This is similar to the best friend theme that I have put in "Darien's Fall", but this is an entirely different story. I was on the U of Mich campus a few hours ago, and I was eating lunch at the Fifth Avenue Cafe when I saw the most handsome waiter there, and I told my friend so, and she laughed. But she thought he was pretty cute too. So as I was eating my butter pecan ice cream and walking in the beautiful weather we were having here (74 Fahrenheit here! WONDERFUL! Sunny and a great breeze!) with my sunglasses on, feeling like a glamour queen (later, we rode in my friend's awesome car with the sunroof open and all the windows down; I essentially felt like I was in a scene out of "Clueless" - good movie by the way!) I discovered a story. At first, I was incorporating it into Darien's Fall but decided that it deserved its own story. This is also inspired by many of the beginning events of Judith McNaught's "Remember When" and "Paradise", which are of course sappy romantic books. They include SOME hentai, to those who might want to read it?just a warning. So here it is. Love, Luck, and Luna, Crystal Heart, the storyspinner I don't own the characters, but I own the story. She was bored. A blond ten-year-old social princess, bored. But she knew what to do. She ran downstairs, and out the front door of her home, and ran off to the stables, she knew she'd find him. He was the really cool son of Mrs. Calloway, the housekeeper, so he stayed with the family, but he also worked too. He was so smart. Totally in a class by himself. He went to public school, and from what she heard from him, they were a world apart. But he was really good to talk to. He always listened, and always had something sweet for her. Last time, it was an apple from his lunch he had saved just for her. As she wandered in, she smiled at the handsome twelve year old boy with hay in his black hair and dirty jeans and green T-shirt. His teasing blue eyes reflected mischief and a strange character. "Hi Darien!" she smiled. He smiled back at her, and sighed. It was great when she visited. Everything was a lot more interesting with her around. He'd learned early on of her surroundings, and was glad he wasn't born into a rich family. Of course, her father didn't really like her association with him. After all, he wasn't rich like Serena, and her father was often afraid he'd "corrupt" her. But it was not told to Serena, though Darien could see it in her father's eyes. He had taken measures to make sure Serena didn't spend TOO much time with Darien. But since Serena didn't know any better, she came by all the time. He smiled at her, as she sat down on a bale of hay. For Love or Money By Crystal Heart (five years later) She was back from boarding school. That was wonderful. It was earlier this year when she was about to enter high school when her father decided to enroll her in a far-away boarding school. From the letters Darien received from her, he heard no other name for it but "Miss Mary's House of Torture". He was sorry when she had to go. She was wonderful to be with. It wasn't her looks or anything like that. He admitted, she wasn't BEAUTIFUL, but she was pretty enough. He liked her mind and character. She wore silver-framed glasses and her hair was long and always in a braid. She wore large baggy clothes because they were comfortable, and it emphasized a slight comedy in her body, for it was as thin as a stick and had no figure. And he loved her for it, strictly as a brother, of course. He was very aware that one of the reasons why her father had sent her away was because she was spending a little too much time with the stable boy and too little with people of her class. That didn't get in their way, though. She wrote, and he wrote back?every week, he received a lengthy, eloquently curly-queued epistle from her, on stationary she'd make by doodling. She drew queer caricatures of her teachers. And in return, he'd write back a succinct letter to her lasting a page long describing life back in Klends Heights. He had now quit his stable boy job in exchange for a restaurant job that had better hours for him, as well as better working habits. After a long day of studying in classes, Darien didn't want to feed all the horses and draw water. Klends Heights High may not have been Miss Mary's prestigious House of Torture, but it was one of the top-ranked schools in the country, sending at least ten students to Harvard, and fifteen to Princeton every year. KHHS was a blue-ribbon school, and known to win many awards of academics as well as athletics. Therefore, Darien was too tired to work at the stables, because it was, after all, his junior year. But, he DID have a summer vacation to look forward to now. It was only a few days away. Serena's classes got out earlier today. It was evening now, and she would be home, but he'd had news from Serena; she was bringing some friends with her. They couldn't be alone. But that didn't matter to Darien. As long as she was there. Everyone in Klends Heights thought there was something going on between Darien Calloway and Serena Hilton, though her father strictly scoffed at that. It was a horrible match, they all said. Serena Hilton was one of the Klends Heights Hiltons, a princess who was not to associate with just anyone, and the Calloways had to be the poorest family in town, being the labor at the Hilton House. However, that still didn't explain why on Fridays, Darien would always walk to the post office up the street, receive a letter from her (it was just faster to pick it up than wait for it to get to the mailbox), and read it to himself, and on every Monday, walked back to the post office and deposit yet another letter addressed to a Serena Hilton in some fancy boarding school in Massachusetts. So it was no surprise to them that today, Darien, though at work in the Harbor Cafe, was looking, longingly, at the clock, hoping to see her soon. He missed her a lot, and found even more so when all the girls in class started to believe that since Serena was gone that they had "broken up". At first, he had tried to tell them that they were never together, but then they'd start pursuing him even more, so he'd left it at the relationship. Serena said it was fine in her letter. He was