After a few minutes, Charlton's family also decided to leave. They stepped out of the ballroom, Charles walking with his wife Georgina, while Charlton and Geoffrey walked together.
"Congratulations by the way." Geoffrey began, smiling at his cousin.
"thank you. Also, thanks for coming today." Charlton replied.
They did not have the chance to talk much as people started cheering for Charlton when they stepped out of the room. When they reached the exit though, they were stopped by Edward who was acting strange. It was like he was in panic and at the same time was very excited.
"What's going on?" Charles asked.
"You wouldn't believe this; Lady Serena went outside not caring about her security." Edward began, and before he can continue, Geoffrey and Charlton both did not listen further. They just quickly walked out of the hotel to see where Serena was.
Charles and Georgina were surprised but let them be. "Please continue." Georgina instructed Edward.
"Oh yes, as I was saying, Serena stepped out and everyone outside started cheering. I never thought that she would do something so irrational, but she was smiling at everyone and the masses are loving her. She does not even shy away even though they came from the lower end of the society!" he continued enthusiastically.
Georgina did not panic as she saw her husband was still composed. She knew that Charles has been very popular especially after the war has ended. Perhaps he was even more popular than Serena and Charlton back then. Anyway, he has experienced what they should be experiencing now. So if he's not worried, then safe to say that the children were going to be okay.
—
Serena felt very grateful to all the people who came just to see her. When she saw them through the glass door waiting just to catch a glimpse of her, she could not take it upon herself to turn away.
So, she stepped out.
She could not hear them earlier, but she can now. They were yelling her name and telling her they love her. It made her heart swell.
The crowd was so surprised to see her step out of the hotel. It caused a new wave of excitement to them, especially so when she smiled and even waved her hand.
Serena saw an old lady trying to get to the very front with a young child holding her hand. The old lady was carrying a bunch of inexpensive flowers and there were even tears in her eyes. She didn't know why but she felt compelled to approach her. As she walked, everyone cleared the path. They stared but did not dare to stop her. They just kept cheering and telling her they love her.
When she was standing before the old lady, she observed that she and the young girl were wearing worn-out clothes but were still clean.
The old woman could not believe her eyes. The lady in the picture was standing before her. Tears started to fall as she pushed her hands forward with the flowers.
"Are those for me?" Serena asked with a smile.
The old lady sniffled then wiped her tears. "Yes. I just want to tell you how beautiful your song was… It truly touched my heart and made me remember the days I spent with my husband through the thick and thin… please never stop writing and singing your songs…"
Serena received the flowers and suddenly the old lady moved forward to hug her. She was surprised, but feeling that there was nothing wrong, she hugged her back.
"thank you for being here too. I'm glad that the song has brought you happiness." She replied.
Serena did not notice the crowd being silent all that while as they observed her. After she said those words, they all started clapping their hands.
Suddenly, a person saw Charlton standing by the hotel's entrance, then they started chanting his name too, and everyone was shouting Cherena.
—
Charlton and Geoffrey stopped when they saw Serena smiling and waving, basking under the golden sunset. She looked so happy that moment and if they did not love her, they would have said that she was truly reveling in that moment of victory.
Geoffrey could not help but laugh. He was worried but there was nothing to worry about. Charlton turned to look at his cousin.
Geoffrey seeing Charlton look at him perplexed shook his head. "I just remembered the time when I thought of her as just an attention-seeking person. Don't you think that she fits that description at this moment?"
Charlton wanted to defend Serena, but he did not know what to say.
"You know, to be honest, earlier, I was really jealous of you. People were chanting your name and pairing you with her, it hurt me. If it were any other male, I don't know what I would have done." Geoffrey said as he composed himself to stand straight and look at Serena. When he saw the old lady place her arms around Serena, he almost ran to where she was. He breathed in relief when he saw Serena was safe and just hugged the lady back.
"Charlton, remember the time I told you that I just want to marry her because she will be useful in the future? I was such an idiot then. I don't know since when, but every time I see her, my heart swells and I feel this fluttering in my stomach. I have never felt anything like this before. I thought I fancied myself in love before, but it was nothing like this. I know I'm just babbling but I think… no, I know that this time, I am truly, madly, deeply, in love with her." He said as he turned to Charlton with a smile.
Charlton felt as if he was sobered up again. The earlier euphoric feeling he had completely vanished as he heard his cousin's words. Truthfully, after hearing everyone chant their names, giving him encouragements, he almost lost himself with the thoughts of different possibilities. He felt a myriad of emotions, anger, jealousy, possessiveness, but above all, guilt. He loves Serena still, but his cousin loves her too. And she was rightfully his.
In the end, he did not say anything in response to Geoffrey.
Geoffrey did not wait for he suddenly heard Charlton's name being called along with Serena's. He placed his hand on his cousin's shoulder and gave him a push "Although I do feel a little upset that they recognized you but not me, I still have to say, go on, and don't disappoint your fans." He said with a laugh.
—
TBC
