As of Yet Untitled
Chapter Ten
By: Karisma
Rated: PG-13
Genre: Alt, Romance
www.geocities.com/karismafanfic
Karisma456@hotmail.com
Standard Disclaimers Apply
March 2001


I blanched. What? I kept a firm hold on my glass, for the sole reason 
of keeping my hands occupied so I wouldnt tear my hair out.
Marry me, Serena. He took my smaller hands in his, gently extracting 
the defenseless glass from my death grip. Wed be good together. I know we 
would.
But-but, I babbled, my mind reeling. Where had this come from? And 
why, oh why, did it have to happen after that blasted conversation with 
Melissa? I shoved that thought from my mind as I focused on Dariens earnest 
face in front of me. On an idle whim, I reached out to stroke his face 
lovingly, contemplating the situation I was in. There was no way this sweet, 
if believed to be jaded and cynical, man in front of me could be capable of 
such awful things that Melissa had accused. And in one instant, I looked up 
into Dariens eyes and saw vulnerability. He was scared of my rejectionand 
suddenly my answer was unequivocal.
Yes.
He smiled widely and leaned in to embrace me. I wrapped my arms around 
his crushed silk shirt and held him close, praying. Praying everything would 
work out. Praying he loved me as much I knew now I loved him. Praying 
Melissas awful insinuations and explicit indictments would no longer have 
any place in my mind or heart.
When Darien pulled back slightly to look at me, I smiled through watery 
eyes. He leaned in closer as if to kiss me and in the fraction of a second 
before our lips met, I whispered, Thank you. His arms tightened 
convulsively around me, bringing me closer before kissing me in a way that 
was violent and tender, hesitant and undeniable. And I was so sure of his 
passion for me right then, I forgot the dull ache in my heart that reminded 
me he had not shared those same meaningful words to me.

****

A week later found us both amidst a flurry of action that surrounded 
our wedding. Andrew and Rita joked we were stealing the deserved limelight 
from them; our parents were both delirious with joy, our mothers crying with 
happiness, our fathers with reserved, gruff blessings. Darien looked 
wondrously happy, even if he managed to keep it contained within his cool 
exterior. At all of the mandatory, mingling dinners we attended, I could 
always catch him in the act of staring at me intently, a soft smile playing 
on his lips, as if I was some sort of elusive dream he had managed to 
capture.
The time I spent with Darien was filled with tenderness and warmth, 
which only served to make me feel guiltier for the unwanted doubt I harbored 
in the dark recesses of my mind. Dariens sudden proposal had to have come 
from somewhere, the reservations and cynicism toward marriage he had dealt 
with when I first arrived had been too real to be dismissed as acting. He 
had been unwilling to commit himself to a severe relationship and even then, 
he had had awful stipulations concerning not a healthy, loving marriage, but 
a business contract. I had let him know exactly what I thought of those 
terms so he could not have proposed to me thinking I would abide by such 
rules.
There was some reason for Dariens change of heart, one he wasnt 
sharing with me. I tossed and turned many sleepless nights, discerning 
Melissas conversation and Dariens motive for the sudden proposal. This 
quandary mixed with the poignant realization that while Darien never failed 
to expel endearments and compliments, he had never once told me he loved me 
tore at me until I couldnt look at him without the question eating at me. 
Finally, the need to know grew so great, it drew me out of my copious amount 
of paperwork on a rainy night at eleven and into Dariens home.
Serena? He said, his deep voice filled with surprise at my drenched 
presence just outside of his door. He ushered me in and one look at him let 
me know, even in my boggled state, he had been up and working. His tie was 
in a loose knot around his collar and his shirt sleeves were rolled up.
Why are we doing this? I asked abruptly, dismissing his insistence 
that I change into dry clothes with an obstinate streak he didnt know I 
had. I appeased him by discarding my drenched navy blazer.
What? He replied brilliantly, flagrantly disconcerted.
You heard me. I moved deeper in the room, turning my back on him to 
walk toward the roaring fireplace.
Where is this all coming from? He said sharply. His surprise had 
disappeared, in its place was the shrewd astuteness he used to deal with 
clients and such.
Just answer the question, Darien. I pleaded tiredly, the spunky 
display I had just shown gone.
And just how am I supposed to do that? He exploded, keeping his 
distance from me at the other side of the opulent room.
