Title:Paris
Author:Tapestry
Email:Shaddow_Cat@hotmail.com
Standard Disclaimer Apply
* denotes thought
26/5/02
"Woman was created from the ribs of man
Not from his head to top him
Nor from his feet to be walked upon
She was made from his side to be his equal
From beneath his arms to be protected
From very near his heart to be loved."
--Anonymous--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
aujourd'hui - today
bien - well
quoi - what
~ Chapter 5: The Floating City, Part 1 ~
Amy LeFier rubbed her bottom sourly as she trudged onto the set. They
were still in Rome, shooting. They were currently at the Colosseum and
their last stop in Rome was St Peter's Square. They would then stay one
last night before moving on to their next location, Venice.
"That never happened when I was with the other girls." mumbled Amy. In
her hands, she held take-out from a nearby cafe. It was lunch hour.
"What are you mumbling about, Aimee?" asked Michelle.
"It's AMY, A-M-Y. I hate Aimee."
"But piccola,it's your name is it not?" asked Suzanne.
"Unfortunately. Anyway, I was talking about your Italian hospitability."
snapped Amy slightly miffed.
"What's wrong?"
"I know you Italians are supposed to be just as passionate as we, French.
But I'm not a French who appreciates strange men pinching my derriere!"
Michelle and Suzanne chuckled to themselves.
"Someone pinched you?" came Mina's voice.
"Did you get a good look at the man?" asked Lita.
"No. Besides, how was I to know. The place was crowded. Mon Dieu, it was
like trying to get out of a crush. Besides, it's not as if you'd be able to
find the man again to scold him anyway." pointed out Amy.
"Scold him?? What gave you the idea I wanted to know what he looked like
to scold him?? I just wanted to know if he was cute!" exclaimed Mina.
"Oui! I knew I should have gone to buy lunch." sighed Lita.
Amy rolled her eyes. "I should have guessed."
"Why would you want anyone to pinch your bottom?" asked Serena confused.
"I say the man should keep his hands to himself." sniffed Serena who had
gone through the same experience a few days ago. Of course, the man had
tried to kiss her as well. It was lucky Darien had come when he did.
Michelle and Suzanne hid their laughter behind their palms. Things like
this were a common occurance in Rome. Which was why most tourists were
advised to use a taxi.
"But it's the experience, Reenie. It's all harmless anyway." smiled Mina.
"Mina, sometimes I wonder if you ARE an airhead ditz." sighed Raye.
"You're one to talk, firebrand." muttered Mina.
"Ladies! Eat your lunch and let's get back to work. We've still got a lot
of shots to take." shouted Andrew clapping his hands together.
"Shut it, Andy. You're the background coordinator chére, not my mama."
snapped Beryl who was eating her lunch.
"Someone's in a bad mood." mumbled Andrew as he trudged away.
"You know, I was thinking...after work, we could go to the Trevi Fountain
and make a wish." smiled Molly.
"And meet some cute men there." smiled Mina.
"What happened to Antonio?"
"Boring."
"Well, it's usually quite crowded. But I think it will be okay in the
evenings. Those who visit the Fountain must complete the ritual by making a
wish, or bad luck may befall them." grinned Suzanne.
"That wouldn't worry Mina, she already has bad luck." laughed Raye as she
thumbed in the blonde's direction.
"Raye!!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Darien was adjusting his camera, his food left untouched on the table
next to his seat.
"Darien, you should relax and eat." came a voice.
Turning he saw Jacques.
"I'm fine, Jacques. I need to adjust this for the rest of the shoot."
sighed Darien.
"Eat, Darien." ordered Jacques.
"Alright, alright. You're a pushy man, monsieur."
"Of course I am. How do you think I became a famous designer?" laughed
Jacques.
"Darien, mon ami. Just the person I was looking for. The demoiselles have
decided to visit the Trevi Fountain after the shoot. Want to come? Make a
wish for a happy marriage?" grinned Andrew, his eyes shining.
"I don't need a wish to make my marriage a happy one, Andrew." snorted
Darien.
"Whatever, but are you coming?"
"When?"
"After dinner. How about you, Jacques?"
Jacques Rouen laughed heartily. "Nice of you to ask, monsieur...but I'm
an old man and late nights do not agree with me." laughed Jacques shaking
his head.
Darien sighed as lunch was finally over. The faster he got this assignment
done, the faster he could get back to Paris. And the faster he got back to
Paris the better. He wouldn't need to see Serena Duval too much.
She was always on the edges of his mind, teasing him with her tinkling
laughter and tempting him with her smiles.
Looking over to the blonde, she was laughing at something one of the crew
men had said. She was wearing a stunning white sleeveless dress that reached
her knees. A silk white scarf wrapped casually around her neck and a black
belt with a siver buckle, belted loosely at her waist gave her an air of
innocent elegance. A pair of white heels finished her outfit.
*God give me strength.*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena's blue eyes found Darien's tall lean, lithe figure near his camera.
He was wearing a simple short-sleeve black muscle shirt and dark blue jeans
that outlined the strength of his legs. Sneakers finished his clothes as he
bent his head to talk to one of the accessory organizers.
Her heart thudded heavily in her chest. It was strange. Serena realized
she had never seen him smile in joy before. Not even when he was with
Madeline. Sure he'd smile in amusement, gladness and surprise. But not the
smile Serena herself liked to smile. The one that made a person radiate.
Darien looked up and turned in her direction almost as if he knew she was
watching him. A blush stained her cheeks as she offered a tentative smile.
Serena knew Darien's reputation of being a slave driver as well as non-
tolerant of flirty models.
*Stop it, Serena. He's got a fiancée. You don't care if he's handsome.
You're merely colleagues.*
Darien didn't return the smile. He merely stared at her with that strange
dark look in his eyes that unnerved her and made her blood pound at the
same time.
