An Everly Tale
Chapter Three
By A Shot of Amber
Please remember to read and review or send all comments, questions, suggestions, and flames to Saphrians_Water_Reflection@hotmail.com. Thank you.
An Everly Tale Chapter Three
"And then he took out his wallet and handed the waiter some money." Serena picked up her glass and took a sip of her drink. "It was kind of shocking, a perfect stranger paying for my lunch then asking me out to dinner with him."
"So he asked you to dinner right there in front of the waiter?" Lita looked up from the vegetables she was chopping for the salad.
"No he waited until we were out of the restaurant."
"Wow." Lita set down the knife and picked up the cutting board. "I have to say that you are extremely lucky. Its not often that a guy approaches a strange girl." She dumped the vegetables into the salad bowl. "So what does he look like?"
"He's taller then you with black hair and storm blue eyes. I already described him to the best that I can what more can I say?" Serena replied.
"Nothing, I would like to see him though. If he is as handsome as you say then I might be interested."
Serena laughed. "If he turns out to be really boring and self centered then you can have him."
"I doubt it, if you already went out on one date with him and had a great time..." Lita replied but was interrupted by Serena.
"Wait who says I went out on a date with him? It was just coffee."
"Yea but having coffee with him does count has a date and if I remember properly you were all smiles when I saw you afterwards."
"It was really nothing." Serena smiled anyway as she remembered the date. "We had coffee and talked and he asked me out for tonight."
"And you said yes?" Lita asked.
"Of course I did," Serena replied.
"Good girl. You need to go out more. You'd have more fun if you have a boyfriend."
"Dating is overrated." Serena took another sip of her diet coke. "I never seem to have fun when I go out on a date."
"Well then we have to make sure that tonight you do have fun." Lita picked up the salad bowl and walked out of the kitchen into the dining room where she set it down on the table. "But first lets have lunch."
* * * * * * *
"So you ended up paying for this strange girl you've never met before and then asked her out for dinner?"
Darien nodded and took a bite of his sandwich.
Andrew sat back in his chair and threw his napkin on the table top. " I can't believe you did that. The Darien I know hates dating."
Darien swallowed his bite and set down the sandwich. "I asked her out because I wanted to. It's not a big deal. It's not like I've never been on a date."
"Yea but you hate dating and you never go out with a girl unless you know your going to get something out of it."
Darien laughed and picked up his sandwich again. "Who knows I might get something out of her if I'm lucky."
"I doubt it, the girl you described sounds to sweet and pure to fall into your devious traps." Andrew picked up his own sandwich and took a bite. "Usually you end up dating what I like to call the village ho's."
"You give them no credit Andy."
"Yea but how can I when all they want to do is sleep with you. I personally think they are trying to compromise you into a sticky situation."
"Yes and then when my mother finds out I'll have to marry one of them. It's a wonderful thing that the condom was invented. I never have to worry about pregnancy. Either I wear it or the girl gets to spend the night alone."
"Yes but there is always the chance that it may fall off or even worse break and then where would you be?"
"Mommy loves me and so does fate. I never have to worry about anything happening and who knows," Darien's face took on a funny look. " She may be the one."
"The one?" Andrew leaned forward in his chair already quite interested. "You thinking you have found the one? I'm a little surprised at you Darien, most of the time you think of girls as play creatures and nothing else. Could it be that you have found the love of your life?"
"Hardly, I barely know her."
"Well then don't play with your words like that. For a minute there I thought you had found the one." Andrew sat back in his chair and picked up his drink. "I don't want to loose you to a girl."
"That will never happen. She's just another pretty girl that I'm going to date and drop once I'm done with."
* * * * * * *
Serena stared at her reflection in the mirror. She turned first one way then the other. Serena chewed on her bottom lip and turned around in a circle before sighing. The outfit made her look fat. She quickly began to take it off.
"This won't do," Serena huffed as she pulled off the baby pink t- shirt.
"What won't do?" Mina walked into the room carrying a glass of iced tea.
"This outfit and every other outfit I've tried on tonight. They all make me look fat." Serena replied as she threw the t-shirt into a corner.
