As of Yet Untitled
Chapter Nine
By: Karisma
Rated: PG-13
Genre: Alt, Romance
www.geocities.com/karismafanfic
Karisma456@hotmail.com
Standard Disclaimers Apply
February 2001



I spun around, though some part of me had known who it was even before
he had finished the first word. I clenched the thick book guiltily behind
me back, moving to counteract him when he stepped closer and cocked his head
to the side to see what I was hiding behind me.
"I-uh,I." I trailed off stupidly, trying to answer his question, but
all the while knowing there was no way to lie myself out of this even if I
wanted to. And I didn’t, I need this confrontation.I had needed it for quite
some time. Whether or not it would give me closure from this insane
attraction and pull Darien had over me, at least I would know about him and
his reasons and his pain and what he was feeling.
"That’s interesting," he deadpanned to my brilliant reply to his
question. His reply was meant to be amusing, but he didn’t smile.
I took a step back and he followed. The book was still in my grasp and
I knew it was only a matter of minutes before I would run into a wall or
bookshelf and find myself cornered like prey. Before that happened, however,
in one swift move, Darien’s long arm twisted around and snatched the album
from my hands.
He furrowed his brow as he flipped through it and when I saw his
reaction, I knew he had not known what I was doing, though his steel voice
had implicated he had. Afraid of the fury that would no doubt be in his
brilliant gaze, I searched frantically for an exit. Unfortunately the only
one was the doorway, which would require me to dodge past Darien. A feat,
which I not only was not fast enough, but not brave enough either.
Squaring my shoulders and sticking my chin up stubbornly, I prepared to
face reality.
He slowly lifted his head and his face was shockingly expressionless.
"Why?" He spoke the word clearly, yet softly. There was a thread of doubt
and what I thought could be hurt in his voice. And his tone made me feel as
if I had betrayed him in some way.
Shrugging of the blameworthy feeling, I answered bravely. "I had to
know."
I expected him to demand that I elaborate since my reply was not the
clearest and detailed. Instead, he nodded slowly as if he understood
everything I was feeling.
"How long have you known?" I lifted my head up to meet his gaze and
almost gasped. Never, in the entire time I had known Darien, had his
blue-silver eyes been this open and naked before. A world of emotions
swirled and I was silent, staring at him, discerning the many layers of
self-doubt, anger and suppressed pain. Whether or not he was being this open
to me willingly, I did not know. But soon enough, the mask was in place,
closing off and setting up a thick wall that would take endless patience and
time to crumble.
I finally realized I should answer his question. "Andrew told me, but I
don’t think he knew you didn’t want me to know." I paused before asking
softly. "Did you not want me to know?"
He sighed heavily and looked away, pushing a hand back through his dark
hair. That was answer enough for me.
"Why?" It was my turn to say the word. I pressed on, "We’ve known each
other since we were children, why couldn’t you tell me? Why was it kept a
skeleton in the closet?" I remembered my earlier thoughts. "Do your parents
know?"
"They know all right." He laughed humorlessly, the sound cold and
bitter. "Both our parents know. And they both tried to stop me, along with
Andrew. But I didn’t listen." He seemed to dwell on that for a bit and for a
while I thought he would elaborate, but he suddenly shook his head to get
rid of such memories and focused on me. His eyes were glittering and hard.
"You think I wanted to show off my complete idiocy in marrying one of the
cleverest, conniving witches known to man? You think after all these years,
the first thing I want to tell you is that I, like a love-struck fool,
impulsively married an unfaithful woman who couldn’t be farther from the
ideal wife and mother? Forgive me for not sending out cards about my
failure, Serena." He finished his tirade sarcastically, but I knew it was a
cover. He was hurting, maybe not by Melissa’s unfaithfulness, those wounds
had probably mended, but his pride was in shreds. He saw Melissa’s inability
to be a wife, much less a decent person, his own failure. Instead of letting
her mistakes be hers and hers alone, Darien had taken on the majority of the
responsibility for his ruined marriage.
"Did she cheat?" I had gotten that she had from whatever Darien had
managed to slip out, but I was not sure.
"Did she cheat?" Darien began to laugh, low and deep, but aching was
still obviously the overriding emotion. I didn’t join him, in fact my face
was deathly serious. "Serena, I think Melissa was faithful about a week, the
first one, on our honeymoon. After we came home, I have it on good word,
that she made her way through my entire office." He smiled wryly as I
winced. The sting of such cruelty must have been awful to endure.
I stared at him in wonder, trying to discover what on earth Melissa’s
problem could be. To cheat on such a wonderfully unique man, to through away
a lifetime of loving him, and having that love returned. I felt a pang of
jealousy, one that I did not deserve to feel, but did nonetheless. He had
felt for her strongly, incredibly strongly, perhaps love, for the pain of
what she did to have hurt him this much. Did Melissa know what she had done?
"She’s either incredibly stupid, or just plain crazy." I had not meant
to say that, not out loud. I felt Darien’s eyes focus on me from a few yards
away and couldn’t bring myself to meet his gaze. Instead, the dark wall held
my undivided attention for quite a period of time.
