On the seashore
Chapter 7
Rated G
By:  Mellibea

Here is chapter 7 for those of you who I know are waiting patiently for it,
hope you like it!  Oh, and thanks to those of you who were so nice as to
tell me how much you are enjoying this, don’t worry, I won’t abandon this
one.  To those of you who want me to continue Final Decision, please tell
me.  I’m not sure if I want to keep going and I might just leave it as it
is.  If you really want me to continue it, please PLEASE tell me!  

Disclaimers:  I don’t own Sailor Moon nor related characters

On with the story…
***********************************************************************
On the seashore
Chapter 7

It was dark out when they finally made it to the house.  They had made the
trip in silence.  Serena, cringed back on her sit in the jeep, had tried to
concentrate on the spectacular scenery in front of her, and ignore Darien’s
perturbing presence.  Mina had also kept silent, submerged in her own
thoughts.
Her first meeting with Darien had been formal from his part and serene from
hers.  She didn’t let him see the pain and humiliation that she must’ve
felt.  Serena had been surprised and proud of Mina’s mature approach to the
situation.
To one side of the small road, a hill covered with bushes lifted up to the
blue sky and further ahead became a dry mountain.  On top of them a
predator fluttered about.  To the other side there was a cliff that shone
like a mirror under the setting sun.  Everything seemed very remote and
savage.  ‘Wasn’t that the idea?’ Serena told herself with bitterness.  He
would leave them in that inaccessible place until their money ran out and
they had to leave.  ‘Money’, she suddenly thought.  In her hurriedness, she
had forgotten to ask Kostas for her money back.
“Is something wrong?”  Asked Darien, who seemed to be in tune with
everything around him.
“No” He would be the last person in the world to know that she didn’t have
any money.  That knowledge would put them in his hands.  “Is only that…
everything is so beautiful…” she added signaling to everything around her.
“People who visit the island think that it is the most beautiful place on
earth” he nodded.  “I wish I could spend more time here, but we have
businesses all around the world.”
He had spoken the last part proudly.  Serena thought that money and power
had to be the things he held onto the most.  And having so many things
under his control, the destiny of two young kids had to be for him an
annoying triviality that he could get rid of in two business contracts.
Mina’s and Andrew’s happiness didn’t appear on Darien Xandreou’s balance
papers.
That was something she had to remember, to liven up her resentment and
anger.  She wouldn’t permit herself any more weaknesses on anything that
had to do with him.  She shouldn’t experience that painful longing of
feeling his masculine lips exploring hers, his hands’ touch tracing a net
of pleasurable desire on her skin, nor that spell he knew how to sew so
well and that he had used to attract others.  ‘But not me’, she swore under
her breath.
The jeep took a turn off the road and started descending through a path so
narrow that the bushes were grazing the vehicle.  Then it turned in a bend
and in front of them appeared the house.  It was small in comparison to the
Apollo Villa, only one story high and of tiled red roof; it was surrounded
by a spacious garden.
‘Is a solitary place’, thought the girl and immediately mocked her own
sentimentalism.  Of course it was solitary… that was the idea.  They would
stay there for the rest of their trip.  During the journey she hadn’t seen
any villages, not even a house she could reach on foot.  
Amy was waiting at the entrance when Darien stopped the jeep.  She was
heavily built, short, and with the inevitable black dress and a scarf on
