Never Too Late
By lfleurdelys

Chapter 3

Her brown messenger bag unevenly thrown over her shoulder, she ordered a much needed caffeine drink from the recently opened coffee shop inside the hotel. She silently thanked her assistant for booking accommodations next to her place of work. With a glance at the time, she picked up the pace and marched outside, bundled up against the cold with a cream wool jacket. On her way to yet another meeting, she quickly realized that she had forgotten to mention tonight's arrangements to Darien. Mentally scolding herself for the oversight, she removed the cashmere-lined glove from her hand and found his number registered in her call log.

"Hello?"

"Darien, I hope I'm not interrupting," she started, cradling the phone to her ear while sipping the warm cup of mocha trapped in a tight grip by her freezing fingers.

"Not at all, I just got out of an appointment. What's going on?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to go out to dinner tonight with a co-worker and his wife. He's the architect for the project. I apologize for the late invite, but I meant to ask you yesterday."

"I'm mortally offended that you made plans with anyone other than myself during your trip," his voice smooth and rich before it broke into a quiet laugh.

"What if I make it up to you by spending Sunday with you? It's my last day in the city and my schedule just cleared out," she merrily counterattacked his ridiculous reply.

"That's a deal Serena. So when is the dinner?"

Her mouth quirked upward at his lighthearted eagerness and she notified him of the arrangements for the evening. She closed her cell phone after hearing the distinct click from the other end and hurried to the now familiar building across the street.

--

Satisfied with the results of her meeting with the partner in charge of the New York office, she stepped out once more in the chilly weather and attempted to shield her small frame from the cold wind sweeping across the city in its typically harsh manner. Her cell phone rang unexpectedly as she crossed the hectic street to her hotel.

"Hi Raye! How are you?" she greeted her friend, recognizing the caller's identity at once.

"Good, but jealous of my brother. He gets to hear and see you more than I do when I'm your supposed best friend," she ended her tirade with a mocking and falsely unforgiving tone.

"I'm sorry, I've been busy. This project is fantastic!" she added sincerely while a troubling thought was nudging her overly active mind.

"I'm glad you're there to spend time with Darien though. He's always been uncharacteristically lonely."

"What do you mean? He seems like the social butterfly to me," she replied, laughing at her childish comparison and remembering her week filled with their many agreeable outings.

"He has friends, but he enjoys his independence a little too much. I worry about him sometimes."

"What are you talking about?"

"What if he never marries and spends his life miserable and alone," the overprotective sister fretted with troubled concern.

"You're being dramatic Raye," she reassured her, hilarity sparkling in her sapphire eyes, "he's a great guy, he'll never be by himself. Besides, I hear that his bossy sister would never let him out of sight."

"Bossy! How dare you, I am the embodiment of the submissive and serene woman."

They shared a laugh at their usual and harmless teasing, before the worried voice of her friend turned toward their unpredictably informative conversation once more.

"I'm serious Serena," she reaffirmed confidently.

"I know, but have more faith in your brother. Weren't you the one ranting about his latest conquests the other day?"

"They're meaningless to him. He dates them and dumps them a month later. Maybe you can convince him to think of a relationship."

She pensively recalled her own discussion with Darien on the matter. The imposing words at the other end of the line widened her curiosity as she pondered their implication.

"Why me?"

The raven-haired woman impatiently explained, "You were also a serial dater in college before you met Seiya. Then everything changed."

"All right, I see your point," Serena reluctantly agreed to the atypical request. She pushed the off button a few minutes later, rubbing her temples in gentle circles to calm her confused thoughts.

Her loyalty certainly lied with her friends, and yet she could not help but wonder if she was intruding in unauthorized territory. She and he were rapidly developing a friendship of their own and although she understood his sister's well meaning concerns, she was uncertain whether it was her place to push him toward this unspoken path. She softly sighed at the image of him. He was a wonderful and charming man and she suddenly felt a throbbing pang of jealousy at their earlier conversation in the park. Who would be the lucky one to warm that unreachable heart of his?

