LIFE, LOVE, AND SOMETHING LIKE THAT

Chapter 2: Gala Surprises!

Enjoy!

Chiba Estate

Serena stood next to Amira as the crates of wine and glasses arrived along with many other things. Serena directed where things would be stored for now. Darien was at the office leaving Serena at the house to get set up. The party would be this weekend, which was 2 days away. Amira had worked fast to get everything in order over the last week. Though Serena felt rushed for time, she went along with a party in basically 2 weeks of planning. Serena's flipped her cell phone up. It was Lita. Lita Nakamura was picked to do the catering, which pleased her that such a high-priced company wanted her. Serena made sure that Lita would get the recognitions she finally deserves.

"Lita, where are you?"

"Oh, exit 4, sorry, the chocolate is still late and I needed it like yesterday to do the desserts. I should be there soon. Has the wine arrived?"

"Yes, along with those fancy glasses you wanted."

"Great, I was hoping that. Is Mina there?"

"No, she had to go back to the factory to pick up the lacey."

"She still hasn't finished your dressed!"

"I know! I was suppose to be fitted today, I swear, everything is just running to close together. I can't wait until this thing is over with."

"Hang in there girl, I'll be there soon."

"Hurry, Lita, I need some help."

"Hurrying, just passed exit 7, just a few more to go. Bye." Lita hung up her phone.

"Bye."

"Mrs. Chiba, those sculptures have arrived for the walk-up," Amira said.

"Great." Serena set up the party to have this ancient Chinese theme Chinese warrior statues, lanterns, dragons all around the estate. Serena was pointing out where some lanterns and bamboo decor to go when her cell phone went off. "Hello?"

"Hello to you too, wife."

"Darien, what do you want?"

"Woman, how many times must I tell you, you are always what I want." Serena smiled. "But besides that, however, I must have those accounts to that new line if you want them to go through and begin production before this weekend."

"I personally laid them on your desk to you last night!"

"Well, dear, I do not have them here now."

"I gave them to you!"

"No, you haven't!"

"Darien, I might have to kill you. I know what I did."

"Fine, fine. I'll look for them again, but then I'm coming home and killing you if I don't have them. How's the gala going?"

"The party will be fine," Serena teased. "Just waiting on a few more shipments to come. Things should basically be set-up completely by tomorrow night for the party."

"Gala. Well, that's good."

"Oh, and I won't be able to make it to lunch."

"And why not?"

"I have to tear Mina a new asshol...I mean, I have to go into town to Mina's to do the fucking fitting."

"She's still running late on that dress?"

"She swears it would take just 3 days, 3 days! And it's been a week!" Serena sighed.

"Breathe baby. It'll all be over with soon."

"Not soon enough. I can't wait to take next weekend off."

"I hear ya. You get back to work and don't be too hard on Mina."

Serena looked up just as Lita arrived with several boxes herself. She brought by lunch for the crew along with samples of the gala's treats.

"Well, Lita is here, I'll see you when you get home."

"Okay. Bye. I love you."

"I love you too, Darien. Bye." Serena closed her phone. "Finally!"

"Don't finally me! I am on schedule, plus I brought treats."

"Great."

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Chiba INC

Serena threw her hands up in frustrations as she arrived to her floor with Darien.

"I know what I did, Darien. And I placed that damn folder on your desk." It was pretty late, nearly 11pm. Darien tried to tell her she was wrong, but Serena wasn't having it. "I put a pink postit on it for Urgent." She walked into her office and clicked on her lights.

"I told you, you did hand me thing yesterday, but you didn't hand me anything last night."

"I know I did!" Serena pulled off her black blazer. She went through her stacks on her desk. Darien checked her other desk. "I was talking on the phone with Amira about the arrival of ice sculptures, I put the pink sticker on it and wrote Urgent and..." Serena lifted a stack of books and found the folder.

"And what?" Darien asked still looking through his stacks.

"Shit," she muttered.

"What?" Darien looked back.

"Nothing! Keep looking!" She pointed. They went to her office first before to check his office last. Serena shoved it into a book and grabbed her blazer. "Come on, let's go to your office now, because it's not here!"

"Fine." Darien followed her. They got to his floor and went into his room.

"No wonder you can't find anything, look at this mess!"

"Hey, it only got messy when I looked for that damn folder."

"Right. You check your cabinets, while I do the desk."

"Okay." Darien turned to his cabinets. Serena pulled the folder out and shoved it into his second drawer on his desk. After 5 minutes, she pulled it out with Darien standing there. "Oh man! I guess, I was wrong. I could have sworn I check those drawers."

"We all make mistakes, Darien."

"I'm sorry baby." Darien hugged her. Serena hugged him back, before breaking down into tears. "Serena?" Darien pulled away and looked at her. She cried into his chest. "Baby! What's wrong!"

"I lied! I did have the damn folder! I just sneaked it in now!"