"Serena, chére, we have to fix your make-up," called Molly.
"Oui! I'm coming!"
It was 3 hours later when the shoot was finally over...
"That has to be the longest shoot ever." sighed Beryl rubbing her aching
neck.
"You say that everytime, Beryl." groaned Amy as she trudged in.
"My poor feet. I had to run around making sure the background was perfect."
"Demoiselles, don't forget dinner and the Trevi Fountain. Also, we should
go clubbing. I don't think we'll be doing that in Venice. The boat rides
there are so much more romantic." smiled Mina.
"Ugh." replied Serena. "What we need is a masseuse."
"Step lively, signorinas. We are returning to the hotel to take a siesta
and then we'll go have a fiesta." smiled Suzanne.
"Huh?" mumbled Beryl.
"She means, take a rest then go clubbing." yawned Serena lazily as she
stretched her weary muscles.
"Oh. Oui, whatever."
Reaching back at the hotel, Serena made her way to the room she shared
with Mina, dropping onto her bed.
"Do you want tea, Reenie?"
"Non...merci."
Mina shrugged and reached for the phone, dialing room service.
"Allô, room service? Parla Inglese?" Mina asked.
"Merci. Oui, I would like some tea and digestive biscuts brought up to
room 322, please." ordered Mina. "Merci beaucoup."
With that, Mina sighed and got up to use the bathroom casting one glance
back at her cousin and sighed, shaking her head. Serena was asleep like a
baby.
In Darien's room, he sighed, rubbing his aching neck and stretching his
back muscles before dropping heavily on his bed.
Closing his eyes, he felt he could sleep for a week. Paris...he wanted to
be back in Paris.
A cream coloured face with sapphire eyes and golden curls swam before his
mind's eye. The image seemed to be imbedded behind his eyelids. Serena...
The imp was haunting him. Opening his eyes, he cursed. Why couldn't
Minalle Reynaud's cousin have been plain and boring??
Grumbling, he decided to log onto the internet. Grabbing his laptop,
Darien sat cross-legged on the bed and accessed his email.
He had 3 new emails.
The first was a message from his younger sister. The second email was from
Monique, enquiring about the progress of the shoots and a slight change of
orders. Nothing that couldn't be fixed.
The third, was from Madeline.
As Darien stared at the laptop's screen, he could almost see Madeline
sitting at her laptop in her apartment, looking out at the night sky to see
the white moon. Could see her biting her lips in thought of what to write
to him. Her slim long fingers tapping the keyboard.
Bonsoir chére,
I hope you are well this cold evening. (Of course, you wouldn't have
checked this until tomorrow.) Everyone is fine here in Paris. Your sister
called you this afternoon. I told her to email you.
Write to me often, aimé. It's lonely here in Paris, especially during the
nights when it's cold. I miss you.
Je t'aimé avec toute ma coeur. I love you with all my heart
Madeline,
Darien stared at the email for a long time before turning his laptop off.
His emotions swirling like a bubbling cauldron as one thought ran through
his head...*I don't deserve her.*
After dinner, the group moved on to the Trevi Fountain to make their
wishes. Mina closed her eyes and tossed her coin in. Opening her eyes, she
looked about.
"Damnez, my wish didn't come true." she sighed.
Serena laughed and closed her eyes, clasping her hands together.
*I wish....*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We're in Venice!!" shouted Mina loudly as she stood up from her seat on
the boat
Beryl hid her face. "I don't know her, I don't know her..."
"Reynaud, sit down before your big caboose tips the boat." hissed Raye.
"Raquel Deveraux, I do not have a big butt." snapped Mina.
"Mina...please." groaned Serena.
"What??"
A wicked gleam appeared in Andrew's eyes as he chuckled. "What your cousin
and mes amis are trying to say, ma chérie, is that you are embarrassing us."
he grinned unrepentantly.
Mina glared and sat down with a huff.
"No sense for other people's feelings at all." sniffed Mina blackly.
"Very cute, Andrew. You have undoubtly not earned any sugar points with
Mina." laughed Darien.
"Oui. You, monsieur, have the subtleness of an elephant." quipped Serena.
"I am merely direct and outspoken, mes ami." smiled Andrew brilliantly as
he winked at a dark haired brunette.
Serena and Darien rolled their eyes and turned to face each other. Eyes
locked and a flush rose up Serena's cheeks as she turned away.
Darien continued to watch her, her golden curls drifting in the wind as
the gentle breeze swept through the canals.
"It's so romantic, here." sighed Lita.
"Lita, we live in Paris!" exclaimed Amy.
"Oui, but after living there for so long, some other romantic destinations
feels the most romantic compared to Paris."
"Demoiselles, get your gear ready! Our next shoot site is just ahead!"
called Darien, waving his hand to the models and the rest of the crew cast.
"At last!" called one of the crew men.
Laughs could be heard from the rest of the crew.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Daried adjusted his focus lense as Raye directed Serena into a pose,
whose dress was the last of the outfits for that particular day. They were
shooting on one of the old platforms that overlooked Venice's grand canals.
Boats dotted the water flowing in the canal. Some were merchants bargaining
with their buyers while some were merely on a lover's boat ride.
Darien's looked up and saw Raye standing Serena near the edge of the
platform. The tiny blonde looked elegant and innocent. She was wearing a
rose patterned white dress reaching down to her calves. White shoes and
stockings went with the dress.
"Something's missing." mused Raye as she came to stand beside Darien.
Frowning, Darien eyed the picture she made. Shiny golden curls tumbling
down as she stood there wide eyed at them. She was beautiful. But Raye was
right. Something was missing.
"I suggest this white shawl wrapped around her head. Get Louie to change
her hairstyle. Fix it up." came Jacques' voice.
