Chapter 12

last time:

"I made us a reservation at a restaurant first,you know catch up before the drinking." Serena nodded and looked out of the window. Mina was dressed similarity, though not as done up as Serena. She watched the street light pass over head, watched the couples going out for romantic meals and she secretly wished she was one of them. Mina pulled up to a stop, getting out and handed a young man her keys. Serena followed her into the restaurant, not really listening to what Mina said to the hostess. The room was fantastic! It was all dark mahogany wood and red silk everything, even the table clothes looked to be made of silk. Mina stopped and looked at Serena.

"I'm just going to the toilet. Out table is the booth right there." Mina left for the ladies room and Serena moved around the corner. Darien was sat at their table.

Now, on with the story....

Back peddling she headed to the bathroom to fins Mina touching up her lipstick. Mina shook her head at her.

"Mina! I can't do this!" she harshly whispered, afraid that Darien would some how hear her. Mina tutted and steered Serena out of the bath room.

"I know you still have feelings for him Serena, that's why I'm doing this. You could talk to him at least." Serena sighed knowing the look in Mina's eyes. "and don't think of escaping. I'll be here watching." Serena knew she was telling the truth. She was betting Mina had a table set right behind theirs behind the foliage, just to make sure she doesn't make a run for it. Straightening her dress mechanically she moved back to the table, her eyes starring at Darien. He looked up at her then, his nervousness obvious on his face. She sat down and starred at the table cloth, her hands fidgeting under the table. The silence was so thick she thought she was going to choke on it. Darien cleared his throat.

"Thanks for agreeing to have dinner with me." his soft voice floated through the air to her ears, making her shiver at the sound of it. She hated how responsive her body was to him in everything he ever did, whether sex or just a simple smile, she would melt into a puddle at his feet. She sat up straighter in her chair and gave him her eyes. They were as cold and hard as they could get. He flinched slightly under her gaze, filling her with sour happiness. "I understand that cold look but still, thanks for coming."

"I didn't come Darien, it was forced upon me, I was betrayed." Serena huffed and slumped in her chair, not caring about elegance or showing him that she didn't care about him, even if it was just a lie. She shot a heated look towards the bathroom door where Mina stood chatting up a waiter. Mina glanced over and smiled with a wave before turning back to the young brunette. She turned her eyes back around to see Darien grinning at her.

"That's a bit over the top isn't it? And besides, if were talking about being led on your not the only one." Serena turned to face away from him again, feigning uninterested. Darien continued, leaning back in his chair and slouching himself. "I mean when I called you and you answered I was ecstatic that you had finally answered." Serena turned around in her seat her mouth open ready to argue, but he put one finger up. "she did a good job, pretending to be you, even though the voice was a little squeaky." he grabbed his glass of water and sipped watching her face as she realised they had both been duped.

"are you saying Mina set us up?" her voice was a little high, almost as squeaky as Mina's was when she pretended to be her. Darien chuckled at Serena's voice, she really was something else.

"yes, that is exactly what I'm saying." Serena looked down to the table, her hands now playing idly with the napkins corners. Why would Mina do something like this to her, it didn't make any sense. She looked up and glanced at the bathroom door where Mina was watching her newest love interest do his job. Mina was the only person she had ever confided in. told her everything. She was the only one who knew she wanted nothing more then to throw everything away and be with Darien. She huffed a sigh and stood, placing the napkin on the table. Darien looked at her confused.

"I'm sorry, Darien, but I can't do this any more." with that she walked out, leaving a shocked and hurt looking Mr. Sheilds. He starred at her frame as she left the restaurant, wishing for her to glance back at him. Just one look, and I'll know I'm still in the game. She didn't. He turned his head down and stared at the napkin she had thrown down. He put his head in his hands and chanced one more look through his fingers. Just as she reached the door she turned and looked at him, their eyes connecting for all but a millisecond. Then she turned and walked out of his life. His smiled into his hands as Mina ran out after her. She may be gone but not forever. Darien stood and smiled as he left a couple of notes on the table. No, definitely not forever.

–

–

Mina finally caught up with Serena just as they reached her apartment. She starred at her as she opened the door, the keys jingling in her shaking hand. The door relented and let them enter. Serena threw her keys on the coffee table and began to pace around the room, trying to sort through her feelings. She shot a look to Mina, as she closed the door.

