Sunset At Paradise Cove

Chapter 16

Author's Note: Hi everyone just a quick note this week to say thank you to all my readers I am very pleased to see you are enjoying the story so far and please continue to send all your thoughts and reviews. Thanks Mars Light

Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon never did, never will thank you!

Serena sat out on the veranda with her mother and Mrs. Jensen along with an elder Mrs. Jensen. her mother in law who sat beside her and kept looking over to her from time to time as though she knew she was holding onto some big secret.

She took a deep breath in knowing this was the last place she wanted to be right now as she heard her mother speaking about table linens, but had grown accustomed through the years to tune out much of what was being said and just nod her head accordingly from time to time.

She sat there feeling her stomach rumbling and felt like she may be sick while listening to her mother making comment to the almond colored linens that were delivered instead of the cream as she started to feel a little light headed when the elder Mrs. Jensen looking to her asking curiously "you are starting John Hopkins in the fall are you not?"

Serena sat there not feeling much of making polite conversation and gently nodded her head in response as Mrs. Jensen looked to her with a please smile adding in "how lovely my Bradley will be starting in the fall semester as well, what are you planning on majoring in Serena?"

Serena looked to her as she rolled back her eyes knowing Bradley was many things, but none of which she would consider a pleasant or endearing quality to be around as she shook her head telling her with zero interest "I have yet to decide in a major at this time"

Mrs. Jensen looked to her somewhat taken back my her announcement as she nodded her head stating "oh I see" which she received an angry look from her mother for her comment as she let out a small chuckle and looked to Serena with a demanding tone saying "enough with this unknown tell her your plans Serena"

Serena looked to her mother hearing of the way she spoke as though everything was already finalized and came to realize it was not her future at all, but the plans her parents had already set into motion for her, although she was left uncertain what her future would bring yet, but knew whatever plans her parents had planned would soon be derailed as she shook her head and replied back calmly "I would prefer to leave my options open"

Her mother looked to her obviously displeased with her response as she let out a small chuckle and looked to the Jensen's replying casually while taking over the conversation "my daughter has a very broad way of looking at things, but like my husband any myself Serena will be taking up political science"

Mrs. Jensen looked to her with a pleased smile as she nodded her head approvingly, while Serena sat there with her mouth open hearing her mother once again leave her with no choice on what her area of studies would be or on anything else in her life, as she put a hand down to her stomach and remembered the choice she had made for herself and did not regret a moment of it including the secret that she held inside her child with Darien growing within her, the one thing her parents had no control over

The elder Mrs. Jensen looked to her with a small grin almost without words knowing that she had other plans for herself and her future as she commented back "a wise choice for a woman who has made up her own mind of where she is heading"

Serena looked to the women surrounding her and knew if she stayed on this same course this is what her future consisted of luncheons while discussing table linens and she wanted much more for herself and this child as she began to stand up from her chair saying "please excuse me"

Muriel looked to her aggravated that she was being inconsiderate and leaving in the middle of their conversation asking politely with a deadly glare "Serena what are you doing?"

Serena looked over to her mother knowing she needed to get some air before she felt any more suffocated sitting in that chair as she spoke up telling her "I am going to use the ladies room if that is allowed within my schedule mother, now if you will please excuse me"

Mrs. Jensen gave her a warm smile as she commented back "of course dear it is just up the stairs second door on the right" Serena nodded her head and walked away from the table at a brisk pace, wanting to run away from here and this place as fast as she could but knew it would be impolite to do so and for now had to continue along with the charade as she heard her mother speak to Mrs. Jansen softly as she told her "I am so sorry about my daughter's behavior I do not know what has come over her lately, perhaps too much time in the sun"

Mrs. Jensen nodded her head as she replied back understandingly "yes that must be so" while Serena shook off their comment knowing they would continue speaking about her and planning her future even when she was not there.

She quickly walked inside the house and then stopped and leaned up against a wall as the took a deep breath in then let it out finding it not as suffocating the further she stepped away from her mother when she heard a different voice enter the room stating "well look who's here"

Serena stood up from the wall as she held her shoulders back and tried to look every much the well brought up girl her mother expected her to be as she looked on Bradley Jansen with disdain as she began to walk past him saying "excuse me"

Bradley reached out to take her hand in his as he smiled a smile that she was sure some girls would go all googily eyed for but she was not one of them because she knew the type of man that he was beneath that smile as he asked her "what's your hurry Serena?"