very handsome now, with the build of an athlete, a swimmer, to be exact, and he had swam varsity since freshman year. He was also part of the varsity tennis team, a sport he'd learned from Serena in early years. His black hair handsomely fell about his eyes, and framed his determined forehead, and the darkness and thickness of the hair emphasized glowing blue eyes that all the girls of Klends Heights High had dreamt about. He was now pouring some coffee for a customer and looking at the mirrored wall as he saw the reflection of a tall beautiful blonde entering the cafe with a troop of girls behind her that he could have sworn looked like Serena, only more stylish and downright gorgeous. She had contacts now. No ridiculous eyeglasses to hide behind. She had grown a couple of inches, and her figure had DEFINITELY shaped out. Her hair was cropped delightfully to her shoulder and right now half-pulled back, with some loose gold curls framing her face. She was dressed in a dark green and blue plaid skirt that stopped mid-thigh, a breezy long-sleeve white blouse, and a short dark blue vest. She wore black high heels, accenting some very nice legs, and Darien was stunned. Serena was now a very attractive young woman. She led a parade of girls in her shadow, all in similar outfits, and from the looks in their eyes, Darien could tell that he'd have a few starry eyes when he asked for their orders, and perhaps some crude innuendoes. "Check out THAT hottie!" a girl nudged Serena's ribs. "Tightish black T-shirt, emphasizing those VERY fine-toned arms, and he looks GREAT in blue jeans." Serena looked carelessly to the waiter at the other side of the room. His back was to her, but she saw something familiar about him. But he was too tall to be Darien, as she sighed, disappointedly. She expected him to be here. He wrote her and told her he worked here, but she didn't see him when she entered the door. "I don't know him." she said, referring the to waiter her peer was talking about. "But anyway, we can't see his face." She went back to looking at the menu she'd had memorized ever since childhood, when Darien and her would take bike rides here and order cokes and sometimes share a chocolate chip cookie. They came here together for dinner a few times as well, when her father was out of town and Serena didn't want to eat alone. That was too often. Finally, she elected a Caesar salad when she heard the girls clearing their throats and whispering. "Oh here he comes, oh, he's SOOO fine!" Serena rolled her eyes. She knew it was a mistake when her father decided to make her ask her schoolmates to spend some time in Klends Heights. She felt miserable. If they weren't here, she would be with Darien now, talking and bubbling enthusiastically, and also perhaps watching his jaw drop as he cast his vision on a changed woman. So what if they were best friends? She was also a teenage girl who didn't dislike male attention, as long as it was in the form of someone as intelligent as Darien. He'd kept his 4.0 this year, and taken advanced placement courses. He was in the top 5 percentile of his class, and swam and played tennis, varsity in both. She was proud. She was also very aware of the fact that he used their friendship as a shield from the advances of girls. It was all right with her, only it felt odd. After all, when she left, he was already a very handsome guy, and if he weren't her best friend, she'd have fallen for him. But he WAS her best friend, and Serena made it a strict rule not to fall for her best friend. If she fell for him, then there wouldn't be anyone to pick up the pieces afterwards. It was practical this way. Serena was extremely practical. So, he remained her best friend. Besides, it was ridiculous to believe he'd like her THAT way, and her father wouldn't even allow it if it did happen. "May I help you?" That voice was familiar. The last time she'd heard it, it was thick with emotion, saying goodbye, and she'd know it anywhere. Her eyes flitted up from the menu and met his. The flash of recognition was instant, and Serena was out of her chair, and he was around the table, as she flung her arms around him, and he took her into a welcoming embrace. "Welcome home!" She smiled as she got off his motorcycle, and hugged him once more. "I can't believe I'm here with you again!" she glittered. "I can't believe you're back!" he beamed. She smiled and pecked his cheek. "I'll see you sometime soon, but I think I've already got my friends mad enough at me for staying behind and hanging around for your coffee break when they had to go and unpack. I think they're all in love with you," she smiled at him. *Hormones. That's all. Hormones are making me feel weird.* Okay, so she DID like him for more than just friends. But only now. But that was because she was a sappy romantic, and read to many happily-ever-afters while she was away?many of them being about childhood friends falling in love? At this moment, she felt herself close to drowning in his eyes. Darien felt odd. He felt a tug at his heart, and placed his hands on either sides of her shoulders, and bent down to kiss Serena on the lips, gently. Serena almost jumped. This was her first kiss. It was from Darien Calloway, the "hottest guy at KHHS", as her other sources had not failed to inform her. This was crazy. He couldn't do this to his best friend. What was he thinking? He backed away from the kiss to look into an upturned, confused face. "I'm sorry Serena. I think this missing you thing has just gotten to my head. I assure you, this won't happen again," he sighed, helplessly, as he tried to reason why he did it, and why his heart was beating faster. At that moment, the front door opened to reveal Mr. Hilton looking sternly at Darien. "Calloway, could you come in for a while? I want to talk to you." Serena looked up the windows to discover many girls in the windows watching them. She blushed. "Yessir." Darien cleared his throat. Mr. Hilton, an aging man with silver at his temples looked coldly at the young man before him. It had gone too far. He had overstepped the boundaries this time. Darien sat back, relaxed, looking at the older man, slightly frightened. "I don't know what your intentions are for my daughter?" "I'm her best friend. That's