An Everly Tale
Chapter Eight
By A Shot of Amber
I'm back and continuing on! I'm so glad to see you back! Please be kind and read and review or send all comments, questions, suggestions, and flames to Saphrians_Water_Reflection@hotmail.com. Thank you!
An Everly Tale Chapter Eight
For a brief instant Serena was blinded by the sunlight coming from the large bay windows in front of her but her eyes quickly adjusted taking in a lavender room and the queen standing in front of a lavender couch.
"Your majesty." The lady in black curtsied deeply then stood up. "I bring you Miss Serena Tuskino." The lady in black turned and gave her an imperious look.
Quickly she curtsied and said "your majesty," in a soft voice.
"Miss Tuskino, I'm so glad to have your company for tea this afternoon." The queen held out one hand and then moved it over the couch. " Please come and sit with me."
Serena nodded and walked over to the couch. She smoothed her skirt behind her and sat down on the lavender and white striped couch. The queen did the same thing then looked up at the lady in black.
"Betty you may leave now. Thank you."
Betty nodded and backed out of the room closing the doors in front of her.
Serena was suddenly very aware that she was alone with the queen. She looked down at her hands folded in her lap then up and around the room. Everything was done in colors of lavender or white. The floor was dark wood but the walls were painted white while the furniture was done in colors of lavender or in white or in both. It was truly a beautiful room and the queen must have sensed this.
"Lavender is my favorite color," the queen said looking around the room herself. "Endymion thinks I tend to over do it but I still insist that its beautiful."
"It is beautiful," Serena replied looking at the lavender velvet portieres.
"Thank you dear." The queen began to pour tea into china cups and add lemon and sugar. She handed a cup to Serena who took it in her hands and took a small sip of the hot liquid. It somehow gave her strength and she was about to ask the queen a question when she remember Betty's warning. "Don't speak to her unless she speaks to you first." Quickly she shut her mouth and took another sip of her tea, but the queen broke the silence.
"Endymion or Darien as his friends call him told me you work for a newspaper."
"Yes I do. I'm a columnist for The Daily Times. I write about fashion."
"I see," the queen set down the tea pot and picked up her cup. " Then you know those awful people called reporters."
"Um yes I do, but they really aren't at all awful. Some of them are the nicest people I know."
"Yea of course. They are nice enough to write about how badly I run my kingdom and to meddle in my son's life and of course my own."
Serena blushed and said nothing. It was true that the people she knew at the newspaper did write about the bad things happening in the kingdom but they did have a right. "Well it is true that they do meddle but the constitution of this country says that there is freedom of the press." Whoa! That was too much! Serena blushed and quickly switched to another route. "I mean they shouldn't meddle in your life. If it helps I think you're doing a wonderful job running the country and that Darien is a wonderful prince."
The queen looked at her from the corner of her eye then took a sip of her tea. "Endymion is a wonderful boy. He's my only child you know so I have a lot of hopes for him. I'm hoping to see him married and settled soon with children that will assure that the throne is in the right hands."
"I'm sure he will make a wonderful father," Serena replied truthfully.
"Yes he will," the queen picked up a plate of Queen Anne cakes and held it up to Serena. She took a cake and took a small bite of it. The queen did the same and set the plate down. "Just a few weeks ago he met a lady named Jeanette and they really seemed to bond. He was quite taken with her. In fact I invited her to come to the palace for a ball I'm holding."
"A ball?" Serena asked the bite of her cake getting stuck in the back of her throat.
"Yes, I thought it would be nice to throw a ball to introduce her to the country and has Darien's sweetheart."
"Darien's sweetheart?" Serena echoed softly.
The queen smiled but not at Serena and her smiled was one of malevolence. "Why yes. I didn't think you supposed that Endymion was going to marry you now did you? Endymion is a prince and he must marry a womyn of royal blood. Jeanette is a lady and you are nothing but a newspaper writer. You and Darien would never suit properly."
Serena suddenly felt like the cake she had just eaten was going to come up again but it didn't as the queen went on.
