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Limelight
By Karisma

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Chapter Three

Serena's initial thought was to push the stranger away and give him a sound yelling, maybe even slap him. But as his lips pressed against her own, she unwittingly found herself responding, and, as much as the news dismayed her, enjoying it immensely. All too soon, the man pulled away, and straightened to his full height, shooting her a private, curious look.

It was the first time Serena had a good look at his face, and boy did she have a good look. It was impossible to have a bad look at the man now seated next to her. Soley based on his looks, he was still attractive, but not as half as much with the added sheer aura of power that naturally surrounded the man. Serena snuck peeks at his chiseled, masculine features as if drawn by a magnet. Piercing eyes were set in a silver blue color that was so amazingly unique; Serena couldn’t place a specific one shade to them. They were followed by a nose that, if given a close second glance, was slightly crooked, as if it had been broken, only adding to the rumpled sexiness about him. The mouth that lay below, was the most tempting one she had ever seen, even for a woman like her, who didn’t exactly see opposite members of the sex as much as a young, attractive female should. She hadn’t seen his body, due to the fact she had been more interested in that kiss, but judging from the firm shoulders and torso that were above the table, she figured the rest of him looked as delicious as his face.

Finally, her staring caught his attention. He fixed his unsmiling, cerulean eyes on her and his mouth quirked up in a smirk at the ‘o’ her pink mouth was no doubt forming.

“He called me in as soon as he learnt of his sudden, drastic inspiration for a different ending.” From the tone in that husky voice, Serena knew he guessed it was Nigel’s wife who had caused the “inspiration”.

She offered a small smile of her own, and flipped idly through the pages of the new script, watching his reaction as he did the same, wondering what he thought of the changes. At the same time, her mind raced, not reading one word of the pages she was turning. There was no question about the fact that this was Mina’s boyfriend and co-star. She had kissed her twin’s boyfriend! More importantly: she had liked it; she had responded! But, Serena defended herself, there was no other way about it. She had to kiss him. She couldn’t exactly push away her supposed beau, that would cause even more suspicion.

Feeling better about herself and pushing aside the nagging feeling of how her heart had pounded when their lips had touched, she settled down to watch him. Discreetly, of course. She watched his eyebrows cock in scorn as he no doubt read the ‘touching’ scene at the very end, where loved conquered all in a fantasy world where pain and reality played no part in everyday life.

“Well, you should be happy,” Darien’s voice interrupted her thoughts and she blinked.

“How so?” she asked dumbly, realizing the mistake she made of looking directly into his all too impassive face.

“This is the ending you wanted, am I right?” Darien gestured to the script he had thrown on the table and Serena got the distinct impression he was mocking her for Mina’s hopeless romantic ideals.

She knew she should stick to Mina’s views and opinions. She knew she should play the part of Mina Kinsley and stay away from Serena. But somehow, she felt the need to prove to him that she wasn’t that-that way.

“I rather think this new ending spoils the entire, original plot we all worked so hard to create. It takes the real passion and love Chloe and Jared have and spins it around into something no better than the cheap endings you find in a paperback novel!” She shook her head as if agreeing to what she said and immediately quieted when she saw the pleasantly surprised look on Darien’s face. “I-uh-well,” she muttered stupidly, looking away and hoping to God he hadn’t figured out she wasn’t Mina.

Instead, he smiled, genuinely, his blue eyes slightly crinkling. “Well, Mina Kinsley, you surprise me.” Then he turned and began talking to someone Serena should have known, but was too busy staring off, soft smile in place, repeating his exact words over and over in her mind.

"Now that Mr. Eddington has cared to join us, I suppose I'll repeat my announcement." Nigel sighed and glared at Darien who took it all in stride. "Tomorrow's the photo shoot."

Darien blinked and cleared his throat. "I believe you're mistaken. We've done the shoot already."

Nigel laughed humorlessly. "Just get over here tomorrow at six a.m., Eddington."

Darien nodded and penciled a note in his own thick notebook.


Serena stumbled into the studio early the next morning, rubbing her eyes harshly, hoping to knock the block of sleep that seemed to be permanently attached to her. Adjusting the waistline of Mina's drawstring pants, she walked up to where everybody was meeting under the harsh lights. How could they look so awake at six a.m.?

"Well, Mina. You look lovely as always." Serena turned around to see the man she had met yesterday. Coolness came over her as she saw the man's eyes sweep over her, resting at her exposed navel where the white shirt didn't quite meet her pants. She tugged the shirt down and nodded curtly at him.

"Jordan, nice to see you."

