You Belong To Me
Chapter 5 – The Mad Woman
Twenty-five minutes Serena was dropped of in front of Darien's work building. Taking a deep breath she walked to the receptionist desk where the brunette woman who had turned her away sat taking phone calls. The receptionist who went by the name Rita Blake finally finished her call and looked up at Serena. Though she tried to hide it, Serena still saw the look of annoyance pass over her face.
"Yes?" she asked haughtily.
"I'm here to see Darien." Serena said pleasantly.
"Do you have an appointment with him?" she asked.
"No but when did it become a rule to have an appointment before you could see your fiancé?"
"Excuse me? He's your fiancé?" Rita bust out laughing. Serena raised her brow.
"I don't seem to catch onto the joke so please enlighten me." Serena said with a small smile on her face.
"As far as I know Mr. Shields isn't seeing anyone." Rita said with all the arrogance of a crow.
"Oh, I was aware that you were a receptionist not his personal secretary. Oh do you go around stalking him? Does he report his every move to you then? Does he tell you whom he has his affairs with? What's your relationship that could be so strong that my fiancé is willing to spill his gut out to you? mmm" Serena challenged lightly.
"All the same I can't let you see him without an appointment."
"But if I make the appointment now, I won't be able to see him for a while and the food will get cold. Lita will be rather upset about it." Serena said sorrowfully with a pout.
"If it's from Miss Lita then she would have come here herself or given me a call."
"Yes then you would have told Darien that I was coming and the whole surprise of my being here would go to waste."
"You will not go up and see him no matter what you have to say." Rita said stubbornly.
"Why not just give him a call and tell him that Serena came to see him."
"I don't take orders from you." the brunette snapped.
"You're making a big mistake child." Serena said softly
"Then so be it."
"Even if it will cost you your job?"
"Mr. Shields will not fire me because of the likes of you." the gloat in her voice was unmistakable.
"Oh, I'm that bad am I?" Serena asked with mock interest.
"Hmph"
"I so wish you won't let me do this. Call up Amara then and let her know I'm here."
"You have to have an appointment."
"This isn't really about an appointment is it?"
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"How much tabs do you have on Darien. Let me tell you something, Darien is my fiancé…live with it. He chose me and not you. You can never be at my level or his so back off before you get hurt." Rita stood up angrily.
"Excuse you! Who the fuck do you think you are coming here and barging in like you own the place?!"
"Because what belongs to my fiancé belongs to me and you are about to get fired." Serena said as she pushed the receptionist out of the way and picked up the phone. She had seen the open book that contained the numbers of those employed in the company on the table and quickly dialed Amara's number. On the first ring the other woman picked up.
"Yes Rita."
"It's Serena."
"Oh Serena. Wait, are you at the receptionist table?"
"Yes, I am being held up can you come get me?"
"Sure thing…I will just tell Dari…"
"No, I don't want him to know that I am here. I want to surprise him."
"Oh I get it; I will be right down then." They both hanged up and Serena turned to look at the red faced receptionist.
"Got anything to say?" Serena asked and Rita turned away and walked into a room and closed the door in humiliation. Everyone had been watching the display and now knew of her feelings for Darien. If that wasn't bad enough, she might also be loosing her job. She slid to the floor and cried, not for the job but knowing that of all her efforts to win Darien's affection had been in vain.
While Serena waited for Amara, she took a look around the foyer of the building. It was huge and expensive with front glass walls. In the center sat the reception quarters in a circular formation. Getting dizzy by turning her head all around, she returned her gaze back to the door Rita had just entered.
Amara came down a minute later to find people staring at Serena whose eyes she had not removed from the closed door.
"Do I want to know?"
"Your receptionist lady was giving me a hard time."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing really, I guess I should have had Lita called her to let her know I was safe to see Darien."
"You could have told her to call me." Amara said.
