An Everly Tale
Chapter Nine
By A Shot of Amber
Wow this story is getting long! I'm glad to see you back though! 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 Nine
"So all you did was make-out all night?" Lita asked as she helped Serena straighten her skirt.
"Yea, kind of like high school students. We did it, right there on the couch until his cell phone went off and he was forced to leave."
"Who was calling?"
Serena smiled and turned around to look at the back of herself in the mirror. "His friend Andrew. Andrew apparently wanted to know where Darien was since he had some kind of meeting to attend the next morning."
"Then what time did he leave?" Lita asked letting go of the skirt and looking up at Serena.
"I think it was about 1am when he finally left."
"So you made out for three hours?" Lita asked looking shocked.
"Not for three hours. We also did the dishes and put away the food. Its in my refrigerator right now. We probably only made out for like an hour and half before we stopped."
Lita stood up and brushed off her skirt. "You are so lucky, meeting a guy who cares about you enough to wash the dishes with you."
Serena laughed and faced Lita. "He's a real sweetie. He's like the perfect gentleman."
Lita smiled also. "You're very lucky then."
"I'm glad I am," Serena replied but suddenly the queen's words filled her head as she walked over to the closet to get shoes. She was thinking about what the queen had said about Jeanette and how Darien was very close to her. Quickly Serena shook the thoughts of her head and bent down to pick up some shoes, the same ones she had worn to the tea ceremony. They would perfectly match her blue jeans skirt and white V-neck top.
Lita was looking at her watch when Serena turned back around to sit on the bed and put on her shoes.
"Hey I'm sorry Serena but I got to go. I have to be at the café in about half an hour to start my shift. I hope you have a good time at the party and make sure to tell me all about it!"
"I'll be sure to do that. Have fun at work," Serena replied pulling on a shoe and bending down to lace it up.
"Bye!" Lita waved at her then walked out of the room while Serena finished putting on her shoes. When she was finished with that she stood up took a quick appraisal of appearance of her outfit in the mirror. Yes she looked very nice, fresh and casual. Serena smiled at her reflection and walked out of the room down the hall and into the main room. Sunlight poured out of the windows onto the wooden floor. Serena walked through this sunlight to look out the window. She didn't see a limo but instead a small crowd of people standing around so she walked over to the couch and sat down.
The phone was no longer accentually ringing non-stop like it had a few days ago. At Darien's suggestion she had had the line changed to an unlisted private line. Her friends and family was given the number but only people she could trust and so far it had worked. She wasn't getting calls from the media or perverts wanting to do crazy things to her. Instead the phone was like it was before the media hype quietly sitting in the same place only ringing once in awhile. Serena didn't get a lot of calls. She usually was the one to do the calling.
Now Serena tucked her hands under her legs and looked into the kitchen. The clock said 3:05pm. He was five minutes late but that was alright, five minutes was nothing. Serena rocked her heels and looked instead at the door. Maybe at this very moment Darien's limo was pulling up to the curb and Eric was getting out and was about to ask to be buzzed in....buzz!
Serena jumped as the buzzing sound filled the room.
"Wow talk about ESP," Serena said to herself as she got up and walked over to the intercom. "Just a moment I'll be right down." She let go of the button and picked up her purse from the floor and opened the door to let herself out. She went down four flights of stairs, excitement fueling her along till she was standing in front of the glass and wood door where Eric stood looking into the foyer. Serena smiled and opened the door and immediately a bevy of reporters who obviously had found out about the date started taking pictures and asking questions. Eric took her arm and closed the door for her.
"Come on Miss Tuskino. Just hold on to me." He began to pull her through the crowd towards the limo where the door was opening up. Serena followed him and as soon as they got to the limo she climbed in and shut the door behind her. The reporters pressed themselves against the glass trying to snap pictures of her and Darien but they had no luck because as soon as Eric climbed in and shut the door they were off driving down the street.
"Hi," Serena said breathlessly as she settled into her seat next to Darien.
"I'm really sorry about the reporters. I'm not really sure how they found out about the party," Darien apologized leaning over to kiss Serena.
She just laughed, shook her head, and kissed him. "I'm not worried. They usually are hanging around my apartment hoping you'll show up. Only sometimes they go home or go to bug someone else."
