Well here is it. The final installment. I hope it was worth the wait, it was definitely worth the journey for me. It's definitely exciting to say the least that I actually finished this. Thank you to everyone who stuck with me to the bitter end. All of you are the reason I didn't writing because believe me I was very tempted. Well anyways enough of the small talk. I can only hope you love it as much as I do. Please feel free to review and tell me how I did. I'd definitely appreciate it!
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"Let me guess you own the limo that will be taking us to the Charity Ball in which you are throwing. Is there anything in this world you do not own?" Honestly it's just one surprise after another. I'm throwing the party, I own limos, and I just bought San Diego. Okay so I made that last part up but it could happen any day now!
"Your heart?" Oh there go those butterflies. I think they've made a home in my stomach. And yet I still feel the need….
"Aw how cheesy. Did you borrow that from Hallmark or was that one all you?" Yes I understand I just described the butterflies but I must save face.
"Oh no my dear, I made that one just for you." He raises my hand to his lips and places a genteel kiss on the backside. We may have only known each other for a couple of weeks now but this man seems to know all the right buttons.
"Do you have an on-off switch for your charm or has it been permanently switched to on?" I feel like he could be dead asleep and suddenly sit up, smiling charmingly and ask me if I'd care for a back massage. Not that I often think of us in bed together or anything…Okay so maybe it's crossed my mind every now and then but frankly I'd tell you to worry if I hadn't had those thoughts.
"It seems to switch itself to on whenever I'm around you." Okay at first it was cute and now it's just starting to get cheesy.
"Okay mister either buy me some chips or get rid of the cheesiness." Oh yeah the first zing of the night goes to Serena. Please, please hold your applause.
"Oh ouch Madame. Okay it has been dually noted that you do not like to be flattered. My Serena, you look absolutely disgusting in that dress tonight." I stare at him for a moment in disbelief. I cannot believe he would gamble his life so willingly. A daredevil, I think I like that.
"Well what about you? You are positively grotesque in that tuxedo. You should take it off immediately." Do it. Do it. Wait a minute, we're alone in the back of a limo…maybe challenging him to disrobe isn't such a good idea. It took me way to long to get ready for this Ball and there's no way I'm going to look disheveled when I see…. Oh no, I really hadn't meant to think about him.
"What's the matter?" Darn it! Why'd he have to notice? 'Well let's see you, go from smiling invitingly to a deep frown and watery eyes. I wonder how on earth he noticed...' You know I think my inner self, is self-loathing.
"No-t-thing." If he weren't staring so intently at me I would have smacked myself upside the head. I always stutter when I lie. Not real sure why all I know is I'm a terrible liar. It's because of this I had a deprived childhood. You're probably wondering how so. I can sum it all up in ten words, "Mom I-I-I really was saving a kit-t-t-ty stuck in a tree." Unlike all the rest of my peers I never was able to come home late with an impeccable excuse. Anyways, back to the matter at hand.
"No come one, I want you to be able to tell me things. I want to be there for you…" Damn, why does he always have to act so perfectly. This would have been so much easier if he were a prick.
"Okay see the ex-love of my life is now engaged to my, for lack of a better phrase, mortal enemy. And they just happen to be going to the same ball we are tonight. I just found out about it two days ago so it wasn't that I didn't want to tell you, it's just…you understand right?" Please understand. As much as it pains me to say, I don't think I can handle being dumped right now. I may act independent but everyone deserves someone.
"That's quite a pickle you have on your hands. If you'd like I could not let them in." I stare at him for just a second and then unstoppable giggles start escaping from my mouth. I could really see a future with this man. Just don't tell anyone and by anyone I mean the four women that will be grilling me for every possible detail when this night is over.
"Why are you so wonderful to me? I could not have been any more terrible to you when we first met. I can only imagine what you thought about me then." It's true but you know in my defense he was naked and a slut when I first met him but I'll just leave that to myself.
"Oh if only you knew what I had thought about you. You'd be as red as a tomato. But if you'd really like to know…" I sat waiting for a moment and only a moment. Next thing I knew his lips were pressed almost against my ear and he was whispering things about pretzels and aerobics. Oh my…. dear…I'll spare you the blush. Okay I'll just hint at what he said. Someone in the shape of a pretzel while the other demonstrated why they were at the front of their aerobics class. Hey don't act like you didn't want to know.
"Darien how do you feel about being in a serious relationship?" I figure I'll get the sex-stopping questions out of the way.
