Darien came home with a huge smile on his face. Serena was an amazing woman. She was smart, funny, and a bit weird at times, but he enjoyed her company. Their date was wonderful. He never sat for four hours, just talking to a woman before. They had to keep ordering drinks and food just to not get kicked out by the staff. The bill was high, but paying for it was worth it. Serena was willing to pay half, but a true man always pays on the first date.

He laughed to himself as he remember how loud she screamed when she accidentally spilled her water. Lucky it was water. Her pink face was the cutest thing in the world. He never thought he would be dating a twenty one year old writer. A children's author.

"So how was the date?" Raye asked.

Darien smiled at his sister. He saw her earlier with Amy. She tried hiding from him. She was not subtle.

"It was great, nosy."

Darien laughed at her flustered face. "She seems a bit clumsy, ditsy, and naïve," she judged.

"And you are not the kindest person in the world. Did you know she's Jaden's sister?"

Raye scoffed a laugh. "Dating the help's sibling? Stooping to a new low, Dare. I thought Beryl was bad."

Darien stepped closer to his sister. His eyes dark and serious. "Be sure you know what you are talking about before you judge." Raye nodded slowly. "And the Moons are good people. You aren't," he added.

He walked away from his sister. He felt a bit guilty for lecturing her and being mean, but she had to stop being such a bitch to the wrong people. She needed to use that evil energy on her cases, not on the innocent, like…"Trista." He spotted his stepmother sitting at her desk, staring blankly at her computer screen. Fresh tears staining her beautiful tanned skin.

"Darien." She smiled at him. Her tone sad. She wiped away any evidence of crying from her face.

"What's wrong?" he asked as he entered her room.

She shut off her Mac computer, displaying the same fake smile she put on for Raye. "Nothing, just watching a soap opera that made me so emotional. I should start making sure everything is ready for dinner.

"Sure, I'll be in my room." he patted her on her shoulder. The lavender blazer was smooth on his skin. She placed her hand over his.

"Okay," she said as she walked away.

He pretended to walk with her, and when she was out of sight, he ran back to her computer. Turning on her computer, he went to her email. And saw…damn, his father was kissing his political consultant, Kaolinite. There were a few pictures of those two together in inappropriate embraces. He was going to end this. He sent the emails to himself and deleted any proof that he tampered with her PC. He turned it off and went to dinner as if all were well.

The eight person table was empty. Raye sat far from him. Still upset at him. Trista sat at the right side of the head of the table, where their father was supposed to sit. Just in time, the accursed man entered their home with their ailing grandfather. Their grandpa was in his late 70s. The short male still had his full head of hair, all gray with a matching mustache. It was said in his youth, he looked just like Darien.

Raye ran to grandfather. He was always her favorite. The rest of them rose up to greet the men. Trista kissed his father's cheek. Usually the two would have a small make out session. Even his father was surprised by the way his wife greeted her. Darien hugged his grandfather and shook hands with his father. Another weird gesture. Hannah clung onto their father. She sat on his lap during dinner. Fish and vegetables. How he would kill for a burger now!

"My, how much I miss this place," grandpa said.

"And we miss you," Raye beamed. Darien nodded in agreement.

"How was the flight?" Trista asked.

"Wonderful. My son decided to come pick me up and everything."

"I can't have my father traveling alone. Especially commercial flight." Samuel sipped his wine.

Their grandfather laughed. "I'm glad to know you love me so much…so Darien any sign of great-grandchildren?"

Darien spit out his water, wetting the tablecloth. He coughed profusely. "Ugh…Um, no."

"He went on a date today," Raye snitched. "She's…interesting. Her brother works for us."

Samuel glared at Darien. "A help?"

"He's an artist and she is too, of sorts. Hannah loves her books." Trista defended Jaden and Serena. Her tone was more venomous, noticed by everyone. Samuel eyed his wife weirdly.

"Oh, an author? How different," grandpa commented. "Is she beautiful?"

"Very," Darien said smiling.

"Huh? I know that look. You are smitten," their grandfather joked.

Darien smiled. "Yeah, maybe I am."

"How was your date?" Amara and Jaden asked. Michelle was shopping for groceries.

Serena smiled brightly. "Great," she squealed.

Darien was such a gentleman. And he was funny. Serena loved a guy with a sense of humor. He was charming too. Totally flirting with her the whole time and making subtle hints like brushing his hand against hers, leaning closer as she spoke. He even added his number to her phone while she went to the bathroom. By the end of the date, he asked her out on another and she had to pretend to hesitate, just so she didn't seem desperate.

Jaden smiled back. "I'm glad. You need a break from this madness." He pointed to her laptop.

Serena screamed. Today was her deadline to submitted three chapters to Zachary. They discussed how she wanted to change her audience, for the new book, to a much older audience. He actually liked the idea and wanted her to finish at least three chapters. She did five, but never sent it to him.

"I did it for you," Amara said. "Zachary texted me to do it. He knew you would forget.