"Well then I won't worry about it. Instead I'll say that you look absolutely beautiful."
Serena smiled again and set her purse down on the floor at her feet. "I hope this is casual enough for the party. I didn't want to be too casual but then again I didn't want to be so overdressed I would stand out. So I wore a jean skirt and a nice blouse."
"On you it looks beautiful."
"Thank you! Oh and before I forget. I got Rei a gift!" Serena said bending down to rummage through her purse. She pulled out a small bow wrapped in red wrapping paper with a white bow on top of it.
"Hey that's really nice. What did you get her?"
"A crystal cup with birds incrusted in it and a small red candle. I wanted to get her something red after you told me she liked that color." Serena set the gift down on the seat and pulled out a card to go with it. " Did you get her something?"
"I got her a bouquet of Casablanca's," Darien replied picking up a bouquet of white flowers from the floor.
"They are lovely!" Serena exclaimed leaning forward to smell the flowers and touch one petal. "I've never heard of them."
"They aren't as popular as roses are but they still are beautiful," Darien replied smelling the flowers himself then setting them down next to Serena's gift.
Serena nodded then looked out the window. They were moving through the city towards the hills on the edge of the city."So where does Rei live?"
"She lives near our summer estate in the hills on the outside of the city. Her father is one of the leading politician's in the parliament. Did you know that our government follows the government styles of the English? My grandfather was very much taken with the English so he set a lot of our government policies to follow theirs."
"I didn't know that," Serena mummered.
"Yea, he also built our current summer house. He called it Green Acres which always made me want to sing the theme song from the cult TV show when I was kid. Mother hated it. She always reprimanded me about my singing by saying young children didn't speak unless spoken too." Darien laughed softly and shook his head. "My grandfather was a lot of fun when I was a kid. He loved that house; my grandmother died there so after her death he lived there all the time and abdicated the throne to my mother so he could live in peace on Green Acres. He never wanted to come back to the city or the palace for fear of not being in his home when he died."
"Did he die on Green Acres?" Serena asked softly.
"Yea, he had a heart attack one night in his room all alone. His valet found him the next morning. He said that grandfather had a very peaceful look on his face like he had seen the light and his beloved wife."
"That's so sad..." Serena sniffed and brushed her nose with her hand.
"Yea it is but its still a beautiful place. When it opens up next month I'll take you there to see it. You'll love it," Darien replied patting her knee.
"If it's a summer house then why does Rei live in her home all year long?""
"Her father gave her the option to. Actually he lives in a townhouse in the city while Rei lives alone in the big house. She and her father don't get along to well so they tend to stay away from each other as much as possible. I doubt he'll be at he party today, parliaments in session and there is no way he'll leave that even for his daughter's birthday."
"That's so sad," Serena replied looking out the window again to see them passing trees and hills covered with greenery.
"It is but Rei is happier that way. Believe me you'll understand when you meet her." Darien looked out his window and a silence lapsed over them. It lasted till they pulled into a tree lined drive way and drove up to a big white house with green shutters and a balcony running the length of the front of the house. Serena climbed out of the limo all the time looking up at the huge house in front of her. She was studying the intricate scrolls of the metal balcony when Darien came around from the other side of the car and handed her Rei's gift and put his arm around her to lead her up the steps into the house.
They walked through a cool and dimly lit hallway into the backyard filled with people laughing, talking, drinking, and eating from small paper plates. To one side standing on the glass enclosed patio was a girl with long black hair. Darien walked straight over to the girl dragging Serena with him.
"Rei!"
The girl turned around and looked at them. She was slightly taller then Serena with long black hair to her waist. She wearing a white sleeveless dress with a blue halter top over that and a pair of scuffed up combat boots. Serena instantly noticed her eyes which were a deep purple under almond shaped lids.
"Rei! Happy birthday!" Darien let go of Serena and went over to give Rei a hug. He then let go and turned to Serena with his arm still around Rei." Rei I would like you to meet my girlfriend Serena Tuskino."
"Its very nice to meet you," Serena said holding out one hand.
Rei studied her for a second with those almond shaped purple eyes then smiled and walked over to Serena.
"Its very nice to meet you Miss Tuskino." She shook Serena's hand softly then let go. "I'm glad you could come to my party and I'm glad I could meet you. Darien as told me a lot about you."