"I would of course love for you to come to the ball as one of mine and Endymion's personal guests. It would be such a great honor. You can meet all of Endymion's friends and Jeanette. She has heard about you and would love for you to come." The queen turned to Serena and smiled. "Now say you are coming dear."
"Oh I don't know. I would feel so out of place," Serena mumbled embarrassingly.
"Nonsense, you'll fit in fine. All you need is a ball gown, you know something fancy. No jeans or those awful mini skirts girls are now wearing today. Something long and elegant will be fine. Now say you are coming."
"I still don't know..." Serena began but was cut off by the queen.
"I will see you there. I'll send you an invitation to your home. The ball will be in two weeks time so I look forward to seeing you there." The queen set down her tea cup. "I am feeling most tired. I think I will go and take a rest now. Thank you for coming to see me. I'll have Betty walk you out." The queen stood up and walked out of the room leaving Serena sitting on the couch quite confused.
"Miss Tuskino the queen has left."
Serena looked up to see Betty standing in the doorway glaring at her. "You forgot to stand when she stood up. That was most rude. Now please follow me. I'll escort you to the car." Betty turned around and began to walk down the hall. Serena set down her tea cup on the table and hurried out of the room to follow Betty down the hall. This time she didn't peek into the rooms but instead looked at the back of Betty's tailored black dress till they were outside.
"Thank you for visiting. James will drive you home now." Betty gestured with her clipboard to James who was standing in front of the limo's door.
"Thank you," Serena mumbled then walked over to the car and climbed in the back seat. James shut the door and walked over the driver's side while Serena crumpled up in the back and sighed, one hand on her forehead. This had been a horrible day. All she wanted to do was to go home and relax.
After another short ride they arrived at her apartment. Serena climbed out of the limo while James held the door open for her. She thanked him before walking up the steps and letting herself in. The stairs were flooded with light as she ran up four flights and let herself into her apartment. The large bay windows were letting in streams of golden and red lights from the setting sun. Serena didn't even notice them. She just dropped her purse on the floor in the entrance way and walked into her bedroom. All of Mina's carefully applied make up was washed off and her hair was let down and pulled into her normal buns and ponytails. She pulled off her dress and hung up in the closet and pulled on an old pair of sweat pants and a black glittery t-shirt for the band The Three Lights that she had liked back in Japan. Serena walked out of the bedroom into the kitchen where she grabbed a carton of Ben and Jerry's ice cream and a spoon and walked into the main room. She sat down on the couch and opened the carton.
Almost instantly her thoughts began to run around in circles as she thought of her meeting with the queen. It was obvious that the queen did not like her. She hadn't been rude or catty but it was the way her vibe was towards Serena. She had seemed to enjoy talking about Jeanette who was probably very beautiful. Had Darien forgotten to tell her something? Such as that he was almost engaged to be married to some beautiful dark haired womyn named Jeanette? No that couldn't be, Darien wouldn't lie to her. He was too nice and such a gentleman. It was the queen; she obviously hated Serena for being a commoner and winning the love of her only son the prince.
Serena took another bite of her ice cream and thoughtfully looked up at the ceiling. It was painted white with a large black and brass lamp in the middle of it. When she turned on the lamp the room flooded with light. Now it was turned off and the only light in the room was that of the setting sun. Serena looked over at the windows then stood up and walked over to them. They had ledges just big enough for her to sit on. She did just that, sitting on one of the ledges and looked out over the city. Everything was bathed in a golden light from the cars passing each other below her to the people walking home from work. And she was sitting above them watching it all while somewhere out in the city Darien was probably talking to Jeanette on his cell phone right now.
No! Serena shook her head to stop those crazy thoughts. He was dating her! He liked her! Not this girl named Jeanette! The queen was just trying to scare her away but that wouldn't happen. Serena was going to go to that ball and she was going to go looking more like a queen then the queen and she was going to show everyone that Darien belonged to her and not to that Jeanette girl. Serena smiled and took another bite of ice cream. It was all going to be perfect.
