Once in a Dream Part 6 --- Tell me your love By: Neo-Queen Serenity E-Mail: serenausako@hotmail.com webpage: http://crystaltokyo.cjb.net Laughter like silver-bells rang around Darien’s ears. He turned from Beryl’s embrace and looked towards the source of laughter. His heart soon identified this laugh, the sweetest and most musical laugh he had ever heard in his entire life, but at Perth only a week ago. His eyes caught a vision of pink whirling in the room with two little girls around her. He was stunned, even if he already know that was Serena. She looked like a goddess, dancing and laughing with two little angels around her. Exercise caused color to rose on her pale cheeks, staining the smooth surface with a lovely rosy hue, making her face even more beautiful and irresistible. Darien looked around the room and soon became aware that he was not the only man in the ballroom who was amazed by Serena’s beauty and charm. Beryl looked up at Darien’s averted face and followed the direction of his blue gaze. She soon saw Serena dancing with Jane and Mary. A frown creased her brow. Jealousy and resentment boiled her temper. 'What does he think he’s doing? Drooling over her like this.' Beryl gritted her white teeth and threw her arm around Darien’s neck, at the same time pulling him into a deep kiss. Caught unexpected, Darien pushed her away from him and walked away, leaving Beryl standing stunned behind him. ******** Serena walked outside to the balcony on the same floor of the grand ballroom. Faint music of the orchestra and Christmas carols penetrated the thick glass doors. It was freezing and dark outside, but she didn’t mind at all. She felt so lonely, depressed, and helpless at this moment. She had danced with Jane and Mary throughout the whole time; it was fun, she had to admit that. Those two little girls were her favorite among all others; she was fond of them, she loved them. Yet, it was a different sense of loneliness that bothered her. Serena wished there was someone there with her, dancing with her. But if that "someone" she wished for was Darien, then it was due to a daydream or illusion. The only person she ever fell in love with loved another woman, not her. Not in a million years. The chocolate cake and the bet with Lita was all forgotten and thrown to the back of her mind. Serena turned her face upward. The moon was beautiful in this late and wonderful Christmas Eve. Moonlight landed on Earth, reflecting on a thick sheet of white snow. The whiteness of the snow engulfed a lonely figure on the balcony whose face was upturned towards the sky. Serena felt her vision blur and her eyes quiver. Tears forced its way to her blue eyes. She didn’t wipe it away, tears flowed freely down her pink cheek. One, two, three...pearl-like tear beads disappeared into darkness under her feet, melting and mixing with the pure white snow in this freezing, cold winter’s night. A warm coat suddenly landed lightly on her exposed shoulder. Serena turned to see the face, but stopped before she complied to her common sense. Her eyes were still tear stained and she did not wish to be seen. "The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?" the owner of the voice said, who was actually Darien. "Yes. I like it." Serena replied uncomfortably. "Don’t you think you retreated too early? I didn’t mean to offend you. Today is Christmas." Darien whispered softly, his voice reluctant. "I am tired, if you would excuse me, I need sometime...alone." She trailed off. Not looking at her face, Darien leaned on the railing beside Serena. Serena averted her face to avoid any eye contact with his eyes. "Serena, there is something I want to tell you." He started with a very low and deep voice, too low as if he was talking to himself, too low that Serena could barely hear it. Serena didn’t say anything, she was silent. "I don’t know how you think of me...but I know something from the fist time I saw you...I admired your beauty and charms. Your smile and laughter tormented my every night and day. Your face appeared in my mind no matter where I am or whenever it is. I don’t know if I can hold on much longer. I want you to know--you don’t need to give me a reply now. But, will you give me a chance?" Darien’s faint voiced trailed off into the darkness, but its impact on Serena’s mind was tremendous. She was shocked, to say the least. She thought she had dreamt up what she heard. "Are you kidding me, Darien? I know you despise me greatly, but you don’t have to insult me like that." "I am not trying to insult you, Serena. What you heard a moment before was truly from my heart." Darien said sternly. "But-" "Don’t you believe me, Serena? You saw me dancing with Beryl didn’t you? What love have I for Beryl? None, not to mention that, what love does she hold for me? None. My appearance, my wealth, my position, and my title were all she loved and cared." Serena suddenly felt his warm breath on her neck. Her body stiffened and shivered under it. "Do you really sincerely love me?" Serena asked him carefully. "Yes, from all my heart. I love you more than the stars, than the moon itself." "Then let me read your face..." Serena pleaded. Darien turned toward her and Serena looked into his eyes. The deep ocean blue eyes she had stared into last time, his face was dark, covered by the shadows of the balcony, but the love on it could not be denied. His faced looked down at her, his eyes flashing with honesty and sincerity. Serena drew in a deep and cold breath, "If that’s the case, I have some confession to make as well--I love you too." It was now Darien’s turn to be surprised. "Turn your face to me, Serena." He ordered. Serena turned to him only to be kissed by Darien gently on the lips. He had kissed her before, at the end of the dance at Perth, only this time more loving and sincere. It healed all the pain and wounds of her lonely heart. Serena broke away from him, a tired smile spread across her tear stained face. Darien smiled too; he pulled the coat on her tighter and pulled her towards the direction of the ballroom. "God, you must be freezing staying out here like this." He exclaimed and collected her tears from her redden cheek with warm fingertips. "Well, not anymore..." Serena whispered and smiled dreamily. Dreaming I am always dreaming; Dreaming love will be mine; Searching I am always searching; Hoping Someday I will find; Someone Someone to love me; Someone Someone who needs me; But until then I'll keep on dreaming; Dreaming Till my dream come true. To be continued...