Leap OF Fate novel Chapter 47

In a blink of an eye, Friday had come. After work, she and Justin will head straight to the domestic airport to catch their flight to Coast City. If all things flow as scheduled, they will be home before dinnertime.

“Mom,” Serene held the phone by her ear to speak to her mother. “I’ve booked a flight back to Coast City later this afternoon.”

“That’s great Baby! Dad, and I missed you. Do you have any requests for dinner?” Carol sounded enthusiastic.

“Nothing in particular, Mom. Also…” Serene cleared her throat before continuing, “I’m bringing my boyfriend with me.” Her face burning red as she picked at the invisible dirt of her free hand. She felt like her mother was glaring at her and she simply had to look away.

“Who did you say, you’ll bring over, Dear?” her mother asked.

“My boyfriend,” Serene answered a little loudly and clearly.

“Oh.” Carol was silent for a moment then said, “Is seafood OK with him? Does he have any severe reaction to it?”

“Seafood is OK, Ma. See you in a while!”

“OK, Dear. You guys, take care!”

“I love you!”

“I love you too!”

As she was returning her phone to her bag, a familiar manicured hand tapping on the side of her desk caught Serene’s attention. His brow raised and an icy aura enveloped him. He looked like he wanted to strangle her.

She furrowed her brows, trying to recall what could have possibly offended this man.

“Just now on the phone…” his detached voice tried to give her a clue. It better be a good excuse, he thought.

“Oh, that’s Mom. I told her ‌we’d be coming over,” she smiled at him. Please believe me, she internally pleaded. By experience, she knew Justin was the hardest man to coax, especially when he’s jealous.

“I see. You set?” he surveyed her. His expression was relatively more relaxed.

“Let’s go?”

He simply took her bag as a response, then walked beside her. Although Justin picked up Serene from her workstation every day, his employees were still not used to seeing their esteemed CEO carrying a woman’s bag.

Serene smiled at her colleagues as they passed by while the man holding her hand simply kept taking one step forward and with his head held high.

The stark differences in their personalities were obvious to everyone. Serene’s accommodating personality made people at ease. She always had a smile prepared to greet everyone. Meanwhile, Justin’s presence alone gives off an intimidating vibe. One had to muster all their courage to approach him.

They left the office early to avoid the afternoon traffic rush. They arrived at the airport just a few minutes before boarding.

It was just less than an hour flight, but Justin felt like it was the longest flight he had. His heart wanted to break out from his chest.

He looked at the calmly sleeping Serene beside him. He smiled faintly at the sight of her. She looked like a baby when she slept, her mouth slightly opened and her cheeks slightly flushed. He tucked the loose hair from her cheek to the back of her ear.

After 45 minutes, their plane landed and they're walking out of the arrival area.

To his surprise, Serene broke free from his hold and ran toward the tall and burly man ahead of them.

“Dad!” she squealed as she ran towards the man’s welcoming arms. She vanished in his large, powerful embrace. His eyes gazed at her with tenderness and kissed her forehead.

Lifting his head from kissing his daughter, his eyes met Justin’s who cannot help but swallow. He never felt this nervous in his life.

Serene released herself from his father’s embrace and went to Justin’s side. She interlaced her fingers with his hand and urged him to move forward.

When they were standing in front of her father, she began introducing the men with each other “Dad, this is my boyfriend, Justin Rain.” She looked at him with her bright eyes and smile.

“Justin, this is my Dad, Conrad Ellis,” she looked at her Dad with unconcealed pride.

“Mr. Ellis, it’s my honor to meet you,” Justin extended his hand towards the older man who simply looked at him from head to foot.

“Dad,” Serene’s voice was a mix of pleading and warning, making Conrad clear his throat.

“It’s good to meet you, Mr. Rain,” he accepted Justin’s offered hand. “Thank you for helping our Serene back in Hyacinth Bay,” he added, referring to the time Justin brought Serene to the hospital after inhaling too much fumes.

“Anything for, Serene, Sir.” Justin said, smiling.

“Dad,” his eyes smiling like Serene’s. He freed his hand from the hand shake then gave Justin a bear hug.

“Dad.” There was a slight blush in Justin’s face from the unexpected affection, but his heart swelled knowing that Serene’s father wanted him to call him “Dad”. Neither “sir” nor “uncle” but “Dad”.

They got in Serene’s father’s car. He sat on the front passenger seat while Serene sat on the back.

Serene rolled down the window on her side to allow the chilly night wind to comb through her hair.

“What do you do, Justin?” she heard her father say after a while.

“I run our family business. We’re into real estate and hotel business,” he politely answered his question.

“I see. How did you and Serene know each other?”

It was just a simple question, but Justin feels like he’s splitting hair when looking for the right way to answer it. He looked at the man beside him who looked so formidable. “Do I tell him ‌we met at work, or do I tell him I’m Chester’s brother.

He looked at Serene from the mirror for rescue, but he gave up the idea when her face looked ashen.

Clearing his throat, he answered, “I am Bryan Cooper’s brother-in-law.”

“Bryan Cooper, Bryan Cooper?”

“Yes, he married my brother.”

They felt their bodies move forward because of the inertia when Conrad suddenly stepped on the brakes. His eyes darted from Serene to Justin.

“Dad…” Serene’s voice was low. Her eyes fixed on her hands that twirled around the hem of her skirt. She did not want to meet her father’s gaze.

“Shen, is this why you two broke up?” his voice thundered around the car. His eyes scanned his daughter’s figure. Her body slumped forward, head bowed so low, she could kiss her knees.

“Baby girl, why didn’t you tell us what was going on to you then?” his voice sounded so heartbroken, one couldn't imagine that it came from the same tall and burly man.

“I’m sorry, Dad. Even I couldn’t make sense of the situation back then.” She bravely looked at her father, who looked at her with tender eyes. She rushed forward and hugged him.

He patted his daughter's back, but his eyes were on Justin’s. After releasing Serene, he looked at both of them and asked, “Isn’t the situation around the four of you difficult? Or are you hiding your relationship with my daughter?” The threat from his voice was unmistakable.

Justin swallowed hard and met Serene’s father’s eyes, “You are right, we are in a complicated situation which could be awkward sometimes. But I like to look beyond that. I love Serene, and there is no greater happiness in my life than having her in it.”