Decided to quickly edit Chapter 4, as there weren't many changes to be made. The long awaited Chapter 5 will be posted later tonight, so keep an eye out. As always, thanks for reading!
- xoxo, Crys (08.14.16)
"Picture Perfect"
Chapter 4
Andrew remained seated on the couch in Darien's office, silently staring at him. He couldn't quite get his head around the way Darien's mind worked. Especially with the whole Christina ordeal. He knew why Darien did it. But to him that wasn't a good reason. And he was sure if Serena found out; it wouldn't be a good reason to her either.
Even though they had been best friends for practically half of their lives, Andrew didn't always agree with everything his long time friend did. And cheating on Serena – of all people – was not something he was happy about. She was like a little sister to him.
The fact that Darien didn't seem to really care about Christina spreading rumors, wasn't what he had expected. If she didn't end it, Serena was going to find out. Even if it was a one time thing – a one night stand - if Serena found out, he was going to lose her.
But then again, maybe that's just what he needs. A dose of reality. He doesn't seem to care much for her now, anyway. Maybe he deserves to lose her.
"Andrew?"
The blonde haired man shifted his gaze to meet his companions. They had both been in thought for the past few minutes. "Hmm?" he murmured, not very interested in whatever he had to say.
"Does Amy still work at the Hospital? I haven't seen much of her lately." Darien questioned. He really hadn't seen much of that girl anymore. It's like she just vanished.
Andrew didn't see his point. Why would he care about one of Serena's friends? Nonetheless, he answered. "I believe so, yes. She's just working with a different unit now."
Or maybe he just buried his head in his work to much to notice. "Andrew, do you see what I'm getting at? That's not good. I thought the girl had moved or something."
The blonde studied his friend questionably. Was he missing somethi- "Oh shit!" he half shouted once it sunk in. "Darien, if Amy hears-"
"I know," Darien scowled. "Lower your voice, will you. They're only downstairs."
Andrew nodded. "So what are we going to do? I'm sure it's been spread throughout the Hospital by now. Even if Amy thinks it's just a rumor and not a fact, she'll still bring it up to Serena."
"We," Darien said calmly, grabbing his black blazer off of a near by hook. "Are going to pay little Miss Christina a visit." He looked at Andrew for any sign of protest, but none came.
"Now you're talking." Andrew exclaimed, slightly relieved that he had finally chosen to do something. He got up to follow Darien out of the room but remembered Serena's request. "Darien, before we leave, can we stop by the girls? I promised Serena I'd drop by before leaving."
Darien looked at Andrew, considering his request. Well, it wouldn't hurt, would it? And then he nodded.
Andrew practically jumped off the last step of the stairs as he went to go pay the girls their requested visit, Darien in tow. The last step on the staircase was practically avoided like the plague it seemed. Or maybe Darien was just too uptight to understand the enthusiasm behind his friends insistence to skip it.
Serena stopped her chatter with Raye once she heard footsteps approaching. She looked up to see Andrew walking out onto the patio with her husband not far behind. She looked puzzled. Couldn't he have come alone? She didn't want to see Darien, he always made things awkward for her.
"Andrew!" Raye exclaimed, getting out of her seat to greet him. The girls were no longer clad in their bathing suits, but their previous attire, seated at their patio dining set. Serena stood as well, giving Andrew a quick hug but did her best to keep her distance from Darien, who was not more than six feet away from her.
"Thank you for coming out, Andrew." Serena said lightly, as she embraced him. She stole a glance at her husband, and he was staring right at her, his face impassive.
She had to say, he had that whole stoic man thing down pretty well. She sighed. He was so absurd.
"Well I couldn't just leave without keeping my promise now, could I?"
Raye took her time looking her male companion over. Oh yes, he had the body, the looks, personality, everything. Why couldn't Serena have married him?
Stop.
She couldn't think that. Darien and Serena were perfect for each other and she loved him. That's why she married him. After all, they really were the best couple in their earlier days.
Raye glanced at Serena who looked a bit uncomfortable. Darien hadn't said a word yet, he just stood with his arms crossed, waiting. And that did make the air a little tense. Though Raye doubted Serena was hoping for anything more.
"So Raye, I hear you're a therapist now? How's that going for you?" Andrew asked conversationally, bringing Raye out of her revere.
