Chapter 2

Darien McBain was a man that likes to be in control of a situation but today was not going well for him at all. First it was raining with thunder and lightening which meant he couldn't take off back to his homeland and second some of his men had caught a serious bad case of cold. He sighs as he turned around and thought his day couldn't get any better.

He sat in his den room which he would always retreat to when he was either in need of peace or just frustrated and stressed. Today he was very stressed as thoughts ran through his head. Why did this have to happen now?

Darien thought back to his father's will, he had not been as sad as he should be when he had received the news of his father's death, he had never been close to his father as his father's life would always be revolved around his money. Oh he had spend many times with Darien but not for the reason of having father and son's time, no quite the opposite really he had taught Darien everything he needed to know of sorting out his money and running a village.

Darien had read the will about a hundred times and still the thought of it had never really sunk in. The will had said that Darien was to only to inherit the fortune as long as he was married by his 26 birthday. The mere thought of marriage had never appealed to Darien as the thought of settling down and the thought of love surely made him cringe.

He had the first taste of love but it had only left him running for his money and a piece of his heart. For many years he had built a hard wall around his heart and never wanted to face another heartbreak like that again.

He had fallen in love with a young woman name Beryl and he was ready to go down on his knees and make her his wife, but happiness was not written in stones for him as he later found out she was having an affair and was going to have another man's child. It had scared him mentally and physically.

That was the end for any serious relationship but now he was known for the biggest womanizer in his village. Sure everyone loved him especially the younger woman's for he cared for the people's health and conditioned unlike his father.

The knock on his door shook him from his thoughts and he command a come in. a young man entered the room with a letter in his hands. He took the letter and dismissed the boy.

He opened the letter and began to read;

Dear Darien,

This is Irene do you remember the old woman you have not visited in a while,(he laughed) do not fret I am not sending you a letter because I am angry for you not visiting but I am writing to you because I am in need of your help. Darien I am sorry but I am afraid that I am dying, yes I may not have long to live that is why in my behalf I am gravely in need of help. Do you remember my granddaughter Serenity, the young girl that you had quoted that you couldn't stand? I still do not understand why you both picked on each other constantly when you were both younger. But that is in the past now Darien, for I need your help in looking after my granddaughter and taking her in. I am afraid that she won't have anyone in this world when I am gone, and I have much faith and trust in you that I know you can see my granddaughter will be safe. Please this will rest my growing worry and what will make me happier is to see your charming face once again.

Love Irene Rand

Darien hands shook as the letter fell from his hands, he thought of the times when he was lonely and scared and Irene had taken him under her wings. He just couldn't believe that he was going to lose the only thing close to a grandmother.

He got up from his chair and demanded his men to ready some horse. As he saddled his mount he thought what Serenity would look like now, he grin knowing she was going to go mad when she finds out he was going to be her new guardian. He called out to his men and they rode into the night, while silent tears glistened in the moon.