Later after Serena came back, a white shawl wrapped loosely around her
head, Raye and Darien smiled.
"Perfect!"
Serena returned to her former position by the edge of the platform. Taking
several shots, Darien called out.
"Move back a little further!"
Forgetting the edge, Serena stepped back, her foot meeting air. A scream
rent the air as she fell backwards head-first into the murky water below.
"SERENA!!" screamed Mina.
"Merde!" cursed Darien as he raced for the edge. Peering down, he didn't
see any sign of golden curls floating in the water.
Cursing his stupidity under his breath, he dived into the water. Why in
hell had he asked her to step back?? If she had hit her head on the way
down, there was a good chance he had killed her with his instructions...
Damn, damn, damn, damn...
A golden head came up to gasp for breath, limbs flailing.
Darien swam towards her. Her eyes were panicked.
"I-I can't swim!" she choked.
"Relax! I've got you!!" yelled Darien as he kept her head above the water.
Towing her unresisting form towards one of the lower platforms, he boosted
her up onto it.
Pulling himself up, he knelt beside Serena who was still coughing and
choking. Pushing wet hair from her face, he noted her pale complexion and
trembling form. He winced.
Because of him, she could nearly have drowned....
"I'm sorry." he whispered.
"N-No...it's al-alright..." she chattered.
"Rena! Mon Dieu!! Are you alright??!" called Mina.
"Are you hurt, chére?" asked Andrew.
"Thank God you're safe!" sighed Lita.
"Oui! You're lucky!" exclaimed Beryl.
"I-I'm f-fine..don't w-worry.."
Darien watched as they carried her away. He sighed.
Serena turned back to see Darien watching her, his wet hair falling into
his eyes. The heat of his eyes warmed her, but she hated the self
admonishment she saw in his eyes. She hated his guilt.
Turning back with a sigh, she nodded at all the inquiries thrown at her,
but her mind still drifted to a certain dark haired individual with stormy
eyes filled with torment. What was wrong with her???
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was night and she was alone in the hotel room that she shared with
Mina. She had pleaded a headache and Mina and the others had left it at
that, going out.
Serena sighed, switching the television channels aimlessly.
A knock on the door had her looking up.
"Serena?" came a voice.
Frowning, Serena listened through the door. The voice sounded familiar.
"Darien??"
"Oui."
Opening the door, Serena blinked at the handsome man outside her door.
"Darien? What are you doing here? Didn't you go out with the others?"
asked Serena confused.
"Non. Clubbing every night really isn't my cup of tea. Are you busy?"
Serena glanced sheepishly back at the television and the remote control
she had been holding.
"Not really..."
"Good!"
"Quoi?"
"Eh bein, I was wondering if you'd come with me and tour about. To make
up for what happened aujourd'hui."
"Merci Darien, but...it wasn't your fault. You don't have to make up for
anything." smiled Serena.
"But I insist. I feel at fault, chére."
"Darien..-"
"Just enjoy the night with me." grinned Darien.
He flashed her his irresistable grin, his bedroom eyes glinting in the
dim hall lights.
She was lost.
"Alright! Stop smiling like that. You're going to blind somebody with
that smile."
Darien merely laughed.
Switching off her television, Serena grabbed her coat and followed Darien
out the door, leaving the door key with the front desk at the same time also
leaving instructions for them to turn the key over to Minalle Reynaud if
she and her party returned before her.
With that, they were out and into the night.
"So, where are we going?" asked Serena.
"Oh here and there. Just here and there."
Serena rolled her eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After a light midnight snack, Serena and Darien went to a festival which
had them joking and laughing at the activities.
As they walked down the sidewalk still filled with people, Serena couldn't
stop giggling.
"Mon dieu, I have never remembered laughing as much as I have tonight."
she confessed.
"Neither have I." smiled Darien.
"That was fun."
"Oui. Let's go to the riviera next."
"What's there?"
"A night ride down one of the canals."
Serena blinked.
"You don't want to?"
"Well..."
"I promise I won't let you fall overboard." grinned Darien.
"Okay. But you said it."
Reaching the platform, the man smiled. "Boat ride?"
"Oui." answered Darien.
As Darien followed the man down, Serena watched him sign his name for
the boat rental.
"Such a nice boyfriend you have, cara." smiled an elderly man smoking a
pipe.
Serena blinked and shook her head as the words sank in.
"No no!! He's a friend."
The elderly man smiled mysteriously.
"Maybe more someday eh, cara mia."
Serena shook her head. "Non. He has a fiancée, signore."
"French, si?"
"Oui, french."
"Ah well, you can never tell, cara mia. You can never tell."
"Serena!!"
"Coming! Buona notte, signore."
"Buona notte, signorina."
The elderly man shook his head as Serena went down to meet Darien. Smiling
as the pair sailed away into the night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Interesting talk?" grinned Darien.
"Non. The man thought you were my boyfriend." laughed Serena.
"And what's funny about that?"
"Nothing! Just that, well...you!!"
"Me??"
"You just don't look like the type of boyfriend for me." laughed Serena
brushing the topic off, her face flushing.
Luckily, he couldn't see as it was dark.
"Who then would be a good boyfriend for you, chére?" asked Darien
curiously.
"Darien!"
"I'm just curious!"
"Well don't be then."
Serena humphed and rested her head on her knees.
Darien watched her, a slight breeze ruffling a few golden strands of hair.
The strange emotion welled up once again. The silence felt awkward. He
poked her in the side to get her attention. She giggled and slapped his
hand away.
"Don't do that!"
An evil glint entered his eyes. "You're ticklish?"
"No!" she gasped as Darien tickled her. She gasped between giggles trying
to retaliate. He wasn't ticklish.
"No fair!!"
"Who would be a perfect boyfriend for you, chére?"
"Not telling!!"
He tickled her further.
