The Kiss of Thorns Part 1

Cheryl Hughes stated that “The truly scary thing about undiscovered lies is that they have a greater capacity to diminish us than exposed ones. They erode our strength, our self-esteem, our very foundation.”

Serena was standing on the deck of a boat that had white lights on the rails and flower petals everywhere around her in her white wedding dress drinking champagne, she was looking out in the water, she turned around bringing the champagne glass down to her side and saw a gun pointed at her and had a sad worried look on her face.
“I am so sorry.” The moment she said that the gun went off twice and hit her in the abdomen she got pushed back and fell over the railing into the cold water it took only a few seconds and she closed her eyes.

Confucius once said “before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.”

Few weeks Earlier

Serena opened her eyes slowly she heard the shower running in the bathroom then turn off. A man came in wearing just a towel and walked up to her in the bed and kissed her on the lips.”
“Morning sweetie.”
“Morning.” Serena said unenthusiastically, she got up slowly and walked to get some underclothes out of the dresser and went to the bathroom to get ready for the day.
“Are you ok, it seems like you are really out of it.”
“I am ok, just not looking forward to tonight, nervous really. It is a big party, and if the mixer doesn’t go well, well I am pretty much not going to get a good job as a party planner after that.”
“It will go fine my dear, I will be there to calm you down.”
“Thank you Sebastian, but you don’t need to, I have Cassie with me as well, so you can go ahead and just mingle with the guest of the party.”
“I will be there for you anyway to make sure you are still sane at midnight.” Serena kissed him on the cheek. “Aren’t you so sweet my dear Sebastian.”
“Are you going to see Cassie now?”
“Yeah, I just have to shower and get dressed and I am meeting her at the owner’s backyard to see if everything is prepped and ready to go for tonight.”
“Ok, I will see you tonight then.”
“Ok, see you tonight.”

“No, No, put the roses on that last table to your right. Put them in the center. Perfect guys.”
Serena walked into the the owner’s house, she hadn’t met the owner, but he must have a lot of money to buy this house. A pool on the outside, a theater room downstairs, a fantastic kitchen, a baby grand piano, a dining room, a gym, maybe she would get a house like this one day. It really was a great place. Serena walked through the kitchen in order to get to the backdoor to get to the backyard. Everything was looking good so far, the food was looking good in the kitchen and tables were getting prepped to put the food on. The fire and ice party was perfect so far. White and red table clothes, roses on every table, A fire is going to burn in the middle, candles on every table, the servers in white suites with red ties, there is no reason to think something will go wrong. Serena walked over to Cassie to see how she was doing.
“Serena finally, I am going nuts.”
“Hello to you too my dear best friend”
“I am sorry.” Cassie hugged her and stepped back. “I am just freaking out because this needs to go well because if it does, we will get a lot of offers to do other parties from the people coming.”
“It is ok, Cassie, just breathe, everything looks fantastic. What about drinks?”
“In the kitchen we have water, Sangria, ice bowl, a fruit blend with rum, citrus rum, and blue orange liquor, and the Fire bowl, made with pear, peach, and orange vodka with orange liquor and cranberry juice. Already made, and a bartender to give out different kind of liquors for people who don’t want mixed drinks. We also have white wine and red wine out. Blue teal Moscato and Plum Loco wine. All put out in Glasses, and the drinks are made and ready to serve.”
“Good” Where are we food wise?”
“Food is all cooked and ready to serve. If more people come, then the cooks are ready to cook more, and for desert Strawberry Siam parfait.”
“Fantastic, see everything is ready to go Cassie. Oh what about our dresses.”
“They are both upstairs. For me a strapless white short mini dress with silver beading and for you a sexy red strapless floor length chiffon evening dress with ruffles and a split that comes up to your thigh, the perfect dress for you.”
“Aw, you know me well.”
“Of course I do, hence me being your best friend. We are allowed to change in the guest room.”
“Ok, have you seen the owner yet?”
“No, but he sent an email saying he loved what he was seeing, I don’t know how he sees anything if he hasn’t come by his house. Serena said. “Maybe we will see him tonight.”
“Is Sebastian coming tonight?”
“Of course, white tux with a red tie. He is coming to make sure I relax tonight, but Cassie, can you keep an eye on him and make sure he mingles with people, so he doesn’t have to keep tabs on me all night.”
“Of course I can.”
“Shit, look at the time, it is almost 6, the party starts at 6:30, we have to get ready and into our dresses.”
“The party will go really well, Cassie said.”
“I hope so Cassie.”