"Why do you say that?" He asked softly, coming closer. I swallowed;
this was exactly what I had feared.
"You’re a great guy, Darien." I stumbled through a sincere, but
non-committal reply. "And any woman would be lucky to marry and have a life
with you."
"Would you?" He inquired so quietly that I wasn’t sure that he had said
anything at first, and when I realized what I thought I had heard, I nearly
fainted.
"Well, I..uh...I," I cleared my throat and forced myself to calm down when
I saw the flash of his smile. I decided to turn the situation into an
amusing one. "Well, if you’re asking, I suggest you get a rock to back up
your statement, and getting down on one knee wouldn’t hurt."
His bark of laughter was enough to bring a smile to my own lips. After
a moment of comfortable silence, I worked up the courage to ask him a
question that could infuriate him and ruin whatever spark of friendship or
anything more I had with Darien. "Did you love her?"
I had expected him to yell, or tense up with silent rage. Judging from
his lecture in the car when I first arrived, his real reaction was nothing
short of stupefying. He titled his head thoughtfully before finally
answering calmly. "No, now that I look back, I don’t believe I was." His
tone grew dry. "Which is a blessing, considering how hard I would have taken
it if I had been in love with her."
"Your wife cheated on you with co-workers and you didn’t care?"
"Well, I thought I cared. Back then, I thought my world was falling
apart. But now, I realized that mainly my concern was over how I could have
been so naïve and how I would face my co-workers."
My jaw dropped at his statement. "Wait a minute, you were just dealt
with a severe blow concerning the lack of your wife’s fidelity, and you were
more agitated over your career?"
His brow furrowed disapprovingly. "You make me sound like an unfeeling
robot." He frowned.
I sputtered for a bit before realizing I was a tad bit, insanely happy.
Darien hadn’t loved Melissa and the news made me ridiculously pleased.
Confused at my emotions I then decided to go onto a different issue before I
made him lose his temper. "So if you didn’t care that deeply for Melissa,
then why not give marriage another go?"
His face darkened and he remained silent, his jaw tightening.
"Once bitten, twice shy, I suppose. Right?" It was meant to taunt him
out of his silence. Maybe even question his masculinity so much, he would
angrily say he was thinking about marrying again.
"No, you’re not right, Serena." His voice was calm and even, and it
irritated me beyond words. The fact that I couldn’t get under his skin, even
with such a jarring comment, and he could effortlessly get under mine,
annoyed me.
"Then?" I challenged. "It can only get better, Darien. You didn’t love
Melissa and your marriage did not work out. Also, you gained wisdom and
insight that assist you in making the right choice for a partner." I paused
before added gently. "It can only get better."
For the second time, Darien surprised me. "Maybe you’re right, Serena"
He said. "Maybe you’re right."
And then he left.

****

The next day, it rained continuously, with no signs of it letting up.
Sometime after breakfast, I sat by a window seat, chin cupped in my hand,
propped up on my elbow, watching rivulets of water slide slowly and rapidly
down the clear pane.
"Hey," a voice called softly behind me. I didn’t have to turn around to
know who it was.
"Hey," I echoed and felt him sit next to me, staring out at the same
scene I was.
The area directly in front of us was a large circle of set gravel with
a picnic table in the center. It was completely dry due to the awning above
it. Around the picnic area was a trim of flowers and then large expanses of
manicured, now wet grass. The grass sloped down a gentle hill to where the
pool lay below, covered with a bright blue tarp. Access to the pool area was
either running down the curving slope or the gentler, slower approach:
around to the stone steps where a simple, but beautiful garden was planted.
"Bored?" Darien gently asked, and I nodded.
I snuck a peek at him, studying his dark profile as he stared
thoughtfully ahead. His demeanor was light, but controlled, and it was as if
nothing had happened last night.
"Okay, that’s it!" My father’s voice boomed from the study and after
exchanging looks, Darien and I made our way there. We found the rest of the
clan already there. "I am sick and tired of the moping!" He glared at all of
us.
"Bryan is right," Darien’s mother agreed. "We can still have fun today.
It’s a reason to celebrate! Rita and Andrew have gotten married!"
"What do you suppose we do?" I rolled my eyes and gestured to the
window, where it was still raining heavily. "Have a picnic?"
My mother’s eyes lit up and I knew I was going to regret my sarcasm.
"That’s a delightful idea, Serena!"
"Um, Aunt Alicia?" Andrew asked slowly as if speaking to a child, though
addressing her by the names we had bestowed upon each others’ parents.
"There isn’t that much sunshine outside."
"I know, Dear." She responded evenly, either not recognizing or opting
to ignore Andrew’s patronizing tone. "But it is still a reasonably nice
temperature outside," that was true, out here when it rained, it was still a
mild temperature,"and we have a nice, dry place to have the picnic!" She
clapped her hands, settling the matter and bustling off to explain the
situation to Lita, the cook.