She turned in time to see Nigel looking over at her and pointing in the direction of a door with her name on it. She took the hint and immediately scurried over.

An hour later, Serena was once again out in the spotlight. This time her baggy clothes were replaced with a yellow sundress and her ponytail replaced with loose waves around her face. Daisies were shoved in her hand as Darien, dressed in black jeans and a dark blue shirt came up next to her.

"Mina, turn." A voice behind a black camera commanded.

Bewildered, Serena did as she was told.

"Mina!" The voice was now exasperated. "Do I have to walk you through this?" At Serena's dazed look, he sighed heavily. "Okay, turn, that's it. Now look over at me, bend your head, yes! That's it. Hold the flowers closer to you." Serena felt ridiculous, her cheek was practically buried in the daisies and her neck was starting to cramp. "Okay, now Darien."

Serena felt herself stiffen as Darien's arms encircled her and his face nestled in the crook of her neck.

"Relax," he whispered, tickling her ear with his breath. She turned slightly and found his smiling into the camera. Sighing, she listening to his advice and loosened in his embrace.

Then, flashing her pearly whites, she was blinded by a bright light. A round of pictures was taken and Serena let out a heavy breath while make up artists swarmed around her, patting off the line of sweat that had accumulated due to the bright lighting and nervousness.

Soon she was in yet another outfit, this one Serena found to be a tad bit more revealing for her tastes. Fitted blue jeans and a white crop top that had her showing more of her tanned midriff than people had ever seen before.

Seeing Darien settled her nerves slightly when she took in their matching appearances. He, too, was wearing blue jeans and a white shirt, the sleeves rolled up, revealing strong, tanned arms.

The two of them were guided into a pose: Darien behind Serena, his arms wrapped around her bare waist while Serena's arms were intertwined behind her and around his neck. This position caused a considerable amount of more skin to be seen and Serena wriggled around for a bit until the photographer snapped at her.

After a few more pictures, each of which Serena found getting increasingly intimate and tiring from spending nervous energy, the photographer, whom people called Jed, announced the last round of film that would be spent on the movie.

Serena excitedly got dressed in a red tank dress and waited for her make up and hair to be done. She went out in a hurry, anxious to get home after this surprisingly tiring day. She smiled shyly at Darien and refused to admire how good he looked in a white dress shirt and black slacks.

“Rain,” she heard someone command and she was confused for a moment until lukewarm water spurted out from above. Within seconds they were both soaked to the skin and Serena’s hair was plastered to her face. A raven-haired woman that Serena had spent quite some time talking to while they were in her dressing room came out and shook her hair to a more “attractive” position.

Serena’s eyes widened when she saw a set being pushed to the right side of her. It took the appearance of a moss-covered wall and soon, it too had beads of water on it. She turned to look at Darien and sucked in her breath. The white shirt had turned transparent and clung to his lithe frame, leaving nothing of his hard chest to her imagination. He caught her staring and met her gaze with a cool look of his own. Apparently, he was used to this and she, as Mina Kinsley, was supposed to be also.

Serena turned away from his penetrating gaze and focused on the fake moss covering the “brick wall”. The lights were dimmed to give it the appearance of night and she heard the Jed’s voice instructing her movements. She walked over to the wall and leaned toward it, her face close to the “moss”. She raised one arm above her head and tilted her head up slightly as if looking to the heavens, slightly parting her full lips. Darien came over and Serena felt his warm chest against her back. She trembled slightly before commanding her body to stop. She heard the camera clicking away and wanted to moment to last forever and end quickly all at the same time. These feelings that were radiating out from her just by glancing at Darien was like betraying her sister and she wouldn’t—couldn’t do that.

Her guilty thoughts were interrupted when she felt Darien’s warm fingers tickle her bare shoulder when he swept her long blonde hair to one side. He gently kissed the sensitive spot near her collarbone. She stiffened and shivered at the same time. Jed hadn’t told him to do such a thing. Still, she wasn’t complaining. Stop it! She instructed herself, as she heard Nigel’s crow of happiness as the shutter went on clicking. Darien’s soft lips went up the side of her neck and much to her surprise he spun her around to face him. Her back pressed against the set drop and she looked up into his silver-blue eyes. They darkened with something indefinable and his lips continued their assault to her senses. As his kisses traveled up her slim neck and chin, Serena vaguely heard whistles and catcalls coming from somewhere far. All she could concentrate on right now was the passion Darien was openly expressing to his girlfriend. Mina Kinsley. Not Serena Kinsley.

Not her.

With that last thought, Serena squeezed her eyes in pain at what a betrayal she had committed in loving every moment of Darien’s display of public affection. Then, before Darien’s lips found her own, Serena pushed him away from her and side stepped away from him.

