A
Vision Of You and Me
Chapter
7 --- The Show of My Life
By: Neo-Queen
Serenity
E-mail:
serenausako@hotmail.com
Webpage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Shrine/6436
(Two
months later)
Darien exited
through the side doors from the backstage sitting room, where Serena was
attended by a group of assistance helping her with the make-up and hair
style. His eyes darted around the
brightly lit room and saw Andrew waiting for him at the front rows of the
audience seats. That area was
specially reserved for them to have a better view of the T-shaped stage.
The two men
watched each other, from the bottom of their eyes, both saw understanding,
admiration and certain trace of nervousness. Suddenly Darien was so grateful of his
friend, for giving him such a great opportunity and the end of a rope to climb
the high-above social ladders of his career. From what he saw of Serena, he knew she
was fully prepared and not a bit nervous.
After all, she’s far more worldly and experienced with such
occasions.
The reportors
were already filing in with their equipment and positioned at best angle toward
the stage, setting up to make the news headline of tomorrow morning. Their
cameras and lights directed to the blue crystal entrance to capture the first
glimpse of Serena Murphy.
Darien took a
seat beside Andrew, and stretched his legs out while reaching behind to rub a
sore muscle at the base of his neck.
His eyes wandered around the auditorium with unconcealed
fascination. It was a large room,
with the capacity of thousands of audience and the light effects were best
around the T-shaped stage. The stage itself rotates 360 degree periodically for
eye capturing effect and the four difference backgrounds would reveal at
once. The one facing them right now
was decorated like some palace, with pillars of sapphire crystals and velvet
blue curtains. The setting was
under water, but vivid and daring.
But one could see the moon, slanted at the perfect angle across water and
a soft beam delicately landed at the center. A ray of moon beam, nearly invisible,
delicate, untouchable, and it would vanish. Thousands of lights were adjusted at the
right place to contrast against the powdery night-like ceiling, representing
stars. And Darien felt it
illustrated more of a deep sea fairy land than an elegant fashion
show.
He had just
finished watching Serena with her last moment make-up procedure and clothing
arrangement while Andrew waited him outside. The crowd were already filing in like
waves of tide, and the lights dimmed little by little, gradually, very
sleek.
There were the
decent groups of Paris society who were attending this show, after all, the
ticket with dinner before this and a ball afterwards cost five thousand francs
in total. And how could he forgot,
they were the useless group with nothing to do, but come together to chat about
their golf practices while their wife and daughters gossiped about their newly
purchased jewels and commenting drolly on the latest fashion.
But how could he
forgot about the incident with Serena beside the river, which was more a
volcanic, uncontrolled emotion which disturbed his quiet, organized life? Darien remembered, how Serena had
deliberately avoid any chance to be alone with him, not to mention he attempted
the same. She became quiet, very
obedient and attentive at listening to whatever he had to say and he was having
a hard time to maake up the connection betweenthe arrogant, cold-hearted model
the press had described her. She
was thecalculating, money-thirst woman who had no life; she was the angel with a
stunning smile, but she was no saint; she was a book, open up right in the
middle, with the first pages covered and the last pages unknown; she was beauty,
pride and...
Yet what she
displayed was a mystery, and from what little he hadglimpse of her life, Darien
was caught up in a midst of confusion.
That pained and miserable, at the same time, hidden emotion which ran
across her expressive eyes just before their lips came in contact hadn’t gone
unnoticed by Darien. That sparkle lit up the path to a door, and he knew, it was
her past, and her life. But he saw
a lock, a gigantic lock with rust, long ago closed with the key threw away. Then Darien understood why...
While Darien was
having a hard time figuring out his emotion, Serena was desperate to sort out
her own. Before, her life was
simple, miserable, dull, but easy to live nevertheless. And now, everything became more
magnified and complicated, a thousand times. Whenever she closed her eyes, she saw a
pair of piercing, yet gentle blue eyes regarding her with tenderness. Then they became larger, larger, tugging
her into the magnificent depth, then she woke up.
What made Serena
most uneasy was the fact that this
handsome young man made her feel special, though he had never displayed a
fondness toward her or anything those sophisticated men she’d known from the
past. But he’s distinct in his own way, very silent, very hidden and with a
great deal of hidden potential.
Then she was angry with herself, because whenever she saw him, her
treacherous heart leap with joy. It
was unexplainable, unacceptable, undeniable.
Serena Murphy has
an intelligent mind, she knew fully well the threat he posed. Darien Calt is dangerous to her peace of
mind, but at the same time, he’s more than fear, he’s...joy. Realization dawned on her,
terrifying. Perhaps, she had grown
so much closer to the man than she had thought possible. This feeling that he caused which
reminded Serena of her naive, long
abandoned dream brought a poignant tenderness to her heart. But if she let him become something
other than the mutual cooperating relationship between them, she’s jeopardizing
her own life, and his. Not to
mention public scandal.
Serena knew she
was running away, for the first time in life, from something she feared in life,
whiling knowing fully well at the same time that the other side of this danger
is happiness, a life time of love and joy. It was tempting, alluring. And it
provoked her to wonder the definition of the word
"denial."
The lights were
completely dimmed, creating a mystic atmosphere in the auditorium. It was intriguing, and enticing to one’s
senses. Everyone quiet down, when the moon beam slid across the crystal floor
and crossed with the dimmer reflection of itself at the entrance. A princess
entered, dressed in a sapphire blue gown of elegance. It suited her to perfection. And she was Serena. She was draped in blue, white rose
petals entwined with the thick gold rumple of her hair, the moon beam caught in
them, and they seemed to dissolve into liquid gold.
She stepped
forward, floating like a blue whirl of delicate wave, the dress followed her,
trailing in a sleek line. It was
like magic, and everyone were captivated, including
Darien.
Serena came
closer, the cameras flashed in the background, capturing her stunning
smile. Her face was more oval now,
and the ivory tint softened her high cheekbones but brought out the blueness of
her eyes. They sparkled, glittering
like the sapphire and diamond necklace at her throat. But her eyes were alive, full of energy
and beauty. She stopped and posed
for her audience, a smile never wavering.
But it was professional, softened.
Then Serena disappeared as the stage rotated.
Serena keep on
appearing until all of Darien’s designs were on display. The crowd were excited and awed. It was
intimidating to be in close association with Serena Murphy. She’s fit to be a princess, and
everything lit up with elegance by just by having her being there. A gown of snow-white silk, with puffy
sleeves and the skirt bordered with pearl and lace. A outfit of coal black, the skirt
twisted in a sleek line above her feet.
A dress of forest green, the lace brown ribbons entwined against her gold
curls...
Serena turned again, but this time, her
eyes sought after Darien’s. He was
watching her as well, approvingly.
They gaze locked again, and Serena smiled. A real smile bursting like
sunshine. And a strange tenderness
unfolded itself in Darien’s chest.
It expanded, slowly, steadily.
Neo-Queen Serenity's Crystal Tokyo was originally established on August 18th, 1998.
It is owned and operated by Neo-Queen Serenity
