Serena Mclane's P. O. V

"I'm calm. I'm definitely calm." I say to myself in a soothing voice as I grip the edges of the counter, my hands turning pale from gripping the edge so tight. Shaking my head, I let out a huge breath of air, hoping it calms me down but it does nothing of the sort as I take a sharp step back, running a shaky hand through my hair.

"Deep breaths." I mumble to myself as I turn around in the bathroom, my eyes trailing over everything there is in the pale blue bathroom but finding nothing to take my mind off which is not very surprising. The nerves in my stomach flare up as I find myself staring out the window knowing that it's only inevitable now as the sun starts to peek up form the horizon, the clouds giving way as the sky just about starts to turn that gentle pink.

I tear my gaze away from the window as the sky only signifies that the time is rapidly approaching, my stomach twisting even more as I catch sight of my frenzy mess in the mirror.

"I am so not fucking calm." I practically hiss to myself as I purse my lips, not feeling at all ready to do what I have to do.

I've been in here a while, I don't want anyone to worry, I think as I gnaw on my lower lip feeling as if the entire word is starting to go against me.

"You're being overly dramatic and insane now that you've started talking to yourself. Just look out for when you start to answer back to yourself." I comment all in one rush as I dart forward and turn the door handle, stepping out in the empty hallway. I creep down it as I try my hardest not to make a single noise knowing my mother is still dead to the world, unaware of the little melt down I'm having as I pop my head through my bedroom door, only to catch a glimpse of Damien.

"Come in." He whispers lowly, not giving me a second to collect my thoughts or even spy on him for a while.

With a little sigh, I enter into my room and gently close the door behind me but Damien still doesn't look up from his phone. A grim expression crossing his features.

"Your father landed a little while ago." He simply says.

I nod my head and swallow roughly, already knowing what's next.

Damien doesn't speak up as he throws the phone onto the bed, the both of us watching as it bounces up and down a few times before settling. He turns to me and without a further warning, pulls me by my arm and wraps me into his warm embrace. My mind freezes as does my body even though I want nothing more then or wrap myself around him compete that never let go but I know that is something that definitely can not happen so I manage to bring my arms up and wrap them around his waist, shoving my head into his chest and take in his comforting scent.

"Calm down Serena. You need to take in deep breaths." He tries to sooth while I shake my head, a small childish pout forming on my lips.

"That's a load of crap. I'm not feeling any bit relaxed. How can I?" I practically groan as I l tighten my hold on him, pressing a kiss to his clothed chest.

Damien's chest gently shakes with unspilled laughter. I can feel the warmth from his hand as he places it gently on my cheek, pulling me attention to his face as he lifts my head up.

"I'm as calm as can be," Damien comments causing me to narrow my eyes, "You know why?" He doesn't wait for my answer as he continues on, "Because there is absolutely nothing to worry about. You stress for no reason and you shouldn't. Before you know it your hair is going to turn white and I'm going to have to explain to people why I'm in love with a grandma." Damien grins at his own comment and lets out a hushed laugh as if he's just told the greatest joke.

I roll my eyes at his ridiculousness but can't help my heart that melts at his words. Standing on tiptoes, I place a soft kiss to his lips before whispering," You're crazy."

"Only for you." He mumble back, sporting that same grin.

I timidly smile back, trying my best to ease my nerves and the only thing preoccupying my mind is Damien. Leaning up, I press my lips to his once more and wait for him to respond which he does without a doubt. Raising my hands, I let them entangle into his hair and press myself into him. Enjoying the moan of approval that escapes him as he runs his hands from my shoulders all the way down to my back. A gasp leaves my lips as Damien's hands trail even lower before gripping onto my behind, pushing our lower halves together.

I hear Damien let out a low chuckle but before I can reply, he easily picks me up and takes me over to the big enough bed and lays me down onto it, ignoring my questioning looks.

"Let me take your mind off of everything. Help you relax." Damien whispers seductively as he leans on top of me, pushing our body's together once more. The tantalising heat that surrounds us only becoming warmer as he leans down and starts pressing kisses to my jaw before going lower to my neck. I try my best to hold in my moans as he finds my soft spot, his lower half slowly starting to grind into mine.

"Damien." I mumble as I bring his head up to mould our lips together. Leaning up, I push onto him slightly so that he's in a kneeling position as his tongue darts past my lips, taking me by surprise.

"I swear-" Damien tries to begin but stops as a scuffling noise makes its way to us. I stiffen up in shock as I hear a door open and close, signalling my mother is up and about. Unable to assess my reactions, I find myself pushing Damien back with as much force as possible to create some distance, just in case my mother comes in. Not realising I've put in too much force, the man in front of me flails about, trying to maintain his balance but fails as he tumbles off of my bed, creating a loud thud in process.

"I'm so sorry!" I say in a regretful tone as I lean over the edge of the bed and glance down at a startled Damien who blinks back up at me.

