"Oh, Darien," Serena cooed as she hung on Darien's arm. Tonight he had taken her for a drive in the county to a picknick dinner and then to a club. Serena had fallen asleep in his arms and now they walked home. Through drooping eye lids and wavering vision, Serena saw the nearly empty streets and golden sunset.
She rested her head on Darien's bouncing shoulder, his shoulder was soft even though it swayed against her ear. She closed her eyes and the shoulder carry her forward. Then it stopped. She dragged her eyes open and saw another boy and girl facing them. Forcing herself awake, she stood and looked at Darien face. Darien's was blank so Serena turned to the other couple.
The boy, now Serena saw he was about Darien's age, wore a blue vest and slacks with sunglasses below his brown hair. The girl wore a red dress with golden wavy hair; she looked so innocent as she looked around, like she had just woken up. Darien and the other man glared at each other for a moment.
"Is she. . .?" Darien murmured. His mouth quivered as he spoke and his eyes glared deep into the girl's chest.
"Nice to see you remember me," the man smiled, "She is." He turned his eyes to Serena, "And who is this model?" Serena felt Darien's skin grow cold for a moment.
"Serena," Darien grunted and Serena wasn't sure who he was talking to. Darien pulled her past, gracious in his new haste. Something of the moment had changed; his shoulder was not soft or gentle.
Darien pulled her into her house and looked around, "Where's Sammy? And your parents?"
Now Serena was concerned, Darien had never asked about them before. She looked into his unsettled eyes, "I told you that Sammy's spending the night at a friends house tonight and my parents are visiting my aunt's house this weekend. Darien, what's going on? Who was that man?"
Darien took a deep breath and seemed to calm, "he's a very sick man, I don't want you around him, okay?" Serena shifted and rose to kiss him. He pulled her close and held her.