Hey everyone!! Sorry it took SO long to get this out, school has just been so hectic lately, I had to take SAT's over again, type a five-page report, do a project for my government class and was in the process of filling out college applications. Am I frustrated you ask?…..hell yeah!!
But writing is therapy for the soul right? So here I am writing up another chapter for you and it helps that my friend (notice how I stressed the word) kept buggin' me about it "did you get chapter 5 out yet?!!? When are you gonna get chapter 5 out?!!? And then her asking turned to commanding.. "hurry UP!!!!!" LOL! Gotta luv her. She knows who she is…NO! screw it! SMITA (Tiku) knows who she is. So if anyone is happy about this chapter then thank her.
Disclaimer: I don't own SM and if you didn't know that then you're an IDIOT!! See I told you writing is therapy for the soul. ^_~
Thanks for all the reviews!! I really appreciate them. I'd like to thank Moonlight Storm for taking the time out to read this. Thanks, you've made my day.
Chapter 5
A rose is placed in view, the petals twirling as the flower rotates between the fingers of the stranger. She grinned to herself, knowing whose shadow loomed over her body, protecting her from the sun.
There were only a few people who knew the one rose that could make her eyes sparkle, white. Though red was beautiful, it was a color of love and it couldn't be offered to just anyone, it was only meant for one person, a soul mate.
Besides, she could recognize those fingers anywhere, so masculine yet soft at the touch; well, at least she remembered them that way since they were concealed in white gloves at the moment. It definitely wasn't Endy.
She turned to the person, her smile widening upon his appearance; he was always dressed to impress with his pressed suit jacket and pants, and top hat and cane. She couldn't see his face, which went unnoticed.
Though she wondered why he did it for her. He could have any woman in town, they already throw themselves at his feet; but she was the only one receiving his invitations to dinner and such.
Taking the rose into her hand, she brought it to her nose and sniffed its silky petals taking in the intoxicating scent. "My favorite," she whispered.
He reached his hand out motioning for her to accept it, which she did, grabbing it and picking herself up off the grassy, flowery garden. She swiped her hand over her pale blue dress to rid it of stray strands of grass.
"Amare," the gentleman whispered. She looked up at the sound of her nickname, he was at least 4 inches taller compared to her 5'6" height, so in order to meet his eyes, she had to lean her head back slightly.
She always wondered what the word meant, she knew it was Latin, but whenever she asked him about it he would always answer with "does it matter?" A question for a question, that's the way it is between them.
He pulled her near him, his face moved closer and closer, and as she closed her eyes to expect his kiss… '*RING*'
*********
'*RING*'Serena rolled over in bed and reached over the night table. She slapped her hand down over her alarm clock, which didn't seem to want to stop ringing. She repeated this several times until she realized that it was her phone; annoyed, she slapped the phone with one swift movement causing it to fall to the floor.
She turned over on her side, pulling the covers up to her chin. Just when she was about to drift off to sleep, Justin's voice came on the answering machine. "Serena I know you're in there. Get up and answer the phone!" She put the pillow over head to stifle his sounds, "And don't put the pillow over your head cuz' I know you can hear me!!"
A groan came from under the pillow, "I hate when he does that." She mumbled to herself and crawled off the bed and onto the floor, scrambling to get the cordless that was sprawled on the floor. She pushed the talk button and brought the phone to her ear.
"I hate you Justin!!" he chuckled at her sleepy voice. "Rise and shine princess and come open the door." She got up from the floor slowly and shuffled out the room to the front door. When the door opened Justin took one look at her and started laughing.
Her usual silky blonde hair was sticking up in different directions all over her head; with her 'I'm too sexy' tee shirt and baggy sweat pants, with one pants leg up she looked as if she got jumped by the boogy monster from under her bed.
"What?" he looked her over once more, "you know you're missing a sock right?" she frowned and slammed the door shut in his face and walked back to her bedroom to continue her interrupted beauty sleep.
Justin opened the door and walked into the bedroom to find her curled up on top of the covers; she looked like a small child. With a mischievous glint in his eye, he jumped onto the bed and bounced up and down, "Ser-eeena, waaa-kie waaa-kie!"
Serena sat up with a huff, giving him the most evil look. If looks could kill he thought as he climbed off the bed. After she was sure he wouldn't bother her anymore, she laid back down. He was just about to pull her off the bed, when there was a knock on her front door, Justin shook his head and left to answer it.
