Just for Now
By: Neo-Queen Serenity
E-Mail: serenausako@hotmail.com
Webpage: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Shrine/6436
He was not going to like this; he's going to faint when he see
the huge mess that she'd caused.
Get it clean,
scrub the floor,
wipe the table,
get the mugs into the dishwasher,
pick up the books,
recycle them,
get the laundry done...
Serena chanted frantically in her head as she bent to perform each task
with amazing speed. She piled his books together in a dangerously tall
stack
and turned around to dust the table surface. But when she turned around
again,
her legs knocked against her previously made pile and sent her handy work to
ruin.
5:10p.m.
Serena shot the digital radio watch a look, and then whined with dismay.
He would be back in ten minutes. Ten minutes!
When the doorbell rang, Serena froze. She straightened up slowly,
watched the sea of messy household articles, and then carefully inched
towards
the front door.
The door opened.
She carefully positioned herself right in front of him, which she knew
for sure would temporarily block his sight to the interior of his apartment.
"Welcome home." She pasted an over-bright smile on her face and waved.
Darien Foster looked from her smile to her pink bunny apron, then tipped
his toes to see the room concealed by her slender figure at the doorway.
"I didn't know you'd come back so early. The meeting was due Friday."
Serena hurriedly took his suitcase, but refused to step aside.
Yet blocked by her body but still standing in the hallway, Darien looked
at her sunny smile with suspicion. "I intend to enter my own apartment." He
declared.
"Huh, right." She stepped to the side carefully.
Darien lifted his legs to enter, but froze when the lovely vision of his
apartment greeted him "welcome home." Books and magazines were scattered
everywhere. Unwashed coffee mugs were piled to the ceiling in the sink, the
vacuum machine laid abandoned on the floor threatening to trip anyone who
dared
to pass by it. At last, the thick dust on his table could grow flowers!
Serena watched with helpless horror as his face turned from shock to
annoyance, then to a dark scowl, then finally to thunderous murder.
"This is how you've managed to occasionally clean my apartment?" He
breathed in a low, dangerous voice that sounded like rough velvet.
Serena swallowed hard, her heart now escalating to her throat. Her
pulse leapt dangerously, threatening to give her a stroke at the age of
twenty-five. She raised her right hand in helpless appeal.
Darien scanned his apartment once again, unable to face the horror of
its current condition, he focused his attention on Serena.
"I am still waiting for an answer." He called impatiently, already
giving up the attempt to enter his room.
"I thought you'd come back on Friday, so naturally I-"
"Good, very good."
Serena peaked under her curled lashes at his handsome face. Darien
Foster was gorgeous at twenty-eight. Standing at six feet one, he bore the
body of a tennis pro, with a golden tan and superbly fit physique. Serena
had
always thought his eyes wonderful, she enjoyed looking into those shattering
blue depths. They made her blush, almost every time she looked into his
eyes.
His hair was like massive windblown strands, streaked with heavy brown,
causing
a female to yearn to run a hand through them. In general, Darien Foster was
a
bundle of male beauty and charms that could both dazzle and intrigue any
woman.
Of course, that any woman included Serena McNaught as well.
They were roommates.
No, they used to be roommates.
Since July 4th of last year, Serena moved to the apartment unit next
door to Darien's. The only reason she moved was that Darien couldn't stand
her.
When in a good mood, they could be considered "friends". At least,
Darien had tried to befriend her a long time ago, but gave up the notion as
soon
as he'd convinced himself to give it a try. But when things heated up,
sparks
flew, and they fired cannon balls at each other.
You could never see a worse situation.
At work, they are a boss and an employee. At home, they were mighty
opponents in verbal combats. Darien would threaten to fire her, but Serena
would always declare resignation ten seconds before he authors the threat.
Then
they would fire more bullets at each other, until they'd come together and
discuss about what's up for dinner.
They would argue about whom was going to do the laundry based on whose
clothes took a greater proportion. When things get really heated up, they
were
ready to kill each other.