Serena noticed through the window that guest started to arrive, now the party was beginning, the music playing people laughing and talking amongst themselves, the servers serving drinks, and people getting to their tables. The party is going well, she saw Sebastian looking as handsome as ever arriving and taking a seat at the first table. The party is beginning, time to go down there and manage it.

Serena walked downstairs to the kitchen, and into the backyard. Everyone was in there seats or walking around. People enjoying the food. A server passed by and she took a glass of wine. She went over to the table that Sebastian went to.
“Looks like the party is a success my dear.”
“Thank you Sebastian, Cassie and I tried our best. How do you like everything so far?”
“Everything is fantastic, the food, the drinks, everything.”
“I am happy you like everything. I need to go around and make sure everything is going ok, plus find the owner of this house and see how he is enjoying the party. The weird part is I have never seen him and he wasn’t even part of setting the party up. Are you going to be ok?”
“Yeah, go work sweetie, I will go mingle.”
“Ok, I will find you later Sebastian.”

Cassie, knew she should be looking over the party instead she was in the bed with her friend upstairs. She knew that she should help Serena, but she hadn’t seen him in so long, he was traveling watching as people adored his photography and bought it. He always didn’t want to show up at anything he was hosting or anything for him he would rather sneak in. He walked out of the shower dressed up to go to the party.
“Shouldn’t you be getting dressed Cass?”
“I hardly get to see you and you just came back for the party, come back to bed.”
“You know I can’t, I want to see how people are enjoying the party, it is the least I can do for not getting involved in your work. I always hate planning parties. Besides, don’t you have to help your friend with it to make sure everything is going ok?”
“I guess.”
“When am I going to meet your friends anyways, it has been a year already.”
“I just want to keep you to myself you know. Plus, I don’t like her that much anyways. She took something from me. I am planning something big for her.”
“Aw, still playing the games I see.”
“Like you aren’t, I know what you did with that one artist.”
“She was over charging for one of her paintings she deserved it.” Charlie said smiling. Cassie went to get dressed and kissed Charlie on the cheek. Cassie didn’t want Charlie to meet her friend yet, he was the ace to put her big plan in motion.

