning to her not to misbehave.

"Let's go, miss." She was jerked out of her thoughts from a young looking man's voice. It was Devin's.

She followed the man with shaky steps that screamed she was afraid and scared.

Outside the mansion. Two cars were waiting.

Marcellus had called for another car because there was no way he was going to let a woman who was his collateral have a sit beside him.

"Get in." Devin told her and walked towards the passengers seat but not before she had finally settled in at the back seat.

Marcellus was in the car at the back and he watched how Serena's legs wobbled as she entered the car carefully as if not wanting to crush or soil the car with her body.

Unbeknownst to him, a smile appeared on his lips and a light chuckle escaped from his mouth, watching keenly the car in front of him.