serenah-a

[serenah-a]

“No need to thank me. I don’t give out compliments that aren’t deserved,” Serena told the other woman with a light laugh. She sat herself down on the edge of the desk, sipping the whiskey as she took a closer look at the photographs. 

As the other woman spoke, Serena listened, nodding along. After a moment she looked up at the brunette in amusement, a small smile settled on her face. “I’m glad it’s going well so far. Being your own boss can be a challenge at times,” Serena mused - though she imagined there were quite a few differences for them. 

“I’m glad I went with you,” Serena said then, nodding softly. “A friend suggested your former business partner actually. But I wasn’t sure if he was quite the right fit. You know?” Serena told her with a shrug; he had come highly recommended but Serena had liked Haley’s work better. 

serenah-a‌:

“Well, at least they’re here,” Serena said with an absent nod. “It was lucky there was no rush on them,” she continued, turning her gaze to the other woman’s, giving her a smile. 

She waited then as Haley pulled the photographs out. She stepped closer, nodding as the photographer spoke - examining the pictures closely. They were rather magnificent and would work for what she wanted.

“They’re good,” she complimented the woman. “Exactly as I wanted. Though I knew they would be. Your work is wonderful,” Serena continued as she made her way over to the sideboard. 

She grinned as the brunette accepted a drink, amused a little as the woman seemed a little flustered. She poured them both generous amounts of her grandfather’s whiskey - handing it over with ease. 

“So, tell me Ms. Canning, why did you decide to strike out on your own?” Serena asked curiously. She’d heard whispers but you could never believe gossip. 

Haley simply nodded, feeling slightly awkward in the presence of the woman. She was well put together and held herself with such poise and well, Haley just felt out of place. She just didn’t have the confidence Serena ebbed.

When she told her she liked the photos, Haley let out a breath she wasn’t even aware she was holding, relief flooding through her. “Thank you, that means a lot.” She smiled, the compliment warming her.

Accepting the drink, she smiled at the blonde, taking a sip in attempt to relax a little. She thought for a moment, deliberating on the best way to answer the question. Depending who asked, she told different variations of the story, not wanting to expose every gnarly detail of her personal life. “Well, I’ve always wanted to be my own boss,” she started taking another sip of liquid confidence, “and I’ve had so many ideas. So I guess starting my own company was the best way to explore that and it appears to be going well so far.” It wasn’t exactly a lie, more like withholding some of the truth. Plus, she was sure someone like Serena didn’t want to be bored with the woeful facts of her life.

[serenah-a]

“Oh?” She murmured, raising an eyebrow with interest. “And what might you be doing later that might call for it?” She asked, suddenly curious about the random man. There was no part of her that thought he might not have time to chat; Serena was after all, the kind of woman that had all the time in the world to do what she wanted. 

“Marco,” she echoed, giving him a little nod. “Wonderful name. What do you do Marco?” Serena asked, head tilting a little as she smiled over at the man. 

serenah-a‌:

“Thank you,” Serena breathed as the coffee was handed over. It saved her at least, of buying her own. The whole ordeal reminded her that she should really get a personal assistant at some point. 

She smiled widely then as the man spoke, explaining his choice. “Oh, that makes sense. I suppose it’s not for everyone all the time. Usually I wouldn’t drink it often either but a few extra shots sound good this morning,” Serena replied with a slight shrug of her shoulder. 

“My name’s Serena, by the way,” Serena said, extending her free hand to him to shake. “I figure I should at least introduce myself, since you’ve given me your coffee,” she chuckled softly. 

Marco brushed off the thank you with a smile and a shake of his head —- really, there was absolutely no need for it. “Definitely depends on the day,” he agreed with a gentle laugh. “Never know, later on today I might have been thankful for it, but definitely not now.” He couldn’t stomach it right now, that was for sure, his working day often called for it though. 

Wehen she introduced herself, he took her hand and gave it a shake, flashing a bright smile in her direction. “Marco,” he answered her. “Pleasure to meet you.”

[serenah-a]

Serena had known Rosa for several years now, having met her through mutual friends and they’d hit it off. Now with all the angst she’d experienced in the last year, Serena had found herself relying on the few friends she had more and more. Stepping through the crowd of people, she held two drinks in her hand, making her way back to Rosa and their table. 