"Stop!! I c-can't b-breathe!" gasped Serena between giggles. Their antics
rocked the boat lightly.
Darien lost his balance and nearly fell into the water if it hadn't been
for Serena grabbing hold of his shirt.
"Merci." laughed Darien.
"Look what you did! You nearly fell into the water." snapped Serena.
"Oui oui. Merci for saving me." grinned Darien waggling his eyebrows.
Serena snorted, elbowing him in the ribs. An 'oof' met her ears, making
her turn. Darien was holding his stomach.
"Oh! Did I hurt you?" asked Serena leaning closer.
"Non."
"Peiné! Dieu, I'm so sorry!!" exclaimed Serena fretting.
Rounding a curve, the boat bumped into a wall of the canal, Darien fell
on top of Serena.
The boater called his apologies and continued to steer the boat.
The pair didn't hear him frozen as they were.
Blue stared into blue.
Serena blinked up at him, her face flushing. She could feel his gaze and
sense the blueness of his eyes.
Her breathing was almost none existant but her pulse was fluttering like
a bird's wing.
He felt her breath on his face, the scent of her hair filling his senses
until he was almost dizzy with it. How was it possible he felt this way
for her when Maddie didn't even raise them in him?? What he felt for Serena,
was so different from what he felt for Maddie.
His lips brushed hers, and there was a jolt of sensation in his mind.
Both were helpless but to fall into the spell that had them mesmerized.
They kissed.
Not a gentle touch of the lips, but a kiss that meant to devour.
Passionate and hot. The spark that Darien felt that first day grew. The
sensation he evoked in her exploded.
Then it was gone.
"I'm sorry..." they muttered at the same time.
Everything shattered about them. He was engaged. He had a special woman
waiting back for him in Paris.
"I think we should go back." suggested Serena.
"Mmm...oui."
The night was over and the spell was broken.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Serena entered her hotel room, she thanked whatever star that was
blessing her that Mina and the others had yet to return. She doubted if she
could face her right now.
Leaning against the door, she groaned.
What had gotten into her?? Had she drank one too many flutes of wine??
Hormones? Temporary insanity??
What was she thinking??!!! Darien was as good as married and it did NOT
go well to be falling head long into a blasted affair that was only going
to end in pain. Stupid stupid stupid.
*Who cares if he's hot? He's off limits.*
Darien groaned shutting the door of his room. What bug had gotten into
his brain? Why had he kissed her? Maybe he was sick. Or maybe he just missed
Maddie. That had to be it.
But the feelings he had felt...
They had been different from anything he had ever felt for Maddie.
Stronger than anything he had ever experienced. With any woman. Just what
was Serena Duval doing to him??
Picking up his laptop, he checked his email.
There was one from his sister, Holly.
Bonjour Darien!
Heard from Madeline you're in Italy right now! Must be so exciting!
You DID remember to get moi a souvenir, oui? I'm fine and my new job is
going tres bien! :) So you don't have to worry. Madeline misses you alot.
Write back soon, brother! Au revoir!
Holly,
Darien grinned at his sister's short message. Just like Holly to write
such a short note. At least she was doing well. He replied in an equally
short message before continuing to the next one.
Darien,
How are you? How long more will you be? I miss you, chére. So very much.
I just spent the day with Holly, she says her new job is going really well.
I'm happy for her. It's been raining in Paris. I can't see the stars
tonight, aimé. Can you?
It's gotten quite warm in the day but the nights are as cold as ever. I
doubt they are as cold as my heart. It seems even colder here without you.
As always, there are still plenty of tourists coming to see the Eiffel
Tower. Hows your assignment going on in Rome? Very well I hope.
I count the days anxiously to your return. Write to me often, aimé.
It's so lonely here at night. Je t'aime Darien.
Madeline,
Darien stared guiltily at the email. He'd been so busy he hadn't even
told her he was now in Venice. Maddie...
She was the sweetest woman he had ever met. The only woman who had evoked
emotions in him, until now...
Serena.
She was no Maddie, but he responded to her in ways that had never
happened before. And she was quickly sneaking into his heart as well as
his mind.
But Maddie loved him with all her heart and he couldn't break her heart.
*Dear Lord...what a tangled web we weave.*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning, Serena did not meet his eyes when they met during
breakfast. She had merely uttered a soft word of hello and then seated
herself, far from him.
After breakfast, he did not see her until they were ready to shoot. He
found her talking with a handsome italian. She laughed at something the man
said and he could only grit his teeth.
*Jealous, Clavélle??* taunted his little devil.
His conscience chastised him for it, reminding him Serena was not his
girlfriend, Madeline LeBeau was.
Darien shook his head and focused his attention on the camera equiptment.
Serena laughed at another thing the italian man in front of her said.
He smiled.
"So, free tonight, piccola?"
Piccola. Little one.
"Sorry, I have to work late." lied Serena. Sure the guy was funny, but
he was no Darien. *What was that??!* roared her conscience.
The guy nodded in understanding and smiled, saying goodbye.
Serena sighed. She had hoped she had dreamed the whole last night up.
But no. She had awoken this morning to the night's memories. The kiss.
Serena smacked herself mentally.
*Enough, Serena Duval.*
"Hey, who was that?? He was H-O-T!" smiled Mina.
"Get to work, Mina." groaned Serena.
"Quoi??? I was just asking!" grinned her cousin as they headed over to
the cabanas.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be continued...
REVIEWS! EMAILS!! Okay, I know I took a long time. But I had writer's block!
I got this chapter out now, right??? *dodges tomatoes and eggs* Next up,
Darien and Serena struggle to understand and DENY the fatal attraction
between them.
Well, tell me what you think! :) I gotta go work on Banshee now.
