One review in particular has prompted my response; as it was anonymous, I'll reply here. The review was about how Raye spoke to Serena about her problems, something was said along the lines of "therapists don't act like that". Let me clear a few things up, Raye is first and foremost, Serena's best friend. She's not going to sit in a chair opposite of Serena, with a pair of glasses on the bridge of her nose, and act professionally. Might I add, there is a substantial difference between a Therapist, and a Psychologist. Raye is not a Psychologist, she is not there to psychoanalyze Serena. Therapists are more laid-back, and tend to develop friendly relationships with their clients, to encourage trust and open communication. Raye was portrayed exactly as she should have been. I, myself, have been to therapy before, and I am also a psychology major. The scene was described as it should have been.

To everyone else, thank you for reading! Here's Chapter 5! I decided to split the chapter into 2 separate chapters, so 5 is no longer as long as it once was. But that just means chapter 6 will be posted much sooner than expected, and it will be a long one.

- xoxo, Crys (08.14.16)

"Picture Perfect"

Chapter 5

Darien was very confident and a bit self-righteous, but Andrew had made him wonder on their way over to the hospital to see Christina... What if Serena did find out? What if Amy had already heard the news, and planned on telling Serena herself? Serena and Darien had been through so much together and made it through just fine, so he always assumed she would stay with him no matter what, but would she really? They had been through a lot as a couple, but infidelity was never a problem before, and it would definitely be crossing a line in his wife's eyes. He was so aggravated with her lately, that he didn't really care what she would choose to do had she ever found out. Or so he told himself. The only thing that concerned him, was the thought of his daughter. His reason for waking up every morning, his purpose for living. He couldn't bear losing Annabelle over Christina. Sure, Serena had probably assumed he was cheating on her, being that he never touched her anymore, or cared to sleep in the same bad as her, but she didn't know for sure. She had no proof.

Truth is, he didn't care for his secretary; he felt nothing toward her other than lust. She was the hospital slut, always after the highest paid male doctors, mainly for their money. She was a tasteless girl; what society would refer to as a ruthless gold-digger. She didn't care what the mans relationship status was; that wasn't her problem. That problem belonged to the wife or girlfriend of the unfaithful man she seduced, simple as that. If she really liked the man for more than his money - if that day ever came, because it hadn't yet - then of course she would take things into her own hands, and find a way to get rid of the wife/girlfriend, but she wasn't much for emotional attachments. She was about money. All about money. Money never woke up with a change of heart the next morning. And becoming the secretary of the highest paid doctor in the region, Darien Shields, seemed like a godsend when she needed it most.

But, of course, Dr. Shields would be married to - and have a daughter - with his high school sweetheart. Christina often found herself obsessing over the handsome doctor; he was the whole package. Gorgeous, intelligent, mysterious, and he was a bit of a dick. She remembered how he had dryly stated that he was just in her company for sex, and nothing more. Normally, she wouldn't have been offended, because every man was a game to her, the hunt for a winning lottery ticket. But the way that Darien had said it so abrasively, without hesitation, really irritated her. Who was he to use her for sex? That was her job, not his. She says when, where, and who. She wrote the rule book on this. But Darien was different than the others - he took control. It was his way, or no way. And she found that she liked that. She was very, very intrigued by his dominance… Darien Shields could be the very man she never knew she wanted - because she never wanted anyone.

Darien weighed his options on what to do about Christina, as he pulled into the hospital employee parking lot, with Andrew occupying his usually empty, passenger seat. He wasn't sure if he could be civil with the woman. Damn her and her big mouth. He had made himself perfectly clear the night before that he was married, and that he did not want the hospital knowing about their private bedroom affairs. He usually kept work, work. He didn't care to pursue or flirt with any women at the job, because he had no interest. His career was his priority. Women outside of the hospital were one thing - but inside those hospital walls he made sure to generally behave himself. Nothing was more important to him than his professional reputation. This woman had clearly misunderstood him, and he had to fix that.

Darien glanced over at Andrew, who was silently waiting for Darien to say something, to say anything. He'd been quiet the entire ride over, evidently lost in his thoughts. When he didn't speak, Andrew chimed in. "Darien, are you sure you want to do this here?" the sandy-haired man questioned, breaking the ebony-haired man's concentration. "You don't know her that well, what if she causes a scene when you confront her about spreading rumors? She's obviously not the professional type."

A smirk seemed to make it's way across Darien's features, as he looked over at his companion, considering his concern. "Andrew, I wouldn't dare approach her inside the hospital." he explained, "I do not acknowledge her presence at work, and I damn sure would never come in on my personal day to acknowledge her then. Just be patient."

Darien glanced over at the clock on his dash, it was 11:59 am. Christina would be out shortly, to take her 12 o'clock smoke break. No one ever came down to the employee parking lot during their shift, because it was a ways away from the rest of the hospital. Christina, for whatever reason, liked her privacy. She liked solitude. So she came down here everyday, to smoke her cigarette in uninterrupted peace.