Mina sighed and set down her drink on the nearest surface close to her. "You're being impossible. Why don't you wear the white blouse with your black pants? You looked great in that?"
"Because what if he's taking my somewhere fancy? Then he'll be embarrassed to be seen with me?"
"Alright," Mina shifted through a pile of clothes at her feet and removed a dark blue velvet dress. "How about this? Its very sexy and you'd look great in it."
"But its to fancy. What if the restaurant is casual? Then I'll be overdressed!" Serena threw up her hands and sat down on the bed.
"Fine." Mina threw down the dress. "I don't know then. You have said no to everything I brought up."
"I know, I know." Serena sighed and fell backwards on the bed. "I just wish he would call so I could ask him how fancy this place is.
Suddenly the phone rang. The two girls looked over to the bedside table where the small white phone stood. The phone rang again prompting Serena to sit up and reach for it.
"Maybe its him," Mina whispered as Serena picked up the phone and pressed the on button.
"Hello?"
"Hey Serena its Darien."
"Its Darien," Serena mouthed to Mina then turned back to the phone. "Hi Darien! I was just thinking of you."
"Well isn't that nice." Darien elbowed Andrew who was sitting next to him. "Anyway I was just calling to confirm that we are on for tonight."
"Of course," Serena motioned Mina out of the room. "Go get on the other line!" She whispered as she covered the phone with her hand.
Mina ran out of the room to the kitchen where she picked up the phone and gave Serena a thumbs up sign. Serena removed her hand and smiled into the phone. "I'm really glad you called because I was just getting dressed and I realized I had nothing to wear, I mean I didn't know what to wear, I mean, oh brother." She hit herself on the head as Darien laughed on the other line.
"I'm sorry you don't have anything to wear. Maybe it would help if I told you how fancy this place is."
"That would be great," Serena replied as she shot a dirty look at Mina who was laughing her head off in the other room.
"Its not fancy so you can dress casual so don't worry. I'll see you at seven?"
"Of course I'll be waiting." Serena got up off the bed and motioned for Mina to come back in the room. "I'll see you then. Bye!" She hung up and dropped the phone on the bed.
"Bye." Darien clicked his cell phone off and turned to Andrew. "See I told you she was genuine."
"I'll be the judge of that when I find out how long you two last."
"Mina! Get in here! I need help!" Serena yelled jumping off the bed towards the closet.
Mina ran into the room. "Okay since he said casual we'll need blue jeans and a nice blouse."
"Something sexy but not to sexy," Serena added as she fell to her knees and begin to shift through her clothes.
"Tight blue jeans that accent your long legs," Mina started.
"I don't have long legs," Serena interrupted in a dry voice.
"And a sexy blouse that will make him want to see more," Mina replied ignoring the interruption.
"How about this?" Serena help up a low cut white blouse with long tight sleeves. "Its sexy yet casual."
Mina studied the blouse with a serious air. She rubbed her chin, tapped her foot on the floor then smiled, and gave thumbs up. "Perfect."
Serena smiled and stood up. She threw the blouse on the bed then moved over to her dresser where her jeans were. "I wish I had more time to get ready. He'll be here in an hour." She muttered as she pulled open a drawer.
"Then we'll just have to get ready all the faster." Mina replied.
* * * * * * *
Darien adjusted his collar then looked down at the piece of paper in his hand. This was her door, apartment 4C. He looked down at the flowers in his hand. Daises, hopefully she liked daises. She had to. All girls loved flowers.
Mina walked out of the bedroom followed by Serena who had been carefully dressed and made up till she couldn't recognize the girl who looked at her in the mirror. In a pinch Mina was a wonderful friend. Just as Serena was about to go crazy because she thought she looked bad, Mina had sat her down and fixed her up.
"I better get going. He should be here any moment." Mina picked up her coat from the chair where she had thrown it. "I'll talk to you later and have fun! I want to hear about everything." She waved her hand and walked to the door and opened it up just as Serena turned back towards the bedroom.
Darien had just raised his hand to knock on the door when he heard voices and saw the doorknob turn. The door swung open revealing a girl with long blond hair carrying a coat in one hand. She stopped short and stared up at the tall handsome guy in front of her.