He opened the door to come face to face with Darien. Darien looked at him strangely what's Justin doing here at this time? he shrugged it off, "Hey Justin, is she up?" Justin let out a breath, "ask me that question again and this time really think about it." Darien chuckled and walked in, closing the door behind him.
"What happened?" Justin rubbed the back of his neck; "What do you think? Does she take sleeping pills? It should be a crime to sleep so much!" Darien raised both eyebrows at him, "well, you know how she is."
Darien walked into her room; he smiled at her curled up position and walked to the side she was facing. He laid next to her on his side, propping his head up with his hand to stare at her.
Serena could feel eyes on her, "stop staring at me Reid," she mumbled to him. He stared at her in surprise, "how did you know it was me?" she shrugged and opened her eyes. "Please! I can smell your scent anywhere." He hmphed, "I'll take that as a compliment."
"Take it and get out of my face!" she snapped. "well well well, it seems our little reporter didn't have her coffee yet." He stood up and went to her side of the bed. "So lets go get some, shall we?" he said picking her up off the bed, kicking and screaming.
"Reid!! Put me down!! You-you-you…IDIOT!!" Darien carried her over his shoulder into the kitchen and sat her on a stool at the counter. She looked at the two men with a dazed expression as the head-rush settled.
"How about some coffee, Serena?" asked Justin as he slid a cup of the bitter liquid across the counter surface to her. "Do you have ANY idea what time it is?" she spat. She looked at the clock on the microwave, "8 friggin' 30!! Are you both crazy or just plain STUPID!!"
Darien smiled mischievously, "I have chocolate." Serena's eyes lit up, "Oooo, chocolate! Ok if you give it to me, you can strip me naked, give me a kick me sign and tie me to the fire escape."
Justin laughed, "how the hell do you do that?" Darien shrugged, "practice."
***********
After Serena took a shower and got dressed, she met the two men in the living room to talk. "So what is it you two stopped by to tell me, interrupting my dream so early in the morning? And it better be important!"
Darien and Justin glanced at each other. Darien nodded to give him permission to go first. Justin cleared his throat and began, "well, I did some research on Mina Sinclair; her roommate that reported her missing cooperated and gave me a bit of information." Serena tapped her foot impatiently, "And?"
"Well, it seems that Ms. Sinclair was just hired the day before the ball by Nicholas Diamond as his secretary." Darien sat up and let his fingers play with his chin as if he was in deep thought. "So? What does this have to do with anything?" Serena asked confused. Justin shrugged.
"Wait, I just found out that Jennifer Martin didn't meet Nicholas Diamond the night of the scheduled meeting between him and Michael Greene, actually she met a Dominique Safir, a representative of Diamond Enterprises." Darien interrupted.
"How do you know that?" Serena asked. "I paid Diamond a visit, but he was very rude about the whole thing."
(Flashback)
Nicholas Diamond strolled through the lobby doors onto the busy sidewalk. He glanced down the street, searching for the limousine that drove him to his penthouse suite every day.
"Mr. Diamond, may I have a moment please?" the businessman turned to the sound of the voice. He scowled once his eyes landed on Darien Reid.
"Actually, I'm quite busy." He answered impassively checking his watch. Darien frowned at his back, "It will only be but a minute, I think you have the time to spare." He said walking forward to stand next to the white-haired man.
"Fine, make it quick." He snapped, his hand gesturing through the air, obviously irritated. Darien cleared his throat; "I was told that you were scheduled to meet Jennifer Martin to discuss certain matters about Greene Tech and your company the night she died."
"And?" he asked crossing his arms. "Well, at what time was the meeting over and when was the last time you saw her?" he said, putting his hands into his pants pockets.
"I never saw her. There, I've answered your question you can leave now." He said checking his watch again. The midnight haired man rolled his eyes. "What do you mean you never saw her?"
Diamond let out an annoyed breath, "I thought it was unprofessional for Greene to send his representative instead of bringing his ass down to settle the arrangement himself, so I sent my own representative in my place. Now is THAT all?"
Darien raised an eyebrow, "what is your representative's name?" he asked as a black, stretched limousine pulled up to the curb. Diamond grabbed the knob and pulled the door open. Throwing his suitcase onto the seat, he turned back to the reporter.
"No comment." Darien growled under his breath, he really did hate when people said that. "You might as well answer, I'm going to find out sooner or later. I can go ask Mr. Greene himself, I'm sure he knows."
