Title:Love and Bitter Memories.Chapter 8 Author:Tapestry Email:Shaddow_Cat@hotmail.com Rating:PG Standard Disclaimer Apply. *denotes thought The song at the bottom was taken from Disney's Lion King II,'Love Will Find a Way.'Thanks. Serena's eyes suddenly flew open and she pulled away from the kiss. Her eyes had an almost haunted look in them.Darien stared at her shocked. With that,Serena Laura Lunaria fled from Darien Terra Shields,leaving him to stand there shocked and confused. Moments later,he regained his mental control of his body and hurried off after her. ~Darien's POV~ I ran after Serena.Why'd she suddenly take off like that???Questions flew around my head,taunting me.I spotted her in the distance.It was kind of funny actually.I didn't know women could run in those heels.... Catching up with her,Serena gave a gasp. ~Serena's POV~ I finally registered I was kissing Darien Terra Shields.I hated myself. Didn't I hate this man???Hadn't I vowed,never to fall in love??Was I falling in love again??Was I falling for Darien?? Falling in love again was bad...and equally dangerous if it was Darien Shields you were falling for. A hand caught my shoulder.I never knew the blasted man could run so fast.... ~Author's POV~ "Serena!!What's wrong???Why are you running???"asked Darien as he stared at her clear blue eyes. Silence.... "Serena...please??"whispered Darien. Silence.... "Serena,I love you!!"shouted Darien angrily as he held her by the shoulders,his face a mask of despair. This did the trick.Serena's clear blue eyes watered and tears ran down her cheeks. Breaking away from his grasp,Serena turned her back to him,as her body shook with sobs.No...she couldn't fall in love again.She just couldn't. "Sere..??" "Don't you understand????!!!!I can never love you or anybody else!!I have a heart in here!!"screamed Serena pointing to her chest."Only a gaping black void!!"cried Serena,tears streaming down her cheeks. With that,she turned ans ran...leaving a stunned Darien Shields. Dark storm clouds rolled in.A loud clap of thunder sounded...then the rain fell...leaving Darien Shields wet as he stared after the disappearing blonde. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~Serena's POV~ I ran down the walkway.The rain drenching me.Tears were coursing down my face though I lied,telling myself it was only rain. Lying to myself...all the lies.Were the lies better than risking heartache again???Both were equally bad but I wasn't sure which was worst. I reached my apartment,dripping wet.Soaked to the skin and cold.As soon as I closed the door to my apartment,I slided down the door to the floor sobbing.How could ONE man wrought so much chaos into my life??? All my life...telling everyone and myself I didn't need anybody.But in truth...I DID!!I WANTED somebody in my life...NEEDED somebody in my life. But I had always been too afraid.Keeping the world at arms length. I wanted somebody to love me..the love I never had during my childhood... to hold me when I was sad and frustrated.To whisper soft sweet nothings into my ear....but no...I was afraid.Afraid to let the warmth back into my icy cold soul.My dead soul.Afraid I would lose it once again if I did ever get it back.So...I left the door to my soul,closed,bolted with lock and key. The key was thrown away and the sunshine and light faded out. But could Darien Shields actually have found that key??Maybe...but I perhaps would never know. And thats the way I was the whole night...sitting on the floor with my back leaning on the door and me sobbing.My rug soaked from my clothes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~Darien's POV~ I threw my coat on the rack.It dripped water.I wondered if any fish could live in my coat.It was pouring outside.Thunder and lightning flashed.This suited my mood. How could I be happy when the woman who had brought little warmth and light into my cold heart had just rejected me??I loved her...that was the simple truth. Would she only be a memory years from now???A memory of a lost love. Another pain to add to my whole collection of bitter memories.From the lost of my parents,the tormenting in my childhood days and the betrayal and disgust from friends and adults during my teenage years.The whole lot. Just another painful memory I would carry for the rest of my life. Some people say we carry our experiences with us for the rest of our lives and pain would last an eternity.If they had meant the pain of heartbreak... they were right. Serena Lunaria had swept into my life by accident,turning it upside down. Brought together as friends by one person and when she had my heart....she left..taking with her whatever faith in humanity I had left. For the second time in my life since my parents death...I wept. