A/N I know I've told you I won't update till 26th, but I came up with a new chapter and I couldn't help but update! So I found a wifi spot and here I am!

Sorry, no special Hugs this time, but that means more with the next chapter) also since I've been writing on IPad there can be cases of misspelling, strange words in the middle of a perfect sentence and other perks of having gadget that believes it's smarter than its owner. Promise to correct it all once I am home.

Also, please remember that

"..." - speech

'...' - thoughts

Enjoy. And I am waiting for your reviews!)

Chapter 4

Serena had never ever been more disappointed in her life. Aside from this several phrases about the suspicious men following Mina around, she got nothing useful, just lots of useless names of aunties and uncles, cousins and God knows who. By the end of the lunch her mind was so far away processing few pieces of the scaring information, that she even didn't understand Mina's father was leaving until he kissed her on the cheek:

"Pumpkin, you seem to be so distressed recently, you need to go on a holiday. It's almost as if I am talking to another person, who is certainly not my dear daughter!"

Serena didn't think when answering the old man, she just said the first thing she got on her mind and that was:

"That's because I am not her."

But that obviously was not enough to make him stop and listen to her, for the man only chuckled and repeated the last phrase adding that he would see her soon, never paying attention to her words.

Serena was left alone at the table, deep in thought, so she missed the arrival of her mentor. It even took her several seconds to recognize the person who was now sitting across from her.

His warm and caring smile made her feel comfortable, almost at home. She instantly wondered if there had been something else between the two. Andrew seemed to love to pinpoint their friendship to her. And Serena wanted to trust him so much, but then she couldn't help but remember that the person was Darien's guard dog and Serena - well, she didn't see a reason - nevertheless she still felt something dangerous about him. The way he behaved, smelled, even laughed or rather smirked... It was so infuriating! Darien was hypnotizing her with his everything. And that made her feel incredibly furious. He was a predator. And a very powerful one.

"I've got you the new phone, as you've requested. I saw Mr. DeVeene leave and I..."

"..was afraid that I have run away again?"

"No, that is not what I was about to say," - despite his words and honest eyes, Serena was still cautious since he switched the topic pretty quickly, too quickly for an innocent man. - "Anyways, do you remember that you and Darien are to attend a cocktail party tonight?" - he seemed to come up with a proper excuse, after all.- "I thought that may be you'll need some time to get ready. So I hurried here to remind you. I know how you get all worked up when you do not get enough time to prepare. Though you always look gorgeous."

The man was a sweet- talker, however seldom did she noticed the shower of compliments. Absentmindedly Serena nodded and got up, still recalling the strangest beginning of the conversation with someone else's father who thought her to be his daughter. Yeah, that's not exactly an every-day-situation, alright. Therefore the process of creating something presentable out of her humble appearance went by unnoticed. And that was why the impression from the reflection in the mirror stunned her.

Serena really paid attention to her looks for the first time less than a day ago, when she saw one of Mina's photos. The woman could have been a goddess, while Serena never thought very highly of her own appearance. Ok, so may be Serena could agree that she was not ugly. May be even good-looking, but not gorgeous for sure... However why did every single person was so very sure that she was her?

But now, as Serena was looking at herself in the mirror, she was confused. The woman simply could not believe she was not hallucinating.

If she hadn't known better, she could think that it was someone else staring at her, almost gaping. Her rich golden locks were cascading down her back, the color of sophisticated dress reminded her of Darien's sapphire eyes, however it also managed to emphasize her own cerulean eyes, that shone so brightly that they could rival the diamond earrings Serena was wearing.

'May be I should have taken care of myself after all, spa and stuff... I believe in fairy tales but can't be a princess. At least, look like one.'

Suddenly Serena felt uncomfortable as if she was being watched. She looked around and found Darien standing few meters away watching her. Serena sighed as she - again - failed to read the emotions on his face, meanwhile, his eyes made her feel uncomfortable, naked. That's it! He was undressing her ever so slowly; not even touching her- just looking- he was able to make her feel that way! All of sudden this dress, that originally seemed to be the most modest one, made her feel vulnerable.

His husky voice took her by surprise as instead of commanding tone, he chose somewhat unusually tender one:

"You ready?"

Serena thought she caught a glimpse of affection, however a minute later Darien seemed as collected, cold and distant as ever.

Hardly did she know that this show costed the man all his sanity.

The moment he saw her, Darien could not find strength to stand still and keep his hands to himself. If not for the strangest relationship between them and her latest attempt to run, they would not be going anywhere tonight.

His wife was wearing a silk deep blue dress with the high waist, nothing fancy, especially for Mina's taste, no bright screaming colors, seducing clothes showing off her perfect body. Now you could only find smallest hints of curves her magnificent body had, when the fabric of the dress was flowing around her, but it only made Darien want her more. And what was wrong with that? She's officially his wife!

But Darien fought the desire back and led the way to the car, trying the hardest to keep his feelings at bay. He almost sensed the wall she had built between them. They had built. But there was no wall that could not be broken.

The ride was peaceful and quiet, so the deafening gunshots aimed at their car took everyone by surprise. The next events were all very sharp and blurry.
On pure instinct, Darien covered the woman with his own body.

The car wobbled and came to an abrupt stop. Darien protectively tightened his grip on his wife. She didn't seem to mind and held onto the man, horror evident in her eyes.