It was probably the wisest decision they'd made in their entire life
when they moved apart, with Darien remaining and Serena moving next door:
their
doors facing each other. But still, there was never ceasefire between the
opposing counsels. Serena would "borrow" her neighbor's cookware and end up
forgetting to return them. Darien would dump his clothes on her in return
for
free laundry. Serena would come messing his apartment up again. Darien would
issue an order that she must clean the muddle in the blink of an eye...
Looking at his thunderous facial expression, Serena fringed a smile.
"Don't worry, Foster. It's but a small chaos. Everything can be handled
and
solved."
Darien stared at her lovely face for a moment; mentally controlling
himself and refusing to let the dangerous volcano of his fury to erupt. He
nodded, very hard, very deliberately.
"I have some work for you to do." He stated with false calm, opened his
briefcase right on the floor, and extracted a pile of documents and reports.
Serena took her work, so relieved that he was going to forgive her for
the mess.
"Don't move; I haven't forgiven you yet." He warned.
She stiffened more.
"I am very, very curious," He looked around, "just how did you manage to
turn my apartment into-huh-a jungle?" He'd been to a very important meeting
at
St. Louis for the past two weeks. And he had offered his keys to his
"helpful"
neighbor, sending his hope and prayers along that she might occasionally
come
over and clean his house, including receiving and transferring some messages
that landed on the answering machine. But now, she'd not only managed to
clean
his house, she'd made it worse than a pig's home!
Serena McNaught said nothing. Her gorgeous long lashes batting at him.
He rolled his eyes, gritted his teeth and waved to dismiss her.
As if released from hell, Serena turned around and fumbled with her keys
to her own door. Across the hallway, Darien picked up his briefcase, held
up
his pants between the tip of his thumb and forefinger only, like a medieval
lady
treasuring her long hem, then hiked carefully in to the treacherous jungle
Serena McNaught had created for him as a coming home present.
Serena whirled around in alarm when she heard a loud noise that was
curiously similar to something crashing against the floor. She stuck her
head
carefully into his door. Then retreated with unsuppressed mirth when she
saw
her boss, Darien Foster, lying on the floor with all fours up. The dangling
cable from his TV set had obviously tripped him.
New gales of laughter forced their way up Serena's throat and out of her
trembling lips when she saw the comical shock on Darien Foster's face. He
sent
her a dark scowl of displeasure that quickly turned into embarrassment.
Serena closed the door behind her, leaving her neighbor to deal with the
massive chaos in his room. She pressed her ears against the door, listening
for
more loud noises that indicated his freefall.
Darien got up clumsily, his blue eyes instantly narrowed on his favorite
goldfish container. Inside the circular, expensive tub, his beautiful
goldfishes
floated belly-up.
Serena shuddered when she heard him roaring: "Serena McNaught, come back
here!"
Darien Foster forced his eyelids apart unwillingly; fatigue had nearly
glued his lashes together.
The digital watch indicated 7 a.m.
7a.m.!
God, doesn't she need any sleep?
There had been an important board meeting last night, which had lasted
until two in the morning. But Serena McNaught still phoned at her usual 7
a.m.
in order to drag him out of bed.
Darien moaned, regretting for the billionth time that he'd unwisely
offered her his private line as a wake up call.
Boom! He kicked the telephone under the bed. The nagging ringing
stopped
Darien pulled the sheets over his head, very satisfied by his method.
However, five seconds after he'd closed his eyes again, his door slid open.
"Darien Foster, wake up call!"
As if answering her call, he jumped up.
God! Darien cursed under his breath. She's only his secretary, not his
mother! But there she was, smiling innocently and standing in his bedroom.
He whimpered again, this time cursing himself. He'd forgotten the fact
that Serena McNaught lived next door to him, and that she had the spare key
to
enter his room. Otherwise, all he really required to do was disconnect the
phone lines. Darien covered his face, already bracing for her endless
nagging
while he firmly forced himself to remember mentally to look for a new
apartment.
"Five more minutes, just leave me alone!"
"No way." Serena refused without mercy. She pulled him up, nearly
dragging him out of bed. "President of large corporations do not arrive at
work
late. It's bad business protocol."