"Oh," Darien laughed and hugged her. Darien kissed the side of her head. "Well, that's okay, there is no need to cry about it."

"I just got distracted over this damn party and I..I...whaaaaa!"

"Shh..shhhh...it's okay."

"No it's not! Now the productions will be behind because of me!" She cried harder on his shoulder.

"Oh, Serena. It's okay. We all make mistakes, remember?"

"Not me! Not like this." Darien rubbed her back until she stopped crying.

"You okay now?"

"I swear, I don't know what's wrong with me?"

"You're wind so tight that's what. Maybe this gala wasn't a good idea."

"Why do you say that now?"

"I thought, I hoped you would be having fun, decorating and throwing this party, but you aren't."

"I have my days."

"You have had nothing but distractions and stress piled on top of work. I shouldn't have done that to you. I'm sorry."

"It's hasn't been all that bad, Darien. I'll be okay."

"You sure, because you can just say, no more, and I'll have Amira finish up."

"The only part now is the party. I'll enjoy myself then."

"Good." They kissed. "Let's go home."

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GALA
Chiba Estate

Guests arrived to the Estate by limos. Serena stood holding hands with Darien. He was in his black tux as she wore the black Chinese open-back dress with high slits and red lace inset. The party made sure to remind everyone about the Chinese theme, so everyone came in authentic Chinese decor.

"What a beautiful wife, Darien."

"Nice to meet you," Serena said shaking hands with another person. Party was about 2 hours in sessions. Dinner would be serviced shortly. There was some gaming sections like at a casinos set up for entertainment. Donations would be made to charities and organizers tonight as well. Serena picked up another glass of wine as it passed. She turned and drank it down.

"That's your 4th glass, dear," Darien said waving to some people.

"No one is counting but you dear," Serena whispered back. Darien kissed her cheek. Andrew came over with his new date, Mina.

"Wow, I must say, Sere, that dress is gorgeous!" Serena smiled and shook her head. "Who could it possibly be by?"

"Oh, this thing. I got it off the rack."

"Haha!" Mina pinched her arm. "You better say Tanaka Bouquet Speciality made!"

"Ow!" Serena rubbed the spot.

"So, the gala is nice," Andrew said. "Fireworks later on huh?"

"Yea, theparty is going well." Andrew smiled at Serena. She refused to call it a 'gala', which sometimes frustrated Darien, but as his wife, he let it slid.

"I'm gonna go get us some drinks again," Andrew said. Mina nodded.

"Excuse us," Serena said, taking Mina's hands and leading her away to talk. "Well, how's Andrew?"

"You were right, he is amazing!"

"I told you."

"We talked about so much on the limo ride over. God, he's so sexy. Plus can kiss like a devil."

"MINA!" Serena hit her arm. "You two did it in the limo!"

"What can I say, it's been months, and why wait for after the party, we both knew it was happening." Serena laughed and shook her head.

"Slut."

"As I recall it, you sleep with Darien in a men's bathroom on the first night."

"I was drunk!"

"Well, I was too. On his looks." Serena laughed. They went back to the party.

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All of a sudden, Beryl Jackson arrived to the party. Darien was showing a few members around when Beryl came up behind him. She cleared her throat. Darien knew who it was, by just the smell of her perfume. She still wore that horrible perfume. The members walked away once dinner was announced.

"Darien, it's been a while." Darien turned around to face her. She stood in a gold halter gown, very revealing with gold and silver ankle wrap sandals, metallic gold purse and black chopsticks in that red hair.

"Not long enough."

"Is that anyway to speak to an old friend?"

"We were never friends, Beryl."

"Of course, you just fucked me anytime you wanted."

"What can I say? It was what you were best at...spreading your legs that is. Excuse me."

"I hear that's all your wife did to get her position."

"What are you doing here?"

"Just coming to see aboutthe rival nation. Surprised not to get an invitations. A little sadly about that, I won't lie."

"Why? Did you actually think you would be invited?"

"No. So, how is married life?"

"Best thing in the world."

"I'm surprised. My Darien, off and married!"

"I was never yours."

"That's not what you said 6 months ago."

"It's what I am saying now."

"But, Darien, we have so much fun together." Beryl touched his arm and ran her other hand up his chest. Serena found Darien with Beryl, in that position.

"Darien?" Darien looked passed Beryl. "What's going on?"

"Nothing." Darien stepped away and put his arm around Serena when he went to her. "Serena, this is Beryl Jackson, CEO of Lace. Beryl, this is my wife. The love of my life, Serena."

"Nice to meet you," Serena said holding her hand out. "So, you know Darien?" Beryl shook her hand.

"Oh, yes. Darien and I go way back, ain't that right, Darien." Darien looked at her.

"Well, that's great. Dinner is served, let's all go eat."

"In a minute, I have to talk to Beryl. We'll be right along."