Next: ~ Chapter 5: The Floating City, Part 2 ~
8/9/02
Author:Tapestry
Email:Shaddow_Cat@hotmail.com
Standard Disclaimer Apply
* denotes thought
26/5/02
"Woman was created from the ribs of man
Not from his head to top him
Nor from his feet to be walked upon
She was made from his side to be his equal
From beneath his arms to be protected
From very near his heart to be loved."
--Anonymous--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
aujourd'hui - today
bien - well
quoi - what
~ Chapter 5: The Floating City, Part 1 ~
Amy LeFier rubbed her bottom sourly as she trudged onto the set. They
were still in Rome, shooting. They were currently at the Colosseum and
their last stop in Rome was St Peter's Square. They would then stay one
last night before moving on to their next location, Venice.
"That never happened when I was with the other girls." mumbled Amy. In
her hands, she held take-out from a nearby cafe. It was lunch hour.
"What are you mumbling about, Aimee?" asked Michelle.
"It's AMY, A-M-Y. I hate Aimee."
"But piccola,it's your name is it not?" asked Suzanne.
"Unfortunately. Anyway, I was talking about your Italian hospitability."
snapped Amy slightly miffed.
"What's wrong?"
"I know you Italians are supposed to be just as passionate as we, French.
But I'm not a French who appreciates strange men pinching my derriere!"
Michelle and Suzanne chuckled to themselves.
"Someone pinched you?" came Mina's voice.
"Did you get a good look at the man?" asked Lita.
"No. Besides, how was I to know. The place was crowded. Mon Dieu, it was
like trying to get out of a crush. Besides, it's not as if you'd be able to
find the man again to scold him anyway." pointed out Amy.
"Scold him?? What gave you the idea I wanted to know what he looked like
to scold him?? I just wanted to know if he was cute!" exclaimed Mina.
"Oui! I knew I should have gone to buy lunch." sighed Lita.
Amy rolled her eyes. "I should have guessed."
"Why would you want anyone to pinch your bottom?" asked Serena confused.
"I say the man should keep his hands to himself." sniffed Serena who had
gone through the same experience a few days ago. Of course, the man had
tried to kiss her as well. It was lucky Darien had come when he did.
Michelle and Suzanne hid their laughter behind their palms. Things like
this were a common occurance in Rome. Which was why most tourists were
advised to use a taxi.
"But it's the experience, Reenie. It's all harmless anyway." smiled Mina.
"Mina, sometimes I wonder if you ARE an airhead ditz." sighed Raye.
"You're one to talk, firebrand." muttered Mina.
"Ladies! Eat your lunch and let's get back to work. We've still got a lot
of shots to take." shouted Andrew clapping his hands together.
"Shut it, Andy. You're the background coordinator chére, not my mama."
snapped Beryl who was eating her lunch.
"Someone's in a bad mood." mumbled Andrew as he trudged away.
"You know, I was thinking...after work, we could go to the Trevi Fountain
and make a wish." smiled Molly.
"And meet some cute men there." smiled Mina.
"What happened to Antonio?"
"Boring."
"Well, it's usually quite crowded. But I think it will be okay in the
evenings. Those who visit the Fountain must complete the ritual by making a
wish, or bad luck may befall them." grinned Suzanne.
"That wouldn't worry Mina, she already has bad luck." laughed Raye as she
thumbed in the blonde's direction.
"Raye!!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Darien was adjusting his camera, his food left untouched on the table
next to his seat.
"Darien, you should relax and eat." came a voice.
Turning he saw Jacques.
"I'm fine, Jacques. I need to adjust this for the rest of the shoot."
sighed Darien.
"Eat, Darien." ordered Jacques.
"Alright, alright. You're a pushy man, monsieur."
"Of course I am. How do you think I became a famous designer?" laughed
Jacques.
"Darien, mon ami. Just the person I was looking for. The demoiselles have
decided to visit the Trevi Fountain after the shoot. Want to come? Make a
wish for a happy marriage?" grinned Andrew, his eyes shining.
"I don't need a wish to make my marriage a happy one, Andrew." snorted
Darien.
"Whatever, but are you coming?"
"When?"
"After dinner. How about you, Jacques?"
Jacques Rouen laughed heartily. "Nice of you to ask, monsieur...but I'm
an old man and late nights do not agree with me." laughed Jacques shaking
his head.
Darien sighed as lunch was finally over. The faster he got this assignment
done, the faster he could get back to Paris. And the faster he got back to
Paris the better. He wouldn't need to see Serena Duval too much.
She was always on the edges of his mind, teasing him with her tinkling
laughter and tempting him with her smiles.
Looking over to the blonde, she was laughing at something one of the crew
men had said. She was wearing a stunning white sleeveless dress that reached
her knees. A silk white scarf wrapped casually around her neck and a black
belt with a siver buckle, belted loosely at her waist gave her an air of
innocent elegance. A pair of white heels finished her outfit.
*God give me strength.*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Serena's blue eyes found Darien's tall lean, lithe figure near his camera.
He was wearing a simple short-sleeve black muscle shirt and dark blue jeans
that outlined the strength of his legs. Sneakers finished his clothes as he
bent his head to talk to one of the accessory organizers.
Her heart thudded heavily in her chest. It was strange. Serena realized
she had never seen him smile in joy before. Not even when he was with
Madeline. Sure he'd smile in amusement, gladness and surprise. But not the
smile Serena herself liked to smile. The one that made a person radiate.
Darien looked up and turned in her direction almost as if he knew she was
watching him. A blush stained her cheeks as she offered a tentative smile.
Serena knew Darien's reputation of being a slave driver as well as non-
tolerant of flirty models.
*Stop it, Serena. He's got a fiancée. You don't care if he's handsome.
You're merely colleagues.*
Darien didn't return the smile. He merely stared at her with that strange
dark look in his eyes that unnerved her and made her blood pound at the
same time.