Here she goes again. Darien Foster listened to her infinite harassment;
his head throbbed painfully.
"Miss Serena...ok, Princess Serena." He raised both of his hands to
surrender. "I went to bed at two yesterday. So have some mercy."
"Two? Seriously?" She counted her fingers. "I stayed filing your
reports and article documents and went to bed at three. But I am not the
least
bit sleepy."
"That's because you're a witch..." He mumbled with distress.
"What did you say?" She narrowed her eyes, trying to figure out the
words she couldn't hear clearly.
"Huh, nothing...really, nothing."
Past experience and better judgment told him that he'd better get up
obediently. Besides, after her dramatic "performance" so early in the
morning,
his craving for more sleep was moon dusted.
"Okay." Darien gave up gracefully and completely. He pushed the sheets
away and got up, shaking his head to clear away the exhaustion that attacked
his
brain.
Serena McNaught dusted her hands, very satisfied by his submission. She
then looked at his digital watch with a wicked grin. "I kept my eggs
frying,
gotta check that out." She turned around quickly for a retreat.
Darien wouldn't have cared if she went straight to hell. At least, he
could go back to bed and sleep for an entire week without any sort of
disturbance. He followed her into the living room and yawned resignedly.
His
blue eyes, however, narrowed on the grandfather clock.
The ancient bronze hands pointed at 6:30.
His murderous gaze darted to Serena, shooting daggers at her.
"Just how are you going to explain this?" He whispered in an awful
voice, already rolling up his sleeves, getting ready to punish a certain
blonde.
"Getting you ready for work." Serena inched backwards. "I didn't know
you'd get up so meekly. It's only half an hour..."
Darien stalked towards her purposely; his steps deliberately slow.
"Only half an hour..."
Serena turned and ran for her life towards the door, but before she
reached it, Darien yanked her back. She'd intentionally changed the timing
on
his headboard watch, but accidentally missed the one in his living room.
This
time, she was not going to get away from it so easily...
He rudely draped her across his thighs, lifted his hand and started to
penalize her gentle derrieres with slaps. Serena shrieked, begging for
forgiveness from her "tormenter," while Darien was immensely pleased by his
"sport".
"What are you two doing so early in the morning?" Kenneth Foster
strolled out of his room, suddenly confused by their awkward position.
"Ken, help..." Serena instantly pasted on a pitiful face.
"Goodness, Darien. What are you doing so early in the morning?" Ken
hurriedly released her and pulled her behind his back.
Serena hastily ran under his protection, grabbed Ken's waist, and wept
with false tears. "Darien is mad. He threatened to glue my mouth together."
Ken shook his head. He'd been here only a month to attend the annual
conference to make a budget for next year's investments. Darien had
insisted
that the younger Foster be in Chicago for at least this time of the year.
It
was family business; but after that, Ken would go back to Paris, enjoying
his
freedom as a professional photographer.
Unfortunately, his older brother and his little secretary's morning
battle had disturbed his peaceful slumber and pulled him out of sleep.
Darien stared helplessly at Serena, who stood behind Ken. "Get out."
He gritted his teeth, watching her "flirting" with Ken.
She stuck her head out smugly and tossed him a superior look.
Ken shook his head, sighing. He then pulled Serena out with him. God
knows why there are so many "battles" between the two. He gazed at Serena,
who
had again turned to smile at Darien haughtily.
But why was he so absurdly jealous of their combats? Ken thought
mirthlessly.
"Rena is concerned about you." Ken propped a shoulder against the wall
in his brother's office.
"Concerned about me-" Darien looked incredulous. "She's too concerned
with me! Perhaps next time you're back, you'd find it a wonder when I have
to
start calling her mother."
The younger brother chuckled.
"Besides," Darien suddenly shuddered. "She's a horrible cook, a messy
housewife, and an incredible nagger. Don't worry, I'll give her the credit
she
deserves."
Ken laughed more.
"Not to mention," Gritting his teeth, Darien looked murderous, "she
accidentally slain my goldfish."
"What goldfish?" Serena McNaught rushed in like a refreshing spring
breeze, her blue eyes looking extremely innocent.
