CHAPTER 1

"I want Solutions and NOT problems!" 23 year old business consultant Serena Tsukino yelled at one of her coworker. "But…Ms. Tsukino…what should we do…it's simply impossible to achieve the marketing objectives D&D set with the marketing budget they gave us…" Ronald the poor coworker tried to explain, but he knew it was no use, Serena was nice enough to talk to but she was not known for her friendliness. Serena was known to be harsh, precise and was a perfectionist, she could be nice when she wanted to be but most of the time she was blunt and some would even say she was cold. But Serena's close friends would know she's not really that cold or harsh, she just didn't know how to express herself and she always built a wall between herself and everyone else to protect herself. But once you get to know Serena and she's opened up to you, you'd she's actually a very nice and sweet girl who just wants to protect herself from being hurt by anyone. This was also the reason why she focused everything on her business consultancy firm and that was the main reason why she was so successful at the young age of 23.

She graduated from Oxford University with a double degree Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Law along with her honours in Marketing. Her father was a successful lawyer and had hoped Serena would go and help him and work at his Law Firm but unfortunately, since her parents divorced each other because her Father was having an affair, Serena had not been on good terms with him, in fact they were hardly talking to each other. That was probably one of the main reasons why she was so Anti-Male and in a sense Anti-Social, sure Serena had a few close friends the girlfriends she's had since High School and a few close friends from University but apart from that she didn't really have many friends. And although she was now 23 she couldn't really remember the last time she went out with a guy on a date and let alone going out with someone. Don't get it wrong, Serena was not ugly in fact many would say she was beautiful and stunning, she was rather petite in the sense that she was only 5 ft 3, with long blonde hair and the bluest eyes anyone could have. She was definitely not ugly but because of her parents divorce Serena didn't believe in love and had sworn never to rely on a man.

"Ronald! I'm not going to repeat it again! I don't want problems I want solutions! How many times do I have to tell you? Nothings impossible! And before you say something's impossible you have to think of all possible solutions and way to fix this problem! Okay so if it's hard to achieve the marketing objectives with the current budget then find more economical marketing strategies, if that still doesn't work then bloody look at the firm's financial position to see if it's possible to increase marketing costs without causing major damages to the business! You should have learnt this back when you were in Uni! Now get out and FIX THIS PROBLEM!" Serena screamed while glaring at Ronald. Ronald didn't dare say anything else as even though what Serena said may have been harsh but it was true…it wasn't such of a big deal and…there are solutions. He kept his head low and walked out of the room quietly, closing the door behind him.

'Why did I employ him again?' Serena asked herself, she knew Ronald was a good colleague and most of the time he was very helpful and productive, however, at times he can just be so thickheaded. Serena closed her eyes and rested her head on her black leather chair.

Beep Beep "Ms. Tsukino?" Molly, Serena's Secretary and Personal Assistant called through the intercom.
Serena sighed. "Yes, Molly?"

"I'd just like to inform you that you are having lunch with your friends at TGI Fridays at 12:30pm" Molly said cheerfully.

"Crap!" Serena said underneath her breath.

"Ms. Tsukino?" Molly asked again not sure whether Serena heard her or not.

"Yup that's fine, thanks and by the way, it's Serena"

"Yes, Serena" Molly replied grinning to herself, even though Serena was harsh and cold towards most people, but she was actually a very nice person underneath.

Serena was so busy working she didn't even notice the time, when she lifted her head to look at the time she noticed it was 12:15pm, she only had 15 minutes left to refresh a bit before rushing off to have lunch with her best friends.

Serena sighed. "Why did I have to have lunch with them today? I love them but ahhh I have so much work that I have to do!" Serena mumbled to herself as grabbed her purse and applied a little bit of lip gloss before heading off.

"I'm going to go now Molly, you should have lunch to, I should be back before 2" Serena said as she walked out of her office.
"Sure thing, oh yeah I was going to go the supermarkets is there anything you needed?" Molly asked.
Serena thought for a second. "Oh yes! Could you go grab me some yummy Haagen Dazs ice-cream, I want triple chocolate with extra caramel! Thanks Mol!" Serena said with a big smile.

Molly laughed not many people knew about this but Serena was still pretty much like a child, but she always had this mask on which made her seem unapproachable. "Sure thing boss!" Serena gave Molly a wave as she walked out of the office and down to the car park to her car.

