
      Never Say Goodbye


      Author: aria


      Rated: R



      Prologue
      Serena Thompson studied the foreign citys topography from her vantage 
      point of twenty stories. Shed have to call up Luna and thank her for 
      sending her to Paris. Being the great designer Luna Teyssiers assistant 
      had been great, but this had to be the best assignment yet! It was the 
      first time shed been to Paris and being there only a few days, she was 
      still seeing the city through rose coloured glasses.
      She stared down at the beauty of the City of Light and sighed. When she 
      found the time shed have to go out and find out what the city had to 
      offer. Frowning she returned to her work. That was if she ever found the 
      time.
      Luna sent her over to help manage things over on Europe. And from what 
      Serena had seen so far, she needed all the help she could get. She slapped 
      yet another folder full of data on the desk. Luna sent her over to keep an 
      eye on things on this end. There was no one else she trusted as much as 
      Serena. Therefore it was only natural that Luna chose her to head up the 
      European side of her fashion empire.
      Sighing, Serena took off her glasses and massaged her temples. Staring the 
      papers was getting her nowhere. She could definitely see why Luna would 
      want some help over here. Just handling the North American side of things 
      must have been a nightmare without this side of things to add to her 
      workload.
      "Seeeeerrrreeeeeennnnnaaaaaaa!"
      Serena raised her head and looked at the door just in time to see a flurry 
      of blonde fly in. She sighed, heavily. "Yes Mina?"
      The pretty blonde looked quite panicked and ran over to the desk. "Serena 
      were in quite the jam." Mina sat down in the chair across from Serena 
      then immediately jumped out of it again, too agitated to sit still for 
      long. " I must have called thirty models and each one of them gave me a 
      load of crap as to why they couldnt make it. So now we dont have a final 
      model." Taking a deep breath she slid into the seat again. "What are we 
      going to do?"
      Serena shook her head. How was she going to get anything done when people 
      were interrupting her with things like this? "Why dont you go on?"
      "I would, but I twisted my ankle rollerblading remember?" Mina hiked up 
      her pant leg and showed off her bandaged ankle. "I dont think thats what 
      people want to see."
      "Can anyone else do it?" Serena could see why Luna only wanted to handle 
      one end of this. She must have been going crazy doing everything herself.
      "Yeah one person." Mina squeaked.
      "Well then, get her out there."
      "Ok. Serena lets go."
      "What?" Serena stared at Mina. Shed given up modelling years ago. "Not a 
      chance."
      "Serena you have to! Theres no one else!"
      She sat and stared at her assistant. There wasnt anytime to argue. "Fine! 
      Ill do it. Just get everything ready for me down there while I get things 
      finished up here."
      "Right!" Mina fairly ran out of the room.
      Serena quickly gathered all her papers together and filed them before 
      heading to the bathroom.
      Serena looked at herself in the mirror and frowned. Splashing cold water 
      over her face she looked at her reflection again. At twenty-three she was 
      hardly old but she hardly looked like the model she use to be. Serena 
      gently poked at the slight shadows under her eyes. "Lets hope that the 
      makeup people know what theyre doing."
      ----
      Serena headed down to makeup and the frenzied chaos that always seemed to 
      swarm there.
      "Ms. Thomson! Ive got a chair ready for you!" the head makeup artist ran 
      over to her and ushered her to a chair. "Good thing youre on last huh?" 
      she fiddled with Serenas golden locks, brushing it out of the way so that 
      she had a clear run at her face. "Weve got some work to do here."
      Serena remembered the routine well and closed her eyes and sat back. The 
      more relaxed she was the faster it would go.
      An hour and a half later, her hair and makeup were done. Now it was to 
      wardrobe.
      Serena walked down the hall and walked into a gigantic room full of 
      clothing and women.
      "Serena, cherie!"
      Serena turned to see a slender dark haired woman heading towards her. 
      "Luna!" she gave her a hug and pecked her cheeks. "When did you get in?"
