Chapter Four
Serena Manchester sat back in her desk chair and pushed her new pageboy cut bangs out of her eyes. She’d decided to go without a weave for a while and see what the hairstylist could do with her hair. What she really wanted to do was cut her hair down into one of those cute pixie haircuts, but viewers had seen her with long hair for so many years, she decided shoulder length would be enough of a change. She already had more e-mail and social media conversations that she could keep up with each week.
The bangs were definitely not working for her though. She couldn’t wait until her hair grew in more and she could easily brush it to the side.
It had been a long day, and despite it being Friday, Serena was looking forward to spending time at home. As she closed her eyes, she blocked out the noise of the newsroom around her. She almost laughed out loud. Me alone on a Friday night? This job had become her man. Maybe it was a good thing since she always chose losers or went after the good men that were already taken.
Serena opened her eyes to see Wes Cade heading to his desk. She couldn’t help but grin. Wes and his bow ties were just too cute. She sighed. Too bad Wes would be officially off the market when he married his girlfriend, Angel Roberts. He was too young for her anyway, but Serena did admire his ambition. She moved from behind her desk and walked toward Wes’s office.
“What’s up, kiddo? What you got on your plate tonight?”
Wes jumped at her voice. “Hello, Serena.”
Serena sat on his desk. Wes rolled his chair back and looked at her. His discomfort amused her. “What are you working on?” She frowned. “Weren’t you at your church most of the day yesterday for the funeral?”
Wes rubbed his head. “Yes, Victory Gospel Church. Pastor Jeremiah Freeman was laid to rest yesterday. Unfortunately, the family got hit with some heavy news last night.”
Serena asked, “Really? What happened?” Serena typically stayed away from stories with any type of religious slant on it. She rarely attended church.
Wes grabbed his phone out of his pocket. “The Freemans’ oldest son, Keith, and his girlfriend, Rachel, were in a serious car accident last night.”
“That was them. I saw the vehicle on the morning report. Did they survive?”
Wes nodded. “Yes, they are both pretty banged up, but they are alive. God’s grace was definitely on them. It’s just really sad to see things like this happen to really good people.”
“You sound like you know them very well.”
“Well, yeah, I have talked to Pastor Freeman and First Lady a few times. They are just like this perfect couple.”
Serena wrinkled her nose. “The perfect couple? There is no such thing.”
Wes shook his head, “Okay, not perfect, but—”
Serena interrupted, “I mean, I know you are getting married, but life changes after the honeymoon.”
“I know—”
Serena slid off Wes’s desk and stood. “I mean, believe me, I should know. I’ve been married twice. Been there done that! Did I tell you twice?”
“Yeah!” Wes held up his arms. “You know it’s been great talking to you, Serena, but I have to get this story ready for tonight. A lot of folks want an update on the accident last night.”
Serena felt warmth gravitate across her embarrassed face. “Sure, kiddo. I need to wrap up what I’m working on too. Tell Angel I said hello.” She turned and walked away.
Great going, Serena!
Wes must really have thought her to be a basket case now.
Not that she cared. Okay, well . . . that wasn’t exactly true. She cared about what Wes thought and considered him more than just a coworker, but a friend. She really liked his fiancée, Angel, and thought they were a great couple.
Serena sat back at her desk. But there really was no such thing as perfect couples. She knew Wes and Angel were both Christians, but they would have problems too. Serena spoke under her breath. “Just you wait and see, kiddo.”
She clicked her keyboard to wake up her monitor screen. Then she pulled up the Victory Gospel Church Web site. She’d seen the Freemans before. Serena clicked to the About page. Just as she thought, the typical photo of a handsome pastor and his regal, beautiful first lady beaming at the camera.
No one had the perfect life even if they went to church. Serena’s mamma dragged her to church when she was younger. All that shouting sure didn’t stop what happened to Serena. Seemed like her life had become one big heartache after another. She concentrated on what she was good at—getting the story.
“The truth shall set you free.” Serena spoke as she closed out the church Web site. “Serena will certainly bring you the truth, honey.”
An e-mail notification popped up in the right-hand corner of Serena’s computer. She glanced at the notification as it faded away. A name caught her attention. She clicked over to see her full mailbox and opened the e-mail. The From line was from somebody named Lance Ryan.
“Two first names? Really?” Serena sat up straight in her chair. “Let’s see what Lance Ryan has to say.”
Ms. Manchester,
I thought you might want to know there is trouble brewing in your city. You may be the best person to help bring justice. Would you be interested in meeting for more information? I promise you won’t be disappointed. You will thank me later.
Thank you later. The boldness of this man with his two first names.
Serena smiled and hit Reply. She typed, “Mr. Lance Ryan, I look forward to meeting you. Name the time and the place.”
She hit Send. Who knows? Lance Ryan might be the man she was looking for in her life. With that, she laughed and grabbed her bag. Desperation does not suit you, girl.