* * * * * * *
Darien stopped by that night bringing dinner just as she was going to start making a casserole. She had been pulling vegetables out of the fridge when the doorbell went off. Serena set the vegetables down on the counter and went to open the door. He stood there holding some bags in his hand and smiling down at her.
"Are you hungry?"
"Starved," Serena replied stepping back to allow him in.
Darien walked in and headed for the kitchen with Serena following him. Inside he set the bags on the counter and began to shuffle through them.
"What did you bring?" She asked sitting down on a stool.
"Cold pasta linguini with shrimp, a salad, and for dessert chocolate cake."
"Ooo that sounds good," Serena grinned and watched as he pulled the food out of the bags and set them down on the counter. "Do you need any help?"
Darien shook his head and set down the plastic container holding the pasta. "You've had a hard day. You relax and let me prepare dinner." He walked past Serena into the main room where the dining room table was.
"Are you sure you don't want me to set the table while you prepare the food?" Serena asked turning around on her stool.
"No I can do it! You just sit and watch the superman do his work!" Darien shook his head and walked back into the kitchen. He opened a cupboard to reveal boxes and cans of food. "Wrong one." He closed the cupboard and moved to the next one. He opened it to reveal another cupboard to reveal more boxes and cans. "How many cupboards of food do you have?"
Serena smiled and got up. "Let me set the table while you prepare the food." She walked over to a cupboard and opened it up to reveal plates and cups.
"There's hardly any preparing to be done," Darien replied watching her pull out two plates and some cups.
"What do you want to drink?" Darien asked resigning to let Serena set the table but instead moved to the refrigerator.
"You didn't bring anything to drink? I thought we were supposed to bring some romantic drink like champagne or white wine?"
"I thought you didn't like alcohol?" Darien asked looking confused.
"Well that's true. It does taste nasty but I do drink it." Serena smiled and shrugged. "Anything will be fine." Serena picked up the plates and headed into the main room to set the table while Darien pulled out a bottle of apple juice and searched for wine glasses. He finally found them in a cabinet and poured out juice for both of them and carried the glasses to the table where he set one at the head of the table and another next to it.
Serena set the table with plates, cutlery, and napkins while Darien brought the food out. As soon as Darien had brought out the salad dressing they sat down and Serena dished out the food. For a few minutes they ate in silence. Serena was starved and it showed as she ate her food and drank her apple juice like it was wine. Finally Darien spoke up while Serena put a second helping of food on his plate.
"So how was the meeting with my mother?"
Her hand stopped in mid air as she swallowed and blinked then she went back to serving. If Darien noticed the pause he didn't say anything.
"It was nice, your mother is very...very...royal."
Darien laughed. "Royal? That's a great way to describe mother."
"Well isn't it true?" Serena asked setting down the serving spoon and picking up her fork.
Darien stopped laughing and picked up his fork also. "I guess you can say that's true. Mother is very royal, I guess that's why she's such a great queen."
"She invited me to a ball," Serena said looking to change the subject.
"The ball she's holding in two weeks to honor Lord Enterbury?" Darien asked setting down his fork.
"Um yea, she said I was to come as you and her's personal guest."
"Serena that's wonderful!" Darien took her hand and squeezed it.
"Why is it wonderful?"
"Because you can meet all my friends and see what its like to be royal," Darien replied.
"Why would I want to see what its like to be royal?" Serena asked laughing in a confused way.
"Because if everything goes right you may become royal sooner then you can expect," Darien replied looking straight in her eyes.
Suddenly all laughter went out of her system and Serena was staring into Darien's eyes. She swallowed once then stood up. "I'll get the chocolate cake," she said hoarsely and walked into the kitchen. There was no way she was going to tell him about his mother. It would just be better that he never found out.
Serena pulled out some cake plates and went to get the chocolate cake from the counter. What was she going to do? Tell him that his mother had all but engaged him to a beautiful princess name Jeanette? No she was going to be strong. Serena remembered the sunset room and the ice cream along with her determined thoughts. She wasn't going to let a queen stand in her way of love. Serena smiled and cut the cake. She was not going to let Darien find out what his said to her. Everything was going to be fine. Serena picked up the plates of cake and walked back into the main room where she greeted Darien with a bright smile. He never needed to know.