"Sorry but Michael Greene, I believe, is on an extended vacation. I'd rather you found out later anyway." He replied. Darien raised an eyebrow why would he say something like that?
"And that reason would be?" Diamond stopped as if in thought, his eyes wandering everywhere but never reaching Darien. Finally, he faced Darien with an emotionless grin; "All I mean is that an employer is not authorized to give out employee information. You should already know that."
"Then I guess I'll be finding out later." Diamond got into the limousine and closed the door. Before it pulled off, the window rolled down; Diamond stuck his head out. "Oh and tell Serena that I would love to see her." He said with a bragging smile.
Darien frowned openly, which Diamond caught, "What's wrong Mr. Reid, Don't like Serena in my company?" he stated mockingly. "Don't be jealous of the fact that I have her and you don't, you had your chance and now it's mine."
"Serena is free to date anyone she chooses, I have nothing to be jealous about, but if you hurt her, then you'll have to deal with me." He hissed. Diamond smirked, "Sure. It doesn't matter anyway, now that I have her, nothing can take her away from me again, not even you, not this time."
With that the window closed and the car drove away from the curb, into the busy traffic. Darien was confused as he went over the conversation that took place, "again?"
(End of Flashback)Darien told the two what was said during the conversation, minus the 'jealous of Diamond' part, he sure as hell wasn't rushing to deliver that message either. why can't I tell her? "Darien?"
*do you really want me to answer that?* his subconscious asked. "Darien?"
No! now shutup
"Reid!! Snap out of it!!!" Darien blinked at Serena's voice, "huh? Oh sorry, was just thinking about something."
"Care to share?" she said crossing her arms. "No."
***************
The sounds of shoes hitting the linoleum floor and chatting voices filled the two's ears as they walked in and out of stores between fifth and sixth avenue. "Do I have to be here?" A voice asked. "Yes."
They had been shopping all day, dodging people left and right in stores like the Virgin Mega-store and the Disney store, which he still couldn't figure out her reason for going in there. Not only was he was tired, but his feet were beginning to ache and he was stuck with all the packages.
The sun had set over an hour ago and he was ready to go home, but first he had to get "permission" for his leave. "Can I sit down!!?" he yelled, aggravated. "NO! You've been complaining all day, stop being so lazy!!"
Justin pouted openly. He slapped himself mentally as they stood outside facing one of the stores, Century 21 Department Stores. "I can't believe you're making me go in here!"
Serena shrugged and dragged him by his arm through the double doors of the store. "You know I hate shopping!!" She smirked, "Well, now maybe you'll think twice about giving me a wake up call on my day off."
"Hey! I wasn't the only one, Darien was just as involved as I was!" he said with a curt nod, crossing his arms across his chest. "Darien, had things to do." She said picking up a hanging Versace shirt from the rack.
"I had things to do too." He uttered, looking nervously down the aisles. Please don't let anyone I know see me
"Name one." She said, moving to the next rack, which held matching Versace pants for her shirt, her eyes never leaving the stack of clothes. "Um…." He mumbled. "I'm waiting." She replied in a sing song voice.
"Give me a second, I'm sure I can think of something." He responded as he followed her around the woman's section of the store. "Yeah I thought so." She smirked
His eyes widened in horror as Serena turned down one particular aisle. "No!! not the shoe department!!"
************
Raychel Landry walked through the store in her black heal boots, her hips emphasizing the stroll as the men drooled with every step she took. She smiled knowingly to herself and shifted the bags to her other hand.
Her long raven hair was pulled into a loose ponytail as some curls framed her face; red shades settled on top. She was dressed in black leather pants, a matching leather jacket and a red tube top underneath.
She was heading toward the exit when she was intercepted, "stop your bitchin! We're getting on line now, are you happy now?" Raychel recognized that voice; it seemed familiar. She moved closer to have two people come into view.
"Serena Kyle?" Serena turned to see a girl with black hair staring at her with a knowing smile. "Raychel Landry, right?" Raychel nodded and walked closer to stand right in front of them. "How are you Serena?" Serena smiled politely, "I'm fine and yourself?"
"I'm good." Raychel's eyes wandered to the dirty blonde male standing next to Serena. Her eyes blinked in recognition as they glazed over for a moment, but just as sudden as it happened, it ended just as fast. Justin was the only one who caught it.
"Um..Justin Bryce, nice to meet you." He said shaking her hand after putting some bags on the floor. "What are you doing to this poor man, Serena?" Serena laughed. "Believe me, he deserves it!"