her head.  In her wrinkled face appeared a smile as she shook Serena’s hand.
“Welcome, kyria Serena, and you too, kyria Mina.”
“I’m afraid we’re going to be an inconvenience for you” whispered Serena
insecurely while Darien, very serious, unloaded their suitcases.
“Not at all” sighed Amy satisfied.  “Finally life comes back to this place”
she took both girls’ hands in hers, and added:  “Come, I’ll show you the
house.”
Serena noted that the house was designed to take advantage of the sea
sight.  All of the rooms had a magnificent view and all of the windows were
open to let in the sea air and the waves’ soft murmur.  A wide balcony
surrounded the whole house, and from where she could have direct access to
a cove of fine sand, according to what Amy told them.
“Is very intimate for sunbathing,” she added.  “And you can also swim.”
The interior of the house was bathed by sunlight.  The floor was made of
yellow mosaic and the walls were painted in a paler tone of the same color.
The living room was equipped with a sofa and several lively colored
armchairs; there was also a zone separated for the dining room.
The bedroom assigned to Serena led to the balcony and was the most
spacious.  She looked around her, admiring the solidity of the old
furniture and the wide bed.
“Do you like it?”  Asked Amy, a bit anxious.
“Is… magnificent,” exclaimed Serena and the woman nodded satisfied, not
picking out the uncertainty on the girl’s voice.
“I’ll bring you a cup of coffee and kyria Mina will rest until dinner time”
she informed her.  “I think she has a headache.”
Serena thought that the bedroom given to her had to be the master bedroom.
Darien had taken his bride there and in that bed had made her his wife.
Decided, she removed those thoughts from her mind.  She wouldn’t be able to
sleep there, so she would have to exchange rooms with Mina.  Feeling a bit
tense, she walked to the door that led to the balcony and went out to take
some fresh air, but suddenly stopped.
Darien was there, sitting on the rail.  His figure contrasted against the
blue sea, while he looked towards the horizon.  As if a silent signal had
told him of her presence, he turned his head and looked at her with an
almost bitter expression.
Of course, she knew what he must’ve been imagining, or remembering: Another
woman coming out of that same room.  That girl would’ve smiled, evoking
memories of the night they had spent, promising him more pleasure.  She
would’ve raised her hands and thrown herself in his arms.
People said time cured everything but judging by Darien’s expression, the
wound must’ve been very deep.  Serena forced a smile, hurrying to say
something to mask her own pain.
“Now I understand why they call it the beach house.”
“My father built it” he nodded.  “He loved the sea so he always had a boat
anchored by the shore.  Afterwards, when Raye and Andrew were born, he sold
the house in Karthos and started constructing the Apollo Villa.  But this
place was always a refuge for him… for all of us” he gave her a mocking
smile.  “Is very far from the main house” he pointed to a small shadowed
shape at the other side of the small bay, where the sun illuminated the
white walls of the villa.  “You can see it over there.”
“So near?”  Exclaimed Serena.  “I… hadn’t realized it.”
“But only by sea” he declared, laconic.  “There isn’t a road that leads
from one of the properties to the other.  Is necessary to go into the
island and that was an inconvenience… in the past” his brief pause let the
girl know that now it was different.  Then he continued:  “Andrew and I
used to swim from one house to the other.  Are you a good swimmer, Serena?”
 He asked, calling her by her first name.
“So-so” she answered.  “But not so good as to want to risk crossing that
distance."
