Ch. 2: Dinner Date
Title: Heart's Pain
Author: LightningRose
NOTE: Ok in the first chapter when Serena got home I wrote that she had dinner with Mr. Marcus that's wrong its Mr. Mason my bad. Ok same DISCLAIMER!
Andrew unlocked the door to his hotel room just as his cell phone started to ring. Taking his jacket off before answering, he sat on the couch next to the small kitchen.
"Hello?"
"How did dinner go?" He recognized his partner and best friend's voice right away. He was too tired to have this conversation but knew Darien had been waiting all evening for the details.
"It started out shaky and then progressed nicely. She wanted to pass the project on to another designer but I insisted she do it. We even came to an agreement that we would be civil and get along while we worked together. I was surprised when she agreed." Undoing his tie and laying back to rest Andrew thought back to the dinner meeting with Serena.
She was rigid and so unlike her old self, not at all the cheerful relaxed girl she had once been. She was cold and straight to the point, very mature and it was sad really. She barely cracked a smile when he joked. She used to smile and laugh all the time.
"So she agreed to do the designs herself, that's good. So how is she?" Andrew frowned at the question; maybe being completely honest would be the best way to answer. It was his friends fault after all.
"She's not the same that's for sure. She's….well basically the complete opposite of how she used to be. Very calm and collected, she gets straight to the point there's no beating around the bush with her. And she really grew up if you know what I mean." He laughed at his own joke; of course Darien wouldn't know what he meant. His laugh didn't last long however.
"No I don't know what you mean, what exactly are you saying Andrew?"
"She's beautiful, I mean she was always beautiful but in that innocent cute way. But now she's this sexy woman. If I wasn't married to Mina I think I would have forgotten all about the business part of our dinner."
"I doubt she has changed all that much Drew, anyways I will be in town in a few days, don't let her know I'm your partner till after the contract is signed. We don't want her backing out." The two hung up, leaving both to sit there and think about the conversation.
Andrew thinking about how much Serena had changed and hoping she won't try to kill him for tricking her about just who his partner really was. Darien thinking about what Andrew had said about his ex.
"A sexy woman huh? She was a pretty little thing when we dated but I just can't see Serena as sexy. I guess I will see in a few days." Leaving his thoughts about his ex alone Darien went to bed.
The next two days went by in a blur for both Serena and Andrew. For Serena it was hell, she was up to her ears in designs and too busy for Andrew's antics. When he said he wanted to get along again he really meant it. He hung out in her office, constantly chatting and telling her what he had been up to the past few years. Letting it be known he married her ex friend Mina, who was currently pregnant with their second child.
"Andrew if you insist on staying in my office the entire time I work out the details for the contract then please make yourself useful. As much "fun" as it is for me to hear about your life, I could use something to eat as I'm sure you could as well." The sarcasm was dripping from every word but Andrew looked past it. She was right though, it was nearing three pm and they had skipped lunch.
"Alright I'll run down the street and get us a pizza, you still love pizza right?" Serena stopped writing; she looked up at Andrew and nodded. She hadn't eaten any type of junk food in over three years. Now that she thought about it, pizza sounded amazing.
"Um yes….extra cheese?" Andrew gave her a big smile before walking out, after the door shut a small smile appeared on her face as well.
While Andrew was getting the pizza, Serena had a small meeting with another client which she forgot about. She was sitting at her desk when a knock sounded on her door.
"Yes?"
"Mr. Mason is here for your 3 o'clock meeting Ms. Stanton." Paul opened the door and allowed a young man to walk past. Serena looked up from her papers in shock. How could she forget about this meeting? This was the owner of a multibillion dollar company; he was her biggest client right now. She stood up quickly, knocking a few papers to the ground in the process.
"Mr. Mason, please take a seat. I'm so sorry I forgot about our meeting, I've been so busy." The man smiled at her and took a seat in the same chair Andrew had been residing in all day.
"Diamond please, I would prefer it if you were less formal with me. We will be working closely together after all." Serena could only nod and smile, the man was breath taking. She could barely keep her eyes to herself at their dinner meeting the other night. He had unusually light hair and the most piercing light blue eyes. As strange as it all was, he was very stunning.
"Of course, you're very right. Then I insist you call me Serena. Just let me get some of these papers out of the way and then we can begin going over your designs." She lowered down to one knee trying to keep a lady like position in her skirt at the same time.
"Serena is a very beautiful name. Of course it fits you perfectly." Diamond smiled when he noticed the light blush run across her cheeks. He had been quite taken with Ms. Stanton the moment he laid eyes on her. She was indeed one of the most beautiful women he had ever had the pleasure of meeting. He was planning on asking her to dinner tonight in fact.
"Well thank you, that's very sweet." Finally gathering all the papers that fell the two started to discuss the designs Serena had already started on.
They might have been in there a total of thirty minutes before the door burst open.
"Alright pizza is here!"
Serena and Diamond looked up at the same time to see Andrew strut in with two boxes of pizza in hand. Serena glared while Diamond frowned. Andrew only looked nervous.
"Guess I should have knocked huh? I can wait outside." He was about to walk back out and shut the door when Diamond stood up.
"No it is quite alright. I need to be getting back anyways. Serena why don't we have dinner tonight, we can go over more details and it would be nice to get to know you better." Andrew didn't like this guy; he was clearly hitting on Serena, using work as an excuse to get her to go out with him.
"Of course, that would be great. Just leave the information with Paul my secretary when you leave. He will let me know the details. I will see you later tonight then." Serena smiled and they shook hands, Diamond had to take it one step further by kissing her hand, causing another blush to form across her face. After he left the room was silent, Serena in a slight daze, and Andrew in a not so happy brooding.
