Storming away, I think twice about talking to anyone. Right now, I need to be alone. I want to go to Luca and be there for him, but he clarified he didn’t want me there, and I can understand that. He’s just lost his father—I am the last thing on his mind.
Turning to walk to the hotel, I’m stopped in my tracks when Liv and Rachel are there.
“Are you okay, Serena?” Liv asks, worry written all over her face.
“I can’t believe he’s dead,” Rachel says, and Liv touches my arm after I don’t respond.
“Hey, can we get you anything?”
I shake my head and reply, “No, I want to be alone. I’m going to my room.”
“Want us to come with you?” Rachel asks, and I shake my head. “I’ll be okay. Thanks for the offer, though,” I reply, giving them a warm smile.
“I’m worried about you, Serena.”
“Don’t be. I need to lie down. Today has been a whirlwind, and I want to get out of this dress and call Luca. I need to know he’s okay.”
“Promise us you’ll call if you need anything.Anything,” Liv repeats.
“Thank you both for being here for me,” I say. “I’ll call if I need you.”
I give them one last smile, then walk past them and make my way to the hotel. Standing in front of the reception desk, a lady who has short black hair says, “Mrs. Clemente, we just heard what happened. Are you okay? Can we get you anything?”
Shaking my head, I reply, “No, thank you… just the key to my room, please.”
“Of course, here you go,” she says, leaning down, grabbing a key card, and handing it to me. “We’re so sorry to hear about your loss. Please call us if you need anything to make you more comfortable.”
Lifting my dress to pull behind me, I say, “Thank you, I will. When my husband arrives, please call me to let me know he’s on his way up?” I ask, browsing at her badge that readsCeleste.
“Of course, Mrs. Clemente. We will give him a key.”
“Thank you.”
“Just head to the right of the desk and walk down the corridor. You’ll find the elevators to the left. You’re on level forty-eight in room zero-one. Your bags are already up there for you.”
“Thank you once again, Celeste.”
“You’re welcome, Mrs. Clemente.”
Her smile is warm and sincere.
Walking away, I take a few steps around the corner and follow the corridor to where Celeste explained the elevators are located. Standing before one of them, I press the button, and it lights up. The doors slide open, and it announces it’s arrived with a ping noise. Once it opens, I notice a mother and daughter standing there to exit.
“You look beautiful, miss,” the young girl says, and I smile.
“Thank you, honey.”
“Mummy, isn’t she beautiful? She looks like a princess.”
“Yes, she does,” the mom replies, giving me a warm smile as they walk past me to exit.
The little girl waves at me as she holds her mother’s hand and follows her down the corridor from where I just came. I wave back, then enter the elevator, pressing level forty-eight and swiping my room key. The doors to the elevator close, and I lean against the wall and shut my eyes, thinking about today’s events.
Something doesn’t add up.
First, I saw Harley at the church but thought I was seeing things, but then I knew I wasn’t when I saw him again at the reception dressed as a server. And that’s when Javier Clemente died.
It was Harley who served him his drink.