Author - perfect goddess E-mail - perfect_goddess@start.com.au Title - Only You Chapter - 3 Disclaimer - <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Darien Lord sat at his desk, leafing through his many papers, brow creased in concentration. In his mind however, it wasn't the upcoming merger that was troubling him. A knock on the door brought him quickly out of his train of thought. "Come in." He said, as the door opened. A sandy haired young man entered the room, and seated himself across from Darien, causing him to put down his paperwork. "Andrew," said Darien, a small smile crossing his features as he greeted his friend. "Darien." Replied Andrew, brushing hair out of his eyes. "How did it go?" "How did what go?" Andrew rolled his eyes. "Last night? Serena Darling? Don't tell me you've forgotten already." "Oh, that." He shrugged. "I've got it under control." "What? How do mean? I don't like that tone." Andrew's eyes narrowed. Loosening his tie, Darien leaned back in the leather chair. "Serena Darling and I made a deal. She thinks she's won. But let me tell you, I am not loosing my inheritance over some blond, too-smart- for-her-own-good, meatball-headed woman!" He leaned closer to a paling Andrew. "What have you done Darien?" he asked, curiously. Darien explained about the 'deal'. "She thinks she's got it all on her own terms. But what she doesn't know is a little thing called, 'the wonderful art of seduction'." "You wouldn't!" exclaimed Andrew. "Oh yes. By the time the merger is ready for signing, Serena Darling won't know what's hit her. I can guarantee that she will willingly want to marry me. And as soon as the merger is signed, I'll dump her." Dariens cold eyes glinted in the light. "Our two companies will merge Andrew, and I will do everything in my power to make it happen." Andrew was speechless. He had known Darien for a long time, and he had assumed that his coldness was a protection of some sort. However, this was going too far, and he told Darien this. "You're going too far this time, Darien." He said, shaking his head slowly. "It's not worth it." "I am not loosing my inheritance over some woman, Andrew! I thought you of all people would understand this." He sighed. "I understand, Darien, but I don't agree with it. And I will most certainly have not part in it." He threw a white envelope onto his paper covered desk. "Bring her to the charity ball on Sunday and I'll give you my professional opinion." He smirked, "It'll also give you a chance to meet Rita." Rita was Andrews girlfriend but Darien didn't expect it to last, he knew his friend too well. "Okay, I'll see you there." Said Darien, reaching for the envelope, but Andrew had already left. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> By the time Darien reached his luxury apartment, it was 11pm. He had spent all night at work, going over papers, and stressing over what Andrew had said to him about what he had in store for Serena. Standing in the elevator, he reached for his cell phone and dialed. Better his mother knew what was going on from him, than from anyone else. *ring ring* "Hello?" "Hello, mother." Said Darien, stepping out of the elevator and fumbling with the keys from his pocket. "Darien? What is so important that you need to get me out of bed at this hour?" "I doubt very much that you were sleeping, mother." He smiled, dropping his briefcase on the couch and taking off his coat. "Did I say sleeping? I said I was in bed. If you must know, I was getting the papers ready for the merger. Have you and Serena met yet?" "Yes mother. She is very stubborn, did you know that?" "Yes, dear, I did have an inkling. I seen to recall telling you this all over the phone last time we had the pleasure of speaking. Are you engaged yet?" "No, she made me a deal though, if you'd care to listen." 'Very well, I'm listening." Darien sunk onto the couch and explained for the second time that day about the deal he'd made with Serena. "But don't worry mother, I can tell that this deal isn't going to last. In fact, I can almost guarentee that we'll be married by the time the merger is signed." "Good, because I wouldn't want to have to give your inheritance to the half-way house down the road. Please do your best to sweep her off her feet, dear. I know that you can be charming when you want to be." "Aren't I always?" he asked innocently, taking his briefcase onto his lap, and searching around in it, until he came across a certain white envelope. "Are you by chance coming to the charity ball, mother?" "Yes, of course I am, Darien. I always go to those ghastly things. It's good for publicity. Why, may I ask should it be of any interest to you, seeing as you never attend?" "Well, don't be too shocked, but this year I will be going, and what's more, with a certain blond headed associate of ours. I want you to be there to meet her. " "Wonderful!" exclaimed Mrs Lord. Darien could practically see her beaming over the phone line. "I'll hold you to that." She added. "Yes mother. Bye." "Bye bye dear. And go to bed right this instant! Midnight is really too late." "Yes mother." He said, reminded of his childhood. "Bye." "Goodnight." <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Serena did not have an easy time as Darien telling her parents. In fact, she had a horrible time telling them. Even before she picked up the phone she could imagine her mothers voice scolding her. Sighing, Serena began to dial their number, as she sat down on the four-poster bed. "Hello? Darling residence." "Hi, it's Serena, is mo-" "Serena! How was it? Did it go well? What was he like?" Serena's mother began bombarding her with ridiculous questions, while Serena waited for her to calm down. "He is the most infuriating, arrogant, self-centered man I have ever had the displeasure of meeting! Really, all he was concerned about was his money, his inheritance. I am already sick to death of him, and I've only had one meeting with him." "He is handsome though," Ilene pointed out. "Yes I guess so." She admitted. "But that doesn't in any way make up for all his other and countless failings!" "Yes dear," soothed Ilene. "So, are you engaged yet?" she asked casually, hoping to catch her daughter off guard, but no such luck. "Mother!" she thundered. "Have you been listening to a word I've said? As if I would get engaged to such a-" Ilene cut her off before she started another tirade of insults. "Just watch what you say, dear. He is going to be your business partner one day. What have you agreed on?" Serena explained about their deal, and her mothers reaction was what she had expected. "What? Are you out of your mind Serena? We didn't come up with the idea of you two getting engaged for our own amusement! It was for the good of both you and Darien! What are his parents going to say? The merger will most definitely be off!" "Calm down mother! If Dariens parents care for him at all they will at least consider what he has to say." She paused. " This is all I can manage right now mother." Serena said, with a defeated sigh. "Yes dear, of course. It will all be alright in the end. But right now, I have to go. Your brother has just walked in the door." "Okay. Bye." "Bye" <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> @}--->---- More soon :) Remember, more e-mail = more chapters!