“Here you are darling,” Serena trilled, placing the redhead’s drink down in front of her, slipping into the seat opposite with ease. She settled in her seat, taking a sip of her gin and tonic, legs crossing as she looked over at her friend. “So, tell me, how was your week? Anything scandalous happen? Any salacious gossip?” she asked with a tease. 

( @rosadietrich​ )

[serenah-a]

What is the funniest text you sent/received this week?

A message from my mother, wanting to set me up with, in her words an ‘eligible bachelor’. Funny considering she knows I want nothing to do with men right now. 

[serenah-a]

“Well, at least they’re here,” Serena said with an absent nod. “It was lucky there was no rush on them,” she continued, turning her gaze to the other woman’s, giving her a smile. 

She waited then as Haley pulled the photographs out. She stepped closer, nodding as the photographer spoke - examining the pictures closely. They were rather magnificent and would work for what she wanted.

“They’re good,” she complimented the woman. “Exactly as I wanted. Though I knew they would be. Your work is wonderful,” Serena continued as she made her way over to the sideboard. 

She grinned as the brunette accepted a drink, amused a little as the woman seemed a little flustered. She poured them both generous amounts of her grandfather’s whiskey - handing it over with ease. 

“So, tell me Ms. Canning, why did you decide to strike out on your own?” Serena asked curiously. She’d heard whispers but you could never believe gossip. 

serenah-a‌:

Serena simply shook her head as she lead the photographer towards the study, where she could leave the photographs. “There’s no need to apologise,” Serena told her, giving her a warm charming smile. “It wasn’t your fault. Something about the printers wasn’t it?” she continued, directing the other woman through a door and into the study she was using as an office. 

“I hope so too,” Serena mused, eyeing the portfolio Haley carried with curiosity. “If you don’t mind, I’d quite like to see them before you go. I trust your opinion, of course but, in case I have any questions…” Serena said, gesturing vaguely towards the photographer and the portfolio. 

It occurred to her then, that she’d been awfully rude. “Would you like something to drink, Ms. Canning?” she asked, looking over at the decanters of alcohol on the sideboard. If she was going to invite someone in, she could at least offer them a drink. 

Haley followed Serena through to another room which she assumed was the study, placing the portfolio down on the desk. “ Yes, ” she nodded, “ there was a delay with the printing company I use. They make the best quality prints, but can sometimes take a while, especially with large prints. ”

Haley nodded, opening up the portfolio to reveal the photographs. “ Of course, take a look and if anything is not to your liking, I can have that rectified for you. ” She said, wanting to please the woman. She was paying quite a sum for her work after all.

“ Oh, uhm, sure. ” Haley spoke, not wanting to sound rude when she was offered a drink. “ I’ll have whatever you recommend. ”

[serenah-a]

Serena grimaced as the woman next to her took a shot and then proceeded to almost choke. The blonde glanced over at her wide eyed, wondering if she should call one of the bar staff for help. She assumed they’d know CPR or something. 

She had come to drown her own sorrows and was now being offered a free bottle of alcohol. She could afford it, of course. But where would the fun be in that. “Are you just offering up the tequila? Or any bottle I’d like?” Serena asked curiously, head tilting as she looked at the other woman, bringing her on drink to her lips. 

Where: Dickens Tavern, Hackney. What time: at least after 10 PM. 

“Oof, ew, wrong tube.” Katherine choked in her tequila shot, telling herself to be a guest at her establishment rather than keeping tabs on everything. She wanted to get piss drunk, but that was a challenge if it ended up her choking in the content rather than it ending up in her stomach, where it should be. “Come on, it’s a bottle on the house, when are you ever getting this opportunity again?”

[serenah-a]

“Thank you,” Serena breathed as the coffee was handed over. It saved her at least, of buying her own. The whole ordeal reminded her that she should really get a personal assistant at some point. 

She smiled widely then as the man spoke, explaining his choice. “Oh, that makes sense. I suppose it’s not for everyone all the time. Usually I wouldn’t drink it often either but a few extra shots sound good this morning,” Serena replied with a slight shrug of her shoulder. 

“My name’s Serena, by the way,” Serena said, extending her free hand to him to shake. “I figure I should at least introduce myself, since you’ve given me your coffee,” she chuckled softly. 

serenah-a‌:

Eyes alight, Serena turned towards the man speaking, grinning a little at his words. A latte, without the wait, even with two extra shots wasn’t something Serena would turn down. “Sure, I’ll take it,” Serena replied with a smile and a nod, stepping out of the line before anyone else could try and take the man up on his offer. 

