Originally written as On A Moonswept Moor
Copyright 2001 by Lady M. Harris
Part 11
Pacific Heights Area, San Francisco, California…
"I thought you said that this place was small," Serena smiled slowly at the man behind her. She glanced back over her shoulders and gazed at the entire San Francisco bay. Glittering lights from the city washed the bay waters with its sparkling reflection, the stunning sunset lowering on the horizon.
Despite the unusually warm spring evening, even by bay area standards, goosebumps appeared on Serena's arms. The salty breeze tantalized her senses combined with the luscious dinner that had been laid out on tables on the terrace. The traditional American dinner of steak, salad and potatoes now warmed her full stomach so that she was pleasantly satiated. She folded her arms on the railing as if to ward off the sudden coolness that filled her body.
The flash of gold caught her eye; the thick, golden link bracelet graced her arm. A gift that Darien had casually given her during the beginning of their luncheon yesterday afternoon. A wedding gift, he had said, blithely, as if spending thousands meant nothing to him. A Tiffany Biscayne bracelet at that, Serena mused ironically. The bracelet went well with her outfit that was quite simple in its style, black silk halter dress with the hemline just reaching above her knees. A light, gray cashmere sweater perched negligently over her shoulders to keep the evening chill from her bones.
Darien handed her a small glass of warm, red wine. "Just sips," he warned, his brilliant blue eyes glittering with the background of the landscape.
"I know," she quipped back just as quickly as she took her glass from him. Darien grinned back at her lazily, his eyes indolent. "You haven't answered my question yet," she asked again.
"It is small compared to home, don't you think?" He chuckled, his arms outspread towards his Victorian, three-story house and the spectacular view before them. "How can you compare the Tokyo Tower to the Bay Bridge of San Francisco?" He stated, innocently.
Serena laughed, shaking her head in the process, enjoying their warm atmosphere and their light banter, not quite sure where the night would lead them. She wasn't sure if she wanted it to end, nor the time they were spending together. She conceded that Darien's idea of leaving her family and friends behind wasn't such a bad idea after all. Considering that they, her and Darien were becoming close in a sense that was exhilarating, as it was exciting and that for once, she wasn't distracted by the past events. She only hoped that when they did return to Tokyo that she would have finally convinced Darien that the child she carried was his and that despite what he thought that they were both in love—with each other.
She was beginning to look forward to tomorrow's Polo event in Danville.
She had been tired when they arrived in California two days earlier. The flight had been uneventful, but long and tedious. She had never been to the United States before and had been quite shocked by the immense space of land and size of the city by the bay. San Francisco and its sprawling cities were immense and certainly larger than Tokyo in comparison. At least it seemed that way to her anyway.
The airport itself was huge, a mass confusion of Americans and of all kinds of nationalities seeming to be in a hurry everywhere she looked. It didn't stop them though, from staring at the balls on her head that after a while she was scowling at them, wondering if she had grown two heads or something.
"They're not used to Japanese originality," Darien had chuckled, his smile magnetic. "With meatballs on your head or not, you're still quite beautiful, Serena," he added nonchalantly. Two gorgeous American women dressed in impeccable business suits walking by them on their way toward the flights, stared openly in female appreciation at her husband. Noticing their gazes, he winked back at them with a devilish gleam with those animalistic blue eyes of his. The soft, tinkling laughter that trailed in the wake of Serena had her frowning at Darien.
Of course, Darien fit right into the American culture quite easily, Serena noted. In fact, he stood out in a different manner than the other men walking past them in a hurry. With his stylish but casual attire and subtle, American looking, handsome looks that didn't claim him to be Japanese in any kind of sense. His skin was bronzed under his maroon, Ralph Lauren polo shirt and pants, his physique taller than the average man, his body seeming solid and sinew under his clothes. Oh and let's not forget about those incredible blue eyes of his, Serena had mused, eyes that missed nothing and yet, proclaimed mystery to every woman he met or came into contact with.
"Well, you might think so, but I don't plan on having everyone stare at me as if I were a fashion freak gone wrong," Serena had huffed toward the nearest restroom with Darien trailing leisurely behind, grinning widely.
It's funny how people react when the tables are turned on them, Serena thought a while later. Only this time, Darien didn't think it was half amusing as she thought it was. He hadn't counted on the blatant, open and admiring glances that the American men gave her. Course, she realized belatedly later that her looks embodied everything about an American Dream Girl.