"He's told me a lot about you also," Serena replied. "He told me that your father is a politician in this country."
Something around Rei's mouth hardened and she looked away. Serena instantly felt like a fool. She should have never said that but Rei was looking at her again and instantly Serena began to blush. Surprisingly Rei smiled again and stepped forward to take Serena's hand.
"Come with me Miss Tuskino. We can get a cup of punch and get to know one another."
"Please call me Serena," Serena replied looking over her shoulder at Darien but he just gestured for her to follow Rei.
"Only if you call me Rei."
"Alright, Rei."
Rei smiled and led her towards a table filled with food and drink. A bartender stood behind the drinks taking orders and filling them. When it was the girls turn Rei turned towards Serena.
"What would you like to drink?" She asked.
"Um, do you have vodka and cranberry juice?" Serena asked then began to blush because she didn't know the name of the drink.
Rei smiled at Serena's red face, a serene knowing smile. She then turned to the bartender. "We'll have a sea breeze and a green tea."
The bartender nodded and began to prepare the drinks. Serena sighed happily and excepted her sea breeze. Rei took her green tea and turned to Serena.
"Would you like to meet some of my friends?"
"Uh, sure," Serena replied licking the liquid off her lips.
"Follow me then." Rei walked over to a small group of people while Serena followed her.
"Amy. Greg. I would like you to meet the prince's new girlfriend." She gestured to Serena. "This is Serena Tuskino."
"Its very nice to meet you," Serena replied putting out one hand.
Greg pulled out his hand from the pocket of his sports coat and shook Serena's hand. "Its very nice to meet you." He then pulled back and allowed the petite blue haired girl next to him to shake Serena's hand.
"I'm glad I could finally meet you Miss Tuskino," Amy said shaking Serena's hand and smiling at her.
"Please call me Serena," Serena replied letting go of Amy's hand. " Are you a friend of Rei's?"
"Yes we both are." Amy placed her arm through Greg's. "I've known Rei and Greg since high school.
"Where did you go to school?" Serena asked taking a sip of her drink.
Greg grinned. "We all went to the same high school but Amy and I went to the same college."
"We went to a university in Germany," Amy added.
"And both got our degree's in medicine," Greg finished.
"Wow, that's really interesting," Serena replied smiling at both of them.
Rei wasn't looking at them but instead behind her at a blond man walking with a blond womyn who was slightly shorter then him. Her eyes to seemed to be filling with something akin to pain and sadness.
"I didn't know he be here," Amy whispered to Greg keeping her eyes on the man and womyn.
"Who is he?" Serena asked turning her eyes away from the couple to Amy and Greg.
"That's Rei's father's assistant and his wife," Amy replied softly keeping her eyes on Rei who was watching them with a far away look on her face. The look quickly disappeared and she turned back to the others. " Excuse me for a moment please. I want to go in and check the food. Serena will you be alright?"
"Yes of course," Serena replied.
Rei nodded her head and turned to walk into the glassed in porch area on the way into the house. She never looked at her father's assistant who watched her walk past then turned back to answer a question his wife was asking him.
"I didn't know he'd be here," Darien said walking up to Serena and putting his arm around her.
"Her father's assistant?" Serena asked looking up at Darien.
"Yea and he's a bastard. I can't believe Rei invited him," Darien growled giving the guy a dirty look.
"He obviously did something wrong," Serena said turning to Amy and Greg.
"He broke her heart," Amy whispered.
"Rei was in love with him for a long time. She was so in love with him that we thought she may marry him. He seemed the same way, he always was there for her but then one day out of the blue he announces his engagement to a political companion's daughter and marries her in a large public ceremony. Rei was heartbroken, she thought he would marry her when she came of age," Darien replied bitterly.
"How old was she?"
"She was twenty when it happened. Just days before the wedding she turned twenty one," Amy replied.
"She went into a deep funk afterwards and left the country for awhile to live with her grandfather," Greg added.
Serena looked over at the glass porch where Rei had walked in. She couldn't see anything at first but then the figure materialized, Rei was walking out onto the porch area holding a tray of snow peas stuffed with crème cheese. She was holding her head high and smiling at the people she passed.
"I can't believe that guy had the nerve to come to the party," Darien growled.
"Hush Darien," Amy held out one hand. "You know that Rei would never turn him away. He spent all those years with her on her birthday, its kind of a tradition for them."
