I think this is one of my longest chapters! Hope you all enjoy this!
R&R!
CHAPTER NINE
The sun was sinking leisurely beneath the horizon. Its rays casted of a variety of fuchsia, orange and scarlet, making the city glow. Blinding light reflected off the river, as Darien strolled alongside it, his mind in a whirl.
He was tormented by his harsh words and confused feelings, trying to sort everything out. But it didn't work. He replayed the conversation over and over, and could only wail in despair at his stupidity. Why didn't he stop when he had the chance? Why had he let jealousy dominate? Darien had always thought he was a man of control, and rarely had let feelings overrule him. But that was before Serena Chalice came in his life.
She came in, a bubbly cheerful girl of fourteen, unaware of his secrets and befriended him without a thought. And she had chipped the defense he had built up over the long, harsh years, ever so slowly, until he was utterly hers. He loved Serena, and would die for her. But this love he had always felt stemmed from friendship. And wasn't it still? He sighed, more mystified than ever. For, he began to suspect the buds of romance were blooming for him.
Thinking wasn't going too well, he thought wryly. Perhaps talking it out would be. And, with his back straight, he strode back to he hotel resolutely.
"Serena?" Darien murmured as he knocked softly on her door. No response. But he could hear a faint sobbing. His heart lurched and broke in two. He had caused her to cry. Whether they were tears of anger or hurt, he had caused them. The pain she felt went reverberating onto him. He was going to set this straight, he thought determinedly. He knocked, harder this time, but no footsteps could be heard. He tried for the doorknob, and surprisingly, it turned with ease
"Sere?" And he saw her, on her bed, clutching her pillow tightly with a tear-stained face.
"Go away Dar." She said to him hoarsely and turned her back on him.
If it was possible, his heart was shredding into tiny pieces, as if Serena had stood there and ripped it – one by one. He took her gently by the arm, "We need to talk."
Serena sighed, and stood up. "You're right." Keeping her distance from him, she strode out the door, with Darien following like a shadow.
The pair wandered silently, and neither spoke. The sun had already set, and the moon rose, shining silver and casting its heavenly shine throughout. No clouds obscured the inky sky, and glittering stars shone luminously. A silent breeze fluttered by.
The wall of reserve between them broke down when Darien took a deep breath and decided it was time. "Serena, I'm very sorry."
"For what?" She turned her face towards his, and despite the tears, it still glowed with innocent beauty.
"For my stupidity. I realize now what came out of my mouth was all a form of jealousy and foolishness. I love you through and through. You're my best friend, my shining angel. I never meant to hurt you." His breathing grew haggard and felt tears on the corners of his eyes. Stupid. This was so stupid, he thought, angry with himself.
"Darien, part of me was afraid." She smiled ruefully. "I'm scared of changes, I guess. I just have this idea 'change' is the basis of all evil. Especially when life changes. And you were changing right in front of my eyes. Very rarely do we fight like this. We were both idiots. I should have been more understanding.
"No," he silenced her, putting his finger on her lips. "You made me realize the consequences of my actions. I acted on stupidity. I thought I was protecting you. But I wasn't, I should have seen..." His breath faltered. "I should have seen you could take care of yourself. You're a big girl now, like you said." He smiled sadly at the fact. "And I can't cage you, I have to learn to set you free. You can't always be next to me, supporting my wishes."
"Wherever I go, I'll always come back. You said this to me once, and I'll say it to you." She gazed deeply into his eyes. "You promised to never leave me. Darien, never worry that I won't be here for you. Whatever happens, you'll always be my best friend, the person I cry on to, the person I laugh with, the person I share my deepest secrets with." She stopped walking, and faced him. And wrapped her arms around him. Here, forever, was comfort and safety.
"Thank you, Sere. I guess... what we both feared was change. And from that, we both said things we didn't mean, didn't want. But I guess this is what being friends is about. We take on each other's luggage. Metaphorically speaking of course."
"And yours is especially heavy." She grinned at him.
"Don't I know it." He grimaced.
"Not to worry darling, I'm always going to be here."