Serena let out a sigh of relief. "How do you know my password?"

Jaden laughed. "Milkshakes0630 has been your password since you knew what a password was."

Serena stuck her tongue out. "I'm going to shower. It was a long day."

"Could've been a long night too!" Jaden joked, then he was hit with one of the sofa pillows by Serena.

"How was he?" Kadeem asked when Mina opened the door to her loft.

She said nothing and gestured him in with her hand. Her boss and the man she hated the most was in her home, eyeing her unique taste in furniture. His eyes landed on his son, who was snuggled on the couch with a blanket on him. He was knocked out.

"He was great. Perfect gentleman. We went to eat, then shop. He behaved so well, I took him to a play area. When we came home, I gave him a bath. Don't worry, I made him clean himself and turned around while he did it. And we watched cartoons until he knocked out in my arms." She stated.

"And all with a disguise, right?" he questioned. Mina rolled her eyes and pointed to her brown wig, sunglasses, and hat on her kitchen table. "Fine…and it pains me to say thank you, but thanks."

Mina nodded at him. "Though the father is horrid, the son is excellent. I wouldn't mind taking care of him again."

"Don't say something you'll regret." He went over to her yellow couch and gently picked up his son.

Mina felt her heart flutter as she viewed the scene. He looked at his son with such love. Mina could imagine how he would be if he had more kids.

"See you tomorrow?" she passed him the Toy Story bag and a couple shopping bags she purchased for him.

Before he answered, Helios opened his eyes and stared at his father sleepily. Kadeem smiled at his son. Mina blushed, but turned when he faced her.

"Daddy, mommy." Helios pointed at Mina.

Mina gasped. Kadeem groaned. "No, that's Mina. Not mommy." His gray eyes darkened. That always meant he was upset.

"M-mommy," Helios cried out to Mina. He extended his arms out for her to take him.

Mina not knowing what to do, so she took him from Kadeem's arms. Helios nestled his head on top of her shoulders, wrapping his arms around her neck before falling asleep once more.

"I'm so sorry," Kadeem apologized. How weird. "When his actual mother left, he became distant and quiet. I tried everything. This is the most emotion he has shown."

Mina felt bad. "I'll walk you to your car. Then we go our separate ways for the night."

"Car?" he seemed utterly confused.

"Yeah? Don't you have a car?"

"Of course. I have all of the best cars." Mina rolled her eyes again. "And if you were more attentive, you would realize I live in this building as well. The top floor." He told her.

It was Mina's turn to groan. No wonder he didn't get lost like all her friends, even the smart ones. The top floor residents were the really rich. A-list stars status.

"Why I never noticed?"

"Knowing you, you were running late every time and don't notice anyone except for Artemis."

Mina laughed sheepishly. He was right, but she would never admit it to him. "I'll follow you to your apartment then."

Kadeem said nothing, but nodded. Mina followed Kadeem to the elevator and tried to ignore the awkward silence between them. Once the doors opened, Mina rushed out, only to realize that she had no clue which apartment was his. The top floor was made up of the last two floors of the building. Kind of like a mini-house. Mina dreamed she could live in one of these apartments. She was famous, but more B-list. Her goal was to become an A-lister and marry another A-lister.

"To the right," Kadeem said.

Like all the apartment doors and walls, they were white. To sense of color or imagination. Kadeem's apartment was the same. Plain, boring, blah. Just like him. It was like a bachelor's pad instead of a luxury penthouse suitable for a father and his son. One, no toys were outside for Helios to play with. Two, the kitchen was eerily clean. Three there was a couch, a laptop and no T.V. Two doors were far from each other. No sense of closeness, and the steps to upstairs was blocked off by one of those child proof gates. No wonder Helios was bored with his dad. Mina inwardly smiled at that thought.

"I would give you a tour, but that means that I would like for you to stay and that's a lie." He smirked at her scowl.

"Where's his room?" she whispered to not wake him up? Kadeem pointed to the first room next to the couch. Trying to ease her curious mind, "Where's yours?"

He smirked. "So you do want to stay?"

Mina turned red, not from his intended words, but from anger. She huffed away and stepped into Helios room. Just like the rest of the place, it was white with nothing indicating a child lived here. Even his bed was too big for a toddler. What three year old sleeps on a full bed? Mina reminded herself that Kadeem was the father. Bigger meant better.

Mina settled him into his bed. Kissing him on his head. He stood sleeping. So adorable, Mina hoped to have a child as cute as him. She turned to leave, but jumped when she saw Kadeem intensely staring at her.

She pushed him out of the room and gently closed the door. "I swear all of your interesting features comes out when you are directing," she said walking towards the exit.

"Meaning?" he crossed his arms. His plain blue shirt shrunk in size as his muscles became more pronounced. Mina tried not to notice that Kadeem had a great body.

"Meaning your place is boring. All white everything."

"Compared to your rainbow room?" he questioned, mentioning her living room.

"At least Helios liked it. He ran into all my rooms. Each other a different color. He even said he wanted to live in my home."