"Um," he clears his throat as he starts to get up, "Its fine."

I give him a sheepish smile as an apology as I sit up properly, crossing my legs just as a soft knocking on my bedroom door ensues followed by my mum sticking her head through the door.

"Is everything okay?" She whispers, eyes going from Damien before landing on me and immediately widening.

"Yeah we're fine. Damien fell out of bed." I say casually, trying to act as if nothing's happened.

My mum stares worriedly at Damien who assures her that he's fine as she then turns to me, "I'm surprised you're up so early. I don't think I've ever seen you awake before ten." She comments amused.

I scrunch my features up in annoyance as Damien smirks at me, "For very good reason. Only bad, evil things are up at such times." I say dramatically as I flop backwards onto my bed, only now remembering that my mother is an early bird. A very early bird.

I hear the soft click of the door closing as Damien sinks into the bed besides me with a soft chuckle.

"What am I going to do with you?"

****************

Damien Stryker's P. O. V

"Serena you need to calm down." I try and encourage her but all I get is groans in return.

"I'll be back before you know it." I try and soothe her once more but no it is in vain as her grip around me tightens. I let go of my suitcase and look around the empty house, not liking the fact that she will have to stay here, alone.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Serena mumbles.

She's been like this ever since Sam came and told us about me having to go to Italy. It only worsened when I got a call from Roger who stated the same thing. I even tried to ask her to stay with her mother but she refused and wanted to tag along with me back to the house so I could pack as quickly as possible and then head to the airport.

"You always have bad feelings." I try to joke, wanting to ease her mind off of this potentially threatening visit.

"I'm serious Damien," Serena speaks up as she props her chin on my chest, eyes gazing into mine.

"And so am I. I'll be back before you know it. When have I ever broken my promises?"

Serenas soft pink lips turn into an adorable pout as she hesitates to let go but then finally does so, only barely managing to unwind her arms from around me as a honking of a horn resounds through the house.

This immediately causes Serena to tense up as she glares daggers at the driver who has to drive me to the airport, making the poor man cease his task.

"Call me before you take off. After you land. As soon as you meet my father. And when you've met with Arturo and sorted everything out. Understood?" She demands while a grin makes its way onto my face.

"Maybe I should call you and never hang up. That way you'll be with me every step of the way." Serena clearly doesn't realise I'm joking as her eyes light up and she nods enthusiastically.

"That's a great idea."

I roll my eyes but lean down and press a kiss to her lips.

"I'll see you soon."

Not giving anything away, I make my way to the car and thank the driver who helps me put my suitcase into the boot before getting into the car. With one last wave to Serena, I can't help but smile as she frowns at me in dismay before giving me a quick thumbs up.

As we peel out of the drive way and onto the road to the airport, I glance down to the phone in my hands, suppressing the nerves that want to kick in as I go to my call logs.

The numerous unanswered calls makes my lips thin as I once more dial the number only for it to go to voicemail like the last twenty times.

My hands clench around the phone and I'm severely tempted to throw it out of the moving window but all that angers dissipates into thin air as my ringtone blares.

The simple name makes warmth flood through me and my nerves that had slithered in unknowingly too calm down.

"Hello?" I ask upon picking up, unable to stop my lips from pulling up into a grin.

"I love you. You idiot." Serena's soothing voice echoes through me as I find myself chuckling.

"I love you too princess." I respond back, trying my best to convey through my tone that everything will be alright, even if I'm unsure of it myself.

My eyes catch the sight of the driver glancing at me in shock through the mirror causing me to scowl at him in annoyance to which he immediately looks away.

"I swear if you don't come back in one piece, I'm going to fly all the way over to Italy. Beat your ass, kill you myself, before calling some voodoo lady to Frankenstein your ass. Do you understand?" She threatens much to my amusement.

"I even give you my permission to do so."

Exchanging a few more words over the phone, I ignore the looks I get from the driver as Serena and I repeatedly try our best to not hang up but finally agree to do so. Much to both of our dismay.

I shake my head as I try my hardest to think of how the two of us became that annoying couple who wouldn't even put down the phone with one simple goodbye. I can barely even hold back my tension at leaving Serena on her own which causes anger to flare up in me.

Especially when I lock eyes with the driver again.

"What?" I practically snap as the man clears his throat in shock.

"N- nothing at all Sir. Nothing at all."

************

My muscles tense as I descend down the escalator, suitcase in tow as I scan through the crowds of people rushing to meet whoever has picked them up. My eyes immediately catch sight of Roger who stands out like a sore thumb with his flaming red hair, standing as tense as I am myself as he fidgets next to the stoic burly man who holds up a sign with my name on it.

Roger locks eyes with me as he takes a step forward, only to be pulled back by the man besides him who glares holes into the red head.