"Hi, I'm looking for Serena." He smiled although he felt slightly uncomfortable with this girl staring up at him with her mouth open. "This is Serena's apartment?"
"Serena?" Mina mummered. Her mind ran over a list of her friends. Suddenly she smiled, a wide dazzling smile. "Oh yea, Serena! She's in the bedroom! I'll call her. Hey Serena your date is here!" Mina called back then turned back to Darien. "My name is Mina, I'm just a friend of Serena's who is leaving right now. It was nice meeting you." Mina slipped past him and headed down the hallway towards the stairs. Gosh was he hot.
Serena walked out of the bedroom to see Darien standing at the door watching Mina walk away. He turned back and smiled at her. "Your friend is something else." He smiled and walked into the room.
Serena grinned. "She's vivacious as I like to say it. I'm sorry she didn't invite you in so please come in."
"Its quite alright," Darien replied as he closed the door behind him and walked into the room. "Here I bought you these." He held out the flowers towards her.
Serena's face brightened as she stepped forward and took the flowers in her hand. "They are beautiful! I love daises!"
Darien breathed a sigh of relief as Serena took buried her face in the flowers then smiled up at him. "I'm just going to put these in a vase. Please have a seat." Serena headed towards the kitchen while Darien looked around him for a chair before taking a seat on the couch.
She had a nice place. He looked around him. It was a rather large loft apartment with these beautiful large bay windows that looked out over the city.
"I'm really sorry if Mina did anything embarrassing. She was here to help me get ready. I didn't think you would get here so early." Serena walked out of the kitchen holding the vase of flowers. She set them down on the glass topped coffee table then sat down next to him.
"I'm sorry if I caused you any inconvenience getting here early. I just didn't want to miss a minute of our date," Darien replied casually.
Serena smiled then stood up again. "Then if you don't want to miss a minute then we should get going! I don't know about you but I'm starving."
Darien laughed and stood up also. "Please don't tell me you haven't eaten a thing all day in anticipation of our date."
"I had breakfast but that was so many hours ago." Serena replied. She walked into the foyer and took her coat off the hook where it lay.
"Then we better get the restaurant before you die of starvation." Darien followed her into the foyer and opened the door for her. Serena smiled and walked through while Darien followed and shut it behind them. " Is it locked?" He asked pointing to the closed door.
"Yea it is," she replied.
They walked down the four flights of stairs to the main doors. Outside it was beginning to get dark out. There was a slight chill to the air but nothing terribly cold. Serena stopped on the bottom step and looked around for his car. Darien just walked past her towards a motorcycle parked on the curb.
"Are you coming?" He asked turning towards her.
"I thought we would be taking your car," Serena replied nervously. She had never been on a motorcycle before but she had heard horror stories about them.
"I have a car but I thought this would be more fun to ride. " Darien swung one leg over the machine and climbed on. "Come on it will be fun." He held one hand out towards her.
Serena hesitated for a second while a million thoughts ran through her head but in the end she walked over to him and took his hand. She threw a leg over and climbed on the machine behind him and gently put her hands on his shoulders.
"No put your hands around my waist. When were driving you'll just fall off if you don't hold on tightly." Darien took her hands and wrapped them around his waist. Serena blushed as she felt the muscles of his abs but didn't say anything.
Darien started the engine and kicked off the kick stand. Serena tightened her grip around his waist and buried her face in his leather jacket. They took off from the curb roaring down the street. It wasn't very long till Darien was slowing down until he stopped in front of small building with a large glass window.
Serena opened her eyes and looked around her. Darien had propped up his bike and was climbing off. He turned towards her and held out his hand. Serena smiled and took it. She climbed down onto the street, a little surprised at how weak her legs felt. Together still holding hands they walked into the restaurant. Darien seemed to know the waiter who took them to a table right in front of the window.
"So what do you do?" Serena asked a little while later over her plate of steamed chicken and vegetables.
"Right now?" Darien replied. He picked up a forkful of crispy duck and took a bite. "Actually I'm out of work. I live with my mother." Why did I just tell her that? His mind screamed seconds later.
