See? I told I would be back! Not the same day….I'm sure by now you all think all of my promises are crap. I'm going to work REALLY hard on this chappie ok? OK! If you noticed the change of my rating, don't worry. It's nothing serious. I just don't want what happened to poor Maiden of the Moon to happen to me because screwy thinks the story is misrated! SORRY MotM! SLIGHT LIME I GUESS!
Disclaimer: (sob) They took them away! I stole DWL and SM and they took them back! They just won't let me have them!
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Down with Love
Chapter 20
Betrayal
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She didn't know what she was doing there. It all had a terrible feel to it. And she was alone. This had to be even more embarrassing than that little mishap in high school!
OK.
Maybe not THAT embarrassing.
Mina fidgeted as she thought about the consequences of her decision. Her eyes worked like clockwork moving around the restaurant in 5 minute intervals. She just needed to be cool. She tried to be positive, but that familiar sinking feeling remained.
Great.
She almost expected to be stood up remembering those horrible moments at Amy's wedding. It wouldn't surprise her. Wimpiness was something Mina found unbelievingly common in men. That and commitment. Nothing made her feel more insecure than seeing all the couples cuddling sickeningly in romantic corners.
Candlelit dinner and sensual music. She spited that more than anything.
Oh how she wanted to be JUST like them.
She vaguely wondered why she even bothered. He wasn't going to show. The menu lay open atop the glamorously decorated table. Trying to stay casual she glanced at the appetizers.
Her head spun and she closed the menu immediately.
Was she expected to be able to afford this? Who did they think they she was? Brittany Spears? She didn't have money to spend like this. She held her breath trying to remain calm when she was anything but. The picture of her washing dishes to pay off the bill remained dominant in her mind. Not her idea her fun.
Mina was jostled out of her thoughts by a voice she had come to love and hate.
"Having second thoughts?" He pulled out the chair across from her. She should have known he'd sneak up on her. Her gaze was focused mainly on his face ignoring old feelings. The only lingered on his lips for a moment. Now was the time to turn on the charm if she wanted to get this deal. If even if she REALLY didn't want to.
"Never."
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The silence was hell.
Mina flexed her fingers trying to get the feeling in them after clenching them after that brief argument. All it had done was hurt more feelings and left more things unsettled than before. Andrew cleared his throat wanting to end this before it got worse. He was tired and sex depraved and she was being too stubborn for his tastes.
She noticed how tense he was and put the petty argument behind her. The mood needed to be lightened before someone died. She primly folded her hands in her lap looking every bit of perfection.
"How did you afford this little luxury?" He smiled enthusiastically ready to respond when she interrupted. "Did you kill some one or rob a bank?" a wolfish smile replaced her nonchalant one.
Sometimes she cracked herself up.
He fiddled with his napkin looking nervous before his head shot up to show the real him. Mina could see every tooth in his mouth before he let out a dry chuckle. She watched amazed as the chuckle progressed into full on hysterical laughter. She looked on distraught as he finally calmed.
She frowned wondering what was so damn funny. She knew it was a good joke but he didn't have to piss his pants about it.
He took a tremendous sip of water before continuing on what she guessed was going to be a big tirade.
"You are a piece of work, you know that?"
He shot her a teasing glance while she glared at him, hoping he would choke on his precious water. She didn't have the same opinions as he did obviously. While he took his time drinking his water she kept a steady glare praying for a miracle. She opened her mouth ready to tell him off. Andrew just held a finger to her lips and she hesitated with what she wanted to say.
"Let's just eat and talk business." He sat back ready to eat not looking fazed at all. Scathing thoughts ran through her mind all wanting to be let out. One was prominent.
Bastard.
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The sounds of a never argument permeated through the air.
"If you were going to be such a jackass, why did you even bother setting this up?" The not-so-happy couple all but screamed at each other.
Andrew's hands clung to the table trying not to alarm anyone. Instead of acting like the grown ups they were, they had resulted to senseless name calling. He knew he would have a headache in the morning. His attention was redirected to Mina whose anger was steadily climbing.