it." "And I suppose you can that a "brotherly" kiss outside?" he scoffed. Darien looked at Mr. Hilton once more. He didn't even know what the kiss was, so what was he supposed to do? "Your connection with my daughter has to end, now." "But she's my best friend." "Find another." "No!" "I won't have my girl ruining her future over my housekeeper's son! How much?" "HOW MUCH? Friendship's aren't bought, and your daughter and I will do whatever we want!" "Not as long she is under my roof, and not as long as I have the money to keep her away from scum like you," the old man, with gray streaks declared. "I assure you, the price you name, and your word, which I really don't trust anyway, and you won't ever be bothered again." Darien's gaze grew cold. "Understood, SIR." (ten years later) Her hair was blond, pinned up in shining sunlit coils, with white lilies tucked in corners and white ribbons. Her face was curved elegantly, ivory blended with rose, and her blue diamond eyes glittered with excitement. "Yes, Lucy?" "They're ready for you downstairs." "Tell Raye that I'm ready, then." Lucy left, and Serena checked her reflection once more in the full length mirror. She was in white silk. The dress had short puffed sleeves that ended mid upper arm, and the bodice was low cut and embroidered and beaded with pearls and shining beads. From below her breast, the dress opened in an inverted V. The layer underneath in the V was lace, with small pearl beads and silver. The layer that went around to form the V was bordered with a white satin ribbon with silver embroidery which went from the top of the V to the bottom of the dress, bordering the bottom. The rest of the top layer was white silk, in gentle filmy layers. She smiled and got her white beaded hat and pearl-studded veil ready over her head. She got up from the dressing table, and smiled as her father entered the room and hugged her. "You're beautiful. See you after the wedding." Serena smiled as he disappeared around the door, and went out to meet Raye. "You're marvelous, darling." Serena smiled. "You are as well!" Serena smiled and started walking down the steps and into the white limo. Raye entered the limo as well, and they left for the church. She walked down the aisle, her hair glistening as well as her eyes. In her hands she held a small bouquet of white roses, the color of hope and innocence. An era of her life was about to end, and her life would have to begin again, without Raye, and her support. As she ended the aisle, she smiled to the blond young man and winked. She then turned and walked to the side of the aisle, taking the flower girl's hand and guiding her, as they turned to the door and watched Raye in white satin walk down the aisle on her father's arm. Raye was her stepsister of four years now, and Serena loved her very much. And now, Raye was leaving her, and Serena had to start her life again. It made her wonder how she ever got on without her stepsister before, but as she remembered how she HAD got on before, her heart stung, as she felt tears threaten her eyes. She gripped her lace handkerchief that she held in her hands as well as the bouquet and told herself once more that she didn't need him in her life, because he betrayed her. He had accepted the money. He had left her for money, as her father said, after Darien stormed out of the house that fateful day five years ago. Serena plastered an artificial smile on her face once more as she felt her tears start to pull at her heart. She was NOT going to cry until later, when she was alone. "Mr. Calloway!" a reporter cried, catching up to him. A tall, very handsome face which had broken more than five million hearts continued past the camera and hurried on towards the black Intrepid. He wore Armani well, the browns suited his tan from a Caribbean vacation, and his black hair was lightly sunstreaked brown and red in some areas, and his hair fell across his face, carefully styled. He was well-built, from the hours at his club. His face was well-formed, with strong jaw line and healthy cheek bones. His eyes were mysterious, enticing blue which intrigued women to no end. Right now, he wore sunglasses over them, and hid the stoic expression which had been splashed on over twenty magazines this past WEEK. Darien Calloway was the president and founder of Global, Inc. He was only twenty-seven, and therefore the most eligible bachelor in the world. With a smile that could melt the polar ice caps, he was indeed the most handsome one as well. However, Darien Calloway was also very heartless. He was cold with the press, with his colleagues, and only smiled when he made yet another business merger. Truthfully, though Darien Calloway was sexy and rich, he was also distant, rude, and cold. Darien entered the car, and locked the doors, and started to drive. At his first red light, he took out the cell phone and started talking business. Darien Calloway was ALL business. "Hello, Darien Calloway's office?" "Lucinda, I forgot to ask you earlier; I need the June 17th contracts on my desk tomorrow, and Mr. Klineman is to meet me to sign them at noon." "I'm sorry sir, but tomorrow is Friday, and you will be leaving for Klends Heights for their Rose Gala. You donated a Juntyl sculpture worth over one hundred thousand dollars." "Good, I hated that sculpture anyway. Only got it because I knew he was going to strike it big soon. I don't want to go." "You are their guest of honor. Your plane is scheduled to leave at noon, which means you will leave your office at ten." "Fine, but I'll have that contract signed before I leave. Have the contracts ready at nine, and tell Mr. Klineman." "OH! Also, the board is cleared for purchase of the Denver land. Who should we commission to design the building? They must work fast if we are to ask for a building permit soon." "I thought that maybe you should just go ahead and call up the firm that did our Los Angeles. It's one of our gems." "Yes, sir." "Rena!" She was sitting back in a chair, relaxed, as she concentrated on the image to put on her drafting table. Her hair was pulled back in a sloppy bun, bordered with a gray scrunchie. She wore a worn gray sweatshirt, and the bottom of her light blue jeans was wearing off. She wasn't in professional