"It's a pretty crazed tradition," Darien replied but he shoved his clenched fist into his pocket and didn't say anything more.
Rei walked past her father's assistant again without looking at him. He watched her walk past than turned back to the conversation going on with his wife and another couple. Darien's arm tightened around Serena's shoulder. She could tell he was angry but wasn't going to do anything about it.
"Darien don't worry, Rei is a strong womyn," Amy said softly patting Darien's arm.
He looked down at her with her blue eyes staring up into his own and smiled. "I'll be good Amy, don't worry I won't cause any fights."
Amy smiled up at him and let go of his arm. Rei was setting the tray of snow peas on the table of food then turned to answer a question someone asked her. She laughed aloud but her eyes still looked sad. She was really hurting.
"On her birthday ever since I've known her and before that he would give her a white dress and flowers," Amy said looking at the straps of the white dress peeking out of Rei's top. "He stopped doing that when he got married, maybe his wife didn't like it. She got her last dress when she was twenty and every year ever since she's worn it."
"You mean that she's worn the same dress every year for her birthday because he gave her the dress?"
"Rei is a stickler for tradition. Her grandfather is a Shinto priest who follows all the traditions of his religion. He taught Rei to be the same way," Greg added.
"So she's Shinto? She must have lived in Japan for that time she was out of the country."
"She lived in Tokyo in her grandfather's shrine before she came back here. Now she follows all the sanctions of the Shinto religion. She doesn't chase after boys or encourage their advances. She's locked herself away from the world," Greg replied.
"She didn't lock herself away. She got her heart broken Greg. If you got your heart broken would you want to love again?" Amy asked chiding him gently.
"Now would you break my heart Amy?"
Serena turned away from the flirting couple to look at Rei who was laughing and chatting with two elderly womyn wearing flowery chintz dresses.
"She's so sad..." her brain echoed. "I hope I never have to go through a pain like that. Seeing the live of my life with another womyn, it would break me."
Chapter ten will be out soon! Please in the meantime read and review or send all comments, questions, suggestions, and flames to Saphrians_Water_Reflection@hotmail.com. Thank you!
Wow this story is getting long! I'm glad to see you back though! 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 Nine
"So all you did was make-out all night?" Lita asked as she helped Serena straighten her skirt.
"Yea, kind of like high school students. We did it, right there on the couch until his cell phone went off and he was forced to leave."
"Who was calling?"
Serena smiled and turned around to look at the back of herself in the mirror. "His friend Andrew. Andrew apparently wanted to know where Darien was since he had some kind of meeting to attend the next morning."
"Then what time did he leave?" Lita asked letting go of the skirt and looking up at Serena.
"I think it was about 1am when he finally left."
"So you made out for three hours?" Lita asked looking shocked.
"Not for three hours. We also did the dishes and put away the food. Its in my refrigerator right now. We probably only made out for like an hour and half before we stopped."
Lita stood up and brushed off her skirt. "You are so lucky, meeting a guy who cares about you enough to wash the dishes with you."
Serena laughed and faced Lita. "He's a real sweetie. He's like the perfect gentleman."
Lita smiled also. "You're very lucky then."
"I'm glad I am," Serena replied but suddenly the queen's words filled her head as she walked over to the closet to get shoes. She was thinking about what the queen had said about Jeanette and how Darien was very close to her. Quickly Serena shook the thoughts of her head and bent down to pick up some shoes, the same ones she had worn to the tea ceremony. They would perfectly match her blue jeans skirt and white V-neck top.
Lita was looking at her watch when Serena turned back around to sit on the bed and put on her shoes.
"Hey I'm sorry Serena but I got to go. I have to be at the café in about half an hour to start my shift. I hope you have a good time at the party and make sure to tell me all about it!"
"I'll be sure to do that. Have fun at work," Serena replied pulling on a shoe and bending down to lace it up.
"Bye!" Lita waved at her then walked out of the room while Serena finished putting on her shoes. When she was finished with that she stood up took a quick appraisal of appearance of her outfit in the mirror. Yes she looked very nice, fresh and casual. Serena smiled at her reflection and walked out of the room down the hall and into the main room. Sunlight poured out of the windows onto the wooden floor. Serena walked through this sunlight to look out the window. She didn't see a limo but instead a small crowd of people standing around so she walked over to the couch and sat down.
