Once in a Dream Part 6 --- Tell me your love By: Neo-Queen Serenity E-Mail: serenausako@hotmail.com webpage: http://crystaltokyo.cjb.net Laughter like silver-bells rang around Darien’s ears. He turned from Beryl’s embrace and looked toward the source of laughter. His heart soon identified this laugh, the most sweet and musical laugh he ever heard in his entire life but at Perth only a week ago. His eyes caught a vision of pink whirling in the room with two little girls around her. Stunned, even he already know that was Serena. She looked like a goddess. Dancing and laughing with two little angels around her. Exercise caused color to rose on her pale cheek, staining the smooth surface with lovely rosy hue, making her face even more beautiful and irresistible. Darien looked around room and soon became aware that he was not the only man in the ballroom who was amazed by Serena’s beauty and charm. Beryl looked up at Darien’s averted face and followed the direction of his blue gaze. She soon saw Serena dancing with Jane and Mary. A frown crept up her brow. Jealousy and Resentment boiled her temper. What does he think he’s doing? Drooling over her like this. Beryl gritted her white teeth and threw her arm around Darien’s neck at the same time, pulling him into a deep kiss. Caught unexpected, Darien pushed her away from him and walked away, leaving Beryl standing stunned behind him. ******** Serena walked outside to the balcony on the same floor of the grand ballroom. Faint music of the orchestra and Christmas Carol penetrated the thick glass doors. It was freezing and dark outside, but she didn’t mind at all. She felt so lonely, depressed and helpless at this moment. Serena had danced with Jane and Mary through the whole time, it was fun, she’d to admit that. These two little girls were her favorite among all others, she was fond of them, she loved them. Yet it was a different sense of loneliness that bothered her. Serena wished there is someone there with her, dancing with her. But if that "someone" she wished for was Darien, then it was due to be a daydream or illusion. The only person she ever fell in love with loved another woman, not her, not in a million years. The chocolate cake and bet with Lita, all forgotten and thrown to the back of her mind. Serena turned her face upward. The moon was beautiful in this late and wonderful Christmas Eve. Moonlight landed on Earth, reflecting on a thick sheet of white snow. The silverness engulfed a lonely figure on the balcony whose face upturned toward the sky. Serena felt her vision blurred and her eyes quivered. Tears forced its way to her blue eyes. She didn’t wipe it away, tear flowed freely down her pink cheek. One, two, three...pearl like tear beads disappeared into darkness under her feet, melting and mixing with the pure white snow in this freezing, cold winter’s day. A warm coat suddenly landed lightly on her exposed shoulder. Serena turned to see the face but stopped before she complied her common sense. Her eyes was still tear stain and she did not wish to be seen. "The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?" the owner of the voice was actually Darien. "Yes. I like it." Serena replied uncomfortably. "Don’t you think you retreated too early? I didn’t mean to offend you, Today is Christmas." Darien whispered softly, his voice reluctant. "I am tired, if you would excuse me, I need sometime...alone." She trailed off. Not looking to her face, Darien leaned on the railing beside Serena. Serena averted her face to avoid any eye contact with his eyes. "Serena, here is something I want to tell you." He started with a very low and deep voice, too low as if he was talking to himself, too low that Serena could barely hear it. Serena didn’t say anything, she was silent. "I don’t know how you think of me...but I know something from the fist time I saw you...I admired your beauty and charms. Your smiles and laugh tormented my every night and day. You face appeared in my mind no matter where I am or whenever it is. I don’t know if I can hold on much longer. I want you to know-you don’t need to give me a reply now. But, will you give me a chance?" Darien’s faint voiced trailed off into darkness, but it’s impact on Serena’s mind was tremendous. She was shocked. She thought she had dreamt what she heard. "Are you kidding me Darien? I know you despise me greatly, but you don’t have to insult me like that." "I am not trying to insult you Serena, what you heard a moment before was truly from my heart." Darien said sternly. "but-" "Don’t you believe me, Serena? You saw me dancing with Beryl didn’t you? What love have I for Beryl? None, not to mention that, what love does she hold for me? None. My appearance, my wealth, my position and my title were all she loved and cared." Serena suddenly felt his warm breath on her neck. Her body stiffened and shivered under it. "Do you really, sincerely love me?" Serena asked him carefully. "Yes, from all my heart. I love you more than the stars, than the moon itself." "Then let me read your face..." Serena pleaded. Darien turned toward her and Serena looked into his eyes. The deep ocean blue eyes she’d starred into last time, his face was dark, covered by the shadows of the balcony, but the love on it could not be denied. His faced looked down at her, his eyes flashing with honesty and sincere. Serena drew in a deep and cold breath, "If that’s the case, I have some confession to make as well: I love you too." It was now Darien’s turn to be surprised. "Turn your face to me Serena." He ordered. Serena turned to him only to be kissed by Darien gently on the lips. He had kissed her before, at the end of dance at Perth, only this time more loving and sincere, it healed all the pain and wound of her lonely heart. Serena broke away from him, a tired smile spread across her tear stained face. Darien smiled too, his pulled the coat on her tighter and pulled her toward the direction of the ballroom. "God, you must be freezing staying out here like this." He exclaimed and collected her tears from her redden cheek with warm finger tips. "Well, not any more..." Serena whispered and smiled dreamily. Dreaming I am always dreaming; Dreaming love will be mine; Searching I am always searching; Hoping Someday I will find; Someone Someone to love me; Someone Someone who needs me; But until then I'll keep on dreaming; Dreaming Till my dream come true. To be continued...