Perfect Match
Author: PsychoBunny
Rated: PG13
I'm so sorry for not updating in a while. I got some criticism on my chapters and
took it into consideration. So I've revamped my chapter 4 times. Both my editor and
beta reader can testify to that. By the way, this chapter is specially dedicated to
my wonderful editor and beta reader that are willing to put up with me. Love you
guys!
Chapter 3
She hated Darien Shields.
It was the plain and simple truth. Growing up, Serena’s mother had always told her
that you should never say you hate somebody because hate was a very strong word. At
this moment, it didn’t seem strong enough to describe what she was feeling towards
the ignoramus.
It was bad enough that she had to endure his presence while she was in town but now
he was back into his old habits again. She’d thought he had been actually
attempting to be civilized for once in his life but no; he just had to be the jerk
she had always hated.
It had started two days ago when some of the old ladies at the salon were gossiping
about Serena’s new male friend who stayed late into the evening. Serena had found
out later that her nosy neighbor had been watching the whole
friendly-peck-Darien-on-the-cheek scene.
The gossip queens had had nothing better to talk about but what Serena was doing
since she came home. So what? It was nothing new to Serena; they had done it
before. There was just one teeny problem that lied in the story. The lady who had
spied -probably staked out on the branch of a tree with binoculars in hand- on
Serena and Darien had misread the kiss. From the angle she had watched them, it had
looked like they had kissed on the mouth.
Serena tried to spell it out to the group of chattering grandmas that it was just
friendly peck, nothing more and nothing less. Before she knew it, the whole pattern
of their thought process changed from celebration to matchmaking. It didn’t take
long for them to back her into a corner and start to make devious plans to set
Serena up with Darien.
As if he was born with a sixth sense for these kinds of things, Darien had walked
into the cafe at that precise moment. Immediately, the little old ladies attacked
him with questions and accusations of his visit to Serena’s house. He wasn’t the
least bit perplexed by their performance. But instead of helping Serena put the
record straight once and for all (which is what he should have been doing), Darien
encouraged their eccentric behavior.
He had made a huge scene in the café; grabbing Serena by the waist, holding her in
his arms and proclaiming the whole town knew about their little secret. At that
moment, Serena realized that this man’s whole purpose in life was to humiliate and
make her miserable the rest of her life. For now, those sweet, conniving little old
ladies would never let her out of their clutches or their elaborate plans to marry
her off to Darien Shields.
Serena attempted to extract herself from his grasp, commenting with abhorrence that
he was crazy. In turn, he tightened his grip on her, earning a small squeak in
reply. In a gruff voice, he whispered only loud enough for Serena and the group of
bingo lovers to hear him.
“Only for you, baby.”
Placing a chaste kiss on her cheek, Darien released her, nodded a goodbye and
winked to the ladies then left Serena alone to face the consequences.
It was disgusting to Serena to see grown ladies such as themselves swooning over a
man like Darien after he left, proclaiming that he was ‘so romantic’ and 'a
charmer’. For God’s sake, her 2nd grade teacher had even said he was sexy, that she
would take him and lock him in her bedroom if she could. Which was way too much
information for Serena’s comfort, literally making her gag and blush at the
comment. To make matters worse, her mother had called yesterday overjoyed about the
gossip she had heard.
“Serena, I’m so proud of you. Darien is a wonderful man. I know you two will be
perfect for each other. Do I suspect that there will be wedding bells ringing soon?
Oh, I’m so excited! You’ll have to bring him over sometime to introduce him.”
Serena felt waves of betrayal and guilt sweep through her as she stood hearing her
mother’s voice, not quite processing her words.
Betrayal. She felt betrayed by her own mother. Certainly, her mother knew how
Serena felt about Darien. She had complained about him ever since she was 14. Irene
would even joke that she thought Serena had a crush on him since they constantly
flirted.
Did she not understand how he had tortured her adolescence? How he had mocked her
during puberty about looking and acting her age? How he would give her strange
looks that made her feel like she was the only one in the room? How he had plagued
her dreams?
No, her mother could not comprehend why Serena had constantly dreamed about Darien
holding her, kissing her, whispering sweet nothings in her ear, touching her.
Serena felt herself fluster just thinking on her little juvenile fantasies. No one
could understand why she used to have dreams involving her mortal enemy; she didn’t
even understand it.
Guilt. For some odd reason, that was the strongest emotion Serena felt while
hearing her mother talking animatedly over the phone.
Darien had done more than tease her at the cafe; he’d done something far worse.
He’d inadvertently given false hope to the people she loved.
Both her family and friends would love nothing more than to see Serena happy and
settled down with a good husband. It was her mother’s wish to see her married off
and have bundles of grandbabies.