"You live with your mother?" Serena asked but she was smiling. "I would have to say your lucky then. If my mother ever thought that I didn't have a job I would never hear the end of it. She believes in being productive."
"Does your mother work?"
"No, she's a housewife. I think that's why she wants me to work hard for my living. She doesn't want me to have nothing in life."
"I think being a housewife is a very productive thing." Darien replied solemnly.
Serena smiled and picked up a peapod with her fork. "It is a good occupation and very rewarding but she still wants better for me." Serena raised her fork to her lips and took a bite. She chewed slowly then swallowed. "What does your mother do? Since we are on the subject of mothers."
"Mine? Oh she's a house wife."
Serena raised both eyebrows then burst out laughing. "I guess we have more in common then we thought. Both our mothers are housewives."
' Yes but mine is also the ruler of a small country,' Darien thought ruefully. He didn't say anything but smiled and changed the subject. He didn't want to hear about her mother, he wanted to hear more about her.
"So your in the newspaper business? Do you know any of those paparazzi photographers that follow a famous person everywhere?"
"Paparazzi? On no, are newspaper is really small. So far the only interesting people I've heard about is the royal family. I haven't seen a picture of them yet. Well wait I have seen a picture of the queen, they say she was once a beauty but when it comes to the prince he must be invisible."
Darien fidgeted in his chair.
"I have heard that he's in the market for a wife. All the girls at work says they would love for it to be them, they says he noted to be very handsome but somewhat of a player."
"Well you know I'm a player, maybe the prince and I have something in common."
"No I don't think so. You don't strike me as a player," Serena shook her head. "Your too nice to be a player. Aren't players these mean sex crazed men who only use a girl then dump her. No you don't strike me as one."
"Your right, I could never dump someone as beautiful as you." Darien reached across the table to pat her hand while Serena smiled up at him, a new understanding glowing in her eyes.
A little while later over cups of tea he waiter brought them their bill and two fortune cookies. Serena was reaching for the bill but Darien beat her to it. He moved the black plastic tray over to his side. "I'm an old fashioned kind of a guy," he replied as he pulled out his wallet to pay.
"But I don't mind paying," Serena protested.
"No I'll pay. Here open your fortune cookie instead." He handed her a fortune cookie which Serena took in her hand while she watched him counting out some bills. She cracked open the hard exterior and laid the cookie on her plate. The fortune was on a small piece of white paper. Serena picked this up and read the writing on it.
"Love once done can never be held again."
"What's that?" Darien asked.
"I was just reading the fortune from my cookie. It says 'love once done can never be held again.' I wonder what it means?" Serena replied handing the fortune over to Darien. He took it in his hand and read it before handing it back to her.
"It probably means you will only love once. Are you ready to go?" He slid out of his chair and shoved his wallet back into his pants.
"Oh yes of course." Serena stood up and pulled on her coat.
They walked out of the restaurant past the waiter who bowed to them as they passed. Serena smiled and bowed back before walking through the door that Darien held open for her. Outside it seemed to have grown colder while they were inside. Serena buttoned up her jacket while Darien climbed onto the bike. She climbed on next, moved closer to him, and wrapped her arms around his waist.
Darien grinned to himself as he felt her arms go around him. He revved up the bike and kicked off the kickstand. They took off with a roar past the restaurant where they had first met down dark streets dotted with street lamps. Serena only opened her eyes again when they had arrived in front of her apartment. Darien didn't turn off the motor but instead just put one foot onto the street to steady the bike. Serena moved back and climbed off the bike. She smiled and stood in front of him looking into his blue eyes.
"I had a great time tonight."
"Yes so did I," he replied. He cleared his throat. "Can I call you tomorrow?"
Serena smiled. "I would like that."
Darien smiled and took her chin in his hand. He gently leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. Serena closed her eyes as he kissed her but all too soon it was over and she was once again standing on the side walk.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow." He revved up the motorcycle and drove away leaving her standing alone. Serena smiled happily to herself and turned towards her apartment building. She climbed up the steps and let herself in. She could hardly wait for tomorrow.
