Forget Forever

Apologies this took me longer to post than I wanted. I just didn't have time before now to edit before posting. But the next chapter won't take as long to post since editing will begin right after this is posted. It'll be real juicy... if ya know what I mean. *snickers*.

But this chapter is really just a background filler.

Chapter 2

Serena had always dreamt of having that fairy-tale life. Spending most of her days daydreaming and hoping, no one really expected much of her. Her parents just wanted her to be looked after. As such, they had hopes for their son to take over the family business, but it appeared he was more of a professional sportsman than businessman. But it didn't stop her parents from wanting their daughter to experience everything she had her heart set on. So, her father tried his hardest to find someone who could take over for him instead. He only concern was to make sure his children were taken care of at the end of the day. Even if it meant selling his business and leaving them sizable trust funds when he retired.

Kenji, Serena's father, had started a small investment firm during his last year of college. And over the years it had grown into Tsukino Finance Pty Ltd. And it was still steadily growing and expanding. It all started with doing simple stock trading and making people's money work for them for a small commission. But it turned into a full-blown company that managed many different portfolios, and even contracting for banks and companies to play the stock markets with their monies. Over the years he had many offers, from sizable offers to purchase and mergers. However, being a private company limited to shareholders, a simple selling or merger was not easy without approval. But being the CEO and creator did afford him majority of shares, thus having the most influence over decisions. And never once did he have the desire to sell or merge. Even employees advising him of other companies trying to poach their staff. Loyalty. It was not just a business. He had created a family in his company. In this dog-eat-dog industry, security was everything. And teamwork was a major focus. So, what other companies seen was not the product of his 'company' doing its job, but the people he had invested in, working together to make people's money work for them.

Although Serena was currently at university doing a dual degree, Bachelor of Business and Arts, he knew she would struggle. Trading and understanding numbers were not her forte at all. She often expressed how she lacked understanding with the trading market, how dumping stocks from a completely unrelated company would affect another. Thankfully he had time to consider his options before he had to decide what to do with his company before retirement.

All the while Serena floated through life. She was one people would find themselves envying and hating but loved at the same time. She was the typical blonde, blue eyed girl with porcelain skin and a well-proportioned figure. She was really unaware of how lucky she was. If only life could be simple like this all the time. Life was simple. She had parents who loved her, a brother who… well it was touch and go, but at the end of day they loved each other too. Not to mention her friends were her rocks who were supportive and encouraging.

One thing her heart was always focused on, was the notion of true love. She refused to 'date' in high school. She wanted to save herself and wait for the perfect man who would come and waltz her off into the sunset. It was tough with everyone around her calling her out all the time. From stuck up prude, to preppy princess who thought she was better than everyone else. But she was set on waiting for 'the one'.

And true to Murphey's Law, when she finally settled on believing to leave things to fate and stop actively looking for love, he fell into her radar like a soaring beacon. It was swift and magical. Everything she had desired and wanted in a man, wrapped into this one, handsome man, who had the other girls green with jealous and envy.

Enter, Daemon Diamond, known as just Diamond. He was poised with grace and elegance. He had shimmering platinum hair that was shoulder length, with blue silver eyes that sparkled almost a soft violet. He was 5"11 with a small muscular frame, and flawless light skin. She had met him on campus at her university, almost mistaking him for an idol. But no, he was in the same major as her, a senior. Who apparently had his eyes on her for a while now and finally had the courage to talk to her. He had already graduated but was attending peer mentoring programs to help his juniors. Another thing that made her fall in love with him. He was so generous and caring, and always wanted to help where he could. Serena couldn't think of a more perfect person. He was truly everything she wanted in a boyfriend. And to him, he said it was love at first sight, and since then he couldn't bring himself to forget her face and smile. That was enough for her to fall face over feet for him and never look back.

It was a fast whirlwind of a romance. Just enjoying each other's company and sweet words, Serena found herself knowing little about the man. But he was perfect in every way to what she desired. It felt like the world didn't matter when they were together. So much so, that they didn't really know too much about each other. Or at least Serena didn't want to know too much. As far as she was concerned, he had a job which offered flexibility to come to mentor, he drove a Porsche, wore a suit all the time, and came from money by his display of splashing cash on everything they done. He treated her like a princess. That was all she needed to know. He never pried into her own life and family, so she felt secure about his feelings.

