Bliss
Chapter Four: The Compromise
Disclaimer: this is an adaptation and is based loosely on Goong; I do not own the plot or the manhwa. I also do not own the sailor moon characters or any real locations, quotes, real fashion brands, real food or buildings that might appear in this story.
This fan fiction is set in an A.U. and will not hold many similarities with the standard sailor moon anime/ manga. Personalities will remain similar but I reserve the right to be creative with my story, there are no monsters and no sailor senshi (soldiers). Also, Serena's height will be different. Please be open while you read and enjoy the story. Also keep in mind that even though the year and time may be current, the happenings in the story are different from our reality.
The wind rushed into the suite, breezing by Darien and the girl before him. He shook his head, remembering his manners as the cool of the air brought him back from his shock. "Please, come in." he offered, stepping aside so she could.
The girl nodded briefly, doing so tentatively as she eyed him suspiciously.
"I have seats in here somewhere; it's too chilly to stand outside. Follow me." He showed her to one of the two armchairs he had been sitting in before she had knocked, offering her a seat, "Please take one, and make yourself comfortable."
Still she said nothing. Even as she sat her gaze remained focussed elsewhere. Her only movement coming from her hands as the petite looking girl fiddled with the gold band of rubies on her finger – as similar to his as he assumed possible. His father had told him years ago when the ring had been gifted that only one of its kind had ever been made; and yet here she sat playing nervously with an almost exact replica. "Where did you get that ring?" he asked, unable to ignore it any longer. Having forgotten many things today, Darien reasoned that breeching seconds more of decorum could certainly be afforded. Truth be told, he cared little for etiquette at the moment.
He needn't have waited because her response came quickly, her eyes fluttering up to meet his. "My parents were the ones who had it, but my gramps mentioned it was some token from your grandfather to him." She answered. "You have the same one," she said nodding the one on his finger. In watching her he too had taken to touching his ring, but the attention she drew to it quickly made him halt in the action.
"Forgive me," he said rushing to take control, "I was admiring the ring and admit I lost myself for a moment. Allow me to offer you something; Beverages, maybe a snack?"
"I'm full." She replied expressionlessly, "I don't need a drink."
"You look exhausted," Darien said taking in her dishevelled hair and trying again, "I could call for someone –"
"That won't be necessary; I meant it when I said I was fine." She interrupted. "You need not worry about me." She cut him off without so much as blinking an eye, sitting straight in the chair, she sighed deeply. "I came to talk of the proposal."
Darien cleared his throat. "Will your family be joining us?" he asked, noting again that she had come by herself.
"I'd prefer to do this alone." She said, offering yet another blank answer.
Darien spoke when she didn't elaborate. "Are you certain?" he nodded to the suite telephone. "They allow late calls, I wouldn't mind if you used it."
"And make them suffer through this along with me?" she half-laughed, shaking her head. "I don't want us making this any bigger of a deal than it has to be. Bringing my family would imply that I had some desire in all of this, and this is more of a business agreement anyway, their presence isn't required."
Mentally he put on his business persona; her bluntness and lack of emotion regarding her own marriage taking him both by surprise and relief. Evidently there would be no beating around the bush with her, and he found himself almost thankful. It had been a long day. "Allow me to call for my secretary." Darien said, not really asking but punching in both a text and page to Amy, asking her to cease the search and meet him at this hotel immediately. "She'll be here shortly; we can deal with the legalities then," he explained looking up. "In the meanwhile, I happen to be curious as to what in fact changed your mind. I remember you from this morning, particularly so, our encounter." He said voicing the thought, curious on his mind.
"That was your fault." She said simply, and Darien caught the first glance of emotion flash across her face since she'd entered.
He smiled, enjoying the scowl. "You should have paid attention to where it was you were going."
"I was." She retorted bristling. "I just wasn't expecting to run into a baka so early in the morning."
"My mistake," Darien cooed. "Is there a particular time at which I was to come? The afternoon is reserved for the bakas, but since I see you with me now, may I assume the evening is my own?"
"Why you! –" she started to say something but stopped herself. It took a moment but by the time he had blinked, she was back to the way she had been before. "My mind hasn't changed." Came her answer, a bare whisper. "The only thing that has is my motive."
"Repeat that, please," Darien said leaning closer to hear better, "I don't know if I heard you correctly."
She stared at him curiously for an instant. By the looks of it, his asking such a question hadn't come up in all her planning of this confrontation, but soon she sighed, visibly puling herself together. "You proposed, and I came here to say, I accept it. I don't want to talk of this morning, just of our marriage."
