Chapter2: Shock and Awe Part 1

Serena's palms were wet and she was shaking. How had this happened to her? She'd spent so much time and effort trying to hid her identity so that she could forge her own path, but it was all for nothing. Once again, she was a victim of her name of her status. She thought changing her name and appearance would make things easier, but who was she kidding so long as she stayed in New York, she was bound to be haunted by her past. But, what was done was done. Serena refused to run anymore. She'd spent a great deal of her life doing just that. She was still determined to make it her way whether they knew who she really was or not. But, what scared her more than anything was the idea of facing Dan. Her Dan. It had been ten years, but she felt like she was still a part of his life. She'd clipped his articles and any news she could find on him. It was like she had been tracking his success secretly hoping for failure, but all she found was a man who had forgotten about his high school girlfriend—a girl he once claimed to love.

"So, much for forever," she muttered to herself.

She had a little over hour before he came in to discuss his novel and Serena wasn't sure she could handle the idea of seeing him again. She adjusted her glasses and pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. She contemplated how she would behave, what she would say? A part of her was excited while another part of her wanted to punish him for being such a public figure. For forcing her to have to read about his personal exploits and the various heiresses that he had dated. Every snapshot of him with another woman cut her deeply. She just wanted to lash and hurt them both, but too much time had passed and she no longer had a right to those emotions. So, she had to keep a cool exterior and maintain a professional demeanour. Serena just hoped that during this long process that her façade didn't start to crack. The last thing she needed was to breakdown in front of a new client and an old flame.

Serena took out the file and started flipping through it and she took out the chapters that were in the envelope. She stared at the title and wondered if she really was ready, but at this point she had no choice. She buzzed her assistant to come in.

Leah, a young girl in her early 20s and a desire to please stood before her. Serena remembered her first day as an editorial assistant. She though she had finally arrived, but little did she know she still had a long way to get to the place she wanted to be. Hell, she still wasn't there. A couple of weeks ago she was Leah.

"I need you to bring in two cappuccinos in mugs. Scratch that run down to the Starbucks and get us two Skim Cappuccinos and remember to ask for extra phone. Grab a bunch of chocolate chunk cookies while you're at it."

"Anything else, Ms. Jamieson."

"Yes, call me Serena. Ms. Jamieson makes me feel old," she said before putting the chapter to the side and getting out a list of issues she wanted to go over. The last thing she wanted to seem like was unprofessional. She was determined to show her best face.

Serena took out her compac and a reapplied some lip-gloss and made sure her hair was in place. She adjusted her jacket and her skirt as she waited for him to arrive.

Dan waked through the doors of the publishers with an impending sense of gloom. This was so stupid, but he really had no other option. He'd signed a contract and had already been paid the initial lump sum. So, its not like he could just tell them to shove it. Getting to know a new editor would disrupt his whole process. He had developed a rhythm with the last editor even if she was a bit of a flake. Dan wondered what kind of flake he'd be saddled with this time.

He smiled at the assistant and said, "I'm Dan Humphrey. I have an appointment with Ms. Jamieson."

"Hello, I'm Leah her assistant," she said as she turned a bright red. He was a handsome man and there was something about his eyes that made her flush, but Leah was also naturally nervous around the opposite sex. She preferred female company because she felt more like herself.

Dan smiled to himself. He still found it a bit disconcerting when women blushed in his presence. He knew women found him attractive, but he liked to think it had more to do with his wit and charm than his mere physical presence. The way he looked certainly wasn't something he liked to focus on too much, unless he was in between companions and looking.

Dan followed the young woman into a large office where she introduced him to a stunning Amazon creature. She had hair that fell just below her ears. It was glossy and shiny with a hint of red. She wore a conservative suit that did nothing to hide what was most likely a stunning physique. She was nothing short of breath taking even if she did exude a little bit of the sexy librarian, but there was something about her that seemed hauntingly familiar. He just couldn't pin point what it was. Serena on the other hand shifted uncomfortably as she came face to face with her past. He had changed very little since high school. The contours of his face were a little sharper and his body seemed a bit firmer, but he was essentially the same boy she had fallen in love with. She swallowed hard, adjusted her glasses and reached her out.

"Hello, Mr. Humphrey. I'm Ms. Jamieson."

Dan smiled at her and said, "Why so formal? No first name."

"I like to keep things strictly professional," Serena replied as she awkwardly readjusted her glasses.

Dan looked at her sceptically, all the while trying to figure out why she seemed so damn familiar to him. He silently appraised her as she babbled on about his vision and his last book. The little bit of cleavage that kept poking out from under her jacket prevented him from fully concentrating on what she was saying.

Damn, she's hot and she's got an amazing rack on her. I wonder if she'd go out with me.

"Mr. Humphrey. Mr. Humphrey, are you listening to me?"Serena asked.

"What? What did you say."

"Have you heard a single word I've said?"

"Um, not really. I was a little distracted."

She looked at him and then realized his eyes were zeroed in on her chest. She quickly adjusted her jacket and said, "if you could get your mind out of the gutter for two seconds and look at the notes I've made I think we can get started on how to rework your book."

"What do you mean rework my book? My chapters are just fine."

"They're a little choppy and the narrative is a bit clichéd don't you think?"

Dan stood up and glared down at her, "listen its bad enough you people fucked me around by giving me an idiot editor and are now suddenly switching it up on me, but I will not have you messing with my prose. Is. That. Clear."

Serena stood up to her full height and said, "Listen. I'm the editor her not you, buddy."

It was then that it finally clicked. He had fought this fight before. Well maybe not the content. It was her. The hair was shorter with flair of color and her face had aged a bit. But, mostly it was the glasses and the uptight demeanor that had thrown him off.

"Serena? Is that really you?" he asked softly.

The sound of his voice going soft when he recognized her made her heart beat a little faster. She smiled shyly and said, "Yes, but that's not the point. I'm here to do a job Dan and you're going to let me damn well do it."

He stood there for what seemed like forever before saying, "I, I, I need to sit down."