'Broken hearts, broken dreams
They're just some
things that love brings
When you learn that its all been a lie
You
cry
You find that
Nothing
Nothing
Nothing hurts like love
Nothing
brings your heart so much pain
And you'll never learn till you get
burned
Till you're burned by the flame'
Nothing Hurts Like Love
--- Daniel Bedingfield
000
Chapter 12
000
Seiya stepped out of the shower, grabbing one of the plush white towels and wrapping it around his narrow hips. Not bothering to dry the beads of water that remained, he broodingly stormed through his dim bedroom, which was a mess of twisted sheets and clothes, through to his office. He went to his bureau and brusquely jerked open a draw, removing a small package that had bothered him for the past month. Cupping his hand he allowed a small ring, endowed with a huge diamond, to slip into his palm, which he picked up between his forefinger and thumb. Rotating it in a sliver of light, his sculpted lips jerked down with derision, its physical return hardly significant to its symbolic meaning.
He, Seiya Malone, had been rejected, by a poor, knocked up nobody. What's worse, he felt more bitterness and anger then he should – he wasn't supposed to be fazed, but he was. With the package, he returned to his room, settling on his bed as he reread the quickly scrawled note.
I'm sorry Seiya, but we can't get married. You deserve someone else who is more suited to you and isn't pregnant – it was silly of me to think we could work, however I shall never forget your generous offer and consider you my friend. If you have interests in your secretary I think you should try and start a proper relationship with her.
I'm so sorry; I didn't mean to hurt you.
From Serena.
She considered him her friend, well he certainly didn't. He was furious that she blew him off with a note! His 'generous offer' obviously didn't mean much to her, for he got nothing in return, nothing! That woman was a blow to a man's ego, Seiya was smouldering with humiliation; he was always the one who broke things off---always.
Standing in front of the huge mirror, he dropped his towel to the floor, looking critically at his body as to why Serena had never desired him. He had wonderful hair he knew that from plenty of women, thick and wavy. His face was handsome with defined features, his neck leading into a pair of wide shoulders with strong arms. His chest and torso was muscled, he was proud of his ripping abdominals and ran his hand over the surface going lower until his fingers closed around his penis. He had the full package, a good size which had never stirred a problem in any woman.
Seiya's eyes narrowed. Was it because Darien was better? Did she think he couldn't compare? Seiya already knew Darien was stronger built then himself, therefore seeming more masculine, but surely he wasn't any better in bed. Seiya was almost a hundred percent sure about it in that department, but the keyword was almost, Seiya felt insecurity and he faltered.
He hated Darien Marinelli! He was always stronger and more intelligent then Seiya, which wasn't the worst of it. Darien received the most and the significant inheritance's from deceased relatives, because he was a Marinelli through his father, where as Seiya's mother became a Malone – he resented his mother for that. He wished that he was born the legitimate heir of Marinelli, but even his own father had laughed saying Seiya didn't have a business brain or the intelligence that Darien possessed. Even that little bitch of a sister, Raye, got more benefits then he.
Seiya thought he was past that! He proved that he had potential! He had shares tied up in multi-million businesses and was receiving large amounts of money back in return – he was successful! But it wasn't anywhere as good or prestigious like Darien's ownership of Marinelli Incorporated which dealt in exporting and importing. That by itself was a remarkable achievement for one so young, however to boot; he had recently acquired a huge crude oil company (through his marriage) and Blue Shipping.
Seiya had spent his whole life stuck in the shadows of Darien Marinelli. That changed on the night of Darien's wedding, when he was planning his moves to seduce Beryl and shatter their marriage. It would have been an excellent idea, however it was obvious Darien wasn't concerned with his new bride. In fact, most of the night, Darien's arctic eyes were focused on a petite blonde and Seiya could tell that she meant more to him then his stoic face showed. There was a definite tension between them.
When he had danced with her, Seiya had found her to be really quite stunning. She had an angelic beauty around her and a stunning body, with full round breasts – which he could tell, pushed up against his chest were natural. Seiya loved women with natural and substantial breasts; it made his mouth water for a taste.
When he had looked over at Darien, Seiya could see Darien was seething, not only that, there was a deep ugly jealousy in his glare that told him 'get off my woman'. Seiya had never held anything that Darien wanted and at that moment, Seiya realised that he had the one thing in his arms which gave him the edge. Just the thought of having such an advantage over Darien turned him on, and he wanted to take Serena home where he would fuck her all night – dirty that innocence she radiated.
It never happened and she disappeared. At the ball though, he managed to remedy the situation and planted a perfect scenario in her head that ensured a bond of trust. Seiya laughed at Serena's naïveté, it made him want her even more. She proved though, harder to get, becoming frigid when ever he made a move on her and it drove him mad.