"Miss Serena, didn't anyone teach you to knock?" Her boss frowned with
displeasure. He mentally reminded himself not to talk about her bad records
because Miss Serena McNaught could storm in his office anytime.
She marched to the door, knocked on it, and then entered it before
anyone had time to speak up. "Can I come in?"
"Here she goes again," Darien rubbed his temple, muttering. "Aspirin is
perfect where Serena is involved."
Serena ignored his last comment, ready to report his daily schedule to
him. "First of all, to open up the day, you have a 10:30 meeting with the
board
of directors. Then there is lunch with Mr. Lawson and his wife. There are
certain software samples, which require examination before 2:30. And to
finish
your day off, you need to make a phone call to Ms. Hilton."
Although Serena McNaught was an annoying secretary who dragged his boss
out of bed at 6:30 in the morning, but when it came to work, she was Darien
Foster's exceptional assistant.
"There are two aspirins, I thought you'd need that during the meeting."
She laid down a bottle along with a glass of water.
"That's it for the day." She turned around to march into the office
adjoining Darien's.
Draped in a pale blue summer dress, Serena McNaught looked both
beautiful and young. Her lovely blond hair had been pulled into a strict
chignon and held in place. But the silver-framed reading glasses that she
wore
gave her a youthful touch that made her more similar to a high school girl
doing
her homework, rather than the personal secretary of a corporation's
president.
Ken looked after her admiringly. "She really cares about you."
His brother snorted his disagreement; already busy gulping down the
aspirin.
Serena stared at the pink bunny rabbit on her bed. Her thoughts had
wondered far away.
No. Her thought had wandered next door.
Kenneth Foster had been here for a month, and Serena already noticed his
admiration for her. He loved her, she knew. But he never said he did.
But Serena McNaught loved Darien Foster. She never told him neither
because she thought he didn't want to hear that.
She was irresponsible, messy, and loud. He'd told her that a long time
ago. But she enjoyed being close to him, watching him everyday and seeing
that
everything was predictable and organized.
Not that she was organized. But she wanted her life to be organized.
For six years they'd shared an apartment together, but they were like
strangers who didn't understand each other. She understood herself; she
knew
that she loved him. But she didn't understand him.
Six years. She'd known every little detail in his everyday life that
Serena couldn't imagine stepping out of his life and looking back. She
wouldn't
be able to bear it. He'd become a part of her life, and she wanted him to
be
there.
But Ken loved her. The younger brother watched her with gentle blue
eyes that were heart-breakingly similar to Darien Foster's. Ken would tease
her, charm her and take her worries away. Darien scolded her, teased her,
and
fought wars with her. But she still liked him calling her Rena. It was an
electrifying effect that both terrorized and charmed her. And Serena
McNaught
was no survivor when placed under Darien Foster's strong magnetism.
Ken would go back to Paris in a week. Then life would be back to normal
with Darien Foster around. She'd have to again resume her role as Darien's
"wonderful" neighbor.
She knew she loved him. But she didn't know if he loved her.
Perhaps, it's best that she chooses Ken, since he loved her at least.
Serena also remembered asking Darien purposely what he'd do if he loved
someone
more than she loved him. He declared, "I'd leave."
But Serena said, "I would never tell him that I loved him."
Right, she wouldn't tell him that she loved him. Perhaps, she could
still remain his friend, if not wife. That would hurt, but then, it would
be
much better than a final heartbreak.
"Which flight?" Darien looked at his younger brother, a coffee mug
cupped in his hands.
"11a.m. this Friday." Ken looked up from his agenda, recorded the
flight time in it and closed it.
"Take care of yourself."
Ken nodded. "I will."
There was an awkward silence. Ken counted from one to ten to begin the
conversation topic in mind. "Darien..."
"Hmm...?" the older brother sipped more coffee.
"This is about Serena." Ken pulled out a chair and sat down. "I want to
talk to you about her."
"What about her?"
"I want her to come to Paris with me." Ken looked up, and then amended.
"I intend to marry her."