I sighed and squeezed my eyes shut for the tiniest of seconds, 
mustering up energy and courage. With the truth.
What do you want from me? His voice grew louder, vibrating every 
ounce of frustration he felt.
I could ask you the same question.
I want to marry you. He said calmly and rationally, replying to my 
cryptic words with ease.
This tone was precisely what set me off, sending me laughing 
hysterically with no humor. But where would you put me, Darien? I cried 
frenziedly, throwing my arms in the air as I spun around to face his taut 
figure. He tensed at my words, his whipcord body freezing. He waited for me 
to continue and I did.  Im not one of your pictures or antiques, I wont 
just stay away quietly into the background, starving for some attention, and 
then come out, clean and polished, when you need a trophy wife!
Oh, but thats right! I rambled on, paying no heed to the fact that 
I was openly crying now. You dont want a possession for a wifeyou want a 
business partner! One who can say after you make loveHey, that was great! 
But now lets talk about that new deal at work. Well, Darien, I told you 
once before I cant do thatI wont do that. Now answer me once and for all, 
why do you want to marry me?
He didnt speak for a while, but he did his voice was quiet and spoke 
of restrained power. Are you drunk?
I let out a short bark of laughter. No, but I sure wish I was.
Im going to make you some coffee, and then were going to sit down 
like adults and discuss exactly why youre behaving like a frenetic 
two-year-old. His voice was steely as he made his way to the kitchen, but I 
ran to him earnestly and stopped his path with my body.
No! I implored, bracing my hands on his chest as if I could control 
his latent vitality. I resorted to begging. Please, just tell me. I need to 
know. I tore my eyes away from his hard, granite stare and focused them on 
my small hands against his crisp, white shirt instead.
He sighed roughly at my tear-stained face and turned back to sit on his 
ornate couch, waiting for me. I opted to go across to my previous place at 
the mantle and braced my hands against it, hoping, praying he would say what 
I needed to hear.
Why? I whispered again, hating the weak, tremulous tone of my voice.
Why I want to marry you? I could feel the frustration in him 
permeating through the room. Geez, Serena. How am I supposed to answer 
that? He repeated, running an agitated hand through his thick hair.
Tell me you love me! I wanted to scream at him, knock some of the love 
I had given so freely into his obdurate and feral being. Three words, 
Darien. Three words.
II want you, he finally answered, a strangely effusive tone to his 
voice that I did not acknowledge due to the numbness that had swept over me. 
In the worst case scenario I had imagined and prepared myself for an immense 
pain that would come from realizing the truth of unrequited love, but this 
cold feeling of deadened calm would have scared me had I not been so frozen 
to everything.
Serena? I heard his concerned tone come from far away and I slowly 
turned away from the mantle to look at him. I dimly heard the shark intake 
of breath from him at the sight of my blank manifestation, but was too far 
gone to care. I mutely made my way to the door, instinct and 
self-preservation demanding I escape before reality sunk in and the real 
hurting began.
I made my way to the door, my limbs moving in a leaden, mechanical way. 
My body was wooden and tension was so tight through my small frame, I was 
shaking painfully. But I didnt notice, my mind was somewhere far off, 
somewhere on a cloud where the pain of unrequited love had yet to reach.
I should go, I said blankly. Its getting late. I nodded dumbly, my 
head moving as if on a taut string.
Serena, Darien said, his voice quiet as he reached for me. I moved 
aside instinctively, recoiling from his touch, thinking back to all the 
times he had held me and kissed meall for nothing! I registered how stupid 
and nave I had been to actually think I had Dariens love.
Somehow I registered his reaction to my shying away from his touch, his 
face tightened, a muscle leaping from his jaw in a hard way. He let me pass, 
staying perfectly still while I slowly exited from his apartment. And his 
life. And whatever place I had in his heart.

****

When I passed the night doorman and guard, missing his concerned look, 
I didnt hesitate to step into the pouring rain mixed with the hail that a 
forecaster said would be imminent. Thousands of freezing drops fell on me, 
each one stinging like hypodermic needles. But I was oblivious to caustic 
cold as my body involuntarily shuddered, sending a bout of nausea through 
me.
