~*AN*~
Wow, two in a row, I love this time off from school. I can write whenever I want, so I don't lose any good ideas. Hope everyone likes the way things have been going!
~*Chapter IX: Long Hours*~
"So where are we going?" I asked Andrew, smiling as he helped me into the passenger seat and shut the door. He hurried over to the driver side and hopped in, grinning from ear to ear. It's been a long time since I have seen Andrew this worked up about something, and I was glad that I could be a part of it.
"I called in some favors and made last minute reservations at the new restaurant that overlooks Tokyo Bay," explained Andrew as he started the engine and we took off past the center of Tokyo towards its outskirts.
"Wow, why so fancy?" I asked, curious to know what he was up to. In all the years that I have known Andrew, he's always been one who went way out of their way to make another happy. It was one of the many characteristics about him that I loved so much, also one of the reasons that I fell for him back then.
"I just thought it was about time we had a little time to ourselves, after all, I've been waiting for this for so long now!" replied Andrew, laughing nervously. I wonder what's got him so shaken up? If I know that sneaky little mind of his, then he's got something going on, I just know it. Call it a gut instinct, but I could always tell when something was up.
"I see, and why is it so important that you've gone through all of this?" I asked inquisitively. I just hated secrets, was never one to keep them or be kept from, if you ask me. But I'll let Andrew have his fun, it's not like anything he does ever surprises me anymore.
"Don't worry, I know you'll love it. The scenery is exquisite there!" he explained, concentrating on the road before us. We sat in silence from then on, until we arrived at a secluded parking lot. Getting out, I noticed a long pathway that led to what looked like the restaurant. It was located on top of Tokyo Bay! "Come on, our table is waiting," said Andrew, wrapping his arm around my waist and guiding me across the small bridge, with me clinging to him for my dear life. I had always been afraid of heights, so this didn't help my fear any, being six feet above water that appeared to go deep into an abyss.
"This isn't my idea of fun Andrew," I scolded him, hurrying down the pathway. With a slight chuckle, Andrew pulled me in closer and we both rushed to the restaurant.
"Hello, Forbes, party of two please," whispered Andrew to the maître d' and following him as he led us to our table by the window. "So, what do you think?" asked Andrew as the maitre d' helped me into my seat and left us to ourselves.
"Oh, it's divine. How'd you find out about this place?" I asked, wondering how long ago this place could have opened up, because it wasn't here when I left.
"A friend of mine opened it up after we both graduated from college, I told him it would be an awesome idea to have something out on the lake, but I never imagined it would turn out like this," explained Andrew, looking around with a smile. The place looked exquisite, chandelier hanging in various spots and a nearly 360-degree view of the lake and its surroundings. Who wouldn't enjoy dinner in such a breath-taking environment?
"I bet he's made lots of money from this place," I replied, placing a napkin on my lap and skimming through the drink menu. I was deciding whether or not to have any wine because that would mean I'd have to stumble across that bridge with only half a mind, which scared me just thinking about it again. "I think I'll just have a glass of chardonnay," I told the waiter that had come to take our drink orders.
"Make mine a Cabernet Sauvignon," said Andrew, thanking the waiter and smiling at me. He kept staring at me the whole time that it was making me feel uneasy, did I have something on my face or something? "Don't worry, you look beautiful," he replied, laughing as I sighed in relief. I suppose it was a dead give away that he could tell I thought there was something wrong with my appearance.
"Then why on earth are you looking at me so funny?" I asked, frustrated that he was making me feel so awkward.
"I can't help it, you just look so radiant that it distracts a guy," admitted Andrew, reaching across the table for my hand. Blushing lightly, I gently withdrew my hand and looked the other way. Wow, who knew he could make my heart race like this?
"Quit teasing, you know I look the same today as any other day," I managed to reply, controlling my blush from growing any further and smiling at him.