garb, but it didn't matter; it was still pretty early on Friday, and she'd change into more professional stuff later for her meetings. She took off her burgundy wire frame glasses and focused on the speaker. "What is it, Amy?" "Global, Inc, is expanding yet again, and they want you to do their Denver office. They liked Los Angeles!" Serena smiled. The architect had definitely gone a long way from doodling in class to her own architect firm. This was Global, Inc's second request for her to design a building. Serena was excited. With her clientele of many of the nation's best corporations, Serena's company, Hilton & Nesley, was at the top. Amy Nesley was her partner, who did residential and hotel design. Serena was into commercial design. With the power of their two minds, they created a company that started to profit in less than a month, with two stunning projects and three on the waiting list. Now, after two years, Hilton & Nesley were doing EXTREMELY well. Amy smiled at her partner. Amy was in a cornflower blue cardigan sweater and khakis. She wore diamond earrings, and her short wavy blueish black hair lightly ruffled about her pale yet rosy face. Amy Nesley met Serena in college and together, they decided to start their firm together. "What are you doing here anyway? I thought you were going to Klends Heights Rose Gala." "OH MY LUNA!" Serena jumped up from her seat. "I totally forgot about the Rose Gala! I don't even have a fancy shmancy dress! I need an hour for the airport, and then four hours for flight, and I should get in at, let's see now it's nine, and I need at least three hours of dress shopping, so I should get there at what's three plus nine? Oh, noon, I'll leave and the hour at the airport puts a one o'clock flight which I will schedule right now, and I'll get there at five and an hour from the airport so I'll get home at six and the gala is at seven thirty so I'll dress really quickly. Or maybe I'll only shop for two hours now instead of three. That will allow the noon flight, hopefully there will be one, and I'll get to the plane at four and I'll get home at five and I'll have two hours and half?" "Why don't you just call the airline and see what they have?" "GREAT idea, Ames!" After calling, Serena was discouraged to get a one fifteen flight. Hurriedly, she smiled over her shoulder while grabbing her purse. "See ya Ames!" "Have a great time!" Amy called after her. Serena didn't hear, she was already in the elevator. Darien Calloway president of Global, Inc, had never felt so rushed in his life. The five hour plane trip would be more than enough time to relax. But he needed to get on the plane in time. It would be good to go back to Klends Hights, though at first, when he'd been asked for a donation for the auction, he was hesitant to donate. However, his public relations exec explained to him that it would look nice to give something back to the place where he began. So, Darien found a piece in his personal collection and donated it, and forgot about it. But he couldn't help but remember a night ten years ago when he received the only kiss that he ever had in his life, and the largest disappointment and motivation to go on. Serena rushed on the plane at 1:17 after being backed up in noon rush hour and lost in the airport rush. It didn't matter, though. It appeared that the flight was being delayed by fifteen minutes. She sat back in her chair, droning out the airline's safety instructions; she'd traveled long enough on planes to know what she was doing. As the plane took off, she was already asleep, from exhaustion. At 7:58, a strawberry red Porsche drove up the drive to the Huntington Clubhouse, and a woman in a black night cloak got out of the car, handed the valet the keys, and rushed inside. At 8:00, a rented black Porsche drove up the drive to the Huntington Clubhouse, and a man in a formal black winter coat handed the valet the keys, and rushed inside. Serena exited the restroom into the almost empty lobby after checking her hairdo (she HAD driven here in a convertible, after all) to find a face she'd seen in over a million magazines staring at the coat check person, waiting for a ticket. He turned around, to almost jump back as he saw a face that had haunted his memory for ten years. She was tall up to six feet with her one inch black velvet heels, and had a very womanly figure, in a black velvet gown with a halter top which flowed to her womanly curves and had a slit to mid-thigh on one side. Her hair was pulled up, the curling blond tendrils all coiled up in crowns of diamond and black lacy ribbon and red roses. She wore black lace opera gloves, which were ended at her elbow with a band of black velvet and diamond. He was in a black tuxedo with a red satin vest underneath the black jacket?a startlingly sexy combination to add to his wild black hair, which looked windblown. It still looked elegantly rich, though. In his breast pocket, there was a rose the shade of his vest and bowtie, as well as a red handkerchief, folded perfectly into a triangle. Serena, startled, stepped back a step, and looked around the empty room. "Looks like we're the latest ones here?" "Yes, guess we are?" "S?Serena Hilton?" she said lightly, knowing very well the hateful man in front of her knew who she was. "I know," he said, coldly. He then turned to the closed doors, and, determined not to have the society of his childhood home scorn him again, offered Serena his arm. "Come on." Serena frowned at this. *Dad was right?he wasn't worth anything, and still isn't!* However, not being an exact companion of anyone there, she decided that entering with him was the best she could do. Therefore, she took his arm, and followed him in, as he opened the door, and they made history. They were half an hour late, and came in during appetizers, when at least fifty waiters and waitresses were about, but everyone saw their entrance. They had to be the most glamorous couple Klends Heights had ever seen. The woman was a princess returning back to her kingdom unchanged, devoted kingdom, in a crown of roses, diamonds and black lacy ribbon. She was beautiful, and elegant, and everything she was before she had left years before and even more. The man had the posture, elegance, and air of royalty. He was handsome, and wonderfully elegant, as if he breathed gold. He was the knight who came back for a hero's banquet after finally conquering the dragon and the lady's cold heart. He was now a prince, a king. And the people of Klends Heights lost their breath. He seated her by her father, after her father gave him a cold, stern look, and turned and seated himself, at his assigned guest of honor seat in the front. He couldn't keep his eyes off her. She was beautiful, sexy, brilliant and a scornful princess. She hated him now? *She's becoming her father, now.