Flashing, luminous blue eyes reminded you instantly of cozy evenings and closed bedroom doors. Her body curved in all the right places, her breasts were not overbearing in their fullness, her waist still small enough to span a man's hands and her legs were limber and toned to perfection. But it was her thick, golden-white mane that swayed gently against her softly curved hips, reaching easily below her knees that drew the attention of every man within the vicinity like a bee is drawn to a fragrant flower. It was this attraction that annoyed Darien to a point that he began to scowl fiercely at every man who happened to glance in their direction as they left the crowded airport. At one time, he had barked out disparaging comments at two young businessmen who had elbowed each other as they glanced in appreciation at her.
Serena had only laughed, enjoying the American males gawking at her. Course, her soft chuckle elicited another scowl from Darien as he maneuvered them towards their waiting limousine.
"You think that's funny?" He said dryly to her once they were settled in the limousine.
The San Francisco night-lights distracted her attention for a moment.
"I must admit, it's quite a change to have men looking at me," she smiled slowly back at him, her eyes dancing with twinkling merriment.
"You think it's a change?" He asked, quite surprised at her words, his black brows arching, elegantly. "Have you never noticed?"
"Noticed what?" She asked, piqued, lifting a hand under the heavy weight of her hair to shift it back over her shoulder.
He watched the graceful gesture, mesmerized, then chuckled, "never mind," he shook his head, his mood suddenly light. The mood left as soon as he thought of the American men admiring his new wife. He had forgotten how aggressive, these American men were where females were concerned.
"It will be late when we arrive at the house, Maggie and Martin will have your rooms prepared for you and if you are hungry…" he changed the subject, not dwelling on his irate thoughts. They were of no use anyhow to the men who may want her, for she was his now.
"I'm hardly hungry, nor tired after having slept most of the way here for the last two days," Serena added, turning her attention back to the scenery. The limousine slowed in heavy traffic to a standstill.
Darien sighed, leaning back against the seats; "I had forgotten how busy this city could be, and no matter what night."
"It does seem rather busy," Serena added as a smoky-gray, custom-built Bentley edged next to them on the freeway. She glanced over in curiosity appreciating the well-made automobile, knowing that Darien owned the same type of vehicle in Japan. But in America, and especially in California, Americans seemed to take their wealth and prosperity to a level above Japanese and use it quite well.
"Tomorrow, I had planned on heading downtown, I've a couple of acquaintances to meet up with again, would you like to join me?" Darien inclined towards the tall skyscrapers with their flashing, color lights against the cool, evening sky.
"Join you?" Serena blinked, surprised.
"Of course, not at my meetings, those are quite boring, but Union Square is full of luxury shops and specialty stores. And of course, there's the department stores like Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus," he drawled, knowing that women liked to shop more than anything. Serena was no different, he knew, just not at the extent as his last mistress.
"Are you saying that my meager clothes don't meet up to your standards?" Serena bit out, her hands suddenly clenching at her lap. She stared down at her unpolished fingernails, suddenly wanting to cover them up. She turned her head away from him, unable to explain the tightness in her chest at his callousness.
"Of course not, however, after the Polo meet, there is a formal dinner, and I thought---" Darien's brows drew down fiercely as he watched her profile turn from warm to an unpenetrable wall of ice. Damn it all, he had screwed it up again.
"Ah Christ, Serena," Darien growled lowly in his throat. She gasped out in shock, her body growing stiff as Darien hauled her into his lap, the warmth and steel bands of his arms encircling her in a tight embrace.
"Darien--!" She could only gasp out in startlement, her anger slipping away as soon as it had begun, when she heard his words and felt his lips nuzzling at her collarbone. Despite herself, she had missed his touch, the feel of him next to her.
"I only mean, ah hell, I only wanted to spend the time with you, showing you around my little paradise," Darien rasped against her neck, inhaling her sweet fragrance, touching her soft skin, feeling her slight, trembling frame against his. And it was his little paradise, one he had never shared with any other woman but her. "But I couldn't get away the entire day and selfishly thought—" he kissed her nape, and then nuzzled his nose against her neck, his lips following slowly, purposely.
"Darien, we're in a car!" She gasped out, flushing, between tiny heated pants and bubbly laughter, finally lulled, to the seduction of his tantalizing words of appeasement and compliance.