* * * * * * *
"So what time are you picking me up for the party on Saturday?" Serena asked a little while later as they sipped cups of coffee fragrant with chamomile.
"I thought I told you?"
Serena grinned guiltily. "I forgot."
"Oh I see. Well I thought I'd pick you up at 3pm. I would like to take my car but mother insists I take the limo and bring Eric along with."
"Eric is nice."
"Yea and he's also strong. He can bench press over three hundred," Darien replied.
"Wow no wonder he's so lumpy." Serena took a sip of coffee and looked out the windows behind her. The city was lit up with lights as cars drove up and down the streets.
Darien was watching her when he put down his coffee up and moved closer to her taking her coffee cup out of her hands and setting it next to his. Gently he cradled her face in his hands and kissed her. Serena responded to the kiss which slowly grew deeper till he was pressing her down against the couch with him on top.
"Darien," she whispered against his lips.
"What is it Serena?" He asked kissing her deeply.
"We can't do it."
"What?" He stopped kissing her and looked down into her blue eyes.
"We can't do it. I'm not ready," she said softly.
Darien let out a sigh and got up from on top of her and sat down on the other side of the couch. Serena scrambled up and looked at him.
"I'm sorry but I'm not ready to sleep with you. I sometimes think I am but in truth I'm not."
Darien ran his hand through his hair and looked at her. For a second she feared that he was going to get up and leave her just sitting there on the couch but he didn't. He smiled and moved closer to her once again pressing her down into the couch.
"We don't have to sleep together but we can kiss can't we," he asked giving her a devilish look.
Serena smiled as the relief flowed through her. She raised her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. "I like that idea."
Darien lowered his head and gently kissed her while she ran her hand through his jet black hair with the lights from the lamps on either sides of the couch glowed down on them.
Chapter nine will be out soon! Please stay tuned! In the meantime please read and review or send all comments, questions, suggestions, and flames to Saphrians_Water_Reflection@hotmail.com. Thank you!
I'm back and continuing on! I'm so glad to see you back! Please be kind and read and review or send all comments, questions, suggestions, and flames to Saphrians_Water_Reflection@hotmail.com. Thank you!
An Everly Tale Chapter Eight
For a brief instant Serena was blinded by the sunlight coming from the large bay windows in front of her but her eyes quickly adjusted taking in a lavender room and the queen standing in front of a lavender couch.
"Your majesty." The lady in black curtsied deeply then stood up. "I bring you Miss Serena Tuskino." The lady in black turned and gave her an imperious look.
Quickly she curtsied and said "your majesty," in a soft voice.
"Miss Tuskino, I'm so glad to have your company for tea this afternoon." The queen held out one hand and then moved it over the couch. " Please come and sit with me."
Serena nodded and walked over to the couch. She smoothed her skirt behind her and sat down on the lavender and white striped couch. The queen did the same thing then looked up at the lady in black.
"Betty you may leave now. Thank you."
Betty nodded and backed out of the room closing the doors in front of her.
Serena was suddenly very aware that she was alone with the queen. She looked down at her hands folded in her lap then up and around the room. Everything was done in colors of lavender or white. The floor was dark wood but the walls were painted white while the furniture was done in colors of lavender or in white or in both. It was truly a beautiful room and the queen must have sensed this.
"Lavender is my favorite color," the queen said looking around the room herself. "Endymion thinks I tend to over do it but I still insist that its beautiful."
"It is beautiful," Serena replied looking at the lavender velvet portieres.
"Thank you dear." The queen began to pour tea into china cups and add lemon and sugar. She handed a cup to Serena who took it in her hands and took a small sip of the hot liquid. It somehow gave her strength and she was about to ask the queen a question when she remember Betty's warning. "Don't speak to her unless she speaks to you first." Quickly she shut her mouth and took another sip of her tea, but the queen broke the silence.
"Endymion or Darien as his friends call him told me you work for a newspaper."
"Yes I do. I'm a columnist for The Daily Times. I write about fashion."
