Never Look Back - Part One
Usagi-chan
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~~~
Serena sighed deeply as she watched the night sky. The full
moon looked down on her as any guardian would. She smiled softly at
the thought. A guardian. Someone to protect her no matter. Someone
who would watch over her, and maybe love her.
Love. Yeah right! Love doesn’t even exist. Serena scoffed. She moved
away from her window and lay on her bed. She glanced around her small
bland room, thinking back to the events that had led her to this point
in her life.
She was living in an orphanage just outside town. She had lived there
for most of her life now. Serena remembered moving there when she was
about six years old, shortly after her parents died. None of her
relatives had wanted to take in the broken child. Serena laughed
bitterly, remembering what they had said.
"She’s such a lovely little girl! I’m sure she’ll be adopted right
away. We just can’t take her in right now. Not enough money… We’ll
visit though! Every week. We promise Serena.”
That was the last she had ever seen of them, although she did get a
postcard a few years later saying they had moved to America.
Serena rolled onto her side and continued to look out the window from
her bed. When she was younger, she had had so many hopes and dreams.
She thought maybe some noble knight would ride in on a great stallion
and carry her away and make her a princess. Such childish dreams.
Now she just counted the time until she could leave, and live on her
own. Occasionally, she would take her motorcycle, and ride. It was a
taste of freedom for her, to be able to fly along the roads late at
night. Just those brief moments had allowed her to develop a taste for
freedom. She longed for it now.
“Serena? Are you still awake?” a soft voice asked from the doorway.
Serena looked over and saw Mari standing there. Serena hadn’t even
heard the door open.
“Yes.”
“There’s someone here, who I think you should meet.” Serena sat up as
Mari spoke. The elderly lady had always taken special care of Serena.
Mari was almost a mother to Serena; she had been since the day Serena
arrived.
“Why Mari?” Serena asked.
“There is a young man, looking for someone. Just come, Serena.”
Serena stood up and followed Mari down the corridor, then stair well.
Serena paused as she neared the bottom and saw the young man standing,
talking to Victoria.
“And you think she would be appropriate?” Victoria asked. “I’m sure we
have far better mannered girls, for what you require. I…”
“No. This is the one I want. I’m sure.” The young man said. He
seemed to sense Serena’s eyes on him, and he turned to face her. Blue
eyes met blue eyes and Serena let out a small gasp. The man was
absolutely gorgeous. His midnight black hair fell across his forehead
and into his dazzling eyes. He was tall, well built and sexy in a
black business suit. He smiled gently at Serena.
“This is Serena. The girl you claimed you wanted to see.” Victoria
waved a hand at Serena as she spoke. “Mari will see to things.”
Victoria turned and left the three standing there.
“Please, let’s move into the sitting room. Serena, will you take our
guest there while I get us some refreshments?” Mari asked.
“Of course.” Serena said, eyeing the visitor warily. She led the
strange man into the elegantly furnished sitting room.
“I have come with an offer for you.” The man began.
“I believe we should wait for Mari.” Serena interrupted. The man
smiled.
“As you wish.” Serena sat in one of the two wing backed chairs while
the stranger went to the piano and tapped out a few notes.
“Do you play?” He asked her. Serena nodded curtly. Before he could
say anything else, Mari entered with a tray.
“Would you like some coffee?” Mari asked.
“Please.”
Mari handed him a cup of coffee, and turned to Serena, who shook her
head. Pouring herself a cup of coffee, Mari turned to the gentleman.
“Now, why is it that you have come her tonight?” She asked.
“I have a proposition for you. I would like to ‘adopt’ Serena, so to
speak. I don’t want any of the formality, but I want to take her away
from here. In exchange, I will make a generous donation to the
orphanage.” He explained.
“Why?” Serena asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
“I have my reasons.” He replied.
“And I want to know what they are.”
“Serena!” Mari scolded. “I am terribly sorry.”
“There is no need to apologize.” The man smiled. “I myself was raised
in an orphanage. When I was 16, an old man came and took me in. He
educated me and cared for me until he died. His dying wish was that I
do the same. That is why I am here tonight.”
“Why me?” Serena asked, still unconvinced.
“You are very much like I was. You’ve had a tough life, lost your
family. You have been dubbed a lost cause by so many others, who
just don’t understand. I understand.”
“How do I know I can trust you?” Serena asked.
“Serena,” Mari began. “I know this young man. He grew up in this
orphanage. He was, in fact, here when you came, but he left during
your first year. You were so full of anguish and hurt, you didn’t
notice any of the other children.”
“Mari, you trust him then?” Serena asked. Mari nodded.
“I do. Serena, why don’t you play something for us?”
Serena nodded and rose. She moved to the piano and began to play the
Moonlight Sonata.
“She’s still hurt, untrusting. Very much like you were. She tried to
cut herself off, emotionally. She rebels in school, although she is
very smart. She is beautiful, but cannot see anything but hurt and
pain. She needs love and gentleness.” Mari said softly.
“I know.”
“There is something you are not telling me, Darien.”
“Mari, this woman… There is something about her… I saw her, driving
on her motorcycle, late at night, like I used to. She was so beautiful
as she soared. She seemed to blossom with the freedom and freeness of
life. She could thrive on all the fine things in life. I don’t
understand it, but I want to make up for all the hurt and pain she has
ever felt. I want to protect her from everything. I want to shield
her…” Darien’s voice trailed off.
“You are in love with her.” Mari said softly. Darien did not reply. A
few minutes later, Serena spoke.
“Mari. It is up to you, whether I go. If you say I should, I will.
If you say I should stay, I will do that.” Serena said from the piano
bench. Her fingers still flew across the keys, but her eyes were shut,
hiding their luminous blue.
“Serena, it is your future.” Mari replied.
“Decide, Mari.”
“Go. Walk away and never look back. Leave everything but what you
hold most dear and move on. Leave tonight and never, ever look back.”
Mari said. “Goodbye Serena.”
Mari left the room, leaving the two alone. Serena stopped playing, but
remained seated. Darien watched her silently.
“If you are not serious about this, say something now.” Serena told
him. Darien said nothing. Serena rose gracefully from the piano bench
and turned to him.
“Retrieve only what you need, and we shall go.” Darien said softly.
“I need nothing.” Serena told him.
Darien led her out to his car and helped her in before climbing into
the driver’s side. Serena looked at the orphanage through the window
and whispered a soft good bye. As they drove off, Serena stared into
the dark night sky, never once looking back.
~~~~
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