"how could you do this to me?" she whispered, clear liquid filling in her eyes, but she did not let them fall. Mina looked down to the floor and answered honestly.

" I didn't want you to loose him. I thought I would be doing something good." Serena stopped and starred at her friend.

"you really thought it would be good for me to go there and have dinner with him? Mina, I love him!" she wailed and began pacing. Mina frowned at her friend. She knew Serena loved him, perhaps longer then Serena knew herself, that was why she had done this. It was easy to see that Darien wanted only the best for her, he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, and Serena was about to throw it all away. Mina felt the stirrings of anger.

"don't you think I know that? Serena, I'm your bestfreind. I'm not blind, I can see that you two want each other. I know you want to be with him Serena, why are you pushing him away?" Serena froze and starred at the ground.

" because I'll be leaving for uni later this week and he works all the time. I'm not so naïve to think that it would work out. I'm OK with his, really. It's for the best." Mina's heart clenched at her friends words. Her voice was calm and sturdy, her eyes were different. The tears she had held back now streamed down her face. Serena sat down on the couch and starred at the floor. Mina sat next to her and brought her into her arms, her hands rubbing her arm comfortingly. Mina leaned in and rested her cheek against her wet one.

"want to know what I think? I don't think you should give your up on your dreams so easily." Serena pulled away from her and looked into her face. Mina smiled and continued. "I know you want to be a doctor, and I'm not saying don't be one. But what's to say you can't have both things? I know your other dream Serena. You want the white picket fence, the whole nine yards, the full package. And I think Darien is the only one who would ever be able to give you it." Serena marvelled at her friend. Suddenly she hugged her. She was right, of course. But there was no way to change the damage she had already done. The only thing left for her to do now was to hold her head up high and go on with life...

–

–

The week had flown by so fast it all seemed a burr to Serena. Today she was standing in front of her dorm building of the university she was to be attending. She sighed, a happy sigh, to know she was finally here, finally on her way with her dreams. She grimaced inwardly and corrected herself. Dream. Picking her things up she and Mina headed into the building and to her room. Mina was shocked at the size of it. Serena was lucky to get a place like this, it was almost as big as her apartment. Mina smiled as she looked around the room. The kitchen area was small and directly to their right as soon as they enter. A little further forward was the living area. To the far back was a door, leading to the bathroom. A half wall separated the bedroom area from the rest of the room.

"I know I'm lucky eh? Don't have to share anything with anyone!" Serena possessively beamed about this fact. She had mentally cringed thinking off having to use the communal shower rooms. She placed her bags down next to the couch and looked around. This was all thanks to Darien. Not only had the job been enough to pay for it but she had received a letter two days before hand. It was from Darien.

Dear Serena,

I have taken it upon my self to give you a little leaving present.

I hope you enjoy it.

Always yours,

Darien.

Serena had worried over what it was, also feeling guilty over the last part. When she had called the collage later that day it all became apparent. Darien had bought this place for her, but only for a year. She wanted to turn down the offer, and would have, but the woman on the phone said their was no other available places so close to campus. Suddenly there was a knock on the door, which Mina answered. She returned with a pale yellow flyer and a massive grin on her face.

"there's a party tonight to invite all the newbies to uni." Serena frowned at her wording but took the flyer. She eyed it sceptically.

" I guess it couldn't hurt." Mina squealed and jumped up and down around Serena. Serena laughed and joined in. it would be nice to spend some more time with Mina before she goes back to the apartment, which was 2 hours drive away. Yes, they would still see each other but between all her work at the school and Mina's busy life it would be a rare treat.

Serena sighed, letting all thoughts leave her. She was happy and content to be here, doing what she always wanted to do. At least, that's what she was telling herself.

–

–

Later that night Serena found herself jumping around the dance floor energetically, a huge grin on her face. Mina was right, this was a lot of fun! The beat was repetitive, flowing from one song to the other but Serena found she didn't really mind at all. Maybe it was the few drinks she had been forced to take from Mina. She smiled as she watched her friend, who was right next to her sway from left to right, putting a few jumps into the moves. All eyes in the club were watching them, and a few girls were glaring at them because of it. But all Serena found herself doing was waving happily at them. She didn't care about their stares, from either gender. She had sworn to herself that men were completely off the menu. Even though it wasn't exactly a bad experience with Darien, she couldn't help but imagine being with anyone else would be dreadful.