"Yes, but that didn't cross my mind. Now shall we go?" Serena asked and Amara nodded. They walked toward the elevator and Serena took a closer look at the foyer. People were going in and coming out though it was in an orderly fashion. She also noticed that the place was spotlessly clean and all the people going in and out were dressed in suits and fancy clothes.
"Darien is rather impeccable isn't he?" Amara said when she noticed Serena's staring wide eyes.
"You could say that again." Serena agreed. The elevator bell chimed and they entered as other got out. Silently the elevator moved up. Normally there was a way of telling that the elevator was moving but this elevator was soundless and motionless. If the chime at the top where the numbers of floors light up had not come, Serena would still be thinking that the elevator had not taken off. Stepping into t a floor with all the walls made of glass, Serena gasped at the sheer beauty of it.
"It should be a crime to have so much riches and beauty in anything but nature!" Serena declared and Amara laughed. She looked down at the glass walls and saw all the miniature forms of people going in and out of the building. From the height the people whom had looked so important now looked like lost little souls.
"Each floor is for something else. This floor however is for Darien and myself and just a few other people who work closely with Darien."
"Oh" Serena answered and followed Amara to a set of double doors with lion handles. Amara knocked.
"Darien it's me."
"Come in." his voice reached their ears and Serena almost gasped at the richness of it. His voice was heavy and light at the same time, it warmed her body as if it was his fingers gracing her flesh. Amara opened the door.
"See you later." Amara said with a wink and backed away. Serena watched her enter the room that was opposite Darien's. Taking a deep breath Serena walked in and blinked. For a minute she thought she had walked into Darien's sitting room at the mansion with the walls painted crimson instead of blue. She noticed that other than the color difference, the only other difference was that the walls were full glass instead of the half glass half bricks and that it had no fire place. Feeling a burning gaze on her, she turned around to find Darien staring at her hard as if trying to pierce into her soul.
"Hey." She said softly as a blush covered her cheeks. She put the basket of food on a near by table and moved toward him and he received her gently into his arms.
"Serena." He whispered her name into her neck as he inhaled her sweet fragrance.
"Darien." She whispered back. Her voice was stuck to her throat at the tenderness in his voice and the gentle ways he held her. It had been such a long that since she was held so tenderly.
Darien lifted his head away and gently cupped her cheeks.
"How are you feeling?" he asked. She had stayed up all night taking care of Amara and that had worried Darien.
"Oh I'm better thank you, how about yourself?" she said, her voice still held in the moment of whisper.
"If you are well so am I." he answered and hugged her again. He had been extremely shocked when she had walked in instead of Amara. She looked so good he was hyperventilating and she had approached him so seductively. Her smell was driving him nuts, he could spend the whole day holding her and inhaling her otherworldly scent.
"Come, lets sit." He said and took her hand and gently steered her into the biggest couch in the room. She sat down gracefully and he sat beside her.
"Tea?" he offered.
"Oh no, I brought your lunch." She said happily.
"Oh." Darien blinked. He had forgotten that normal people at lunch around noon and not three.
"Should I have not come?" she asked when he said nothing else.
"Oh no of course not! I just...it's been a long time since I ate lunch at the normal time."
"Oh, well because I have heard of your bad eating habits, it has become my personal goal to make sure you eat appropriately." Serena said in the voice of a governess and Darien laughed at her. He knew if she had glasses on she would tilting it to complete the look.
"Starting your duties as a wife early aren't you?" he teased.
"There is no time like the present!" was her reply and he laughed. He couldn't remember the last time he had laughed so much in mere seconds.
"Well I appreciate your efforts my dear." He said softly with warm eyes and she turned away from him. When he was so gently with her she looses her head. Darien tilted her face back to his and they stared at each other as their lips drew closer.
A knock came at the door.
"Mr. Shields, Samuel Jackson just dropped off the files for the case with Clinton." Rita's voice came through the door, breaking the spell the lovers had created. Darien sighed in annoyance and rouse up but Serena sighed in relief and placed her hands on her racing chest. She was taking a big risk with Darien but he was the best person that could help her with her project.