She looked to him having no interest in having a conversation or spending a mere second in his presence as she shook her head telling him "I was just heading up to the ladies' room if you must know"

Bradley gave her a little grin as he told her motioned for her to follow him stating "well in that case, I can show you where it is myself" then turned around and gave her a noticeable wink telling saying matter of factly "it is located right next to my bedroom, if you would like I can give you a full tour of the house"

Serena shook her head knowing exactly where he planned on leading that tour and it would be a cold day in hell before she would be one of his filthy man whores as she replied back telling him "I am sure that won't be necessary, I can manage on my own"

Bradley looked to her as he began to laugh while shaking his head he challenged back asking "what's the matter Serena afraid to be left alone with me, think you might break a nail or something"

Serena shook her head knowing the high self-esteem he had of himself and thinking he could get whatever he wanted but she was not one as she replied back telling him "no nothing like that, I just do not prefer my current company, if you will excuse me"

Bradley looked to her as he let out a small laugh then crossed his arms stating "well you do like to speak your mind don't you so there should be no problem at all with us sitting and getting to know each other better"

Serena shook her head wanting to tell him desperately what she really thought of him but tried to keep her tone pleasant and neutral as she spoke up telling him "I know all I need to know of you and that is plenty enough now, excuse me"

Bradley laughed find it amusing how she was playing hard to get as he shook his head and told her "come now Serena you don't have to worry about what others will say, believe me if your parents know that you are here with me right now they will be very pleased. After all my parents are generous benefactors to your father"

Serena looked to him with a shake of her head replying back "and we thank you for that, but I myself do not wish to sell myself out for my father's company" as she continued to walk away

Bradley looked to her watching the curve of her figure with a little grin stating "I see well that big deal your father has been working on these past several months with my father, I would hate for something to change that because of something you did, or wouldn't do Serena"

Serena stopped walking as she heard his implied threat and turned around telling him "how dare you try to manipulate me you self-righteous ass. I will not be forced into anything, now if you will excuse me, I need to find a bathroom this conversation is making me feel rather ill"

Bradley stood with his arms crossed in front of him and his head held up high as he shook his head and let out a loud laugh telling her "come to think of it I heard father mentioning the other day, how he was looking for ways to cut costs perhaps I should make a few recommendations"

Serena looked to him while shaking her head ready to walk over there and punch that smug look right off his face as she spoke up telling him "I don't respond well to threats"

Bradley crossed the room and took a seat on one of the overstuffed chairs as he patted his knee telling her "come now Serena don't think of it as a threat, but another business arrangement"

Serena looked back at him with a shake of her head not understanding why anyone would want to have anything to do with him, when her mother came walking into the room seeing her talking to Bradley with a large smile telling her pleased "how wonderful it is to see the both of you getting along so well"

Serena looked to her knowing she had no idea of Bradley's Jensen's true character as she shook her head telling her "mother I do not think…"

Muriel cut her off as usual taking no consideration of her thoughts she told her plainly "Serena wouldn't it be nice if while Mrs. Jensen and I speak, you and Bradley can get to know each other better"

Bradley let out a loud laugh as he spoke up telling her "you know I was just saying the thing, wouldn't that be nice if we had some alone time together to get to know each other better"

Serena looked to him while shaking her head knowing exactly how he wanted to get to know her better and that would never happen as she spoke up protesting "I have no wish to say anything more within the present company and I actually find myself rather uncomfortable and would prefer to leave now mother"

Her mother looked to her very displeased by her comment as she walked over and placed her hand down on her shoulder as she whispered in telling her "Serena enough with this nonsense I have heard enough of your comments now Bradley is offering to spend some time with you, do not be rude and go along with him"

Serena looked to her mother about to respond on how exactly Bradley planned on getting to know one another better when Mrs. Jensen came into the room and stood by the terrace doors as she looked on asking "is everything alright in here"

Bradley looked to her with a little grin as he walked over to stand beside his mother looking every bit the well-respected gentleman that he claimed to be, but she knew otherwise as he spoke up telling her "of course mother Serena and I were just having a conversation on what can be done to help advance the benefits of a pairing within the two companies'"

Serena looked to him knowing that he was twisting the situation to make it sound more pleasant in her mother's ears as she smiled telling her "how wonderful Serena you could learn a great deal from Bradley, that boy knows where he is heading"

Serena looked to him with a scowl after seeing the pleased look he had on his face, waiting for her to give in and do what everyone expected of her, just like she always does but not this time as she shook her head telling the room "I think I would rather pass, I am actually feeling rather tired and would prefer to go home, now mother"

Muriel face dropped as she tried to keep up appearances and looked to her daughter displeased telling her politely "Serena we are guests of the Jensen's" as she grabbed onto her arm roughly whispering to her "I don't know what has go into you these past few days, but I do not appreciate your attitude now enough with these games do not embarrass me in front of the Jensen's"

Serena looked to her knowing her mother was doing a fine job of embarrassing herself as she spoke up telling her "I have higher expectations of the company I keep mother"

Mrs. Jensen was taken back by her comment, but quickly ignored it as she had grown accustomed to her parents doing so as she pasted on a pleasant smile telling Muriel "you had mentioned about seeing the new painting we just acquired for our gallery, would you like to see it now"

Muriel let go of Serena's arm as she turned to Mrs. Jensen with a large smile telling her "yes of course please lead the way" as she turned back to Serena with a warning telling her "do not ruin this deal for us" and then followed Mrs. Jensen into a different room.

