As of Yet Untitled
By Karisma
Rated: PG
Chapter Four
Genre: Alt, Romance
Parini@hotmail.com

     I squeezed my eyes shut hard and then let them open, hoping I 
wouldn't 
see him there. But he was. And now he was walking toward me, cell phone 
put 
away, and his eyes focused only on me. Good Lord, he looked good enough 
to 
eat.
     Coloring slightly at where my thoughts were leading, I pasted a 
smile 
on my face to greet him with and met him halfway through the terminal. 
We 
stopped once we reached each other, both of us not saying a word.
     We headed toward the baggage claim, and still not a syllable had 
been 
uttered between us.
     "Hello, Serena." He finally said, his voice deeper and colder than 
I 
had remembered it.
     "Hello, Darien," I offered him a slight smile as he grabbed the 
bag I 
had pointed out to be mine with such ease it startled me at first.
     We finally headed out to Darien's car and I got in the red 
convertible 
after he unlocked the doors.
     I stared at him out of the corner of my eye as we drove off. He 
stared 
straight ahead, jaw set tight, strong arms controlling the wheel with 
resigned force. The silence was unnerving and I opted to dismiss it.
     "How have you been?" I asked, turning toward him, the night breeze 
ruffling through my hair.
     "Can't complain," he replied expressionlessly, letting one elbow 
prop 
on the door.
      I rolled my eyes at the stimulating conversation he had just 
provided 
and gave up trying. We spent the rest of the car ride encompassed in a 
airy 
silence, neither one of us so much as glancing in the other's 
direction.
     When we finally reached my house, Darien pulled into the four car 
garage and I couldn't wait to get out and see someone with a pulse 
strong 
enough to utter more than four words. But as I reached to open the 
door, I 
found it wouldn't budge.
     "Darien--" I started and turned to find his hand on the lock 
button 
right next to him. The car seemed to shrink even further as I stared up 
from 
his hard, lean frame to his handsome face. I opened my mouth to 
continue 
speaking when his mouth was suddenly on top of mine, crushing whatever 
I had 
been trying to say. At first the kiss was insistent, hard and 
demanding, but 
as I started my unwitting response, it became softer, more tender.
     He pulled away after a moment's time, leaving me slightly startled 
as I 
recovered from the touch of his lips on mine.
     He stared at me for a long minute, his silver blue eyes boring 
into my 
lighter ones. "I have been wanting to do that for eight years." And 
with 
that he exited the car, taking out my two heavy bags as if nothing had 
happened.
     I took a moment longer, straightened my clothes and moistening my 
bruised lips, before I followed him inside the house where I was 
showered 
with hugs, kisses, and assaulted with questions. while we sat down to 
eat 
and I answered all of my relatives questions and finally met Rita-a 
gorgeous 
woman with lush, brown hair and baby blue eyes-I felt Darien's gaze 
locked 
unto me, watching my every move. Whenever I made eye contact with him, 
one 
brow was arched in a mocking gesture and a slight smirk quirked that 
kissable mouth upward. It was enough to disconcert me while at the same 
time, made tingles rush up and down my spine.
     As I looked back and forth between the two brothers, I examined 
how 
each of them had changed. Andrew was still the same, actually. Grown 
quite 
handsomer, definitely, but still always laughing and smiling at 
everything 
thrown his way. Andrew still had the sunshine Golden boy looks: dirty 
blonde 
hair that set off his warm, chocolate eyes with every laugh he let out.
     Darien, however, was still the opposite of his older brother in 
every 
way. He was slower to give a real smile-one that reached those uniquely 
colored eyes. He was as attractive as his brother, but in an entirely 
different, non-boy-next-door manner.  Darien had a dark, brooding aura 
around him that suited his ebony hair and dark tan. Andrew was an open 
book, 
whereas Darien…
     "Serena?" Someone called my name and I quickly shook out of my 
thoughts 
and looked up to find Andrew asking me something.
     "Oh, I'm sorry. What did you say?" I smiled at Andrew's light 
laughter 
at my spacing out.
     "Are you ready to kick your old man out of his business?" He 
asked, 
winking at my father, all the while keeping that broad grin on his 
face. I 
looked over at Rita sitting lovingly beside him and was convinced they 
made 
a darling couple.
     "There, there, Andrew. It'll be quite a while until Serena can 
dethrone 
me," my father drawled, and I couldn't help smiling.  "But I do expect 
Darien to teach her about our company since a certain elder brother 
suddenly 
decided to go off and pursue a dream of making video games!"