"I see," the queen set down the tea pot and picked up her cup. " Then you know those awful people called reporters."
"Um yes I do, but they really aren't at all awful. Some of them are the nicest people I know."
"Yea of course. They are nice enough to write about how badly I run my kingdom and to meddle in my son's life and of course my own."
Serena blushed and said nothing. It was true that the people she knew at the newspaper did write about the bad things happening in the kingdom but they did have a right. "Well it is true that they do meddle but the constitution of this country says that there is freedom of the press." Whoa! That was too much! Serena blushed and quickly switched to another route. "I mean they shouldn't meddle in your life. If it helps I think you're doing a wonderful job running the country and that Darien is a wonderful prince."
The queen looked at her from the corner of her eye then took a sip of her tea. "Endymion is a wonderful boy. He's my only child you know so I have a lot of hopes for him. I'm hoping to see him married and settled soon with children that will assure that the throne is in the right hands."
"I'm sure he will make a wonderful father," Serena replied truthfully.
"Yes he will," the queen picked up a plate of Queen Anne cakes and held it up to Serena. She took a cake and took a small bite of it. The queen did the same and set the plate down. "Just a few weeks ago he met a lady named Jeanette and they really seemed to bond. He was quite taken with her. In fact I invited her to come to the palace for a ball I'm holding."
"A ball?" Serena asked the bite of her cake getting stuck in the back of her throat.
"Yes, I thought it would be nice to throw a ball to introduce her to the country and has Darien's sweetheart."
"Darien's sweetheart?" Serena echoed softly.
The queen smiled but not at Serena and her smiled was one of malevolence. "Why yes. I didn't think you supposed that Endymion was going to marry you now did you? Endymion is a prince and he must marry a womyn of royal blood. Jeanette is a lady and you are nothing but a newspaper writer. You and Darien would never suit properly."
Serena suddenly felt like the cake she had just eaten was going to come up again but it didn't as the queen went on.
"I would of course love for you to come to the ball as one of mine and Endymion's personal guests. It would be such a great honor. You can meet all of Endymion's friends and Jeanette. She has heard about you and would love for you to come." The queen turned to Serena and smiled. "Now say you are coming dear."
"Oh I don't know. I would feel so out of place," Serena mumbled embarrassingly.
"Nonsense, you'll fit in fine. All you need is a ball gown, you know something fancy. No jeans or those awful mini skirts girls are now wearing today. Something long and elegant will be fine. Now say you are coming."
"I still don't know..." Serena began but was cut off by the queen.
"I will see you there. I'll send you an invitation to your home. The ball will be in two weeks time so I look forward to seeing you there." The queen set down her tea cup. "I am feeling most tired. I think I will go and take a rest now. Thank you for coming to see me. I'll have Betty walk you out." The queen stood up and walked out of the room leaving Serena sitting on the couch quite confused.
"Miss Tuskino the queen has left."
Serena looked up to see Betty standing in the doorway glaring at her. "You forgot to stand when she stood up. That was most rude. Now please follow me. I'll escort you to the car." Betty turned around and began to walk down the hall. Serena set down her tea cup on the table and hurried out of the room to follow Betty down the hall. This time she didn't peek into the rooms but instead looked at the back of Betty's tailored black dress till they were outside.
"Thank you for visiting. James will drive you home now." Betty gestured with her clipboard to James who was standing in front of the limo's door.
"Thank you," Serena mumbled then walked over to the car and climbed in the back seat. James shut the door and walked over the driver's side while Serena crumpled up in the back and sighed, one hand on her forehead. This had been a horrible day. All she wanted to do was to go home and relax.
After another short ride they arrived at her apartment. Serena climbed out of the limo while James held the door open for her. She thanked him before walking up the steps and letting herself in. The stairs were flooded with light as she ran up four flights and let herself into her apartment. The large bay windows were letting in streams of golden and red lights from the setting sun. Serena didn't even notice them. She just dropped her purse on the floor in the entrance way and walked into her bedroom. All of Mina's carefully applied make up was washed off and her hair was let down and pulled into her normal buns and ponytails. She pulled off her dress and hung up in the closet and pulled on an old pair of sweat pants and a black glittery t-shirt for the band The Three Lights that she had liked back in Japan. Serena walked out of the bedroom into the kitchen where she grabbed a carton of Ben and Jerry's ice cream and a spoon and walked into the main room. She sat down on the couch and opened the carton.