The phone was no longer accentually ringing non-stop like it had a few days ago. At Darien's suggestion she had had the line changed to an unlisted private line. Her friends and family was given the number but only people she could trust and so far it had worked. She wasn't getting calls from the media or perverts wanting to do crazy things to her. Instead the phone was like it was before the media hype quietly sitting in the same place only ringing once in awhile. Serena didn't get a lot of calls. She usually was the one to do the calling.
Now Serena tucked her hands under her legs and looked into the kitchen. The clock said 3:05pm. He was five minutes late but that was alright, five minutes was nothing. Serena rocked her heels and looked instead at the door. Maybe at this very moment Darien's limo was pulling up to the curb and Eric was getting out and was about to ask to be buzzed in....buzz!
Serena jumped as the buzzing sound filled the room.
"Wow talk about ESP," Serena said to herself as she got up and walked over to the intercom. "Just a moment I'll be right down." She let go of the button and picked up her purse from the floor and opened the door to let herself out. She went down four flights of stairs, excitement fueling her along till she was standing in front of the glass and wood door where Eric stood looking into the foyer. Serena smiled and opened the door and immediately a bevy of reporters who obviously had found out about the date started taking pictures and asking questions. Eric took her arm and closed the door for her.
"Come on Miss Tuskino. Just hold on to me." He began to pull her through the crowd towards the limo where the door was opening up. Serena followed him and as soon as they got to the limo she climbed in and shut the door behind her. The reporters pressed themselves against the glass trying to snap pictures of her and Darien but they had no luck because as soon as Eric climbed in and shut the door they were off driving down the street.
"Hi," Serena said breathlessly as she settled into her seat next to Darien.
"I'm really sorry about the reporters. I'm not really sure how they found out about the party," Darien apologized leaning over to kiss Serena.
She just laughed, shook her head, and kissed him. "I'm not worried. They usually are hanging around my apartment hoping you'll show up. Only sometimes they go home or go to bug someone else."
"Well then I won't worry about it. Instead I'll say that you look absolutely beautiful."
Serena smiled again and set her purse down on the floor at her feet. "I hope this is casual enough for the party. I didn't want to be too casual but then again I didn't want to be so overdressed I would stand out. So I wore a jean skirt and a nice blouse."
"On you it looks beautiful."
"Thank you! Oh and before I forget. I got Rei a gift!" Serena said bending down to rummage through her purse. She pulled out a small bow wrapped in red wrapping paper with a white bow on top of it.
"Hey that's really nice. What did you get her?"
"A crystal cup with birds incrusted in it and a small red candle. I wanted to get her something red after you told me she liked that color." Serena set the gift down on the seat and pulled out a card to go with it. " Did you get her something?"
"I got her a bouquet of Casablanca's," Darien replied picking up a bouquet of white flowers from the floor.
"They are lovely!" Serena exclaimed leaning forward to smell the flowers and touch one petal. "I've never heard of them."
"They aren't as popular as roses are but they still are beautiful," Darien replied smelling the flowers himself then setting them down next to Serena's gift.
Serena nodded then looked out the window. They were moving through the city towards the hills on the edge of the city."So where does Rei live?"
"She lives near our summer estate in the hills on the outside of the city. Her father is one of the leading politician's in the parliament. Did you know that our government follows the government styles of the English? My grandfather was very much taken with the English so he set a lot of our government policies to follow theirs."
"I didn't know that," Serena mummered.
"Yea, he also built our current summer house. He called it Green Acres which always made me want to sing the theme song from the cult TV show when I was kid. Mother hated it. She always reprimanded me about my singing by saying young children didn't speak unless spoken too." Darien laughed softly and shook his head. "My grandfather was a lot of fun when I was a kid. He loved that house; my grandmother died there so after her death he lived there all the time and abdicated the throne to my mother so he could live in peace on Green Acres. He never wanted to come back to the city or the palace for fear of not being in his home when he died."
"Did he die on Green Acres?" Serena asked softly.
"Yea, he had a heart attack one night in his room all alone. His valet found him the next morning. He said that grandfather had a very peaceful look on his face like he had seen the light and his beloved wife."