"Who was that?" Finally speaking up, Andrew placed the pizzas on the desk, before plopping down in the opposite chair the man was sitting in.
"That was Diamond Mason; he's a client of mine. Next time knock, this is my office you know." The two ate in silence which made Serena happy; she really didn't want to hear more about everyone's lives.
The rest of the day went by just like lunch, Serena working, Andrew looking over the contract and making plans for the designs for the restaurant. Before they both knew it, it was dark outside and Paul was reminding Serena of her plans for the night.
"Serena you do know this guy wants more than just to go over business right? He probably has things on his mind that well…he shouldn't!" The two were walking out of the building together, when Andrew decided to speak up. He still had the idea of an innocent Serena in mind, and the big brother protective shield quickly went into play.
"Andrew, I appreciate your concern I really do. But you really don't need to bother. If I'm lucky he has the same thing on mind that I do." Smirking at her surprised "friend" Serena got into her car and sped off towards her apartment. Leaving Andrew standing on the sidewalk with his mouth open.
Serena was supposed to meet Diamond at this well known but very private Italian restaurant in twenty minutes but she couldn't seem to find her heels. She was wearing a tight black dress that she probably wouldn't have worn on a business dinner but she wanted to make a great impression. Beside the man was gorgeous and she hadn't been on a date in a few months. This was exactly what she had been looking for. If she played her cards right, not only would she have a multimillion dollar contract but she might find a good man to date.
It was while she was on the floor looking under her bed did her doorbell ring, scaring and confusing her. Not many people knew where she lived, and those that did rarely showed up unannounced. Standing up she straightened her dress and made her way through the apartment, reaching the door just as the doorbell rang a second time.
"You only have to ring it….once." Standing at her door was none other than the very man she was supposed to be meeting.
"I'm sorry; I can be a bit impatient. One of my many flaws I am afraid." Diamond smiled charmingly before taking a moment to fully look her over. She was breath taking as always, only tonight she dressed up just for him. It made his hopes soar, asking her to dinner definitely was a great idea. He would have to send his thanks to her secretary for giving him the address to her apartment.
"Wasn't I supposed to meet you? Paul gave you my address didn't he?" Serena couldn't help but smile at the situation. She wasn't mad but shocked, inviting Diamond in she explained how she had lost her other shoe and it would only be a minute before they could leave.
"I thought it would be better to pick you up myself. Don't be mad at your secretary, I think it's better this way. Now we have more time together." He knew she could hear him, he was speaking quite loudly and she gave small responses. Finally after a few minutes she walked back into the living room where he stood, ready to go with both shoes on foot.
"You look very lovely tonight. I hope you like Italian food." Diamond led Serena to the restaurant he had reservations for, keeping his hand at a respectable position on her lower back.
"Thank you. You look very handsome as well. And yes I love Italian food." The two were seated in a relatively private area. Diamond even pulled out her seat for her, loving how he can bring a blush to her face so easily.
"Serena, I must admit I did invite you to dinner other than just discussing business. I hope that doesn't make things awkward, it's just I rather be forward with you as I can sense you're the same. I like you and find you extremely attractive; I would like to possibly make this our first date." Diamond's intense blue eyes captivated Serena, she knew she was attracted to him as well but for him to put it out there so bluntly the moment they sat down made her even more anxious about their dinner.
"I feel the same, I mean I am very much attracted to you as well and though I don't think it's healthy to get involved personally with clients I don't think I will be able to stop myself. I would love for this to be our first date." Serena blushed and smiled in return to the one on Diamond's face. After settling the reason for the dinner and how they both would like to start something together, they proceeded to eat and enjoy their dinner together.
Andrew stared at the phone next to his bed, he knew any minute now Darien was going to call but he didn't know why he felt nervous. It wasn't like Darien still loved Serena, why would he care she was out on a "date" with another man? Seriously right it's been years, she's moved on she has a right to be with another man.
The phone rang and Andrew felt his heart stop. After talking some sense into himself he picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Drew, change of plans I'm flying in, in the morning. I should arrive by 9am; did you get the contract signed yet?" Andrew was in shock, why was he flying in so soon! He wasn't supposed to arrive for another three days.
"Oh wow why so soon Dare? I've only been here a few days were still in the talking process of the contract it's not fully written up yet. She's going to back out the moment she sees you." Andrew was walking around the room in a panic, looking through his papers and trying to find Serena's personal number. It took him forever to get her cell number.
"I won't show myself until the contract is signed, but I feel it will be easier if I'm a part of the negotiations, like actually seeing the drafts and what not." With that said Andrew plopped down in the nearest chair, he could swear he felt a mild heart attack developing.
"Good, you scared me there for a second Dare. I would hate to bother Serena tonight anyways; she'd probably chew me up and spit me out for disturbing her date." It wasn't till he spoke that he realized he just blurted out the information he had been dreading to speak about to his friend.
"A date huh? Thought she was a workaholic, well if she has time to play around then I want the contract signed by tomorrow. See you in the morning." Yup the anger was perfectly clear in his friend's voice.
He always knew Darien never fully got Serena out of his system. No matter how much he claimed to "love" Raye.
That night was a long one for Andrew, getting all the paperwork together. He knew tomorrow would be a long one what with Darien flying in and possibly pestering him about every little detail, and Serena wouldn't be too happy with the progressive need to have her sign her sweet little name on the contract.
Yes definitely a mild heart attack by the end of this whole project. He would be lucky if he even made it home to see his family again.
"Oh No! I forgot to call Mina again! These women are going to be the end of me…"