"Oh, so I'm a jackass now? You're the bitch who has a stick stuck up her ass!" He turned before mumbling under his breath. "I don't even know what I was thinking." He wasn't quiet enough to elude Mina's hearing. She crossed her arms huffily to avoid from sudden death by strangulation.
"Enlighten me. What exactly WERE you thinking when you invited me to one of the most expensive restaurants in New York?" Mina gestured around the restaurant to make her point known.
He simply ignored her question opting to sit down before they were kicked out. Judging by her stance Mina was ready for those consequences. He stuffed his hands in his pockets suddenly feeling very exposed. Mina frowned at lack of response and stared at him oddly.
Impossible.
He was just simply impossible to deal with.
She threw her napkin across the table watching with satisfaction when it hit him in the face. She was too wrapped up in victory to notice he hadn't even flinched when she threw it. Instead of going closer she changes course opting to go while the getting was good. She stormed off in a huff.
"Call me when you grow up, Andrew!"
With fast reflexes he shot up taking the chance before she could leave shouting at her back.
"DAMMIT! Marry me, Mina!"
THAT stopped her in her tracks.
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She was grouchy.
Grouchy and mind-numbingly BORED!
It figured after the wedding her whole schedule would clear up like that. So with nothing to do Serena would continue to grouch tired of the silence. She sat back on her big, almost too soft couch with her feet dangling over the armrest.
She was lonely.
She was in a big place like New York and she had the audacity to be lonely. Deciding to be spontaneous she got up to find something to do. It must have been hours she spent on that couch. She jerked at hearing her phone ring. "Hello?"
Well what a surprise. She gasped in shock before replying. "What time does the party start? What do you mean it's already started? MINA!" She grouched. "Fine. I'm on my way. I'd rather be fashionably late anyway!"
She scrunched up her nose. What do you wear to a beatnik type party? Feeling stupid she fished out the dress she had worn on her first date with Catcher. Black! She hadn't seen him in a while. Maybe he would be there. Now she was ready. She could just walk in there and chat up a few people. If Catcher was there she could pretend she wasn't expecting him and BAM!
Mrs. Catcher Block.
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Serena forcefully pushed her way through the crowd looking for a familiar blonde head.
"Sere!"
Target found. Once she had made it through she gave Mina a look that said "explain". Mina pretended not to see the look that was now boring into the back of her head. Serena smiled a sugary-sweet smile and put on her best sugar-coated smile. "Mina, dear, is there a reason why you are wearing an engagement ring? Did you cut it off of some poor widow's finger?" Mina blanched and a sanguine smile replaced her previous grimace.
"He proposed." Her hand continued to touch it as if making sure it was real. Serena, now feeling like the only spinster in the world, grabbed her shoulders and shook her out of her marital stupor.
"Who proposed? The boogey man?" Mina just nodded her head dreamily. "Do you say yes to every man with a little cracker-jack ring in his hand whose down on one knee? She snapped to attention after her little outburst. With a quick flick of her wrist she had slapped Serena upside her head.
"Not just anyone! Andrew…" Serena just snorted her now trademark snort before a quick come-back.
"What's the difference? I thought you said you were over him Miss High-and-Mighty!" That brought a silly smile to Mina's face. "Oh, Sere, you know how I hate dominant men! Andrew was no different. At first he demanded I marry him saying he wouldn't stop bothering me until I did." She gave herself a smug smirk.
"Feeling quite unsubmissive I punched him in the face and told him to go screw himself." A twinge of pride ran through Serena at Mina's words. Her little grasshopper had learned quite fast.
Serena raised her eyebrow wondering how a punch to the face had led to her wearing the damn ring anyway. "And?"
Mina held her hand up showing off her amethyst ring. "He chased after me and slipped the ring on my finger. I was less than impressed at his tactics before he described what our life could be like. He talked about him not having to work with a strong woman in the house which I strongly protested. We sat right there on 39th street and bickered over our whole lives like a game before I realized how much I wanted it to be more than a game."
Her eyes misted over with an unknown emotion. "Somehow before any of us had noticed the game had stopped and we were being serious."
