Chapter 1

The Boss & The Intern

"Oh, no! I'm going to be late!" I squealed as I'm running down the street. This is the third time this week that I'm going to be late for my job. I'm currently working at one of the largest Apple companies in all of Japan. I'm only an intern but at least, I get paid… I'm still in college yet I'm not fretting because this will be my last year… I think.

Hey, at least I'm still in school, though! A lot of people drop out even though I'm shocked I didn't, yet… I'm twenty-three living the city life while my friends all have wonderful jobs. Some of them are engaged while one of them is having a baby and the other two are just going on a lot of dates. Me, on the other hand, haven't been on ONE date in a very long time! It's been three years now! I don't understand what I'm doing wrong. My friends told me it's because I whine like a five-year-old and that I'm too immature, but I don't think that's it… Who am I kidding?! That is PROBABLY it! I can't help how I act, though!

I went to go walk inside the building where I work at, but I couldn't stop eyeing the Starbucks across the street. Honestly, it will take me FIVE minutes to get coffee. I need it since I'm REALLY tired yet that is nothing new… Anyways, I'm ALREADY late so I guess I can rush over there…

*~*~*~*Boss With Benefits*~*~*~*

"Hey, Serena, the usual?" Andrew asked.

"Yep." I gave him a huge grin.

Andrew Furuhata is one of my childhood friends that I ALWAYS had a crush on, but he never returned my feelings. Anyways, he used to work at the arcade where my friends and I chilled at when we were teenagers. He is now working part-time at Starbucks in the mornings and works full time as a Doctor during the afternoon and evenings. I don't understand how he does it but he doesn't seem to mind.

"Here you are," Andrew said as he handed me my vanilla bean latte.

I went to hand him money but he told me that it is "on the house". I shouldn't be surprised because he always gives me free coffee.

"Thanks, Andrew," I winked.

"Late for work, as usual, Meatball head?" I heard a husky voice from behind.

I grunted before facing my worst nightmare. "Shut up, Darien! I haven't worn my hair like that since I was sixteen!"

Why do I have to see this asshole every day of my life?! Doesn't he have something better to do than to pick on me on a daily basis?!

Darien chuckled as his fingers went through his jet, black hair. "You're still a meatball head…"

I rolled my eyes. "You have a meatball for a brain, jerk!"

Darien Shields is a pain in my ass. I knew him since I was fourteen-years-old. He ALWAYS calls me "Meatball head" which is annoying as hell! We constantly bicker back and forth… He thinks he's so cool because he'll get girls all over him especially young girls! It's tiresome.

"Hey, Darien! Ready to start your new job?" Andrew asked his best friend.

"Of course! I've been ready," Darien smirked.

"Psh, this conversation is now boring. I better get to work," I sighed as I turned my back on them to leave.

"See you around, Meatball head!" Darien shouted from behind.

"IT'S SERENA! YOU, IDIOT!" I snapped before leaving the building to start my daily job as an intern.

*~*~*~*Boss With Benefits*~*~*~*

I kept pushing the "up" button for the elevator to open. I'm already late as it is! Well, I should think of a good excuse why I'm late while I'm waiting even though my boss knows I'm full of it. I'm surprised Mr. Tekko hasn't fired me yet…

DING!

The elevator opened and I immediately stepped inside. I gasped when I saw Mina standing there.

"Just got in, Serena?" Mina asked teasingly.

"Oh, hush!" I pouted.

"By the way, we are getting a new boss… Mr. Tekko retired," she whispered in my ear.

"WHAT?!" I freaked.

"Sh. No one knows yet!" She snapped.

"Mina, we are the only one's on this elevator," I mumbled.

"Yeah, but everyone can hear your loud mouth from a mile away," she countered.

"Shut up! How did you find out?"

"He called me and told me last night since I'm his favorite worker," she winked.

"Yeah, because he's eighty-years-old and you're the only one who flirts with him." I rolled my eyes.

