Chapter 9

The drive to Darien's sister Rei's house was a nerve-racking trip for Serena. She mentally berated herself for accepting this invitation. Rei had always hated Serena. At first glance, Serena felt an instant surge of contempt for the raven-haired woman, her disapproving looks and derisive comments and all. And, with that history between them, she thought Rei would most likely recognize her, no matter how good the disguise. She was doomed, and there was no way out of it now.

She cursed her absentmindedness. She remembered all this the moment Darien had turned the key in the ignition and brought the car engine to life, which had led her to the currant situation, and she felt a slight surge of panic rise within her heart as they got closer and closer to her ex sister-in-law's home. Serena prayed inwardly that she wouldn't be recognized and hoped time would miraculously speed up. She lifted her eyes, as the façade of the house came into view. She froze the fear and anticipation almost paralyzing her. Serena's saliva, she found difficult to swallow, such was her state.

Darien apparently noticed her discomfort and questioned her on it. So preoccupied was she with her state of panic, it hadn't registered that she was being spoken to – not at least until the car had pulled up and Darien put it into park, "Huh? What were you saying, Darien?"

"I was asking if you were all right…you look as if you're going to be sick.

But your silence speaks volumes."

"It does?" Serena questioned -- startled.

"It's blatantly obvious," he commented, and paused -- her heart skipping several beats. Serena's whole world began to come apart. She was about to spill the beans when Darien continued, "You're hungry, aren't you? You skipped breakfast to prepare yourself for the feast didn't you? I advised you against that… Your stomach is more than able to hold a whole turkey and more… Sometimes I swear you're a human vacuum cleaner." Serena couldn't help but laugh with him albeit at her own expense. She blushed and looked down at her hands that were folded in her lap. She laughed more from nervous tension and relief than simply mirth alone. She breathed a little easier, her fragile mind going haywire. Of course, he didn't know my identity -- she rationalized, blinking rapidly. Serena released the seatbelt before sliding across the soft leather seat and climbed out of the car, taking Rini by the hand. If Darien, her ex-husband -- the love of her life -- didn't recognize her, then there was no possible way Rei would.

The front door swung open before any of them had moved up the steps leading onto the veranda. Rei emerged and charged into Darien's arms, squeezing the life out of him. Serena had in that moment, unintentionally gripped her daughters hand a little more tightly than she intended. That's when it happened -- eyes locked, blue clashed with dark violet, and a silent battle took place between the two women.

Serena opened her mouth, trying to will her vocal chords into action, fighting to utter something intelligible, but found she was verbally constipated.

Rei pulled out of the embrace with her brother and made her way towards Serena -- the look in her eyes getting darker with each step she took. In an instant, the wind was knocked from her lungs, and she was close to losing her footing and falling straight on her ass. Serena fought desperately to regain her lost footing and get precious air back in her lungs. Rei was hugging the life out of her and she wondered whether this was a new form of torture -- death through extreme squeezing— Rei suddenly pulled back and she found herself face to face with her former nemesis. She was even more surprised when Rei's lips parted into a grin. Things couldn't be any stranger, "You must be Lillian, the famous nanny I've heard so much about," Rei didn't allow Serena the chance to answer before continuing with her tirade, "You have no idea how glad I am to finally see a nanny last this long with Darien. You know, Rini is getting at that age where she really needs a stable female in her life…and Darien, too."

After that comment, it didn't take Darien too long to interrupt his sister and lead the group inside. Serena most likely outshone the brightest tomato in the world at that moment. She chanced a glance in Darien's direction only to find he too seemed to be rather flushed as well.

Serena couldn't believe she had managed to get past Rei's radar. Fooling Darien was one thing, but Rei was as sharp as a cat. She had no idea that her disguise was so good. She was mildly tempted to give herself a pat on the back, but opted to maintain a levelheaded disposition.

Rei introduced Serena to her two boys -- Christian, whom was eight and Gabriel, seven. They were typical of their age group, boys who owned tons of action figures and played way too many video games in their free time for their own good. And since they were boys, totally devoted to their action figures, they complained vigorously when their mother sent them off to play with a four-year-old little girl and stay in their rooms until dinner was ready. Rei sighed deeply as they disappeared from view, mumbling, "Boy's will be boys."

Serena chuckled lightly, "I have always wanted a boy," Serena responded, with a light shake of her head – a little regret in her tone.

"And what's stopping you," Rei shot back -- an astute smirk gracing her lips.

"I guess I haven't found the right man…"

"Oh no, that can't be it," Rei said knowingly, exaggerating the word -- can't -- Serena was beginning to feel slightly nervous with the look she was receiving from Rei, who continued, "What I mean to say is…you're a fairly attractive young girl. You should have a long line of suitors, or is there one that you already have your eyes set on one."

Serena laughed nervously at the comment, "Do you smell that?" Serena sniffed the air dramatically, "That smells like the big bird is trying to tell us something important."

"No, it's too early to be ready yet," Rei, said dismissively.

"We should check it… just in case. You never know with turkeys, they are the kind of birds that demand attention, you know. So let's give him some tender loving care." Serena chuckled, grabbing Rei's arm, and dragged her to the kitchen, leaving the men to their own devices. As Rei had told her, the turkey wasn't ready, but Serena managed to keep Rei off the subject of her romantic life until dinner was ready.