Rita’s Uncle and Aunt seemed shocked at the suggestion, obviously still not
used to our extended, impulsive, and plain weird family, but they agreed
nonetheless.
We headed out, making a mad dash for the dryness of the concrete. Only
Darien stayed behind, savoring the feel of the cool rain on his skin. I
stared at his slow descent from underneath the awning. For a man who seemed
so immaculate, he certainly didn’t mind getting wet. He reached me and
grinned, before grabbing my arms quickly and swinging me out into the
pouring rain. I shrieked and tried to fight him, but he only smiled wider
and tightened his grip on me. I could hear the other’s cheerful laughter at
my plight. It was not long before I was soaked through my short, jersey
dress. My only redeeming factor was that it was a dark color and not too
heavy.
By this time, I could practically see the future ahead of us this
afternoon. Whenever we had a surprise rain shower during the summer, we
always ended up playing games in the rain. I had learned from experience,
wet jeans were not comfortable to play in, nor where they any fun to get out
of, so I looked with dismay at Rita’s jeans and boat neck top.
Darien’s grip had relaxed, he was obviously sure that I wouldn’t try
and run away. With one deft motion, I gave him a hard shove, landing him
straight down on the wet grass. I barely looked at his surprised face before
I stuck my tongue out childishly and ran into the kitchen to help Lita.
After a few moments, I came back out with a veggie platter covered with
plastic to see indeed, the games had begun. I immediately recognized with
surprise that Mina, Raye, Chad, and Melvin had dropped by for a brief visit.
They were all playing in the pouring rain with Darien, Andrew, and Rita. I
smiled as I quickly realized what they were doing: our very own version of
rain Marco Polo. The point of the game was that one blindfolded person stood
in the middle of a circle formed by the other players, trying to grab them
in a hug by calling out to them in the traditional manner. The boundary was
in the large square from the picnic area to the steps down to the pool.
All of our parents sat watching from underneath the awning, munching on
carrot sticks, looking amused at our childish antic, just as they had done
years before.
I smiled as I passed them, careful to stay as far away from the game as
I could. Lita, looking quite happy for a woman who was drenched passed me on
her way back from the picnic table. We both stopped, in no hurry due to both
our wetness, and I invited her to stay for the rest of the picnic, even play
for a bit.
"No, that’s okay," she smiled and pulled a strand of brown hair away
from her bright, green eyes. I had practically grown up with this woman, yet
her tall figure and manner had not changed one bit. "At my age it’s awfully
hard to get rid of a cold so I better steer clear of them!" With that and a
small laugh, she made her way back into the large house.
I continued my path across to sit with our earlier generation, debating
whether or not to join in on the game after I finished putting all the food
out.
"Marco!" I heard Darien’s strong voice call out playfully as I placed
the platter on the wooden table and retraced my steps back.
"Polo!" I specifically heard Rita’s voice as she raced past me, a
blindfolded Darien following at a much slower pace.
Suddenly, large and very wet arms folded around me. I looked up in
surprise and saw Darien pulling off his blindfold to see whom he had caught.
His teasing eyes stilled as he realized whom he was holding, holding quite
close actually.
"Doesn’t count," I said lightly. "I’m not playing."
He didn’t smile as he placed the drenched handkerchief in Andrew’s hand
and walked the rest of the way to the kitchen,with me still in his arms. I
was forced to stumble along backwards since Darien obviously had no
intention of letting me go. I didn’t dare hazard a guess at what the others
were thinking, but I suppose they could pass it off as another one of
Darien’s jokes on me. We made it to the empty kitchen where I decided to try
and disentangle myself from Darien’s arms.
He loosened his arms from around my back to slid lightly around my
waist. He lowered his head, gently nuzzling my neck. "I think this is a much
more fun game." His lips slightly grazed my ear and I shivered
involuntarily at his touch.
I placed my hand firmly on his chest and gently pushed him away. "I
think we should both get back."
He didn’t look the least bit irritated, or even bemused at my rebuff,
instead his eyes gave the impression of one being entertained. I was still
confused when he replied evenly, merriment dancing in his eyes, "Normally, I
would do as you wish, but I know that isn’t what you want so I’ll choose to
ignore that comment." He leaned in toward me as if to kiss me and I
side-stepped him.
"Well, your perception must be off today, because that’s what I do
want, and I’ll appreciate it if you do not ignore my comments." I crossed my
arms over my chest protectively and took a defensive stance.
Irritatingly enough, he still had that non-perplexed, mirthful quality
all around him, which only served to fuel my aggravation.
"I still think you’d rather stay in here with me."
"Oh, you do, do you?" I retorted snappily. "Well, how about you lay out
my clothes for me, and cut up my meat, and while you’re at it, why not just
change my diapers!" I ended furiously, throwing my hands in the air with
exasperation.
"Ah," he began knowingly, unsuccessfully trying to hide his smile.
"We’re back on the ‘treating you like you’re five’ kick."