      "Just now. Im glad that youre going to be wearing my pice de 
      rsistance. You will compliment each other beautifully. Come! Ill dress 
      you myself." She dragged the much taller girl behind her.
      Luna led her through the rabble of slender women to a rack of clothing and 
      with a flourish pulled out her creation.
      Serenas eyes widened at the sight of the gown. "Its magnificent!" That 
      was an understatement. Luna had always prided herself on creating clothing 
      that was wearable and comfortable. But this was more fanciful than the 
      rest. The cool fabric flitted lightly in the slight breeze in the room as 
      Luna brought it over.
      Serena let her eyes wander over the fine, silky fabric. "I cant wait to 
      wear it!"
      "Lets not wait then!" Luna helped Serena put it on. "Ugh! What did Simone 
      do to your hair? I wanted light, flowing! It looks like she used an entire 
      can of hairspray on you!" she vigorously ran her fingers through Serenas 
      pale gold hair ruffling it and relaxing the style. "And your makeup! Does 
      anyone listen to me?" she rubbed at the makeup and scrutinized Serena once 
      again. "Much better."
      Serena spun around and looked at herself in the mirror. She almost didnt 
      recognize her reflection. The woman looking back at her had soft warm 
      eyes, like she was looking at her lover. Her lips were soft and inviting. 
      Her pale hair hung like loose silk down her back. The dress hung off of 
      one shoulder and draped across her slender figure giving the illusion of 
      the wind having whipped the green silk over her and at any moment could 
      take it away. Tan shoes topped off the illusion by making it look like she 
      was barefoot.
      Serena blinked a couple of times at the sultry goddess in the mirror and 
      smiled at Luna. "Amazing. You never cease to amaze me." She kissed her on 
      the cheek and took a deep breath.
      "Nervous?"
      "I little." It was always the same for her before getting on the runway. 
      But she never let a few jitters get her down. Especially when she was 
      still angry about getting roped into this.
      "Thank you for doing this for me, cherie."
      "No problem Luna. Glad I can help. Though Id really rather be working in 
      my office."
      "I know. But just this one last time."
      They walked over to the stage and watched as girl after girl take their 
      turn.
      "Ok, your turn, Serena. Remember, attitude is everything."
      Serena had to smile. Shed been giving her that same advice since the day 
      Luna spotted her shopping in the mall. "Right." Wiping the smile off her 
      face, Serena put on her runway face, as she called it. The look of a woman 
      slightly annoyed yet somewhat alluring. Talk about a strange combination. 
      But it worked.
      Luna did a last minute fuss with her hair then pulled back the curtain.
      Serena stepped up onto the stage and walked out into the lights. Almost 
      immediately the flashes started popping and applause erupted from the 
      crowd. Serena didnt falter. Step, step, step, step, turn, step, step, 
      step, step, step, turn, stop, one, two, three, turn and walk back. Serena 
      smiled at Luna and linked arms with her. Together they led the girls back 
      out.
      Luna took her bows and then led everyone backstage once again. "Fabulous 
      job ladies!"
      The girls all smiled and went to their respective dressers and got ready 
      to go home.
      Serena headed back to her rack and started undressing. She looked over at 
      the other models and sighed. They looked so young. It was hard to believe 
      that she was like them not too long ago. She watched as a majority of them 
      started smoking before they even finished getting undressed.
      Slightly disgusted she returned to undressing herself. It took her minutes 
      to get everything off and her own clothes back on. She pulled her hair 
      back into a ponytail and wiped off the excess makeup. So much for getting 
      some work done this morning.
      She headed back up to her office and grabbed her bag then headed out to 
      get some lunch at a local caf.
      After her quick lunch, Serena walked down the cold street back towards the 
      office. The crisp autumn air carried with it the myriad of different 
      smells of the city. This had to be her most favourite time of the year. 
      She pulled her coat around her more tightly, trying to keep the cool air 
      from permeating her wool shell. The streets were crowded as usual and 
      Serena found herself weaving in and out trying to make it through as fast 
      as she could.