Serena's face softened and she whished Mina the best of luck. Mina gave her a quick hug before excusing herself. "You can but her jacket in the bedroom. Just go to the end of the hall and turn. Have fun!' She gave Serena a wink before turning to leave.
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This was a waste of time.
Andrew had invited Darien there complaining that he needed sex fast. He seemed to think that lack of sex made Darien grouchy. Darien had the proceeded to punch him in his other eye saying he was. Not. Fucking. Grouchy. He had to be pried off by Mina who had entered just in time before she was a widow before she was even married.
Now he was at this party surrounded by a bunch of fucking beatniks. (No beatniks were harmed in the making of this chapter. I have nothing against beatniks I promise!)
Perfect.
He scanned the room in hopes of finding someone even close to decent. Running a frustrated hand through his hair he gave up. Every girl he looked at he compared to Serena. If they weren't shorter than Serena they were taller or too skinny. One was too blonde the other would be too brunette. It was official.
He was screwed.
Just then a rather enticing scent catches his interest. He looks down to find a pair of rich chocolate eyes staring seductively back up at him. Thick black hair surrounded a heart shaped face. She gave him that sly look that said everything. "Are you here alone?" She raised her eyebrow in question, but he had the feeling that she already knew the answer to that question. "For the moment. Do you need some company?"
The invitation was out. It was up to her to accept. She grinned looking extremely like the cat who had gotten more than just the cream. His expression mirrored hers as they made their way haphazardly to the bed room. If he remembered right it was at the end of the hall then you turn left.
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Bliss.
He had this much pleasure in 6months. That spinster was wearing him down.
His hands roamed her curves as she nibbled lightly on her ear. The sounds were music to his ears after only getting bits and pieces f them from another certain someone. That annoying little voice returned in Darien's head to remind him to focus on the woman beneath him not the one who was lord knows where probably eating chocolate. She panted in his eyes as he slowly caressed her breasts enjoying the feel of a woman underneath him somewhere besides his dreams.
He had not found out her name and right now could care less. She had to e one pf the only ones who had not read that ridiculous book and he was going to enjoy that. While one hand stayed fastened to her breast the other slid its way beneath her skirt finding sanctuary. She cried out in ecstasy as he help her reach climax after climax.
He wrestled with his belt frantic to be inside her. She tried to help still regaining her breath after his little ministrations.
Finally getting the belt off, he let out a grunt of triumph. He unzipped his pants and pulled them down. Stripping her naked he prepared for the moment he had longed for.
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She wandered the hall before finally finding the door she was looking for. Not hear sounds over the loud music she grabbed the door knob and entered.
Boy was it dark in there.
She knew she had to turn on the light if she even wanted to find the bed. She got the shock of a lifetime to find a man and a woman already occupying the bed. She shook herself out of her thoughts when the woman's frantic hands tugged on his boxers. She called out causing Serena to blush. She watched as the woman whispered in his ear only hearing bits and pieces.
"Wait..gotta..catch!"
He responded with a moan of hi own. Serena's eyes opened wide at thinking she heard the name. "Catcher?"
He chuckled before arrogantly answering. "Say it again." She watched appalled at the act he was displaying neither of the two noticing she was there OR that the light was very much on. Darien froze his mind registering that voice through a lust filled haze.
Serena.
He looked to the door to find a very real, very shocked Serna standing in the doorway ready to leap. He stood in one fluid motion and pulled his pants back up. Looking guilty he tried to walk to her only to see her back away. He held up his hands to stop her from doing anything rash. Now what was going to do? He'd better hope his mouth got him outtta this one.
"It's not what you think!" Now that his hands were in the air there was nothing to hold his pants up. He felt the draft before he actually realized what had happened to his pants. Serena watched with awed eyes not believing the sight she saw before her. Eyes glassy with unshed tears she back out of the door and possibly out of his life.
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He grabbed his pants and chased after her. As he ran out of the door he was pelted with freezing rain. This did nothing to help his mood. Why should he feel guilty? He was only losing a story. Something told him to go after her.