"It is not a ‘kick’," I said disgustedly. "It’s the truth, now I’m
going back out there. Whether you choose to remain here with the
refrigerator is up to you." My tone by now was frosty and clipped. I made a
move to pass him in order to reach the door. His laughing voice stopped me,
"So do I get to bathe you too? Is that part of the deal?" My jaw
dropped at his audacity and I reached my arm out, fully intending to slap
his arm hard. Instead, he quickly grabbed my wrist and tugged me to him,
covering my mouth with his own.
I briefly considered wrenching myself away from him, but my mind soon
became mush with the intoxicating feel of him and the alien smell of clean
soap and masculine aftershave. With a sigh, I wrapped my arms around his
neck and let myself be lost in the warm and delicate kiss. After some time
that seemed like an eternity and only few seconds all at the same time, we
both pulled apart.
We both stared at each other for a moment, before Darien’s crooked
smile snapped me out of my drugged trance. "Now tell me you want to go
back."
My eyes widened in hurt and anger at the prospect of being used. That
was what it had all been about? A test to prove who was in control? To show
me that he could turn my emotions off and on like a switch? It hadn’t been a
sweet, tender kiss between two people; it had been a chance to show off his
authority. And I played along wonderfully, I realized with disgust aimed at
myself. All that time I had spent denying my obvious attraction to him and
he had just been flexing his muscles—proving he could make any woman melt
for him.
I narrowed my eyes, keeping my jaw incredibly tight. I brushed past him
brusquely, all but running out of the kitchen, my blood boiling so hot, I
wasn’t the least bit cold in my cotton dress.
"Serena?" I heard Darien’s surprised voice behind me, but I forged on,
my steps loud and clear, not even giving a signal that I had heard him.
I made it out to the yard where the rain was still coming down heavily.
Forcing a smile on my face and strengthening my resolve to have fun and
throw Darien’s cruelness in his face by showing him the wonderful time I was
having. That and by pointedly ignoring him, I was certain Darien Sandborn
would be an unpleasant memory, filled with a few stolen kisses and nothing
more.
I joined the game immediately, being sure to kick off my shoes so I
would not slide as easily. Andrew tied the blindfold around me and we
resumed playing. After some time, I caught Rita and was able to pull the
world of darkness off of me and relay it on to her. I noticed Darien staring
at me intently from the bench, his eyes narrowed as if he was trying to
solve the puzzle he apparently thought I was. On a whim, I laughed and
smiled just a bit more, raising the voltage of my ‘happiness’.
As if we were playing poker, Darien stood up, saw my happiness and
decided to raise his own bet by joining the game himself. I made my face
expressionless to his decision, only making sure to steer clear of him
wherever he was.
Before long, I was ‘it’ again and I began to run after whoever I heard,
with the exception of Darien. I made sure to catch someone in the opposite
direction when I heard his uniquely husky voice call out "Polo".
I had a grip on a female hand when I my foot slid on the slick grass,
causing me to fall, crashing into a hard body behind me. I felt both of us
fall down and then tumble down the wet slope of the hill. When I finally
came to a stop on my back, I groaned and propped myself up on my elbows,
yanking off the handkerchief on face. Many yards away, I made out the
bright, blue tarp on the pool, rain tapping relentlessly on it.
I rolled over on my stomach and pushed myself up, my palms and knees
flat on the grass. I stood up and straightened the skirt of my dress, making
sure it covered my thighs appropriately. I then looked up to see the poor
soul I had carried down with me. I began laughing when I realized that the
‘poor soul’ was ironically Darien, who lay sprawled on his back, looking
quite dazed. His hair was tousled and his clothes slightly disheveled. All
in all, he looked about the most rumpled and uncontrolled I had ever seen
him. Here was Darien, cool and always in command Darien, looking up at the sky
in a daze. For a moment, worry ran through my veins, what if he was
unconscious or dead? But soon enough, Darien raised his head and groaned.
My amusement quelled my sour mood from earlier and I amiability offered
my hand to him.
He looked at my hand and then me for a long moment before finally
saying. "So I guess this means the silent treatment is off?"
I was still quite upset at what happened in the kitchen, and rightfully
so. But something about the entire situation and my inexplicable, new found
joviality made me smile instead of answering him with what would be a
reassuring lie.
He smiled back and I steeled my nerves against the power of that
charming grin. He accepted my hand and covered it with is own large, warm
one. I pulled back as he was lifted up, and promptly fell down at the
unexpected weight that was put on me.
Oh, how the tables were turned, I thought with dismay as I saw Darien
looming over me, laughter curving his sensuous mouth and mirth crinkling the
corners of his cobalt eyes. I shifted uncomfortably on the grass, a grimace
on my face for a split second before it was replaced with a giggle. Here I
was, on my bum with my wet hair and a now clingy dress in the pouring rain.
"Need some help?" We both laughed for a moment and I accepted his
proffered hand. He lifted me up with surprising ease, but too much force. I
crashed into Darien’s chest. After a second of staring at his soaked white
shirt, I lifted my head slowly to find him staring down at me, a strangely
slumberous look in his darkened eyes.