Like clockwork, Darien gestured to the employee entrance door as the clock struck 12; sure enough, Christina appeared, lighter and cigarette pack in hand. "Stay here," Darien said as he watched the realization flash across Andrew's face. "Time to nip this in the bud." he finished, opening his car door and stepping out, eyes intent on his secretary who had yet to notice him.

Andrew debating getting out of the car, he knew how Darien could be and he had a feeling he wasn't going to approach the subject very lightly with Christina. He wasn't one to beat around the bush, and quite frankly, it was his way, or no way. Christina had over-stepped a boundary and pissed Darien off, running her mouth around the hospital about how she finally nagged the famous Darien Shields, a married man. Whatever the outcome of this, it wouldn't be good, Andrew knew that much. But he did as he was told, and remained in the car, watching the scene unfold before him.

"Christina," Darien called out as he approached the auburn-haired woman.

Startled, Christina jumped at the sound of her name. She hadn't expected him to be there, he did after all take a personal day. "Darien, it's nice to see you," she said, putting her now forgotten pack of cigarettes in her pocket, taking a step towards him. "What brings you here, I thought you were taking a day to yourself?" she questioned uneasily, noticing his icy gaze. He had explained the night before that he was talking a personal day, he needed time to bounce back from the loss of his patient. So why was he here?

"Cut the shit," Darien spat, irritation evident in his eyes. "I made myself clear last night before anything happened, that it was to be kept private. That no one at work was to know. Why is it that I'm hearing you've told several people what we did last night?"

Christina looked Darien over, hesitant to reply. His fists were clenched at his sides, and his jaw was tight. Why was he mad at her? She was single, she didn't do anything wrong. "Excuse me," Christina started; she wasn't intimidated by him. "But I've done nothing wrong. Who cares if a few people at work know? It did happen, didn't it? Surely you remember how good it felt-"

Before she could finish, Darien cut her off, seething. "I have a daughter, and I am a married man," he said dangerously close to her face, mere inches away from touching her. "Some of our colleagues happen to be the friends of my wife." he said through clenched teeth. "What happened between us was a one time thing, it'll never happen again."

Christina stifled a laugh. "If that's what you need to tell yourself Darien, fine. But," she said, shoving him out of her face. "Realize that this wife you speak of, clearly isn't doing her job if you needed to come to me and my bed. This wife you speak of has none of your respect, seeing as you had no problem fucking another woman, breaking one of your most precious wedding vows to her. This wife you speak of clearly not does have your love. Who cares if she finds out?"

"I care. My relationship with my wife is none of your business, Christina. I also have a daughter to worry about." Darien paused, amusement in his eyes. If she wanted to play dirty, he could play dirty too. "I screwed a meaningless whore, who has no respect for herself; the kind of woman no man would ever dream of marrying. The kind of woman men avoid. Why don't you spread that around the hospital?"

Christina shook her head, laughing. She didn't care about marriage or love. "Darien, don't blame me for your actions. I won't be the downfall of your marriage, you will. Your opinion of me is irrelevant. Run along now," she said, waving her hand to dismiss him. "Go play the perfect husband."

Darien grabbed her wrist, fuming over her cocky attitude and attempt to dismiss him. "You better clear this shit up. Tell everyone you lied, that you didn't really sleep with me. That you just wanted it to get back to me, so that you could get my attention." he squeezed harder as she tried to pull away. "Do not fuck with me, Christina. Remember who your boss is; I'd hate to have to file a sexual harassment suit against you, spreading rumors about things that aren't true."

"Things that aren't true?" Christina said, incredulously. "It's all true, every word. You'd never get away with it."

Darien chuckled maliciously, letting go of her wrist. "You seem to forget, Christina. I am Darien Shields, the best doctor in this entire region, 4th in the nation. Married man with a beautiful baby girl. My credentials are impeccable, and all of our colleagues admire me. I grew up around the majority of these people; who do you think they're going to believe?"

The auburn-haired woman just stared at him, disbelief spread across her features. She knew Darien was an asshole, she could tell by the way he impassively carried himself, but she never thought he would threaten her job. It was her livelihood, she couldn't lose that. She could tell by the grip he still had on her wrist that he was serious - it wasn't a threat, it was a promise. And she knew he was right, they would all believe him over her. Darien had a scandal free past, she, however, did not.

Christina knew when to choose her battles, and this was one she knew she could not win. She would let him win this one; she would say whatever it was he wanted her to say, she would lie to everyone. For now. What Darien didn't realize, forcing her into such an agreement, was that he had just started a war. And you know what they say… all's fair in love and war.