But Serena knew better. There was still so much unsettled pain from the breakup;
dating and marriage were the furthest things from her mind.
Drained of energy from the past three days, Serena organized a - hopefully -
hassle-free lunch with her best friends. That’s how Serena now ended up slouched in
her chair at the restaurant, sulking and steaming about her current situation.
Lita sighed, watching her blonde friend pick some invisible lint off the tablecloth
while speaking quietly to herself. She hadn’t even touched her hamburger, fries or
chocolate milkshake, which was unlike her. Lita shook her head in exasperation,
chestnut curls flying around her head from the high ponytail. Usually, Serena
would’ve scarf down a hamburger, fries, banana split, even a cookie or two by now.
Obviously, something was bothering her. Lita distantly heard Serena mumble the
words ‘damn man’ and ‘wedding’ to herself.
Oh yeah, something was definitely wrong. Either that or Serena had finally gone
over the deep end. Considering the girl she had in mind, either was a possibility.
Lita leaned to her right, speaking to the blue-tinted black haired girl by her side
in a hushed tone.
“So you think we need to reconsider getting her those therapy sessions?”
Amy Anderson covered her mouth with her hand, trying unsuccessfully to stifle her
giggle. Turning her head to Lita with a playful smile, she spoke with her most
serious voice.
“You know, I happen to know a very good therapist who may be able to help her.”
“Ha, ha, very funny you two. Go ahead, laugh at my expense, you aren’t the one with
a ton of problems right now.” Serena huffed.
“Let me guess.” Lita rubbed her chin in mock-thoughtfulness, faking some deep
meditation. “This wouldn’t have to do with a certain tall, dark and handsome man
named Darien, would it?”
“Yes. Is it just me, or do you see a pattern here? Most of the time whenever I have
a problem, he’s the cause of it.” Serena ranted, indignantly waving her finger
around at the two bemused parties.
“Don’t you think you’re overreacting a little, Serena?” the ever-rational Amy
calmly asked.
“So? I’m overreacting. What’s your point? It’s my God given right to vent, dang it.
And I’m going to do it!” Serena huffed out an exaggerated breath.
“Oh come on, you’re complaining just because everyone in town thinks you guys are
an item? That’s nothing new. We’ve always known there was more going on between you
two.” Lita’s underlying tone of suggestion made it clear what she was hinting at.
“We are not an item! I don’t even remotely like Darien much less have him as a
boyfriend. Frankly, I don’t know why I’m still talking to you, Lita. You were the
one that gave Darien the address of my rental house.”
“Don’t try to change the subject, Sere. You were the one that kissed Darien and
don’t you try to deny it. I heard there is even a couple of Polaroid's circulating
and I can’t wait to see them.” Lita lightly patted Serena on the head in
compassion.
“Traitor," she muttered. Groaning, a self-pitying Serena buried her face in her
hands, sinking lower in her chair if it were possible.
“Pay no attention to Lita, Sere. Before you know it, this whole mess will have
blown over. I bet nobody will remember in a few weeks.” Amy consoled the distressed
Serena, squeezing her hand in reassurance.
“That's easy for you to say. You have a husband who is completely devoted to you.
Be grateful, Amy. At least, you don’t have to worry about being mismatched to some
guy by the bingo club.” Comforted by her friend’s gesture, Serena squeezed back, a
hint of humor in her voice.
“True, Serena and Darien haven’t ever gotten along but you do have to admit the man
is handsome. If I thought I had a chance with him, I’d go after him myself.” Lita
wagged a fry at her two companions as if to emphasize her point, popping it in her
mouth after she finished her sentence.
“You said a mouthful.” Serena grinned at her own lame joke, successfully hiding the
debate that was taking place in her mind.
Yeah, sure Serena would admit Darien was good looking. Hell, he was drop dead
gorgeous. Seriously, what girl hadn’t dreamed of having him all to herself,
especially if he was locked in her bedroom?
She recalled a couple of lesbians in high school that were attracted to him. They
were willing to go bi or straight just for him. In college, the man even had his
own entourage of hormonal 12-year-old groupies that were beginning to experience
the joys of puberty.
The man had it all: the body, the hair, the eyes, and the face. Too bad his
personality killed the dream. If it weren’t for that, Serena would actually date
him. Hell, she’d marry the man if he weren’t such an egotistical jerk.
Any being with estrogen within a 10-mile radius was attracted to that bigheaded
lout. Unfortunately, this included Serena.
She was immune to his charms but she’d be damned before he knew it.
Serena shot up from her chair, aggravated that her hormones would fail her.
Slamming her fist on the table, she shouted. “Damn estrogen!”
Suddenly, the quaint, little restaurant got eerily silent. The patrons of the
restaurant who were eating stopped in mid bite to stare at the hysterical blonde
that had had an outburst.