Darien stared at him incredulously for a moment, as if he'd just heard
something hilariously funny. "Rena? You intend to marry Serena McNaught?
That
Serena?"
"Yes. That very Serena." Ken nodded positively.
The older man nodded with sympathy.
Darien laughed a little weirdly. "She would probably starch your food,
cook your shirt, and worse, she might starve your favorite puppy." He
laughed
more, very humored by his joke.
Ken frowned. "I want to marry her because I love her."
Darien looked at him admiringly. "Loving Serena McNaught needs courage.
That's highly regarded. But at least you're saving me from her bossiness.
Now
you don't have to worry about being called someday to come back here to
attend
my funeral."
"She's not that bad."
"You can never see worse." Darien rolled his eyes with dry humor.
"Anyhow, you have my most sincere blessing." And my earnest sympathy. Darien
patted Ken on the shoulder. "Now, take really good care of yourself."
"Wish me luck." Ken chuckled.
"Freedom." Darien Foster whistled happily when left alone in his
apartment. He knew Ken would get Serena to go to Paris with him. The
younger
Foster brother knew how to charm women and no one could refuse him in her
right
mind.
But Darien didn't know Serena would agree without any hesitation.
Now she was packing things up and preparing to leave. He wouldn't worry
about her role in his office. Serena McNaught was an excellent helper and
assistant, he knew that. But he could easily find himself another secretary
to
replace her. Training will take time, however.
But on the personal side of his life, Darien was totally relieved.
First of all, he didn't need a motherly nagger to flock around him everyday,
giving him excruciating headaches. He didn't need her "helpful" offer to
cook
him dinner: a five-years-old could've done better. Without her, he will
never
have to suffer any more massive clean ups just because she messed things up.
It was perfect.
On Friday, Ken Foster would leave with his bride-to-be and on Friday,
life would be completely serene for Darien Foster.
Darien planned and envisioned lots of things. First, he would get more
goldfishes to fill his expensive glass tub. His previous buddies had
suffered
horrible deaths, thanks to Serena McNaught. Poor fishes that must have been
a
horrible way to die.
Then he would categorize his books without having to worry about them
being mixed up later simply because Serena wished to borrow some of them.
He
would never have to fear about overcooked dinners and burnt cookies that
were
generously dumped on his lap.
It's over and he's glad of it.
Sweet bachelorhood.
But then, it surprised him that Serena would agree quickly. Perhaps she
loved Ken, Darien nodded with satisfaction. That's it; she loves him.
A little sense of lost crept up into his heart. But Darien Foster was
too happy planning for his future to mind that.
Serena poured herself a cup of coffee, busily adding large quantities of
sugar, milk and cream; then sat beside Ken, who was watching the morning
talk
shows.
Darien sat across from the couple, thoughtfully picking out some n
on-existent lint from his beautifully tailored pants.
"Yeeeek!" Serena shrieked. "That's disgusting."
Darien quickly looked up, saw that the host was inviting her guest to
swallow some lizards.
"Lizards!" the girl cried again, burying her face into Ken's shirt.
Darien frowned. Serena had never so openly displayed her affection for
anyone. Not even to him. Right now he was absurdly displeased because she
plainly preferred Ken.
"Snakes!" Serena yelped incredulously. "She's not going to ask him to
swallow that too, is she?"
Ken looked admiringly at her lovely face, smoothing some falling
tendrils for her.
"It's sordid." She shuddered.
Getting up, Serena walked over to the kitchen bar and poured herself
another cup of coffee. Then she saw Darien walking up behind her.
"Great coffee, I know I am going to miss it when I leave." She looked up
at him, raising the cup to her lips.
"You can always fly back to pour more." Darien smiled. "I am right here
for your service, anytime."
"Huh." Serena shook her head. "I am the well-trained secretary by Darien
Foster. Good business method tells me that the flight is too expensive in
exchange for a cup of coffee. I don't want Ken to face bankruptcy."
"Then enjoy it while you can."
"No problem." She laughed. "I am enjoying myself immensely." Suddenly
she remembered something. "Darien?"
"Yeah?"