I stepped back, fully intending to push him away and not let myself
fall into this trap once again, but he was too quick, winding his arms
around me securely and pressing his lips against my hair.
"I’ll meet you in your room tonight," he whispered hoarsely before
letting me go from the fierce embrace.
Not responding, I jogged up the hill, laughing and relaying tales to
the large, curious group ahead of me. Needless to say, we discontinued the
game, opting to eat instead. But even as I let myself enjoy the good food
and wonderful conversation between friends and family, I couldn’t help but
notice the warm, liquid feeling flaming in my stomach every time I thought
about what Darien would say tonight.

****

Later that day, I was sitting on my bed, files scattered upon my
comforter as I organized them to compile data. I adjusted my small,
gold-rimmed glasses before resuming fingering the slim, silver cross I wore
around my neck. I had been up here since after dinner, working on my single
client’s advertisement.
When the door opened and I immediately knew it was Darien, my gaze flew
to the clock and was surprised to realize it wasn’t as early as I thought it
was. Time apparently flew. As I saw him, I felt less than glamorous in my
white knit shirt and soccer shorts.
Darien softly closed the door behind me and settled himself on my bed,
fingering the stacks of paper around me. "Hey." He said quietly.
"Hello." I offered distantly, remembering what I had learned in the
kitchen earlier today.
He noticed my aloof tone and sighed heavily, as if he were a victim
being persecuted by an unfeeling woman. "What did I do now?"
"Why do you assume you did something wrong?" I answered with a question
of my own, no warmth seeping into my voice.
"You’re usually a lot more receptive than this," he smiled charmingly,
relaxing on his side, crooking elbow and cupping his head with his hand. It
was the most casual I had ever seen him and it unnerved me to see him this
close and comfortable.
"It must hurt you deeply to see a female so immune to your charms," I
bit out sarcastically.
"Oh, my heart is breaking," he assured mockingly, his smile never
leaving his face. He leaned over to tuck a stray hair from my ponytail
behind my ear. "Nice glasses." He shifted gears so smoothly I gaped at him
before gaining my equilibrium.
"Thank you," I said stiffly.
"They suit you better than your old ones," he continued suavely and I
suddenly remembered that time so long ago in my bedroom when Darien saw me
without glasses for the first time.
"I like my contacts better." I replied shortly, watching him settle
back down in his previous position.
"Me, too." His mouth curved up slowly again. "They show off your eyes."
He leaned forward, his voice hushed. "And I love your eyes, Serena." He
placed the lightest of kisses on my lips before drawing back to look at me.
"As a matter of fact, I love everything about you." He shifted his body in
one swift motion so I was suddenly in his arms with no idea of how I got
there. "Your hair, your skin, your smile, your laugh, your mouth," he leaned
in about a breath away from my lips. "I especially love your mouth." And
then there was no more talking as I lost myself in his dizzying embrace,
intoxicated by his expert kisses, and unwillingly wanting more.
I managed to force the reasons why I should not be doing this into my
thoughts and immediately pushed him away vehemently, both our breathing
labored.
"While that’s a nice thought, and I’m flattered," my tone was curt,
showing I was anything but. "But I don’t really see any reason to continue,"
I could not bring myself to say the words, so I gestured to us.
"Any reason?" He repeated, cocking one dark eyebrow. "How about this? I
like you and you like me, so how about we go steady? I’ll carry your books
for you and walk you home and we’ll even pass notes before homeroom." His
disarming grin was back in place.
I scowled at the high-school reference and crossed my arms over my
chest. "I think you have attraction mistaken for keeping your reputation
intact."
His smile disappeared quicker than a cobra struck its prey. "Excuse
me?" He asked icily.
I stuck my chin up stubbornly. "Admit it. You can’t stand the thought
of any woman not throwing herself willingly at you, so you resort to seducing
them, whether or not you find them appealing or not!"
He stared at me, shock written clearly all over his angled face before
his eyes turned black with tight anger. "I’ll give you a minute to take back
what you just said." He said lowly, his voice dangerously soft.
I was too indignant and pushed away the modicum of fear that crept
coldly in me. "And if I don’t?"
"You sure changed to be a gusty thing, didn’t you?"
I blushed deeply, not knowing how to respond to such a statement. But I
held my ground, my eyes never leaving his in silent surrender.
After a moment, he sighed heavily. "Serena, I consider myself to be a
strong individual, and with that, I recognize the pride I have within me." I
snorted at the understatement, but was silent when he shot me a look. "But
I’m insulted that you see me as so egotistical I would go beneath every
sense of morality I have. I would never compromise myself and any woman just
to pacify my ‘reputation’ and apparently extraordinary ego." He bit out the
last part caustically and I was surprised to realize I believed him
wholeheartedly. His demeanor changed from artic to sunny in two seconds
flat. "But I, too, am flattered that you believe me to be so, appealing to
all women."
I groaned inwardly at the compliment I inadvertently bestowed upon him.
"Wonderful, now I’ve managed to feed that, what was the term you
used,‘Extraordinary ego’, to even greater proportions." I finished wryly,
salvaging whatever shred of pride I had left.