Serena was walking around making sure that everyone was enjoying themselves, so far she and Cassie had so many offers tonight to plan other parties, and one wedding reception. Finally she saw Cassie at the party, she was talking to Sebastian, she wondered where she was most of the night, but she would ask her later. Tonight was a good night, except it was already nine at night and she has not seen the owner or at least heard he was here. She went over to a server and got another glass of wine and went into the house and went to the living room where the piano was, she needed a break from the party. She put the wine on a nearby table and started playing the moonlight sonata. When she was done playing the song she heard slow clapping and she turned to see a man leaning on the wall. She looked him up and down and saw that he was the most handsom guy she had ever seen. She looked back up to his face before he noticed that she was truly looking at him.
“That was a great performance miss.”
“Guest aren’t allowed in the house without the owner’s consent.”
“My apologies, I just needed to get away from the party. What about you are you not a guest?”
I am the party planner, I just needed a break from it all. Also it is ok, it is not like the stupid owner is here anyway.”
“Great party, it looks amazing, and everything was delicious including the drinks, and I don’t usually like mixed drinks. So this owner, you have something against him?”
“Oh yeah, that jerk hasn’t even been apart of the party planning, so me and my partner were alone in this fantastic house to do whatever we wanted, granted we are good people so we didn’t take anything and I made sure no one did, but we could have, I have never seen him. Plus on top of that, everyone is out there in there beautiful attire and the party is going on and the owner has not shown up, I mean he could at least say good job. Not that I am a woman that needs praise or anything I just, he hasn’t been apart of it and I did this alone, I love to see the look on people’s faces when they see the decorations and how everything looks. I love making magical nights or magical days for people, everyone deserves that at least once in their lives. But no, not even that, so I am playing the piano, and drinking wine, and taking a break from the party. Anyways, what about you, why aren’t you enjoying the party with your friends?”
“Well, before I get to that, you did a great job tonight. Sorry I was a stupid jerk who didn’t help with the party and didn’t...well I did at least show up. the man said with a smile.
“Oh, man, you’re the owner. Wow, I am embarrassed, I am so very sorry sir.” The owner sat down next to her on the piano bench.
“Don’t worry about it, I was a jerk as you called me for not checking in with you. You see, I hate planning parties, my friend told me to plan the party as a way to celebrate, but I think it was an excuse to get together and get drunk. I almost didn’t show up.”
“Why wouldn’t you want to come to your party?”
“Just because I am just used to it. I take pictures for a living I have people wanting my stuff, people putting it up in galleries, I was actually in Paris, and someone had put some of my pictures in their gallery and I watched as a potential buyer. I just hate, to be myself around people, to be judged, do they like the party do they absolutely hate it. I don’t appear so people can talk about me all they want, I just like to hear it like I am everyone else. To stay in the dark, and I will know what people truly think of me, than me being around them and telling me what I want to hear.”
“I know it is hard to trust people, but you know, you can trust me, to tell you the truth, I know that I am a stranger you just met, but I will tell you the truth. I try to tell people the truth anyway, and I don’t like keeping secrets never could.”
“Well thank you, this all started a year ago anyway, me pretending to be someone else at my own revealings or parties. Anyways, so you won’t call me a stupid jerk again, my name is Charlie.”
“I am so sorry Charlie for saying that, I always say what is on my mind and playing the piano helps. Oh, my name is Serena.”
“It is ok Serena, it is refreshing to hear someone speak their mind about me. My friends know I am here so they make sure that they speak their minds as much as possible.”
“I am always here to help I guess. Do you play or is this just for show?”
Charlie chuckled and he put his fingers on the keys and started playing fur elise. Serena smiled, after he was done she slow clapped for him.
“I guess the piano is not for show after all. You play very well.”
“I have been playing since I was six I believe. What about you?”
Since I was ten, I love trying new things. You are not as boring as I thought you would be.”
Charlie chuckled, “You thought I was boring huh?”
“Well since I never met you, I thought you were just this rich guy who just liked parties and nothing else, you were just this boring rich guy who liked to throw his money around.” Serena and Charlie both laughed.
“And now, what do you think?” Serena looked into his eyes then and then to his lips and back to his eyes, his lips tempted her to kiss them, but she knew she shouldn’t because she had a fiancee.
“You are just full of surprises and just a big mystery. Since you love a good disguise”
“You are the one who is the mystery, that I would love to solve.” They were looking into each others eyes, Serena could feel a connection between them like it was fate that they had met, but she had to get these thoughts out of her head, she shouldn’t be having these feelings for another man. They were interrupted by Sebastian.
“There you are, I was looking for you, we should be leaving now.”
“Sebastian, I am sorry, I lost track of time here. This is Charlie, he is the owner of this house.”
“Hi, we really should be going Serena, it is late.”
“Sebastian, don’t be rude, plus I can’t go yet, I have to help with clean up, and help everyone pack up. It is my job.”
“It is not your job, you did your job now, it is midnight and I want to go. Cassie is leaving now.”
“Well why don’t you give Cassie a ride home, hmm. I will meet you at the apartment later.”
“How are you getting home then, I am not driving all the way back to the Hamptons from City.”
“I will drive her home.” They both looked at Charlie.
“Yeah, Charlie will drive me home.”
“Fine, Charlie can drive you home, he better just do that and nothing else.”
“Sebastian, don’t be rude.” Sebastian was already walking away.
“I am so sorry about Sebastian, it has been a long day for him. I am just really sorry for his rudeness.”
“It is ok, don’t worry about it.”
“It is not ok, he always does this, every time he has a bad day he is rude to everyone, I always try to get him to relax, but he hardly ever does. I am sorry, to tell you this it is not your problem. I am going to go clean up now. It was nice to finally meet you.”
“I will help you clean up and then I will drive you back to your apartment into the city.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
“Well you threw me a party so it is the least I could do for you.”