And go after her he would.
He found her desperately trying to hail a taxi. She was soaked to the bone after forgetting her jacket and her hair was plastered to her face, but right then she had never looked more beautiful to him. He grabbed her arm just as a taxi pulled up and jumped in with her giving the taxi the directions to his place. If anything now was the time to get his expose. He would lure her back to his place and end this mess before it got worse than it already was.
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She stayed silent all the way to the apartment. Serena was afraid of what she would say to this man if she let her true feelings show through. So she would remain silent.
He walked up to his apartment Serena trailing behind not wanting to be too close. She kept her head down and her mouth shut not even wanting to look him in the eye. Her bangs shaded her eyes and for one she was glad she had forgotten to get them trimmed.
He opened the door before going to turn the heater up. While turning the radio on he switched the recorder on ready to make her spill the dirt.
One way or another.
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He tried to embrace her only to be turned away. He knew this was going to be hard. Sighing he shoved the bothersome bangs out of his eyes.
"Serena, look at me."
That got him nowhere. All Serena did was turn away feeling more turned off then when she had entered the apartment. He continued on hoping she wouldn't ignore what he had to say.
She would never admit it but his southern drawl helped her relax. "It was an accident, Sere. I went in there to put my coat down and was dragged onto the bed. She ripped all my clothes off and pinned me down on the bed ready to have her way with me. I was raised never to hit a woman so I wrestled her back under me and tried to gain control. When you came in you distracted her long enough for me to get away. She could have raped me! I give you my thanks."
She had relaxed judging by the tenseness in her back being gone. It was a long silence before anything was said.
"Why were you there in the first place?" The question hit him like a ton of bricks. Why WOULD Catcher be there? Darien cleared his throat before coming up with a good enough answer. "You may not have seen everyone but a few of my astronaut buddies were there. They thought it would be fun to celebrate. I'm guessing on of them knew the host and hostess of the party. Do you believe me?"
Serena's shoulders shook and he grabbed a hold of her to face her towards him.
"I would NEVER lie to you Serena." She broke down in tears all other words becoming unintelligible. Darien held on a sly grin on his face as he went in for the kill. He held her close ready to say the biggest lie of his life.
"I love you Sere." He stopped her comment with a kiss.
She pulled away and stood up turning away still crying. "You do?" he knew he almost had her,
"I—I LOVED you too!" He smirked in triumph before the smirk faded.
"Loved?"
She turned around and the tears were gone. A look of determination was on her face and he had a bad feeling. She walked closer till they were standing chest to chest. Her eyes not moving from his she pressed a button on the radio. Not only turning of the music but the recorder too. But how did she know? She gave him a dry laugh at his confused gaze.
"Do you think I'm stupid Catcher—no, DARIEN?! I've known all along what you've been up to. You think I could live in New York for this long and not have seen a picture of the famous Darien Shields, star reporter?" He cringed at her tone not liking where this was going. She shook her head condescendingly.
"You don't even recognize me do you?" At his obvious silence she continued. She scoffed at his stupidity. "I used to be your secretary. You probably wouldn't recognize me without the brown hair and the glasses but its me. You ignored me and treated me like I wasn't fit to shine your shoes because of the way I looked. Poor little Serenity Moon. Too ugly to get anyone's attention." His look of confusion never left.
"You still don't get it? I'm sure you must have a private eye looking into my past. Didn't you ever wonder why there was nothing on me? No trace whatsoever? It's because I don't exist. Serena Stone isn't real. I must thank you though. Thanks to you I'm a millionaire who everyone looks up to. Well, at least the women do." His face got a surprised look to it and she snorted.
"Don't look so surprised. Would you have looked twice at me or even bothered to have bought a book form someone who looked like Serenity? Let's face it. The world is a popularity contest. Nothing more, nothing less. The prettiest women and the handsomest men rule the world. Now that I am pretty, I rule the world."
Darien too her little pause to ask a question. "You say you loved me?"