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The next day. It was still raining when I went to the hospital.Andrew was there with Mina.Reaching the hospital,I got out and proceeded towards Mina Venusa's room.I heard she was applying for divorce.Poor girl...she has her own bitter memories to take with her now... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~Andrew's POV~(hospital) It was so easy to talk to Mina...about my life...even about Rita.I guess I truly never knew what an effect Rita's death had impacted on me. Mina Venusa...the woman who had suddenly crashed into my life.She was a funny woman.I felt something about her.A feeling I never experienced before with Rita..and I'd LOVED HER so much. I trusted her and she trusted me.She told me about her life.Anthony had been her high school sweetheart. She admitted Anthony had had many girlfriends in high school and college, however he'd always been sweet to her and had courted her after they'd finished college. She and Serena were like sisters due to the fact Mina's mother had treated Serena like her own daughter. When Serena's foster mother died,Serena moved in with Mina and both of them had forged a bond,closer than sisters.Especially when Mina's mother died of cancer. "Mina,I'll go get you some water okay???"I offered. Mina gave a little nod. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~Mina's POV~ Andrew was so sweet and caring.So much like Anthony before we married. In the few hours I had conversed with Andrew Brimstone,I'd known almost everything about his life. Andrew had come from a broken family.His parents were divorced.When he was 13,his father had walked out on his mother,his sister and him because his mother had been very ill.His sister had been 11.Darien's grandfather had helped him get his mother into a hospital.But his mother had been ill for so long and suffered so much...she'd taken such a long time to rest in peace. His little sister Elizabeth had died at the age of 16 in a mugging case. She'd been shot and had died instantly.When Andrew was 20,he'd traced his father with Darien's help. They'd found him in San Diego in an insane asylum.It seems his father had met many women and all had taken him for every penny he had.This had drove his father to the edge of insanity.When Andrew had met with his father,the old man had not even recognized Andrew. Then he'd met Rita Braddock.The woman who'd healed his wounds and brought happiness back into his life.At the age of 23,he'd proposed. But not long after the proposal...month's later Rita had been involved in a fatal accident when she was on her way back from Chicago.She died instantly. Andrew had them wallowed in depression.Shutting out even his bestfriend. It took months for Andrew to get back to the real world. I felt sad about his life story.... "Mina,I'll go get you some water okay??"he offered. I nodded slightly,and he got up and left,taking the thermos with him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I was quite surprised to find Darien peeking in,only moments after Andrew had let to get me some water. "Hello Darien."I greeted. "Oh,Mina.Is Andrew here??"he asked. "He went to get me some water.He'll be back soon.Come on,sit down."I told him with a small smile. His face showed he was in need of talking.His eyes were soulful and sad. I wondered what had happened??? "Thanks."whispered Darien as he sat down in an empty chair. The two sat in silence...finally,Darien gave a sigh. "Is..something wrong??"asked Mina tentatively. "Would you consider me a bad candidate for a boyfriend??"asked Darien suddenly. I giggled."Aaaah...this is about Sere,right??"I asked knowingly. Darien gave a sigh of defeat and nodded. "You've fallen for her.Serena was here yesterday.She was soaked to the bone."I sighed. "Did she catch a cold??"asked Darien worried. "No..." "She says she can never love anyone.Does she really hate me that much or is it all men???"asked Darien. "Oh Darien...don't think that...don't EVER think that." "Then why??Does she hate all men??"asked Darien sadly. "It's not that.It's just that....the past..HER part weighs her down. Serena loves you,Mr Shields.Even though she doesn't show it or say it.Even though she DENIES it.She loves you.Believe me....you've done more than you'll ever know."I whispered. Darien stared at me gratefully. "Thank you,Mina..." "Hi Darien."came a voice. "Andrew."acknowledged Darien. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~Author's POV~ Serena sat in her office,twirling her pencil about.She stared at the piece of paper on her desk.Business had been slow. She unconciously doodled on the empty paper. Just then,Molly Baker,Serena's assistant entered carrying a bouquet of red roses. "Miss Lunaria.A bouquet of roses just came for you."smiled Molly as she winked mischieviously. Serena smirked rolling her eyes. "For you."smiled Molly as she held them out towards Serena. "Thanks Molly."smiled Serena. "What are you drawing??"asked Molly. Serena stared down at the piece of paper and realized her traitorous hand had produced a rough outline sketch of Darien Shields's face.Serena covered the paper. "Nothing!!And it's none of your business."snapped Serena. "You act almost like Mina."said Serena with a huff. Molly gave a laugh."I'll leave you,with your DRAWING,Miss Lunaria."laughed Molly. "Get out before I fire you."smirked Serena playfully.The affection in her voice canceled out the harshness of the words. "I'm gone,Oh mighty boss."laughed Molly as she fled out the door before Serena could berate her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Serena stared down at the sketch.It DID look like Darien Shields.The curve of the cheek and nose and the way his midnight hair tumbled down over his eyes.No mistaking it. She missed him...which was natural. Serena gave a sad sigh.*No..!!I must be firm,cold..strong.*thought Serena angrily. Turning her attention to the roses,Serena plucked the card off the bouquet. Darling Serena, Though I may never be able to claim your heart,I would just like you to know....I'm always here for you.And I'll always be waiting for you until the day you love me back.I love you... Sincerely, Darien Shields Serena gave a little sniffle.*Darn him!!Does he always have to do this? Make me feel guilty??Sad???Must he steal all my sanity??????????*screamed her mind. Serena sighed. "Nice roses though." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Andrew sat by Mina's side.Mina had told him about Darien's dilemma.Both agreed that pairing the two up was just what the doctor ordered.However, Serena had a certain stubborn and rebellious steak. Andrew smiled. "Seriously,...maybe we should just let destiny take it's course."said Mina. "Alright...you win.Hows the divorce coming along??"asked Andrew changing the subject... ~Somewhere else~ Serena sat at the Greenwood Sidewalk Cafe.She sighed... "Well...hello,Serena dear."came a sultry voice. Serena turned and saw Beryl Brooks. She gave a smirk."Hello,Beryl.Met anybody lately??"mocked Serena. "Darling....I'm just trying to be friendly."smiled Beryl as she sat down. "Well....if people have friends like you,who needs enemies??And I'm NOT your darling." "Whatever then...My my...you look down.Something wrong in your life??" smirked Beryl. "No,unless you count the moment you sat down."hissed Serena. "Temper temper...and don't be rude.I don't think Darry would like that in his women." Serena's mouth curled in distaste. "Miss Brooks,I have no idea what you are implying.Would you care to elaborate???Mr Shields is merely my client.Nothing more.I am nobody's woman."frowned Serena. "Well of course not!!People in the world go for a one night stand nowadays,don't they?????"laughed Beryl. Serena's temper burned red hot.The nerve of the bitch. Before Serena could say anything scathing. A tall woman with chocolate brown hair and emerald green eyes came up towards Beryl and grabbed her shoulder. "How dare you speak rude things about Darien.Please leave immeadiatly." frowned the woman. ~Serena's POV~ I stared at the tall chocolate haired woman.Her emerald eyes flashing with fire.She had a british accent and had refered Darien by his first name. My heart thudded painfully.Was this one of his former exotic women?? "And who do you think YOU are??"spat Beryl. "I'm the owner of this cafe."hissed the woman. Beryl got up and stuck her nose in the air and walked off with a flounce. The woman then turned to me and smiled."Darien is a client of yours??" I nodded. She sat down."What do you work as??"she asked. "I'm an interior decorater."I replied. "Oh!!How wonderful.Do you know Darien personally??"she asked me. I failed to see where this conversation was heading...."I'm a friend,if that's what you mean." "Oh good!!Darien doesn't know I'm in town.I want to surprise him!!"smiled the woman,her emerald eyes shining. "I see....bu-" "Oh silly me,I haven't even introduced myself!!I'm Lita Jupitra." (AN:Refer to Chapter 2.) Why did that name sound so darn familiar??? "I'm his distant cousin from England." I wanted to kick myself.Me thinking this woman was one of Darien's women. Now that I looked at her,she didn't look like the type to play around. Her hair was tied up in a forest green ribbon and she wore a white sweater with a dark hunter green jacket and matching skirt that reached below her knees.A sugar pink scarf around her neck. "Well...do you have any place to stay??"I asked. "No,I arrived today.I want to surprise him."smiled Lita. "Well...I can drive you to his apartment tonight." "I'd like to see my grandfather first." (AN:Though Lita is not old Mr Shields's granddaughter,Lita spent a few vacations with him and considers Mr Shields her grandfather.) "Today's a Friday isn't it???I do believe Darien visits your Grandfather on Fridays.I can take you to the mansion."offered Serena. "That would be wonderful!!!Thank you so much!!"smiled Lita. I liked Lita already... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~Lita's POV~ This woman,Serena Lunaria was a sweet and fragile thing.I was glad Darien had a friend like her...though I hope if he decides to go after her, he better be more thoughtful. If I find out she was hurt by him,that cousin of mine is going to get it. Oh but I really DID like this woman so much.She would do a lot for my cousin's cold exterior. Darien had been so happy before Uncle Robert and Aunt Cassandra died.I wonder how's grandfather??? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That night... Darien pulled in at the driveway of his grandfather's mansion. After dinner,the doorbell was heard... A few moments later,a few servants and the housekeeper rushed into the living room out of breath and glowing. "Sir,Mr Shields...Miss Jupitra is here!!"exclaimed the housekeeper. "Lita??"asked Darien. "Darien!!!Grandfather!!"laughed Lita walking into the living room. "Hello,dear!!How you've grown sice the last time I saw you."smiled Mr Shields. "How did you get here???"asked Darien curiously. "Your friend,Serena Lunaria dropped me off."replied Lita. "Serena??How do you know her???" "We met at my cafe."smiled Lita.However Darien had already went off towards the front door.He watched as Serena's car roared away. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Serena drove back towards town.Tears were streaming down her cheeks slowly. She passed by the park again.Tears fell faster... Stopping the car,Serena got out and walked towards the swings.Sitting down on one of them,she swung herself slightly. Tears streamed down her cheeks.... Unbeknowst to her,Darien had followed her in his own car.He'd saw her car parked by the roadside at the park. He watched her as she swung slowly on the swing,her head hung down and the swing making creaking noises. "Serena..."whispered Darien. Serena gave a little gasp and got up abruptly. "Darien...." Darien slowly made his way towards her.However,Serena stood there still, unable to move.Like a deer caught in the oncoming headlights. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Darien stopped in front of her and bent down,placing a small butterfly kiss on her lips. Her once again traitorous hands reached up to wind themselves around his neck,pulling his head down. When they finally broke apart,Serena stared up at Darien. "I love you,Serena Laura Lunaria...marry me?"whispered Darien. "Darien...I-I...I love you."smiled Serena as tears once again welled up in her eyes.She hugged him,burrying her face in his chest. "Does that mean a yes??"teased Darien as he brushed her silvery gold mane. Serena looked up accusingly. "Darien...I never suspected you to be dimwitted,but...yes,yes,yes a thousand times!!!"laughed Serena. Darien grinned shamelessly,catching her by th waist and swung her around the little park. Only laughter could be heard emanating from the park in the darkness... Insert song from Lion King II (disclaimer...nope..I don't own this.... Disney does) Love Will Find A Way In a perfect world.... One we've never known... We would never need... to face the world alone... They can have the world, Will create no role... I may not be brave or strong or smart, But somewhere in my secret heart, I know...love will find a way... Anywhere,I go... I'm home...if you are there beside of me.. My dark...turning in-to day... Somehow will come true... Now that I've found you... Love will find a way.... I was so afraid... Now I realize... Love is never wrong and so, it never dies.... There's a perfect world, Shining in your eyes.... And if only they, Could feel it too... The happiness,I feel with you.. They'd know... Love will find a way.. Anywhere,we go.... We're home.... If we are there together... My dark...turning in-to day, Somehow will come true, Now that I've found you... Love will find a way.... I.....know love...will find...a....way..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ I should probably say the end,but I still have an epilogue to write. :)) So hold on.Watch for the epilogue!!