"You're disgusting, Darien Shields. You don't even deserve to have a wife, much less a daughter. Look how you treat women." she spat her words like venom, "Little does Mrs. Shields know the true man she married."

Darien found humor in her displeasure, it gave him some kind of sick satisfaction. "My wife knows me just fine, thank you." If she wanted to play hardball and throw low blows, he was ready to knock her down. "Lets be honest, Christina, you wanted me. I rejected you countless times, you're nothing more than a worthless whore, I knew it from the start. Now you're just pissed off that I'm the one in control, not you. As for my wife, don't act like you don't wish you were her. Don't act like you don't wish you'd be the one to have that diamond ring on your finger. After all," he said, taking a step closer to her, "Weren't you the one who suggested we role play husband and wife last night?" he murmured in her ear, before letting out a vindictive laugh that sent chills down her spine.

She hated him. Absolutely loathed the cocky son of a bitch. He wasn't who she thought he was at all and it made her feel a familiar sense of disappointment. This was why she didn't do emotional attachments. Men were never what they seemed to be. For a brief moment, she had been jealous of Mrs. Shields, but now she just felt pity for the woman.

"You've made me late for work, Dr. Shields. My break was over ten minutes ago," Addressing him by his professional title, Christina was done with his game. "I'll do you this one favor, and retract what I said. I'll do as you say, and lie to everyone. Tell them I did it to get your attention. But don't think this is over, because it's only just begun." she scowled, her face twisted in utter disgust, as she turned her back to him and made her way back through the employee entrance.

The game was just beginning, and he was in for a rude awakening.

Andrew sat in silence as Darien reentered the car. He had watched the whole situation with Christina unfold from the car. He couldn't help but wonder if Darien treated Serena that way - if he ever actually intimidated her with force. Just the thought had pissed Andrew off; he knew his best friend had changed lately, but the man he was currently sitting next to seemed to be the complete opposite of the man he grew up with. He was beginning to think it was more than just typical marital issues between Darien and Serena, but it wasn't his place to pry. He wasn't one to be nosey, so he never asked. He just knew they were having problems and they weren't getting along. He just hoped Darien knew where to draw the line during his arguments with Serena.

For his sake. Not hers.

Much to Raye's dismay, it had taken them half of the time that it should have to get to the mall. Serena had a lead foot, and any protests from her raven-haired passenger were purposely ignored the entire ride. The woman should've never been given a license; her need for speed was too real.

"Serena," Raye called into the dressing room, patiently waiting outside for her friend. "How does it fit? Let me see!"

Raye had sent the blonde into the fitting room with a black halter top dress, curve-hugging and mid-thigh. She wanted a new wardrobe, but nothing too drastic, and the dress fit perfectly. It was just the right length, given her long legs, and it was backless as well, but in a modest way. It had been designed with a sense of class; the fabric was silky, wrinkle-proof, and from the tag, easy to care for. She felt good in it; it gave her boobs just the right amount of lift, and hugged all of her curves in just the right places - she even had a nicely shaped butt - something that had been hidden ever since she had become a mother. She looked, and felt, like a real woman in the dress. It complimented her so well.

"I absolutely love it!" her raven-haired companion practically shouted, as soon as she had stepped out of the fitting room. "Serena, you look so sophisticated… and sexy."

Serena felt herself blush. She did look really nice in the dress. It definitely made the top five, out of all the attire they had already purchased. This was their last stop, and they had struck gold.

"I'm buying it." she said triumphantly, giving Raye a 360 view as she spun.

"If you weren't, I was." she laughed wholeheartedly. They usually had different taste in clothing, but the dress was a real winner.

Serena couldn't help but wonder what Darien would think of the dress - what he would think of all of her new clothes. She now had countless dresses to show off in. But she knew better than to think a simple dress would woo her husband. He had to be stimulated by much more.

"I'm shopped out," Serena started to complain after purchasing the dress, "I need food."

"Oh I know! Lets go to Lita's new restaurant downtown, she and Nephrite run the place together, it'd be good to see them."

Serena grinned excitedly and nodded in agreement, not needing to think twice about the decision.

Lita's cooking was unrivaled, and with Nephrite at her side to help her, there was no doubt her food would be scrumptious. Two years ago they had opened an Italian café downtown together, and it had completely taken off, so much so that they had to relocate to a bigger space and turn their little café into a full blown restaurant. Investors had tried numerous times to buy the restaurant from them, offering them each hundreds of thousands of dollars, but neither would allow it. They would never allow their dream to be manufactured into a mediocre chain restaurant. No. La Cucina Italiano would remain one of a kind.

End Chapter 5

If you hadn't figured it out yet, the scouts and the generals will be a part of this story, paired accordingly. The girls are all close friends of Serena's, and the boys are all close friends of Darien's. Lita and Nephrite will have some of the spotlight coming up!

- xoxo, Crys (08.14.16)