The rain stopped and the entire room was silent, their eyes on Serena. She laughed nervously and wiped the raindrops from her face. “That’s all the entertainment you’re getting, folks. Go home and watch the cable you’re paying for.”

The room broke out into laughter and Serena felt like crying. She had gotten away with it. But now what was she going to do? For the next two weeks she had an immediate boyfriend. Only problem was that he wasn’t really her boyfriend. When had life gotten so complicated?

When Mina Kinsley knocked on her door, Serena answered and immediately berated herself. Mina coming back was one of the best things that happened to her in a long time. She had her sister back. Who she had desperately needed after the death of their father. Serena had sent a formal letter informing Mina, but the two hadn’t sat down and discussed the horrible tragedy like sisters should. They would do it as soon as this was over, she decided firmly. But right now, she had to get home and away from one temptation in the tall and dark form of Darien Eddington.

She quickly dried off and got in the clothes she had arrived in. She waved good-bye to everybody, smiling brightly. When she passed Nigel, she grinned and reached out to hug him.

“Be here bright and early tomorrow. Same time.” He ordered after they had separated. Serena furrowed her brow, Nigel had said shooting for the move started the day after tomorrow.

“What for?”

Nigel sighed in disgust. “Your own shoot,” he spat out and wrinkled his nose. Immediately, Serena knew the disdain in his voice and expression was not held for her. “I’ll explain tomorrow, it’s another one of Elaine’s brilliant ideas.”

Serena patted his back sympathetically and made her way out into the dying sunlight. They had worked well into evening. After looking around the parking lot for some time, trying to discern what she was looking for, Serena realized Cary had dropped her off and she hadn’t arranged to be picked up. About to take out Mina’s cell phone and call a cab, Serena felt someone approach her.

“Need a ride?” A familiar voice said behind her.

Serena whirled around to see a clean-cut Darien, looking as if he had just stepped out of a shower, with his black jeans and leather jacket. His hair was wet and slicked off his forehead.

She debated the loaded question he had just popped up. She shouldn’t accept, she knew she shouldn’t. But wouldn’t it be suspicious not to ride home with your boyfriend? Calm down, she ordered. He’s not asking you to marry him—it’s just an innocent car ride.

But as she nodded her consent and followed Darien to his sleek BMW, she derived the impression that nothing about Darien Eddington was innocent.

The car ride to her penthouse was filled with a nervous silence. Well, at least for Serena. Darien looked as if he was perfectly at home not holding any sort of conversation with his girlfriend. The ride finally ended and Serena all but jumped out of the vehicle.

“Thanks,” she rushed out breathlessly. She prepared to shut the door when Darien’s calm voice stopped her.

“Don’t be silly, I’ll see you up.”

Her mind raced. It was all too dangerous for him to get even closer to her. But how could she refuse. Besides, if he wanted to come in, she could just tell him she was tired from the long day. That wasn’t exactly a lie.

They arrived at her door and Serena made a big deal of looking around. “No big, bad monsters.” She quipped and reveled in the sound of his quiet laughter. The comfortable moment was lost as Darien lifted his head and made eye contact with Serena. After an eternity of silence, she managed to break the intense moment and coughed uneasily. “I-um, thank you for the ride,” she stuttered. “Good-night, Darien.”

He nodded and smiled slightly. “I’ll see you tomorrow night for dinner, then?”

Serena panicked. A date!? There was no way she could handle a date with him alone. She could barely deal with being near him in a room packed with people. “Tomorrow night?” She started in a strangled voice. “I really think I’ll be tired from work by tomorrow night.” It was lame, she knew it. But what else did she have?

“It’ll be an early dinner then,” Darien coaxed and Serena got the distinct impression that he was deciding it for her, not asking. “An early, short dinner.” He added at her look of reluctance. “We have a lot of things we need discuss.”

What things? Serena wondered. But that didn’t matter now. What mattered was getting him away from her so she could recover her senses and gather her equilibrium--which seemed to be scattered everywhere at that particular juncture.

She nodded silently and stared down at the carpet.

“Good,” Darien stated. She remained silent. “I’ll see you then.” His then tone grew softer, causing Serena’s head to lift up in curiosity. “Good night, Mina.” With that, he bent his head and kissed her softly, his warm lips light on her own. Pulling away abruptly, he turned on his heel and walked away, his movements fluid.

Serena stumbled into Mina’s apartment, hand over her mouth. She sank down onto the sofa and closed her eyes, the taste of Darien’s kiss still lingering.