It apparently worked because Darien tipped his head and chuckled at my
dry wit. When he finished laughing, his expression turned solemn as he
looked fixedly at me. "You’re different."
My jaw all but dropped at the two words. "What is that supposed to
mean?" I asked shakily, not sure if it was a compliment, an insult, or a
random comment.

"It means exactly what I said, you’re different." Darien smiled at my
bemusement.
"Oh," I said dumbly. Then I decided to get right down to business. "Now
the fact of the matter is, this must stop." I tried to make my voice as
stern and unambiguous as possible.
"And why is that?"
"Because," I implored, desperately wishing he would recognize the truth
of what I was about to say. "You don’t want a relationship."
"Says who?" He pretended to look offended and I squeezed my eyes shut,
praying he would stop taking this so lightly.
When I opened my eyes and continued, I saw my face must have set some
spark of graveness inside him. "I want all the things you’re running away
from: a serious relationship, a commitment, marriage, children," He remained
silent and I took a deep breath before persisting. "If we should continue
whatever we have right now, one of us would come to expect certain things
that the other is not prepared to give, and that would just lead to chaos
everywhere!" He raised a brow at my seemingly exaggerated thought. "It’s
true!" I insisted. "Our families are close, Darien, and if we parted on bad
terms, it would effect everyone, not just us. Our relatives would grow
bitter at each other and things would never be the same!"
"I think," Darien began slowly and quietly. "That you worry an awful
lot for such a small girl."
I groaned in exasperation. "Well, I have to worry enough for the both
of us, because you certainly aren’t!"
"The reason I’m not running around like a chicken with its head cut
off," he said, smiling affectionately, which I returned with a glower, "is
because the only thing I see is two people who would like to make a go of
it. Everyone else be damned."
"Haven’t you been listening?" I exploded. "Even if the issue of our
families weren’t one, there is still too much conflict between us. I told
you what I’m looking for, and it is exactly what you don’t want and aren’t
ready for!"
"How do you know I’m not ready?" He asked carefully.
"You told me!" My patience was all but spent, while Darien had a
plethora of it with his calm demeanor and gentle smile. I took a deep,
soothing lungful of air. And then began, much slower this time. "It wouldn’t
work between us, you know that. You’re you and I’m me."
"And that’s always been a setback." He deadpanned.
I didn’t notice the thread of amusement in his voice as I nodded
empathically.
"Serena," he said calmly, speaking very slowly as he lowered his head
to be under mine and stared directly into my eyes. "This is between you and
me. If I’m going to marry you, I certainly don’t want ten other people in
our marriage, family or not."
I tilted my head up and opened my mouth, fully prepared to launch myself
into another tirade, when I stopped and narrowed my eyes, not sure if I had
heard him correctly. "What? what did you just say?" I whispered scarcely.
He looked positively smug at my being stunned stupid. "If I marry you,"
"Marry?" I interrupted him, my eyes growing larger by the second.
"Marry!"
"Yes," he said patiently. "It’s when two people who care about each
other deeply, go to a place, usually a church, and..."
"I know what a wedding is!" I snapped, before softening my face and
getting back to the original point. "You want to marry me?" The question was
slightly embarrassing, leaving myself open for blatant rejection.
"Well, how can I manage to do that when you adamantly refuse to start a
relationship with me?" I tried to scowl at his cockiness, but found I was
too delighted to do such a thing. "Now, if I try and kiss you, will I get
slapped?"
"Do you get slapped often?" I asked smartly, a grin curving the corners
of my mouth up.
"Are you kidding? With this face?" He admonished with mock smugness.
"As you said so yourself, woman fall at my feet." He let an arrogant smile
sweep over his face and I promptly picked up the nearest thing at my
disposal, a dark blue scarf, and tossed it in his self-satisfied face.
His expression grew serious as he took the scarf and looped it around
my neck and tugged the two ends toward him, bringing closer to him. And then
he kissed me, slowly and thoroughly as if we had the time in the world. For
a moment, I vaguely remembered I had overlooked to question him about the
change of heart and attitude toward matrimony, but as Darien deepened the
kiss, all thoughts of such things flew right out of my head.

****

A few days later found me blissfully happy at my desk, in my own,
rather large office, rejoicing in the success of my latest client. I spun
around in my black leather chair, much like a child enjoying a ride. After
my fifth turn, I faced the doorway to see Darien gazing at me with his
eyebrows raised, trying to hide the beginnings of a smirk. I blushed and
cleared my throat, "And how may I help you?"
"So formal?" He chided, crossing the room with few, long strides. He
pecked my cheek and then leaned back against the corner of my desk, looking
down at me. "I’m leaving for the dinner now, do you want a ride?"
I looked with dismay at the stack of papers I had yet to look over in
my initial excitement concerning my newfound success. "Ah,I’ll meet you
there." I smiled sheepishly and he grinned knowingly at me. He turned and
walked out of the door, and with one more look at the work that awaited me,
I called out, "And tell everyone I’ll be a bit late."