* he scorned. But he couldn't help but remember a time when she was in pigtails, and would wander into his stables, and smile as she heard his stories and jokes. But she was different now. She couldn't keep her eyes off him. He was handsome, sexy, brilliant, and a proud knight. He was arrogant, now? *I can't believe to accepted Father's money. All that he is now is because of the college education which was paid for by father's bribery money.* But she couldn't help but remember a time when he was in a dirty T-shirt, feeding hay to the horses, and then serving coffee at the Cafe, when they'd laugh jewels into the air, and were richer than any prince, or princess. They sighed, and continued to eat. The dancing began at ten or so, after the dinner and auction. They moved to the ball room, a room garlanded with roses. The floor was black marble with forest green swirls and red velvet carpet. The ceiling was high domed, with a crystal chandelier, lighting the forest green dome. The room was perfect, Serena thought, fascinated. Darien entered the room slightly behind her. He noted the decorations, and thought that the Rose Gala had indeed been a wise investment. But as he looked down at the princess that was some steps ahead of him, he thought of even wiser ones. It was true, she was an arrogant, conceited snob now, very much what her father had taught her to be. He imagined her a socialite princess who had nothing better to do than to plan parties and gardens. As her father had wanted, he thought, scornfully. But she was still irresistibly beautiful. As he drew in his breath, he cleared his mind, and looked for a dance partner for the evening, immediately excluding the first woman that came to his mind. Only HE would think of coming back to flaunt his success and snub her to the ground. His success was HER family money. He mustn't forget THAT! To act so arrogant, as if he depended on no one? And now, the idea of working for his company, even if it was just to build an office building, lost its flavor of triumph. But then again, she knew it was highly unlikely that she'd meet him during the whole process anyway; he was the president of the company, and therefore would only receive reports every once in a while, but wouldn't really care except for the fact that he got the top floor office and good view of the Rockies. Only HE would be so shallow. And also, the connections were necessary to help build her business. But she didn't really have to worry about the whole ordeal. He didn't care about her last project, and he wouldn't care about this project. And that, she thought, slightly regretfully, was why she was still willing to do the design. (A month later) "The firm's got the plans laid out, and she's in today in the offices. Do you want to have a look this time? I know you wanted to see last time, but you were in that business conference, negotiating that merger in New York," Lita, the associating director the building of the Denver building stood behind him, at his desk. Darien turned from his view of the skyline of Seattle, his main office branch, to focus on the Lita. "Yes, I'd be very interested in seeing the Denver plans. What was the name of the firm again?" "Hilton and Nesley." "Ah, right," Darien scanned his memory. Other than possessing the Hilton name, which was probably pure coincidence, the name stuck out in memory?ah, the top ratest architect firm in the country, in over fifty major cities across the nation! It was based in?hm?Seattle! Pure luck, as he wanted the Denver building to be his new headquarters, he wanted it designed specifically for that purpose. It would be easier to meet with the architect as often as possible. Having the firm in Seattle was pure luck. "They'll be here this afternoon." "All right, just tell me when they're ready." "Great." Serena had a sinking feeling as she came in through her office doors. She did not feel well at all. Today was her meeting with Global, Inc. Of course, it was unlikely that she'd meet Darien, and he probably had no idea that she was working for him, but it still made her feel uncomfortable. She had dressed her best today, in a soft pant-ensemble. Her pants were stylish, and soft silk, as was the soft loose and breezy-layered matching vest. Underneath, she wore a cream silk blouse with minimum lace and frills, with a plain collar. She wore light amethyst jewel earrings and a high ponytail, tied around with a lavender silk scarf. She wore lavender silk flat heel shoes, and carried her light brown leather attache. She was ready to meet Global, Inc, and after she found Amy, they'd depart together in her White Infinity. As she came to Amy's office, she found her standing at the phone sighing evidently over something her boyfriend, Greg, the engineer, was saying. She wore a sky blue Liz Claiborne and a white cotton blouse underneath. She wore sky blue high heels, and stood at Serena's height now, since Serena wore her flats. Her eyes were sparkling, and there was a healthy and slightly embarrassed blush. Serena smiled at waited at the door frame for Amy to finish her conversation. Amy finished and looked to Serena, slightly startled. However, Serena ignored the surprise, and said, "Shall we go?" "I don't know if I can. I think Pam scheduled me for the DeLancey residence appointment this afternoon. I was going to call you after talking with Greg. It turns out Madam Madeline is being extra prissy and is pining for me to meet with her." Serena laughed, suddenly slightly nervous to show up without her friend. It wasn't the first time, and it wasn't her first time at Global, but the first time, Amy was there. "Besides, Serena, you ARE the main architect