Serena and Charlie finished cleaning up and Serena got into Charlie’s car and he was driving her home.
“Thanks for driving me home Charlie, you really don’t have to do this.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it, it is my pleasure, especially when you threw a party for me.”
“What made you get into photography?”
“I guess it is a little like why you like party planning. I love to capture those magical real moments in life. Not the fake moments when people dress up and pretend. A picture can never tell a lie, you can dress it up as a lie, but looking at it you see a person’s true self.”
“I guess that is why you like to pretend you are someone else huh.”
“I guess so, just to get the truth out of people. Well, here you go, home sweet home.”
“Thanks again, I really appreciate it.”
“No problem, oh, before I forget I will send you the last check in the morning.”
“Thanks, have a good night Charlie.”
“You too Serena.”

As he saw Serena walk up those steps and enter the door to get to her apartment, he didn’t want to let her go, he wanted to go after her, but he knew he shouldn’t, she had a boyfriend, that never stopped him before. Maybe I am just tired he thought. He got that thought out of his head. It is not like he would ever see her again he thought to himself. He drove off.

As Serena opened the door, she called out for Sebastian, but he wasn’t in the apartment. The way he wanted to get me home, it seemed like he wanted to talk in private she thought. He was so rude tonight and she didn’t understand why. She tried to get that out of her head, he did have a long day, but she was going to talk to him about it tomorrow. She went to get ready for bed, and then her thoughts went to Charlie and how she wanted to kiss those lips tonight. Charlie wasn’t anything she expected him to be he was more down to earth and more like her than she thought anyone could be. She got that thought out of her mind, she shouldn’t be thinking about another man since she is going to be married soon. She went to get into bed. It is not like I am going to see him again anyway, she thought to herself.

Serena woke up to see the spot next to her was still empty. She couldn’t understand why Sebastian did not come home last night. She got out of bed and took a shower and when she got out Sebastian was sitting at the desk.
“Sebastian, you got home rather late, and by late I mean very late. Where were you?”
“I was drinking late last night, I took a taxi and accidentally went to Cassie’s apartment instead of ours, she let me stay the night. She didn’t call you?”
“No, she didn’t, at least I know where you were. I am glad you are alright. Now, can we talk about last night, because someone was a little rude to the owner who is paying my checks. What was up with you last night?”
“I am sorry I was rude with the owner ok, I had a bad day, had a lot of drinks, they collided hence the rudeness, I am sorry sweetie.”
“It is ok, are you feeling better?”
“Yeah, I just hated loosing my case, I am feeling better, just waiting to hear on another case.” Serena walked up to him and sat on his lap and kissed him on the lips.
“You will win the next one sweets, definitely.” There was a knock on the door, Serena went to open it and found Cassie standing outside her door.
“Oh, hey Serena, I thought you were opening the story today.”
“I thought you were……well I will get dressed and head down there to open it. Come in. Are you coming with me after I get ready or, what are you going to do? Because all we are doing is getting ready for my wedding, we have no clients for a while.”
“I need to run some errands first and then I will be there.”
“Ok, take your time, I just have the reception to go over. Oh, by the way, thanks for taking care of this goof, while he was out drinking.”
“huh, oh, no problem, it was my pleasure.” Serena was dressed and ready to go.
“Are you coming Cassie?”
“I will go in a second I need to talk to Sebastian about something.”
“Ok, I will see you both later then.” Serena said while walking out the door.