She grinned. "I have to admit you were a challenge Darien. I loved you from the very first time I saw your face...as Serenity. When you ignored me for prettier faces when I was right in front of you it broke my heart. I had vowed to get revenge. I left without saying a word and became someone new. Serena Stone." Her face got wistful.
"She had it all. The looks, the walk, the talk, and the attitude. She was back to make your life hell just like you made mine hell." Her grin turned soft. "Then you introduced Catcher into the game. Now there was a man. Everything I knew you secretly wanted to be. I have to admit when you acted like that I fell for you…HARD. When I figured out what you had in store for me I decided to turn the tables. Nothing like a second heart break to remind you where your loyalties lie."
Serena wrapped her arms around Darien's neck looking every bit the seductress he saw in the restaurant. She stood on her tiptoes lips barely brushing against his ear.
"But thanks to you I realized something." He took a deep breath the friction of them together feeling wonderful. "What is that?" Her fingers played with his hair massaging his scalp making him feel drunk from lust. She kissed his earlobe slowly sucking on it making him moan low in his throat.
"I don't need love….
And I don't need you."
His breath left him in a whoosh as she kneed him before storming out of the apartment.
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Did ya like it? I NEED YOUR HELP GUYS! IT'S UP TO YOU TO VOTE ON THE OUTCOME OF THIS STORY. EITHER SERENA GOES ON WITH HER LIFE LEAVING HIM HIGH AND DRY MAKING THE NEXT CHAPTER THE LAST OR THEY MAKE UP LIKE ALL GOOD COUPLES DO AND HAVE HOT MONKEY SEX! AND THE STORY HAS ABOUT 2 CHAPPIES LEFT!. Monkey sex not included. Lol. Maybe. Vote in your review! I can't post the next chapter without it!
Tkiwi- thank you! I hope you liked this chapter too! Don't 4g3t 2 vote.
SeaGal- I'm glad it wasn't too bad off a cliffe. Lol you can see the ending sometimes? Now THAT'S what I call a chapter! Short and to the point! Plz don't 4get to vote.
starzstruck-1- ok I see it now. If you click the link you get the right email. But if you look at the one at the end of your profile its spelled with and 's' not 'z'. Yes I did get to chose them this time. But my choice didn't in! Navy blue and dark green did. What am I gonna wear that is navy blue and dark green? I'm glad you liked him getting mugged. Amy would let me kill him! Lol! She still has his soul! You should vote! It's the only vote that doesn't have an age limit!
Chikara- They should hold off on the wedding pics until wayyyyyyyyyy after the honeymoon! It's not like they won't still have their dresses. Lol!
The Final Stillness of Saturn- yes shame! Bad people! I like Amy sweet. Just like I like Raye a little bitchy. Ok a lot bitchy! (reads sentence again) wow..you're right! It does leave a lot to the imagination. Lol! O yea what's a wedding with out and injured person. I totally forgot about that little memory thing. I guess I need wit ha memory like mine! Don't 4get 2 vote.
sylverwind- thanx! Here is your update now how about a vote.
devilsheart- thanx! Now vote! Your vote really does count.
Forever Tranquility- thank you! I really feel bad for beating Greg up. it was either that or death would be the only good excuse as to why he is late (shrugs) I think he got the better end of the deal. Don't 4get 2 vote!
Allimba- I'm very Glad! Vote plz!
BradyBunch4529- poor Greg is right! I'm glad you think he has a good excuse besides cold feet! Thank you for asking! Everything is great! This chapter is late because my dad thought I was hogging the computer. And I have family visiting today! Form NY! I hope you take the time to vote!
Urmi- I'm glad you like the excuse and Amy waiting! Yes they still got married! I would never leave greg hanging like that after the torture I put him through. Lol. He was late trying to get through the crowd. Just think about having to run through a big crowd going the opposite direction as you with no car. Running who knows how far to get to a church and trying to avoid oncoming car traffic. It's like a mall full of high school and middle school girls when every story has a sale of 75% off and you need to get from the front of the mall to the back! That is why he was late in the first place! Get it? thanx and don't 4get to vote!
(sniff) you guys are great! I'll be sad this story go but I still have my other one which has barely begun! Yea!