Justin frowned at her, "Ha Ha," he said dryly. Then turning to Raychel, he mouthed 'help' causing another fit of giggles from the two women. "I personally don't see what's so funny."
Raychel looked him up and down with a soft smile that held a hidden meaning as lust flashed through her eyes. Serena saw it and lifted an eyebrow knowingly I wonder what happened to Michael Greene?
Justin gave her the same look as he watched her lick her lips seductively. She blinked and shook her head, remembering that Serena was there. "Oh Serena, I was wondering if you would like to come to dinner tomorrow night? Nicholas doesn't know about it yet, it's a surprise. It could give us a chance to get to know each other better."
Serena was surprised but accepted, "Sure, I don't have anything planned. What time?"
"Oh, 7 o'clock and you can come too, Justin." Justin nodded. "Good, I'll see you two tomorrow then." Raychel turned and walked through the doors and out onto the sidewalk, disappearing amongst the crowd of people who still littered the streets, even at that time.
"Well that was interesting." Justin said. Serena's eyebrows furrowed in thought, "Justin, be careful around her ok?" he looked at her strangely, "Why?"
"I don't know, she just gives off weird vibes. I think she's dating Michael Greene, she was very friendly with him at the ball." Justin shrugged "so? They could just be sex partners; it IS the 21st century. Besides, I'm not looking for a relationship."
Serena's eyes never left the exit, "Still, just don't get attached, ok?" He nodded in understanding, he knew that she wasn't trying to control his life, she was just being true friend who was looking after him. He could do nothing but oblige…for now.
*************(Next night)*************
Serena ran around the bedroom, rushing to finish getting dressed. She threw one shoe on and moved quickly over to the dresser to put her jewelry on in the mirror. She looked at the clock on her nightstand, which read 6:45 in red letters.
She cursed under her breath, she could never be ready on time, no matter how much time she gave herself, whether it was one to two hours, she was always late. Thank God I learned a faster way to put on my makeup
As soon as she put on her other shoe, the phone rang. She cursed under her breath as she ran to the other side of the bed to answer it. "WHAT!!!"
"Didn't your mother ever teach you to never answer the phone in such a rude manner?" She scowled. "Why when it's just you, you have this annoying ring. Not hard to miss." He hmphed, "Did I catch you at a bad time?"
"Actually you did, I'm trying to be ready on time." He was silent for a moment. "Where are you going?"
"Out to dinner with Justin, Raychel Landry invited us over." He nodded to himself, "Oh, well don't let me interrupt you, I'll talk to you tomorrow." Serena thought that she heard something in his voice but she brushed it off and continued her last minute preparations.
The doorbell rang ten minutes later. She walked into the living room fully dressed and ready to go. Justin whistled as she opened the door. She was dressed in a light blue sundress that was held up by two thin straps; the hem was longer in the back than in the front, showing off her legs from the knees down.
She did a pose, twirling in place. She was thankful that her hair was in a bun with golden tendrils surrounding it as she turned in place. After her little show, she examined Justin who he had to admit looked very handsome in his dress shirt and pants, casual but nice.
"Do you have a cab waiting?" he looked at her with a strange smile, "what?" he shrugged. "Um..they sent a Limousine."
She giggled doubtfully, "real funny, now is there a cab? With my luck one probably won't stop." He raised both brows, "I'm serious, there is a black stretched limo, waiting downstairs, with a chauffeur holding a sign with our names on it." She looked at him in shock, "Whoa."
***************
The limousine pulled up to a large building. The door opened as the chauffeur helped Serena out, bowing to Justin in the process. "Take the elevator up to the 25th floor." They nodded and walked through the doors into the lobby heading for the elevator doors.
When they reached the intended floor, they stepped out to be greeted with twin doors that were left open for the expected guests. "Hello, anyone here?" Justin's voice rang through the hallway. Raychel came into view, "Come on in, Nicholas is in the lounge room."
Their mouths fell agape upon fully entering the huge apartment; it was more like a house. It had beautiful glossy wooden floors and a spiral staircase leading to the second floor. The sitting area was filled with Italian furniture and rugs that matched well with the scenery; and a fire was started in the fireplace.
"Welcome." They both turned to see Nicholas descending the stairs, looking proud and gentlemen-like as his posture stood tall and regal. He came over to them, grabbing Serena's hand he gave it a butterfly kiss and shook Justin's hand.