"I don't really know. I've never really been in one. But I figure the old adage 'don't knock it till you try it,' rings true in this case." Hmm…Mr. Perfect seems to have some food stuck in his teeth. Oh brother! How do I bring THAT up? When would be a good time to tell him, "Serena you look breath-taking tonight." What'd he say? Oh well now's probably good.
"Darien there's something in your teeth." Wait did he just tell me I looked breath taking? Well going by the look of 'why the hell now!' I'm going with yes. Well sure, why not ruin a perfectly romantic moment with an embarrassing note. I get told I'm 'breath taking' and in response 'You have food in your teeth.' I think that kept the mood…up. Afraid he's mad I ruined the mood I turn away almost immediately but sigh in relief when I hear him chuckle.
"Well you're always honest, I've got to give you that much I guess." Why is it only the most unbelievably gorgeous men have that incredibly appealing boyish grin. It's like only the most gorgeous of gorgeous men can pull that off. I think it's a conspiracy. A way to keep women hooked because if you think about it, if every man could pull that grin off it wouldn't be that spectacular. Thereby losing it's effect and it's ability to grab the attention of any female. I swear I should get paid for this stuff.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to ruin the moment. It just sort of slipped out." Everything wrong always seems to 'slip' out whenever things are going good. Maybe that's God's way of keeping me alone. Perhaps I'm not meant to reproduce. I can just see little sarcastic, anti-men, and woe to the world Serena's running around. Oh that gave me a shiver.
"Cold?" Yes, in a climate-controlled, hotel on wheels, I'm cold. Seriously this limo is incredible. I think it's nicer than my actual home. Well I guess anything that costs more than my apartment is bound to be nicer.
"No, just a shiver, a false alarm if you will." I smile suggestively at him hoping, despite the fact I do not need a warming cuddle he'll give me one anyways. It's not like I can just come out and say 'I want your sex.' Well I probably wouldn't say those exact words but something similar.
"Oh. Just making sure. I wouldn't want my date to freeze to death before she can make me look good." It's a good thing he's cute because that's the only reason he could ever get away with those comments. Okay I think it's time to take matters into my own hands. If he isn't going to catch on to my sexual attempts then I guess I'll just have to help the poor guy out.
"Darien could you tell me if the latch on my necklace is broken?" I turn around slowly, pushing back into him. I bring my arms back to lift my hair away from my neck and exposing my back. Did I say my back? Oh I meant the latch that could be broken on my necklace.
"S-u-ure." I honestly have to bit the inside of my cheek to keep myself from laughing out loud. I can't even remember the last time I had such an effect on a man before. I could hear his breathing becoming a bit faster, hitching every now and then. Then his erratic breathing became calm and even. Suddenly it was my turn to breathe uneasy and unsteady. Maybe this was a bad idea.
I turned my head back just slightly. My head was tilted down and all I could really see was his gorgeous, tan neck. I didn't dare look into his eyes otherwise I don't think I'd ever be able to leave them. His was tracing his fingers in lazy circle on my upper back and it was sending shivers up and down my spine.
"I guess this is my fault…" Wow my voice is barely above a whisper. I honestly thought things like that only happened because of movie executives. I can't let things go THIS far. Sure I wanted a little attention but I didn't want him to stand at attention. Well maybe a little but just a little.
"Oh yes this is definitely your fault." Just hearing his deep laugh brought an instant smile to my face. Tonight is going to be very interesting.
As soon as we were a mere ten miles from the building housing the charity ball I started wringing my hands. It was odd I hadn't really meant to. Honestly I didn't even realize I was doing it until I felt Darien's hands atop my own. I look up smiling at him.
"Nervous then?" Nervous? Me? Oh please I only get nervous before my first bikini wax after a long winter. And seeing Steve again isn't anywhere near as bad as Olga, an angry Russian woman, who was recently dumped, coming at you with hot wax and a look of bitter angst in her eyes. Now that is true terror.
"No, just a bit jittery. You?" That my friends, is called switching the spotlight. You might be wondering if it really is that easy and I'm here to tell you it is! And with just three easy payments of $39.95 you can have all the secrets to switching the spotlight and more!
"What would I be nervous about?" Gee the fact that you are throwing the biggest charity ball organized in the past decade and if you don't raise more than the amount previously raised no one will ever endorse your parties again.