Her eyes were drawn to one couple in particular. They weren't all other each other like the rest of the couples in the crowded space. They were dancing, having fun. It was their eyes that had caught her attention as she went to the bar. The way they looked at each other. They were truly in love. Not lust, but love. She sighed as she pulled her bottle closer to her and turned away from them. She missed him, sometimes. Especially at times like this, watching other people, falling in love, she got jealous. She often thought about calling him, asking him to take her back. But she couldn't forget the way he made her feel. Sure sometimes it was bliss, she felt so happy and it felt so right to be in his arms. But there were other times, where he would treat her just like another employee. Of course, she had reasoned, that it was because she was in fact an employee. Wouldn't do well to have other tattle on them. But still, she felt used, like it was only her body he wanted and she couldn't live with that, even if he made her feel free whilst they were together.

Mina jumped up next to her, handing some money other the bar and grabbing another bottle of beer. She grinned at Serena and nudged her a little gaining a smile from Serena. Mina knew what she was thinking about, and it made her smile.

"what a party this is huh? I wonder who put it all together." Mina winked at her and looked out into the room, away from her freinds confused look. She saw the raised area where the DJ was working. She hoped everything worked out aright. Of course, that all depended on Serena.

Serena moved to reach out to her friend, to ask her what she meant by that, but just at that second the music stopped and a spot light appeared above the DJ. Serena, seeing this out of the corner of her eye, decided to ask Mina later and turned to look at the DJ booth. Her jaw dropped at the sight.

There stood, non other then Darien himself, looking completely at home in his jeans and T-shirt. She watched with rapt attention as he took hold of the mic and grinned his award winning smile to the crowd. Her mind raced, what is he doing here? She asked herself. A small hope grew in her stomach. Maybe, just maybe, he's here to see me?

"I would just like to say, thanks to everyone coming tonight. AS some of you might know, my company is one of the main contributors to this particular university, so I thought I would throw a party to welcome you all into the life of the collage students." there was a loud applause from almost everyone in the room. Only Serena didn't clap, her eyes downcast to her bottle in her hands. Why was he here? Just to torment her? She stood to leave when she heard his voice continue. "But I have to admit, I have another reason for doing this. Serena? I know your there, standing right next to the bar." She looked up at him, shock all over her face. His calm mask was no longer visible. He looked.... nervous. She watched him as a small blush crept up onto his face and she couldn't help but think he was cute. "God, Serena, you are so beautiful. I was stupid to even think I could let you go and live without you. I know that now and I want to ask your forgivness." the silence in the room was almost touchable. Her heart was racing in her chest, beating so hard she thought it was going to snap a rib. "also, will you marry me?" That was it, her heart stopped. Was he being serious? She starred at him for a few minutes, slowly relearning how to breath. She could tell, she just knew, he was being honest. Her heart swelled. He wanted to marry her! She watched as he came down the small stairs and through the crowd to her. Her thoughts were all over the place. She was so happy, her grin almost too wide for comfort. Suddenly he was standing in front of her, mic still in hand, spotlight illuminating them both. And she realised she hadn't given him an answer. Taking in a deep breath she opened her mouth and answered him.

"no." there were gasps in the audience, but Serena ignored them. Her eyes were on his face. She watched as his smile faded and his eyes held hurt in them. She took a step forward and touched her hand to his chest. He felt so warm. "not yet, any way." she grinned at him as she watched the shock take over his face. Suddenly she was in his arms as he hugged her close to him, lifting her up and swirling her slightly, the mic long forgotten on the floor. He pulled away and put her down on the floor and looked into her face. Serena caught her breath as she recognised that look. It was true love.

"You have no idea how happy you make me." He said, just before he claimed her lips for his own. The crowd cooed at the couple. Tears sprang to Mina's eyes as she watched them. It seemed, life did turn out alright.

There you have it!

The last chapter!

I know more could have been done, but to be honest I couldn't think of what

And there is no point in writing a story you loose interest with.

R&R and keep an eye out on my other stories too!

More updates coming soon with other Stories too!

Miss Meesh.