"So I did hear correctly." Darien smirked, replaying her words over in his mind and nodding slowly. "You're the one who said you pitied the woman I would marry..." he continued, ignoring her request to move forward. "Does it bother you that now that woman will be you?"
"More than you could imagine." She retorted shakily. "The thought makes my stomach crawl like nothing in this world could, and I feel as if the ground will disappear from beneath me in an instant."
"Interesting..." he muttered, trying to register why she would be going through with this and secondly, why at all she was telling any of her discomfort to him. "I don't understand something," he said finally, glancing at her. "If you feel this way, why still put yourself through this torture?"
With the words out Darien sat back, knowing the moment he'd asked that he was testing waters. He knew she could all too easily reject the proposal again, but Darien had a feeling she needed this marriage just as much as he did. "Why are you here, and why do you need this?" He continued to ask, studying her still. Somehow they required each other; he knew of his reasoning's well and before going any further he wanted first to know of hers.
"My family is in debt," she said finally, steeling herself to look back up at him. "I would never marry you otherwise. This marriage promises the funds that we need, that my family needs."
"And you expect for this alliance to fix those problems..."
"I won't take more than we need, just enough to repay everything."
"Then you will be my bride?"
"Yes." She was swallowing hard, "I will."
Her answer shouldn't have surprised him as much as it did. In fact, Darien should have thought of it sooner. Money was behind everything, he was a fool not to assume it was at the root of her coming here earlier. "I understand." He responded finally. "Is there a specific date that by which the money must be received?"
"Just as long as we get it," she answered, licking at her lips anxiously.
He relaxed into his chair and for a beat said nothing. Besides the details there was very little left to discuss, everything seemed to be out in the open. And yet, despite having his own agenda behind this agreement he could never quite see himself becoming as vulnerable. He could never become so pathetic. "People who fall into debt are fools." He heard himself declare, caring not to hide his sneer. "To put oneself in the position of having to rely on another is sheer and utter foolishness. Just think; had your parents been more foresighted..." he trailed off and the look he garnered told him he'd overstepped his bounds.
"I never asked for your opinion." She retorted heatedly. Hurrying to her feet she clasped her hands to her chest, eyes at the round clock. "When does your secretary arrive?"
"Soon," Darien replied, fiddling with his thumbs and smiling. Amy was at most fifteen minutes away, there was no way he could allow her to leave until a formal agreement were arranged. He had to make her stay. "I'm sorry." He offered. "Please don't leave, I'll drop the matter. You have my word."
She hesitated, still standing. "You can't do that." She said finally. "I need this, but you can't speak about my family that way, its wrong."
"It won't happen again." Darien assured, holding up his hands in defeat. "Now please, I`d like it if you sat...Serenity?"
"Serena." She corrected. "I haven't been called Serenity since the last time I exchanged the horse fodder with sugar."
"With sugar?" he could help the chuckle leaving his mouth as little as he could the smile curving his lips. "You did that?"
Serena nodded, blushing. "I did."
"I gather your family was less than pleased?"
"My parents didn't refer to me any other way for three weeks and gramps made me do the chores for two months after. They took it very well."
Darien laughed. "It sounds like it," he said chuckling. "I wasn't told you lived on a farm."
"Most of the family's here do," she elaborated, the smile leaving her. "That's partly why business hasn't been as good; the richer farms grow more crops and do better in the market. We still go, but the difference is clear. "
Remembering his promise to steer away from all questions regarding her family, he chose his question carefully. "You aren't impoverished, are you?"
She shook her head. "Not yet, but I never want it to come to that."
Darien nodded, and as seconds passed he knew there would be no more of the topic. "Excuse me." He said, standing to move to the corner kitchen. Once there he exhaled deeply, grabbing at a water bottle from the fridge and downing it all. Where was that secretary when he needed her? He wondered, not sure he could last a minute more with her. Something about being in that atmosphere was driving him crazy and Darien didn't know how much longer he could go without staring long into those blue eyes – so light and clouded; so full of sadness. She was doing things to him, things he wasn't finding he liked.
Just then, two raps came at the door. A quizzical look crossed his face and Darien looked up; wondering if indeed it could be who he hoped it was. "Someone's here," called Serena. "Should I open it?"
Wiping at his mouth, he disposed of his bottle and cleared his throat. "Go ahead!" he replied, walking back to the living room.