"Hey, it's just a little flirting, that's all!"

Minako Aino is the same age as me and I knew her since I was fourteen. She is one of my close friends that always have my back. She is actually the reason why I have this job. She graduated college on time and she has been working for Apple for five years now. She has long, blonde hair and blue eyes. People would mistake us as sisters since we have the same hair and eye color…

Mina is a big flirt who uses her skills to get what she wants. She is one of my friends that date a lot of men. She says she'll never settle down but I think she will when she finds the right guy.

Mina and I exited the elevator once it reached our floor and I went by her desk since I had nothing to do until the new boss shows up.

"Hey, Meatball head!" Rei shouted from across the room.

I stuck my tongue out at her while she did it back to me. Rei Hino is another one of my childhood friends and she is the same age as Mina and I. Rei and I fight a lot but we're good friends even though I will not admit it out loud. I will also not admit that I'm sometimes jealous of her. Every time we go out, she gets a lot of attention from guys, well, so does, Mina, but she doesn't count because she's a big flirt! Anyways, Rei has long black hair and purple eyes. She can be harsh and I take it to heart, but at least, she is "real", I guess…

Rei graduated college with Mina and she also has been working here for five years.

I groaned in annoyance as I sat on Mina's lap in her desk chair. I hate waiting for people…

After a little while, the front door opened and one of the main CEO'S came through the door and someone came in after him…

"DARIEN?!" I shouted out, causing everyone at their office desks to blankly stare at me from my sudden outburst.

The CEO gave me a dirty look before clearing his throat. "Everyone, this is our new CEO and your main boss, Darien Shields!"

"WHAT?!" I cried out. I can't believe this! This has to be a dream! I can't have him as my boss! He will order me around and make me cry! I will have to see him more than once a day! No, no, no!

"Wow, who knew Darien would be our new boss," Mina whispered in amusement.

All the women in the room stared at Darien in awe while I kept complaining about him being our new boss!

The CEO sighed and left us alone with Darien… Damn, this sucks!

"Hello, everyone. I'm happy to lead you all in this company! If there are any problems please let me know and I will help you out. I will be in my office if you need me," Darien said with pride but before he left he smirked at me.

"Ew, I hate him," I grunted.

"I think you are overreacting." Mina lightly chuckled.

"Whatever. Do you want coffee? I need something to do." I asked her.

"Yeah, I'll have some, thanks!" She grinned.

I walked away from her to go in the lounge area to make her coffee. My job is pretty easy since I am an intern. All I do is make coffee for the workers, go on food runs for them, and copy and hand in paperwork to the bosses.

After I finished making Mina's coffee, I immediately gave it to her.

"Um, Darien wants to see you," Mina whispered to me.

"What would that creep want?!" I spat.

"I don't know, he said it's important." She shrugged.

I sighed before knocking on his private, office door.

"Come in," I heard him say.

"What do you want?!" I glared at him.

"That's no way to talk to your boss, Ms. Tsukino," he hummed.

"I'm not treating you any differently. I don't care if you're my boss or not!"

"Well, that's not very professional. You don't want to get fired, do you?" He raised a brow in amusement.

I hung my head. "No…"

"Good. Now I want a cup of coffee but I only want a little cream and a lot of sugar," he explained.

"Got it," I mumbled and I went to leave but he shouted for me to "wait".

"Yes?" I asked through my gritted teeth.

"I also want you to hand in this paperwork downstairs to the front desk," he said.

I walked up to his desk and snatched the yellow file. "Is that all?"

He pondered then smirked. "Oh, can you go to Starbucks and get me a blueberry muffin?"

"Weren't you just there?!" I freaked.

"Yeah, but I only got a coffee, so."

"Wait, if you got a coffee then why do you need another one?" Why didn't I think of that after he asked me to get him coffee?

"I already drank it," he said simply.

"LIAR!" I raised my voice.

"Just do as I say, Meatball head!"