At dinner, Rini was asked to bless the food. Serena was desperate to dig in after her daughter's long drawn out prayer. But Rei abruptly cut in, effectively preventing everyone from indulging themselves before having her say. Then she proceeded to give a long-winded speech about how great the year had gone and -- blah, blah, blah-- Serena's full attention was focused purely upon the meal in front of her. Well that was until somehow, she had become part of the speech, "I'd like to thank Lilly for coming into this family when she did," Rei said with all the hype of a ringmaster on a roll. Serena thanked the lord her eyes had cords connecting them to her body; otherwise, they would be on her plate at that moment, "She's molded herself perfectly into our hearts, filling up spaces that were left gaping open." Rei let loose a dramatic sob -- looking straight at Serena – before raising her wine glass higher, "Thank you," she said theatrically, as eyes watered and kisses were blown from all parts of the dining table. Suddenly, everybody began to clap accept for Darien and Serena -- she felt like a deer caught in the middle of the street with headlights blazing upon her, stunned. Darien softly patted her back.

"Now let's eat," Rei exclaimed sitting down, finally allowing people to enjoy their meal. Only now, Serena had lost the huge appetite she had a few moments before. Rei still had the ability to ruin a perfectly good meal. The speech had left a terrible knot of guilt at the pit of her stomach. Serena remembered how she would have done almost anything to win Rei's approval and now that she had it, she knew it wasn't real.

Darien lightly nudged her in the ribs, bringing her out of her train of thought, "You're not eating -- that's odd. Is there something bothering you?" He whispered to her. She quickly dismissed his concern with a polite smile. Then, to prove she was perfectly fine, began to eat heartily.

Soon the meal was over -- after an hour or two had passed and the group of adults bonding through conversation and plenty of coffee. It was time for Serena, Darien and Rini to be on their way back home to Darien's mansion. But before Serena could leave, Rei pulled her off to the side to speak privately with her. Goosebumps began slowly sprouting upon Serena's sensitive skin, "Lilly, I just wanted to give you some advice. I know you like Darien," Rei said, focusing her intense gaze on the uncomfortable Serena, who was about to deny Rei's claim, but Rei cut in quickly, silencing Serena, "Shush, let me finish… I know you like him, and it's obvious that he feels the same way about you. You're probably nervous about being in a relationship with your employer." Serena again tried to clear things up, but Rei covered Serena's mouth before she could object, "its okay… You don't have to be professional with matters of the heart. I suggest you make a move. You're good for them, you know. Darien is finally getting over that bitch," Serena coughed, "Excuse my strong language, but it's true. She was a bitch; all she did was raise hell for this family. She gave Darien problems during the toughest periods of his life, when our father died, and disrespected our mother on more than one occasion. He forgave her and still loved her, even after she left him with baby Riana. I can already tell you're nothing like that, Lillian. I wish you luck with my brother." With these words, she yanked Serena into a bear hug. It took everything Serena had not to pull away and slap her for everything she had just said. This woman really was something else in her opinion. Serena pulled away as gently as she could, politely dismissed herself, and angrily rushed towards the car with Darien and Rini.

The drive back was a tense one. Rini, she supposed, would have likely sensed it and that's why the little girl dashed to her room upon arriving home. Serena was just about to follow in her footsteps when she was stopped roughly by Darien. Serena glared at him through narrow eyes, "What!" She growled, her patience already running thin.

"What was it my sister said that made you react like this? I thought everyone was getting along," he questioned, his voice laced with concern.

She snorted, "I'd really prefer not to have this conversation right now." Serena wrenched her arm free and stormed off. She had finally had enough of the lies and manipulation. She would not let it go any further. Once Serena got to her room, she began to pack. She and Rini had to leave, and it had to be tonight, before Darien had the chance to change her mind.

She waited until early morning before she snuck into Rini's room and packed her clothing. If she were lucky, the little girl wouldn't wake up during the trip. It didn't take long to pack Rini's stuff. She would only take what was necessary. Serena took the luggage and went in search of Darien's car keys. She didn't have too much trouble there; he always left them in the same place, on the desk, next to the front door.

Once Serena was done putting the luggage securely in the car, she raced upstairs to get Rini. She gently carried her out of bed -- every small shift and moan coming from the sleeping girl made her heart stop beating for a second or two -- Serena carefully put her in the passenger side of the car -- her heart racing, beating mercilessly against her ribcage. Her hands were shaking and she had trouble getting the key in the ignition. But once the engine purred into life, there was no turning back. She steered the car along the winding driveway, slowed a little, taking one last look at the picturesque mansion and was gone, vanishing into the darkness.

But the adrenaline rush wouldn't vanish though, not until they were safe in her home, in Chicago.

It took awhile to get to the airport. Serena was smart enough to bring one of Rini's old strollers. She still didn't want to risk waking her daughter. She wanted them to be long gone before explaining things to her little girl. She used the money she had saved from her earnings to pay for their tickets. She paid a little more than she had intended, since the next flight out was a last minute booking and incurred a fee being the next flight out -- two hours away. The wait was both nerve wracking and excruciating for Serena as the movement of people leaving the flight lounge, meeting with loved ones and checking their brief cases or talking on cell phones and the like. All this activity unnerved her to no end.

It was hard keeping her sanity in tack. But it was finally over. They were now boarding her flight. She took a deep breath, straightened her skirt, and like others, checked to see she had everything prepared; smiling at the adorable child cradled in her arms and made her way towards the line -- standing there, and releasing the breath she had no idea she was holding. She was next in line, Rini held tightly to her chest. She handed the hostess their boarding passes and took a step forward.

But as she did so, out of nowhere she felt herself roughly yanked from the line, "Now… Serena… where do you think you're going with my daughter?" the maliciously husky voice growled, she found herself looking into his burning gaze -- his dark blue eyes now black with ire – finding herself in the hands of the devil's incarnate.