I heard his deep laughter ring through the empty halls as he strode
over to the elevators. I sighed at forced myself to concentrate. About half
way through the fine print, the phone rang shrilly, cutting through the deep
silence that the barren atmosphere had created.
"FS Enterprises, Serena Fields speaking." I said politely, idly tapping
my pen against the wood of my mahogany desk.
"Ms. Fields, this is Mr. Siel’s secretary, I’m sorry to be calling so
late, but there has been a slight mishap concerning the sales. If you would
be so kind to meet Mr. Siel tonight, it would be greatly appreciated." I
sighed heavily. How could I say no?
"Where should I meet him?"
The surprisingly familiar voice gave me an address and took my promise
to be there in twenty minutes.
When I arrived at the abandoned warehouse, I triple checked the piece
of paper in front of me, willing it to magically change every time. Surely
this desolate place, filled with heaps of tires and other unwanted and
orphaned parts could not be where I was intended to go. "Hello?" I finally
called out tentatively.
"Glad to see you could make it." The voice on the phone said coldly,
and I struggled once again to place it. The woman stepped out of the
darkness in a finely pressed Chanel suit and I finally saw her face.
"Melissa." I said, letting out my breath. "What is this all about?" I
waved the paper in my hand with a flick of my wrist.
"What?" She pouted derisively, her eyes glittering with something dark
and indefinable. "No hellos?"
I glared at her silently, my contempt for her undisguised and vibrating
in the thick air surrounding us.
She lost whatever sarcastic pleasantries she may have been ready to
lavish on me. Her crimson mouth tugged upward in a sneer, her green eyes
raking over me slowly as to reassure herself of her own superiority.
"Well," she said smugly after her survey of my 'assets', "that confirms
it." Her tone had a triumphant ring echoing through its words.
"Confirms what?" I lost a bit of my confidence, thought I’d die before
I let her know it. Melissa was a bit taller than me, even with my low heels,
and she took advantage of every inch she had over me.
"That Darien wants one thing from you." She told me, as if it was
blatantly obvious to everyone but myself.
"And what would that be?" My assurance was back with reinforcements.
This had to be absolutely ludicrous, with no possible verification. The only
thing that was driving Melissa to this was jealousy or absolute greed. But
still, listening to how she would try and poison me would be entertaining if
nothing else.
"Money, darling."
I stared at her for one long moment, trying to decide whether to burst
out laughing or stay open-mouthed in shock. "Honestly, Melissa. You would
think a woman such as yourself could think of something more intelligent
than that. Money? Darien has more of it than me!" I finished with a
condescending laugh that let her know exactly how preposterous I thought her
to be.
She simply smiled at me patiently, her face serene; the only clue that
her passive comportment was not true was her blazing eyes. "People always
want more money, Serena. It’s called greed for a reason. And Darien’s access
to more wealth and power comes in the shape of a five-foot six, innocent
little thing who is dense enough to believe that a man, especially one such
as Darien, could want her for anything more than her trust fund."
My temper flared and I lost whatever upper hand I had over Melissa. My
calm demeanor was all I had to let her know what I thought of her, with her
last words I let go of my restraint and let her clearly see what impact her
words had on me.
"And you know this from experience?" I replied scathingly.
It worked. Melissa’s aristocratic nostrils flared slightly at the
mention of her feminine appeal being questioned. "Darien wanted me as a
woman, he sees me as one. You, on the other hand, are just one blank check,
in the form of a, ah, rather petite girl." She once again let her icy green
eyes flick over me from a much greater height, saying the words with such
disdain, one would think I was vertically challenged.
I nodded innocently. "Yes, Melissa. I suppose you may be quite right."
I saw her haughty look of vanity as fuel to continue. "But if Darien sees
you as such a magnificent woman, then remind me again why you are divorced?"
Melissa’s perfectly painted mouth tightened in a grim line. "I didn’t
sign a pre-nup, Serena. That was the biggest mistake of my life. And I
didn’t come here to exchange insults; I came to warn you. Don’t make my
mistake."
"Oh, I know your mistake, Melissa. Don’t worry. And I also won’t be
doomed to repeat it, because unlike you, I don’t intend on cheating on him
with the entire office!"
Melissa’s eyes grew wide and for the first time I noticed a chink in
her impenetrable, icy armor of steel: she was terrified of people knowing of
her infidelity. One leak and her entire case of alimony would disappear
faster than a cobra could strike. Then, as quickly as the alarmed look had
washed over her features, it was gone, replaced with the same look of
implacable frigidness.
"Look," she seethed through clenched teeth, "I just came to warn you:
stay away from Darien! it isn’t an idle threat, Serena." She extended her
long pointer finger at me, the smart red polish glinting in the dim light.
"Jealous much?" I smirked.
Melissa’s voice turned dangerously soft, a complete antithesis of her
formidable temper. "He’ll take your money and your business and then leave
you, just like he did me. Only this time, he’s smarter. He won’t love you
like he loved me, no matter what you do." Her demeanor turned smug as she
referred to the way she broke Darien’s heart and trust, as if it was a
crowning achievement she had yet to be praised for.