After Serena closed the door, Cassie walked up to Sebastian and sat on his lap and pulled out a cell phone.
“So, you left your phone at my place last night, I just wanted to come and give it to you, I didn’t expect for Serena to be here though. Good thinking telling her that I just helped you out she fell for it.”
“We have to be more careful if we are going to keep doing this Cassie my dear.”
“But it is much more fun when we almost get caught.”
“Cassie, Serena can’t know about this, you get that right, just because we had sex last night doesn’t mean I am breaking it off with her, it meant nothing between us, it was just because I was upset got me.”
“I got you, but what does twice mean?” Cassie got up and slipped out of her dress, and Sebastian got up from his chair and walked toward her he was inches away from her and stared into her eyes, “I will let you know.” He kissed her on the lips passionately.

Serena finally arrived at her party shop, she went in the back to drop off stuff at her desk and went back to the front to work on her reception, and to work the register and watch for people coming in to buy party decorations or to plan a party. While she was working on her wedding she heard the bell on the door to let her know that someone had walked in but she didn’t look up.
“Knock knock, didn’t think I would see you here. I didn’t even know you worked in here.”
She looked up and saw a man looking as good as he did last night with his brown eyes and short brown hair, he was wearing a black leather jacket with a white t-shirt, blue jeans, and black boots. He also had a helmet with him, if he drove a motorcycle she definitely couldn’t get him out of his mind then she always had a thing for guys who drove motorcycles. Charlie was the one man she didn’t expect to see again, the man that was on her mind since the party.

Charlie went back to the city the next morning. He wanted to talk to Cassie about a new game, since he was bored. He wouldn’t be traveling for a while because he needed to start working on pictures and he had gotten a job to take pictures of the Smith wedding that was taking place in 4 weeks from today. He was going to ask her last night, but she never came back to his house. So he went to get a new camera for the wedding, and he was going to stop by her party shop before he went back to the house. When he finally got to the party shop he walked in and expected to see Cassie at the register, but when he opened the door and walked in he stopped, he saw a brunet haired girl working at the register, she looked up for a moment and he saw that she had chocolate brown eyes that he had been thinking about since he dropped her off last night at her apartment. Serena was so beautiful with her long flowing hair in a ponytail even though she looked so much better with it down, and she had on blue skinny jeans with black and white chucks, and a white lace crop top, while wearing a black leather jacket. He had to admit the girl knew how to draw attention and knew how to dress. Just then he wanted to go up and just kiss her right there but he knew he couldn’t she was seeing someone, nothing could ever happen no matter how much he wanted it too. She was busy doing something so she didn’t notice that he had come in.
“Knock knock, didn’t think I would see you here. I didn’t even know you worked in here.”
“Ch…Charlie, hey, I didn’t expect to see you again.”
“Oh so it is a bad thing huh?”
“No, it is not, it is good to see you again, I just wasn’t expecting it. What are you doing here?”
“Well I thought someone worked here, but I guess I was wrong, I found you instead.”
“Is that a bad thing, I feel like a second choice for prom.”
Charlie laughed. “It is nothing like that, She just told me she worked here, I guess I misunderstood. Sorry, I guess it is my turn to have that embarrassing moment, it is not like it is good to see you too, I will just shut up now.”
Serena chuckled. “I was joking it is ok, who are you looking for, maybe I know her.”
“Cassie Blake.”
“Ah, you know Cassie, she is my best friend, and told me this morning that she had some errands to do, and will be by later, knowing Cassie, and since we don’t have clients right now, she either won’t come today or she will be in later this afternoon.” Serena said chuckling.
“That would be her” Charlie said laughing.
“How do you know her?”
“She is one of the friends I told you about, I just wanted to talk to her about something, but it can wait, I can just call her later.”
“Oh ok, I didn’t know you two were friends. I guess that’s why she wanted the party to be perfect. It all make sense.”
“Yeah, so what are you looking at anyway, when I came in you were really into it.”
“A wedding, actually, mine and Sebastian’s, I was working on the reception, and the wedding is in 4 weeks from today, and Sebastian is not helping one bit, so I am mostly doing this alone, and sometimes with Cassie, but apparently not today. But soon I will be Mrs. Sebastian Smith.”
“Smith?” Charlie said looking shocked.
“Yeah. I think it is more better to take the guy’s last name, if I just kept my last name it will feel like the wedding wasn’t official.”
“Is your wedding reception on a boat?”
“Yeah, how did you know?”
“That was your husband, I didn’t put two and two together until now. I am sorry I am rambling now. I got a call from my friend who sells my pictures and artwork, he got me a job here, and he said it was to take pictures of a wedding, last name Smith, I was suppose to meet the couple tomorrow.”
“You’re the photographer, wow, this is a very big—
“Coincidence yeah.”
“I guess we were meant to meet after all like—
“Destiny, just like I was thinking.”
Serena moved a piece of hair behind her ears and looked up into Charlie’s eyes, there was something about him that attracted her to him. She couldn’t say what it was, but she couldn’t help but think about what it would be like to be with him and to feel his lips on hers to feel him touch her she stopped thinking about it, she was getting married in 4 weeks, she should be thinking about Sebastian and her life with him.
“Well, um, I guess I will see you tomorrow then, I will tell Cassie you dropped by.”
“Um, would you like to grab dinner with me?”
“Wh…What, dinner?”
“Yeah, you know, strictly professional, to talk about the photos and how you want them done and everything.”
“Um, yeah, people have to eat right, I mean you eat dinner, I eat dinner, everyone eats dinner. Um, sorry, I am rambling.” Serena said smiling awkwardly.
“What time are you leaving here, I can pick you up here.”
I get off at 6. Let me give you my number.”
“Ok, I will see you then.”
“See you then.” Serena said as he walked out the door. I am in trouble, Serena said to herself, No I am not in trouble, this is strictly professional, nothing to worry about.