Serena stood there watching the two women walk past her acting oblivious to the situation right before their eyes as she heard Mrs. Jensen continue commenting as though nothing happened "my husband just acquired the painting this morning from a private collector it is worth millions. Come I will show it to you right this way"

Bradley who stood there with a proud look on his face expecting nothing less to happen as he let out a small laugh telling her "see I told you if your mother believes you are with me, she will be well pleased and so will you"

Serena looked to him amazed at his audacity as she slowly sauntered up to him as she shook her head and gave him a small push at his chest telling him "yes I do see, I see a spoiled rich boy who has gotten everything he wants handed to him, but not this time and I also see the exit, now if you will excuse me"

Serena turned around not wanting to waste another second in this house as she started walking forward towards the exit as Bradley reached out and took her by the arm telling her "wait"

Serena turned around to look at him ready to swing and give him a black eye in doing so if need be telling him "let go of me"

Bradley released her arm as he stood there laughing, knowing he would get what he wants in the end telling her "I don't think you understand exactly what is at stake here Serena? After all we are talking about the coming merger between our companies"

Serena looked to him displeased she would have to spend an extra minute near him, but knew her father would never give up any part of his company without getting an even bigger deal out of it as she shook her head asking him "what merger? What are you talking about?"

Bradley laughed knowing exactly what someone in her position would appreciate as he told her back with a grin "come now Serena you don't have to act all coy with me, after all once we are married the profit margins will go through the roof"

Serena started coughing loudly at his statement to think he would ever think she would ever be getting settled in with someone like him as she shook her head questioning "married you and I?"

Bradley looked to her as he began to walk around sizing her up as he nodded his head telling her "yes and I get how these marriages go with business mergers, all business with no play, but I want more than a wife in name only, got it I expect you to do your part"

Serena stood there looking at him knowing he wasn't joking as she shook her head knowing it would be a cold day in hell before she would ever agree to marry him as she spoke up telling him "there will be no marriage of that I am certain"

Bradley looked to her surprised as he crossed his arms and started laughing telling her mockingly "you really don't know anything about this do you?"

Serena stood there not liking where this conversation seemed to be heading as she shook her head and told him loudly "no, of course not"

Bradley looked to her as his whole demeanor changed to one of business as he nodded his head telling her "the deal is almost complete; the papers were signed three weeks ago and the rest is all being worked out with the lawyers"

Serena stood there as she started to breathe heavily knowing this couldn't be actually happening, it was one thing for her parents to send her on the occasionally date, but they would never actually expect her too, they wouldn't actually think of arranging a marriage for their own benefit as she thought about it for a moment longer and knew now why her mother and father had agreed to let her go on the trip after so much arguing, they wanted her out of the way so they could complete this deal as she screamed out loudly "mother!"

Bradley watched on with a smug smile seeing the way she acted as he spoke up telling her what is done is done Serena, it won't be undone"

She looked back at him as she shook her head telling him squarely "we'll see about that" as she turned around quickly went into the gallery where she saw her mother standing thoughtfully before an abstract painting as she barged into the room demanding "what have you and father done?"

Muriel looked to her seeing her bead behavior was continuing on as she shook her head stating calmly "Serena is this the proper way to enter a room, we have taught you better than that now apologize to Mrs. Jensen for the improper disruption"

Serena looked to her mother while shaking her head hearing her speak of what is proper as she spoke up demanding her "is it true?"

Muriel looked to her disappointed with a shake of her head she looked to Mrs. Jensen stating "my apologies for my daughter's behavior" as she looked to Serena commenting coldly "Serena I do not appreciate the tone you are speaking in, now what is this true business about?"