Almost instantly her thoughts began to run around in circles as she thought of her meeting with the queen. It was obvious that the queen did not like her. She hadn't been rude or catty but it was the way her vibe was towards Serena. She had seemed to enjoy talking about Jeanette who was probably very beautiful. Had Darien forgotten to tell her something? Such as that he was almost engaged to be married to some beautiful dark haired womyn named Jeanette? No that couldn't be, Darien wouldn't lie to her. He was too nice and such a gentleman. It was the queen; she obviously hated Serena for being a commoner and winning the love of her only son the prince.
Serena took another bite of her ice cream and thoughtfully looked up at the ceiling. It was painted white with a large black and brass lamp in the middle of it. When she turned on the lamp the room flooded with light. Now it was turned off and the only light in the room was that of the setting sun. Serena looked over at the windows then stood up and walked over to them. They had ledges just big enough for her to sit on. She did just that, sitting on one of the ledges and looked out over the city. Everything was bathed in a golden light from the cars passing each other below her to the people walking home from work. And she was sitting above them watching it all while somewhere out in the city Darien was probably talking to Jeanette on his cell phone right now.
No! Serena shook her head to stop those crazy thoughts. He was dating her! He liked her! Not this girl named Jeanette! The queen was just trying to scare her away but that wouldn't happen. Serena was going to go to that ball and she was going to go looking more like a queen then the queen and she was going to show everyone that Darien belonged to her and not to that Jeanette girl. Serena smiled and took another bite of ice cream. It was all going to be perfect.
* * * * * * *
Darien stopped by that night bringing dinner just as she was going to start making a casserole. She had been pulling vegetables out of the fridge when the doorbell went off. Serena set the vegetables down on the counter and went to open the door. He stood there holding some bags in his hand and smiling down at her.
"Are you hungry?"
"Starved," Serena replied stepping back to allow him in.
Darien walked in and headed for the kitchen with Serena following him. Inside he set the bags on the counter and began to shuffle through them.
"What did you bring?" She asked sitting down on a stool.
"Cold pasta linguini with shrimp, a salad, and for dessert chocolate cake."
"Ooo that sounds good," Serena grinned and watched as he pulled the food out of the bags and set them down on the counter. "Do you need any help?"
Darien shook his head and set down the plastic container holding the pasta. "You've had a hard day. You relax and let me prepare dinner." He walked past Serena into the main room where the dining room table was.
"Are you sure you don't want me to set the table while you prepare the food?" Serena asked turning around on her stool.
"No I can do it! You just sit and watch the superman do his work!" Darien shook his head and walked back into the kitchen. He opened a cupboard to reveal boxes and cans of food. "Wrong one." He closed the cupboard and moved to the next one. He opened it to reveal another cupboard to reveal more boxes and cans. "How many cupboards of food do you have?"
Serena smiled and got up. "Let me set the table while you prepare the food." She walked over to a cupboard and opened it up to reveal plates and cups.
"There's hardly any preparing to be done," Darien replied watching her pull out two plates and some cups.
"What do you want to drink?" Darien asked resigning to let Serena set the table but instead moved to the refrigerator.
"You didn't bring anything to drink? I thought we were supposed to bring some romantic drink like champagne or white wine?"
"I thought you didn't like alcohol?" Darien asked looking confused.
"Well that's true. It does taste nasty but I do drink it." Serena smiled and shrugged. "Anything will be fine." Serena picked up the plates and headed into the main room to set the table while Darien pulled out a bottle of apple juice and searched for wine glasses. He finally found them in a cabinet and poured out juice for both of them and carried the glasses to the table where he set one at the head of the table and another next to it.