Please remember to read and review or send all comments, questions, suggestions, and flames to Saphrians_Water_Reflection@hotmail.com. Thank you.
Please remember to read and review or send all comments, questions, suggestions, and flames to Saphrians_Water_Reflection@hotmail.com. Thank you.
An Everly Tale Chapter Three
"And then he took out his wallet and handed the waiter some money." Serena picked up her glass and took a sip of her drink. "It was kind of shocking, a perfect stranger paying for my lunch then asking me out to dinner with him."
"So he asked you to dinner right there in front of the waiter?" Lita looked up from the vegetables she was chopping for the salad.
"No he waited until we were out of the restaurant."
"Wow." Lita set down the knife and picked up the cutting board. "I have to say that you are extremely lucky. Its not often that a guy approaches a strange girl." She dumped the vegetables into the salad bowl. "So what does he look like?"
"He's taller then you with black hair and storm blue eyes. I already described him to the best that I can what more can I say?" Serena replied.
"Nothing, I would like to see him though. If he is as handsome as you say then I might be interested."
Serena laughed. "If he turns out to be really boring and self centered then you can have him."
"I doubt it, if you already went out on one date with him and had a great time..." Lita replied but was interrupted by Serena.
"Wait who says I went out on a date with him? It was just coffee."
"Yea but having coffee with him does count has a date and if I remember properly you were all smiles when I saw you afterwards."
"It was really nothing." Serena smiled anyway as she remembered the date. "We had coffee and talked and he asked me out for tonight."
"And you said yes?" Lita asked.
"Of course I did," Serena replied.
"Good girl. You need to go out more. You'd have more fun if you have a boyfriend."
"Dating is overrated." Serena took another sip of her diet coke. "I never seem to have fun when I go out on a date."
"Well then we have to make sure that tonight you do have fun." Lita picked up the salad bowl and walked out of the kitchen into the dining room where she set it down on the table. "But first lets have lunch."
* * * * * * *
"So you ended up paying for this strange girl you've never met before and then asked her out for dinner?"
Darien nodded and took a bite of his sandwich.
Andrew sat back in his chair and threw his napkin on the table top. " I can't believe you did that. The Darien I know hates dating."
Darien swallowed his bite and set down the sandwich. "I asked her out because I wanted to. It's not a big deal. It's not like I've never been on a date."
"Yea but you hate dating and you never go out with a girl unless you know your going to get something out of it."
Darien laughed and picked up his sandwich again. "Who knows I might get something out of her if I'm lucky."
"I doubt it, the girl you described sounds to sweet and pure to fall into your devious traps." Andrew picked up his own sandwich and took a bite. "Usually you end up dating what I like to call the village ho's."
"You give them no credit Andy."
"Yea but how can I when all they want to do is sleep with you. I personally think they are trying to compromise you into a sticky situation."
"Yes and then when my mother finds out I'll have to marry one of them. It's a wonderful thing that the condom was invented. I never have to worry about pregnancy. Either I wear it or the girl gets to spend the night alone."
"Yes but there is always the chance that it may fall off or even worse break and then where would you be?"
"Mommy loves me and so does fate. I never have to worry about anything happening and who knows," Darien's face took on a funny look. " She may be the one."
"The one?" Andrew leaned forward in his chair already quite interested. "You thinking you have found the one? I'm a little surprised at you Darien, most of the time you think of girls as play creatures and nothing else. Could it be that you have found the love of your life?"
"Hardly, I barely know her."
"Well then don't play with your words like that. For a minute there I thought you had found the one." Andrew sat back in his chair and picked up his drink. "I don't want to loose you to a girl."
"That will never happen. She's just another pretty girl that I'm going to date and drop once I'm done with."
* * * * * * *
Serena stared at her reflection in the mirror. She turned first one way then the other. Serena chewed on her bottom lip and turned around in a circle before sighing. The outfit made her look fat. She quickly began to take it off.
"This won't do," Serena huffed as she pulled off the baby pink t- shirt.
"What won't do?" Mina walked into the room carrying a glass of iced tea.
"This outfit and every other outfit I've tried on tonight. They all make me look fat." Serena replied as she threw the t-shirt into a corner.
