Chapter 2
Serena didn't get home until 1:00 a.m.
There were so many things to talk about with Seiya. Not only did they did some catching up, but they also talked about the proposal and what to prioritize to get it going. First of all though, they had to finalize the final budget with the financial sector of his company and map out the location for the hotel. To Seiya, he agreed that her ideas were well thought out, but it would be better to switch from building a hotel to building a resort which would actually promote the idea of living in a 'dream' with the designs she panned out.
For the time since he had opened his company, Serena took her first step into the building where his office was located at with a complete tour of all the levels. He had decided to make her a partner for this very project and he wouldn't take no for an answer. Seiya also gave her the option to work with him on any future plans if she ever felt the desire to do so. To put it plainly, Seiya was giving her free reign on any ideas she had. Serena was even more surprised when he directed her to a room right next to his. Apparently, he had felt the need to place her in her own office for the duration of however long it took for Aerius to be built and the management of the resort itself.
Never had Serena imagined something like this when she was drafting out the idea.
She couldn't even believe how much she had done in one day. From the cafe to Seiya's company, it went by so fast with the things discussed and paperwork signed to begin everything. For once, Serena felt useful. She didn't feel like a complete drag or someone that would be another let down. She was finally going to be in charge of things.
Serena was sure that her hospitality management diploma would help her run the resort when it was finished being built. She knew she also had to work out on bringing attention to the resort so that people would notice it. While Seiya was well known in his own right, his name wasn't enough to carry out Aerius like Shields Enterprise would have. They would definitely have to do something about that.
Thinking back, Serena had had a lot of plans when she was younger. While hospitality management had been one of her priorities, it was also an interest of hers to pertain a literature degree at some reputable college or university. Serena was definitely never good at sciences or mathematics, but when she had a good book in her hands, it felt like the world would slip away. It was one of her dreams to publish her own book.
However though, after meeting Darien, she knew she couldn't pursue both.
Darien had been the first guy to had ever made her heart flutter.
He had also been her first crush.
Her first kiss.
Her first date.
Her first boyfriend.
Her first lover.
He had been the first for everything.
Everything that had happened with him was incredible. She never knew how much a one's skin could tingle by a mere touch. Serena had fell deeply. It was more than her heart could comprehend. She loved him, maybe even more than her own family because he was now a part of her. Despite the things that were starting to separate them, Serena could never take back what she already gave him. Her heart.
Sighing quietly, Serena made her way to their bedroom. Slipping through the door, she made her way across the dark room without bothering to turn on the lights. Serena knew that Darien was already in bed and she would never disturb him of his sleep when he barely got any from working so late at night.
Serena's heart quickened and ached slightly to know that he didn't even care to call to see where she had been. It was obvious that she would usually be in bed before him. It was the first time Serena had gone out so late, and secretly, she had been hoping that he would call. He didn't, however.
Deciding that it was too late to take a shower, Serena made a note to do so the first thing the next morning before changing into a silk night gown. Her hands wandered her dresser quietly, careful to not make any loud sounds. Besides the fact that he needed more sleep, it was pointless to have them fight over something as small as her waking him up in the middle of the night.
Putting her dirty clothes in the hamper that was placed in the bathroom, she quickly brushed her teeth in the dark and made her way to the bed, hoping to not trip over her own legs with the lights turned off.
She finally felt her legs touch the end of their bed and with her eyes squinted, she could make out Darien's figure as his chest moved up and down from his slumber. She watched him carefully. Darien was laying on his back, the blanket covering him up to his torso. With only the darkness helping her sight, she traced his dark messy hair, down to his face, and finally to his exposed chest. He loved to sleep naked. Well, not literally, but just being in boxers was close enough.
Serena shook her head of thoughts as she climbed into the bed quietly. Laying down on her back beside him, she pulled the blanket up over both of them. Her eyes were starting to droop as she stiffled a yawn. It had been a long day and she was very tired.
However, Serena suddenly remember what had happened before she had bumped into Seiya. Darien had invited Ami to the Lunarian Ball.
It was all for business right?
Sighing carefully, she decided to push the thoughts away. Her hand went down to her stomach as she thought about the baby. She was already four months long and even if she wasn't showing now, it would be hard to hide the growing bump in a few weeks or so. How would she tell Darien? Again, she allowed herself to relax and slip the thought from her mind. It wasn't good for her to be thinking about things that would leave her mind restless at night and she needed all the rest she could get.
Yawning, Serena had a sudden urge to wrap her arms around Darien. It was very tempting, but would he push her away if he woke up later on at night or when he woke up in the morning?