Raychel came over in her red dress that reached her knees and hugged her figure. She ran her fingers over Justin's shoulders lightly, "Would you like me to hang up your jacket?" she whispered in his ear softly. He gulped, but nodded, handing her his coat as Nicholas grabbed Serena's shawl.
"Take a seat while we hang up these items and check on dinner." The two sat uncomfortably on the couches positioned in the room as they looked at each other with nervousness and surprise.
A figure entered the room with a tray of champagne glasses and offered them some, which they gladly accepted. Nicholas and Raychel walked into the room with their own glasses and positioned themselves next to their guests, Raychel a little too close.
"Thanks for the Limousine, but it really wasn't necessary." Serena said breaking the silence. "Nonsense, everything is necessary when it involves you." She blushed and took another sip from her drink. Raychel didn't seem to be interested as she rubbed her leg against Justin's, making it look like an accident.
Justin cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. The same guy who brought the tray in, came out once again, "Dinner is served." Serena couldn't help but scrutinize him, with his sapphire hair and eyes, so young and yet so familiar. She smiled at him as she passed, which he seemed surprised at, but was able to compose himself.
The conversation was mild as they enjoyed their dinner that seemed a little formal to Serena and Justin, as they had never truly experienced it before. Justin, though uncomfortable, was beginning to sweat as Raychel flirted with him underneath the table with her foot rubbing up and down his leg.
When the meal was finished, they walked back in the lounge room. Raychel whispered in Justin's ear, gaining a little grin on Justin's part as he followed her toward the spiral staircase, "excuse us for a moment." Serena glared at him as he gave her a little wave before disappearing upon reaching the second floor.
Serena breathed in to slow her heart that was pounding in her chest. She hoped that he couldn't hear it. Nicholas gave her one of his charming smiles. "Are you nervous, Serena?" She looked at him in shock, "Um, a little."
"Don't be." He said holding her chin up so he could see her eyes. They burned with blue fire and desire, the two things he knew her best for. Oh how I've missed you Serenity She looked away quickly from his piercing gaze.
He cleared his throat, sensing her discomfort. "So did your partner give you my message?" she looked at him confused, "what message?"
"I'm not surprised. Sometimes I think he could be jealous." She almost choked, "jealous? Darien? I don't think so!" he shrugged, "so you're saying that nothing could happen between you two or already happening?"
"No! we fight and tease each other constantly, believe me there is nothing there." She said a little unsure as her eyes glazed over for a few seconds, but she snapped out of it and put on a dazzling smile. what is wrong with me?
"Serene." He whispered, "so beautiful." He leaned over to capture her lips with his. She couldn't help but respond to him as his cold hands grabbed her bare arms to draw her closer.
***************
Raychel led Justin down a long hallway to stop in front of another pair of twin doors; they seemed to have a lot of those in that suite. He watched as she opened them to reveal a king-sized canopy bed with red drapes and matching silky sheets. she must really like red he thought as he followed her into the room.
She turned to face him, she didn't waste any time as she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him breathlessly. He was surprised but it soon passed as he succumbed to her lips.
They moved over to the bed, kissing and pulling onto each other's clothes in the process. She stopped suddenly to look into his eyes. He sat on the bed as she straddled his waist, their eyes never wavering. What is it about her? he thought.
"Your eyes are like Jadeite, so green and so beautiful." She said, her voice dripped with sorrow and her eyes flashed with regret, longing and some other emotion he couldn't define. "No, you're beautiful." He whispered and continued to kiss her.
Their sound of lovemaking that echoed the halls on the second level mingled with the laughter and butterfly kisses of the couple on the first floor. Each pair clueless as to what's going on around them.
**************(Another place in town)*************
An old man dressed in rags shuffled along the deserted streets. He paid no attention to any sound or shadow that surrounded him, he simply shrugged off any fear, he was just too old to worry about such things.
All he wanted to do was find a good place to sleep and maybe a good dumpster for a midnight snack. (AN: *cringe* I know) He sang and whistled to himself as he dug through the huge garbage can.
He touched something fleshy, and dug deeper to find what it was; grabbing onto it, he pulled. What he pulled out was not something that he was expecting as a cold hand hung over the edge; purple and blue colors stained the once healthy skin, showing to anyone that the body had been deceased for quite some time.
The old man turned and ran heading to the first police station that he could find. Never in his life had he ever seen a dead body, especially one with those weird markings on the neck.
Yes I'm done!!!! Took foreva….ah well it's done. Please R&R. *smooches *