Serena drove a Silver BMW Z5 her dream car since the first time she saw it, finally on her 21st birthday her father bought it her for. Even though she didn't want to accept it at first since her father was the one who bought it for her. But after being convinced by everyone around her she accepted it and after all who could give up a BWM Z5! Serena got in turned on the engine and had her favorite Westlife CD pumping and off she drove to meet her friends.

Serena got to TGI Fridays at 12:40pm. "Shit…Raye's gonna kill me!" Serena mumbled as she rushed into the Restaurant. As Serena was running into the restaurant, she was paying attention to the things around her and suddenly BANG! She had collided with someone else and was in fact on top of that person. It took Serena a few seconds to register what had happened, she then lifted her head and looked into a pair of dark blue eyes, the eyes were so dark it looked almost black with only a tint of blue. Serena immediately blushed as she realized her current position. She jumped of the guy and began apologizing furiously, "I'm so sorry, for knocking into you like that I wasn't paying attention I hope you're not hurt." That was when Serena had the chance to have a good look as this man, gosh! Was he fine looking, he was at least 6ft2 with jet black hair and those midnight blue eyes that could capture any girls heart. Even the Anti-Male Serena couldn't help but check him out. The man then got up and brushed himself off and then chuckled. "Nah that's okay, I'm fine so doing worry about it and I guess its hard being a blonde sometimes, the klutzy gene just never stops working eh?" Serena blushing faced immediately turned into a fuming angry face. "Pardon? What blonde and what klutzy gene? So what if I'm blonde it doesn't mean I'm klutzy I only knocked into you because I wasn't be paying attention that's not klutziness!" Serena yelled making people around her stare at them. The man laughed, he loved seeing Serena so angry 'She's so cute when she's angry' he thought to himself. "Oh…you weren't paying attention? How could you not pay attention when such a handsome man like me is walking towards you? Now…now…don't lie did you purposefully knock in to me just so you'd fall on top of me and to feel my six pack?" The man retorted with a smirk on his face. Serena screamed. "AHHH you are one of the most arrogant and egotistical man I have ever met in my life! First of all I don't think you are handsome (Serena lied); Secondly I don't care and honestly don't think you have a six pack maybe six blobs of FAT! Now if you'd excuse me I'm gonna go and have lunch with my friends and I NEVER want to see you again! So GOODBYE and GET LOST!" Serena screamed pointing a finger at the black haired man. The man tried not to laugh but it was just to amusing to see the fuming Serena storm away from him. It had been a long time since he'd done such an immature thing, bicker with someone and let alone do that in public, but he enjoyed it. 'Geez, she's hot! Petite but cute and that suit clings on to her like a second skin!' He thought to himself mischievously as he walked away to his car.

The still fuming Serena walked over to their usual table and found her friends all sitting waiting for her. "SERENA TSUKINO! Where the hell have you been? We've been waiting!" Raye Hino the black haired girl screeched. "Don't start with me today!" Serena snapped popping herself next to another blonde which could easily be mistaken as Serena's twin. That was Mina Love the famous model for the most prestige brands such as LV, Channel Gucci, Christian Dior, she also had blonde hair but was taller and had a few more curves than Serena, and many people did mistake Serena and Mina as twins as they did look very much a like. But in fact they weren't related at all, they were only good friends. "You look really run down is everything okay Serena?" Lita Reynolds asked. Lita Reynolds 'The Cook' of the group as the others would call her, she was doing her last year in the famous Cooking school and was planning to open her own restaurant once she saved enough money. "Don't ask! It's been the worst day today! AHHH that arrogant bastard!" Serena complained. "What happened Serena?" Amy Elliot asked. Amy was studying Medicine at Cambridge University at the moment, she was known as 'The Brain' of the group, ever since primary school she had gotten the highest mark ranking nothing ever lower than number 3 of the class. "Well we wont know who that arrogant bastard is if you don't bloody tell us! And you better have a good reason to why you're late! We've been waiting for 15 minutes!" Raye screeched again. Raye Hino was currently a journalist for the magazine Vogue, although the five girls were all best friends and has been there for each other through the good and the bad, Raye and Serena have always been on each others back. They were always arguing, fighting and just picking at each other, but deep down they both really cared for each other and were best friends.