Lita snickered while a stunned Amy covered her mouth. Blushing furiously, Serena
scrambled back in her seat, only to sink into it lower than before. The patrons
resumed to eating their meals quietly, eyeing the crazy lady every once in a while.
Still snickering, Lita spoke in a low voice. “Can’t seem to get him off your mind,
can you.” It was more of a statement than a question.
At that moment, Serena wished the earth would presently open up and swallow her
whole.
Bells hanging above the door of the restaurant rang loudly in protest as a
raven-haired woman angrily stomped her way inside. Passing the petrified hostess,
she headed straight for Lita, Amy, and Serena’s table.
Raye Halloway forcefully pulled out a chair beside Serena and dumped herself into
it, grumbling inaudibly. No one dared to say anything about her behavior; it was
nearly impossible not to feel the bad vibes that radiated off of her. For goodness
sake, the woman could have set things on fire if she glared at them just then.
Raye didn’t bother to glance around as she crossed her arms over her chest and
bowed her head, briefly catching a glimpse of blonde out of the corner of her eye.
Quickly snapping her head up, she let out a cry of amazement.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“Good to see you too.” Serena said dully.
“Hey Raye.” The other 2 girls greeted in unison. Barely acknowledging them, Raye
waved a dismissal hand at them and continued to interrogate Serena.
“When did you get here?”
“Three days ago.”
“And why didn’t you tell me earlier? Obviously, Lita and Amy knew of this before I
did.” Raye was getting irritated, her voice rising with each word. It didn’t help
she was in a black mood just a moment before.
“Calm down, Raye. Serena clearly needed some time to herself. I just found out
about her visit yesterday.” Amy gently intervened.
Heaving a sigh, Raye leaned back in her chair, getting her bearings back together.
Patience definitely wasn’t one of her strong points, especially after a particular
man had tested it today. Deep breaths, that’s all she need to do; take deep,
calming breaths.
“I’ll tell you one thing, for sure. This was the last thing I expected when Amy
said she had a surprise for me.” Raye gave a quirky grin, already feeling better
now that she was reunited with her best friends again.
“Did something happen today, Raye? By the way you looked earlier, I thought you
were about to murder someone.” Serena asked concerned.
“Oh yeah, there’s this new guy, Jared, at the company that has just been on my
nerves ever since he first arrived. He’s a smartass who’s so damn cocky and
annoying. He thinks he can just get away with anything.” Raye scowled, thinking
about the pompous man.
“Well, I guess we’re all having man problems.” Lita laughed at Raye’s outraged
face.
The conversation continued as the girls talked and laughed about their social and
love lives. Serena had almost forgotten how good it felt to be around the ones she
loved. These were her friends that had stuck with her through thick and thin. She
felt a sense of security being surrounded by her best friends since high school, a
feeling that could never be diminished or duplicated by anyone else. They were
there for Serena when she needed it most; they always will be.
With a sense of love and appreciation, Serena listened intently as Amy talked about
her pediatrician job; as Raye ranted about the annoying man; as Lita swooned over
her new love interest.
**********
Hours later, the lunch bunch departed each going their individual way. Serena
headed for her self-proclaimed special place, the rose gardens in the park, for
some time to herself.
The sweet fragrance of flowers permeated the air as Serena lazily made her way over
to the rose bushes by the marble water fountain. Stretching her limbs and inhaling
deeply, Serena let the soothing atmosphere and smell ease her stressed body and
mind. Though it may not have been Central Park, the rose gardens proved to be one
of the most beautiful, tranquil places Serena had ever been.
Fingering the feather soft petals of a red rose, Serena closed her eyes in
contentment, allowing her mind to drift off.
“Are you stalking me?” An offbeat comment ruined the peacefulness.
Serena groaned in protest as she turned her head to face the source of the voice.
Could she not elude the damned man for even one moment of peace?
“Exactly who’s stalking whom here? Every time I go somewhere, you happen to show
up. If anyone was a stalker here, it’d be you.” She kept her tone even, refusing to
let the serene feeling pass.
Slightly lifted his shoulders in a small shrug, Darien instituted a mind-bending
explanation to the stalking subject.
“Maybe we stalk each other.”
‘What a genius’ Serena thought as she rolled her eyes in exasperation. Returning
her focus to the roses, she ignored the bothersome man that stood a mere two feet
away from her. She was still mad at him for initiating those rumors of dating and
marriage between the two of them and for the immense guilt she felt.
She wanted to hold Darien responsible for the accusation she felt from her
conscious but try as she might she couldn’t. The problem itself went far deeper
than anything Darien had said or done in the past. The only person Serena could
blame for her guilt was herself.