"Here is the spare key to your unit, I guess I won't be needing it
anymore since you can easily kick the phone under your bed and I can no
longer
enter your room, at least not without some long travel."
"Oh." Darien gazed at the key she pulled out. "I have yours."
"Hmm. Will you return it for me to the rental office along with mine?
I can't stay that long for the first of next months, my luggage are all
packed
up to go."
He nodded distressingly, still gazing at the key.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Darien closed his eyes for a moment. "Have a safe trip."
She smiled up at him, drank the coffee in her hands. "Yeeek!" She
screamed again, quickly spitting out the black coffee she drank."
Ken rushed in, his brow lifted in silent question.
Darien watched her fumbling with sugar cubes, milk cups, dumping great
amount of each thing into the mug, then drank it with blissful serenity.
"Serena likes the smell of coffee but she hates to drink it black."
Serena gave Ken a soothing smile. "So I add in lots of sugar and milk to
cover up the bitter taste. I get caught up in the middle: drink it or not
drink
it."
"Sometimes I really don't know if she's drinking coffee or sugar water,
I can't figure that out." Darien added thoughtfully.
Darien strolled into his bedroom after Ken and Serena had left for
dinner. He excused his presence from making the group threesome by saying
he
had a headache.
He saw the telephone beside the bed, knew that after Serena left on
Friday, there will be no one calling his private line, yanking him out of
sleep. He'd disliked her when she did that everytime. But now he kinda
missed
it.
He stepped out of his door, pulled her key out and inserted into the
keyhole. The door opened silently.
Darien saw packed boxes and suitcases. The room was no longer messy and
disoriented.
It was very un-Serena like.
Deprived of her haughty remarks and her favorite bunny rabbit, her room
seemed extremely empty and isolated. She's not yet gone, but he was
starting to
miss her.
He walked into her bedroom; saw the little rabbit on her bed. Picking
it up, Darien looked into its smiling pink eyes.
Serena McNaught was not only a nagger; she's also a big whiner. She was
horribly messy with her household articles and felt no particular shame in
messing with his. She enjoyed driving him insane with over salted meals and
bad
tasting biscuits that she'd made whenever she was in the mood. However, now
without her teasing manner and smug smile, he seemed completely lost.
When Ken had mentioned about bringing Serena to Paris with him, he'd
been momentarily relieved because he felt a huge weight had been relieved
from
his shoulders. Right now, Serena McNaught seemed a priceless treasure to
him,
rather than a pesky neighbor.
He didn't want her to go. Because without her, his life will be nothing
but a bleak void.
He wanted her to stay here, close to him so that he can pamper her,
cherish her, and protect-
Darien Foster paused in his train of thoughts. Pamper her, cherish her,
and protect her?
He froze.
Champagne glasses clicked. Serena raised it to her lips and took a sip.
The sweet liquid trailed mildly down her throat. She lifted her eyes an
inch
and saw that Ken was looking at her.
Slowly, he pulled out a small velvet box from his jacket pocket and
Serena's heart started to chant.
It was as obvious as daylight that the box contained an engagement
ring. If she accepts this ring, she will forever leave Darien.
Forever leaving Darien.
Somehow, the notion sounded so final that Serena couldn't breath
anymore. Suddenly fear seized her heart, she realized that she wouldn't and
couldn't leave Darien. Though he didn't love her or even liked her, she was
willing to stay around him.
The box slid open. The solitaire diamond ring burnt her eyes.
Her blue gaze shot to Ken's gentle face. He took her hand in his,
pulled the ring out and slid it onto her slender finger.
Serena pulled her hand out of his grasp.
Ken's dark blue eyes looked toward her for an explanation.
"I can't..." She whispered. "I can't do this."
She saw his fingers tighten. "Ken, please listen to me."
"It's Darien, isn't it?" He breathed, as if he'd known the answer a
long time ago. "You love him."
Serena took his hand in hers, and looked up with quiet plea for some
understanding. "Ken, I am really selfish. I don't want to hear Darien say
that
he doesn't love me because that'll hurt me. But I can't force myself to
accept
you neither because that would hurt you. I don't want to lie to you because
you
deserve someone who will truly care about you and love you. But she won't
be
me."
