Time brings about change and after a month had passed one of the important people in her life had experienced a modulation. As Serena toyed with the ipad determining which shifts would be best for their employees and the studio all was well with her soul. She finally found a stylist to give her black, silky tresses the cut she'd been coveting since spring, she found the best autumn color for her manicure, got those leather pants over her hips for the first time in three mouths—thanks to juicing three days a week, and she'd been on a fourth date with a man that seem sane. The shit in her garden of life had finally fertilized her deeds and now she could smell the roses.

Unfortunately, that would change in a handful of seconds as DeMarcus stormed into the studio. "Is Leena here?" He fiercely inquired. No longer in his usual professional attire but still business casual as if he had somewhere important to be. Serena didn't know why he didn't just slide on some sweats and throw on a concert t-shirt; it wasn't like he had somewhere important to be after he was fired on the same day he was arrested for assault and battery.

"Don't waste your time." Serena calmly spoke as she slowly pulled her eyes away from the screen. "She's not back there."

He stopped near the reception desk, anger and annoyance twisting his face, "Then where is she?"

Serena laughed with a shake of her head. "Do you honestly think I would tell you?"

"I don't have time for your shit, 'Rena." He let out an exasperated breath. "I just need to talk to her face to face but she won't answer my calls or reply to my texts. Where is she? Is she at your place?"

"She's not answering your calls or replying to your text because you're blocked, Big Fella." She tapped the stylus on the counter trying not to relish in his downfall. "I thought you were smart being a lawyer and all. Oh, wait. Are you still a lawyer or did they disbar you?"

"My license is secure, don't worry about it." He sneered. "And once Nia's memory is no longer foggy she'll be able to clear my name."

Serena nodded sincerely, "Good for you. But I don't think that will be enough to get Aleena to come back to the States." She quickly covered her mouth as if she'd said too much.

"Come back to the States." DeMarcus marinated on the words. "Where is she?"

"Europe." Serena said, keeping it vague.

"Can you tell her to contact me?" He then added, "I just want to thank you for posting my bail."

Serena stared at him blankly.

He roughly rubbed his beard then continued, "Do you know when she'll be back?"

"She didn't give me her itinerary, she nonchalantly shrugged. "And with the recent circumstances I really don't think it'll be soon."

"I didn't assault Nia." He strongly insisted. "It wasn't me. I would never put my hand on a woman no matter how furious I might get."

"I know that but it's not me you have to convince...it's the prosecutor but that wasn't the circumstances I was referring to." She combed her hand through her lock disturbing the soft waves. "She doesn't want you to know but I told her in nine months she won't be able to keep it to herself anymore." She half shrugged. "Or eight. I'm not in her uterus. I can't be exact."

"What?" His frustration simmered as curiosity grew. "I'm going to be a dad."

Serena's eyebrows rose, "Not sure."

"What does that mean?" He stepped closer to the counter seeking more answers but she had lowered her eyes back to the screen resuming her task. "Serena what does that mean?"

"Look, Marcus. I have nothing else to tell you. This is a disaster of your own making. I can't help you..." She let out a breath refocusing on him. "But I did warn you."

He blinked slowly, with a tilt of the head.

"Of course you forgot." She laughed mirthlessly. "But I didn't." She shook her head with a tsk. "At the rehearsal dinner I told you not to break my friend's heart and you replied with 'what are you going to do if I do. Well, now you know."

His eyes widened once his brain connected the dots, "You—" The words died on his tongue as the realization sucked the oxygen from his lungs.

"I what."

"You're a psychopath." He balled his fist, hostility boiling his blood.

"Psychopath. Bitch. Slut." She shrugged. "People toss those words around like they're hurtful. I'm a person that follows my own rules and protects the people she loves. Aleena is my best friend and her happiness is important to me." She hugged the ipad to her chest. "And like you said, your name will be cleared. You'll bounce back. Nia will heal, broken ribs do that and you'll find a pick-me that will put up with your controlling, narcissistic tendencies for regular dick. Thankfully, my friend is no longer in that category."

He peered at her in horror but she smiled at him and said, "Now, walk away and take the win and try not to fuck over someone else's friend. She waved at him and he took the hint walking back through the doors he hustled through.