“Oh?” Her head tilted as he spoke, a smirk on her lips. “You’ve never had it that strong before? It’s not too bad, really. Certainly gives it that extra pep,” Serena told the man with a wide smile; not at all worried about taking a drink off of a stranger. 

“Brilliant!” The coffee cup was in her hand moments later, Marco’s smile bright. At least something was going well this morning, although the barista was still looking a little sheepish over his cock-up. Who could blame him really? Especially when Marco was calling him out to half of the other punters. Not ideal he supposed, but there was no other way of putting it and he didn’t want it to go to waste.

“I have, but I really have to be in the mood and the need for it,” he responded. “Doesn’t taste quite as great. I can definitely imagine it gives you a little more pep, though.” A light laugh followed.

[serenah-a]

Serena Huntington-Astor - ( playlist; task 4 )

Sparkling Diamonds - Nicole Kidman ( Moulin Rouge! OST )

Throw A Fit - Tinashe

Stars Are Blind - Paris Hilton

Honey, Honey - ABBA

Too Much - Spice Girls

Break My Heart - Dua Lipa

It’s Not Right But It’s Okay - Whitney Houston

Ring The Alarm - Beyoncé

Get Over You - Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Luxurious - Gwen Stefani

[serenah-a]

[serenah-a]

First Name: Serena

Last Name: Huntington-Astor

Gender/Pro-nouns: Cis Female, she/her 

Date of Birth: October 30th, 1988

Place of Birth: London, England

Current Residence: Marylebone

Length of Residence: Since April 2017

Occupation: Fundraising consultant/Philanthropist

Faceclaim: Vanessa Kirby

BIOGRAPHY

trigger warnings: infidelity 

Serena Huntington-Astor was born into Old Money - media moguls, politicians and all number of important and wealthy people litter her family tree. Serena is just one of the many in a long line of others. However, her upbringing wasn’t completely as picturesque as perceived. Edward and Veronica Huntington-Astor were hardly the devoted types; with each other or with their only daughter.

Serena grew up, as a young child, with Nannies and Au Pairs until she was old enough to start boarding school. Boarding school came and Serena thrived; she quickly found her way into being at the top of the food chain, in a school full of the top. She made friends and spent her summers travelling across Europe, living it up without a care in the world. Though she did well in school however, by the time she graduated, she wasn’t at all sure what she wanted to do with the rest of her life.

University was a little bit of a struggle for Serena, she took her time figuring out what she wanted to do; eventually however, she settled on business and communications. She was by no means the top of her class but she did well for herself nonetheless. Once she graduated, she found herself working for a PR firm run by one of her father’s friends. It was alright for awhile until she wanted to try her hand at something else.

That something else turned out to be at a fundraising consulting firm; the perfect mix of money, sway and connections for Serena. Pruitt Fundraising Solutions was the perfect fit for Serena and it wasn’t long before she was climbing their ladder of success.

It was during this time, working for Pruitt that she met a star footballer that would soon be her husband. It was everything Serena had always dreamed of; they were, by her own approximation, a Golden Couple. Her life was perfect.

With her husband’s encouragement, she started her own fundraising consulting company - Huntington-Astor Philanthropy. With the blessing of her Family to use their name. She’s proud of what she’s doing and really believes she’s helping to make a difference in the world.

However, 14 months ago, her personal life collapsed around her. Serena found out her husband was cheating on her. The news crushed her, she loved her husband completely and though she tried to forgive him and make it work; they are currently divorcing. Serena hides her broken heart under work, alcohol and occasionally partying.

Penned by: Tay find them here.

[serenah-a]

Eyes alight, Serena turned towards the man speaking, grinning a little at his words. A latte, without the wait, even with two extra shots wasn’t something Serena would turn down. “Sure, I’ll take it,” Serena replied with a smile and a nod, stepping out of the line before anyone else could try and take the man up on his offer. 

“Oh?” Her head tilted as he spoke, a smirk on her lips. “You’ve never had it that strong before? It’s not too bad, really. Certainly gives it that extra pep,” Serena told the man with a wide smile; not at all worried about taking a drink off of a stranger. 