No she is the one you want! Her inner voice contradicted and she shook her head to clear it. She could deny it for as long as she want but the truth would always be there, She had been crushing on Darien since their first encounter when she was just five years old.
Darien opened the door and the brunette entered, avoiding Serena's eyes.
"He said that he is available all day if you need him." Rita said.
"Thank you Miss Blake. Oh and by the way, meet my fiancé, Serena Evalyne Calypso. Serena meet my receptionist, Miss Rita Blake." Darien introduced and Rita turned to face Serena with a downcast face.
"Oh we've met." Serena said with a wicked smile.
"Oh you have?" Darien asked in confusion.
"She called Amara to confirm that I was safe to see you. If not for her I probably wouldn't have been allowed to come up and see you."
"Oh yes that's right. Well thank you Rita. Please allow her access anytime she comes over."
"Yes Sir, nice meeting you Calypso." She said with a bow, still avoiding Serena's eyes.
"Yes, you too Lady Blake."
"Good day Sir." And she left the room in a hurry.
"Hmm…that's odd." Darien said as he locked the door behind him.
"What is?" Serena asked as she got up to pick up the food.
"Normally she would e fussing asking if I had anything I needed help with. She is an excellent woman and her work is efficient."
"Fond of her are you?" Serena teased.
"As a business man I only seek the best and she has had good educational background. With her it's just business." He said watched as she opened the basket to set the table.
"So I have nothing to fear?" Serena asked teasingly, though deep down she meant her words.
"If I cheat on you I will tell you. Oh and don't set the food on that table." Darien said and walked to her. He grabbed the basket of food with one hand and placed the other hand around her waist and led her to the door in between the wardrobes. Darien removed his hand from around her waist and took out the card from her vest pocket and slid it in the slot before putting his hands around her again and the entered. The door closed behind them.
"Well then I hope to not have to hear any of that news." Serena said.
"Yes, either do I." They walked past the closet of clothes and restroom and into a dinning room. It was a small room with a glass round dinning table and chairs for four. Darien Sat the basket on the table and took Serena to the next entrance that was the kitchen. Serena gasped at how clean and orderly it was, this man was overly indulgent.
"Wow, you could live here!" Serena said as she left Darien's side to explore.
"Sometimes I do. When work gets too pile up, I stay here until it is calmed down again."
"But, isn't it lonely?" Serena asked softly.
"Not really. I lived for my work, however now I can't picture staying here over night." He said.
"Why not?" Serena blinked.
"Because you wont be here." He answered simply and Serena watched him with wide eyes. The guy was breaking her defenses with his sincere kindness and warmth. She walked up to him and took his face in her hands.
"I will always be where you are. So if you need me to stay here with you please feel free to ask." She said and his eyes widened in surprise. Eh had previously thought that she was going to be uncompromising but she had proven to be more than she seemed. And now he was starting to believe her words, that she would be the best wife he could possibly have. He hoped that is the case because the one thing he didn't want was a divorce. Already she had become and irreplaceable part of his soul.
"Thank you." he whispered. He put one hand around her waist and the other at the back of her neck and kissed her. It was a gentle kiss, no force or demands. It was slow and warm and loving. It was the best kiss she had ever received and she didn't want it to stop. How could this be the same person she had heard all those rumors of being cold and uncaring? They came up for air staring into each others eyes.
"Ahem!" Amara coughed, startling them into awareness of her presence. They saw her standing at the door way of the kitchen trying to conceal her laughter.
"I'm sorry to have disturbed you; I just came to tell Darien I was heading out to eat." She said.
"Oh no, you must join us!" Serena said and rushed to the other woman and took her hands. She dragged the other woman back into the dining area and pushed her down on a chair.
"Huh…what?!" Amara asked.
"I brought food for all of us." Serena said and Darien chuckled at Amara's perplexed face.
"Help me set the table will you Amara?"
"Um...ur sure." Together they set the table and they admired the delicious food and enticing aroma that rose up.