"Serena, chére, we have to fix your make-up," called Molly.
"Oui! I'm coming!"
It was 3 hours later when the shoot was finally over...
"That has to be the longest shoot ever." sighed Beryl rubbing her aching
neck.
"You say that everytime, Beryl." groaned Amy as she trudged in.
"My poor feet. I had to run around making sure the background was perfect."
"Demoiselles, don't forget dinner and the Trevi Fountain. Also, we should
go clubbing. I don't think we'll be doing that in Venice. The boat rides
there are so much more romantic." smiled Mina.
"Ugh." replied Serena. "What we need is a masseuse."
"Step lively, signorinas. We are returning to the hotel to take a siesta
and then we'll go have a fiesta." smiled Suzanne.
"Huh?" mumbled Beryl.
"She means, take a rest then go clubbing." yawned Serena lazily as she
stretched her weary muscles.
"Oh. Oui, whatever."
Reaching back at the hotel, Serena made her way to the room she shared
with Mina, dropping onto her bed.
"Do you want tea, Reenie?"
"Non...merci."
Mina shrugged and reached for the phone, dialing room service.
"Allô, room service? Parla Inglese?" Mina asked.
"Merci. Oui, I would like some tea and digestive biscuts brought up to
room 322, please." ordered Mina. "Merci beaucoup."
With that, Mina sighed and got up to use the bathroom casting one glance
back at her cousin and sighed, shaking her head. Serena was asleep like a
baby.
In Darien's room, he sighed, rubbing his aching neck and stretching his
back muscles before dropping heavily on his bed.
Closing his eyes, he felt he could sleep for a week. Paris...he wanted to
be back in Paris.
A cream coloured face with sapphire eyes and golden curls swam before his
mind's eye. The image seemed to be imbedded behind his eyelids. Serena...
The imp was haunting him. Opening his eyes, he cursed. Why couldn't
Minalle Reynaud's cousin have been plain and boring??
Grumbling, he decided to log onto the internet. Grabbing his laptop,
Darien sat cross-legged on the bed and accessed his email.
He had 3 new emails.
The first was a message from his younger sister. The second email was from
Monique, enquiring about the progress of the shoots and a slight change of
orders. Nothing that couldn't be fixed.
The third, was from Madeline.
As Darien stared at the laptop's screen, he could almost see Madeline
sitting at her laptop in her apartment, looking out at the night sky to see
the white moon. Could see her biting her lips in thought of what to write
to him. Her slim long fingers tapping the keyboard.
Bonsoir chére,
I hope you are well this cold evening. (Of course, you wouldn't have
checked this until tomorrow.) Everyone is fine here in Paris. Your sister
called you this afternoon. I told her to email you.
Write to me often, aimé. It's lonely here in Paris, especially during the
nights when it's cold. I miss you.
Je t'aimé avec toute ma coeur. I love you with all my heart
Madeline,
Darien stared at the email for a long time before turning his laptop off.
His emotions swirling like a bubbling cauldron as one thought ran through
his head...*I don't deserve her.*
After dinner, the group moved on to the Trevi Fountain to make their
wishes. Mina closed her eyes and tossed her coin in. Opening her eyes, she
looked about.
"Damnez, my wish didn't come true." she sighed.
Serena laughed and closed her eyes, clasping her hands together.
*I wish....*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We're in Venice!!" shouted Mina loudly as she stood up from her seat on
the boat
Beryl hid her face. "I don't know her, I don't know her..."
"Reynaud, sit down before your big caboose tips the boat." hissed Raye.
"Raquel Deveraux, I do not have a big butt." snapped Mina.
"Mina...please." groaned Serena.
"What??"
A wicked gleam appeared in Andrew's eyes as he chuckled. "What your cousin
and mes amis are trying to say, ma chérie, is that you are embarrassing us."
he grinned unrepentantly.
Mina glared and sat down with a huff.
"No sense for other people's feelings at all." sniffed Mina blackly.
"Very cute, Andrew. You have undoubtly not earned any sugar points with
Mina." laughed Darien.
"Oui. You, monsieur, have the subtleness of an elephant." quipped Serena.
"I am merely direct and outspoken, mes ami." smiled Andrew brilliantly as
he winked at a dark haired brunette.
Serena and Darien rolled their eyes and turned to face each other. Eyes
locked and a flush rose up Serena's cheeks as she turned away.
Darien continued to watch her, her golden curls drifting in the wind as
the gentle breeze swept through the canals.
"It's so romantic, here." sighed Lita.
"Lita, we live in Paris!" exclaimed Amy.
"Oui, but after living there for so long, some other romantic destinations
feels the most romantic compared to Paris."
"Demoiselles, get your gear ready! Our next shoot site is just ahead!"
called Darien, waving his hand to the models and the rest of the crew cast.
"At last!" called one of the crew men.
Laughs could be heard from the rest of the crew.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Daried adjusted his focus lense as Raye directed Serena into a pose,
whose dress was the last of the outfits for that particular day. They were
shooting on one of the old platforms that overlooked Venice's grand canals.
Boats dotted the water flowing in the canal. Some were merchants bargaining
with their buyers while some were merely on a lover's boat ride.
Darien's looked up and saw Raye standing Serena near the edge of the
platform. The tiny blonde looked elegant and innocent. She was wearing a
rose patterned white dress reaching down to her calves. White shoes and
stockings went with the dress.
"Something's missing." mused Raye as she came to stand beside Darien.
Frowning, Darien eyed the picture she made. Shiny golden curls tumbling
down as she stood there wide eyed at them. She was beautiful. But Raye was
right. Something was missing.
"I suggest this white shawl wrapped around her head. Get Louie to change
her hairstyle. Fix it up." came Jacques' voice.