"Well, that’s a bit startling, considering we mean to wed." I lied, the
words escaping my mouth before I had a chance to cool off from her vicious
retort. I had the satisfaction of her brief startledness before her composed
mask was in place once again.
"I see Darien has wasted no time in his plan." She sneered, lazily
plucking invisible lint off her impeccable emerald-colored skirt. "Say
good-bye to your business, Serena. Because once Darien had taken you for a
ride, and left you berefoot and penniless, he and I will be enjoying our long
overdue reconciliation in Paris. That’s right, think back to that day when
Darien left you and came to meet me. I’m not supposed to tell you, it isn’t
part of the plan. But I do feel sorry for you, Serena, so don’t ever say I
was never charitable."
I stared at her in shock, a seed of doubt reluctantly planting itself
deep within me. Darien had left that morning and came back ready to pursue a
relationship, perhaps get the plan into action? But no, he couldn’t, he
wouldn’t. In any case, nobody could fake the kind of passion we had
together, not even someone as experienced as Darien. I thought back to my
lie and decided to override it with the truth, knowing full well I would get
more answers that way. "Darien has only mentioned marriage lightly, I highly
doubt he will take affirmative action in the near future."
Melissa cocked one perfectly arched, mahogany brow at me, tossing her
thick hair behind her shoulder. If she recognized my blunder, she gave no
physical proof of it. Smiling that practiced twitch of hers, carefully
produced as to not leave any wrinkles in her later years, she gave me a
knowing look as if explaining things patiently to a child, who could not
conceive even the simplest of matters. "He will, darling. He will."
I chose to ignore the dripping caustic venom with which the endearment
oozed of. "I’m sure, Melissa." I bit out, with equal hostility. "It seems
perfectly reasonable to me that Darien will marry and then crassly dump a
woman who comes from a family he has been, and always will be--in close
contact with. It makes such perfect sense, I shudder to think of my
obtuseness for not catching this ingenious realization myself. You have
superb detective skills, Ms. Greson," I was careful to use her maiden
name, "might I suggest a career as a sleuth rather than bed-hopping?" With
that final word, I spun on my heel and left an enraged and shocked woman who
was so hell-bent on revenge and a bit more money, she gave no thought as to
how much she lied, cheated and manipulated people’s thoughts and emotions.
"He took my business away, Serena. He came back to me, but he won’t do
the same for you. So be careful with him."
I continued walking away from the dimly lit, abandoned building as if I
hadn’t heard. Darien and I were in a relationship and as much as I willed it
to go toward marriage, it wasn’t happening; Darien just wasn’t ready yet.
And if Darien had no inclinations to get married, than he could not very
well be gold digging, now could he? Satisfied with that indisputable logic,
I revved my engine and pulled away into the night; far away from Melissa and
her lies and closer to Darien.
I dropped my keys with a small clatter in a small bowl near my door,
kicking off my shoes as I did so. Humming lightly, I unbuttoned my navy blue
jacket and draped it over a chair on the way to my balcony. Stepping into
cool night in my bare feet, I shivered lightly in my light, crème colored
blouse and looked out into the dark night. Lights everywhere twinkled and
shimmered, forming a constellation of life even in the velvety stillness. My
eyes intent on the scene in front of me and my mind a million miles away,
focusing on a rather unpleasant conversation I partook just a few minutes
before, I did not notice another’s presence until I felt two strong snake
around my waist and hold me back against a hard chest. I allowed myself a
sharp intake of breath and immediately released it upon hearing a familiar,
low chuckle.
"You scared me," I reprimanded, welcoming the secure feeling of his
warmth seep into me.
"I know," he replied insolently, propping his chin atop my blonde head,
sharing the spectacular view.
"How would you like that slap," I muttered a referral to our past
conversation.
"I’d gladly accept it, on the sole condition that I’d get a kiss
afterward."
I turned in his arms and smiled up at him, basking in the feeling of
tenderness in those dark eyes.
"I missed you at dinner," he said softly, tracing my jaw lightly.
My eyes widened, "I’m sorry, I completely forgot!"
He laughed, his eyes crinkling in the corners in such a way that I was
reminded of a young boy chasing me around the pool. "I figured as much.
Don’t worry, I covered for you."
"Thank you," I said sweetly and kissed him lightly on the cheek. Moving
away, I entered my warm apartment, heading for the kitchen.
Darien followed me inside and sat down on the sofa, watching me from
his vantage point. "Are you planning to stare at me all night?" I called,
not turning from my search for a glass in my cupboards.
"Yes."
I came back with two glasses of water and handed him one, smiling
nervously at his intent gaze. When he didn’t say anything more, I sat next
to him and broke the silence. "What!"
He smiled serenely. "You’re beautiful."
I blushed and stuttered at the unexpected and direct compliment.
"Well.I,ah, thank you." I stared down at my water glass as if were a crystal
ball.
"Serena?"
"Hmm?" I looked up expectantly.
"Marry me."