"Gosh Lita can cook!" Amara said.
"Tell me about it." Serena said and they laughed. Darien sat at the table opposite Serena, in other to get a better view of her. They held their hands for prayer before starting their meal.
"It seems Rita gave you a rather hard time Serena." Amara said.
"Oh no, I was just messing with her. The girl is fun to tease." Serena caught in quickly.
"That was not what I heard from the others."
"What are you talking about?" Darien asked.
"Nothing really. Just when I came Rita didn't know if it was a good idea for me to come up and see you since I had no appointment and I was carrying food. She thought I might try to poison you or something." Serena lied, giving Amara a look to which the older woman returned with a smirk.
"Well what I heard was that she was being a bitch to you and you threatened to have her fired."
"Like is said, I was messing with her." Serena said with a cough.
"And I heard that she had a crush on…"
"Oh that's right. I wanted to ask just exactly what you did Darien. I mean what is your job?" Serena caught in before Amara could finish. Amara sulked.
"Well that's rather complicated. My job is an overseer, the organizer." Darien said.
"He is the president of all the firms. For example, he has a firm for lawyers, models, actors and so on. And he own several gold and diamond mines which is used to make accessories which he himself draw and construct the first example. Then there is the boarding schools he has opened around the world. That's why he is always so busy, doing paper works and flying from one end of the world to another." Amara explained in detail.
"Wow, your life is a mess!" Serena said and they laughed.
"Yes, well I have Amara to help me so it's ok. Just tiring at times." Darien said as he smiled at Serena.
"Yeah but I don't do all that much. I take care of all his documents and things on this end of the world but outside here he is on his own. Of course there are times I travel with him but I prefer to stay in one place if you don't mind!" Amara stated.
"Of course I don't do everything on my own. I have vice presidents and staffs to support my work."
"Even still, it's too much. Anyway, then will you hire me to work for you." Serena asked. They looked at her for a minute, uncomprehending what she was asking but when it dawn their eyes opened wide in shock.
"What!?" they both said.
"Come one, I am home doing nothing. The least I can do is work. I was going to go out today to find a job but if you are willing to hire me then I will be so glad to accept the job."
"Serena you know that you don't need to work right?" Darien said hoping she would drop the working idea. He wanted to be the one to take care of her, if she got a job their time spent together might decrease and already his job kept him busy. Of course he thought about the irony of the situation, most of all the woman he had been with had made it clear they would not work once married to him and those who want to work are those that would be career oriented. Though he respected those who wanted to work, he hated those other lazy girls who just wanted to feed off of him. now he found one willing to work though he knew she would not neglect him and he didn't want her to work!
"Oh I know I don't have to work and you could take care of me but that is not my nature. I need to work. Please, if I work in this firm I can at least be here at work with you." Serena asked. She really hated depending totally on a guy, it had ruined her before and though she knew that Darien would always take care of her, she still could not accept just sitting there and letting someone take care of her.
Amara and Darien looked at each other, both thinking what was possible for Serena to do.
"Um…first of all what is your highest level of education?" Amara asked. Darien's firm used those only with masters and above. There were just few exceptions that had no degree but had brains that no degree could justify.
"I was home schooled." Serena answered.
"Do you have any particular talents or interest?" Darien asked.
"Well yes. I love writing, drawing, making clothes or designing it. I am a fast typer, I am well with math and science and English. I know I can do secretary jobs." Serena answered.
"Mmm…well there are several options open to you but first we need to test you." Amara said and Darien nodded.
"Ok…what?"
"We have a publishing company so write a story and see if it is worth publishing. As for your drawing, there is also an art gallery down stairs. We will take you there and have you do some art and we will determine the quality." Amara suggested.
"What kind of art do you do?" Darien asked.
"Well I do everything from graphic novels to canvas painting, wall painting or anything else."
"That's good." Darien said appreciatively.
"Ok, are you a good with styles? Do you no the current fashions of the world and can you predict the styles for the following year?" Amara asked.