Somewhere inside me, I realized such a blow to my heart should 
indisputably mutate me into a sobbing mess, but instead, I felt so 
incredibly tired. So tired, in fact, sleeping on the cold cement below me 
was suddenly appealing. But instead, I continued walking, not sure of my 
destination. I failed to hear the doorman calling after me until he was 
right behind me, a dark umbrella in one hand and a jacketDariens jacketin 
the other.
He held it out to me and when I made to move to take it, he sighed and 
managed to keep himself dry while covering my shoulders with the jacket. I 
shrugged out of it and moved from under the protection of the umbrella, 
sensing the doormans frustration.
No, thank you. I said with surprising calm.
Youll freeze to death! The portly man exclaimed, trying valiantly to 
ensure the umbrella would not overturn in the harsh wind.
I simply shrugged and turned around, moving with a briskness I didnt 
know I had in my exhausted state. I couldnt very well tell the man I liked 
the hail, how it reassured me I was still alive and not in a numb trance. 
And while the freezing nails of the rain were painful, the sting was only a 
fraction compared to the dull ache inside me. The wind whipped my hair 
around mercilessly and caused my eyes to water. Feeling every blow the 
weather dealt through my thin blouse and thigh length skirt, I unconsciously 
made my way home.
When I reached the door of my apartment, my heeled feet were dragging 
in a limpid torpor. My ice-cold
hand closed painfully around the key I kept in a cache in the wall. Opening 
the door, I stumbled in and dropped myself on the couch in a listlessly 
static position.
Instead of sleeping, which my body screamed at me to do, I turned to 
stare up at the dark ceiling, my mind racing and still ambivalently. Real 
tears had yet to form and I knew that until they did, I would be subjected 
to the blissfully ignorant state of not feeling anythingjoy, pain, 
happiness, despondency.
But then, somewhere around three-thirty in the morning, I rolled over 
to my side, my cheek pressing against the smoothness of the chintz.
And at three-forty that same morning, moisture streaked down its hot 
path, leaving a flood in its wake.

****

I realized after twenty-four hours spent lying on my couch, multiple 
things had to be done and sleeping life away, as nice of a plan as it 
seemed, was not the way I dealt with the blows life had to fling. I showered 
and dressed and screwing up my courage I coolly called a local newspaper and 
informed them of the broken engagement, making my voice resound a semblance 
of calm I was far from feeling. I reassured them the break up had been a 
mutual agreement with no bitterness on either sides party. Not only would 
this leave everyones pride intact, it would ensure the presses hounding.
The issue of facing my family was another matter. Although it was a 
dastardly thing to do, I settled for letting them find out in tomorrows 
edition of the paper. Not only could I not deal with probing questions from 
both our families, I also was not fit for human companynor did I know when 
I would be.
Although I was safe for now from both caring, albeit nosy, families I 
knew that the confrontation would be inevitable. Dariens wrath and everyone 
elses surprise was imminent and no matter how strong I could pretend I was, 
I was about to break and I knew it.
Opting to go away for a bit until I sorted out my life and the fiasco 
alleviated a bit, I packed two bags and called for a taxi early the next 
morning. As I shouldered my knapsack, ready to leave, the phone rang 
incessantly, the harsh ringing cutting through me. I let the answering 
machine pick it up, and I heard the chipper voice of a woman record a 
message. A woman who had a dream, a futurea fianc. The beep followed and a 
harsh voice growled.
Serena! I jumped at his bark and had to reassure myself that Dariens 
angry presence was not in my apartment. I got the paper. What do you think 
youre pulling? Who said anything about breaking off the engagement? Serena, 
I know youre there; pick up the phone! There was a pause and he sighed 
heavily, agitated. When he spoke again, his voice was calmer, yet the 
tightness underneath was evident. Im coming over. He hung up tersely.
I smiled wanly. He could come over, but I wouldnt be there. Last night 
I had called Raye and told her an edited version of my dilemma. Sympathizing 
immensely, though curious, Raye had offered me the use of her home in 
Chicago. I was grateful to my friend and apologized for any inconvenience, I 
had been reassured by Raye not to worry, along with her promise to come down 
and live with me for the Christmas holidays that were only three weeks away.