The bodyguards came back with the report claiming that the unknown attackers disappeared in the woods. Darien, still keeping the woman in his arms, ordered around:

"Keep the watch 24/7, not a fly should get onto the territory and us, especially my wife, she must be safe wherever she goes. Inform the Collins that we are not coming tonight, we are going home."

"No!" - Serena didn't expect to find voice so easily since it was hard to even move.

"What do you mean 'no'?"

"The party is important for you, I heard you saying that you hoped to sign the contract there. We should go. Especially if that's their doing. We should show that their attempts to scare are useless!" - her own words now seemed to be impossibly stupid, but the phrases came out without consulting the brain. She could almost feel the misery this party was about to bring. And the argument on the matter of whether to go was only the beginning.

The evening must have been one of those when you behave absolutely crazy making people believe you had lost your mind. Perhaps, that was the result of the attack, plus the odds of meeting Mr. DeVeene. God, these two days were insane!

'That's it! I must be insane! That would explain everything!'

To tell the truth,Serena was furious. However, that was not because of the people she met or that every single soul was mistaking her for Mina and referred to her as such. To that she was almost used to.

But the reason of her fury was a red-haired 'slut' - as Serena secretly called her - who was shamelessly seducing Darien throughout the evening. He appeared to be immune to her attempts, not encouraging her one bit - not that the woman had gotten the hint, so Serena got mad in a matter of seconds.

Thanks to champagne Serena was drinking and the crazy day, she proudly approached the couple and possessively took Darien's hand in hers and smiled at the woman, then averted her gaze to the handsome man and suggestively winked at him:

"Honey, shall we go home? You know, there are things that should be finished... Properly. And I can't wait any more."

The only response she got was his curt nod and a small smile. Darien also didn't say a word to her on their way back home, although, he still was holding her hand.

Serena was thinking about the familiarity with which Beryl approached Darien. Possessive behavior of a woman who had already gotten the man she wanted.
Darien and Beryl were lovers. That was obvious as day.

No one among their closest circle thought it was necessary to deny the fact that Mr. and had the strangest relationship in the world. They were not together in any sense of the world and yet the divorce was not an option. And even Mina did not understand the reason for that.

Nevertheless the realization hit her so hard, Serena didn't even acknowledge Mr. DeVeene or Mina's brother Jade and his wife - and Darien's sister - Raye on their way out of the party. Darien did not seem to mind and let her drag him to the car.

Once they arrived home, Darien disappeared behind the doors of his office, Andrew joining him right away.

She had planned on calling Zoi and Amy to ask for their help, since she saw no way out of the situation without their help. Moreover, she thought about asking them to bring some evidence of her true identity: photos, documents and stuff. There was no way Darien and Andrew would believe her otherwise. Even seeing the proof, they would probably run hundreds of tests on them, they would investigate every single day of her life and find out all of her dirty secrets. Although she didn't have any.

'Hey, that's actually a good idea! I could make them realize I am not Mina just...'
But Serena didn't finish the thought, as she opened the door to her room and found it turned upside down, not a thing was left on its rightful place. Shreds of paper were scattered all over the place. A knife could be seen right on her pillow, a red liquid that awfully resembled blood around it.

'Every hoe ends up the same. You are the next' was written in the same red on the opposite wall. Serena couldn't contain the scream.

The two men were discussing the last attack, unanimously deciding that its aim was Darien and his business. However, they were interrupted by a female's - most definitely Mrs. Darien Shields' - scream in the corridor.

Within few seconds Darien and Andrew were at her side. They both were yelling at the fussing staff, but the woman didn't make out any of it. Darien scooped his wife into protective embrace and, leaving Andrew in charge of the situation, headed towards his own room. The woman was sobbing quietly in his arms and trying to say something, but the sound was muffled by his shirt that was getting all wet from her tears.

This outburst was unexpected, especially since she had been so brave and strong before. His wife surprised him when she insisted on going to the party and then getting rid of Beryl so effortlessly.

Mina hadn't seem to care about her before, never even noticing his affair. But today was all new. To begin with, Darien himself all of sudden felt disgust towards Beryl and he wholeheartedly believed that he was doing quite a good job ignoring her throughout the party. But then Mrs. Shields approached them, very irritated and...jealous?-making Darien speechless. She was so breathtakingly, heavenly beautiful, so he obeyed, not even teasing her after the suggestive comment.

He had been dreaming to hold her like that since her arrival back home from the runaway. And now his dream was coming true. Though he didn't like the circumstances one bit.

"I am not a hoe!"

"Of course not, love. You'll be safe, I'll take care of you. Promise."

"Until you find who did this?"

"I'll take care of you. Don't worry. You need to sleep."

"Don't leave me, please, Darien."
"I'll be by your side."

He looked right in her eyes saying all those words, making her head spin and her heart skip a beat or two. However the heart came to a complete stop, when he bent down to place an soft kiss on her lips.

The first one they shared after the wedding ceremony. But how different they were! This innocent kiss made their hearts stop and then speed up drastically, making their heads spin.

Serena thought she would not sleep at all, with everything that had happened during the day. To think about it, she had never ever experienced something like that in her whole life. And despite all of the events, pretty intense to her taste - she fell asleep absolutely happy.