for the project, and I'd only get in the way. Last time, I had nothing to do except look out the window." "All right, all right, I'll go by myself," Serena sighed. The woman stood at six two with an athletic frame and auburn hair, tumbling from a ponytail. She wore a forest green pant suit, with a white blouse. She came forward to meet Serena. "Hello, Miss Hilton. You might remember me from last time. Lita Blackstone." Serena smiled. "Of course, you're my correspondent again, aren't you?" "My husband knew how much I liked working with you and besides, it is my post." "Ah, your husband, Ken Blackstone, co-vice pres of the company, with Andrew Plots." "Yes, Drew's wife Mina is in charge of public affairs, so you may meet her this time, seeing that this project will be of a much grander scale than the first." "Oh yes, the Denver building, I understand, is to be you new headquarters." "Yes, and everyone's a lot more interested in the project this time. In fact I am now taking you up to meet our president. He really loved what you had done for Los Angeles, and was very interested in meeting you during the building, but he was at a conference, and now that he's got the chance, he can't wait. He's been wondering for months who the talented architect who designed Los Angeles was!" Serena smiled. *Evidently, he doesn't know it's me!* she thought, bitterly. "Yes, I am very eager to meet your president." "Right this way. On the way to his office, you can meet Mina Plots." "Mr. Calloway?" Lucille's voice came over the intercom. "Ms. Blackstone and her guest here to see you." "All right," he said, pressing the button and continuing to type up a memo to his two vice presidents, Ken Blackstone and Andrew Plots. The door opened and Darien did not look away from his computer. Serena, looking at the man in a gray suit sitting and typing into a laptop, with a sexy pair of glasses on his nose, was startled. She had known she was meeting him, but still, the feeling of seeing him at his grand office was more than enough to make her feel surprised all over again. He was like a king there. And he still did not look up. "Sit down," he said, not looking up a minute from his computer. They went and sat down opposite, and Darien finally looked up from the computer, to have his eyes focus on a vision in lavender. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes, and put the glasses on again. She was still there. He was confused. Lita smiled, not knowing his thoughts. "May I present to you your architect, Serena Hilton, one of the senior partners of Hilton & Nesley, and one of the founders. Serena, this is our president of Global, Inc, Darien Calloway." Serena's hands were cold and clammy as she continued to show the floor plans to Darien. It was horrible. This whole experience. She should NOT have taken this job. If she'd known that they were going to meet, she'd avoided this whole thing altogether. But now, well, she was stuck with him, and he evidently was not making it easy for her. He enjoyed looking at her, feeling her tremble ever so slightly with fear. It felt good to be the powerful one this time. So Serena Hilton became one of the top architects in the nation. Though it was a surprise, it did make sense. Serena, with her preciseness, her taste. Her creativity. "And so, the projected finish date will be in approximately a year and a half, if we stay on schedule. It's a rather large project, but the crew we've engaged is willing to work very efficiently. I've worked with them more than once in the past, and I've been pleased with their work in the Denver area." "All right," said Lita, checking her watch. "I'm sorry, but I must go to another conference right now, so I will show Miss Hilton out, and we'll call you for another meeting." "Just wait a second," Darien said, thoughtfully. "I want to talk about this more with Miss Hilton. It's all right if you leave, Lita. I'll see you later." Lita smiled, unaware of the look of distress in Serena's eyes, and left. As the door shut behind Lita, Serena looked around, nervously. "You wanted to discuss the project more, ahem, Mr. Calloway." Darien enjoyed the moment. Her fear, her longing looks at the door. She looked like a lost angel, with her eyes so wide and confusedly blue pools. Darien smiled slyly, and Serena held her breath. Being trapped in a room with the most eligible bachelor in the world, with that dangerous look in his eye, and her impulse to want to slap him, was not the best situation in the world. Her eyes became cool ice. "So let's get on with it. What do you want?" Darien laughed. Serena jumped. "As direct as ever, aren't you, Serena?" Serena shrugged coolly. "I don't know WHAT you mean." "Just like your father. As snobby and cold as your father." Serena stood from her seat. "Who do you think you are?" "Darien Calloway, former stable boy, now one of the most powerful men in the world." "I assure you, you have no power over me," Serena said, angrily. "And if you kept me here to gloat, you are wasting your time. You'd be nothing if it weren't for my father's money!" Darien's eyes became bitter, and angry. "So that's what he told you, huh?" "It's the truth, and you know it. You took money over your friendship with me!" Serena said, passionately, tears coming up in her throat. "I wasn't special enough to you to keep as a friend. All those years, and nothing. You give me up with a slap of the hand, across my cheek when you took my father's money!" She stood, and gripped her attache, getting her things together. "Excuse me, I believe our interview is over. See you on site, MR. Calloway." She stood up, stormed out of the office, as the fifty-year-old Lucille smiled after her. *So THAT'S the boss's love!