Deciding to not think about that either, Serena took action and moved her arms over his torso, loving the feel of his warm skin. Laying her head lightly on his shoulder, she breathed in the smell of his skin. It was everything that made Darien. Dark and enticing, so close to being something sweet. Dark chocolate. She couldn't help but place a small kiss against his skin.
She traced her hand lightly around his stomach, feeling the hard muscle underneath her fingers. How he always kept in shape amazed her, she had never seen him go to a gym once.
Laying her hand down across his chest, Serena raised her head to look at his sleeping face. He looked so peaceful. With his face so relaxed, it seemed like nothing was wrong between them and she reveled in the sensation of being so close to him. She felt herself move her hand again, touching his lips with her fingers. They felt so soft as she traced them ever so lightly.
She missed kissing him. It seemed like forever.
Moving gently and quietly, she hovered over him, her blonde hair draped over his chest. Serena hoped he wouldn't wake up with her hair touching him as she closed the gap between them, kissing him softly. She loved the way his lips touched against hers as she kissed him again. This time longer. She couldn't stop herself as she held her lips in place, feeling and wishing for more of the lips that were so soft against hers. Serena couldn't stop herself from darting out her tongue and placing a small lick to the seam of his lips.
How daring.
However, her body tensed as she felt him shift ever so slightly. Serena pulled away slightly as she watched him with a heated gaze and racing heart. It would be best to stay.
Don't wake up.
Don't wake up.
Don't wake up.
And to her luck, he didn't. His face was relaxed, and if she didn't know any better, she would think that his lips were curled up ever so slightly.
Possibly from a dream?
Serena smiled softly at her good fortune. She wouldn't know what to say if he did wake up to her kissing him. Would he get mad at her for what she had done? Would he yell at her for being so forward and persistent? Would he say something with so much hatred that it shattered her heart? No...he would never do that. At least...she didn't think he would. Too long...just too long.
She gently moved herself back at his side, her head resting on his shoulder once again.
If only it had been a real kiss though. A fierce, passionate kiss. Serena always loved those. As much as his tender kisses would reflect his love, his most passionate kisses left Serena breathless. It was sheer dominance on his part and it always left her feeling whole and needed.
Serena yawned again as she shut her eyes, savouring the warmth of Darien once again. Her breathing was leveling out and she could feel the cloud that was beginning to mist her mind.
It wasn't long before she fell asleep.
The night went by slowly and though she didn't wake up to it in the morning, she had been held securely in strong arms.
.
"Are you ready?" Seiya whispered as he gently took her arm in his as they headed towards the front door of La Cruzia, the biggest place to ever hold a ball. It was one of the grandest hotels in the city and it held a magnificent ballroom that was was usually really popular for big corporate events.
It had been 7 days since her meeting with Ami.
7 days since she had started the plans with Seiya.
7 days since she had snuck in that kiss.
7 days since she had felt the warmth of his body.
7 days till now.
Serena was getting the jitters. Seiya had told her they would be presenting Aerius to the other companies tonight. While it wasn't usual to broadcast something like a resort during corporate events, it was because of the fact that it was being backed up by Seiya himself, and being a member of the inner circle, they always updated each other on whatever they were planning. Not only would this help out the hype of the resort, but the idea of Aerius itself would surely attract interest and sponsors.
After preparing everything with Seiya and working the long ours, she had felt a huge sense of accomplishment.
As her thoughts pondered, she came back to another thought. Serena had wanted to bring up the subject of the Lunarian Ball to Darien, but they were still ignoring each other despite the fact that Serena knew that he knew she had been cuddling next to him those few nights ago. He didn't bring up the subject of the ball to her either, so it disheartened her to know that he was planning to go ahead without her anyways.
So the days had passed and here she was. Serena was at the Lunarian Ball with some one who wasn't her husband.
"I'm ready." Serena smiled reassuringly as they stepped through the main hall way leading directly into the ball room.
The whole thing surprised her as her eyes lit up in amazement. The lights were dimmed everywhere. It was like something you would encounter in a hidden castle. There was a soft melody of playing as Serena watched the people that filled the space. The lights were brighter up front where there was an old fashion stage with a bar to her left and a buffet table to the right. There were also small tables littered around the back of the room for people to sit down and enjoy themselves once the presentation and performances began.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Seiya whispered as he led her over to a table.
"Yeah." She murmured in awe as her eyes wandered over countless people who had been dressed elegantly.
Serena had decided to wear a dark blue satin dress. It was off shouldered and wrapped around her upper body to show her lithe waist. Flaring slightly after that, the material hung loosely down with a slight slit to the left. She had also paired it with low heels and beautiful shaped earrings that now adorned her ears.