"No, you look stunning tonight, it's like I'm seeing you for the first time again," replied Andrew shyly. I smiled thinking how cute he looked sometimes, always reminded me of the same look I saw in the eyes on my own son at times. I was truly thankful that my son took after Andrew in so many ways, his warm heart and his free spirit with such a lively attitude about everything. When I was carrying Keith, I was afraid he might turn out like me, a klutz who always cried about everything
"Okay, you win. Thank you fro the compliment," I said, giving in before Andrew could start arguing with me about who was right. A moment later the waiter came by again and we both ordered dinner, so while we waited for our entrées we talked.
"I thought I should let you know, Darien already knows about your show and he has intentions of showing up," said Andrew in a stern voice. I felt so horrible knowing that I had been the reason their friendship had gone down the drain. Before I started dating Darien, he and Andrew were the best of friends, now Darien doesn't even know that Andrew despises him. At times I would hate myself for causing so much trouble to all of their lives, but I knew no matter how much I tried to persuade Andrew to not hate Darien, it was no use.
"No worries, I'll be okay. Jason and I already had a talk about this, I knew it was bound to happen sooner or later," I replied, taking another sip of my wine. Now was just not the time to think about Darien or anything that had even the least to do with him.
"I suppose it was this morning when your show was broadcast on the news?" asked Andrew, unbuttoning his blazer and breathing a sigh of relief.
"Yeah, we had to get every aspect of the show down the last detail. That way I wouldn't have a nervous breakdown at my very first fashion show, which so happened to be broadcasted on world wide television," I replied as coolly as possible. Closing my eyes, I once more went through the plans for the fashion show, step by step. No matter how hard it was going to take, I would make my first show to be perfect in every way. Not Darien or Raye will ruin this day for me, I reminded myself firmly.
"Good, now all I have to do is keep that dirt bag away from you," muttered Andrew, his eyes filling with rage. It scared me knowing that my sweet Andrew held so much hatred for anyone; I never thought it could be possible.
"Andrew Kenneth Forbes, why I never thought the day would come that you spoke in such a manner!" I yelled, shocked at his behavior. I turned away, ashamed that my wonderful friend had become so cold hearted over the years.
"I'm so sorry Sere, it's just I get so mad when it comes to this," explained Andrew, stuttering as he tried to find ways to excuse himself for being so ungentlemanly. I knew that I had got his attention, so I went ahead and pretended to continue being mad at him. It was really cute watching him try to make it up to me. Not being able to hold it back anymore, my smile broke free from my restraint and I cracked up laughing so hard my stomach ached! "Hey!" responded Andrew, laughing as well.
"Sorry, couldn't help myself. It was just too irresistible to just pass it up," I replied.
"You scheming girl!" said Andrew, sitting back down with a grin. "But seriously, I am sorry for the way I've acted, in now way is it ever acceptable," he whispered in a more serious tone.
"Don't worry about it, I understand what you're talking about. So I'll let it slide just this once okay?" I told him, smiling sadly, hoping he'd understand that I wish nothing more than to stop speaking of these matters. The one night that I was free of stress and worries, I wanted to be free of the problems in my past and just have fun like I used to.
"Deal, lets just enjoy the night while we can then all right?" came Andrew's reply happily. Just then our dinner arrived and we sat there eating while we discussed a few matters concerning the night of the fashion show. I reminded Andrew that he'd have to dress appropriate since he would be arriving as a guest in my party. Andrew laughed at my remark and fired back asking me if I thought he dressed poorly, I could only stifle a giggle as I replied. The rest of the night, Andrew tried to pry out of me the outfit I would be wearing to my own fashion show, and that is a secret of course! After we finished eating, we had a few dances and stepped outside to enjoy the beautiful view at night. "I'm glad we could have this one night together," whispered Andrew, wrapping his arms tightly around me.
"Yeah, it's lovely," I said, leaning closer into his embrace. Closing my eyes, I tried to engrave this night into my memory. For almost an hour we stood there together, not speaking or even moving an inch. I hadn't gotten a chance to enjoy the nigh sky for a long time, so I wanted to make it memorable. "Thanks Andrew, for everything you've done for me and brought to my life," I said almost inaudible.