I quickly raced down the stairs and slid into the cab, knowing Darien 
would be delayed by the traffic as well as the rather long distance between 
our homes. Giving the cab driver instructions, I sat back against the 
plastic seat, letting the tension in my back unwind painfully. I closed my 
eyes, missing the screech of tires that an urgent red automobile emanated as 
it pulled into the space I had just evacuated moments before.

****

Two weeks later found me learning to smile again and meaning it. I had 
my happy moments with Raye, we never rehashed exactly what had taken place 
with Darien and I was thankful for the complete absence of prodding from 
Raye.
Instead, she made sure I was occupied and content. My days were filled 
with company and in the evening, we two women would watch a movie or do 
something equally mindless and entertaining. Yet, when the credits rolled 
and the popcorn was eaten, and there was nothing left to do but sleep, 
poignant thoughts and memories were free to wash over me without any 
distraction.
It was torture, knowing I had done the right thing and realizing that 
there was no other choice, but all the while missing what was never mine. 
Somewhere in the dark recesses of my muddled mind, I knew that the loss 
Dariens love was not mine to mourn over, since I had never acquired it, but 
that didnt stop the tears from coming as night after night I stared 
absently at the blurred letters on my alarm clock that glowed a red 
luminescence in my dark room.
But then morning came and it was back to the cheerful routine that had 
inhabited my schedule.
One bright, snowy day Raye was called in to fix some disaster at the 
model agency where she worked. Regretfully leaving me alone, she trudged up 
her Christmas decorations and looked pointedly at the bare tree we had 
selected the day before. Raye had been none too excited to trim it; she 
found the chore to be mundane as her family rarely could stand to be in the 
same room, much less decorate the house during the festive season. Anyhow, 
the signal was clear and I was all too happy to take on the distracting 
task.
Drinking some hot chocolate and contenting myself to watch the snow 
flutter down in even clusters, I unwittingly made the mistake of leaving my 
mind blank.
And the regrets came.
Breathing deeply and convincing myself that a life with the man who 
didnt requite your love was no life at all, I nodded to myself. 
Unfortunately, convincing myself of my wonderful sense did nothing to stop 
the words that rang in my head every day.
He had said, I want you.
The completely wrong three words.
I want you.
I was powerless to cease that mantra just as I was unable to control my 
own embittered thought. What did he really want? Me or my money?
Well, he could have it. I nodded my head empathically. As soon as 
Christmas was over, I planned to head back and face the musicin the form of 
two inquisitive families and one jilted fianc. And when I did, I would sign 
the company over to Darien; he would not even have to buy me out. I wanted 
to expunge any connection I had to him and this was the quickest, most 
effective way. Special occasions would be slightly different, if we even 
planned to hold them anymore after our disaster of an engagement, but I was 
confident of my ability to work something out at a later date.
Rinsing the mug and placing it the dishwasher, I walked across the 
large expanse of the lavish living room, admiring the tastefulness of both 
the classic Victorian furniture and the statistically placed vases and 
elegant knick-knacks. Standing in front of the large pine tree, my hands on 
my jean-clad hips, I surveyed my task before dragging out a small stepladder 
and beginning.
An hour and a half later, I heard the familiar click of the door being 
shut. My back to the arched opening that led into the living room, I 
carefully stepped down and crouched down, placing the nearly empty box of 
tinsel on the crme carpet below the tree.
Youre right on time, Raye, I teased, smiling fondly. I just 
finished. It was when I was closing an empty package of Nativity scene 
figurines I noticed the mens shoes that were alien and easy to spot on the 
light-colored carpet. Raye walked around in slippers and I was sure that 
these polished, black dress shoes were not Chads.
Hello, Serena. An achingly familiar voice said, his tone flat.
I slowly stood up, my eyes trailing up as I straightened to my full 
height. I crossed my arms over my waist in a defensive gesture. The color 
drained from my face as my mind registered the determination etched into 
every masculine feature, from his straight dark brows to the angled jut of 
his chin and jaw. Every line of that haunting face was emanating wealth, 
power, and the same magnetism that drew me to him in the beginning.
My initial reaction to his daunting presence was not at all collected. 
I walked forward in a frantic pace, my subconscious knowing full well I 
would be intercepted at the only exitwhich was where Darien stood. I was 
correct. Dariens arms shot out just as I was about to cross the threshold. 
They kept me in place like steel bands, unrelenting. I jerked away from him, 
my expressive face showing exactly what I thought of him touching me.