"So we are," he came up from her neck, from placing ardent, fiery kisses along the arch of her lovely neck. He was beginning to enjoy this married life he thought selfishly, and especially to a vibrant, beautiful woman such as Serena. "We should show some decorum, yes-you're right," he noticed that they were no longer in traffic but nearing their neighborhood. He sighed, ignoring his body's response to Serena's enticing presence, the firm breast pressed intimately against his shoulder, or the slim thigh where his hand had roamed quite shamelessly under her silk skirt. He didn't have to think about having her in his bed tonight. There was no question about that. He wanted her right now and the thought of her naked and willing in his bed made his body contort with hot desire. Then he remembered his promise to her before they left Tokyo and he nearly groaned in disappointment.
He took a deep breath instead, ignoring his raging arousal and tried to think of pleasant things other than Serena's alluring presence. He knew that there would be no sleep for him tonight.
Since it was dark, Serena couldn't make a very good impression about the house. Only that it was huge and airy, but quite Victorian in its furnishings. Her bedroom boasted only that of the finest, dark wood of cherry and the heavy, dark drapes of velvet and damask that accented the rest of the room. In the center of the room lay an elegant sleigh bed, the dark, mahogany wood gleaming after its recent polishing. Burgundy, gold-threaded damask comforter adorned her bed with a lavish array of pillows meant to lure the occupant of the room to the comfort of its dream world.
Darien showed her about the rest of the house and some of the more frequented rooms before bringing her back into the kitchen where she met up with Maggie and Martin again. Maggie had prepared a light evening meal in preparation for the return of their young employer.
Maggie had immediately taken a likening to the young missus. Her husband, Martin, had been vaguely surprised by the choice of Darien's bride. He had been absolutely sure that Darien would be bringing the self-centered Beryl as his wife. Of course, there was something distinctly different about Darien's presence, as if he seemed a bit warmer and more personable than normal. But Maggie also believed that there seemed to be a certain, highly charged, tension about the couple as if they walked on eggshells around each other. They seemed like two prancing, lovebirds unsure about how to go about courting each other. It seemed a bit funny to Maggie, to be thinking such a thing, especially since they were newly weds. Goodness, Maggie thought to herself, I must be getting old or spending too much time inside the walls of this house to make such an assumption about the new bride and their employer.
Despite the early hour and having slept most of the way from Tokyo, Serena's eyes grew heavy after eating the light meal, which consisted of turkey sandwiches, chips, fruit and sparkling water. Maggie carted her off to bed despite Serena's protests and Darien's gentle encouragement.
The next day found Serena up at the crack of dawn, refreshed and feeling chipper then ever despite her normal early morning queasiness. She dressed in a simple dark, blue sweater, straight long skirt and matching black, leather boots. Maggie ran into her on the way to Serena's room.
"Oh goodness, I was just on my way up to see if you were awake. I'll bring you a cup of tea or coffee?" Maggie asked, smiling motherly at her employer's wife. The young lady was certainly bright-eyed this morning.
"I'm not used to being served, Maggie. Perhaps, if I just follow you into the kitchen and help make my own cup of decaffeinated coffee?" Serena asked, placing her hand on the stair railing. She still wasn't very good with being in the kitchen, but at least she could get to know her way around the place and the kitchen was a good place to start as any.
"If you like, missus, I don't mind the company," Maggie smiled approvingly, nodding her head at the same time. "Come on then, I'm sure you're getting to know your way around, but let me show you a shortcut," Maggie turned back down the stairs and headed a different way.
"Well, I'd never thought I'd see Maggie let anyone into her kitchen," Darien drawled deeply into the warm, cozy kitchen, interrupting the quiet lull of the conversation going on between Serena and Maggie. Martin was sitting at the small serviceable wood table, working on the accounting ledgers and listening to the women as they worked to get a hearty breakfast together.
At the sound of Darien's voice, Serena whirled around, her cheeks flushing with warmth, not just from the room being overly warm, but from the pleasure radiating from those incredible lapis blue eyes of his.
"I'm not that good in the kitchen, but Maggie has taken pity on me and allowed me to help her," Serena explained nervously, her gaze sliding away from his in acute embarrassment.
"Well, don't let me stop you. Besides, we've a long day a head of us, gorgeous, and those pancakes look mighty good from here," Darien grinned from ear to ear as he settled in a chair next to Martin.