Serena set the table with plates, cutlery, and napkins while Darien brought the food out. As soon as Darien had brought out the salad dressing they sat down and Serena dished out the food. For a few minutes they ate in silence. Serena was starved and it showed as she ate her food and drank her apple juice like it was wine. Finally Darien spoke up while Serena put a second helping of food on his plate.
"So how was the meeting with my mother?"
Her hand stopped in mid air as she swallowed and blinked then she went back to serving. If Darien noticed the pause he didn't say anything.
"It was nice, your mother is very...very...royal."
Darien laughed. "Royal? That's a great way to describe mother."
"Well isn't it true?" Serena asked setting down the serving spoon and picking up her fork.
Darien stopped laughing and picked up his fork also. "I guess you can say that's true. Mother is very royal, I guess that's why she's such a great queen."
"She invited me to a ball," Serena said looking to change the subject.
"The ball she's holding in two weeks to honor Lord Enterbury?" Darien asked setting down his fork.
"Um yea, she said I was to come as you and her's personal guest."
"Serena that's wonderful!" Darien took her hand and squeezed it.
"Why is it wonderful?"
"Because you can meet all my friends and see what its like to be royal," Darien replied.
"Why would I want to see what its like to be royal?" Serena asked laughing in a confused way.
"Because if everything goes right you may become royal sooner then you can expect," Darien replied looking straight in her eyes.
Suddenly all laughter went out of her system and Serena was staring into Darien's eyes. She swallowed once then stood up. "I'll get the chocolate cake," she said hoarsely and walked into the kitchen. There was no way she was going to tell him about his mother. It would just be better that he never found out.
Serena pulled out some cake plates and went to get the chocolate cake from the counter. What was she going to do? Tell him that his mother had all but engaged him to a beautiful princess name Jeanette? No she was going to be strong. Serena remembered the sunset room and the ice cream along with her determined thoughts. She wasn't going to let a queen stand in her way of love. Serena smiled and cut the cake. She was not going to let Darien find out what his said to her. Everything was going to be fine. Serena picked up the plates of cake and walked back into the main room where she greeted Darien with a bright smile. He never needed to know.
* * * * * * *
"So what time are you picking me up for the party on Saturday?" Serena asked a little while later as they sipped cups of coffee fragrant with chamomile.
"I thought I told you?"
Serena grinned guiltily. "I forgot."
"Oh I see. Well I thought I'd pick you up at 3pm. I would like to take my car but mother insists I take the limo and bring Eric along with."
"Eric is nice."
"Yea and he's also strong. He can bench press over three hundred," Darien replied.
"Wow no wonder he's so lumpy." Serena took a sip of coffee and looked out the windows behind her. The city was lit up with lights as cars drove up and down the streets.
Darien was watching her when he put down his coffee up and moved closer to her taking her coffee cup out of her hands and setting it next to his. Gently he cradled her face in his hands and kissed her. Serena responded to the kiss which slowly grew deeper till he was pressing her down against the couch with him on top.
"Darien," she whispered against his lips.
"What is it Serena?" He asked kissing her deeply.
"We can't do it."
"What?" He stopped kissing her and looked down into her blue eyes.
"We can't do it. I'm not ready," she said softly.
Darien let out a sigh and got up from on top of her and sat down on the other side of the couch. Serena scrambled up and looked at him.
"I'm sorry but I'm not ready to sleep with you. I sometimes think I am but in truth I'm not."
Darien ran his hand through his hair and looked at her. For a second she feared that he was going to get up and leave her just sitting there on the couch but he didn't. He smiled and moved closer to her once again pressing her down into the couch.
"We don't have to sleep together but we can kiss can't we," he asked giving her a devilish look.
Serena smiled as the relief flowed through her. She raised her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. "I like that idea."
Darien lowered his head and gently kissed her while she ran her hand through his jet black hair with the lights from the lamps on either sides of the couch glowed down on them.
Chapter nine will be out soon! Please stay tuned! In the meantime please read and review or send all comments, questions, suggestions, and flames to Saphrians_Water_Reflection@hotmail.com. Thank you!