      My smile flickered and then died out as I shifted my gaze to 
Darien's 
placid face.
      "I'm marketing computer software, not video games, and you know 
Uncle 
Bryan!" Andrew bantered, sitting back in his seat and intertwining his 
hand 
with Rita's softer one.
     "Wait a minute," I interrupted, blinking rapidly for a few 
seconds. 
"What's all this about our company and Darien?" I shook my head, 
staring at 
my father who suddenly looked a tad bit uncomfortable.
     "Well, we wanted it to be a surprise, Serena." He started gruffly, 
clearing his throat and tossing the monogrammed napkin down. "You know 
that 
when I started a new company, I was co-operating it with a partner, 
right?" 
I nodded, my father had mentioned it briefly in one of his letters and 
I 
assumed that my father would eventually buy the other's share out, with 
no 
hard feelings on both parties' sides. "Well, meet the other half of FS 
Enterprises!" He held on his hand, gesturing to someone across the 
table. 
Part of me knew who it was before my father had even finished his 
sentence, 
but I slowly let my gaze trail down my father's arm and to my future 
partner.
     Sure enough, nonchalantly finishing his apple pie, Darien looked 
up and 
fixed me with a impartial and-for me-infuriatingly calm stare.
      Needless to say, I didn't take the news that well. "What?!" I 
sputtered, wildly looking around the table for signs that this was all 
some 
welcome back joke or something to that effect. There wasn't any; they 
were 
all completely serious and looking closely for my reaction. "How could 
you 
not tell me this? For two years you build a company-that I will one day 
own-or rather co-own-and you leave out this rather large bit of 
information. 
That's wonderful! 'A surprise'! Well, congratulations, Father! I’m 
surprised," I glared at him and to my dismay he seemed to be taking my 
outburst with ease and tranquility.
      "I don't see how it is relevant at all," he pacified soothingly. 
"This 
isn't that big of a shock, Serena-"
     I exploded. "Isn't relevant!? Of course, it is-"
     He continued to speak rationally as if I had never interrupted 
him. 
"This is about you, not Darien. You can do your job, that's all that 
matters. You have your degree, you can advertise. Now all you need is 
the 
'training', if you will, around the job-which Darien can provide once 
you 
begin work."
     I narrowed my eyes and stood up, "I'm now working for him?"
     "Well, Serena, only for now. Soon, you'll be working with him." My 
father looked up at me as if I was the world's biggest fool, And 
perhaps I 
was. It shouldn't have bothered me as much as it did, I'd admit that, 
but
for some reason…
     "What am I going to do? Be his secretary?" I bit our sarcastically 
and 
when I saw my father's face I realized I had hit right on. "No, no. You 
can't possibly be serious!"
     "Serena! I don't see what the problem is, it's just Darien after 
all." 
My father countered, rising himself. We must of look ridiculous, 
fighting 
over everybody's heads. All the table's eyes flickered back and forth, 
as if 
watching a tennis match.
     "It isn't 'just Darien'!" I threw my hands in the air and caught 
Darien's raised brow leering at me mockingly and I was quick to correct 
myself. "I mean it isn't-oh, forget Darien! The fact is you purposely 
let me 
be ignorant of a very vital piece of information that has to do with 
business: our next door neighbors are now our partners! And on top of 
that, 
you landed me a job as the secretary of a man I have known since we 
were in 
diapers! This is a tad bit uncomfortable for me, Father." Not to 
mention a 
man who I was just in a very intimate position with, I silently added. 
It 
then me, Darien knew all about this arrangement! He had known and not 
only 
had he hadn't told me, but he also dared to...to...well kiss me!
     "Serena, you'll be allowed to sit in meetings and you'll have the 
responsibilities of a secretary and much more, I can assure you that. 
Before 
long, you'll know all the tricks of the trade. Then once you land us a  
client, you'll have your real job. It's not the worst possible 
scenario, 
Serena." My father sat down and continued his dessert, I reluctantly 
following suit and only then did I notice how tired I was. Exhausted, 
actually.
     "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to bed. Jet lag's a killer," I 
smiled 
and was about to exit the large dining hall when Darien's taunting 
voice 
called me back.
     "I wouldn't do that if I were you, Serena," he said, a slight 
smile 
tugging the corners of his mouth.
     "And why, pray tell, not?" I asked irritably, rubbing my head. I 
suddenly had a pounding headache.
     "It's barely eight. If you want to beat jet lag, the best thing 
for you 
would be to stay up with all of us." The others nodded their agreement 
and I 
let out a huge sigh and resignedly sat down once again.