He stared at her for a long moment. She watched as he reached for the
small box, setting the ring back in. Deep in her heart, Serena knew that
neither the ring nor Ken would be hers to keep because she'd been too
obsessed
with Darien Foster that she couldn't even love someone who obviously loved
her
very much. But since he loved her very much, she was determined not to hurt
him by lying to him.
"I am sorry." She whispered. "I am so sorry."
Tonight, she took the stairs up to her apartment instead. Walking up
slowly, Serena reconsidered her decision today. She knew that Ken loved her
and
Darien didn't. But it wouldn't have mattered. All that mattered was that
she
loved Darien and was willing to do anything to stay with him.
Before she reached her door, Serena felt her confused judgment clear a
bit. At least, she'd made the correct decision by refusing Ken.
Life would go back to normal.
Already she was anticipating more future "battles" with Darien and was
ridiculously happy about being able to wake him up tomorrow by calling his
private line.
She was attempting another daring trial with chocolate muffins. The
first tray she'd made had been nothing but burnt flour. Serena wrinkled her
nose when she dumped the ashen muffins into her garbage can. They made her
think about carbon, number six in the period table.
Serena McNaught is the only female alive who could make a connection
between baking and chemistry. She laughed.
Darien had drove Ken to the airport this morning, no questions asked
about her sudden change of mind. Ken didn't come to say good-bye either.
In
fact, Serena knew she couldn't face him after last night, at least not now.
The second tray of chocolate chip muffins came a little better.
Unfortunately, there were still some ugly burns on it that smelled awful.
She heard keys jingling and her door opened. To Serena's surprise,
Darien Foster stood in her doorway, his eyes locked on her face.
"Darien?"
He didn't say a thing.
They stood quietly in her apartment, eyes held eyes.
"Ken left today." He finally spoke up. "He wanted me to tell you,
'good luck.'"
"Oh."
"He also told me "bon voyage.'"
Serena tightened her lips.
"Why don't you ask me why he said that?"
"Why?" She whispered.
"Because," he breathed in deeply, taking out any hesitation. "He told
me that you love me."
Serena smiled.
"Would you like to comment on that?"
"No."
He looked surprised for a moment. "Do you know why I came?"
"Why?"
"Because," he walked up to her, seized her slim shoulders, and pulled
her into his arms. "I love you too."
Serena stiffened and went very still. "Why?"
"I can't go on without you. Yesterday, when you and Ken left, I came
in here, saw your packed books and articles, then I realized that you were
going
to leave my life. Without your pink bunny rabbit and jaunty smiles, my life
seemed so empty. Then I realized that you were departing from my life, but
I
was desperate to prevent you from leaving it."
He paused for a moment, then ran a hand down her back in a soothing
manner. "I can't let you leave. I can't."
Relief rushed through Serena, bringing her to a paradise of peaceful
serenity. "I wouldn't leave you. I just wouldn't." She promised sincerely.
For a long time they stood there, contented in the aura of each other's
presence.
"Are you moving away?" Darien finally looked at her face.
"No."
"But you are." He looked around at the packed boxes scattered in her
living room. "You're moving in with me and you're becoming my wife."
Serena felt tears threatening to brim from the back of her eyes. She
thought for a moment, trying to bring humor in between them by offering him
some of her burnt chocolate chip muffins. Then she changed her mind.
"I think there is something you must learn before you actually make
that decision." She looked so solemn that Darien stiffened.
He nodded carefully.
"I can't promise that the house will be nice and clean and your
goldfishes will be swimming happily in the tub the next time you come back
from St. Louis." She looked troubled, "but I am willing to try."
Darien Foster stared at the little troublesome woman standing in
front of him, her head lowered with uncertainty, as if waiting for a death
sentence. A smile crept up and lifted the corner of his lips.
"Then I won't be keeping anymore goldfishes." He promised, already
snatching her into his arms and burying his laughter against her hair.
"It's just you that I want, darling."
THE END
Any comments? Email me at serenausako@hotmail.com
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