      She headed into a caf on the corner. "Caf sil vous plait." She looked 
      around the crowded room as she waited and smiled
      The man brought her coffee to her and she paid and walked out. This city 
      was absolutely electrifying. Everything about it just exuded energy and 
      vitality. Just being in the middle of the street walking was an 
experience.
      Walking past a shop, Serena caught a glimpse of her reflection and 
      stopped. She looked happy. The glow of her face, the happy light in her 
      eyes. Serena smiled at herself and resumed her walk. Things were 
      definitely looking up.
      About a block from the office building her phone rang. Transferring the 
      coffee to her other hand, Serena fished around in her bag and managed to 
      find the phone before it stopped ringing. "Serena Thomson."
      "Serena! Its Mina. Where are you?"
      Serena frowned, Mina sounded frantic. "Whats the matter?"
      "You know the model thats suppose to end the show with that smashing new 
      gown of Lunas?"
      "Yes." Serena pinched the bridge of her nose. She knew what was coming 
      next.
      "Well she and her boyfriend had a hideous fight last night and she got 
      smashed and now shes too hung over to do the catwalk."
      "Well sober her up!"
      "Shes well beyond that mate. She can barely talk let alone stand. And she 
      definitely wont be ready for this afternoons show."
      "Fine. Just call up any other model you can think of and see if they can 
      be here by tonight. Ill be there in a few minutes." Serena hung up on her 
      and shoved the phone back in her bag. Looks like it was going to be one of 
      those days.
      Serena was deep in thought when someone bumped into her. Her coffee went 
      up, Serena went down and her bag went with the thief. Stumbling onto her 
      knees she was helpless to stop the man from grabbing her bag and running.
      "Hey!" She got up and chased him about a block before giving up. There was 
      no way she was going to catch up with him with the head start he had on 
      her. "Argh!" Serena swiped at the coffee that was spilled on her coat. 
      Disgusted, she looked around. Not a single person even seemed to notice 
      what had just happened.
      Her mood was understandably less than pleasant when she walked into the 
      building.
      Up on the eleventh floor Mina was having a heart attack. "Serena! I called 
      everyone like you asked but theres no one available." She followed Serena 
      as she walked into her office. "What are we going to do?"
      Serena put her hand up silencing her spew of panic in a British accent. 
      She took off her coat and looked down at her ruined blouse.
      "Oh my goodness. What happened to you?"
      "I was mugged." Serena sighed and walked into the bathroom to see what she 
      could do about her blouse.
      "Do you want me to call the police or anything?"
      "Sure. I doubt it will do any good though. Hes long gone now." Serena 
      re-emerged still scowling.
      "Ill have one of the girls bring up a new blouse for you if you like." 
      Mina inched forward and touched Serenas hair. "Youve got some coffee in 
      your hair too."
      "Argh! Go and get me a new blouse and see if you can postpone my 
      appointments for at least an hour." It would take at least that long to 
      get herself presentable again. Serena washed her hair out as best she 
      could in the bathroom she had in her office. She took off her blouse and 
      soaked it in the sink and walked back out into her office in just her 
      camisole, unaware that someone was waiting for her.
      "Bon matin." The smoky masculine voice came from the other side of the 
      room.
      Startled, Serena jumped a little then she remembered her near nakedness 
      and tried to cover herself up. "Quest-ce que vous faites ici?" Too angry 
      to try and continue in French, Serena started shouting in English at him 
      not caring if he could understand her. "What are you doing in here? Get 
      out! Mina!"
      Mina was there before she could finish shouting her name. "Im sorry 
      Serena, he insisted on seeing you immediately."
      Serena stared loathingly at the man, yet she was still able to appreciate 
      his good looks. He was incredibly handsome. He was tall and broad 
      shouldered, an intriguing width that she was strangely compelled to 
      investigate with her hands. His hair was jet black and fell a little over 
      his forehead giving him a boyish air. His eyes were the most wonderful 
      shade of blue shed ever seen, a shade between midnight and the 
      never-ending depth of the sea. And they were anything but innocent as they 
      raked over her.