* Darien looked after the slammed door, and looked down to the chair, where he noted she'd left her purse. Surprising, he thought. What image did she make? An ice fairy. A stunning, enchanting, cold, distant ice fairy. He went around, and took the purse into his hands, and looked up, to smile at the door. A pure genuine smile that cracked his face, which had not been there for a while. This was going to be interesting. After storming through the building and taking a long walk, she decided to buy lunch/dinner. She then found out to her mortification that she'd left her purse in Darien's office. Angry, she stormed around a park until she was somewhat sane, and walked back the twenty blacks to her office, seeing that she did not have her car keys, since they were in her purse. As she walked up, exhausted to the elevator, she was thankful the day was not rainy, not too hot, and that she had worn flats rather than high heels. Nevertheless, her feet STILL hurt. She needed to get her purse back. But she was sure that she wasn't going back for it. As the elevator doors opened to her floor, Serena got out, and walked down the hallways to her office, deciding that since she did not have her apartment keys, she'd spend the night at the office; there was office security downstairs, and the place was safe enough. She'd design that dream house that she'd wanted to design for a while. As she got into her office, she realized that her office door keys were in her purse. *DARIEN CALLOWAY IS THE LOWEST LIFE FORM ON THE FACE OF THIS PLANET!* She sank down at the door, and wanted to cry. She had no money, she was hungry, she couldn't get into her office, and she couldn't get into her home or car, which was back at the parking structure of Global, Inc. Overall, the day sucked. It was still six, though, so she decided to walk back the building of Global, Inc, and claim her things. Darien Calloway sat in front of the computer, typing quickly into the computer. His tie was loosened, and hanging around his neck, and the top button of his shirt was unbuttoned. His sports jacket was thrown around the chair he sat in, and his shirt was untucked. The lights were dim, and the sunset was splashed across the windows behind him. She would come eventually, he knew, but based on the contents of her purse, he knew that she'd be making a stop here on the way home. It was amazing what women managed to stuff in those small bags. In Serena's, he found many receipts to Hudson's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Office Max, and more. However, he found her lavender perfume spray and her lip balm more endearing. He also found a sliver pen with her name engraved on the side, and he found her wallet, a light brown affair with some credit cards, her drivers license, with a stunningly nice picture, as well as some other membership cards. Then he found the small photo album. It began, undoubtedly, with a picture of her father, then a picture of a dark-haired girl with violet eyes in bride dress as well as Serena in bridesmaid garb. Darien smiled childishly when he saw it. What surprised him the most, however, was a sentimental picture of him in his junior year, the last one he gave her before the incident. "Serena, Love ya much, you know that right? I hope you keep on smiling. Darien" It mirrored the one he had in his wallet of her, in her freshman year, in her prim school uniform. He continued to type, staring at the screen, when he received a phone call. He picked it up, since Lucille was already gone for the day. "Calloway here." "Mr. Calloway, there is a woman down here who claims she left her purse in your office. She appears a bit disgruntled." Darien laughed. She was FURIOUS! "What are you telling him? I'm not disgruntled!" he could hear her scolding the guard. It was Serena, all right. "Send her up." "Do you want me to escort her?" "WHAT?" he could hear her scream. "No, it isn't necessary," Darien said. He then hung up the phone as he took off his glasses, and rubbed them, turning to the Seattle sunset. The black outline of buildings, some glass ones reflecting the sunset. Some lights in the office buildings were going on, but the lights in his office were still off. Darien was more partial to darkness than light. The sky was a bright orange and gold at the horizon, and became a violet as it tranced away from the horizon. The moon was also already out, a bright full white one to his left. The silence was somnolent, as he yawned once more. He heard the faint bell of the elevator and heard the steps of angry, hurried feet. And there she stood, her stature still perfect in her perfect suit, but it was noted her cheeks were brightened by anger and exercise. Her hair was no longer in a sparklingly neat ponytail, but down, and flowing about her shoulders in a golden waterfall. She was startled. It was amazing how much more handsome Darien Calloway was when he was dressed down from work in rumpled business clothes. For a minute, she considered that he was undoubtedly one of the most handsome men in her acquaintance. That lasted a brief second. Her eyes then turned to livid blue, and she said. "Where's my purse?" "Why don't you sit down and rest, Serena?" "That's Miss Hilton with you!" "We've known each other for a while, Serena. This gives us a perfect chance to get some things straight." "What is there left to straighten out? I thought it was all pretty straightened out." Darien caught something in her eye this time that flashed too quickly earlier today. Now that she was exhausted, she was slower to cover emotions. "You WERE hurt?" "What do you mean?" "You missed me!" "Why would I miss a heartbreaking greedy moron?" "Because I was important to you!" "WHAT?" Darien's heart became lighter. She was hurt when he left. She cared about him. She wasn't like her father. He MATTERED a lot more to her than her father let on. A surge of relief took over him. "Look, I just want my purse," she mumbled. She found it on his desk. She reached for it, and grabbed it. She then swiftly turned to the door, and as she grabbed the knob, Darien was gripping her thin wrist. "Let me go!" "No! I want to tell you something!" "I don't care for lies right now, Mr. Calloway. I'll see you when my project calls for it." She pulled at her wrist, but he kept his grip. Tears started to form, and trickle down. "Let me go!" she cried softly. "LET ME GO!" Darien startled back, and she made a run for the door, and ran down the hall. Darien stared after her, stunned, and relieved. She cared for him still. She WASN'T like her father. And the nightmare was over, and all was better in the world. She liked him then, and she liked him still, though she did not know it yet. As Serena leaned back in the elevator, she closed her eyes, envisioning herself elsewhere, as