She shook her head fervently. Surely, she was only concerned as his friend. Yet, memories of the past were mingling with the present and she found herself on the verge of falling in love with him for a second time. She furiously closed her eyes to chase away the unwanted realization in vain. She then made a firm resolve to carefully lock the doors to her difficult heart and welcome the distance once more. Distance. A desirable obstacle to set in motion the preventable feelings out of reach.

--

The phone glued to her ear, she opened her laptop to email the much-needed document. "It's now sent Lita," she said to her associate after completing the quick task during their second conference call of the week.

"I got it, that's a long one." She whistled in appreciation of the detailed work.

"I know, but it's only a rough draft for now. Do you think you can get started on the preliminary sketches?"

"Definitely. How was the meeting with the architect?"

"We fought at first, but I think this may be our greatest project yet."

"With the money they are paying us, I sure hope so. We need to deliver something fabulous Serena," she joked, yet recognized the truth of her statement.

"I'm confident as well. I'm actually going to meet him and his wife tonight for dinner. He's a great guy."

"I'm just glad you're not spending every hour of the day working on this project. Work shouldn't be the only priority in your life," she reprimanded her driven colleague.

"I know that. Don't worry about it. I've been seeing Darien as well," she casually added, intent on proving to her that she was far removed from the image her friend teasingly painted.

"And who is this Darien?"

"Just a friend from high school. He's Raye's older brother actually. That's all."

"I see," she pretended to agree.

"Lita, let's get back to business. There are many areas to cover."

She discussed the work they were to complete before she was coming home to face the fearless and imposing Mr. Jones, the partner in charge of their reputed office. She soon terminated the communication and continued to type the new ideas and the possible problems she might encounter during the length of the assignment.

Three hours had passed and, exasperated at the jumble of words before her, she closed her black laptop in one swift motion and turned the leather chair toward the large foggy window. She cursed inwardly and muttered a few accusatory phrases under her breath against the rough draft of her project proposal, yet she was incapable of dismissing the actual reason behind her cruel frustration. Unwilling to concentrate on her work any longer, she headed to the shower, angrily discarding her wrinkled clothes on the tiled floor.

The cold water was dripping on her heated skin, finally washing away the appalling thoughts she possessed earlier. She reached for a fluffy cotton towel and wrapped herself in the soft texture. Glancing at the ornate mirror, she twisted her blond locks in a messy chignon and smiled confidently at her reflection. She would not let ridiculous wonderings disturb the peaceful setting of her mind. Unfalteringly, she reached for her vanilla scented lotion and applied a generous amount on her arms. She exhaled loudly and continued her preparations for the pleasant and lengthy evening to come.

--

Hailing a yellow cab, she stepped inside and instructed the young driver on the restaurant's name and address. She made it a point to arrive in time, fully aware that the two parties did not exactly know each other, yet she found Darien nonchalantly leaning against the concrete wall with a certain degree of surprise. He was sharply dressed in an olive green cashmere sweater and tailored gray pants under a warm wool coat. He cocked an eyebrow, smirking at her reaction, and offered his arm before they walked inside.

"You're late," he whispered quietly to her, his warm breath caressing her fair neck.

She faintly shivered at the intimate gesture and went on, "You're the one who's early."

"Punctuality my friend. It's a game you should try one day."

She laughed despite herself. Tardiness was a terrible habit of hers that she had fought since her early academic years, but she still found the particular topic challenging at times.

"Raye has been telling you stories," she muttered, merriment dancing in her eyes.

"My informant will remain nameless," he declared ardently before chuckling at the disbelief painted on her soft features.

"Have it your way for now," she told him with a wink.

An organized line of patrons extending out onto the street waited to get a table inside the newly acclaimed restaurant, but Andrew had thankfully made reservations on time. They entered the beautiful area where decorative stone pillars supported white faux ceiling beams. The wallpapers were somber in color and a gothic chandelier illuminated the dark lobby. The flashy entrance led to a large room lit with recessed spotlights and extravagant thin veils offered the appearance of a secluded dining experience for each glass top table. The trickling sound of the waterfall in the background was another exaggerated feature and she grinned widely at the over the top design.