"Well, it's safe enough, I suppose, but with all of their yackin' it's a wonder I can get any work done myself," Martin added to the conversation, huffing good-heartily.
Darien laughed, his eyes twinkling, his and Serena's gazes warmly fusing as she brought him a cup of coffee.
"Oh baloney, Martin, you like to listen to local gossip. That's why you stayed as quiet as mouse over there," Maggie grinned as they settled into seats.
Darien and Serena smiled and listened contently to the gentle banter of his housekeeper and caretaker before setting out into wilds of the downtown area of San Francisco atmosphere.
They parted on Market Street, Darien leaving for one of the newer high rises that crowded the business district. The expansive Shields Corporation occupied a suite of expensive offices on the 12th floor.
Darien had pointed out some of the lovely boutiques and small department stores that occupied Union Square. He handed her one of his platinum credit cards for her to use and for a moment Serena balked, not wanting to take the card.
"Don't be silly," he had chuckled, faintly bemused. People walked along the sidewalks, some pausing slightly to admire the handsome couple they made. Darien was dressed in a somber, dark designer suit of some expensive brand, Serena was sure. A far different look than his normal white coat tails at the hospital, she speculated. After breakfast, she had changed into a simple pair of black dress pants, low black boots and a pale, pink turtleneck sweater under her black, lightweight jacket.
"Besides," he had added when Serena finally relented after some cajoling on his part, "I've already ordered your own card."
"But I have my own card, course, I don't have the same line of credit, but it works just fine for me," Serena had argued.
"Perhaps that's true, but we're a family now, Serena," Darien sighed, "anything that is mine, is yours as well, that's what this marriage is about," he gazed down into her lovely, piqued eyes. "I'm not planning to hold back, not for you or for the child. Do you understand that?"
"I feel like a responsibility, Darien," she stated flatly. Taking the card from his hand and looking away from him, she gazed into the crowd of early morning commuters and shopkeepers, her mind wondering again how they were going to make this marriage work.
"You're not," he gripped one of her arms, and focusing her gaze back on him, "if we're going to make this work, both of us are going to have meet half way. Don't you think?"
When she nodded hesitantly, a wisp of a smile etched itself across her lips and Darien felt his guarded heart do a summersault at the lovely sight. He pulled out his cell phone and handed it her, laughing outright at her fierce expression.
"I've never had a use for one of these," Serena frowned up at him. In Juuban, of course, she hadn't been able to afford a cell phone, even though many of her colleagues and friends carried one. Plus, there was no cause for her carry one when everything she ever did with school, she could handle over the phone at her office. She was rarely on the phone anyway.
"Yes, but just in case, Serena, besides this is San Francisco and it isn't the most safest city in America. Just press two and it will dial me directly at the office. One will dial the house and three will dial Kenny, our driver," he explained his grin infectious that Serena's frown disappeared as she considered his logic.
"What time will we meet?" Serena looked back into his face, wishing they could spend the entire day together but knowing it was impossible. She liked this Darien, despite being reserved around her, he had let some of his guard down allowing her to glimpse the man she had known on Christmas day, nearly four months ago. Perhaps, there was a chance between them, she mused, hoping against all hope.
"How about a quarter 'til noon, that way we can beat the crowd. We can meet back here in front of my building," he glanced down at his watch, noting the lateness of the hour, it was nearly nine, "that will give you enough time to drain my wallet?" He leaned forward and placed a possessive kiss on her forehead, surprising her with the intimate and yet, tender touch.
"I seriously doubt that," she replied, smiling back at him as he turned toward the opening of the sliding glass doors.
He waved at her and then was gone, leaving Serena the entire morning to herself and a vivacious city to shop and explore.
After getting directions from a pedestrian, Serena headed up toward Union Square making a stop on Grant Avenue. Her first temptation caught her wandering gaze were strategically placed perfume bottles in a gregarious display of splash and color. The display feasted the eyes on all types of scents and accessories for the modern woman. Giving in to her impulses, Serena entered the simply named boutique, Jacqueline. From there, a young and chic American woman came immediately to her side asking if there was anything in the boutique that she wanted to see. Serena instantly liked the girl and at the same time admired the relaxed atmosphere, soft music playing in the background. The boutique itself was just as interesting on the interior as it was from the display outside. Decorated in pale greens, and perfume flacons everywhere, its mood invited the window shoppers to browse easily among its many displays.