The only thing that let me know how my action affected him was the 
imperceptible twitch in his clenched jaw. Pushing away the sides of his dark 
suit jacket, he shoved his hands into his pockets and looked down at me.
Finally coming to terms that he was here and fully determined to stay, 
I managed to grab a semblance of control about me. Pushing back my loose 
hair, I took a few distancing steps back into the festive room. WWhat are 
you doing here?
Seeing you, came the simply reply.
Why? I pressured doggedly, taking a step back to match his own 
forward one.
He moved closer and I backed up. Because we have some business to 
attend to.
It wasnt until I felt a complete wave of despondency wash over me at 
that remark that I realized some nave part of me had hoped he had come here 
to voice his love for me! But now it was incontrovertible, Darien wanted 
the businesshe had said as much.
My eyes shining with unshed tears that I refused to let him see, I 
moved over to the glass coffee table and picked up a silver ballpoint pen. 
Leaning over so a curtain of hair covered my glassy eyes and tremulous lips 
from his view, I quickly scribbled on a cocktail napkin left over from last 
nights movie marathon.
I straightened and shoved the white paper to him haphazardly, not 
bearing to look him in the face.
He frowned, What is this? He quickly scanned it, his dark brow 
furrowing. Youre giving me the business?
Yes! I cried, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes. Its what you 
want, isnt it? Its what you came here for! I took a shuddering breath to 
calm myself. When I spoke next, the words came with such clarity it 
surprised even me. Now leave.
Darien did not seem to hear my last order, he was too busy looking at 
me with barely concealed shock. He finally closed his eyes for a brief 
moment before running an agitated hand through his hair. Is that what you 
think?
Its what I know. I insisted stubbornly, walking away from him.
He turned to look at me backing away out of the room and grimly shook 
his head. In a few, quick strides he had my small wrists caught in one of 
his larger ones.
I squirmed in bondage, hurling creative insults that he took in stride, 
his dark brow cocked in wry amusement as I dealt a particularly incoherent 
one. I finally desisted my movements, knowing they were futile. Letting out 
a growl of disgust at him, I glared into his blue eyes.
What do you want? I finally demanded.
With his free hand, he reverently tucked a lock of golden hair behind my 
hair, a slight smile playing on his lips. You.
That infuriated me and I pushed him away with both of my wrists. 
Unfortunately, his grip on my hands tugged toward him, sending us both 
stumbling a few steps and me straight into his arms. After letting out a 
soft chuckle and winding his arms around me in a hug, he laid his cheek 
against my hair and whispered. What a hellcat you are.
His fond tone left me stumped. Narrowing my eyes, I pulled my face away 
from his chest and shoved back from his intoxicatingly warm embrace. I 
already gave you the company, you can stop the act now. I managed to fill 
my voice with derision that I didnt feel.
Instead of sighing and admitting his deeds, the infuriating man simply 
smiled and reached for me again! Oh, Serena.
The gentleness in his voice was more than I could take and my lip 
trembled before tears pricked and flooded my eyes. I brushed them away 
angrily just in time to see Dariens handsome face take on an alarmed 
expression.
He took another step closer to me and stopped reflexively when I held 
out a hand, palm up, as if to ward him off. My action only momentarily 
halted him and soon he was holding me tightly against him, rubbing soothing 
circles through my fitted yellow sweater.
I tilted my head far enough to look at him through watery eyes. I 
admitted with a degree of frustration, I dont know what you want! I 
already gave everything!
He shook his dark head, Not everything.
I bit my lip and gave a half wail, half plea. But
Whatever I was preparing to say was truncated by his firm voice. Youre 
not my wife yet, Serena. And thats what I want.
Openly confused and harried, I tried again to wipe my face free of 
tears, unconsciously rubbed a finger across my nose.
He smiled at the action and it took me a while to realize he remembered 
my idiosyncrasies as a child.
You dont want to marry me, Darien, I said dully, playing with a 
miniature wreath on a wall.
Suppose you tell me why not?
Because. I swallowed hard, the next words wrenched out of me. Because 
you dont love me.
Ah, Darien said after an earth-shattering pause. I see.
I wanted to scream at him; yell at him to get out before I collapsed 
into a sobbing mess at his feet. Instead I kept my back to him, tracing the 
green wreath with fake intensity.