"I make cloths of my own unique styles; I don't follow the fashions of others." Serena said with annoyance.
"That could be a problem. We will test that too." Darien said and Amara nodded.
"Well we have to really test your abilities to see if you compete well with this firm or you have to be given to another company all together. As for the Secretarial job, I will personally take you through what you must do so you can become Darien's Secretary during his travels."
"Really?!" Both Darien and Serena asked.
"You two will be married; you might as well do things together." Amara sighed. It wasn't as if she had completely accepted Serena but she was better than Darien's other women and Serena had taken care of her the whole night. She just wanted to see what Serena was capable off.
"So when can I start?" Serena asked eagerly.
"Do you have something plan today?" Amara asked.
"Not anymore."
"Good, then for today I will start your orientation. We end when Darien is ready to go home, agreed?"
"Yes!"
"Noooooooo." Darien said miserably.
"Let her spend today with me please Amara?!" Darien begged.
"We don't have time for that." Amara said sternly.
"Why?" Darien asked in confusion.
"You have to fly to Japan next week. If by next week she has proven herself capable, she will go with you so we need every minute for training. Besides being your secretary is far different and more difficult than any other secretarial work."
"Oh fine but I leave today at 6!" Darien reluctantly agreed.
"You are leaving at six? As in 6 pm?" Amara asked with wide eyes.
"Yes, I have something to do." Amra just shook her head. Darien had never left work at so early a time. What did he have to do that was so important?
"Well then I will return to my work, Serena join me as soon as possible." Amara said.
"Yes, thank you very much." Amara left them alone. A rather odd silence befell the two of them.
"You really don't want me to work do you?" Serena asked him and he sighed.
"It's not that really. I just want to take care of you. I don't want you to feel that you have to work or be in some sort of competition with me."
"Darien, I came to you for help did I not? Believe you will have plenty of time to take care of me, I just rather have something to do in the mean time."
"Oh." Serena smiled and got up. She began clearing the table and Darien helped her. In the comfortable silence they washed their plates and dried them before replacing them in the basket. Once that was finished the cleaned the dining table and the floor and made sure everything was as clean and spotless as it had been when they first entered. They returned back to the office room.
"This is rather an amazing building." Serena said.
"I drew it and helped with its building."
"You are an architect!" Serena realized.
"Yes, I earned a degree in that."
"You are really amazing Darien. I can't imagine all that you had to sacrifice to get here."
"Luck was with me." Darien said softly as he thought back in the hard years when he was working at McDonalds hoping for a better life. He got the life but it wasn't better, just more stressful. But now that Serena had appeared in his life, he new the better life he wanted was finally coming to him. the better life wasn't all his money, power and esteem, it was the woman looking at him adoringly. He pulled her into his arms gain and buried his face in her neck. The new hairstyle gave her a childish look but she still looked beautiful all the same.
"Oh Serena I want you so badly." He whispered earnestly into her ears and her body quacked at the lust in his eyes and voice. He wasn't the only one wanting to seal their fate with an irreversible night of passion, her own desires had stirred once again and demanded attention but Amara would worry if she didn't show up soon.
"We have an eternity together so for today just hold it in." Serena said to him and he groaned. He kissed her, this time it was not the gentle kiss like before. This kiss was filled with all the passion of a starving man. He pushed her into the long couch and wasted no time in climbing over her. They wildly caressed each other, kissing passionately and trying to satiate each others need without making love. But they couldn't stop, Darien's hands snaked under her clothes to her breast and he began pumping it. The effort of it drew every last conscious thought out if Serena's mind and she began feeling up her chest. She wanted more, everything! The need blinded her and clouded her judgment. His hand sneaked down that precarious position where with just a single movement he would be feeling her core but that single moment came with a jerk when the phone's shrilling demand. Darien though jerked out of the lust he had fallen to was not willing to stop neither was Serena. She was begging him with her eyes to not answer the phone even if she herself was not aware of it. He went back to kissing her and he threw her hands around his neck. The answering machine picked up.