"Hi Andrew, nice to see you again!" she warmly saluted him before extending her hand to the dazzling blonde beside him. "You must be Mina, I've heard so much about you."

Her companion flushed at her words before jabbing a teasing finger in her husband's arm. "Forgive Andrew, he talks too much, but I've been looking forward to meeting you."

"And this is Darien Hall, a friend from the old days," she gestured toward the dark haired man and formal introductions were exchanged.

"The old days? Now I feel old," he jokingly replied and helped her remove her pea coat. Her pink silk blouse and knee-length velvet skirt were revealed and he smiled softly at the elegant and stunning attire. She caught his subtle stare and he quickly addressed the couple before him, "it's a pleasure meeting you."

"Serena, what do you think of the design?" the architect inquired, a chortle escaping his lips at the obvious question.

"It's certainly unique. What were they thinking? I'm assuming the owners did this on purpose."

"You wouldn't believe it if I told you. The designer is an acquaintance and he lost a heavy bet and thus the curtains as a result."

Laughter erupted at the inviting table and Serena declared in-between giggles, "a heavy price to pay indeed."

A waiter interrupted their comfortable conversation and orders were rapidly taken with hunger interrupting their train of thought. The executive chef of the restaurant had recently received rave reviews from a top critic and decisions were easily made concerning their respective meals. A bottle of red wine was eagerly poured into waiting glasses and while starting on succulent appetizers, the four individuals continued their discussion.

"So how do you two know each other? Let me guess, high school sweethearts?" Mina eagerly speculated as she glanced at the couple with newfound curiosity.

The unexpected conjecture caught her off guard and she quickly dismissed the romantic notion that had captured the blonde's contemplation. "Oh no, his sister is my best friend and we simply met this way." She did not dare to glance at the man sitting next to her and she shifted uncomfortably on the wooden chair.

"Definitely not, I was never able to convince her to date me," he replied smoothly.

She turned around and stared at him, mortified at his sudden banter. Nevertheless, she quickly recovered and playfully fought back, "what can I say, he never knew how to woo a woman."

The newlyweds shared the apparent joke while Mina nodded fervently. "Typical of men. The art of seduction is a difficult lesson to learn," she finished impishly.

"I disagree. Seduction is easy, but finding a worthy opponent is priceless. I'm waiting to meet my match, one who will not succumb to my charms from the first moment."

Joviality exploded at his arrogant remark and had not subsided for many minutes. "Darien, you're a riot," Andrew chipped in. He mockingly raised his glass to him as a sign of his supposed admiration.

"And Raye was actually worried about you," Serena asserted, wiping the few tears of glee that had fallen on her rosy cheeks.

"So Serena, why is a California-based firm in charge of one of the largest projects in downtown New York?" Mina inquired, easily changing topics. The two men turned their attention toward her, equally intrigued at the awaiting response.

"Aside from the fact that we're one of the best design firms in the country?" she joked and indisputably received smiles from her listeners, "the owner is from San Francisco and we successfully headed over half of his projects in the state. He's now expanding, toying with the idea of going nationwide."

"Impressive."

"I'm looking forward to seeing the final result of this one. It's exciting. It's the only thing Andrew can talk about these days."

She nodded enthusiastically, "I feel the same way."

"Well, I'm particularly glad that it got you to New York."

"Me too. And on this note, to newfound friends!" she declared with overflowing cheerfulness.

Amidst alcoholic drinks and chocolate soufflés, the dinner persisted and concluded in enjoyable conversation and four individuals promised to contact each other and renew their acquaintance at the first opportunity. While one couple quietly headed home, the other found their way back to a particular hotel as a certain gentleman insisted on escorting her back to her room. They exchanged reluctant goodbyes, both secretly unwilling to end the wonderful evening yet the silence remained unbroken as they parted quietly.

--

AN: Please Review! I'd love to get your feedback and it's encouraging me to write!