Seiya raked a hand through his hair, sighing loudly, now the little minx had dropped off the planet again. A spy had confirmed that Darien was in a right mess, searching for the illusive blonde, and Seiya also had someone looking because he was obsessed with her. He couldn't get her out of his mind; it wasn't love that drove him, but lust. He had to have a piece of her to see why Darien was so desperate, he craved to shatter Darien's lovesick view of her, make her scream his name and not Darien's. That would be the ultimate goal, just the thought made the blood pool to his cock, making it pulse with desire. Groaning with frustration, Seiya headed back to the shower, spinning the cold tap on full blast to cool off before he blew up again.
000
Serena muttered as she struggled off the couch, feeling remarkably like a breeched whale. Serena desperately couldn't wait to give birth and hold her child in her arms, yet she feared it like nothing before. She'd given up on her maternity books and magazines, the gory stories about the pain, tissue ripping and still births making her more worried then ever. Just then, there was a huge slam of the door and Sammy, dressed in his school uniform, stormed past. Through the anger, Serena thought she saw tears in his eyes and after giving him ten minutes to cool down, she followed him up the stairs.
At the landing, she gave her sore back a rub, making a mental note to stop slouching as it seemed to make it worse. She gave a tentative knock on the door, pushing the crack wider to slip her generous form through.
"Sammy?" She called into the dark, messy area.
"Go away," Came his muffled reply, his body sprawled over his bed and face buried in a pillow.
Serena paused, thinking about how to address the teen, "Ah, well, I just wanted to…make sure you're alright. Are you alright? I mean if you aren't, I could always…you know…discuss it with you."
"Oh so we're all happy families now," He snapped, jerking from his bed to glare at her.
Serena gave a defeated sigh, looking down at the floor, "I know you don't like me…and, if you're upset because I'm here I'll go. I can pack up right now and leave before your parents come home. I can go back to London," She suggested with a heavy heart.
She loved being here with her dad. Serena had also come to really enjoy Irene's company, both having a lot in common especially in the arts. She was happy and she thought she was making progress with Sammy. Obviously not. Dejectedly, Serena turned around and began to move to her room to start packing.
"Hey wait!" He called from his room, "Do you know anything about girls?"
Serena had to crack a smile there, "Well I am female, you know."
"Yeah, yeah whatever," He dismissed.
"What do you want to know?" Serena asked.
Sammy sat at the end of his bed and rubbed the back of his neck, "It's my girlfriend, Meeka. I don't know what's wrong with her; she blew me off again when I suggested we could go watch the game at Vinnie's house. She said she had homework, but when I came home, I saw her with that dork Conner."
Serena skirted around the strewn clothes on the floor, "You mind if I sit? My backs killing me."
"Sure," He answered noncommittally.
Serena dropped onto the bed beside him, "So you went to Vinnie's house to watch the soccer – right?" Sammy nodded in response. "Does Meeka like soccer?"
"Well…no. She comes to all my games, but she didn't need to watch the TV. She could have talked with the other guy's girlfriends," He shrugged.
"There's your problem. Meeka watches your games because she's proud of what you do and it shows her commitment. She supports you. The reason she blew you off was because she wants to spend time with you not your friend's girlfriends. She went off with the other guy because she probably met him on the way home or something and wanted some conversation."
"Conner is a dick. He's after Meeka. So that's why she's been angry? I haven't been spending enough time with her?" He said, a big smile forming on his face.
"Sure is," Serena confirmed, absentmindedly rubbing her large stomach, "I once had a boyfriend who was too into everything else."
"Is that your baby's father?" Sammy questioned.
Serena gave a soft laugh, a note of sadness in its depth, "No. That boyfriend was when I was in high school. The baby's father is…well…I don't know." She finished off with a sigh.
"Well who is he? And why aren't you with him?" Sammy inquired, getting right to the point.
"He's married. I didn't have…you know…" Serena blushed at the awkwardness, "…a relationship with him when he was married. I found out he was engaged later and I left. As you can see, it was a bit late by then."
"Does he know it's his?"
"He found out. That's why I am here because I'm afraid – I'm not ready to face him," Serena said truthfully, leaving out Seiya's escapade in his office.
"Do you love him?" Sammy questioned.
"Who?"
"The baby's father," He said with irritation.
Serena looked squarely into Sammy's brown eyes, tears forming in her own, "I love him so much. There are no words that can describe how much I love him or how much he hurt me."
"What's the father's name, I want to know, Serena," Sammy demanded, a fierce protectiveness stirring. His sister looked so small an alone perched next to him, he felt guilty about his previous hostility.
Serena licked her chapped lips, "Darien Marinelli."