"I don't know, just in general." I thought this would be the better approach than petrifying him further. I can see the fear in his eyes.
"Just a little, but that's normal. I always get a little nervous before something so important goes down. If tonight is as successful as I'm hoping it will be, we'll be raising more than thirty-five million dollars for the five charities we're representing. But hey, no pressure right." Oh boy I think I'm feeling his nerves.
"Right…no pressure." I'm starting to develop an entire new sense of respect for this man. He does so much for so many good causes. No wonder he's so popular with the ladies. Who's going to turn away a saint?
"Ready to go in? I have to warn you though, they are going to be a lot of paparazzi." Does that mean my photo is going to be plastered all across sleazy tabloids, where pages of lies about me have been printed? What are we still doing in this limo? I have a reputation to create.
"Definitely. Let's go." And with those three words the door was opened and constant flashes were going off quicker than the blink of an eye. Darien was of course the first out of the limo. I started to pull myself out, unsuccessfully might I add, when suddenly Darien's face was in front of mine, smiling.
"Care for some help?" I smiled sheepishly at being caught in one of my most ungraceful moments before taking the proffered hand waiting patiently for my own.
"Thanks." But my appreciation was lost amongst the hordes of reporters screaming for his attention. For a brief moment I was afraid we might get separated and that this night would be spent alone, stuffing as much free crab cake into my purse as possible. Thankfully though, Darien never once released my hand, he did the exact opposite. In fact he was squeezing a little too tight, my fingertips were starting to get a bit tingly.
"Darien! Darien over here!" I quickly glanced in the direction of the request but was soon turning my head in the next direction vying for my date's attention.
"Mr. Shields is this your new girlfriend? What happened to the red-head?" Oh ouch. 'The red-head' not even good enough to have her name remembered. And with that thought the one thought I had been trying not to think all night made it's way, front and center. How long before I'm just 'the blonde?'
"Don't listen to them. Unless I'm divorced and fighting alimony, they will never know your name." I try to keep the blush off my face. What? It's embarrassing that he can practically read my mind. It seems he only picks up on my insecure thoughts and never my impure ones. Odd.
I started to steel myself as I saw we were fast approaching the wooden doors that were the entrance. I had to continually take deep breaths as it was becoming harder and harder to catch my breath. My heart was beating about a mile a minute. Now I know people always say that but in this case it is true.
"Ready?" He was nestled against my ear as if he belonged there. He was so warm and comforting, how strange that we only just met. Putting on my brightest and most sincere smile I turned to him and nodded my head in the 'yes' motion. Ready or not here I come Steve.
Darien quickly pushed the doors open, stopping only for a brief moment to let me see all his hard work. I could little more than gasp at the magnificent decorations all around the ball. We were in the "Rock 'n' Roll," ball. There were guitar chandeliers hanging from seven different places on the ceiling. All the light fixtures were in the shape of drum sets and there was even an ice sculpture in the shape of Jimi Hendrix's guitar, The 1967 Gibson flying V. That probably doesn't mean much to a lot of people but it was a sweet looking, not to mention awesome sounding, guitar. Whoa, sorry, I had a flashback to my special brownie days.
"Oh my Lord. Darien you designed all this? It's gorgeous." I wonder if he'd do my birthday. I'm thinking Prince meets heterosexual.
"Do you really think so?" He sounded so desperate for my approval. Why should he care if I like it or not. It's not like my opinion would have much of an impact on this function.
"Of course. You really went above and beyond." I wonder if he'd give me a discount for my birthday. Not too big of a discount maybe seventy, eighty percent tops. Okay ninety-five but only to make him happy.
"I'm glad you like it. Just wait until you see the party we will be attending." He's so adorable. He reminds of a little boy that just got a compliment from his mother. Oh that's not a good thought, Darien thinking of me as his mother. All right let's think of something else now.
I try hard to get good looks at the decorations adorning each party but it's rather difficult with someone constantly tugging you quickly through the crowds. Suddenly Darien stopped, rather abruptly might I add, which in turn caused me to plow right into his backside. The impact nearly caused me to fall and I would have if not for Darien's timely intervention.
"Sorry." He smiles like it's just him and me.
"That's okay, no harm done. But not to sound like a whiney three year old, but are we there yet?" What? I'm getting tired of having to shove through groups of people.
"As a matter of fact we are." Suddenly I feel very under-dressed.