"Darien, send Serena to me this moment!" Amara's voice made them both groan and reluctantly he got up and picked the phone. He run his hand through his tousled hair.
"She is coming." The coarseness of his voice was unmistakable.
"Ruined your moment didn't I?" Amara snickered and Darien growled. Serena who had adjusted her braw strap dress kissed Darien's cheeks from behind.
"Bye." She said as she opened the door.
"No wait!" but she was already gone and he groaned painfully.
"Amaraaaaa….I am so going to kill you!" Amara just laughed and hanged up the phone. Darien sat back in his chair, trying to remember what he was doing before a certain blond goddess appeared. Returning to work mood was the hardest thing Darien had done in a long time.
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Serena knocked lightly on Amara's door.
"Come in." when she entered, she found that this room was far different from Darien's it was beautifully decorated but very disorganized. Papers were everywhere on the floor, loud music was playing; the walls were covered with pictures of race cars and motors and races. But there was one picture which caught her attention above all. Sitting on the desk near the computer in the only clean area possible was a picture of a woman Serena knew all too well.
"Michelle Roberts." Amara said from behind her.
"Yes I know. But why do you have her picture?" Serena asked,
"Well one time I went to Dialand, it is a really small town in between Libya and Egypt. It's not even on the map. The story is that some homeless people gathered there and soon it became a town. Well I was there with Darien on one of our business trips. We were heading to Egypt from Algeria and we passed there to rest. There was a small inn called Hope that offered shelter for travelers and we sheltered there. That night as we ate with the towns folks, Michelle came out to play her violin. I was so taken with her beautiful but sorrowful violin that when she was done I asked her for a picture. She was so beautiful. Someday I hope go back…Serena are you ok?" Amara asked when she saw how pale Serena was. Blinking, Serena drew in breath.
"Sorry, I sort of spaced out. I get this dizzy spells once in a while."
"Oh ok but just sit down for now." Amara made a space on the covered couch and Serena sat down.
"When were you in Dialand?" she asked.
"About four years ago."
"Did you meet lots of people?"
"Yes, the people there are all orphans and homeless people. I heard that a goddess kept them going but that goddess died and the goddess daughter whom they also call goddess took over and that it was because of her that they had survived thus far. It's a sad story. Darien sends money to their mayor every year."
"Oh wow, they must love Darien a lot."
"Oh, they don't know its Darien."
"What do you mean?"
"He sends it with a different name." Serena raised her brow at Amara. "Mamora Chiba is the name he uses." Serena groaned at the name. So all that time it had been Darien!
"Serena if you don't feel well we should call the doctor." Amara said worriedly.
"Oh no it's alright. Just a glass of water will be ok." Serena said and she left to fetch some.
Four years ago Serena had been sick so she had not been able to go out to meet the visitors that were passing through her town. But she heard a lot of stories about them, how they had given each person a hundred dollars, ordered foods and medicines for the village. And how the man with black haired had healed many of the sick people. At the time Serena did not want any stranger's hands on her so she had stayed away. When she finally decided to come see them, they had left. She never had the chance to thank them. Now she knew that those travelers had been Darien and Amara.
"Here is your water." Amara said and handed the glass over to Serena who drank it on spot. When she sat the glass down on the window sill she turned back to Amara.
"Ok, lets start with the orientation." All day Serena paid attention as Amara instructed Serena in the duties of Darien's personal secretary. Taking phone calls, setting up appointments, negotiating time for meetings and so on. Serena realized what Amara had meant about the job of Darien's personal secretary being hard. It was a job that should not be done in a day but a week. Serena was amazed that Amara could do that job over and over everyday.
"It's not really that hard. Once you get into it time passes quickly." She had told Serena who skeptically raised her brow. When Amara stepped out of the office for some random errands Serena would clean the messy place. By 6 the place was cleaned and folders and files neatly piled. Serena had gone so far as to dust the tables and throw away the trash. When Amara returned from one of her errands, she gasped at the room.