“I’m happy to see that you worry about your safety” he smirked.  “I think
is always good to recognize one’s limitations.”
“Oh, I understand” Serena looked around her.  “Here we are and here we’ll
stay, right?”
“You’re not prisoners” he assured her sarcastically.  “You’re free to leave
any time you want.”
“But, under whose conditions?”  She looked him in the eyes.
“I see you have understood once again” he laughed and continued:  “You
should at least listen to my offer, Serena.  I’m willing to be generous…
within reason.”
“There’s no deal” she assured.
“I’m convinced that won’t be your last word” Darien’s tone was polite.
“Here you’ll have the time and tranquility to think.  When you’re willing
to talk, you only have to let me know.”
“You’ll have to wait a very long time” she declared bitingly.
“But I think my resources will last longer than yours” he paused.  “That
reminds me” he took his jacket, which he had left on the railing and took
out a thick envelope from its pocket.  “This is for you.”
The envelope was full of bills in Greek currency and, on seeing them,
Serena returned it to him.
“What is this?  An initial payment for my cooperation?  I’m not going to
accept it.”
“To tell you the truth, the money is yours, kyria Dryden” he mocked his own
formality.  “Is the refund for the hotel room.  Luckily, Kostas has a
conscience, on top of having a snake for a wife” he made her take the
envelope and she shivered as she felt his fingers graze hers.  “Take it” he
insisted.  “You’ll need all the cash you can get if you’re really willing
to prolong this fight.”
“You didn’t have to give it to me” she commented.  “You have the right to
keep it… as rent.”
“Please, don’t insult me” he asked and in his dark eyes she saw something
twinkle but it left as soon as it came.  “You and your sister… are my guests.”
“But I would rather pay for our stay” she stubbornly insisted.  “You… can’t
pretend that we are welcomed here.”
“Maybe not, but this gives us the chance of sorting things out before you
go back to your country.”
“You are really sure you’re going to win, aren’t you?”  She inquired with
bitterness.
“Oh, yes” assured Darien.  “One way or another.”
He settled his gaze on her lips and then slid it down to the curve of her
breasts.  That jolted her out of her reverie and reminded her that his most
lethal weapon in this conflict was his virile and charismatic sexuality.
While she didn’t have anything to fight with, except her own convictions
and determination.  She wondered if that would be enough.
Darien stood up and checked his watch.
“I must go back now, I’m waiting for a call from New York.”
“A personal call?”  She asked mischievously.
“I see my sister has been busy” he said gloomily.  “But I don’t think,
matia mou, that that’s any of *your* business” he paused.  “Think about
what I told you and remember that I’m willing to restart negotiations at
any moment.”
“I’ll negotiate” she accepted, “but only under the condition that you’ll
let Mina see Andrew.  Don’t you understand that maybe she can help him gain
back his memory?  Shouldn’t we at least give it a try… so he won’t have a
blank memory anymore…?”
“Andrew will get better in time” his face hardened.  “And if some gaps are
left in his memory… fine, it’s best that he forgets about your sister anyway.”
“That’s cruel” whispered a very shaken Serena.
“Is also very practical” his smile was filled with irony.  “When you
finally understand that you’re in no position of making requests, you’ll be
able to concentrate in the terms of our possible agreement.  You don’t have
any choice, I assure you” he contemplated her baffled face and added:
“Good night, Serena.  Sleep well in my bed, agape mou… if you can.”
He bowed his head as a goodbye gesture and then silently walked away, but
to her his parting words had felt like a lash.