"Okay. I'll save you a seat." They kissed. Serena walked out.

"My, she is beautiful."

"I know. Now cut the bullshit. What are you really doing here Beryl!"

"Don't you want to hear about your son?"

"I have no son."

"Little Raymond wouldn't appreciate that."

"That is not my son."

"True, but the records don't show that. They say, you are his father."

"I did that to help you out with your father, but he is dead now and it's time you admit the truth."

"And what about all that money and gifts you gave your son, have you told your wife?"

"Go to hell." Darien walked away from her. Beryl smiled.

"Oh, Darien, I love when we play." Beryl walked back toward the table.

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The doors closed as the final guest left. Serena was sitting around a small table with Amy, Lita, Raye and Mina. They were laughing and eating some dessert. Many helpers were slowly clearing out the place.

"We'll be in the library," Darien said kissing the top of Serena's head. Darien and Andrew disappeared into the library.

"He seems distracted."

"He has been weird all night."

"So, when are these babies coming!"

"Raye!"

"What?"

"Serena and Darien's baby will come when they are ready," Amy said.

"I am starting to wonder that myself," Serena said. "It's been 3 months, girls and nothing."
"You're just stressed out," Amy said. "The moment you relax, trust me."

"I know."

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The Library

"She said that?"

"Exactly."

"Man, she's even crazier than before."

"What am I going to do, Serena doesn't know about the boy?"

"But it's not your son!"

"That's not what all the records say. I really got myself into some bad shit with her."

"But we both know it's lie and Beryl knows as well. Why is she continuing to lie, now that her father is dead? You only did it..."

"I know, I know. But now I reallybelieve that was one of the worst decisions of my life. I don't know how to change it now. I mean, all the news covered it and if I come out now and say that now, they might think I am lying to protect my wife."

"I could have told you how big a mistake this was. You should have left her ass crying when she told you, she slept with another man.Oh wait, I did! I did tell you to drop her ass! But did you listen! No, no! Darien's got to be a big man and take responsiblity for a child not even his."

"Shut the fuck up." Darien poured himself some brandy. He handed over a glass to Andrew.

"Look, just come clean with Serena, she'll understand."

"I know that." Darien took a sip of his drink. "But I can't help to wonder what exactly Beryl was doing at the party. What she is up to?"


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It was over 5 years ago. Darien was this hot cocky 20 year old boy. He was in Europe for a spring break, when he was first introduced to Beryl Jackson. They hit it off within a matter of weeks. Sleeping together, though both were totally wrong for each other. Darien just did to add her to a list of woman, he was a playboy and knew it. He went back home, and a few months later, Beryl followed. They dated shortly after she came into town. Then came his birthday bash when he found her crying.

"Hey, are you okay?" She shook her head. "What's wrong, can I help?" She shook her head. "Maybe I can go get you something.."

"I'm pregnant."

"Oh."

"Yes."

"How? We were always..."

"My father is going to kill me."

"Why?"

"Because he will." Darien sat down with Beryl.

"You know I will take care of my child." Beryl rolled her eyes.

"What makes you think it's yours?" Darien looked at her.


"What?"

"Oh, don't pretend like you didn't do you side work! How is Chelsea and Sandy?"

"If it's not mine, then who is it?"

"Like that matter."

"Do you even know!"

"I know it's not yours."

"What are you going to do?"

"Die."

"Unless I..."

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"Darien? DARIEN!"

"Huh?"

"Dude, where did you go?"

"Bad Memory Lane."

"Yea, that place is a bitch," Andrew said, drinking the last of his glass. "Look, I got a little hottie waiting out there for round 2."

"Round 2?"

"That's one of tricks of limos." Andrew put his glass down after drinking it all.

"Remind me never to use that limo again until it is burned out."

"Ha ha. See you later, man." Andrew hit his back on his way out. Darien sat down as the door closed. He thought about Beryl and meeting Raymond for the first time.

The first time he saw Raymond James Jackson in the hospital. Beryl had just given birth to him and was breast-feeding him now.

"He's beautiful, isn't he, Darien?" The infant looked nothing like Darien, which tore his heart. He was to claim a child, a child he damn knew wasn't his and yet, he didn't care. "Want to hold your son?"

"Sure." Darien took the baby.

"Maybe we can really have one of these one day."

"Yea, maybe." Darien rocked the baby.

"Darien!" Serena stood before him, shaking his legs.

"What?"

"You were a million miles away. The girls left, time for bed." Serena felt his head. "You okay?"

"Bed, right." He smiled.

"You okay?" She took the glass and put it on the table.

"Yea. Let's go to bed." Darien took her hands as she held them out for him. They kissed. Darien lifted her up into his arms. "I love you."

"I love you too." Darien carried her like that upstairs. He kicked the door closed with his foot and only cries of love followed.
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until next time, reviews welcomed...tell me whatcha think