Before long Serena found herself purchasing a beautiful but modest priced, frosted lavender glass flacon with a scent mixed exclusively for her by the boutique's perfumer Jacqueline herself. The scent was heavenly and consisted of evening jasmine and hibiscus flowers, soft oriental flavors with just a hint of rain showers added.
Her next stop was at MAC, which displayed modern clothing for the stylish man and woman. Serena's lips turned into a small curl of a smile at the advertisement and went into the shop, humming to herself. There were gifts for stylish babies and spoiled pups. She picked up a sleek handbag and suddenly realized that it was a diaper bag that a woman or man could carry. She added the item to her shopping list and browsed the baby cloths once again. She made a mental note to visit the store again on a more extended visit just for the baby items. Serena smiled to herself moved to another shelf and picked up a nice sweater that she thought would look fabulous on her mother and decided against her better judgement to purchase it.
"This is quite fun," she said out loud to herself as she made her way towards Macy's, detouring away from the department store named Neiman Marcus. She had nearly blanched at the price of a simple coat in the display window. She wasn't about to waste Darien's money on an overpriced store.
At Macy's she splurged on a pair of Guess jeans and plain, pale shirt and after browsing for nearly an hour in the department store before she headed back out onto the square. Her trip lead her to the Christian Dior store where there, she purchased an outfit for the Polo evening. It wasn't quite a formal dress but far more casual. The elegant black dress ended just above her knees. It was long sleeved, and trimmed with black scalloped lace along the scooped neckline, sleeves and hem. There was even a matching lace-trimmed ribbon to wear around the neck. At the Prada shoe store, she finished the ensemble with high topped, black heels electing to forgo the very high top heels due to her maternity condition.
On the way back to Darien's building Serena spotted a computer store that displayed a hand held computer and she promptly thought of Darien's well-used leather, date book at the hospital. She knew he carried that thing around like it was made of gold. How many times had she updated the leather bound date book for him, she remembered as she entered the store. The store turned out to be quite large and daunting looking.
A sales person approached her and she pointed to the display with the small hand held computer. The sales person nodded his head approvingly and launched into technical detail about the sleek sliver Compaq hand held which had her head reeling. When he quoted her the price with the soft, leather cover she nearly choked. It wasn't too bad really. It didn't really put that much of a dent on her own credit card. Not really, she thought as she asked for the item to be wrapped as well.
By the time she reached Darien's building, her packages had grown substantially heavy and she was glad when the receptionist kindly called Darien down from his meeting that was just wrapping up to an end.
"You could've called Kevin," Darien admonished Serena gently, his chuckle turning into worry as he thought about the baby and noticed her droopy shoulders.
"I didn't think about it," Serena replied tiredly. She didn't realize how worn out she was just after a couple of hours of shopping. Her stomach grumbled loudly as Darien spoke into phone, having their car brought around to the front. She handed Darien her heavier packages with relief evident in her face when his hand came out to take them from her.
"What did you buy for yourself?" Darien asked when he was done ordering the car.
Serena laughed with delight, "the Polo dress that you commanded I buy," at that Darien's brow arched arrogantly and then he grinned, and she stated matter factually, "shoes to go with the dress, a diaper bag, perfume and a jean outfit."
"That's it?" Darien's dark brows rose up a notch higher, wondering if there was more than that. He certainly had expected more, the packages that she had handed to him weren't many once he thought about it. What a frugal wife he married, he thought, faintly charmed. Course, he had known she would be economical with her spending considering how she had lived on her own. He couldn't help being pleased with her, although he wouldn't have cared had she bought out the entire store.
"Oh and a sweater for my mother," she smiled, not telling him of the present she bought for him. She planned to give it to him over lunch. "Where are we going for lunch?" She asked, articulately changing the subject and suddenly realizing that she was hungry after all that shopping.
Darien wasn't fazed, easily recognizing the swift change of topics. She was hiding something; he just didn't know what it was. Searching her eyes, he stated, "it's just a small, quaint café. Café Monk, it's not too far from here." He let the subject go for now but he mildly was curious now.
He didn't have long to wait. Once they were settled in their seats at the café, Serena presented him with the package that she had managed to persuade from their driver without Darien noticing.