Mina sighed and set down her drink on the nearest surface close to her. "You're being impossible. Why don't you wear the white blouse with your black pants? You looked great in that?"
"Because what if he's taking my somewhere fancy? Then he'll be embarrassed to be seen with me?"
"Alright," Mina shifted through a pile of clothes at her feet and removed a dark blue velvet dress. "How about this? Its very sexy and you'd look great in it."
"But its to fancy. What if the restaurant is casual? Then I'll be overdressed!" Serena threw up her hands and sat down on the bed.
"Fine." Mina threw down the dress. "I don't know then. You have said no to everything I brought up."
"I know, I know." Serena sighed and fell backwards on the bed. "I just wish he would call so I could ask him how fancy this place is.
Suddenly the phone rang. The two girls looked over to the bedside table where the small white phone stood. The phone rang again prompting Serena to sit up and reach for it.
"Maybe its him," Mina whispered as Serena picked up the phone and pressed the on button.
"Hello?"
"Hey Serena its Darien."
"Its Darien," Serena mouthed to Mina then turned back to the phone. "Hi Darien! I was just thinking of you."
"Well isn't that nice." Darien elbowed Andrew who was sitting next to him. "Anyway I was just calling to confirm that we are on for tonight."
"Of course," Serena motioned Mina out of the room. "Go get on the other line!" She whispered as she covered the phone with her hand.
Mina ran out of the room to the kitchen where she picked up the phone and gave Serena a thumbs up sign. Serena removed her hand and smiled into the phone. "I'm really glad you called because I was just getting dressed and I realized I had nothing to wear, I mean I didn't know what to wear, I mean, oh brother." She hit herself on the head as Darien laughed on the other line.
"I'm sorry you don't have anything to wear. Maybe it would help if I told you how fancy this place is."
"That would be great," Serena replied as she shot a dirty look at Mina who was laughing her head off in the other room.
"Its not fancy so you can dress casual so don't worry. I'll see you at seven?"
"Of course I'll be waiting." Serena got up off the bed and motioned for Mina to come back in the room. "I'll see you then. Bye!" She hung up and dropped the phone on the bed.
"Bye." Darien clicked his cell phone off and turned to Andrew. "See I told you she was genuine."
"I'll be the judge of that when I find out how long you two last."
"Mina! Get in here! I need help!" Serena yelled jumping off the bed towards the closet.
Mina ran into the room. "Okay since he said casual we'll need blue jeans and a nice blouse."
"Something sexy but not to sexy," Serena added as she fell to her knees and begin to shift through her clothes.
"Tight blue jeans that accent your long legs," Mina started.
"I don't have long legs," Serena interrupted in a dry voice.
"And a sexy blouse that will make him want to see more," Mina replied ignoring the interruption.
"How about this?" Serena help up a low cut white blouse with long tight sleeves. "Its sexy yet casual."
Mina studied the blouse with a serious air. She rubbed her chin, tapped her foot on the floor then smiled, and gave thumbs up. "Perfect."
Serena smiled and stood up. She threw the blouse on the bed then moved over to her dresser where her jeans were. "I wish I had more time to get ready. He'll be here in an hour." She muttered as she pulled open a drawer.
"Then we'll just have to get ready all the faster." Mina replied.
* * * * * * *
Darien adjusted his collar then looked down at the piece of paper in his hand. This was her door, apartment 4C. He looked down at the flowers in his hand. Daises, hopefully she liked daises. She had to. All girls loved flowers.
Mina walked out of the bedroom followed by Serena who had been carefully dressed and made up till she couldn't recognize the girl who looked at her in the mirror. In a pinch Mina was a wonderful friend. Just as Serena was about to go crazy because she thought she looked bad, Mina had sat her down and fixed her up.
"I better get going. He should be here any moment." Mina picked up her coat from the chair where she had thrown it. "I'll talk to you later and have fun! I want to hear about everything." She waved her hand and walked to the door and opened it up just as Serena turned back towards the bedroom.
Darien had just raised his hand to knock on the door when he heard voices and saw the doorknob turn. The door swung open revealing a girl with long blond hair carrying a coat in one hand. She stopped short and stared up at the tall handsome guy in front of her.