"Whoa! Are you telling me my niece or nephew's father is that huge billionaire? He's like the biggest business tycoon after his father – perhaps even bigger then his father. He's married to that model, right? How on earth did you meet him?"
Serena nodded in affirmation, "Darien has a little sister called Raye. Raye, Amy, Lita, Mina and I all went to catholic school together. I met Darien when Raye took us to Italy to help in her family wine harvest."
"He's only been married like…I donno…six or seven month. How long have you been pregnant?" He asked.
"Eight months. He offered to…look after me," She choked, "But I didn't want anything to do with him. I don't like his wife very much, but I don't want to ruin their marriage with an illegitimate child or scandal."
"You mean you didn't want history repeating itself, right?" Sammy said coldly, "But why would you do that to yourself? You're in the same position as my mom. She was pregnant with me even when dad was married to your mother. Why not get him to divorce her and marry you?"
"Because, it doesn't make anything right, Darien chose Beryl over me. I shouldn't have to be second in love. I know Irene and dad are happy, I can see that and I remember how dad and my mom used to have the most hideous fights. I know that dad and your mom are meant to be, but I can't help remembering my own mother. She was ruined and I just can't put Beryl through that for my own happiness."
"Meh! You're too soft, Serena," Sammy muttered, "There's a picture of Beryl Marinelli in our changing room at the soccer club. If it's any consolation, I think you're prettier."
"Aww, thanks Sammy," Serena chuckled.
"You want something to eat, Sammy?" Serena asked, "I can't make much but I could whip you up an omelette or something. I'm the queen of omelettes."
"No, thanks though. I'm gonna call Meeka and take her somewhere. Where do you suggest?" Sammy asked.
Serena thought of Darien and how he took her to dinner in Italy, the entire time filled with debates and intimate conversation. Then he took her to his villa where…Serena shook her head of the mental tangent, reprimanding herself for reliving dead memories.
"How about taking a walk with her to that cute café in town, what's it called? The red one," Serena supplied.
"I know that place, it's called 'Hot Spot'," Sammy answered.
Serena nodded, "So take her to Hot Spot, give her some treats then do something she wants to do. What does she like to do?"
Sammy frowned for a moment, "She loves those chick flicks."
"Well then, there you are. Take her to the movies tonight and watch something with her. After all, it is still a school night, can't do anything too rowdy," Serena smiled.
"Thanks, I'll call her now," Sammy said with a definite mood change.
"Oh, before you go," Serena added quickly to his retreating figure, "Could you help me get up, please?"
"You must be bored stiff at home," Sammy observed, taking her extended hands and pulling her off his bed, "If you want, you can come see my soccer practice after school tomorrow."
"Thanks, Sammy. I think I might just do that."
For the first time, Sammy gave her a big smile before running off. Serena felt a warmth sensation in her heart and gently she cupped her stomach as the baby kicked.
"Yes, baby, I think he's beginning to like us."
000
Darien marched through Blue Shipping, his eye focused straight ahead. To his employee's he looked like Ares the god of war, dressed in a severe grey Armani suit, his navy tie matching the twin storms in his eyes. Merlyn Avery, the head of accounting, couldn't help but shiver as those vivid arctic eyes, framed by long black lashes, swivelled over the room, his sensual mouth pressed in a harsh line. He did not look happy.
Next to him, Andrew Reed paced, also dressed in a grey suit, though unlike Darien, the cut was meant to conceal his expanding waist line.
"We chose Serena's design," Andrew said, not noticing Darien's scowl at the first name reference, taking the sheet offered to him.
Darien looked over it, seeing the old 'Blue Shipping' logo combined with Poseidon's trident – a world recognised symbol which was appropriate.
"We thought it was contemporary and fit the purpose better then Mr. Mathieu's," Andrew stated.
"Good choice," Darien commended then got into the next issue, "I want full records of everything occurring round Blue Shipping – big and small – Drew. Avery, create a full data model of our finances and profits starting from the accounting year."
With minimal fuss, his team went to work while Darien retired to his private office, sinking into his leather seat. From his wallet, Darien slid a picture from a compartment, looking over Serena's beautiful face as she smiled at him. She was eight months along, carrying their child and he could do nothing about it. It frustrated him to no end that he couldn't be with her; in all her pregnancy duration he had seen her twice for no longer then half an hour and touched his baby once. She'd kept the knowledge secret from him for so long!
Darien threw his paperweight against the wall with anger, leaving a huge hole in the plaster, his muscles trembling. The best professionals and other shadier characters were searching for her, investigating the United Kingdom with a fine tooth comb – but to no avail! He was becoming desperate and could only find solace in pouring his soul into work, alternating between his three businesses and supervising their progress.