Around her neck was Darien's locket. Fingering the the jewelry slightly, she placed her hands on the table.
Serena had tried to dress decently for the ball, but there was only so much she could do by herself when her friends were out of town. However, when Seiya came to pick her up at her house, he couldn't stop staring. All she did was laugh at his expression. It had been hilarious. Serena hadn't had the chance to see Darien all day. She thought he would've went back to the house and change for the ball since it started at 6:30 p.m., but he didn't.
Serena wondered where he went to get dressed if he didn't come home. She only hoped he didn't have a place other than their own.
Her eyes wandered over to every man with dark hair in the room. Serena hadn't seen Darien yet, and her heart was pounding furiously. She didn't even know what his reaction might be when he saw her. Maybe he wouldn't recognize her? Serena knew that she had looked particularly different today. She had never been dressed so nicely in front of him before, except for their wedding.
Actually, what was she thinking?
Everybody recognized her long hair a mile away.
Sighing, Serena faced Seiya, "Hmph."
"Worried?" Seiya asked teasingly as he played with a strand of her hair.
"You know I am." She murmured as she looked into his deep blue eyes. They were almost the identical to Dariens, except...Darien's held a certain light to them and it was very well known to her they struck her every time she gazed into them. "Where's Yaten and Taiki?"
"Heh, they're coming soon...said that they had some business to catch up to. Where are those friends of yours? I heard their business were doing very well." Seiya mentioned as he took a sip from his wine which he had gotten from a waiter.
"You mean Lita, Rei and Mina? Well, their husbands seem to be geniuses, so they're definitely up and rising. I went to all their weddings...but my memory is horrible. I can't remember their faces now." Serena said as she scrunched up her face. "I haven't seen them in awhile though since they've been out of town together...funny now that you mention it."
"You're such a kidder." Seiya laughed as he pinched her cheek lightly.
"You'll ruin my makeup." Serena drawled as she smacked his hand away, only to make him laugh harder.
Serena felt herself smile softly as she watched her laughing friend.
"Shut up." Seiya said as he ran his hand through her hair.
"You're messing it up!" Was her reply as she pinched his hand.
"Stop hurting me woman."
"Stop touching me."
"Meatball head."
"Don't bring back nicknames from the past!"
"Quiet kitten."
"...crabs spreader."
"What?" Seiya asked as his eyes opened wide with shock.
"You heard me you crabs spreader." Serena giggled as she scanned the room once again for Darien. Hoping to prepare herself if she did see him somewhere.
"Are you implying I've contracted a sexually transmitted disease and that I willingly spread it to unknowing victims?" He asked again as his jaws dropped down to his knees. Well, not literally.
"Well, you were talking about food weren't you?"
"Now you're not making sense!" He cried as his hands raised up in the air. "That's disgusting to how you brought our conversation from that though."
"Hah, I never implied it that way though." Serena cracked as she smiled widely. "I was thinking about food. You thought otherwise."
Seiya didn't reply as he grabbed his stomach and heaved out laughter.
Serena only smiled more. How retarded could this guy get? She didn't even think that her jokes were that funny, but to him, it was like the funniest thing in the world. Still, she felt a whole lot better to know how he was trying to cheer her up.
"Seiya, Seiya. Drop the act because you're grabbing a lot of attention." Serena murmured as she felt the gaze of many people. They were all wondering what was going on between the blonde and her dark-haired friend.
"Serena, Serena. If only you would smile more." Seiya said seriously as he stopped his laughter and grinned back at her.
"Just stop the retard act and straighten yourself up." She said with an eye brow raised.
"You really know how to hurt a man Serena. I was being myself." Seiya answered, laughing again.
"What an idiot." Serena murmured as she felt herself smile again.
It was pointless...
"Are you sure?" The figure asked uncertainly, as he started to shift his feet.
"Yes, she just needs some time to cool down." Came the soft reply.
"But...everything's-...it's not working out anymore. I thought this would help, but...it's not."
"Trust me." The voice was soft and assuring, making him rethink his judgement.
"I guess...I guess you're right." He murmured as the owner of the voice engulfed him with their arms. He didn't move, letting them hold him, letting the feeling of certainty flow through him.
He knew he couldn't wrap his arms around the body in front of him. It would only feel wrong to do so when it wasn't what he wanted in the first place.
If you couldn't voice out your real feelings.
As Serena looked away from her laughing friend and her smile faltered as she saw the dark piercing eyes that gazed back at her.
2015