"Wow! Thank you!" she said and gave Serena a bone crushing hug.
"I am not very good at working in an environment so cluttered." Serena said.
"You will definitely get alone with Darien." Amara said with a chuckle.
"Well I'm not a neat freak like him."
"Oh geez thank you darling." Darien said from the doorway.
"You're welcome." He whistled at the room.
"I feel like I just walked into a different world. I haven't' seen this room clean in almost a year!" he said.
"Hey! I was busy!" Amara defended herself.
"That's why I suggested you get a maid to clean but you said no." Darien accused.
"Too much of a hassle." He chuckled.
"Well shall we beautiful?" he said as he extended his hands to her. Serena hugged Amara before taking Darien's offered hand.
"Will you be home?" Amara asked him.
"If you need me call me on my cell." He answered.
"Bye Amara."
"I will see you tomorrow." Amara waved back and they left. Serena and Darien took the elevator to the ground floor. As they walked toward the exit, everyone who saw them stopped to stare. Their cold boss, the indifferent boss was holding the hands of a beautiful woman and was…he was laughing and smiling!?!? Cameras flashed everywhere. When they went outside, they were swarmed with the paparazzi that always stalk Darien. Darien had already called guards to keep the media away from their personal space. As they walked toward the waiting limousine, cameras flashed around and reporters asked questions after questions.
"Is she your new girlfriend?"
"Will she become a Mrs. Shields?"
"Is she just another one of your bimbos?" and so one the questions came but neither answered them. With the care door open, they sat in it took off, leaving behind the reporters whom were still chasing them on foot. Ten minute latter they stopped at a secluded park where Darien's silver BMW waited and switched out of the limousine.
"Where are we going?" Serena asked as they stepped on the high way.
"You will see." Darien said mysteriously. Serena did not like being kept out of things.
"So I heard you and Amara visited Dialand." Serena said.
"Oh yes. It's a lovely place really; it just needs the right cultivation." Darien said.
"mmm"
"Serena?"
"Yes?"
"What is your favorite color?"
"Mmm…I will have to say pink and white. And yours?"
"Black."
"Ur so dull."
"I get that." he laughed.
"Why did you ask?" Serena asked.
"I want to know you. When were you born?"
"On the 6th month and the 30th day. And you?"
"8th month and 3rd day. What is your blood type?"
" I do not know." She answered.
"We need to have a full medical check on you just in case." Darien continued to grill her with serious and even silly questions like what was her favorite stone, her favorite eye color to which she answered ocean blue and blushed realizing too late that that was the color of his eyes. Twenty minutes later they stopped in front of a goodwill store.
"What are we doing here?"
"To find clothes." Serena raised her brow. They entered the store but headed to the back where they found a beautiful woman sitting and knitting.
"Trista!" Darien called out to her.
"Oh, Darien how are you!?" she asked and got up. She gave him a hug and he returned it.
"I'm well. How about yourself?"
"Wait didn't we already ask about our well being this morning?" she asked looking confuse.
"So we did."
"Oh, this must be the famous Serena. Come child, sit. No stand and let me take a look at you. Oh yes, you have fine figure and skin. Any woman will kill to have your looks. I have just the perfect clothes for you!" she said and run off. Serena blinked and Darien laughed.
"That's Trista for you. She trained all my fashion designers. When he child got sick she had to retire early so we opened this goodwill store. It is connected to her house so she is always home taking care of her child."
"Oh"
"Oh stop boring her with such stories. Come now child in here!" Trista beckoned the confused Serena.
"Oh uncle Darien!" a little girl whit shoulder length hair yelled excitedly from behind and ran past her into Darien's open arms. Darien spun her around.
"Oh Hotaru I've missed you a lot!"
"Me too Uncle Darien! Mama told me that you are going to get married." She pouted.
"Yes, I finally found someone to marry."
"But you promised to marry me!" Hotaru said and began crying. Serena was dragged away from them into the house by the woman who was stronger than her fragile appearance.