The raven-haired woman turned her gaze on Andrew. "Yes, I am. It's going amazingly well. I really like what I do. You know, the whole helping people bit. It makes it all worthwhile."
Andrew nodded. He knew what Raye had meant by that. She rarely had enough free time for herself. Much less a relationship. After all, his relationship with Rita had failed because of his chosen career. He just didn't have enough time to spare. It was sad, but rewarding.
"Andrew," Serena piped up. "What happened to that arcade you ran when we were kids? I mean now that you're a doctor, you can't possibly do both."
He laughed at her curiosity in the olden days. But it was true; he didn't have enough time to run the old arcade anymore. "The Crown Arcade? True to your word, I don't have enough time to run that place anymore, but I still own it. I had a close friend of mine take over for me. His profession isn't an all day thing like mine. So it suits him."
Raye raised a questioning eyebrow at him. "Who exactly is this 'friend' of yours?"
The green-eyed man wasn't fazed by her penetrating gaze. She could never let go of the past. "Yes, Raye, Jadeite is the friend I'm referring to." He said, reading between the lines.
Raye scowled. "So he still has enough guts to stay around here, huh?"
"Raye-" Andrew tried to reason.
"No, Andrew." She said, cutting him off. "You know what he did. You know. Don't even try and make him look like a good guy. He shouldn't even be here. He should have left when he had the chance."
Andrew sighed and shook his head. "Raye, please. You were both so young. Just let it go."
Raye contemplated her options. All right, so they were young. On the contrary, she really hadn't known he was still here; maybe this was a good thing. After all, it was his choice to leave, not hers - despite it being his fault. She could convince him to let them try again, if she played her cards right.
"Fine," She said simply, receiving many baffled expressions due to her sudden change in mood.
Serena took this time to steal another glance at Darien. He was still standing with his arms crossed, his face as impassive as ever. But his eyes – they were dancing with laughter. He was mocking her. Damn him and his narcissistic self.
Andrew cleared his throat. "Well," he said as he turned to look at Darien who was still waiting patiently. "We have somewhere we have to be, so I guess this is goodbye."
Serena averted her eyes toward Andrew, momentarily forgetting about Darien. She watched as Raye said her goodbyes and gave Andrew a quick hug, then walked over to Andrew and stood silent for a moment.
"Promise you'll visit again soon." She said softly. She didn't want him to leave. Not yet. Not now.
Andrew smiled warmly at the grown woman in front of him. Years older, and she still had a part of little Serena still in her. "Promise."
She smiled and hugged him tightly; she was going to miss him. Even if they had only spent a few minutes together, it was still nice to see her old friend again. She would make sure that she'd see him more often.
Darien stared at the scene unfolding before him. Something inside him made his fists clench unconsciously as he watched his wife hug another man. This wasn't jealously. No it was far from it. It was… something else. But he didn't know what. Not that he really wanted to know, anyway. Still irritated, he shook off the thought.
As the embrace ended, Serena took a few steps back and waited for them to leave. Darien took this opportunity to his advantage and walked over to her. "We have some business to take care of at the Hospital," he explained, his face still impassive. "I'll be home later tonight after I finish what I need to."
Serena stared at him. Holy shit, he was talking to her, he was telling her where he was going to be and what he was going to do. All she could do was nod. There was really nothing she could say. Maybe he was putting on an act in front of Raye and Andrew.
"Be good." He murmured in her ear and then kissed her cheek. Darien let his lips linger on his wife's cheek a little longer than necessary.
Serena itched to feel his lips against hers but knew it wasn't going to happen. She wanted nothing to do with his loveless kisses. He was just taunting her. Knowing her weakness. There was a hole in her chest, and he made it ache.
Darien was smiling inwardly, her expression was priceless. His job was done, and with that he walked away, signaling for Andrew to follow. Satisfaction written all over his face.
Before leaving, Andrew gave her an apologetic smile. He knew Serena didn't like what just happened. Maybe it would have been better for him to have come out alone.
Once they were out of sight Serena's eyes narrowed into slits, as if by reflex. "I swear that man is set on making my life a living hell." She said through clenched teeth.
Raye turned her attention back to Serena who had her back to her, almost shaking in rage. She sighed. "Serena, just forget about it. Don't let him get to you like that."