"IT'S SERENA!" I left his office and slammed his door on the way out. This is freaking hell!

*~*~*~*Boss With Benefits*~*~*~*

I'm so happy today is officially over! This was the worst day of work I have ever experienced in my life! I thought he was only going to make me get him coffee and deliver papers, but no, he made me go get him lunch on the other side of freaking Tokyo and then he made me pick up his expensive suits from the dry cleaners! I have officially turned into his slave and I hate it!

Mina, Rei, and I were going to go get dinner at our favorite diner and I was looking forward to it until REI INVITED DARIEN TO COME WITH US! I thought he would say "no" because he usually is busy going on dates with stupid girls, but he said he would come along! I think he is doing it to get under my skin!

"Relax, Serena, it's not a big deal," Mina sighed as we went to sit in a booth.

"Whatever," I muttered.

Mina and I sat together in one booth while Rei and Darien sat on the other side of us. Rei couldn't stop flirting with Darien but that's no surprise since she ALWAYS had a crush on him.

"OUCH!" I cried out after Darien kicked me.

"Sorry, your big legs were in the way," Darien smirked.

"You did that on purpose!" I snapped.

"Serena, stop being a brat! You're way too old to be acting like this!" Rei argued.

"Mind your own business! He started it!" I argued back.

"Come on, guys. We just got done with work, can't we just relax for once?" Mina asked pleadingly.

"NO!" Rei and I shouted in unison.

"Geez," Mina sighed.

"You know, Serena, all our friends are living their lives, and you continue to act like you're fourteen. You need to start shaping up or you'll end up alone," Rei lectured.

"I don't need to hear it, Rei!" I glared at her.

"I'm just saying, I think the reason why no one will date you is because you're an immature idiot." Rei shrugged.

I stood up from the booth and grabbed my purse. Mina asked me where I was going and I just simply answered that I am going home. I don't need to hear Rei's lectures especially when I just got done being Darien's slave!

Stupid Darien, stupid Rei!

*~*~*~*Boss With Benefits*~*~*~*

"Ugh, finally!" I said to myself as I stepped foot into my apartment. I got out of my work clothes and changed into my pink sweatpants with a matching sports bra. I then got a tub of ice cream out of the freezer. I know I shouldn't be eating this for dinner, but I need it from the day I just had!
I sat on the couch, turned on some TV and began to eat like a little piggy. Food ALWAYS makes me feel better!

*~*~*~*Boss With Benefits*~*~*~*

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

I groaned as I looked at my alarm clock. Three thirty in the morning!? Who the hell would that be?! I got out of my bed and went to the front door to open it but I regret it once I saw Darien standing there before me.

"What?!" I snapped.

"Can I crash here for tonight?"

My eyes widened when he asked me that question. Darien NEVER comes to my apartment! The reason why he even knows where I live is because Andrew wanted him to deliver me something a couple of months back.

"Why?" I finally asked.

"Because I had too much to drink and I need a place to stay."

"Why can't you just get a cab and have them drive you back to your place?" I raised a brow.

He shrugged. "I'll crash on your couch. It's no big deal… I'm your boss after all."

"First of all, I'm off the clock and second, this is not professional, Mr. boss man!" I clenched my teeth.

"Come, on Serena…"

I took a deep breath. "Fine."

He stumbled into my apartment and immediately crashed on the couch. Geez, how much did he have to drink? Why would he even drink that much when he knows he has to work tomorrow. Oh, well…

I went into the living room closet and got out a blanket for him. I went to put it on him, but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me down on the couch with him!

"Hey, hey!" I freaked.

He ignored me as he wrapped his strong arms around me. I'm not going to lie, but I do feel secure in his arms… WHAT AM I SAYING?!

"Just for tonight," he muttered.

I studied his face as his eyes were closed. I then sighed and closed my eyes too. I refuse to cuddle back but it can't be helped since my body is pressed against his…

This is going to be a long night!