"For me?" Darien asked, stunned. His mind reeled with questions.
Serena nodded, heat flushing her lovely features. She suddenly felt embarrassed. She wondered why she felt that way, she was married to him now. Why couldn't she give him a gift, she still loved him. There was no other way she could put it, despite the agreement between them to take things slowly.
"I didn't buy it with your credit card," she added lamely. She stared down at the menu, not quite reading the words.
"I didn't expect that you had," Darien grinned devilishly. He tore open the package with flourish, relishing the sound of the paper tearing and loudly exclaimed over the item when he lifted it from the box. Other diners looked over at them in curiosity and Serena's face grew redder. "It's quite nice, you have good taste," he grinned, opening the hand-held computer. "Thank you," he added seriously, roughly.
"You're welcome," she smiled back softly, her tense shoulders relaxing, her heart pitter-pattering with fast throbs. She was extremely pleased that he liked her gift.
"I couldn't' help myself when I bought this for you," Darien smiled back at her, his gaze glittering brilliantly like dazzling sapphires when he pulled out an oblong, velvet box for her. Obviously this day was turning out to be a day of surprises for the both of them.
Serena gasped, staring at the box like some alien object.
"Go ahead, open it, it's my wedding gift to you," he nudged the box across their table toward her trembling fingers.
"But you didn't have to…I mean, being mar-" she cut herself off, realizing how close she was blurting out her plans to him. How much she wanted to tell him that she loved him.
"What were you going to say?" Darien said softly, his gaze riveted her face, staring intently.
"What I meant to say is that you didn't have to get me anything. I mean, you've done more than enough," she touched his hand, her fingers over his larger ones.
"Not nearly enough, Serena. You're carrying my child," he stated firmly, willing himself to believe it even though there was a shadow of doubt clouding his striking features.
Serena saw it and was suddenly sad, wondering how she was going to convince him otherwise. She ached, knowing what a daunting task lay before her. She tried to mask her feelings, noticing that his gaze strayed to their entwined hand.
"Oh my Darien!" She could only utter in a breathless manner that made Darien grin in pleasure as she peered at the contents inside the box. The bracelet was simply divine. Her hands shook as she pulled out the heavy gold chain. The simple, bold links were exquisite. When her fingers fumbled over the clasp, Darien reached over and very efficiently snapped the bracelet on her wrist.
"So you like the present?" He didn't release her wrist only caressing the soft skin where the bracelet touched and causing Serena's arm to tingle in response to his blatant strokes against her flesh.
She could only nod to his question, not trusting her voice when his touch did wonderful things to her body. The intense light in his gaze seemed to relax at her nod and his lips curved into a lazy smile that was quite daunting and electrifying all at once. Any moment now, she would be ready to throw everything away and offer herself to him and be damned about the consequences later.
"Serena! I can't believe this!" A woman nearly screeched from across the café, jolting both her and Darien, not mention the other diners in the process. Serena would have recognized the raven beauty striding towards her and Darien from any distance.
"Raye! What you doing here, of all places!" Serena exclaimed, unable to keep the joy from radiating from her face, suddenly standing up as Raye and Chad crossed the room to join them. Darien stood to receive them as well, smiling in the process as he recognized Chad Thornton swagger behind his wife.
"Darien," Chad shook hands with Darien enthusiastically.
"It's been awhile, man," Darien grinned lazily at his old friend. Serena noticed immediately and wondered when they had been become such good friends.
"Serena, what in tarnations are doing in San Francisco and with him of all places!" Raye burst out, glaring at Darien. She knew all about Darien's fiasco's with Beryl and Melissa and she didn't like seeing one of her dearest friends with him. Melissa had been, difficult, and that was a mild word to put it reasonably. Beryl, on other hand could rival even the wicked witch of the west. But she supposed she could understand why Darien had picked them out. They were both beautiful and required little mental commitment from either woman. And the last was obvious to anyone, they were just plain, easy conquest.
Oh she liked Darien just fine, he was a nice guy to be around, respectful and trustworthy and one of Chad's closer friends whom he admired. Frankly, Raye thought that Chad and Darien were such good friends because they plainly shared the same morals and values about life, in pleasures and business. But this was different, Serena was one of her closest friends and she would never allow anyone to hurt her, least of all Darien Shields.
"There's always an explanation for everything, Raye," Darien raised his hands up as if to ward her off of him all the while a sardonic grin curved on his lips.