Serena spun around to face her friend. "No, Raye. You don't understand, that won't work with him. If he wants to play dirty, we'll play dirty. He doesn't have control of me anymore, I'm doing what I want from here on out."
Serena stormed into the house, headed for her bedroom. Raye stared after her, puzzled.
"Serena," she called. "Serena where are you going?" She questioned, marching into the house and up the stairs after her.
"We," she explained, using the plural. "Are going out."
Raye reached her bedroom and saw Serena searching through the closet, throwing meaningless things about the room. She looked at the now messy room and frowned. "Serena, what are you doing?"
"Looking," Serena's muffled voice said through a pile of clothes. "For that outfit you gave me a few years back. The one I said I'd never wear."
Raye had to think about which outfit she meant for a moment. Nothing came to her. "Which outfit?"
"Ah… found it!" Serena exclaimed, pulling out a very, very small crop top and some pale white jeans. Actually, the top looked more like a bathing suit top than anything else. It was a white spaghetti strap top that tied in the front with crisscross strings, which only covered her bust and nothing more.
Raye stared at her friend, trying to process what she was about to do. "Serena… I don't think changing your attire is going to do much. If anything."
Serena laughed. "Raye, I'm not doing it for Darien. I'm doing it because I told you, we're going out. Shopping, to be exact. Raye," Serena said seriously. "Look at my figure. Now look at my closet."
"Okay…" Raye said, not getting her point.
"Don't you think I should have at least something to show it off? Nothing too provocative of course, because I'm a mother now and Annabelle is here. But I need something. I'm only twenty-five, not fifty! Low cut shirts, flattering skirts, something, Raye. I'm done living this life where I act like the perfect house wife because Darien wants me to. No, I'm living it my way now."
Raye chuckled. "Wow Serena. I never thought you'd say something like that. Usually you're into the whole house wife thing. And the clothes… well, come on, Serena. You still look hot even if you're wearing just black slacks and a white button up blouse!"
"I see your point, and you're right," Serena agreed. "But, buying new clothes will… make me feel liberated. And maybe… Darien will actually realize what he married."
Raye frowned. So it was about Darien. "Serena, honey, come on. You have to stop this. Darien will come around whether you change your wardrobe or not. Don't do something that's going to change you if you don't want to."
Serena had to smile at her friends' observation. "Oh, but Raye, I want to do this. It'll be fun. A change in my boring, routine, housewife life."
Raye heaved a sigh and gave up. "All right, fine you can do whatever you want. Where are we going?"
The blue-eyed woman beamed at her friend. "Random places in the mall, I suppose. Anywhere that catches our eye?"
Raye nodded. "Okay, that sounds good. Are you driving?"
"Yes. It's been a while since I've driven my car. I'm starting to miss it." Serena laughed.
"Fine you can drive, but you better not drive like Mina's grandmother. I don't think I can take a whole hour of 30 mph driving."
"Raye, Raye, Raye." Serena murmured in disapproval, while she changed into her skimpy, but cute outfit. "Do you not know what kind of car I drive? I'm not sure an Audi Coupe is meant to go below 60, anyway. Don't worry, Raye," she winked. "I have a bit of a need for speed."
"On second thought," Raye exclaimed.
"Oh no you don't," Serena laughed. "I am driving no matter what. I promise to not go over 70."
Raye glared at her. "Make it 60 and we have a deal."
"Raye, the speed limit is 75 on the highway! I can't go 15mph under the speed limit." Serena protested.
"Fine," Raye scowled. "But I better make it home today. If we die, I'll kill you in heaven."
Serena burst into a fit of laughs. "Okay Raye, you do that."
Serena finished getting dressed and slipped on a pair of white strappy black heels. They were out the door and into the garage in record time. Both were excited to actually be doing something fun together.
"Wow Serena, I love your car." Raye murmured in appreciation as she looked over the silver Audi directly in front of her.
"Thanks." Serena said as she got into the drivers seat, Raye slipping into the passenger seat beside her.
"Liberation, here we come." Serena said excitedly as she drove out onto the driveway and out the gate, headed to their destination.
End Chapter 4
I know, you're dying to read Chapter 5. I promise it will be uploaded as soon as I get off of work tonight. And I promise it's worth the wait, you'll love it.
- xoxo, Crys (08.14.16)