Feeling a light tug on her hair, Serena turned to find Darien combing his long
fingers through the hair in her ponytail. He had a lost expression on his handsome
face, as if deeply saddened by something. The air seemed to thicken for Serena, her
breath caught in her throat and she felt lightheaded. Darien broke the pensive
silence with an odd question.
“Why did you cut your hair? It has always been so long. And why’d you get rid of
your ‘meatballs’? ” His voice sounded like his mind had wandered far off into the
distance, reminiscing.
Serena could barely think by the way he played with her hair like that, her azure
eyes sagging from the sensation. But somewhere in her mind, the question
registered. She heard a voice in the back of her mind whisper menacingly.
‘Because it was what he wanted.’
She jerked her head in surprise causing her hair to be torn away from Darien’s
fingers, her eyes wide with horror. The voice had come out of nowhere. Serena
stumbled back a few steps from Darien, attempting to gather her wits about her and
erase that horrible voice from her mind.
But the voice had been right; it was what he had wanted. That’s why Serena had cut
her prized long hair and had ridded herself of the ‘meatball’ hairstyle she had had
since she was a child. She had sacrificed everything, only to be shunned or
criticized in return.
She gave him a shaky smile, attempting to play it off coolly. This was not the time
or place to think on that subject. She didn't want Darien to see her like this.
“I decided it was time for a change.”
‘No, he was the one that wanted a change.’ The sinister voice echoed inside her
head.
Her smile wavered as the voice taunted her again. She could feel her demeanor start
to falter, her throat becoming scratchy and sore with the urge to cry.
Was she going crazy? Where was that voice coming from? Was it her subconscious? Was
it her mind speaking to her? She didn't know; she was afraid to find out.
Darien looked at her strangely and asked, “Why? You‘d loved your hair like that so
much.”
Serena opened her mouth to reply but nothing came out. She couldn’t give him an
answer to his question. A tiny whimper managed to rent its way out of her throat.
‘Because he thought your hair was too childish and immature and you wanted to
please him so much.’ The voice continued its onslaught on her fragile mind, mocking
her.
She shook her head feverishly to get the voice out of her head and looked at Darien
with tortured eyes, wanting him to make it go away. Her mind reeled with the
thought of Darien holding her in his embrace, whispering promises that she would
never hurt again, promises that would never be kept.
“I better get going.” Her voice sounded broken.
Darien resisted the urge to hug her and ask her what troubled her. But the logical
part of him thought better of it. His eyes softened while looking at Serena so
beaten up over to something he had no clue of. And her eyes, her eyes were so
haunting; it was nearly the end of him. But he fought it, and kept standing where
he was. It might’ve been his imagination but he thought he’d seen a flicker of
disappointment in her eyes.
They may have been enemies but it would surely embarrass Serena for her enemy to
comfort her. For a reason unknown to him, the thought hurt Darien. But they were
joking enemies; it was not his place to get involved in this kind of situation.
So he stood unmoving with a strange pang in his heart as he watched Serena walk off
with her head hung low.
**********
Serena moped around her house the rest of the day, thinking closely about why she
had worked so hard to please Diamond.
She should have known better. She had been a different person when she had been
going out with Diamond because it was what he had always wanted. She had done
everything in her power to satisfy him but it was never enough. It could never be
enough.
Serena tasted the salt of her tears as they leaked out from under closed eyelids.
Curling her legs up to her chest on the couch, she sobbed dejectedly over her
shattered heart. The images came unbidden to her mind's eye, her chest tightening
in pain from the memory.
'Oh God,' she thought with degrade, 'I loved him so much.'
She wanted to scream, to yell. Anything to free herself for the agonizing pain and
shame that she felt. But she sat there immobile; bawling her eyes out, inarticulate
sounds falling from her mouth.
Intruding on her private moment, the doorbell cut through the silent air of the
house.
Muffling her frantic sobs with a pillow, Serena prayed that the visitor would
leave. She didn’t want to see anybody right now and didn’t want anybody to see her
like this.
Twenty minutes passed but the person refused to go away and leave her in peace. In
frustration, Serena sniffled and wiped her runny, red nose, revoltingly rubbing at
her tear-streaked face and straightened her hair, making herself somewhat
presentable.
Upset and weary, She marched to the door with a sense of determination to chew out
the person on the other end. She swung the door wide open to find a dark haired
young man standing on the porch.
Her deep frown twisted into a bright smile as tears once again cascaded down her
lovely face, but they were tears of joy. There before her stood a familiar young
man she had come to know and love. The young man opened his arms wide in invitation
as Serena flung herself at him with a jubilant screech, screaming his name.
“Sapphire!”
What the? Why was Darien acting like that? What was up with that voice? And what
does Sapphire have do with all of this? Patience, my readers. More will be revealed
in my next chapter...
~PsychoBunny