"Do you guys know each other," Serena asked, shocked, staring pointedly between her husband, Raye and Chad.
"Do I know him?" Raye snorted in disbelief and Chad laughed heartily, causing Serena to frown. She didn't think this was funny. "Oh my God, Serena!" Raye quit laughing in an instant, staring at her friend. "When you said Darien Shields, I didn't think to put together the Darien you were talking about at the apartment with Darien Shields of the Shields Financial Corporation! Jesus!" Raye turned to Chad, clearly perturbed, "you know him more than I do, you explain!"
"Serena," Chad began, slanting a wink to Serena. "Darien and I went to Harvard together."
"Actually, we go back even further, I've known Chad since we were in junior high," Darien explained as they sat down at the table. The waiter came by and took their orders. "I meet Raye shortly after their wedding and they've been to a few of our functions at the estate."
"And we've had several profitable business deals between our vendors," Chad added, taking a sip of water from the glass that was set before him by the returning waiter. "And we're on the same Polo team," he added lastly.
"And what brings the two of you together here?" Raye burst out, her gaze pinpointing Serena. Chad pinched her leg underneath the table and Raye tossed a glare at her handsome husband. Darien chortled, amused by wife and husband display. He knew exactly what Chad had done. "I mean, now that I understand a little more clearly, surely, Serena—"
"Darien and I were married a couple of days ago," Serena cut her off, saying the words quite casually.
Raye could only sit thunderstruck, staring at her friend as if she had completely lost her mind, ignoring Darien and her husband altogether. And then the chorus of questions hit Darien and Serena. Serena could only get in a word or two edgewise before Chad butted in asking far too many personal questions while some of Darien's words became lost among Raye's rising voice and increased agitation. Finally, Chad calmed Raye down and they settled more quietly around the table as the surrounding diners glared at the two couples interrupting their lunch.
"Congratulations are in order," Chad replied sincerely to Darien and Serena, curtly nodding his head.
"All this time I've been badgering you about the right one…" Raye trailed off softly as she gazed at her friend intensely. "I never knew—" and her fiery gaze swung towards Darien, her eyes almost accusing as if she were trying to read his thoughts.
Darien could almost read what was there in her eyes. Don't you hurt her; it read as loud as clamoring bells they warned him. Chad's gaze was nearly identical.
Darien sighed slowly, instinctively knowing that he would never try to hurt her again. But at the price of his heart, he wondered? He couldn't promise himself the answers and he didn't particularly like his conclusions. But he was surely going to try and find out where him and Serena were going to end up.
"Don't worry Raye," Serena smiled softly, understanding the silent battle-taking place between her husband and Raye. Chad, it seemed shared the same thoughts and Serena was surprised and grateful for their friendship. But it was really unnecessary, considering that she had entered into the marriage of her own accord and did not regret it for one moment. Those were the wild cards that she was playing with and she was willing to take the chances. "I know what I'm doing and I assure you that I trust Darien completely," she finished.
"I will not harm her, you have my word as a friend," Darien empathized to both Raye and Chad, but his focus was on Serena. "I promised to take care of her and that I will," he added gruffly, his voice suddenly hoarse. Serena's gaze was riveting, the blueness of their intensity nearly snatching the breath from him. And then a tender smile curved on her lips and Darien knew a moment when his heart skipped a tiny beat.
Satisfied, Chad nodded and then grinned, winking roguishly at the newly wed pair. "So how's the honeymoon going?"
"Chad!" Raye exclaimed, her eyes wide at her mischievous husband as she burst into laughter at the same as Darien and Serena managed to flush at the question. Thankfully, neither had to answer that question.
After composing herself somewhat a moment later, and ignoring Darien's and Chad's wide-tooth grin, "I've got to go the ladies room, would you accompany me, Raye?" Serena pleaded with her friend.
"Sure," Raye answered right away, understanding immediately what was up. It was time for a heart to heart talk, she thought with some satisfaction. Course, not in front of the hubby with his curious eyes trained on his newly wed wife, Raye thought ironically.
Darien and Chad exchanged knowing glances, interpreting Serena and Raye's time together in the women's restroom. It seemed to be woman's thing, they knew. The gathering of pertinent information of husbands and love and all matters of the heart, apparently.
Stay tuned for part 12! Lady M. Harris