tears trickled down her cheek. Oh, after all that, she still cared for him? As she walked into the offices of Hilton & Nesley the next morning, Serena was shocked to find a dozen classic red long stem roses in a crystal vase sitting on her desk. By it, there lay a card, and written in gold ink, "I missed you too. Darien." Her eyes widened at that, and looked to another note on her desk, from Amy: Rena, Wink! Looks like the pres of Global isn't as heartless as all those outrageous magazines say, now, is he? I have a meeting at ten, I want details about the whole meeting later. Ames Serena frowned. This was NOT good. What was he doing? But the roses were perfect, as if he had chosen each one with importance crowning his examination, as if it mattered if the rose was even a petal from perfect. She sat back in her chair, thinking reluctantly that today was going to be a beautiful day, as the sun shined over her golden hair, and made a halo about it. Serena sat at her phone, negotiating with the president of Grand Enterprises. He was a persistent one. The clock flashed seven. "Oh no. I can't possibly go out for dinner with you today! It's all ready pretty late, and I have other plans." she said, frantically, looking for some excuse. The last time she went to lunch with him, he took her to a bar, and tried to hit on her four times; his speech was saturated with innuendo. Darien chuckled at her doorway, to see her quite distressed. "Why? Well, I'm having a very important business dinner with the company that I'm working with right now. Um hm. Yes, I'm having dinner with?let me see?" she pretended to be checking her planner, but was really looking out the window, scanning her memory for some person she could use at Global. "Darien Calloway." Darien was slightly startled, and wanted to laugh. "Yes, very important, you know him. Very cold domineering type, can't slide out of it. Very very important. So?can I go out tomorrow? No, I can't. I have another meeting with Global, Inc. Very tied up. Yeah, you know, Calloway is very particular. He's overseeing this whole project meticulously, so I don't think I can go out for dinner or lunch for quite some time. Yeah, what a pity, too bad, things happen, and I'm sure when I get my first free moment, I'll call you, okay bye!" she hung up quickly, sighing with relief. Applause from the door sounded, and Serena jumped and turned towards the door. "Mr. Calloway!" "Please, I prefer Darien. We've known each other long enough." "I hope you didn't just listen to that whole spiel." "Let's see," Darien said, walking in, closing the door after him. "I'm a very cold domineering type, very meticulous and particular, and I think you forgot heartless and cruel and very mean." Serena blushed. "Indeed, you must feel pretty embarrassed." "You know I was just lying, right?" she laughed lightly. "Oh! I liked the roses, though they really weren't necessary," she said as she backed further into a corner. Darien took another few steps towards her, and she backed some more. It was one long dance. "It makes me wonder, Serena, which one of us is the cold one?" "I told you, I didn't mean it, and I think I have to meet with Amy pretty soon." "The brunette? She's going to eat dinner at Chez Pierre tonight with Greg, courtesy of myself, because I thought her partner was working her too hard.." "Really? Oh, that's too bad?" Serena stood, her eyes wide with a small fear. Darien wanted to laugh. She was really just too adorable. Today, she was not in her fancy outfit. It was a no meeting day, so she wore comfortable khakis and a cream Polo sweater. Her hair was held back in a sloppy bun, with some hairs tumbled in front of her face. Serena noticed his skim of her features and uncomfortably reached her hand behind her at the base of her neck and shrugged the uncomfortable feeling off, straightening her posture, as if she wore a velvet gown and a crown. "You came to see me? For what reason?" she asked, starting the conversation all over again, cold and distant. The change was quick, abrupt, and intriguing. Darien liked it. "I came here to invite you to dinner, and seeing that you already invited yourself to dinner with me for today and tomorrow, I guess you're free." Serena laughed coldly. "You got it all wrong. You don't have to have dinner with me, and I think I'll be working through it anyway." "I foresaw that?" he said, stepping out a moment to grab something, as Serena grabbed a moment to calm herself down more. Darien Calloway knew his way with women, she told herself. In many of the articles she'd read, she'd found that he'd dealt with supermodels and actresses. He entered again with a picnic basket, and Serena was pleasantly surprised. You had to give him points for creativity. Slightly interested, she walked around her desk, towards him. Darien sighed with relief in his mind as he asked her, "Curious?" "Slightly?" "Come on, help me set up." "But Amy?" "I told her that I was eating dinner with you, and that she could talk to you tomorrow." Serena looked up to him, slightly frightened. "Come on, help me set up. Let's just have dinner okay?" he said, not daring to touch her yet. She sighed, and looked away to the windows, and turned to him once more. "All right." He set up a light blue linen cloth on the middle of the floor. He took out two thick light yellow candles, and lighted them, placing at the center of the cloth, as Serena turned off the office lights, and left the blinds open. It was romantic setting, she had to admit. It was very charming. After they were sitting across from each other, he reached into the basket, and withdrew two simple sandwiches. For him, it was a turkey. For her, it was peanut butter and jelly, a favorite of hers. Serena couldn't help laugh. A romantic dinner, and he brings a peanut butter and jelly. It reminded her of a time when he and her were better friends, before?she blocked it out. For now. They talked of simple things. Nothing of the past. Only now. "So what do you do when you're not building dreams?" he asked her. "Oh, I go to stuffy social things and avoid men all night, and I write friends, meet them, and I visit my dad?" Darien cleared his throat. Serena looked away for a moment. "I?" To be continued? So, what do ya think?