With a turn and a pull of the knob, the door was open and truly he could never imagine ever being as relieved to see the short cut of his secretary's blue bob. In a tailored black suit and black pumps she looked the same as that afternoon, the only difference being the leather brown suitcase she held tightly in her hands. "Amy, come in!" Darien invited. "This is my fiancé; Serena."
"Amy Conroy," she introduced, hurriedly shaking hands with the shorter girl. "Can I expect family members?" she questioned, taking the seat once Serena's.
"No." Darien answered for her. "Is that alright?"
"We can make it work." Amy answered, unlocking the case and pulling out two thick-looking documents. "How old are you?" she asked of Serena, handing her a copy.
"I'm Seventeen."
"Seventeen?" Darien repeated, almost choking. How is that possible? He wondered. With the innocence in those orbs of eyes, and her two odango pigtails she looked at least a year younger. He had never thought her as old. "I meant to say, are you sure?" he coughed at the stares he was receiving but didn't move his gaze. Seventeen meant she was very close a woman... and seven years his junior.
"I'll be eighteen in four months." She answered, scanning through the document. "Does that unnerve you?"
"Not at all." Darien feigned swallowing hard. Truthfully the difference wasn't a huge one, and between himself and Raye there had been a five year gap; it was just that with Raye's maturity, he had forgotten the difference of age altogether. However this girl looked her age and younger, Darien could sooner see himself protecting and providing for her than being involved in any way romantic. It made the thought of marriage to her uncomfortable, but he righted himself. Thinking, what was the need for romance? That was the very least of his concern – it assumed too much – supposing he would ever care for her and if so, in that way. It wasn't a present priority and quickly, he put the thought away. "What are these papers for?" he questioned, taking a copy from Amy.
"An agreement signed by the two of you confirming your consent to this marriage. Place your initials and signatures where stated."
"I've signed." Serena said, handing back the documents.
"Me too." He concurred, hurriedly doing the same.
"What do we do now?" Serena asked, tightly holding unto a side-table for what looked like support.
Amy closed away the briefcase. "A copy will be delivered to your parents," she informed crossing her hands in her lap and straightening her posture. "If they consent, things may continue without delay. But as they are not here with you, may I presume of looming complications?"
"I don't know." She replied, shrugging gingerly. "I think I could convince them though, that this is the best for us."
"Very well." His secretary stood, nodding to him. "Your father will be informed of the proceedings," she said, "and your mother, I suppose, will begin with the preparations immediately. Your late grandfather's deadline is but a week away."
"A week?" Darien asked, unsure. It was but the twenty fifth, and the deadline from the Will was at least half a month away, why would the wedding be in two weeks?
"To avoid suspicion," Amy answered. We don't want Column Industries competitors or business rivals to suspect something is awry."
"But wouldn't a marriage in a week be more suspicious than one scheduled a month later?" Serena had been silent for a time throughout the exchange, but she was speaking again, voicing her opinions. "It seems that way to me." She stated.
"And to me," Darien agreed. "What's the reasoning behind this?"
"A marriage is made up of different parts," Amy explained, looking at them seriously. "The ceremonial part is the biggest and grandest affair, whilst the ritual component is more low-key. Traditionally close friends and family relations attend, as well as prominent business leaders and the occasional one or two philanthropist. That will be your first marriage, and that is the one scheduled for..." checking her calendar quickly, she offered a date, "the second."
"I see..." Darien said following. "If we were to simply have one abrupt affair, questions will undoubtedly be raised, but if we follow tradition it'll appear normal."
"Exactly!" the lady in the tailored suit beamed, equally as pleased with herself. Her smile faltered however, when her attention deviated and she addressed the most silent of their party. "Do you follow Serena?"
"I do." She said, and her weary tone of voice made Darien turn in concern.
"Are you alright?" he asked, taking in her sunken shoulders and pale expression. "You look unwell."
"I need to go home." Serena said, turning.
"You look like you need a doctor."
"No doctors!" she insisted. "Please, just my bed and my house."
"I'm dropping you." He decided, reaching for the keys on the round center table. The way she looked now, he couldn't in good conscience allow for her to go alone.
"No, don't take the trouble."
"I insist." He side-stepped her, and not hearing a word more of argument, he turned open the door for them. "Ms. Conroy, we can discuss further later, but until then see to it that things are as they should be, I'll return shortly."