"Oh my…" The entire lighting in the room looked almost as if the moon itself illuminated it. The tables were carved from solid, ebony marble with plush red velvet chairs to match. There were crystal chandeliers hanging from a ceiling with a starry sky painted on it. Now I'm not talking the cheesy starry sky every ten-year old girl wants on her ceiling. I'm talking an antique stained starry sky and on the walls were paintings from the early fifteenth century all the way through the eighteenth century. Not replica paintings, these my friends are the originals. I'm not even going to ask how much it cost just to have these on loan for one night.
"I guess you really do like it." It's so gorgeous; I can't even describe all the feelings that are being evoked right now. It's so break taking, I'm going to have to literally pull myself away from here. I think I'll set up camp here. Who wouldn't want to go to sleep gazing at the stars every night?
"Oh Darien, it's magnificent." Honesty is definitely the best policy. If only my last boyfriend had the same mantra as I, then he probably wouldn't have had that nasty spill out on the ice last winter. Karma sure is a bitch sometimes. What? I swear I had nothing to do with his accident. Okay maybe I played a minor role but nothing to be remembered for.
"As much as I'd love to take all the credit, I didn't do all this alone. Which reminds me, I'd love for you to meet her. I think you two would get along quite well." I wonder where Mina is; I know she'd definitely love to meet the woman who created such a gorgeous masquerade.
"That'd be wonderful, I'd love to meet her. I'm just going to get a drink, so just bring her over when you find her okay? And please don't forget about me." I know he won't, I just don't want him to forget, that's all.
"Now how on Earth is that even possible? Don't stray too far, I know it won't take me too long to find her." I really am quite curious to know who this woman is. If she gets this much respect from Darien she must be something intriguing.
I just smile at Darien and then shoo him away. Satisfied when I see his retreating form, I make my way to the bar where a loose line of people had already set up for the night. It always amazed me that some people could be perfectly content just sitting on a stool, downing glass after glass.
"Glass of merlot please." I was never really one for wine, it wasn't that I didn't like it; it's just that it never really tickled my taste buds. I smile and thank the bartender when he hands me my glass. I raise the glass to take a sip but my thirst suddenly dies when I hear an all too familiar voice.
"Serena Carter, been a while huh?" I close my eyes and mentally click my heels three times all the while saying 'there's no place like home.' Unfortunately when I open my eyes I see that I haven't been magically transported to my home. I take a deep breath and mentally steel myself for any little thing that could possibly throw me over the edge.
"Carla, how wonderful to see you again. I hear you and Steve are engaged, congratulations." Uh I think I just threw up a little bit in my mouth. Bile was never a very good taste. Darien catches my eye and I can see he looks absolutely mortified. I can't really blame him, it's not like he knew that the woman that was organizing his party was the woman who fucked me over. There's karma for you, all though I really haven't done anything recently that could amount to this much karma.
"Thanks a bunch hon. We're going for a winter wedding but not for sure." Wow a wedding during the season where everything dies. Yes I am enjoying that little fact, so what?
"Wonderful." What the hell else does this woman want from me? She has the ex-love of my life and is having the wedding I would have had. Given I wouldn't have chosen the season that symbolizes death.
"Oh look! Here comes Steve now, I don't even think he can remember the last time you two spoke let alone saw one another. My isn't tonight just the perfect night for reunions." Yes and wouldn't tonight be the perfect night for you to trip on your heel, fall face first into the marble and have your face smashed beyond all recognition. Is that a bit crazy? It's okay you can be honest.
"Serena? Wow…you look…magnificent." Wait what? I could handle an obligatory 'you look good,' but magnificent? What's this man trying to do, rekindle some long dead feeling of love? By that look in Carla's eyes I can see she didn't like his greeting either.
"Steve I'm going to show Darien the landscape outside, let him see all my fabulous designs. Why don't you and Serena get reacquainted?" What the hell is going on here? Does anyone else feel awkward or is that just me?
"Sure honey, take your time." Maybe I'm just terrible at reading people nowadays but that sounded cold. I watch helplessly as Carla leads my date away, arm in arm, leaving me to make small talk with a man a used to share everything with.
"Sere, you look hot. What do you say we hit the men's room for a quickie?" Oh dear lord please strike me down with lightning. Better yet strike down the vile creature besides me. What is wrong with him? He used to be sweet, endearing and a gentlemen.