Later after Serena came back, a white shawl wrapped loosely around her
head, Raye and Darien smiled.
"Perfect!"
Serena returned to her former position by the edge of the platform. Taking
several shots, Darien called out.
"Move back a little further!"
Forgetting the edge, Serena stepped back, her foot meeting air. A scream
rent the air as she fell backwards head-first into the murky water below.
"SERENA!!" screamed Mina.
"Merde!" cursed Darien as he raced for the edge. Peering down, he didn't
see any sign of golden curls floating in the water.
Cursing his stupidity under his breath, he dived into the water. Why in
hell had he asked her to step back?? If she had hit her head on the way
down, there was a good chance he had killed her with his instructions...
Damn, damn, damn, damn...
A golden head came up to gasp for breath, limbs flailing.
Darien swam towards her. Her eyes were panicked.
"I-I can't swim!" she choked.
"Relax! I've got you!!" yelled Darien as he kept her head above the water.
Towing her unresisting form towards one of the lower platforms, he boosted
her up onto it.
Pulling himself up, he knelt beside Serena who was still coughing and
choking. Pushing wet hair from her face, he noted her pale complexion and
trembling form. He winced.
Because of him, she could nearly have drowned....
"I'm sorry." he whispered.
"N-No...it's al-alright..." she chattered.
"Rena! Mon Dieu!! Are you alright??!" called Mina.
"Are you hurt, chére?" asked Andrew.
"Thank God you're safe!" sighed Lita.
"Oui! You're lucky!" exclaimed Beryl.
"I-I'm f-fine..don't w-worry.."
Darien watched as they carried her away. He sighed.
Serena turned back to see Darien watching her, his wet hair falling into
his eyes. The heat of his eyes warmed her, but she hated the self
admonishment she saw in his eyes. She hated his guilt.
Turning back with a sigh, she nodded at all the inquiries thrown at her,
but her mind still drifted to a certain dark haired individual with stormy
eyes filled with torment. What was wrong with her???
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was night and she was alone in the hotel room that she shared with
Mina. She had pleaded a headache and Mina and the others had left it at
that, going out.
Serena sighed, switching the television channels aimlessly.
A knock on the door had her looking up.
"Serena?" came a voice.
Frowning, Serena listened through the door. The voice sounded familiar.
"Darien??"
"Oui."
Opening the door, Serena blinked at the handsome man outside her door.
"Darien? What are you doing here? Didn't you go out with the others?"
asked Serena confused.
"Non. Clubbing every night really isn't my cup of tea. Are you busy?"
Serena glanced sheepishly back at the television and the remote control
she had been holding.
"Not really..."
"Good!"
"Quoi?"
"Eh bein, I was wondering if you'd come with me and tour about. To make
up for what happened aujourd'hui."
"Merci Darien, but...it wasn't your fault. You don't have to make up for
anything." smiled Serena.
"But I insist. I feel at fault, chére."
"Darien..-"
"Just enjoy the night with me." grinned Darien.
He flashed her his irresistable grin, his bedroom eyes glinting in the
dim hall lights.
She was lost.
"Alright! Stop smiling like that. You're going to blind somebody with
that smile."
Darien merely laughed.
Switching off her television, Serena grabbed her coat and followed Darien
out the door, leaving the door key with the front desk at the same time also
leaving instructions for them to turn the key over to Minalle Reynaud if
she and her party returned before her.
With that, they were out and into the night.
"So, where are we going?" asked Serena.
"Oh here and there. Just here and there."
Serena rolled her eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After a light midnight snack, Serena and Darien went to a festival which
had them joking and laughing at the activities.
As they walked down the sidewalk still filled with people, Serena couldn't
stop giggling.
"Mon dieu, I have never remembered laughing as much as I have tonight."
she confessed.
"Neither have I." smiled Darien.
"That was fun."
"Oui. Let's go to the riviera next."
"What's there?"
"A night ride down one of the canals."
Serena blinked.
"You don't want to?"
"Well..."
"I promise I won't let you fall overboard." grinned Darien.
"Okay. But you said it."
Reaching the platform, the man smiled. "Boat ride?"
"Oui." answered Darien.
As Darien followed the man down, Serena watched him sign his name for
the boat rental.
"Such a nice boyfriend you have, cara." smiled an elderly man smoking a
pipe.
Serena blinked and shook her head as the words sank in.
"No no!! He's a friend."
The elderly man smiled mysteriously.
"Maybe more someday eh, cara mia."
Serena shook her head. "Non. He has a fiancée, signore."
"French, si?"
"Oui, french."
"Ah well, you can never tell, cara mia. You can never tell."
"Serena!!"
"Coming! Buona notte, signore."
"Buona notte, signorina."
The elderly man shook his head as Serena went down to meet Darien. Smiling
as the pair sailed away into the night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Interesting talk?" grinned Darien.
"Non. The man thought you were my boyfriend." laughed Serena.
"And what's funny about that?"
"Nothing! Just that, well...you!!"
"Me??"
"You just don't look like the type of boyfriend for me." laughed Serena
brushing the topic off, her face flushing.
Luckily, he couldn't see as it was dark.
"Who then would be a good boyfriend for you, chére?" asked Darien
curiously.
"Darien!"
"I'm just curious!"
"Well don't be then."
Serena humphed and rested her head on her knees.
Darien watched her, a slight breeze ruffling a few golden strands of hair.
The strange emotion welled up once again. The silence felt awkward. He
poked her in the side to get her attention. She giggled and slapped his
hand away.
"Don't do that!"
An evil glint entered his eyes. "You're ticklish?"
"No!" she gasped as Darien tickled her. She gasped between giggles trying
to retaliate. He wasn't ticklish.
"No fair!!"
"Who would be a perfect boyfriend for you, chére?"
"Not telling!!"
He tickled her further.