"Certainly." Came her adequate and usual reply, but Darien heard slight of it, he was too busy seeing that his wife-to-be made it to his car safely, and did not in fact faint before the news of their marriage reached her parents. Something told him explaining to them the reason behind the cataleptic form of their daughter, lying in his passenger seat would not be an easy task, and he wanted very much to avoid any additional excitement that evening – let alone the sight of shot-gun aimed at his forehead.
He started the engine, and while reversing Darien prayed she stay awake. Just as soon as he saw her to her room, he would return to his suite. It gave him comfort knowing that after all this; a bed of his own would be waiting.
They came to a halt at the gates of a modest sized farm. Without much strain or movement on his part an old farmhouse further along the stone path was clearly visible; it told him they had arrived, and Darien gave Serena a shake to wake her.
"What, where...?" fatigue was in her words, weariness in her eyes as she rubbed at them. Darien could feel something in his chest tug for her. He didn't know why he cared, but she had been through so much today. Not only had they agreed on the date for a wedding she'd just found out about, but she had yet to break the news to her family or friends, and he could imagine the coming weeks being little easier. Having her sitting here and being so vulnerable was making him feel, making him care.
"You're home," he said softly. She pulled herself up; a few blinks later she was drowsily awake. "You found this place through the directions?" she sounded amazed. "I didn't think you would."
Darien smiled, not about to tell her he hadn't thought so either. But, the short directions weren't hard to follow, even if he hadn't completely trusted the lucidness of the girl giving them, they had panned out. "Do you want me to walk you in?" he asked, shifting a hand to help her with the seat belt. Before he could however, Serena held his hand down.
"It's okay." She said smiling weakly. "I can get it myself." There was a sense of finality to her words and Darien wasn't surprised, it figured. She would try alone than rather accept his help. He was sure that no matter the situation, she would persist first in trying on her own.
"Your family must be worried." He said bringing himself back. There was no one out to meet them and he assumed they had all but retired. "I don't see them."
"They probably are. I think they're waiting inside. Gramps is going to flip for sure, and I can't imagine what mom or dad will do."
"You'll be fine." He said assuredly and Darien couldn't for all the money in the world say why he was reassuring her. "Can I help you?" he asked the question more so to rid himself of the reflecting thoughts than to offer assistance. Thinking too deeply about his actions tonight was a lost cause, Darien wasn't showing it but he was every bit as tired as she was. After all what did it matter? He could be kind, there didn't need to be some greater reason behind each act of goodness. It made sense, and that was what he told himself repeatedly as he watched her slide herself out. She was short but nimble and landed on the earthen ground with a soft thud.
Briefly dusting down her skirt she turned to smile at him. "Thank you," she said, the words leaving her lips a murmur and her eyes earnest with gratitude. "For the ride and seeing I got home okay." A teasing spark lit her blue orbs and she laughed. "Who knew bakas had a sense of direction?" she smirked. "Go figure."
Darien thought to be offended but saw the reaction as half-felt. "I'll take the thank you," he said omitting the baka part. "See you."
She nodded, slamming the car door and he began reversing. His car halfway turned, he stopped in the action, feeling a mischievous pull at his lips he hollered out to her. "Odango! I forgot to ask, are those giant balls on you head edible?" He grinned at nothing in particular but maybe truly for the first time that day. "I want a bite!"
At first it appeared she hadn't heard, but the furious glare she turned and placed him with said otherwise. From her distance ten feet away she hollered back to him, venom drenching her words. "Do they look like food? Screw you, baka!"
So much for civility! Darien thought, laughing. There was no longer the fond teasing from earlier and he chuckled, waving. "Sweet dreams!" he called. Wordlessly she stomped away and once she was through the gates, he turned course for his hotel. The directions were still somewhat fresh in his mind and if he started now maybe he wouldn't have to make turns back to this very spot to ask for them again. With that motivation in mind, he drove.
Heya, guys! So hate me but know that I love you, especially my awesome reviewers! Babes you make my day and as I embark on a treacherous and UBER boring essay writing endeavour, it would do my heart good to see more reviews. Especially as I try to make sense of the senseless. This chapter was done a week ago but I had to submit it to my sister-beta SoujaGurl to run through it first. She's an awesome writer guys and an even better beta, seriously, she's like my writing guru – love ya sis! And with that said I hope you love this chapter or at least like it, it's the last one before the wedding, and yes that is going to take place next chapter! Prepare for a honker guys and speed up the process by reviewing and giving me your opinions.
Thought to Mill Over: What should the wedding look like, any preferences? You know I care ;) And what should they wear?
Lovin' the opinions,
Xx, Analynn