"Oh my, I seems to have forget your name and it was so pretty too."
"My name is Serena madam."
"Oh yes, Sere….drop the Madam. Trista is fine. Now come, put on this white dress. I made them but never found the right person to wear them." She said and dropped a lacy white dress in Serena's arms and pushed her into a beautiful room. Sighing, she changed into the white dress. It was a halter dress with her upper shoulders showing as well as her upper chest though it hugged her breasts like a second skin and spilled to her knees. She stood before the mirror and admired the dress. It was so very beautiful, the materials sparkled and it was comfortable, making her look so sexy. She came out to show it to the woman and found Darien and Hotaru by the woman talking. When they saw her their mouths dropped except Trista who clapped her hands victoriously.
"I knew this dress was for you. Close your mouth Darien before a fly gets in." Trista said.
"Wow, you look…breathtaking." Darien said, trying to keep his eyes away from the bulging of her breasts. Trista shoved several other clothes in her hands. Thirty minutes later Serena had hundred new dresses, thirty skirts and matching tops, ten soft coats, fifty jeans and fifty shirts and fifty shoes. Serena was outstanded, the clothes were beautiful and fitted well to her body. The shoes were stylish and would probably cost a million. She also noticed that despite that the store was a good will store; they sold just as beautiful and new clothes as they did in the malls only cheaper. And Trista was planning to make more for her.
"Thank you so very much Trista." Serena said with bowed head. The lady might be energetic and pushy but she was kind.
"Oh don't worry about it dear. Come visit me any time. Now Hotaru it's time for your medicine." She said.
"Bye Uncle Darien and Aunt Serena." Hotaru said and followed her mother into the house.
"Aunt?" Serena asked with a raised brow.
"If you become my wife and I am her uncle, that makes you her aunt." He said wit ha chuckle. They left the store.
"She is so full of life." Serena said referring to Trista.
"No, she is mad."
"I don not understand."
"Trista was a very reserved introverted person. She was serious and her life was all about her work. She barely spent time with her husband and daughter. Four years ago her daughter had finished school and the husband was sick so she was supposed to go pick up the child. But she had been busy with work and had forgotten. The kindergarten school Hotaru attended called her father after an hour wait and the sick father went to pick up his daughter when he could call Trista because her phone was off. As they were driving back home, it began to rain. The rain made the roads slippery and already sick he lost control of the wheels. They had an accident on a mountain side, Hotaru survived but he didn't. It was then that she realized what was most important to her but it was too little too late. The trauma of it affected Hotaru to the point where it made her sick. She called of work and has been with her daughter ever since. That bubbly personality she showed today keeps away the nightmares and guilt she feels everyday. It had started right after the father was buried, she started going mad. If I hadn't inferred they would have put her in a mental institution but I got her a therapist and in the end this is how she turned out. a bubbly personality to hide the traces of her past self who cared too little for her family and too much for her work." Darien explained.
"That is very sad. She used to work for you then?" Serna ask.
"I Share in the blame."
"Why is that?"
"That day I reminded her to pick up her daughter but I guess I should have pushed her into doing it. I was going for a meeting so I left as soon as I reminded her."
"But that is not your fault!" Serena yelled.
"Maybe, maybe not." Silence took over for the rest of the drive. When they arrived home, Darien opened Serena's car and helped her down before giving instructions to the guards to take the bags of clothes and shoes inside. They opened the double doors that opened to the foyer and walked down its length, branching off to the kitchen to see Lita.
"Lita?" Serena called when they entered the kitchen and the other girl had her back to them. She turned around sharply and marched up to Darien.
"Here, you might like to read this." she pushed a letter into Darien's hands. It wasn't open but the anxiety on her face worried Darien. He opened it and read the letter.
"Who brought this?" he asked her.
"One of Kunzites subordinate. He is in town but can't come to see you yet." Lita answered.
"What's going on?" Serena asked.
"They're coming!" he answered.
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