'Thanks?' wondered Andrew, confused at what he had just heard. 'What could she possibly mean? What did I bring into her life?' he thought, recalling all the events that led up to today. He couldn't recall ever giving Serena anything in the past, except that graduation party which ruined everything for her. So with a sigh, Andrew squeezed Sere and leaned his head onto hers and closed his eyes to forget all his worries and just concentrate on this moment he had with her. After a while, he took her home and made sure she got to her room before taking off.
~Next Day~
"Okay, once more girls, from the top!" yelled Jason, his voice booming over all the construction work in the background. I yawned tiredly, altering another gown so the models would not trip on their way down the runway. Jason had popped into my suite bright and early this morning at 5 o'clock to wake me up for the day, he had Keith sent off to my parents so that I wouldn't need to worry about finding a baby sitter while I worked. The girls had all arrived two hours after I got to the location of my fashion show, we had slowly gotten to work, trying to work out which girl would look best of which gown. I smiled when I saw the looks on the models' faces when they were presented with my gowns, somehow it made me beam with even more pride knowing that others were awed with my creations. "5... 6... 7... 8," Jason said, snapping me back to what I had been working on before I could prick myself.
"Hey, how about taking it easy on them, it's almost lunch time!" I yelled over to Jason and the girls smiling brightly. I saw Jason nod his head and wave the girls off for a lunch break and walk back over to where I had been sitting.
"You should really stop, I'm sure the tailors I sent for will get here eventually," Jason told me sternly. I shook my head and continued stitching the last of the gown I had been working on.
After everyone had come back from their lunch break, Jason continued to work them to death making sure they got everything memorized, down to the very last step and turn. As the hours began passing by slowly, the construction crew that had been working on the stage and background finally finished around seven or so in the evening. It had been a long day so far and I thought that it was about time for us all to go home and rest up for the big day tomorrow.
~*AN*~
Okay, that's all for now, sorry it took forever for me to post this but I was out of town and didn't have my files on hand to post them. Hope you all liked it. Merry Christmas!
Wow, two in a row, I love this time off from school. I can write whenever I want, so I don't lose any good ideas. Hope everyone likes the way things have been going!
~*Chapter IX: Long Hours*~
"So where are we going?" I asked Andrew, smiling as he helped me into the passenger seat and shut the door. He hurried over to the driver side and hopped in, grinning from ear to ear. It's been a long time since I have seen Andrew this worked up about something, and I was glad that I could be a part of it.
"I called in some favors and made last minute reservations at the new restaurant that overlooks Tokyo Bay," explained Andrew as he started the engine and we took off past the center of Tokyo towards its outskirts.
"Wow, why so fancy?" I asked, curious to know what he was up to. In all the years that I have known Andrew, he's always been one who went way out of their way to make another happy. It was one of the many characteristics about him that I loved so much, also one of the reasons that I fell for him back then.
"I just thought it was about time we had a little time to ourselves, after all, I've been waiting for this for so long now!" replied Andrew, laughing nervously. I wonder what's got him so shaken up? If I know that sneaky little mind of his, then he's got something going on, I just know it. Call it a gut instinct, but I could always tell when something was up.
"I see, and why is it so important that you've gone through all of this?" I asked inquisitively. I just hated secrets, was never one to keep them or be kept from, if you ask me. But I'll let Andrew have his fun, it's not like anything he does ever surprises me anymore.
"Don't worry, I know you'll love it. The scenery is exquisite there!" he explained, concentrating on the road before us. We sat in silence from then on, until we arrived at a secluded parking lot. Getting out, I noticed a long pathway that led to what looked like the restaurant. It was located on top of Tokyo Bay! "Come on, our table is waiting," said Andrew, wrapping his arm around my waist and guiding me across the small bridge, with me clinging to him for my dear life. I had always been afraid of heights, so this didn't help my fear any, being six feet above water that appeared to go deep into an abyss.
"This isn't my idea of fun Andrew," I scolded him, hurrying down the pathway. With a slight chuckle, Andrew pulled me in closer and we both rushed to the restaurant.