Serena, I His voice was apologetic and the softness of it slapped me 
harder than any cold words on his part could.
Dont! My voice was initially harsh and then disintegrated into a 
despondent plea. Please, dont. Hating the scalding tears that were now 
slipping down my cheeks, I sniffled quietly. Just go.
Serena, he began again, paying no heed to my pathetic entreaties. 
What would you say if I told you I loved you?
I let out a dull laugh, willing myself not to let myself feel that 
spark of hope only to let him blow it out cruelly. Id say you were a 
liarand even greedier than I thought.
I sensed his body stiffen in anger at the particularly caustic remark. 
What, he said slowly, may I ask, are you talking about?
I had to laugh. It was either that or cry even harder, and 
self-preservation demanded I keep my composure. It means, I seethed, 
wiping my tears before whirling around, my eyes shooting sparks, That I 
know you wanted to marry me for the entire business. It means your little 
charade is over. It means, I finished scathingly, giving him a look of 
utter contempt, that you can leave now because Ive signed over the company 
to you and your work is done.
You know what you are, Darien? Youre an absolute gold-digger. You 
already have a lucrative business but instead of being content, you prey on 
women, charm them, and then take all their worldly possessions! My tears 
had stopped and in their place grew self-disgust that I couldnt hate him as 
much as I should have.
Instead of growing even angrier, as I had expected, he sighed heavily 
and ran a hand through his hair. I see youve been chatting with Melissa, 
He said ruefully.
I was momentarily speechless before answering stiffly. I dont see how 
that matters.
Of course it matters! He burst out in a fit of frustration that took 
me back. She fed you a pack of lies and under the circumstances, I can see 
how youd be in a position to believe every word of them.
His portrayal of my being a gullible fool did not sit well with me. 
Narrowing my blue eyes, I placed my hands on my hips. She may not be the 
greatest person, but after what you did to her
He let out a short bark of laughter. What I did to her? He chuckled 
wryly. Youll excuse me if I dont think marrying a woman with stars in my 
eyes and then building her a business to make her happy and then taking care 
of it because she suddenly decided it was boring and too much work a fate 
worse than death.
What? Was my brilliant reply.
Melissa wanted something to occupy her daysbesides the men I worked 
with, he added, a dry smile on his lips that let me know exactly how much 
his ex-wife didnt affect him anymore. So, I started a clothing store for 
her. Unfortunately, Melissas interests laid in buying clothesnot running a 
business concerning them. Within a month, she grew bored and looked to me to 
take care of it. I tried, but after a few months, it became clear I couldnt 
run the store and start FS Enterprises. I sold the business and when we 
divorcedwhich became legal about a month agoMelissa cried bloody murder, 
saying I stole the only thing she had in her lifeher precious store. He 
took hold of my upper arms, his grim firm but gentle as he implored me. I 
never wanted to marry you because of FS Enterprises.
This wasnt real. There was no way this could be real.
How did you find me?
I called Raye after a few days of raging on my part. He smiled 
briefly. After some time, I got her to tell me where you were.
Raye. I didnt know whether to thank her or strangle her for her 
seemingly good intentions.
As if to further add to my sense of surrealism, Darien crushed me to 
him, whispering so softly in my ear, I thought I had imagined it, had it not 
been for the choked emotion in his throat. I love you.
I could believe him about the lies Melissa had evidently told. I could 
even believe Darien hadnt been with me for the business. But I 
couldntwouldntbelieve exaggerated claims from him about things he had 
blatantly told me the opposite.
You dont believe in love, I accused, trying unsuccessfully to wiggle 
out of his grasp. You told me that day.
Sighing heavily, he pulled back far enough so that I had look into his 
beseeching eyes. I was completely ignorant to your inherent ability to make 
a man fall in love with you. A smile quirked one corner of his mouth and I 
unwittingly smiled back at his teasing words. He grew serious again. Why 
did you run away?
Because I loved you. I still love you.
Rather than saying these embarrassingly true words, I looked up at some 
point on the wall behind Dariens ear, biting my lip in hope he would let 
the question go.
Tell me, Serena, He prodded, his voice gentle yet demanding. He gave 
me a light shake to force my eyes to meet his again.
When I looked at his earnest face, I knew I couldnt lie to him. 