Unknown to Serena though, both Diamond's father and her own were actually old friends from their university years. As they were both in the same field of finance, bonds and shares, it was agreed that Diamond would intern for Kenji. Diamond's father was a firm believer in allowing his son to earn what he got, so he limited the help and finance he gave to his son. This did make Diamond somewhat resentful, but also took the opportunity that Kenji presented. Diamond was after all, a very ambitious person. One who wanted to prove themselves and prove to his father that he did not need him and thus could succeed on his own.

So, when Kenji learned that Diamond had been approaching Serena at university and other locations, he decided to let them meet officially with no pretences. He knew Diamond was ambitious, but surely, he would not take advantage of his daughter? Kenji was positive Diamond knew full well who she was but kept his distance to see how things would turn out between them. Sadly, Kenji never realised the extent of the infatuated Diamond harboured for Serena.

Diamond had made it very clear he was in love with Serena, and thus wanted Kenji's approval to continue to pursue her once he learned Kenji was aware of their recent socialism. Kenji was overjoyed that someone actually loved his daughter. And knowing he came from wealth and a close family friend, he was content to allowed the continuation as he believe Serena would be taken care of the way she deserved. Knowing Diamond would definitely have the means to ensure her happiness.

Serena was so lost in the emotions and feelings that she was unaware of everything else outside of their bubble of happiness. He had managed to create this dream state in her mind that made her solely focus on him, and no one else. Within a year they were engaged, and 6 months later they were married. She had moved into their new house, and he has supplied her with everything her heart could have asked for. Albeit he was busy from work and each promotion meant more hours lost, but he still devoted what time he could to her and obsessed every everything for her.

To her, he was a loving and doting husband who wanted the best for her. But to everyone else, they worried. Her father didn't think much as he understood the pressure of the business. When they were married, Diamond was adamant she needed want for anything, and thus talked her pout of getting a job. He talked her out of pushing herself to attend social functions. He talked her out of needing anyone but him. He made her so dependent on him, that her friends started to worry. But she was in denial as her world rotated around Diamond.

After 5 years of marriage, Diamond had managed to step up to vice-CEO. Over the years her father's health had declined, and each time Diamond was there to pick up the extra workload. The seniors and board members had seen this, and all voted to make him Vice-CEO. Sadly though, her father passed away from serious heart issues and complications. And his decision to not step down from work added the extra stress to his body which it could not handle.

She had spent 2 months after the funeral at her parents' house to console her mother and brother. Her brother had returned from the states where he was currently on a sports scholarship. Apparently, baseball was big over there? During these 2 months Diamond focused on moving to the position of CEO. But during those 2 months of having limited communication and interaction with his wife, he turned into a different man in Serena's eyes.

He was beyond annoyed when her father had left the business all in Serena's name. She became the number 2 director of the company, deciding to be a silent owner. And also holding majority of shares, she was given a spot on the board as head. Nothing was left to Diamond; except the request he be considered to take the CEO spot. It seemed that was when Serena happened to begin to understand the situation she was in, and the type of man she married.

She struggled at first to understand, because he was the perfect prince who had all the right words to make her feel loved and wanted, and as if he had her best intentions at heart. But during the months she stayed with her mum, she reconnected with her friends to advise them, and enquire why they managed to drift apart. She slowly came to realise just how toxic Diamond was. How toxic their relationship was. How toxic their marriage was. How everything she wanted was used against her to control and manipulate her in a way that made her feel loved and secure. If honestly frightened her because it came so easily and naturally for Diamond to act in a certain way.

During the months she returned back to their marital home, Serena came to terms with accepting a more silent role in the company. After many nights of fighting, where Diamond had tried to manipulate her into giving the shares to him, guised as ensuring she didn't have to worry about the company and stress about things. She could see how it sounded plausible, he was the CEO, and thus had to have the best of intentions at heart. But as they were married, as her friends pointed out, having them in her name shouldn't have matter. Especially since their marriage was fast, there was no prenup. Everything felt so insecure quickly.

The more they fought, the more she found herself pulling away from everyone again. She felt alone and confused. He took every opportunity to dote on her and make her feel loved, presenting presents and words of love… but at the same time, every chance he got to chance the topic to work, and making her life easier, he requested the shares and ownership. It was driving her mad. He was her husband, and for some reason she was starting to doubt, and question his intentions and actions. She should have been able to trust him completely. It saddened her more that her waking up from this dream took her father passing away. Something her husband regularly forgot about.