      She scowled at him. He obviously wasnt going to be leaving anytime soon. 
      Serena took a seat behind her desk with as much dignity as a woman could 
      while wearing only meagre clothing. If he could be so nonchalant about her 
      nudity than so could she. "What can I do for you, monsieur?"
      "I was hoping to see Serena Thompson." Surely this vision before him 
      couldnt be woman he was supposed to be meeting.
      Serena smiled grimly. "I am she."
      His tone was biting. "You couldnt be. I was told Ms. Thompson was a 
      professional. Not someone prone to appearing in public in her 
      undergarments." His eyes raked over her again, as if to prove his point. 
      "Now would you please go and fetch her?"
      Mina, who was on the other side of the room witnessing the entire 
      exchange, gasped. "Sir!" she knew Serena would be furious.
      Serena put up her hand, silencing Mina. "Now why couldnt I be Ms. 
      Thompson?"
      "Well look at you. You hardly come across as serious. Especially when 
      dressed in an outfit like that." He motioned at her camisole. "Besides I 
      saw you in the show this morning."
      "Well. I can tell you I am Serena Thompson. I would show you my ID. But I 
      was mugged about ten minutes ago. He took all my identification, my money, 
      most of my work, not to mention knocked me down and spilled coffee all 
      over me. Which is why Im dressed like this at the moment." She stared at 
      him with icy eyes. "If you had waited like Mina asked, you would see the 
      woman youve obviously have a vision of in your head. So, would you like 
      to do business now? Or would you like to wait until I have more clothing 
      on so you wont be distracted by my breasts?" Serena nearly crowed with 
      laughter when his eyes widened a moment with shock then narrowed with 
      anger.
      "Ms. Thompson. I do apologize. I am Darien Richert. Mademoiselle Teyssier 
      might have mention me to you." His devastatingly handsome smile grew 
      predatory. "You might have forgotten now that youve lost your organizer."
      Serena bristled with indignation. Who did he think he was? She practically 
      snarled her retort. "Of course I remember. Youve come to discuss a dress 
      for your sisters wedding."
      "Ahh so you do remember. Darien made himself comfortable on the chair 
      opposite. So do you have any ideas?"
      Serena resigned herself to the fact that it looked like he wasnt about to 
      go anywhere soon. A true gentleman would at least, leave the room until 
      she was decent again. "A few." She turned to her assistant who was still 
      hanging around the door. "Mina could you get us some coffee and see how 
      theyre doing about my blouse?"
      "Of course." Mina scurried out of the room.
      Serena turned her attention back to the man who infuriated her so. "I 
      would have to, of course, meet your sister and discuss what she 
envisions."
      "Of course." Darien stood up. "Ill arrange for a meeting. It was nice 
      meeting you Ms. Thompson." He took her hand and shook it lightly. "See you 
      soon."
      It sounded more like a promise than a farewell. Serena nodded and showed 
      him the door. "Good day."
      ----
      Darien walked out of the office a little thrown. She had to be the biggest 
      contradiction hed ever met. She was beautiful, stunning even, yet cold 
      and aloof. She was intelligent and definitely world wise, but at the same 
      time seemed to have an air of naivety and innocence. And she was the most 
      fascinating creature hed ever encountered.
      He knew he was in trouble the moment she stepped out of the bathroom. 
      Darien hadnt expected to see such a gorgeous woman; hed been honest 
      about that. From the descriptions hed heard about Lunas protg hed 
      pictured an older woman, tough and hard. Not this girl. She looked no more 
      than twenty. With such beauty he thought she was one of the models and 
      just as smart. But that tongue-lashing sure straightened that out quickly.
      No one had ever dared speak to him that way before. But he found it 
      strangely invigorating to trade barbs like that with her. Smiling he 
      nodded at Mina and made his way out of the building. Hed have to make 
      sure that hed see her again soon.