"That's so sad..." Serena sniffed and brushed her nose with her hand.
"Yea it is but its still a beautiful place. When it opens up next month I'll take you there to see it. You'll love it," Darien replied patting her knee.
"If it's a summer house then why does Rei live in her home all year long?""
"Her father gave her the option to. Actually he lives in a townhouse in the city while Rei lives alone in the big house. She and her father don't get along to well so they tend to stay away from each other as much as possible. I doubt he'll be at he party today, parliaments in session and there is no way he'll leave that even for his daughter's birthday."
"That's so sad," Serena replied looking out the window again to see them passing trees and hills covered with greenery.
"It is but Rei is happier that way. Believe me you'll understand when you meet her." Darien looked out his window and a silence lapsed over them. It lasted till they pulled into a tree lined drive way and drove up to a big white house with green shutters and a balcony running the length of the front of the house. Serena climbed out of the limo all the time looking up at the huge house in front of her. She was studying the intricate scrolls of the metal balcony when Darien came around from the other side of the car and handed her Rei's gift and put his arm around her to lead her up the steps into the house.
They walked through a cool and dimly lit hallway into the backyard filled with people laughing, talking, drinking, and eating from small paper plates. To one side standing on the glass enclosed patio was a girl with long black hair. Darien walked straight over to the girl dragging Serena with him.
"Rei!"
The girl turned around and looked at them. She was slightly taller then Serena with long black hair to her waist. She wearing a white sleeveless dress with a blue halter top over that and a pair of scuffed up combat boots. Serena instantly noticed her eyes which were a deep purple under almond shaped lids.
"Rei! Happy birthday!" Darien let go of Serena and went over to give Rei a hug. He then let go and turned to Serena with his arm still around Rei." Rei I would like you to meet my girlfriend Serena Tuskino."
"Its very nice to meet you," Serena said holding out one hand.
Rei studied her for a second with those almond shaped purple eyes then smiled and walked over to Serena.
"Its very nice to meet you Miss Tuskino." She shook Serena's hand softly then let go. "I'm glad you could come to my party and I'm glad I could meet you. Darien as told me a lot about you."
"He's told me a lot about you also," Serena replied. "He told me that your father is a politician in this country."
Something around Rei's mouth hardened and she looked away. Serena instantly felt like a fool. She should have never said that but Rei was looking at her again and instantly Serena began to blush. Surprisingly Rei smiled again and stepped forward to take Serena's hand.
"Come with me Miss Tuskino. We can get a cup of punch and get to know one another."
"Please call me Serena," Serena replied looking over her shoulder at Darien but he just gestured for her to follow Rei.
"Only if you call me Rei."
"Alright, Rei."
Rei smiled and led her towards a table filled with food and drink. A bartender stood behind the drinks taking orders and filling them. When it was the girls turn Rei turned towards Serena.
"What would you like to drink?" She asked.
"Um, do you have vodka and cranberry juice?" Serena asked then began to blush because she didn't know the name of the drink.
Rei smiled at Serena's red face, a serene knowing smile. She then turned to the bartender. "We'll have a sea breeze and a green tea."
The bartender nodded and began to prepare the drinks. Serena sighed happily and excepted her sea breeze. Rei took her green tea and turned to Serena.
"Would you like to meet some of my friends?"
"Uh, sure," Serena replied licking the liquid off her lips.
"Follow me then." Rei walked over to a small group of people while Serena followed her.
"Amy. Greg. I would like you to meet the prince's new girlfriend." She gestured to Serena. "This is Serena Tuskino."
"Its very nice to meet you," Serena replied putting out one hand.
Greg pulled out his hand from the pocket of his sports coat and shook Serena's hand. "Its very nice to meet you." He then pulled back and allowed the petite blue haired girl next to him to shake Serena's hand.
"I'm glad I could finally meet you Miss Tuskino," Amy said shaking Serena's hand and smiling at her.
"Please call me Serena," Serena replied letting go of Amy's hand. " Are you a friend of Rei's?"
"Yes we both are." Amy placed her arm through Greg's. "I've known Rei and Greg since high school.
"Where did you go to school?" Serena asked taking a sip of her drink.
Greg grinned. "We all went to the same high school but Amy and I went to the same college."
"We went to a university in Germany," Amy added.
"And both got our degree's in medicine," Greg finished.
