Replies/ commentsto question at the end.
A Winter in California
Part 3
...:1 year earlier:...
"It just isn't fair, Darien! You can't just expect me to sit around and do nothing while you go off to Spain for a month!" Serena yelled at her husband.
The past year had been wonderful for Serena Kensington Molten, not only had she just finished her first two years of collage, she also opened up a successful clothing store in the city, and had finally married the man she loved. But like all things, they fall apart eventually.
Darien Molten was everything girls dream of marrying, not only did he have looks as sin, he was also the heir to the Molten family fortune. The Moltens were practically European royalty having traced back their linage to the turn of the 12th century and accumulating their vast fortune through trade ports across the Mediterranean. By the 19th century, the family was well off dipping their fingers in the American market place.
Darien sighed as he continued to button up his Gucci dress shirt, "Serena, I can't deal with this now,"
Serena walked up to her husband and grabbed the top of his shirt, now fully buttoned save for the top button, and pulled. The sound of cloth tearing echoed in the immaculately and expensively designed room.
Catching his calm blue eyes, her heated gaze threatened to burn his cold and mocking stare, "I know about her," Serena whispered hoarsely.
Taking off the last remains of the once nicely tailored shirt, Darien walked to an adjacent room that served as his closet and came back with an identical Gucci tailored shirt. As he began to button up his new shirt, he looked over at where his wife stood stoically; arms wrapped around her as a means of comfort.
"Is this why you are so upset?" Darien asked, "Because of Anna?"
Walking to the nearest couch, Serena sat down slowly, head clutched in her hands as she let out a sob of aggravation. "Why is she going with you, Darien," Serena managed to stutter out. "Why her!" adding extra intensity to the last part.
All the emotions that have been hidden deep down in her soul for the past few months were now finally breaking free with a vengeance. Too many sleepless nights of waiting for him to come home to her, and then watching as the sun rose and he never did. Emotions are funny little things. You have a choice whether or not to embrace the emotions that course through you, or to deny them...deny them until they eat away at you. Painful, depressing little things these emotions become...
"Because I knew you would react like this, and I didn't want to leave with you upset" Darien replied now in front of her in a kneeling position. Taking one of her hands in his much larger one, he tenderly pushed some of the hair that fallen in front of her eyes away with his other one.
Being gentle was something that Darien had slowly become accustomed to, but only in her presence. A Molten man prided himself in his reserve and indifferent manner, such an aristocratic conduct that people often viewed as arrogant and cold. Serena could almost remember the first time he touched her in such a way...
Turning away from him, Serena managed to whisper out, "Why don't you just admit you're having a fucking affair with her,"
Darien sighed in exasperation before responding, "Dammit, Anna is also a family friend and has always accompanied me to Spain. It helps when her father is Spain's international trade administrator. That influence does not go unnoticed,"
"I don't care; if you go with her, do...don't expect to find me in this house waiting for you,"
Now fully standing, Darien leaned over her until his lips were touching her right ear. She could feel his ragged warm breathe as it hit her open neck before disappearing and then reappearing again. Her rapid heartbeat, she was sure, could be heard by him.
"I can't imagine what would happen if I don't find you here,"
She felt him kiss the top of her head, then heard the door close.
Serena shuddered. She knew of this dark metallic side that he was infamous for, he even during their little tiffs demonstrated it with his coldness; he never laid a hand on her, but his nonchalant attitude hurt her nevertheless.
There was also a side that she fell in love with, but she had forgotten that man long ago.
Making her decision, she walked to her closet and threw her gym bag onto the massive bed. By now Darien would have his men fully alerted of her threat and a gym bag was not as conspicuous as a cute Louis V. travel suitcase. It was her opportunity.
As she gathered some intimate personal belongings and light clothes, Serena came across her wedding picture. When she had met Darien the first time she knew he was the one, blindly throwing herself in love without realizing that the same man she loved had a life of his own, a life she found out later he had no intention of fully sharing with her.
Sure, he cared for her. But did he love her like she loved him? With the same passion? No...she didn't believe he did. Actions speak loader than any affectionate words, and soon he will be in Spain with Anna. A manipulative little bitch who thought Darien was her little plaything...
Flashback
Serena stared at the raven haired Spanish beauty was wide-unbelieving eyes before answering, "That's not true! Darien is my husband and he's not the type to do such a thing! He loves me!"
Shrugging, Anna strode almost predatory towards the young bride who had stolen her favorite lover. This little virgin wooed Darien away from her and had the audacity to think a marriage contract was supposed to keep her at bay, while she lived happily ever after with him...
"Think what you want, little girl, but remember this: who do you think Darien spends those long work night with...when you're home...alone. Waiting for him? Hmm?"
End of Flashback
All things fall apart eventually, she thought bitterly.
And with that thought, she hurled the priceless picture and frame into the wall...
She knew she was coming out of her sleep, on a warm soft bed that wasn't her own. It was a feeling that you get when you know by opening your eyes you're admitting reality exists beyond the dreams you've just endured. But when your reality is a bleak one, and your dreams are haunted, which do you prefer? How do you escape?
But something was wrong, Serena thought. Even if she wanted to wake up it was just too hard. Something was blocking her.
Serena groaned.
Willing her arm to move, Serena felt the tips of her fingers graze her forehead and then winced. A bump? Trying her luck again, Serena massaged the bruised skin around the bump in an effort to elevate the throbbing. How did she get this?
Serena groaned again. She remembered as the bits and pieces of that horrible night's events came crashing down. There was someone in her apartment and she tried to run away...
Wait...
Tried?
Bolting up in bed, Serena shook off the pain in her head and took in the room she was in. A masculine themed room of blacks, grays, and dark red. Those colors were Darien's favorite suit colors...
Before she had an opportunity to process the connection, her attention was drawn to the door, whose door knob was slowly turning...
A/N: Thanks so much for the support; I started writing this right after your inspiring reviews.
hotohori's empress- 'he' is Darien, of course you know that know...lol thanks so much for the R/R :)
anotherdreamer04- muchothanks so much for the support
princess of star- I know it's a bit confusing, I wanted to try to start the story in the middle of the characters lives, but don't worry things will clear up ;) thanks!
Ffgirlmoonie- I'll try to update as periodically as I can, your support helps inspire me to do so :)
scorpion's lady- what happened? Hmm...you can answer that now...sort of lol.
Ladytokyo- thanks for the optimism, I really thought the start was shaky...i was nervous
Krys- thanks for the review, updating is getting easier when I know what I'm going to write
TropicalRemix- you're a very curious kitty, you'll find out everything in the next installments, thanks for the review!
Hopeless Dreamer 1125- thanks for supporting both stories!
ssj2Lizzie- muah? Sneaky...heaven forbid