Serena looked to the woman standing in front of her that she called mother as she spoke up knowing the truth before she asked, but asking anyway "are you setting up an arranged marriage for me and Bradly Jensen"

Her mother looked to her as she took on a lighter tone, obviously trying to ignore an argument that would surely come as she told her pleasantly "Serena dear why do we not discuss this later"

Serena stood there shaking her head hearing her mother take on her way of disregarding subjects that she would rather not get into, but she was not about to let this drop as she spoke up to her sternly saying "how dare you make this kind of choice without speaking to me first"

Mrs. Jensen looked to Serena seeing that she did seem a tad upset as she asked her calmly "is everything alright Serena you are looking rather pale"

Serena turned to the woman while shaking her head, knowing one of her mother was enough and she would not be stuck with two of them as she screamed out at her "no its not alright"

Muriel looked to Serena not appreciating the tone she was taking as she shook her head in an authoritive manner telling her "Serena you will watch the way you speak to our hostess, now we will not be having this discussion here Serena, so drop it this instant"

Serena looked to her mother having reached the end of following her plans as she shook her head telling her "no that is where you are wrong mother because you see we will not be having this conversation at all because there will be no wedding"

Mrs. Jensen placed on a warm smile as she tried to smooth the situation down stating "perhaps it would be best if we all go sit out side and have some tea"

Serena looked to her amazed that she actually expected a cup of tea would fix this as she turned to walk out of the room and went straight out the front door slamming it behind her. She covered her face as she took a deep breath in then let it all out with a loud scream when she heard the door open and close behind her.

She turned around to see her mother come walked outside as she grabbed her roughly by the arm telling her "I do not know what has come over you these past few weeks, but since you have returned from the island you have acted savagely. Now you will go back inside and apologize to the Jensen's for your horrible display in there and we will go inside and continue with our luncheon"

Serena looked over to her mother hearing the way she thought she could just bypass this as she shook her head telling her "stop being so delusional mother, I will never marry him or anyone else for the sake of a business deal and once word gets out, I am sure he will not want to marry me either"

Muriel looked to her shaking her head asking "Serena stop acting so selfish and what is this that you are speaking of word gets out about what? What have you done now? You better have not done anything to jeopardize our good standings"

Serena gave her a small grin knowing all that her mother really thought of is how others will see her in there ideal image as she thought of how others would think of her having an unmarried pregnant daughter and replied telling her happily "I am taking back control of my own life for once mother good day"

Serena started walking down the long driveway ready to leave this life her mother and father planned behind her back as her mother rushed down to catch up with her as she took hold of her shoulder and turned her around to face her as she spoke up telling her forcefully "your father and I have a great deal at stake riding on this merger, do you have any idea how much we would gain from this marriage and you will not mess this up for us"

Serena looked to her mother as she gave her a small smile knowing that she was about to put a giant wrench to their plans telling her back "sorry mother your plans have been cancelled, I will not be a part of this. I am through with letting you and father control my life, no longer will I allow this to happen"

Muriel stood there shaking her head as she firmly disagreed while telling her formally "control your life, Serena we are not controlling you we are making certain that you are making the best possible choices and spending time with the right class of people and from what I have seen you are rather lacking on your ability to do so"

Serena laughed at what her mother considered to be the right type of people as she told her forwardly "right class you mean those like you, who you only use to fill your pockets and then toss them to the side after you have done so, well I will not be another that you will just toss around sorry!"

Her mother looked to her as she raised her head up high making no comment to deny anything of what she said and instead chose to inform her by proudly stating "Serena you will not speak of your father and I in this way, we raised you as a girl of good breeding and it is expected of you to be with someone of equal standings Bradley Jensen is a fine upstanding gentleman"

Serena shook her head a she took her mother's thoughts and through them back in her face with some of the truth standing up behind it telling her "fine, upstanding, egotistical, over rated, stuck up, womanizing asshole"

Her mother looked to her while shaking her head telling her "you will watch that mouth of yours Serena. Now we are going to go back inside this very moment and you will be polite and courteous" as she turned around to see Mrs. Jensen standing in the doorway with a displeased face as she gave her a small wave of her hand as she called out nervously unsure how much she overheard "we will be in in just a minute"

Mrs. Jensen stood there with an unpleased look on her face as she put both hands down on her hips and lifted her head up high stating proudly "Muriel perhaps we should have a word"

Serena looked to her mother knowing how much she was worth in their eyes, and it all came down to how many zeros came at the end of the check they would not be getting for her as she shook her head telling her coldly "go ahead mother, your money is waiting"

Muriel turned back to look at Serena as she told her with a warning "you better not have blown this deal for us" as she turned back around to walk towards where Mrs. Jensen stood with a warm smile.

Serena stood there for a second watching her go knowing her mother was about to go in there and make a bunch of promises for her, that she had no intention of ever keeping as she shook her head telling her "you have no idea mother" and then placed her hand down on top of her stomach and turned around to make her own plans.