He had started to act like he was the developer of Tsukino Finance P/L, like he was the great god behind their success. But the reality was, the business was not in the best of positioned since her father passed. She was genuinely worried. But as her friends pointed out many months ago when she reconnected with them, she needed to focus on herself and ensure her own safety.

And that was what she done. She had packed an overnight bag to stay with her mother. For the first time in many years she was able to have an open heart to heart with her mother. Serena had spent the entirety of the night in the attic antagonising over her youth and silly decisions. In the morning she held firm to the conversation she shared with her friend Raye and advised her mother of her plan. For once she felt supported by genuine beings who cared for her. In no time a plan was formulated, and she effectively ran away from her controlling husband.

Her first destination was to Raye's location. Engaging her as her lawyer, separation papers were signed and lodged to the courts. Highlighted with the point of the fulfilment of acknowledging 1 year from now, divorce papers would be lodged, as per state regulations according to their registered married certificate. She had 48hrs before Diamond would be alerted to her intentions. It gave her breathing time to catch up with her friend and plan the next part of her escape.

Serena had come to accept that her husband was obsessed with her. And no money would have been spared to find her. Which was why she could not stay with her mother. Nor seek help from her brother and friends. They were at risk of being investigated and watched from Diamond to try and find her. She had never felt so trapped. But one thing she did learn from Diamond, money did buy a certain number of privileges.

The biggest priority was to create space from her husband, and a safe environment to negotiate. She still had responsibilities to the company, however the other board members were more than happy to continue to liaise with her via email and telecommunication.

Serena also took the time to better herself and create a more stable identity. Putting her degrees to good use she created a company for herself. She had years' worth of ideas in her head of fashion designs. With the help of Raye for legal matters, and another friend who was already in the fashion world working for vogue, Mina Aino, Serena set out to create a brand the world would die for. It started small at first, while she found her footing. Starting on website platforms, to markets in the city and travelling to country towns. Soon enough she expanded and found her products in small boutiques. Being able to create gave her a sense of freedom. When in reality, she lived each day in fear of the unexpected.

It seemed the first-year fly by, and before Serena knew, Raye had divorce papers ready to submit to the courts. Of course, it took Diamond's lawyer no time to reply with an affidavit of Diamond stating he denied any wrong doings, loving his wife and wanting her back. Effectively not accepting the divorce. Every month Raye had sent papers to him to sign, and each time they were denied by his lawyer. After a year of this, she found emails from Diamond started to pile up.

At first, they started pleasant. Him wanting her back, apologising and seeking understanding so he could better himself. Eventually they turned more obsessive, reminding her they were still married, and she had better not have cheated on him with someone else. Not once did she reply, until negotiations came. Along with relief, that perhaps maybe he was finally willing to let her go. But that was a short-lived feeling, as Diamond reminded her of a few things. Things she somehow forgot about.

Although her mother was self-sufficient, having a regular income from her father before he passed, an income she saved, the family home was under the Tsukino Family Trust. The same trust that was currently allotting a certain amount to her brother for his professional sportsman career; outside of the current income he earned from sponsors. She had recently been made aware of an accident he was involved in, and the cost surrounding his rehabilitation was eye watering. But of course, nothing their family could not afford. However, her father had made Diamond the 'trustee' of the accounts. Giving him all the power to make discretionary decisions about how the fund will be managed and spent.

Just another way he found to control her. It took everything she had to contain her rage and not reply. Even when she alerted her lawyer Raye, and the rest of her friends for advice, it appeared everyone wanted to break his neck. As much as it pained her to let go of her father's legacy and company, it seemed to be the only thing that could give her a sense of freedom from him. So, she allowed Raye to send a proposal to him to ponder. She was willing to give up her stake on the company, for him to sign the trustee position over to her mother and divorce her cleanly. She made a note that she would not seek compensation from him, or any alimony. And he could not seek anything further from her, but the company shares and ownership.

It took Diamond a full week to reply. He came back with such a bazaar offer that it made everyone wonder what his true intentions were.

A/N: Darien will be the 7 years her senior. Diamond is 4 years older.

Here, we graduate from school at age 17. It's a 4-year dual degree (without major/s) = 21. Met Diamond at age 20. Married by 22. Married for 5 years before her father fell sick. During that 5th year she fled and sought help from her friends to get back on her feet (27). It has been 2 years since then. So right now, Serena is 29. Diamond 33. Darien 35. I probably won't be mentioning age at all in the story… so I guess I should make that clear, this is a mature story~