"So then move here," he announced. "Become his new caretaker."

She was shocked at his suggestion. Sighing, she said. "I love him, but I'm an actress, not a live-in nanny."

"You won't be. Wrong choice of words. You'll be his…whatever he wants you to be. You don't have to pay for anything, I'll provide it."

"I have my own life and apartment," she said trying to convince herself more.

"If you still want the apartment, I'll pay for the rent." Kadeem stepped closer to Mina. "He needs someone, a mother figure. His nanny is some mean Russian lady, and he cries to me every night about her. You are the last person I would ever think that could properly take care of my son, but I see that he really likes you."

Mina's voice got caught in her throat. She would never ever think she'd be in a situation with living with Kadeem Kunzite seemed like a good idea. She truly had to think about this. Her dreams of living in the top floor were becoming a reality. All she had to do was agree. But wouldn't that affect her role in his movie? Or the fact that they hate each other? Her eyes shifted to the door, imagining the crying face of Helios. Giving up, she simply nodded.

"But what happens when I have a job or tomorrow for the shooting?"

"My sister is able to take care of him tomorrow. And we are almost done filming."

Mina nodded in agreement. "I guess I should start packing, but don't worry about the apartment. I'll give it to Artemis and his pregnant wife, Luna."

CRASH! BANG! POW! Various items in Maxfield's office were broken or thrown to the ground. Zachary entered with a frantic look, but scowled when he saw who it was that was making the mess.

"Throwing a fit because she's on a date?" he crossed his arms.

Zack looked around the tan colored office. It was nice, with brown moldings and matching furniture consisting of a small couch, desk and chair. There was a cactus plant at the left corner, and a large frame of him and Lita on opening day. The room was a mess, papers, glass and dust were all over the floor.

"Shut it," Maxfield threatened, then sat on his expensive leather chair. "How can she not tell me?" he exclaimed. "We are partners."

"Did you tell her about Eudial?" Zachary started cleaning up some of the mess his best friend made.

"No," he said quietly. "But that doesn't give her the right to go on a date when she proclaims to have strong feelings for me!"

"And what right do you have if you feel the same?" Zachary countered.

Maxfield turned away. "I can't love her the way she wants me to. The way she deserves way better than me."

"You're just giving excuses!" he accused. "Just because one woman hurt you doesn't mean all will."

Max waved his hand up and down to dismiss Zachary. "And why are you still here?"

Zack rolled his eyes. "Lita called me saying you were in a bad mood all day. As a concerned best friend, I ran over here. But since I know the reason, there's no reason of me being here. Go on your date and realize that Lita is the one meant for you."

Zachary left shaking his head at his best friend's stupidity. Why can't he just grow up? And speaking about dates, he texted his blue haired princess with information for their own romantic getaway.

Raye stayed up to the late hours of the night talking to her grandfather about everything. Of course, he tried to convince her how great of a person Trista was. Lies. She was a nobody before their father laid eyes on her. She was a nurse, studying to be a doctor. It wasn't a year after her mother's death before they started to date. One year, then she snuck her perfectly manicured nails into him. Raye didn't care.

She walked passed her father's room quietly, but stopped when she heard harsh tones. She gagged thinking it was an inappropriate tone, until she heard, "How could you do this to me?" It was Trista and she was crying. Confused, she stepped closer to the door.

Raye heard her father saying, "It's not like that, she was flirting with me."

Who was?

"And the pictures of you kissing her was her flirting with you? I cannot believe you. I have always loved you, always been faithful and supportive." She cried. "I have to deal with Raye hating me and having a stepson that could be my young brother!" Raye felt a bit of guilt when Trista mentioned her. "I love your children and sacrificed everything for you and this is what you do to me!" she said a bit louder.

"And what will you do? Divorce me? I pay for your student loans, I pay for everything in this house."

"Do you even love me?" Raye heard Trista ask.

Then her father sighed. "The only woman I ever loved died."

Raye gasped as Darien dragged her to his room. He shut his door quickly, but quietly. "What are you doing?"

"I wanted to know what happened." Raye admitted. She could never lie to Darien.

"Dad's cheating on Trista with Kaolinite."

Raye's violet eyes widened. "That bimbo? I rather him with Trista."

Darien sighed. He seemed so stressed out. More than a young man at his age should. "Trista isn't bad, Raye. She truly loves dad."

Raye rolled her eyes. "Then why did they date only a year after mom died?"

"I think he just wanted a mother for us more than a wife for him." Darien stated. "Trista's really great and you should give her a chance once and for all."

"Why?" Raye huffed. "She and dad are about to get a divorce anyways. The only reason she'll stay with him it's because she needs someone to pay her loans and let her be a spoiled brat."

"Or maybe because she loves him and doesn't want Hannah to live without her father," Darien suggested.

Raye knew that Darien was right. She was too stubborn. If they divorced, then that slut would be her new step mother. She had to fix it, but how?

Thanks for reading. Please review.