NEVER BROKEN

LOVE the way YOU LIE

Darien knocked on his grandfather's study, then entered shortly after. The old man was reading a hard-bound book.

"Party over?" Gerhard Lawson asked.

"Are they ever?"

"How did you find Serena Portman?"

"You mean, should we help DISCS, Ltd. or not," he stated.

"No. I mean, how is Miss Portman? Do you think she can hold your attention?"

"What is this, Grandfather?"

"This is different from your side jobs of rescue operations, Darien. Discs, Ltd. is still standing, but competition is stiff and they need a backer."

"A screen, a camouflage," he said.

"A supporter," he agreed.

"Money," Darien reduced.

"Marriage," his grandfather corrected.

"You can't be serious! Are you suggesting—"

"That you marry Serena Portman. Her father wanted our help to be in that light."

"Impossible."

"Then I will not oblige you. James Portman would not accept our money. But I couldn't sacrifice you, either. He would understand. For all I know, he's just concerned about the employees who might lose their jobs." His grandfather stood and returned the book on the shelf. "I wouldn't have considered it if James isn't almost family."

"Did she know about this?" He had an idea that they were to help Discs, Ltd., but his imagination did not take him to the extent of matrimony.

"Perhaps. It's their company after all. Why do you ask?"

"She doesn't work there," he evaded. Was he already making excuses for her?

"No. I believe she's attending culinary school." The old man took a deep breath. "I understand if you have something serious going on with that Farley girl. Forget I ever mentioned anything about Serena Portman."

"I will." It was laced with sarcasm.

"Good. I'll be resting now."

Darien went out of the study without replying. He completely missed the old man's worried glance over his tall frame.

It was not as beautiful as when she was holding it anymore.

Darien scornfully stared at the glass cylinder encasing the rose. Beauty, he recalled saying. Truth, she answered back.

She related that the organizer for Loni Lenai's exhibition mistakenly put the title BEAUTY to that particular masterpiece. Lanai corrected it later, but not before the reviews had been printed, and the title imprinted on the painting. Some maintained that the title Beauty suited the remarkable creation better.

So that was her truth. He did not know why he bothered cherishing her keepsake. And why, three days after, he was still staring at the small memento. He even preserved it! But like her character, the flower was beginning to show its weak points.

He would keep it. Maybe, until forever-to remind him of how close he came to ruining himself.

Just one night... less than an hour in her presence and the price could have been an eternity.

He would be not destroyed.

His grandfather said that the Portman's had at least a month. Time is not an issue. Whether she was toying with him that night or not was unimportant.

She would pay, he decided. He would make her fall in love with him, make her believe that he cherished her in return. He would be the charming suitor, the impressive fiance. He would be an unselfish lover. He would be hers. And it would be too late before she realized that it was a mistake to have married him.