     Later that evening, we all gathered around our sitting room to 
watch a 
movie that would hopefully keep me awake. By this time, my head was 
nodding 
off every few moments. The film was a utterly stupid, yet entertaining, 
romantic comedy about two people who despised each other-yet fell in 
love. 
Original. As if that was actually plausible. If you can't stand 
someone, you 
can't stand someone. You're not going to turn around fall into their 
arms 
with a huge, corny speech on how they had loved each other from day 
one.
      I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I remembered was 
waking up the next morning in my old room, which was exactly the way I 
had 
left it, thought it felt strangely foreign.
     "Serena!" My mother's call echoed through the large house and 
finally 
reached my ears.
     "Coming!" I shouted back and shrugged into a white robe. As I ran 
down 
the long staircase, I took in the familiar trinkets and nick nacks that 
made 
this mansion my home. I swung into the dining room and saw my father 
and 
mother sitting at the table and tears pricked the back of my eyes. I 
hadn't 
realized how much I had missed the little things until I saw this 
familiar 
scene unfold. "Good morning, Father." I said cheerily and he looked up, 
surprise etched all over his distinguished face. It took me a moment to 
back 
pedal my mind and remember the conflict we had hashed the last evening. 
I 
was still miffed at him for not telling me earlier, but what could be 
done 
now?
     "Good morning, Serena." My mother said as Rosaline, our cook at 
home, 
placed a plate of eggs and bacon in front of me. I thanked her and 
began to 
dig in-something I was always very good at. "What time are you going 
down to 
get your gown, dear?"
     I froze mid-bite and flicked my head up to the grandfather clock 
and 
nearly screamed. Instead I let out a muffled whimper and let my fork 
clatter 
onto the plate. I jumped up, excused myself hurridly and ran back up 
the 
stairs in record time.
     Once in my room, I jumped in the shower and came out faster then 
Superman. Getting my clothes out of the luggage was the worst part. I 
had to 
rummage for the right keys, then ruffle through the plethora of clothes 
I 
had brought. Finally, deciding on a white and blue sundress, I shoved 
on 
some sandals and ran a comb through my wet hair.
     Running down the stairs once again, I managed to let out a breezy 
good 
bye to my parents before going into the garage. Only to return seconds 
later 
and see my father absently holding out car keys.
     Sometimes that man knew me too well.

     I raced down to the bridal store and was actually only ten minutes 
late.
      "Sorry," I breathed, trying to catch my breath.
     Rita flashed me a bright smile and winked at me. "We only got here 
a 
few minutes ago ourselves."
     I craned my neck and found out exactly who "we" was. It was Rita, 
two 
other attractive, young women I didn't know, Andrew…and Darien. What 
were 
they doing here? More to the point, what was he doing here?
     It turned out that Rita had dragged Andrew with her because she 
felt it 
was important to make all the wedding decisions together. Andrew, 
feeling as 
if he was going to be out numbered and possibly ganged up on by the 
opposite 
sex had turned to Darien for the sole reason of safety in numbers.
     The other two women, Mina and Raye, had their dresses altered and 
picked out already. I was the only one there for whom Rita hadn't 
picked out 
a style. My dress was supposed to be slightly different than the other
bridesmaids-though same in color (a light lavender).
      Mina Chaise was a tall blonde with an air of confidence and style 
that 
seemed to encompass everything around her. The icy blue two-piece suit 
accentuated her wonderful figure. Raye Lampard was as beautiful as 
Mina, but 
in an entirely different way. Her raven hair and red tank dress suited 
her 
figure well. Both women gave me a warm welcome and I was immediately at 
ease 
with them.
     I tried on the first dress. It was an off the shoulder satin one 
with a 
rose right above my breasts. As far as I was concerned it had only one 
fault-and it was a doosey.
     I stepped up to the platform where they all stared at me in a row 
of 
chairs. Rita and the women looking up avidly, Andrew staring out the 
window, 
and Darien staring up into my eyes with that infuriatingly calm mask of 
his.
     "I love it, don't you?" Rita crowed and Raye and Mina chimed their 
approval.
     I shook my head furiously and crossed my arms over my chest.
    Rita looked confused. "But why, Serena?"
     I sighed heavily and turned around to reveal the huge bow that 
covered 
my backside. It looked perfectly ridiculous and apparently they agreed 
because I suddenly heard roars of laughter. I spun around, hands on my 
hips, 
and found the women smothering giggles. Andrew was not that polite and 
was 
practically rolling on the floor. Darien was by far the worst, thought. 