Making my way to the two of them as quickly as possible, I give a curt nod to the man who's name I don't care to know but what makes me even more stressed is Rogers grim look that lasts all the way till we get into the car. A restless silence ensues in the car for a log while till Roger finally speaks up.

"Did you read the contract before sending it to Samuel?" He says in a low voice, eyes darting to the busy man in the drivers seat who doesn't seem to be paying attention.

My curt nod is answer enough for Roger but the tightness around his eyes does not slacken.

"Did you hand it to Samuel yourself? After the terms were negotiated and signed upon."

My hands clench up into fists which causes Roger to let out a sigh as he leans his face into his palms, bringing them down as if to run away the stress.

"I never thought-,"

"I never expected this from you Damien," Roger cuts in, voice rough but still keeping low, "You're the most cautious man I know."

My jaw clenches and my teeth grind together as I try my level best to stop from letting out my anger, "Are you sure?"

Roger pauses and I almost let out a sigh of relief as he shakes his head.

"We will know when we get there but let me tell you something Damien. Information has been leaked. You always thought we were one step ahead but we weren't. They knew all along. It might be hard but the traitor needs to be eliminated from our midst."

I know the man is right, even though every fibre of my being opposes his words but what is done is done and I can not change it, no matter how hard I strive to do so. I can only hope that not all is as it seems.

The rest of the lengthy car ride is travelled in silence. My mind too preoccupied on thoughts of what is to come, barely even registering the fact that the last time I came here, I wore to myself to never come back.

And now here I am, back in the country of my birth. Not knowing which situation is worse, my going or coming.

At least one of them had a good outcome. Hopefully this one will too. But even that thought perturbs me because I never was one for hoping and here I am, acting as if it's my own holy grail.

"Damien."

My thoughts escape me in the blink of an eye as I look up from my clenched hands, only to see the scenery driving past us start to slow down. I barely even had time to keep an eye on our destination, only just knowing our whereabouts.

Intending on getting a full thorough talk from Roger about the place.

Raising an eyebrow, I see that we've stopped in front of one of the most extravagant villas I've seen, knowing Arturo liked to live in style.

The four story villa with its classic brickwork and grandiose architecture what with its high many balconies and red beamed pillars is a sight to behold. The well manicured gardens with its very own fountain of a naked marble woman with angel wings draped around her is enough to take any ones breath away.

My mind- annoyingly enough- takes me back to Serena and how she'd love to stay in a place like this. I mentally curse at the thought of not calling her but know that this is most certainly not the time.

The car doors open up as figures emerge from the villa, Roger and I both get pulled roughly from the car by men in suits who stand at our sides, ready to act on command.

Arturo walks forward, one hand grilling his signature cane which I'm more then certain he has no use for. The man looks the same since when I last saw him. His black hair is still streaked with white and the same eyes I have inherited from him peer into mine coyly. Our similar features a constant reminder that I am unfortunately related to this man.

"I welcome you to Naples figlio mio." Please waste no time in making yourself at home." Comes the heavy baritone of Arturo, the hair on my neck raising at being called 'his son' along with the somewhat sarcastic statement. However being called his son has more of an effect on me then it has before.

I try my best not to scrunch up my features in annoyance as I answer him back, "Grazie tante Arturo."

The sarcasm clearly laced in my voice.

Arturo stills for a minute, face void of emotion before that charming smile slips back onto his face, "I'm glad you're here Damien. I wanted you to meet someone." He says as he motions us towards the house, turning back himself.

I barely move but one of the men shoving me from behind makes me legs to start walking, not helping the irritation that courses though me.

None of us walk more then a couple feet further as the huge wooden door leading into the villa opens and Arturo halts.

"There he is."

Out of my peripheral vision I can see Roger tense up and that in itself makes my stomach drop, not wanting to believe what I know I'll be seeing.

Raising my head, my heart thuds wildly in my chest as the familiar face greets me.

The face of my childhood.

The face of my friend.

"I've heard you and dear Greg are already acquainted with each other no?"

--------------

AN: Is that a cliffhanger? Or not? Hmm. I didn't want to disrupt the flow of the chapter but for the tiny bits of Italian which I hope I got right, they mean 'figlio mio ' (my son) and 'grazie tante' (thank you very much). Hope that helped.

As for the questions I got on the last chapter, I'll answer a few of them here and the rest in the next chapter, speaking of which there are very few to go!

Q: Where are you from? A: I come from somewhere in Asia ( yes I am ominous af xD)

Q: How does Sarah fall in love with Sam? A: To be honest I can't really say anything on this because I might be making a book on the two. If not, I'll let you know.

Q: How did I come up with these amazing humans and where can you buy Damien? A: I've always had something for mysterious bad boys but that's probably stemmed from my major obsession with Damon Salvatore (what can I say people?). As for the second part, I'm still searching. If any of you find a Damien. Hit me up pls.

Question for you guys; What do you spend way too much (or all of your) money on?

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