"Hello, Forbes, party of two please," whispered Andrew to the maître d' and following him as he led us to our table by the window. "So, what do you think?" asked Andrew as the maitre d' helped me into my seat and left us to ourselves.
"Oh, it's divine. How'd you find out about this place?" I asked, wondering how long ago this place could have opened up, because it wasn't here when I left.
"A friend of mine opened it up after we both graduated from college, I told him it would be an awesome idea to have something out on the lake, but I never imagined it would turn out like this," explained Andrew, looking around with a smile. The place looked exquisite, chandelier hanging in various spots and a nearly 360-degree view of the lake and its surroundings. Who wouldn't enjoy dinner in such a breath-taking environment?
"I bet he's made lots of money from this place," I replied, placing a napkin on my lap and skimming through the drink menu. I was deciding whether or not to have any wine because that would mean I'd have to stumble across that bridge with only half a mind, which scared me just thinking about it again. "I think I'll just have a glass of chardonnay," I told the waiter that had come to take our drink orders.
"Make mine a Cabernet Sauvignon," said Andrew, thanking the waiter and smiling at me. He kept staring at me the whole time that it was making me feel uneasy, did I have something on my face or something? "Don't worry, you look beautiful," he replied, laughing as I sighed in relief. I suppose it was a dead give away that he could tell I thought there was something wrong with my appearance.
"Then why on earth are you looking at me so funny?" I asked, frustrated that he was making me feel so awkward.
"I can't help it, you just look so radiant that it distracts a guy," admitted Andrew, reaching across the table for my hand. Blushing lightly, I gently withdrew my hand and looked the other way. Wow, who knew he could make my heart race like this?
"Quit teasing, you know I look the same today as any other day," I managed to reply, controlling my blush from growing any further and smiling at him.
"No, you look stunning tonight, it's like I'm seeing you for the first time again," replied Andrew shyly. I smiled thinking how cute he looked sometimes, always reminded me of the same look I saw in the eyes on my own son at times. I was truly thankful that my son took after Andrew in so many ways, his warm heart and his free spirit with such a lively attitude about everything. When I was carrying Keith, I was afraid he might turn out like me, a klutz who always cried about everything
"Okay, you win. Thank you fro the compliment," I said, giving in before Andrew could start arguing with me about who was right. A moment later the waiter came by again and we both ordered dinner, so while we waited for our entrées we talked.
"I thought I should let you know, Darien already knows about your show and he has intentions of showing up," said Andrew in a stern voice. I felt so horrible knowing that I had been the reason their friendship had gone down the drain. Before I started dating Darien, he and Andrew were the best of friends, now Darien doesn't even know that Andrew despises him. At times I would hate myself for causing so much trouble to all of their lives, but I knew no matter how much I tried to persuade Andrew to not hate Darien, it was no use.
"No worries, I'll be okay. Jason and I already had a talk about this, I knew it was bound to happen sooner or later," I replied, taking another sip of my wine. Now was just not the time to think about Darien or anything that had even the least to do with him.
"I suppose it was this morning when your show was broadcast on the news?" asked Andrew, unbuttoning his blazer and breathing a sigh of relief.
"Yeah, we had to get every aspect of the show down the last detail. That way I wouldn't have a nervous breakdown at my very first fashion show, which so happened to be broadcasted on world wide television," I replied as coolly as possible. Closing my eyes, I once more went through the plans for the fashion show, step by step. No matter how hard it was going to take, I would make my first show to be perfect in every way. Not Darien or Raye will ruin this day for me, I reminded myself firmly.
"Good, now all I have to do is keep that dirt bag away from you," muttered Andrew, his eyes filling with rage. It scared me knowing that my sweet Andrew held so much hatred for anyone; I never thought it could be possible.
"Andrew Kenneth Forbes, why I never thought the day would come that you spoke in such a manner!" I yelled, shocked at his behavior. I turned away, ashamed that my wonderful friend had become so cold hearted over the years.
