Author - perfect goddess E-mail - perfect_goddess@start.com.au Title - Only You Chapter - 9 Disclaimer - <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Darien hurried down the hallway to the board room, memories of Serena's ashen face haunting him. How could he do that to her? He had loved her, and now she would never forgive him. Darien arrived at the board room. Stopping outside to catch his breath, Darien spotted a golden hared woman waling towards him. The resemblance to Serena was uncanny. "Can I help you at all?" he asked. "I'm looking for the boardroom." She smiled. "This is it." He said coldly, opening the door for her, and then following her in. Inside, seated around the jarrah table were several familiar and unfamiliar faces. His mother, Andrew, Rita, Mrs Darling and the blond woman were all sitting on one side of the table. On the other, a brunette, a raven hared woman and a small woman with blue streaked hair sat. "What is going on here Andrew." Asked Darien suspiciously. "I've got something for you to sign here, Dare." He said, handing him a couple of sheets of paper. Glancing around, Darien spotted Mrs Darling. "Mrs Darling." He started. "The merger is off." He announced. "I'm sorry mother." He said, turning to face her. "Don't be ridiculous Darien, dear." Said his mother, gesturing to the pieces of paper he held. "Why would it be off?" "Because Serena and I aren't engaged." He said, sinking into a chair next to the blond woman. "And who are all these people anyway?" he asked, looking at the four women. "Hmph." Said the raven hared one. "Nice to meet you too. The names Raye. I'm an associate and close friend of Serena. This is Lita," the brunette waved. "Amy," the blue-streaked woman smiled. "And this is Mina." "We've already met." Said the blond sitting next to him. "Look, I can explain about Serena." He began, but stopped. Nobody looked that upset. In fact, most of them looked slightly amused. "What's going on here?" he asked again, eyes narrowing. Andrew slid a white envelope across the table. "Your plane leaves in," he checked his watch. "Forty five minutes. But I need you to sign this first." "What?" "We know you're in love with her Darien." Explained Raye. "So go get her!" "She need you." Said Amy, eyes pleading. "But I don't have a bag..." 'Here." Andrew handed him a light travel bag. "We went to your apartment. How do you keep it that clean, man?" "But... she'll never forgive me." He said, eyes downcast. "Don't be silly Darien!" said Mrs Darling. "She loves you." "It leaves in, "Andrew checked his watch again, "Forty three mintues. If you hurry, you'll beat her there. But quickly sign this." "What is it?" asked Darien curiously, but he had a feeling he knew what it was anyway. 'The merger, of course." Said his mother, handing him a pen. "Quickly! You'll miss the flight!" Looking around at the encouraging faces, Darien grabbed the pen and quickly scribbled his signature on the pieces of paper. Pocketing the pen, he took one last look at his friends, and ran off down the hallway, bag in hand, and racing heart. <><><><><><><><><><<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Serena's tears flowed freely down her face. She had loved him, and it was all a cruel joke. Sobbing quietly, she blew her nose with a handkerchief. Inhaling the fragrance, she looked at it more closely. The initials D.L. were embroidered into the corner. Dissolving into a fresh bout of tears, Serena looked out the window of the plane. She hand't had a chance to say goodbye to any of her friends. She had, however, left a note to Raye in the office, and her cat Luna to the man in the next apartment. Her mother would be furious. She could hear her voice ringing in her ears. 'Serena! How could you do this to us! We were this close to the merger! And Darien was so good for you too.' Sure. Serena laughed bitterly. She had fallen in love, not with Darien, but with the man he pretended to be. How he must have laughed when she'd kissed him that night. She'd played right into his hands. "We are now arriving in Tokyo. Please fasten your seatbelts." Wiping the tears off her face, Serena did as she was told, and sat rigid in the chair. She hated flying. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> "Arigato." Serena paid the cab driver, and placed her things next to her on the pavement, looking up at the building. This was to be her new home. Serena didn't know how long she would stay here for, but she hoped it would be long enough to get over Darien. "Serena." Serena's heart raced. She knew that voice! Hardly daring to believe it, Serena turned slowly and found herself face to face with a tall dark, blue eyed man. "Darien." She whispered. Tears threatened to fall down her cheeks, but she held them back. She did not want Darien to see how weak she was. "What are you doing here?" she croaked, her voice failing her. "I had to see you." His ocean blues eyes held her crystal blue ones. "Why?' she started, her voice becoming louder. "So you could throw in my face, just how clever you'd been? Did you and Andrew have a nice little laugh about it back at the office?" she turned her face to hide the hot tears. "No, Serena." He put a hand on her shoulder, turning her to face him. "I came to apologize, and also to tell you that I lo-" "No!" shouted Serena, backing away from him. "You've hurt me Darien. I loved you! You have no right to be here. Just go. She turned her back on him, once again. "No, Serena." Said Darien, "Listen to me! I...I love you." He then turned away. Serena's azure eyes widened. Then she spun around quickly. "Why should I believe you now?' she asked, a glimmer of hope sparking in her heart. "Look at me Serena." Serena looked up into his deep, ocean blues eyes. She gasped at what she saw there. His eyes were filled with...love. "I love you Serena." He whispered softly, brokenly. Serena ran into his arms, sobbing wildly. Darien held her tight. He wasn't about to let her go so easily this time. Sobbing and laughing at the same time, Serena looked up at him. "How did you get here so quickly?" she asked. Darien chuckled and rolled his eyes, carefully wiping the tears from Serena's smooth face. "You have no idea." "I love you Darien." She said, sincerely, placing her arms around his neck. "And I love you, Serena." He said, smiling. She looked at him skeptically. "Are you sure?" she said, her blue eyes teasing. "Only you, Serena. Only you." <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Ahhhh..... finished at last! Thank you all for reading! Yes, there will be an epilogue, and it's coming soon, I promise! Thank you also to everyone who sent me feedback. It was very much appreciated. @}--->-----