Because I couldnt stand that you didnt love me! I cried angrily. I 
still cant stand it! And to my horror, the tears started again, tracing 
their way down my cheeks in an unchecked pattern.
When he released his hands from my arms to brush away my tears with the 
pads of his thumbs, I succumbed, too tired to fight him. I fell into his 
embrace, crying openly against his pressed white shirt. He stroked my hair 
in comfort and after the worst of the storm was over and my tears subsided 
to let my thought process clear, I realized he now felt sorry for me after 
my effusive display. Disgusted with myself for calling his pity upon myself, 
I wiped my cheeks roughly and stepped back.
Thank you. I cleared my groggy throat. Im fine now, really. Taking 
a calming breath that came in shuddering instead, I closed my burning eyes. 
When I opened them to face the compassion I was sure would be filled in his 
beautiful mercurial eyes, I was taken back by his next words.
Didnt I just tell you I loved you? He asked, his tone slightly 
chiding in reproach.
W-What? I gasped.
Honestly, he groaned teasingly. How could I fall in love with such 
an dense woman?
Youyou love me? I whispered, my voice barely audible. My hand 
immediately flew to my throat, clutching the soft material of my top.
What did you think this entire thing was about? He gesture to the 
room, signaling his coming here.
I was silent, digesting what he had just told me. No, I whispered.
No what, darling? He grinned, covering the distance between us 
effectively.
I immediately knew he was going to kiss me and put a hand flat on his 
chest to stop him. You cant.
Cant what? Kiss you? Well, Im afraid Im about to.
When the kiss came it was sweet and gentle. And after only a moment, I 
was helpless except to respond. When the blissfully tender moments ended, I 
caught my breath. You cant love me. I whispered achingly.
He frowned. I cant? He held up my hands in his. Well, I see you 
havent married yourself off yet. So why not?
I pulled my hands away from him and was uncharacteristically hurt by 
his amused words in such a serious situation. You dont believe in loveyou 
told me so. And I cant be the kind of wife you want.
Serena, I want you to be exactly what you areonly I want a ceremony 
and a piece of paper that says youre mine. And Im yours. He cradled my 
face with his warm hands, kissing my forehead. I love you. I dont how else 
to prove it to you.
I drew a shaky breath and placed my hands on the wrists that were 
holding my face. I opened my drenched eyes and took one look at his sincere 
face before squeezing them shut again. What happened?
What?
Two weeks ago you didnt love me, and now you say you do. What 
happened? My eyes were still closed, tears slipping down from my dark 
lashes.
Serena, Ive loved you since you first yelled at me for treating you 
like a child. My lids flew up and I caught his soft smile at the apparently 
fond memory.
You saidyou said you wanted me, a blush stained my pall cheeks as I 
recalled the words.
Smiling ruefully, he chucked the underside of my chin. Wanted you to 
love me as much I love you. He sighed. But you didntor so I thoughtand 
thats what my pride couldnt take.
I grew desperate for some ground to stand on in this dizzying wave of 
information. When I couldnt find any, I resorted to wailing. Then why 
didnt you tell me!
He brought his forehead to mine for an instant before pulling back. I 
thought I loved Melissa and look how wonderfully that turned out. I needed 
to know you loved me before my bull-headed pride would let me tell you how I 
felt.
I stared at him in silence, my mind whirring in the complete antithesis 
of my motionless body. And suddenly all the mumbled, incoherent thoughts in 
my mind came down to two very simple and very delicious sentences. Darien 
loved me. And I loved him. Standing on my tiptoes, I kissed him fiercely on 
the lips. You idiot. I said affectionately when I pulled back far enough 
to look at him.
He smiled in relief at my acceptance. But you love me anyway.
Through his weak smile, I felt his need and hunger for the meaningful 
words to be given to him. Yes, I whispered softly, brushing his lips 
lightly with my own. I do love you. I gave him a tremulous smile before 
letting his lips cover mine in a particularly tender reverence of our love.
This was it. This wonderful feeling of completeness and bliss. This was 
what I had been dreaming of all those miserable nights wondering what if. 
This was what I had been looking for my entire journey through life without 
knowing it. And it wouldnt be for a weeka month; it was forever. Because 
he was mine just as I was hisand our story had just begun.