"Stop!! I c-can't b-breathe!" gasped Serena between giggles. Their antics
rocked the boat lightly.
Darien lost his balance and nearly fell into the water if it hadn't been
for Serena grabbing hold of his shirt.
"Merci." laughed Darien.
"Look what you did! You nearly fell into the water." snapped Serena.
"Oui oui. Merci for saving me." grinned Darien waggling his eyebrows.
Serena snorted, elbowing him in the ribs. An 'oof' met her ears, making
her turn. Darien was holding his stomach.
"Oh! Did I hurt you?" asked Serena leaning closer.
"Non."
"Peiné! Dieu, I'm so sorry!!" exclaimed Serena fretting.
Rounding a curve, the boat bumped into a wall of the canal, Darien fell
on top of Serena.
The boater called his apologies and continued to steer the boat.
The pair didn't hear him frozen as they were.
Blue stared into blue.
Serena blinked up at him, her face flushing. She could feel his gaze and
sense the blueness of his eyes.
Her breathing was almost none existant but her pulse was fluttering like
a bird's wing.
He felt her breath on his face, the scent of her hair filling his senses
until he was almost dizzy with it. How was it possible he felt this way
for her when Maddie didn't even raise them in him?? What he felt for Serena,
was so different from what he felt for Maddie.
His lips brushed hers, and there was a jolt of sensation in his mind.
Both were helpless but to fall into the spell that had them mesmerized.
They kissed.
Not a gentle touch of the lips, but a kiss that meant to devour.
Passionate and hot. The spark that Darien felt that first day grew. The
sensation he evoked in her exploded.
Then it was gone.
"I'm sorry..." they muttered at the same time.
Everything shattered about them. He was engaged. He had a special woman
waiting back for him in Paris.
"I think we should go back." suggested Serena.
"Mmm...oui."
The night was over and the spell was broken.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As Serena entered her hotel room, she thanked whatever star that was
blessing her that Mina and the others had yet to return. She doubted if she
could face her right now.
Leaning against the door, she groaned.
What had gotten into her?? Had she drank one too many flutes of wine??
Hormones? Temporary insanity??
What was she thinking??!!! Darien was as good as married and it did NOT
go well to be falling head long into a blasted affair that was only going
to end in pain. Stupid stupid stupid.
*Who cares if he's hot? He's off limits.*
Darien groaned shutting the door of his room. What bug had gotten into
his brain? Why had he kissed her? Maybe he was sick. Or maybe he just missed
Maddie. That had to be it.
But the feelings he had felt...
They had been different from anything he had ever felt for Maddie.
Stronger than anything he had ever experienced. With any woman. Just what
was Serena Duval doing to him??
Picking up his laptop, he checked his email.
There was one from his sister, Holly.
Bonjour Darien!
Heard from Madeline you're in Italy right now! Must be so exciting!
You DID remember to get moi a souvenir, oui? I'm fine and my new job is
going tres bien! :) So you don't have to worry. Madeline misses you alot.
Write back soon, brother! Au revoir!
Holly,
Darien grinned at his sister's short message. Just like Holly to write
such a short note. At least she was doing well. He replied in an equally
short message before continuing to the next one.
Darien,
How are you? How long more will you be? I miss you, chére. So very much.
I just spent the day with Holly, she says her new job is going really well.
I'm happy for her. It's been raining in Paris. I can't see the stars
tonight, aimé. Can you?
It's gotten quite warm in the day but the nights are as cold as ever. I
doubt they are as cold as my heart. It seems even colder here without you.
As always, there are still plenty of tourists coming to see the Eiffel
Tower. Hows your assignment going on in Rome? Very well I hope.
I count the days anxiously to your return. Write to me often, aimé.
It's so lonely here at night. Je t'aime Darien.
Madeline,
Darien stared guiltily at the email. He'd been so busy he hadn't even
told her he was now in Venice. Maddie...
She was the sweetest woman he had ever met. The only woman who had evoked
emotions in him, until now...
Serena.
She was no Maddie, but he responded to her in ways that had never
happened before. And she was quickly sneaking into his heart as well as
his mind.
But Maddie loved him with all her heart and he couldn't break her heart.
*Dear Lord...what a tangled web we weave.*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning, Serena did not meet his eyes when they met during
breakfast. She had merely uttered a soft word of hello and then seated
herself, far from him.
After breakfast, he did not see her until they were ready to shoot. He
found her talking with a handsome italian. She laughed at something the man
said and he could only grit his teeth.
*Jealous, Clavélle??* taunted his little devil.
His conscience chastised him for it, reminding him Serena was not his
girlfriend, Madeline LeBeau was.
Darien shook his head and focused his attention on the camera equiptment.
Serena laughed at another thing the italian man in front of her said.
He smiled.
"So, free tonight, piccola?"
Piccola. Little one.
"Sorry, I have to work late." lied Serena. Sure the guy was funny, but
he was no Darien. *What was that??!* roared her conscience.
The guy nodded in understanding and smiled, saying goodbye.
Serena sighed. She had hoped she had dreamed the whole last night up.
But no. She had awoken this morning to the night's memories. The kiss.
Serena smacked herself mentally.
*Enough, Serena Duval.*
"Hey, who was that?? He was H-O-T!" smiled Mina.
"Get to work, Mina." groaned Serena.
"Quoi??? I was just asking!" grinned her cousin as they headed over to
the cabanas.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To be continued...
REVIEWS! EMAILS!! Okay, I know I took a long time. But I had writer's block!
I got this chapter out now, right??? *dodges tomatoes and eggs* Next up,
Darien and Serena struggle to understand and DENY the fatal attraction
between them.
Well, tell me what you think! :) I gotta go work on Banshee now.
Next: ~ Chapter 5: The Floating City, Part 2 ~
8/9/02