“So the barista screwed up my order, you happen to like latte’s with an extra two shots?” the question was asked to the person beside him as Marco attempted to pass the small coffee over. His new order was already in the process of being made, many apologies accompanying it, so he figured someone should at least try to make the most of the mix up. “I mean hell, I like my coffee strong, but maybe not that strong…” He chuckled.

[serenah-a]

Serena simply shook her head as she lead the photographer towards the study, where she could leave the photographs. “There’s no need to apologise,” Serena told her, giving her a warm charming smile. “It wasn’t your fault. Something about the printers wasn’t it?” she continued, directing the other woman through a door and into the study she was using as an office. 

“I hope so too,” Serena mused, eyeing the portfolio Haley carried with curiosity. “If you don’t mind, I’d quite like to see them before you go. I trust your opinion, of course but, in case I have any questions...” Serena said, gesturing vaguely towards the photographer and the portfolio. 

It occurred to her then, that she’d been awfully rude. “Would you like something to drink, Ms. Canning?” she asked, looking over at the decanters of alcohol on the sideboard. If she was going to invite someone in, she could at least offer them a drink. 

serenah-a‌:

Serena had spent the morning with her lawyer and after that ordeal she had gone directly home, to her wine and a bubble bath. She knew she should probably go to work but she wasn’t needed every day and well, she ran the place. They could run the place without her. For the afternoon at least. 

The afternoon was spent languishing at home. So much so that when a buzzer went off, she thought she’d forgotten something in the kitchen. A poor attempt at baking no doubt; until she realised of course, that it was coming from her front door. Had she been expecting anyone? Frowning, wine glass in hand, she made her way to the front door, pulling it open with ease. 

“Yes?” She started a little more brusquely than normal. She smiled then when she recognised the woman before her; Ms. Canning, the photographer from her last event. “Oh, Ms. Canning! I’m so sorry, I’d forgotten you were delivering the photographs,” Serena told her gently, shaking her head as she stepped aside. “Please, come in,” she instructed, glad she dressed in more than just her robe after her bath. 

As soon as the front door opened, Haley lifted the portfolio up, ready to hand them over and be on her way. She was sure the woman was busy, judging by her current relaxed appearance. She shook the woman’s hand, surprised when she asked her to come inside. The house was as grand and beautiful as she remembered, not a speck of dust and nothing out of place. It was a stark contrast to her own place, with clean laundry piled in the corner and bits and bobs everywhere.

“ Yes, I’ve got the photographs. I’m so sorry they took so long. ” She smiled politely, feeling a bit awkward in her surroundings. “ But the prints came out really well, I hope they’re to your liking. ” 

[serenah-a]

Serena had spent the morning with her lawyer and after that ordeal she had gone directly home, to her wine and a bubble bath. She knew she should probably go to work but she wasn’t needed every day and well, she ran the place. They could run the place without her. For the afternoon at least. 

The afternoon was spent languishing at home. So much so that when a buzzer went off, she thought she’d forgotten something in the kitchen. A poor attempt at baking no doubt; until she realised of course, that it was coming from her front door. Had she been expecting anyone? Frowning, wine glass in hand, she made her way to the front door, pulling it open with ease. 

“Yes?” She started a little more brusquely than normal. She smiled then when she recognised the woman before her; Ms. Canning, the photographer from her last event. “Oh, Ms. Canning! I’m so sorry, I’d forgotten you were delivering the photographs,” Serena told her gently, shaking her head as she stepped aside. “Please, come in,” she instructed, glad she dressed in more than just her robe after her bath. 

who: @serenah-a​ where: serena’s home, marylebone when: around five

Serena had used Haley’s company to take photographs for her business and the woman had requested some large prints of a few of the photos. She was more than happy to oblige because Serena paid well, only the company she used for printing had taken over two weeks for the order to be complete so Haley had offered to deliver the prints herself and could only profusely apologise for the delay. Going out of her way to deliver them personally, wasn’t a big deal.

When she arrived outside, she was just as overwhelmed with the size of her home as she was the first time she had been here. She and Serena clearly travelled in different circles but she seemed nice enough. Haley was just going to drop the prints and head home to curl up on her couch with a tub of ice cream and some bad tv. She trekked up to the front door and pressed the buzzer, portfolio in hand, waiting for an answer. 

[serenah-a]

[serenah-a]