But inside Darien, he knew the truth. He'd have to set her free one day. A day when she'd never came back... And he would only be a distant memory away. But that was the future, and the present was now, he would deal with all this later.
He hugged her on impulse and relished in her warmth.
The pair kept strolling, all anger was forgotten. The strands that held their friendship together forged effortlessly back.
"You hungry?" She asked, holding onto his hand.
"Not really. Should we keep walking instead?" He suggested.
"Yeah." She leaned her head on his shoulder. Solid as a rock, she mused. And, hopefully, always would be.
Water lapped gently beneath them, mystery enshrouded beneath the cover.
"I wonder if life will allow us more time for these little things." Serena murmured.
"What do you mean?" He glanced at her. And wished he didn't. The moonlight fell on her profile, and in that instant, she was magnificent. His heart lurched.
"The little treasures in life. A little stroll with my best friend, chatting, laughing, it's not that much to ask for. I wish it'd always be like this between us." She sighed, and tightened her grip on Darien's hand. Felt a shiver, when his other arm wrapped around her body securely. "Don't you?"
"Life goes on, Sere, no matter what you desire."
"Oh, don't be so depressing."
"That's why we fit," He glanced down at her, grinned. "I've got a surprise for you."
Serena squealed, "Really? Where? Where?"
Darien's hands clamped on her eyes. "Close your eyes and you'll see," he whispered mysteriously, his warm breath tickling her. The close proximity made Serena suddenly aware of his lean, hard body. The trees murmured softly in a seductive language around the pair.
"You can open them now." He murmured and opened her vision.
Her sapphire eyes widened with pleasure and surprise. "That's the wishing fountain!"
He had always remembered how Serena always loved the fountain.
The water spouted soothingly from the statue. Old age gave it a grand polish and timeless quality, and its cerulean pond shone ever luminously from the many coins.
"It's still so beautiful, isn't it Dar?" She said dreamily. Her face now formed a childhood innocence from memories.
"But you'll always be more beautiful."
She blushed, a tinge of pink on her cheeks.
"Well, let's make a wish." He handed her a coin and held onto one himself.
"Ready?" She asked, mirth dancing in her eyes.
"One."
"Two."
"Three!"
Both coins arched out of their hands and landed simultaneously into the water with a 'plop!'. Both laughed with giddiness, like little children who had just discovered a long-lost treasure. And without realizing it, both had made the same wish.
But only the trees knew.
"I hope life never changes. It'll always be just like this." She murmured pensively, "Thanks Dar."
"For what?" Darien asked.
"For bringing me here."
"You deserve more than which the moon and stars can offer." Darien murmured, and faced her.
He stared with rare intensity into her eyes.
Cobalt clashed with azure.
Words faltered.
Slowly, Serena's arms wrapped around his neck. She titled her head, gazed intently into his eyes as his strong arms enveloped her closer.
He breathed in deep. Could smell her, forever of sweet jasmine. Would her scent ever change?
Bodies collided.
Compassion.
Love.
Both echoed these thoughts, and pulled by gravity, both leaned in closer.
Lips touched. Mouths parted.
He took her mouth swiftly, molding her to him. With a low sound of pleasure, Serena melted against him, all soft demand. The kiss lengthened, deepened without plan on either side.
There was only HIM. His strong arms around her. This was bliss. All thoughts flew out of her mind as she sank into the delight.
There was only HER. Her scent, her face, her lips. They burned him with a passion he never knew existed.
And suddenly, it was gone.
Serena, trembling, stared up at him, stripped of her defenses. All remained was an innocent vulnerability in her eyes. Crystalline tears welled up.
"Why does life have to change?" She murmured with despair, and ran off into the night, tears streaming down rapidly.
Shock.
Confusion.
And still, love tinged at the edges of their souls.
Darien could only helplessly stare at her retreating back, wondering if life would ever be the same again.
AN: To be continued...
Sad note - I think I'm going to end the story soon... Maybe I'll finish it
up in the next one or two chapters.
Unless, you guys want more?
Comments appreciated!