"Hi, I'm looking for Serena." He smiled although he felt slightly uncomfortable with this girl staring up at him with her mouth open. "This is Serena's apartment?"
"Serena?" Mina mummered. Her mind ran over a list of her friends. Suddenly she smiled, a wide dazzling smile. "Oh yea, Serena! She's in the bedroom! I'll call her. Hey Serena your date is here!" Mina called back then turned back to Darien. "My name is Mina, I'm just a friend of Serena's who is leaving right now. It was nice meeting you." Mina slipped past him and headed down the hallway towards the stairs. Gosh was he hot.
Serena walked out of the bedroom to see Darien standing at the door watching Mina walk away. He turned back and smiled at her. "Your friend is something else." He smiled and walked into the room.
Serena grinned. "She's vivacious as I like to say it. I'm sorry she didn't invite you in so please come in."
"Its quite alright," Darien replied as he closed the door behind him and walked into the room. "Here I bought you these." He held out the flowers towards her.
Serena's face brightened as she stepped forward and took the flowers in her hand. "They are beautiful! I love daises!"
Darien breathed a sigh of relief as Serena took buried her face in the flowers then smiled up at him. "I'm just going to put these in a vase. Please have a seat." Serena headed towards the kitchen while Darien looked around him for a chair before taking a seat on the couch.
She had a nice place. He looked around him. It was a rather large loft apartment with these beautiful large bay windows that looked out over the city.
"I'm really sorry if Mina did anything embarrassing. She was here to help me get ready. I didn't think you would get here so early." Serena walked out of the kitchen holding the vase of flowers. She set them down on the glass topped coffee table then sat down next to him.
"I'm sorry if I caused you any inconvenience getting here early. I just didn't want to miss a minute of our date," Darien replied casually.
Serena smiled then stood up again. "Then if you don't want to miss a minute then we should get going! I don't know about you but I'm starving."
Darien laughed and stood up also. "Please don't tell me you haven't eaten a thing all day in anticipation of our date."
"I had breakfast but that was so many hours ago." Serena replied. She walked into the foyer and took her coat off the hook where it lay.
"Then we better get the restaurant before you die of starvation." Darien followed her into the foyer and opened the door for her. Serena smiled and walked through while Darien followed and shut it behind them. " Is it locked?" He asked pointing to the closed door.
"Yea it is," she replied.
They walked down the four flights of stairs to the main doors. Outside it was beginning to get dark out. There was a slight chill to the air but nothing terribly cold. Serena stopped on the bottom step and looked around for his car. Darien just walked past her towards a motorcycle parked on the curb.
"Are you coming?" He asked turning towards her.
"I thought we would be taking your car," Serena replied nervously. She had never been on a motorcycle before but she had heard horror stories about them.
"I have a car but I thought this would be more fun to ride. " Darien swung one leg over the machine and climbed on. "Come on it will be fun." He held one hand out towards her.
Serena hesitated for a second while a million thoughts ran through her head but in the end she walked over to him and took his hand. She threw a leg over and climbed on the machine behind him and gently put her hands on his shoulders.
"No put your hands around my waist. When were driving you'll just fall off if you don't hold on tightly." Darien took her hands and wrapped them around his waist. Serena blushed as she felt the muscles of his abs but didn't say anything.
Darien started the engine and kicked off the kick stand. Serena tightened her grip around his waist and buried her face in his leather jacket. They took off from the curb roaring down the street. It wasn't very long till Darien was slowing down until he stopped in front of small building with a large glass window.
Serena opened her eyes and looked around her. Darien had propped up his bike and was climbing off. He turned towards her and held out his hand. Serena smiled and took it. She climbed down onto the street, a little surprised at how weak her legs felt. Together still holding hands they walked into the restaurant. Darien seemed to know the waiter who took them to a table right in front of the window.
"So what do you do?" Serena asked a little while later over her plate of steamed chicken and vegetables.
"Right now?" Darien replied. He picked up a forkful of crispy duck and took a bite. "Actually I'm out of work. I live with my mother." Why did I just tell her that? His mind screamed seconds later.