Cassie was about to walk into the party shop when she saw Charlie talking to Serena, she opened the door slowly so the bell wouldn’t ring to hear some of thier conversation. She went back outside and started walking back out to her car. She knew how to get to Serena and ruin her. Her plan will start now and it was the best plan ever.

Sebastian heard a knock on the door and opened it, it was Cassie, Cassie walked right into the apartment without a word.
“Cassie, come right in.” Sebastian said sarcastically.
“Sebastian, I am sorry to barge in like this, were you busy.”
“Just reading up on a case, what’s up, come to have more fun?” Sebastian said with a smile
“No, I have come for a different reason. You see I have my suspicions that Serena is not being honest with you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think she has a guy on the side. I think his name is Charlie, she met him at the party last night.”
“The owner, I will confront her about it.”
“I wouldn’t. Sebastian, I have a proposition for you, I don’t think you should refuse.”
“Well Cassie, tell me all about it.”

Charlie opened the door and went into the living room only to find Cassie there.
“Cassie to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”
“Oh, this is business. I want to play a game. I know you love a good game.”
“I do especially yours.”
“Well there is this couple who is getting married in 4 weeks, and I want the guy.”
“And what, you want me to break it up?”
“Yes, I want you to seduce the girl into falling for you so I can tell her husband she is a cheating whore and call off the wedding.” Cassie smiled.
“What did she ever do to you.”
I tried everything to get him to notice me.”
“And he fell for her, aww so sad. Who is the target?”
“Sebastian Smith and Serena Bennet.”
“I am suppose to be their photographer, I met Serena. As much as I love a good game, I don’t want to do it.”
“Why not, she deserves it.”
“It is too easy.”
“Lets make a wager then, I bet you couldn’t do it.”
“You know I like a challenge. What do you get if you win?”
“I get your house.”
“And if I win?”
“I will give you me. The one thing you have been obsessing about since we started this on and off thing.”
You’ve got yourself a deal honey.”
“Happy hunting Charlie.” Cassie said as Charlie was going to his room.
Let the games begin Cassie thought as she walked out of the house.