Chapter Four

"The President invited us to have dinner together." Taylor teased her boyfriend, trying to snap him out of his thoughts. She felt she was having a conversation with herself. "Dan! Did you hear me?"

"What?" They were curled up on the sofa of their living room, Dan pretending to watch a film, Taylor just chatting enjoying the proximity of her boyfriend's body next to hers.

"I said the President invited us for dinner!"

"Oh, yeah? What did you say? That he had to come over first?"

She turned around to face him. "I said I would have to confirm with you. It's so hard to have you free for an event like that! Actually, lately it has been hard to have you at all… What's going on honey?" she asked caressing his chest.

"Nothing, I'm fine." He soothed her hair and kissed her on the forehead.

"No you're not. Something is bothering you. You've been too quiet this past week. Tell me."

"It's nothing. I'm tired. I'm looking forward to our vacation."

"So am I! It will be great to enjoy some quality time you. No rush, no appointments, just the two of us."

Little did Taylor know that she wasn't the only person in Dan's mind and it wouldn't be just the two of them. He had been marveled and terrified at the idea of seeing his high school love again. How would she react? Should he tell Taylor about her? He decided it was better not to. He would wait to see how things would play out.

"Tell me, how does the photo shooting work? Will you have to be there in advance? When do they start the shooting?"

"Well, all the crew including me will have to be there in advance. We have to prepare everything so that the day the models are scheduled to arrive everything is ready."

"So, they will arrive only on the shooting day?"

"A day before, for the last minute fittings. Why?"

"I'm just trying to know how it works. Didn't you want me to attend your shows, to be there with you when you work?"

"Yeah, I did. I think you will like it. We have a fantastic crew and Serena is so fun to work with. You'll have the opportunity to meet a top model!"

"Serena van der Woodsen, right?"

"Oh please Dan!" Taylor slapped him playfully on his arm. "Do you think I haven't seen you flipping through the pages of that magazine and staring at her?"

"Hey, I was just curious! It's not every day that your girlfriend takes you to work to hang out with some celebrities. What's she like, by the way?" Dan tried to look casual.

"Serena? Oh, she's fantastic, very professional, very easy to deal with, she's a great girl. You will like her."

For their sake he hoped he wouldn't like to see her that much.

Caressing her hair, twisting strands around his fingers he asked cautiously: "Does she travel with a big entourage? Family, boyfriend, agents?"

"Occasionally. I've seen her with her friend Blair; she introduced me to her brother once. And yes, her manager might be there, but not always."

"No boyfriend?" Hopefully she wouldn't find the question too strange he thought. He had tried to find out if Serena was dating anyone, but all he could find was the traditional gossip involving her with a few well known names, but it seemed she wasn't in any relationship. At least a serious one.

"I don't know. I've seen plenty of guys trying their luck with her but she keeps it very low profile. She doesn't talk very much about her private life."

"Enough about top models! Do you want to go out?"

"Hmm, I had other plans actually…"

"Really? Care to be more specific?"

Taylor moved closer to him and bit his lower lip, "I'll show you…"

***

"What are your plans for the next couple of weeks?" Serena asked Adam. They were hanging out at a bar, after a relaxing dinner for two.

"I'm leaving for Cambodia next Thursday" he said spinning the glass in front of him.

"Really?" Serena's interest was peaked. They had spoken about Adam's work before.

"Another of your missions?" she smiled watching him take a sip from his wine glass.

"Yes, and this time it's to actually see and photograph the result of a long and hard project. We're very proud to show our many donors, sponsors, volunteers, the end result."

"It must be really amazing! To see all the hard work pay off and know the impact it will have on so many people's lives", she reached his hand to give it an encouraging squeeze.

Adam trapped her hand between his two not releasing it. "It is; it is."

Serena pulled her hand free and gave him a shy smile. "How can you find satisfaction doing fashion shows and photo shoots after being a part of such amazing projects?"

"Well, it's never the same, it's creative, it pays the bills and besides, if it wasn't for it I would never have met you…" he whispered the last words.

Serena lowered her head playing with the napkin in front of her. She liked Adam, but could she trust him? He was an experienced educated man, she could see that. Since the day they met they had been together practically every day and he had been the perfect gentleman. But he was circling around her: a flower bought from a street vendor; a hand resting a little too long on her arm, on her waist; his fingers carefully but firmly intertwining hers when they were walking side by side; a lingering good night kiss on her cheek. She wanted to be careful, she had her heart broken before and it hurt, a lot. She didn't want to walk that path again; however she hadn't been that interested in someone since… well since someone she didn't want to remember now.

"You know what?" she asked him lifting her eyes to meet his. "I know the right person to give you all the help you need for your work."

"You do?"

"My mom! If there's a thing she knows is charity work! I can introduce you to her and you can show her all the projects you're involved in, what you need, what has to be done." She couldn't hide the excitement in her voice.

"You want me to meet your mom, Lily van der Woodsen? After only a few dates?" he asked playfully.

"No silly! I mean yes, but we're not dating!" she laughed.

Adam reached up to smooth her hair, ending the gesture by cupping her chin. "But I would love to…"

"Meet my mom?"

"Yes, and dating you."

"Adam, we've known each other for a little more than a week…"

"And we've seen each other every day. I don't need much time to know what I want. I want you Serena… I'll wait until you're ready for me. But I have every intention of wining your trust, your affection… "

He leaned over towards her and planted a soft kiss on her lips. Just a brief touch of their lips, but so full of unspoken promises.

"I'll miss you Adam…" her dreamy voice giving her away.

"Why don't you come with me? You're free until Mexico."

"To Cambodia?"

"Yes, I know it's a long trip away from the world you're used to, but we would be together, we would get to know each other better, you would see me in the field doing something that means so much to me. And you'd see firsthand what was done to report to you mother and sell me to her in the best of lights!"

She giggled. "Oh, so that's the real reason!"

"Did you think I had any other intention?" he smirked.

"So, what do you say? Will you go to Cambodia with me?"

Her answer was a mere whisper but he heard it as if she'd shouted. "I'd love to."