He 
was smiling the biggest, most idiotic grin I had ever seen. His eyes 
were 
sparkling and even in my livid state I had to admit he looked much 
better 
like that.
     "Stop it!" I insisted and fought the childish urge to stamp my 
foot. 
"It isn't that funny." I muttered after it was clear they wouldn't 
cease 
their peals of laughter any time soon. I hiked up the many layers of 
the 
dress and stopped back into the dressing room.
    The next dress wasn't as hilarious, but it came pretty close. As I 
stared at myself in the mirror, I cringed at the scoop neck dress. At 
my 
waist it puffed out into the most ridiculous circle like ring I had 
ever 
seen.
     "Serena?" Rita called. "Are you alright in there?"
     I took one look at myself again. "I'm not coming out!"
     Mina further coaxed me. "Oh, Serena, it can't be that bad…not as 
much 
as the first one!" And with that I hear gales of laughter come from 
where 
they all sat.  "Seriously, Serena, come on. We promise not to laugh."
     I slowly came out and climbed up the steps to the pedestal. I 
glumly 
stared at their faces as they took in the awful thing. Darien coughed 
and 
suddenly found the floor fascinating. Andrew's eyes bugged out and the 
girls 
just looked happy they didn't have to wear it.
     "Good-bye!" I stomped back down and ran as well as I could back 
into 
the safety of the dressing room.
     The last dress was the one I fell in love with. It was a 
spaghetti-strapped satin one with an empire waist that besides clinging 
lightly to my hips, fell straight down. The criss-cross back was my 
favorite 
feature. It was a bit long, but with heels it would have been just the 
right 
length. I came out and took a deep breath. Slowly stepping up, I 
clasped my 
hands behind my back and awaited the verdict.
     The were all silent for a moment until Rita finally shrieked. "Oh, 
it's 
darling, Serena!"
     I beamed as Mina and Raye nodded their approval, complete with 
winning 
grins. I shifted my gaze to Darien, nervously. For some reason-which I 
couldn't explain if my life depended on it-his opinion mattered the 
most. 
And I was more than satisfied with his response. He remained silent, 
staring 
up at me dazedly. I fought back a smile at his soft face and beautiful 
eyes 
staring into mine.
     And then the moment was over. He cleared his throat and went back 
to 
the book he was reading. "You look fine, Serena," he said distractedly. 
I 
was too happy to be disappointed. I had seen the first look he had 
given me. 
The one that had "Wow" written all over it.
     I quickly changed back into my normal clothes as Rita picked out 
the 
exact color she wanted our shoes to be dyed in.
     "Andrew how many men our going to be up at the alter with you?" 
Rita 
asked sweetly as we all had lunch at a nearby restaurant.
     "Just Darien, I assumed," Andrew answered, spearing a green bean 
without much interest.
     "I know you have more friends that just your brother," Rita 
scolded and 
then turned to Darien. "No offense."
     Darien held up his hands. "None taken. I'm always telling the man 
he 
should get out more."
     Andrew rolled his eyes and continued to eat. "What difference does 
it 
make?"
     "Well, sweetie," Rita began innocently. "I was just thinking how 
wonderful it would look if each of my bridesmaids came down the aisle 
with 
your best men."
      "But isn't it best man? As in singular?"
     Rita sighed, exasperated. I watched with an amused smile as she 
said 
calmly, "Andrew, please don't be difficult."
     "But, I'm-"
      "Good!" Rita clapped her hands together happily. "Then it's 
settled. 
You'll find two more men for Raye and Mina."
     Andrew nodded thoughtfully as he chewed. "I know Chad and Melvin 
would 
be happy to do it. But what about Serena?"
     I think I knew where this was all heading and I hadn't completely 
decided whether or not it was a good thing.
     "Oh, she and Darien have been childhood pals forever, haven't 
they? It 
would only be proper for them to walk down together!" Rita answered 
breezily, waving a hand in the air as if it was the most obvious thing 
in 
the world.
     Andrew shared a look with both Darien and I and I knew we were all 
thinking the same thing. Childhood pals? I wouldn't exactly call the 
guy who 
chased me around the living room until he finally pinned me to the 
ground 
and then threatened to spit in my face "childhood pals". But who where 
we to 
argue with the bride?
     I suppose some part of me-probably me heart-was secretly happy to 
be 
arm and arm with Darien. I sneaked a peak at his reaction. Which 
was-big 
surprise-impassive and cool.
     So I would be walking down the aisle with Darien Sandborn: my 
supposed 
"childhood chum" and my partner-the next week would definitely prove to 
be 
interesting.