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CHAPTER FIVE
"Wake up hon, aren't you hungry?" Darien knocked on her door.
A starry night was glittering and waiting for them.
"Yeah, yeah. Hang on..." She called out sleepily.
She pulled the door open and invited him in.
"Sere, how come you're not dressed yet?"
"What are you talking about? I'm dressed."
Darien wrinkled his nose. "Aren't they a bit creased?"
She glanced down at herself. Still in her pjs. "Ah! Why didn't you tell me!"
She shooed him out and told Darien to meet her in ten minutes.
It was actually twenty minutes later when Serena came out. But the wait was worth it. In an azure, flowing mini-dress that showed off her curves, she strode out the door confidently and met up with Darien.
"Whoa!" He grinned admiringly at her. He held out an arm, "Shall we madam?"
"Of course kind sir." She linked her arms with his and they both laughed.
"You know, if it wasn't for the fact you were my best friend..."
"Oooh, have the hots for me Darien?" Serena comically fluttered her eyelashes.
"Damn, you know I always melt when you do that."
"A woman's got some kind of a weapon against like you." She glanced meaningfully at him.
"A weapon can be easily turned into against a person," Darien said mysteriously and opened the restaurant door for her.
"Hmmm..." She only said and sat down on a free table.
"What would you like today?" the black-haired waiter asked brightly.
"Could you hang on a sec?" Darien asked.
"Sure."
It was a slow day at the Chinese restaurant and only a few people were scattered around. Soft, romantic music was in the background, intensifying the mood.
After a few minutes, the waiter came back. After Serena and Darien ordered, they went back to their easy conversation.
"Dar, tell me more about my job. You told me you'll explain it to me once we get here."
"Yeah well, it's quite easy. I needed a secretary for my work. Someone who could type everything fast and efficiently into the database, and I was going to bring Shelly, since she was a fast typist and all...but..." Here he trailed off, and grimaced.
"But, she dumped you." Serena finished for him.
"Yeah, something like that."
"Your problem is, Darien, is that you don't know how to 'romance' a woman."
"What?" He stared at her, bewildered.
"Have you ever done anything romantic for your girlfriend?"
"Well..." Darien mused. It was actually true. The few times he had listened to Andrew and went out with a girl, there was really nothing romantic about it.
Dinner or movies, but nothing to charm a girl senseless.
"I'm right aren't I?" Serena grinned satisfactorily. "Another problem –"
"What is tonight, let's list-all-of-Darien's-problems night?"
"Well, truth to be told, that would take way more than a night. A few days maybe."
He growled at her.
"Just kidding! No need to be angry!"
By then, their food had arrived and silence overtook the pair as they dug in hungrily in their dinner.
"Mmmm...delicious." Serena chewed happily.
Later, when the sun had set, and the moon had risen in glory, the pair strolled around by the harbor side. The wind was gentle and warm and the dark waters beside them lapped soothingly.
"Cold?" Darien asked, slinging his arm casually across her shoulders.
"Not really." She leaned her head against his warm chest. "Thanks again for this vacation."
"No problem, you needed it."
"Have you ever fallen in love Darien?" Serena asked suddenly.
"No. Why?"
"I don't know, it's just I wonder sometimes if there's a guy out there for me. A guy who's funny, kind, handsome." She shrugged. "I guess every girl's dream guy."
"Someone who'll make you feel loved and cared for, right Sere?" asked Darien.
"Yeah. Something like that. I mean, here I am walking under the night sky, stars twinkling above me. It just ruins the moment when I realize there's no one I can kiss and share it with."
"Hey, I'm here." Darien said in an injured voice.
"You know what I mean." She laughed, her sound carrying over the murky water.
"Yeah, I guess I do. But remember this Serena," he turned towards her, his dark eyes intense. "I'll always be here for you, I'll never leave you. So never worry about that."
"Thanks." She wrapped her arms around him, and felt his heartbeat beating along with hers.
A warm breeze fluttered by. Here, she felt...safe. Safe and loved. Here, was eternal friendship and love burning fiercely.
AN: R&R!