"Wow, that's really interesting," Serena replied smiling at both of them.
Rei wasn't looking at them but instead behind her at a blond man walking with a blond womyn who was slightly shorter then him. Her eyes to seemed to be filling with something akin to pain and sadness.
"I didn't know he be here," Amy whispered to Greg keeping her eyes on the man and womyn.
"Who is he?" Serena asked turning her eyes away from the couple to Amy and Greg.
"That's Rei's father's assistant and his wife," Amy replied softly keeping her eyes on Rei who was watching them with a far away look on her face. The look quickly disappeared and she turned back to the others. " Excuse me for a moment please. I want to go in and check the food. Serena will you be alright?"
"Yes of course," Serena replied.
Rei nodded her head and turned to walk into the glassed in porch area on the way into the house. She never looked at her father's assistant who watched her walk past then turned back to answer a question his wife was asking him.
"I didn't know he'd be here," Darien said walking up to Serena and putting his arm around her.
"Her father's assistant?" Serena asked looking up at Darien.
"Yea and he's a bastard. I can't believe Rei invited him," Darien growled giving the guy a dirty look.
"He obviously did something wrong," Serena said turning to Amy and Greg.
"He broke her heart," Amy whispered.
"Rei was in love with him for a long time. She was so in love with him that we thought she may marry him. He seemed the same way, he always was there for her but then one day out of the blue he announces his engagement to a political companion's daughter and marries her in a large public ceremony. Rei was heartbroken, she thought he would marry her when she came of age," Darien replied bitterly.
"How old was she?"
"She was twenty when it happened. Just days before the wedding she turned twenty one," Amy replied.
"She went into a deep funk afterwards and left the country for awhile to live with her grandfather," Greg added.
Serena looked over at the glass porch where Rei had walked in. She couldn't see anything at first but then the figure materialized, Rei was walking out onto the porch area holding a tray of snow peas stuffed with crème cheese. She was holding her head high and smiling at the people she passed.
"I can't believe that guy had the nerve to come to the party," Darien growled.
"Hush Darien," Amy held out one hand. "You know that Rei would never turn him away. He spent all those years with her on her birthday, its kind of a tradition for them."
"It's a pretty crazed tradition," Darien replied but he shoved his clenched fist into his pocket and didn't say anything more.
Rei walked past her father's assistant again without looking at him. He watched her walk past than turned back to the conversation going on with his wife and another couple. Darien's arm tightened around Serena's shoulder. She could tell he was angry but wasn't going to do anything about it.
"Darien don't worry, Rei is a strong womyn," Amy said softly patting Darien's arm.
He looked down at her with her blue eyes staring up into his own and smiled. "I'll be good Amy, don't worry I won't cause any fights."
Amy smiled up at him and let go of his arm. Rei was setting the tray of snow peas on the table of food then turned to answer a question someone asked her. She laughed aloud but her eyes still looked sad. She was really hurting.
"On her birthday ever since I've known her and before that he would give her a white dress and flowers," Amy said looking at the straps of the white dress peeking out of Rei's top. "He stopped doing that when he got married, maybe his wife didn't like it. She got her last dress when she was twenty and every year ever since she's worn it."
"You mean that she's worn the same dress every year for her birthday because he gave her the dress?"
"Rei is a stickler for tradition. Her grandfather is a Shinto priest who follows all the traditions of his religion. He taught Rei to be the same way," Greg added.
"So she's Shinto? She must have lived in Japan for that time she was out of the country."
"She lived in Tokyo in her grandfather's shrine before she came back here. Now she follows all the sanctions of the Shinto religion. She doesn't chase after boys or encourage their advances. She's locked herself away from the world," Greg replied.
"She didn't lock herself away. She got her heart broken Greg. If you got your heart broken would you want to love again?" Amy asked chiding him gently.
"Now would you break my heart Amy?"
Serena turned away from the flirting couple to look at Rei who was laughing and chatting with two elderly womyn wearing flowery chintz dresses.
"She's so sad..." her brain echoed. "I hope I never have to go through a pain like that. Seeing the live of my life with another womyn, it would break me."
Chapter ten will be out soon! Please in the meantime read and review or send all comments, questions, suggestions, and flames to Saphrians_Water_Reflection@hotmail.com. Thank you!