Author - perfect goddess E-mail - perfect_goddess@start.com.au Title - Only You Chapter - 7 Disclaimer - AN - Have you ever looked through a thesaurus? I am in love with our thesaurus! *Hugs thesaurus and sighs happily* Here are a few words of wisdom that I found in it: "Why, sometimes I have believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." - Lewis Caroll 'Through the Looking Glaass' - "A thing of beauty is a joy forever; It's loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness." - John Keats 'Endymion' - "If I had to choose between betraying my country or my friend, I hope I would have the guts to betray my country." - E.M. Forster - "Ocean: A body of water occupying about two thirds of a world made for man - who has no gills." - The Devils Dictionary - Well, On with the story! And remember, e-mail is a good thing! Please e-mail me with comments, suggestions and even flames! Actually, I don't care what you think of my story, just e-mail me and tell me! The goddess :) <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Serena walked into the office the next morning with a huge smile fixed on her face. She was in love. Yes, the calm, collected, work-a-holic Serena Darling had vanished into a love sick teenager. But Serena hardly noticed and didn't care in the least. Striding into Rayes office, she sat down sipping her tea. Nothing could ruin her day. "Hello Serena." Greeted the raven haired beauty, looking up from her papers. "You seem especially happy this morning." "I know." She gushed, and if possible smiled even wider. "Dariens taking me out tonight." Raye looked at the girl carefully before picking up a copy of the mornings paper. "Have you seen this?" Serena snapped out of her day dreams as Raye handed her the paper. Turning to the inside cover, Serena's face paled. Pictures of herself and Darien at the business meeting she had dragged him to last night, were arranged around a large article entitled 'Darien Snares Darling At Last'. Dragging in a ragged breath, Serena put down the paper and closed her eyes. Counting slowly to ten, Serena calmly opened her eyes and looked into Rayes worried face. "So?" she asked. "Are you okay." "Why shouldn't I be?" Raye shifted uneasily for a moment before replying. 'Well, you and Darien didn't seem to hit it off at the start, and you were kind of upset at the last lot of pictures that were published in this paper." 'Don't worry, Raye." Assured Serena, the colour coming back into her cheeks as she gave her a watery smile. "The press can think whatever they like about us. *Nothing* is going to ruin my day." "Does this have something to do with Darien?" asked Raye suspiciously. "Of course Raye. I'm in love with him." Replied Serena calmly, before walking out of the office, leaving a dumb-founded Raye staring after her. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> He was dirt. No, he was lower than dirt. Anyone who could do what he was about to with no regrets had to have no conscious or heart whatsoever. Darien drummed his fingers on his desk as he tied up the last of the paper work for the merger. Tonight was the night. Tonight would seal the deal. It was going to be the most romantic night of her life. And then, tomorrow he would drop the bombshell. Give her the tickets and walk out of her life forever. God, he was scum. Just then Andrew walked into his office. He was holding an envelope in one hand, a sheet of paper in the other and a scowl on his face. Andrew knew the plan and he was not happy. Andrew's view on women, love and money had changed dramatically ever since Rita had entered his life. Claiming that this was 'it' and that she was the one, Andrew should have been bouncing around the place without a care in the world. But he wasn't. He was too worried about his friend. "Here they are." He said throwing the envelope on the table. "A one-way ticket to Tokyo, leaving tomorrow afternoon. I hope you're happy." Looking up at his friends disappointed and angry face, Darien slowly took the envelope and put it in his top drawer. "Thanks" was all he said. Andrew began to walk towards the door. "What's it like?" Andrew turned. "What's what like?" "Love." Walking back to where his friend sat, Andrew explained. "Love is... fantastic. Love is thinking about her every moment of the day. It's not being able to keep your mind on anything but her. Love is being able to look at a paper, and finding that the words rearrange themselves into a picture of her. Love is wanting to be around her every moment of the day. It's being ready to give up everything for her, yet scared she won't feel the same way. Love makes you incomplete without her, yet..." "Complete with her." Darien finished, his eyes drifting out the window. "Thank you Andrew." Andrew gave his friend a knowing look before quietly going out of the office and making a quick phone call. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Serena looked at her reflection for the umpteenth time in the gold framed mirror. She hadn't been this nervous for a long time. Actually, come to think of it , she'd never been this nervous. Smoothing out the fabric of the black dress and tucking a piece of stray hair back into it's rightful place, Serena heard the doorbell. Grabbing her purse she ran to the intercom. "Coming!" she said hurriedly. Opening the door, Serena gasped. Darien stood there, dressed in his tuxedo, a bunch of blood red roses in hand. "Hello gorgeous." He said, before bending down and claiming his kiss. There stood there, the roses crushed between them, forgotten, for what seemed like forever, before breaking off. Serena looked breathlessly into Dariens blue eyes. There was something, not right. She couldn't place it. Oh well. Smiling warmly, she took the flowers and walked into the kitchen, placing them in a tall vase. "So," she said, over the noise of the running water. "Where are we going?" Walking into the kitchen, Darien grinned. "The theater. And then dinner." He said, watching the little blond putting the roses into the vase carefully, as not to prick herself on the thorns. "Yeah!" she said, dropping the roses and clapping her hands gleefully. "I *love* the theater!" "Good." He replied, coming over and wrapping strong arms around her slim waist. Leaning down, Darien nearly captured Serena's pink-painted lips when she squealed. "Look at the time!" she said, dislodging herself from Dariens firm grasp. "We have to go!" Reluctantly, Darien followed her out of the kitchen and into his car. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> "That was great!" said Serena enthusiastically when the play had finished. "But I'm a little hungry." She looked up at Darien hopefully. Steering her around the corner, Darien just chuckled and led her into a small cafe. The cafe was quiet, and Darien led her to a small table near the window at the back. The table was candle lit and one long stemmed red rose stood in a vase on the center it. "I see you like roses." She giggled, leaning over to inhale the lovely fragrance of the flower. "Yes." He smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. Inside, Darien was dying. Every smile Serena gave him. Every look of pure adoration made his heart break a little more. Still, he steeled it, and went on with business as usual. Serena was just another business deal, he told himself firmly, ignoring the way her eyes lit up every time he smiled at her, or how beautiful her golden hair was. "So," he said casually, opening the conversation. "You said you grew up in Tokyo?" "Yes." She replied. "My family lived there for five or six years, while Dad stayed there with business. I miss it so much." Her eyes grew wistful. "I've haven't been to Tokyo." He said, but it was lie. Of course he'd been to Tokyo. The ruch and handsome Darien Lord had been everywhere. Or so he boasted. 'Really?" she asked, a little surprised. "It's wonderful! I will take you sometime..." but she broke off, flushing slightly. "That would be great." Whispered Darien, looking deeply into her eyes. Tearing her gaze away, Serena glanced over at the waiter who had just arrived at their table. "Oh look! Our food's here!" They ate and talked for over an hour, before Serena looked at her watch and realized the time. "Oh my goodness! I have to go. I'm sorry Darien, but I have clients early tomorrow. Good bye." She said, as she prepared to leave. "Serena." He said, grabbing her arm. "Will you come and see me in the office tomorrow? I have something very important to tell you." Heart racing wildly, Serena agreed and walked briskly out of the restaurant, and into a waiting cab. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Finished chapter seven at last! That was a hard chapter to write, writers block is terrible! Thank you to all of you who sent me feedback. It was very much appreciated. But that doesn't mean you can stop the e-mails there! Please, don't hesitate to e-mail me with thoughts, comments or anything! Chapter 8 will be out soon. I promise! @}--->----