"Excuse me? Your fiancée is just outside those doors! What is wrong with you?" I am going to tell the truth. I am slightly tempted, just slightly. And I'm only tempted because it would definitely get that bitch back for screwing him while he was still technically with me. But I could never do that to Darien. Yes I have fallen for the slut. Come on people catch up!
"Not like that fucking matters. That whore is probably out there screwing that man against the wall. Besides we're only getting married because I knocked her up and her parents won't let her get her inheritance if she has a bastard child." My jaw drops slightly at this new revelation. Not that I'm surprised she's pregnant but I honestly did believe there was a slight feeling of love between the two. "Oh come on Sere it could be just like it was when we were in high school. The only difference is you're much hotter and I'm already shit-faced." What a sweet talker. How could I ever have felt that I could spend the rest of my life with this low-life?
Wait did he just say Carla was probably out there all over Darien? I swear if that goddamn slut laid even one lip on him I will tear out every single implant that walking piece of silicon ever received.
"Steve I'm over you. Incase you didn't know, we broke up quite a while ago. I've had time to grieve and guess what? That time expired long ago! Now if you'll excuse I'm going to make sure your slut-bag fiancée keeps her dirty hands to herself!" Oh God that felt so good. It was like a waterfall of pent up anger just spilled out as if waiting all this time to finally flow! But I'll revel in those feelings later; I have a future relationship to save.
Shoving my way through people who weren't even in my way, I hurriedly move towards the doors leading to the balcony. I swear if she's on top of him I'm off men permanently. I'll go home, cry through about ten boxes of tissues and then turn lesbian. It'll be great; I'll throw a party, invite other lesbians. Oh right I'm on a mission.
I reach the doors and I hesitate. I don't know what has suddenly come over me. Why don't I want to see the truth? That's right I don't want to have that crushing feeling in my chest again. To know that the person who promised to stay true has suddenly forgotten what a promise was. Taking a deep breath I decide to just push the door slightly open. Okay here goes.
"I really like her that's why! And you're engaged! I may have a reputation but trust me my dear it is greatly exaggerated. Although yours seems to be right on the mark." Well this is a tingle causing surprise.
"Oh you son of a bitch! How dare you speak to me like I'm a common streetwalker. You should feel honored having an offer from me!" What an arrogant hooker. Deciding to intervene before the hooker pulls out the big guns, I open the door fully and step out onto the balcony smiling widely at Carla.
"Am I interrupting? Carla, hon, Steve is asking for you. It's so wonderful that you two are so in love you can't stand to be away from one another for more than five minutes." Someone order salt for that wound? Anyone?
"Well ever since the first time we fucked he's never seemed to get enough of me. Sere, dear, there's something I've always wanted to tell you and it's something I really need to get off my chest. I caused Steve to be unfaithful to you back in college. It's just he was so bored and I was so interested. I figured two birds right?" Three, two, one and show time.
"You whore." That's the last coherent thought I remember. The rest is just a blur of my fists against her face. The first punch wasn't as forceful as the second and third. I just vaguely remember hearing her squeal like a pig. There was blood running down her face and covering my hands but I didn't care. I just needed to be pounding her face in. Then suddenly I felt Darien's arms around my waist pulling me away from Carla and his voice in my ear trying to ease me back to reality.
"Serena don't pay any attention. She deserves your pity not your anger." Jeeze this man knows how to ruin a good fantasy. Yes that's right, I did not punch that whore's face in. Yes, I know you wanted me to. Trust me when I say, I feel your disappointment and sadness.
"You know Carla, there's something I've always wanted to get off my chest too. You were always nothing more than a rich whore. It's not my fault your life is nothing but a façade. So stop trying to ruin my reality." And with that said I take Darien's hand in my own and lead him back into the party. My hearts beating about a mile a minute but I feel oddly liberated.
"You want to get out of here?" He can't possibly be serious. Can he?
"Are you serious? But what about your party? It hasn't even started yet." Well it's true. I would feel absolutely horrible if his good cause was spoiled because I got into a catfight with one his employees.
"They can handle things without me. Let's go." He stretches out his hand to me and I just stare at it for a moment. I quickly look into his eyes searching for any sign that he isn't serious but find none. Am I really ready for such a relationship? Can it really be this easy for me? Then suddenly I felt such clarity that it was almost eerie. The answer to my eternal question was yes. Yes to everything.
"Yes. Let's get out of here." And with that I place my hand delicately in his and we make our way out to where his limo is parked. Next, who knows but I'm ready.
The End