*******

“That won’t be a problem” Mina happily commented that same night, before
taking another bite of the delicious chicken Amy had served them.
“I’d like to share your confidence” replied Serena; she was feeling very
tired of all of this.  “But we are here and, on top of it all, Andrew could
might as well be at the other end of the world.”
“He’s not so far” Mina assured her.  “Raye says we should be patient… wait
for the right moment.”
“Really?”  Serena asked dryly.  “Remember, darling, she *is* a Xandreou as
well.  And it was her idea for us to come here, where we can’t cause any
damage.  Are you sure you can trust her?”
“Of course.  Darien wants to control her life too… make her marry a man she
doesn’t love.”
“Oh” exclaimed the girl.  “And Raye has other plans?”
“Yes, she’s in love with Chad Deroulades” answered Mina.
“Good God” exclaimed Serena.  The young doctor seemed like the most
improbable match for a worldly girl such as Raye.  She knew the girl was
plotting something, but she would’ve never guessed it was something like this.
“And he loves her too” continued Mina.  “They’ve known each other since
they were children.  In fact, the Xandreou family paid Chad’s medical
school.  But he’s not rich nor powerful, so Darien doesn’t consider him a
worthy husband for Raye” she sighed.  “She says that if he knew they are in
love, he would explode in anger.  Chad would loose his job at the clinic,
would have to leave Karthos and she would never see him again.  And
Darien’s wrath would follow him anywhere he would go.”  She added.
“I can imagine” Serena darkly replied.
“That’s why they have to pretend in public and see each other in secret”
finished Mina, pushing away her empty plate.
“She told you all of that today?”  Serena inquired surprised.
“Yes, and we’ve made a pact” nodded Mina.  “She’ll help me get back
together with Andrew and in exchange we will try to help them.”
“I don’t like the idea” Serena shook her head.  “We have enough problems.
And maybe Darien is right” she added stubbornly.  “Raye is too use to
luxury to live with a poor doctor that lives from his salary.”
“Serena” exclaimed Mina, scandalized.  “Are you on Darien’s side?”
“I’m not on anybody’s side” she replied defensive.  “I’m only trying to be
realistic.  If we get in the way, Darien’s wrath could follow us too and we
don’t need that.”
“You’re forgetting that Andrew will protect us” whispered Mina.
“Everything will be ok, I know it.”
Serena couldn’t say anything before such a sincere and passionate
conviction.  Later, in her room, she wished her sister were right.
She looked around her.  Amy had messed up her plans of exchanging rooms
with Mina, since she had already unloaded her suitcases and put away her
clothes.  She would make a scene if she tried to change rooms now and maybe
Darien would find out and draw his own conclusions.  And that was the last
thing she needed.
Mina had also told her, with shining eyes, that she could see the villa’s
light from her room and that made her feel like Andrew was near her.  ‘I’ll
have to put up with it’ thought Serena.  She took their passports and the
money Darien had given her and looked for a secure place to put them in.
The nightstand’s drawer was the most appropriate place, but she couldn’t
open it.  At the beginning she thought it was locked with a key, but then
she noticed it was only jammed and finally managed to open it.
She looked at what had been obstructing the drawer; it was a photograph
with a silver frame.  It was of a beautiful young woman, of radiant face.
Her black green hair reached her shoulders and she smiled, revealing a row
of perfect teeth.  Her eyes were a deep magenta, shining in provoking
invitation.  She looked strangely familiar, and then she spotted something
written on the lower left corner:  <For Darien, on our wedding day.
Forever yours, Setsuna>
Serena held her breath.  Of course, it was Setsuna Morgan, the actress.
She had excelled in the world of movies with her short and agitated career,
which had included and Oscar nomination, as well as several fights with the
first actors, until she was finally eliminated from a movie.  She never
shot another movie and Serena remembered reading she had died a few years
back from a drug overdose in a hotel in Los Angeles.
She sat on the bed.  That was the young woman Darien had married, she
thought astounded; someone very different from the submissive Greek girl
she thought he had married.  It was obviously a marriage very different
from the ideal one he had described to her.  Maybe now she could understand
his reasons, although she didn’t approve of them.
Setsuna Morgan had died very far from Karthos and from the beach house.  In
fact, Serena remembered that in all of the publicity her career had brought
there was never any mention of a marriage, or a husband that cried about
her tragic death.  It wasn’t surprising that Darien was so bitter and that
his scars were so deep.
For him, that <forever> had ended too soon.  If it had ever existed at all…
Darien Xandreou wasn’t a conquering god, only a man that had gotten burned
and now was afraid of the fire, like Raye had said.  Or was it Setsuna
Morgan who had been burned?  She suddenly asked herself.  Had she flown too
close to the sun that was Xandreou, like a modern Icaro, only to collapse
with her wings burned?  Who was to say what reasons had produced the
destruction of such beauty and talent?
With shaking hands, Serena left the photography on the side of the bed.  It
would serve her as a reminder, even as a warning.
“Oh, God” she whispered and suddenly felt a shiver running down her spine.
“He could also destroy me… it would be so easy for him…”

On to chapter 8
*********************************************************************
I hope you liked this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.  Don’t be
shy; tell me what you think! ^_~ Email Melli, right away!
Mellibea@yahoo.com