Just then his cell phone rang and he it up, checking the identification with hope, but that shard soon faded as he discovered it to be Raye.
"What," He snapped rudely in greeting.
"Sheesh! Bite my head off why don't you," Raye snarled back with equal vigour.
"What do you want," He stated, shuffling through his folders absentmindedly.
"I want to know why Jed was searching through my things – again! I know you've been searching for Serena though, I can't for the love of god, figure out why. So I'm saying it now: Why are you looking for Serena? And if you don't give me a straight frickin' answer, I'll belt my way up to Liverpool and kick your scrawny-"
"--- You know I don't listen to threats," Darien interrupted, "And who said it was me searching. It's Seiya who's on the hunt," Darien said, a bitter feeling rising at the thought of that bastard.
"How stupid do you think I am, Darien? Why on earth would Jed want to help Seiya. They don't exactly like each other. Jed makes the rudest jokes about him when he thinks I can't hear – you should know, you're the one he tells them to," she bellowed at a hundred miles an hour.
"Look, Raye, it's no business of yours," He replied, his stern voice showing no hint of an answer.
"Bull Shit! I know you're up to something and I'm gonna find out," She yelled.
With that the line went dead and Darien replaced his phone in his suit pocket, feeling like a little more of his soul had been sucked out. Raye's wrath had been detonated due to a note which Jed had discovered from Serena, but it had been worth it. The note said Serena had decided to go on a small vacation to prepare herself for the baby's birth, which was a normal thing for Serena to do, as she often went on arty expeditions whenever she had the opportunity.
His lip twitched in a sardonic grimace meant to be a smile. So much for best friends forever, Serena had many secrets that she had kept from the girls, her way of handling such things were to lie and runaway. He understood why she did it, she was almost completely alone, which made him more determined to find her so that he could take the heavy burden from her fragile shoulders. He had listed every person who Serena could have run to, checking the locations himself, remaining vigilant until he was a hundred percent sure she wasn't there.
Just then it hit him, his eyes widening with realisation. He was complete fool for not checking the most obvious place, Oxford where her father lived! Darien felt like smashing his desk with rage at his incompetence, it was so damn obvious now. Serena was unpredictable and he had no doubt now that she'd gone there, he knew for a fact that in desperate time's people put aside their pride to survive. It was the perfect idea and despite hating himself for his stupidity, he commended Serena on her choice.
But now the game was up. There would be no more running.
Instead of arranging the flight and accommodation through his personal assistant, Raye, he gave the orders to his secretary, taking no chance in case Raye was in on the plan and warned Serena. Like a madman, he left, not bothering to acknowledge Andrew as he stormed through the premises, giving the explanation he had personal business to resolve.
His private jet was already at the Liverpool airstrip, so he merely had to wait for it to be refuelled before taking off. There was adrenaline rushing through his veins and he sat stoically, planning his next move to trap Serena.
There would be no mistakes this time. He had to catch the rabbit and secure any holes in the net. She would not escape him.
000
"Daddy!" Beryl sobbed over the phone, "He's filed for a divorce. He's gonna leave me!"
"Quiet! I'm trying to think. There must be a reason. Tell me why," He instructed.
"He's in love with another woman, the little blonde slut isn't anything compared to me," She howled, her pride bruised when she thought about the small mouse she was losing to.
"Beryl, as much as I don't trust Marinelli, my spies have confirmed that he has remained faithful in your marriage every time you've brought his fidelity up. But same cannot be said about you, that's why he's getting a divorce. You dirty whore! You bring shame onto your family! You've ruined us," he seethed with anger.
"Daaadeeee," Beryl cried with horror, "It wasn't my fault! Darien doesn't have sex with me any more!"
"Of course he wouldn't, you're a tramp. I cannot believe you are my daughter! You've bought me nothing but trouble! Don't you realise what you've done! I've signed my business off to Marinelli because you didn't possess the intelligence or dedication, neither did your brother. You two are shameful. Now I will lose it!"
Beryl wailed in response, her carefully made makeup streaking down and settling on her cheek bones unattractively. "Wha—what do-do-do I do daddy?"
"I should kill you," He hissed, "I spent my life establishing that business. Damn you! If Marinelli divorces you, then I will kill you myself. Make sure it doesn't happen, you started this mess, now fix it."
With that the line went dead, leaving Beryl all alone, racks of heaving cries ripping from her chest. Before her, on the low mahogany coffee table, rested the documents that she had received after her photo shoot.
The papers lay on the table, just plain A4 sheets, but the black words printed on it would determine her fate.
Whether she was to live or die.
000
'The strong live, the weak die' --- Shishio (Rurouni Kenshin)