"You live with your mother?" Serena asked but she was smiling. "I would have to say your lucky then. If my mother ever thought that I didn't have a job I would never hear the end of it. She believes in being productive."
"Does your mother work?"
"No, she's a housewife. I think that's why she wants me to work hard for my living. She doesn't want me to have nothing in life."
"I think being a housewife is a very productive thing." Darien replied solemnly.
Serena smiled and picked up a peapod with her fork. "It is a good occupation and very rewarding but she still wants better for me." Serena raised her fork to her lips and took a bite. She chewed slowly then swallowed. "What does your mother do? Since we are on the subject of mothers."
"Mine? Oh she's a house wife."
Serena raised both eyebrows then burst out laughing. "I guess we have more in common then we thought. Both our mothers are housewives."
' Yes but mine is also the ruler of a small country,' Darien thought ruefully. He didn't say anything but smiled and changed the subject. He didn't want to hear about her mother, he wanted to hear more about her.
"So your in the newspaper business? Do you know any of those paparazzi photographers that follow a famous person everywhere?"
"Paparazzi? On no, are newspaper is really small. So far the only interesting people I've heard about is the royal family. I haven't seen a picture of them yet. Well wait I have seen a picture of the queen, they say she was once a beauty but when it comes to the prince he must be invisible."
Darien fidgeted in his chair.
"I have heard that he's in the market for a wife. All the girls at work says they would love for it to be them, they says he noted to be very handsome but somewhat of a player."
"Well you know I'm a player, maybe the prince and I have something in common."
"No I don't think so. You don't strike me as a player," Serena shook her head. "Your too nice to be a player. Aren't players these mean sex crazed men who only use a girl then dump her. No you don't strike me as one."
"Your right, I could never dump someone as beautiful as you." Darien reached across the table to pat her hand while Serena smiled up at him, a new understanding glowing in her eyes.
A little while later over cups of tea he waiter brought them their bill and two fortune cookies. Serena was reaching for the bill but Darien beat her to it. He moved the black plastic tray over to his side. "I'm an old fashioned kind of a guy," he replied as he pulled out his wallet to pay.
"But I don't mind paying," Serena protested.
"No I'll pay. Here open your fortune cookie instead." He handed her a fortune cookie which Serena took in her hand while she watched him counting out some bills. She cracked open the hard exterior and laid the cookie on her plate. The fortune was on a small piece of white paper. Serena picked this up and read the writing on it.
"Love once done can never be held again."
"What's that?" Darien asked.
"I was just reading the fortune from my cookie. It says 'love once done can never be held again.' I wonder what it means?" Serena replied handing the fortune over to Darien. He took it in his hand and read it before handing it back to her.
"It probably means you will only love once. Are you ready to go?" He slid out of his chair and shoved his wallet back into his pants.
"Oh yes of course." Serena stood up and pulled on her coat.
They walked out of the restaurant past the waiter who bowed to them as they passed. Serena smiled and bowed back before walking through the door that Darien held open for her. Outside it seemed to have grown colder while they were inside. Serena buttoned up her jacket while Darien climbed onto the bike. She climbed on next, moved closer to him, and wrapped her arms around his waist.
Darien grinned to himself as he felt her arms go around him. He revved up the bike and kicked off the kickstand. They took off with a roar past the restaurant where they had first met down dark streets dotted with street lamps. Serena only opened her eyes again when they had arrived in front of her apartment. Darien didn't turn off the motor but instead just put one foot onto the street to steady the bike. Serena moved back and climbed off the bike. She smiled and stood in front of him looking into his blue eyes.
"I had a great time tonight."
"Yes so did I," he replied. He cleared his throat. "Can I call you tomorrow?"
Serena smiled. "I would like that."
Darien smiled and took her chin in his hand. He gently leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. Serena closed her eyes as he kissed her but all too soon it was over and she was once again standing on the side walk.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow." He revved up the motorcycle and drove away leaving her standing alone. Serena smiled happily to herself and turned towards her apartment building. She climbed up the steps and let herself in. She could hardly wait for tomorrow.
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