"I'm so sorry Sere, it's just I get so mad when it comes to this," explained Andrew, stuttering as he tried to find ways to excuse himself for being so ungentlemanly. I knew that I had got his attention, so I went ahead and pretended to continue being mad at him. It was really cute watching him try to make it up to me. Not being able to hold it back anymore, my smile broke free from my restraint and I cracked up laughing so hard my stomach ached! "Hey!" responded Andrew, laughing as well.
"Sorry, couldn't help myself. It was just too irresistible to just pass it up," I replied.
"You scheming girl!" said Andrew, sitting back down with a grin. "But seriously, I am sorry for the way I've acted, in now way is it ever acceptable," he whispered in a more serious tone.
"Don't worry about it, I understand what you're talking about. So I'll let it slide just this once okay?" I told him, smiling sadly, hoping he'd understand that I wish nothing more than to stop speaking of these matters. The one night that I was free of stress and worries, I wanted to be free of the problems in my past and just have fun like I used to.
"Deal, lets just enjoy the night while we can then all right?" came Andrew's reply happily. Just then our dinner arrived and we sat there eating while we discussed a few matters concerning the night of the fashion show. I reminded Andrew that he'd have to dress appropriate since he would be arriving as a guest in my party. Andrew laughed at my remark and fired back asking me if I thought he dressed poorly, I could only stifle a giggle as I replied. The rest of the night, Andrew tried to pry out of me the outfit I would be wearing to my own fashion show, and that is a secret of course! After we finished eating, we had a few dances and stepped outside to enjoy the beautiful view at night. "I'm glad we could have this one night together," whispered Andrew, wrapping his arms tightly around me.
"Yeah, it's lovely," I said, leaning closer into his embrace. Closing my eyes, I tried to engrave this night into my memory. For almost an hour we stood there together, not speaking or even moving an inch. I hadn't gotten a chance to enjoy the nigh sky for a long time, so I wanted to make it memorable. "Thanks Andrew, for everything you've done for me and brought to my life," I said almost inaudible.
'Thanks?' wondered Andrew, confused at what he had just heard. 'What could she possibly mean? What did I bring into her life?' he thought, recalling all the events that led up to today. He couldn't recall ever giving Serena anything in the past, except that graduation party which ruined everything for her. So with a sigh, Andrew squeezed Sere and leaned his head onto hers and closed his eyes to forget all his worries and just concentrate on this moment he had with her. After a while, he took her home and made sure she got to her room before taking off.
~Next Day~
"Okay, once more girls, from the top!" yelled Jason, his voice booming over all the construction work in the background. I yawned tiredly, altering another gown so the models would not trip on their way down the runway. Jason had popped into my suite bright and early this morning at 5 o'clock to wake me up for the day, he had Keith sent off to my parents so that I wouldn't need to worry about finding a baby sitter while I worked. The girls had all arrived two hours after I got to the location of my fashion show, we had slowly gotten to work, trying to work out which girl would look best of which gown. I smiled when I saw the looks on the models' faces when they were presented with my gowns, somehow it made me beam with even more pride knowing that others were awed with my creations. "5... 6... 7... 8," Jason said, snapping me back to what I had been working on before I could prick myself.
"Hey, how about taking it easy on them, it's almost lunch time!" I yelled over to Jason and the girls smiling brightly. I saw Jason nod his head and wave the girls off for a lunch break and walk back over to where I had been sitting.
"You should really stop, I'm sure the tailors I sent for will get here eventually," Jason told me sternly. I shook my head and continued stitching the last of the gown I had been working on.
After everyone had come back from their lunch break, Jason continued to work them to death making sure they got everything memorized, down to the very last step and turn. As the hours began passing by slowly, the construction crew that had been working on the stage and background finally finished around seven or so in the evening. It had been a long day so far and I thought that it was about time for us all to go home and rest up for the big day tomorrow.
~*AN*~
Okay, that's all for now, sorry it took forever for me to post this but I was out of town and didn't have my files on hand to post them. Hope you all liked it. Merry Christmas!