Serena sighed "Long story short, today started with me screaming at Ronald cause he couldn't even fix or handle one of the most simplest things and then just then…AHHH I bumped into the most arrogant and idiotic bastard that I've ever met in my WHOLE LIFE! So okay I bumped into him big deal! I apologized and bloody hell he turns around and mocks me and jokes around about it's hard being a blonde and how I'm to klutzy! OMG AND THEN! AHHHH he's like I purposefully knocked into him just to feel his freaking six pack! What an egotistical bastard! If I see that idiot again I'll kill him!" After saying all that Serena was out of breathe and her face was all red. The girls all exchanged looks and then burst out into laughter. "HEY! GIRLS! Geez show some support!" Serena yelled trying to get them to stop laughing. "But…it's so funny…I don't really remember…the last time you were so angry Serena!" Mina said in between laughs. "HAHAHA I agree! Oh actually! Hahha I remember now! The last time Serena was this mad was when…" Lita started. "When my father gave me the Z5…" Serena finished the sentence. "Yeah exactly! Serena your usually pretty calm and sure you have a bad temper and can be cold to others but your hardly this rude and this angry" Amy added. Serena sighed. They were right, Serena was generally pretty controlled but somehow that man just infuriated her. "Oh well Sere let's not talk about him anymore so how's the boy business for you been lately?" Mina asked being the match maker of the group. Serena rolled her eyes, it was so typical for Mina to interrogate her about the so called 'boy business' but it was no use, Mina and the girls should know by now, Serena doesn't believe in 'love' and doesn't feel the need to be in a relationship. "What boy business? There is NO boy business and there never will be a Boy Business." Serena stated calmly before stuffing her mouth full of French Fries. "Geez Serena slow it down! You're gonna choke and suffocate yourself to death if you don't stop stuffing your face like that!" Raye said handing her a cup of water, which she kindly accepted. "Serena, you can't be like this forever! You can't just be Anti-Male for the rest of your life!" Mina said annoyed at Serena. She never understood why Serena had to be so Anti-Male, sure her father had an affair, and her first boyfriend did turn out to be a wanker. But that doesn't mean there's no good men out there, there aren't many but there were definitely still some nice men out there. "Yeah Mina's right Sere, you can't be alone forever, and look we've all got boyfriends now and you're the only one who doesn't." Lita said giving Serena concerned look. Serena just rolled her eyes in response. She couldn't really careless what her friends were saying, cause she'd heard them so many times. "Serena, I think maybe it's time that you let go of your worries and just try going on a date with a man, you'll see then whether you're ready or not to be dating someone, but at least you shouldn't just be Anti-Male and not even give the guys who wants to go on a date with you a chance. You should give them a chance and give yourself a chance." Amy then said.
Raye nodded her head furiously! "See exactly! Even the ever so shy and conservative Amy's telling you off and that you need to go on a date! Serena we really don't want to see you be some old perverted maid who's still a virgin when your 35!" Raye exclaimed. Serena nearly choked on her hamburger. "…Old perverted maid? Geez you like exaggerating Raye, well too bad I'd rather be a old and perverted maid than to go on a date with a guy and actually have a relationship with him. I don't believe in love and don't think there are any good guys left apart from the 4 boyfriends you guys have. Anyways, I'm gonna head back off to the office, I've got tons of stuff to do and I've decided since I'm gonna be a old maid anyways I might as well have a relationship with my firm! I'm off girls! Catch up soon!" Serena said quickly as she wiped her mouth and gave her friends all a quick hug, she then rushed off back to her car and back to the office. The other 4 girls just looked at each other sighed and shook their heads. "Do you think Serena would ever change?" Mina asked. "Not sure…but I sure hope she does…I really hate seeing her like that! It's not like she's ugly or anything! She just doesn't give anyone any chances…" Lita stated taking a sip of her ice-cream soda. The girls all paid, said their goodbyes and all went back to work or home.

Serena on the other hand had head back to the office. "Serena, you're back early, I thought you said you'd be back around 2" Molly asked giving Serena a big grin as she walked through the office. Serena sighed. "Long story, lunch wasn't that great after all, it was good to be able to catch up with the girls but…they just always seem to have so many things they like to pick on me!" Serena complained leaning against Molly desk. Molly giggled she already knew what the girls were saying and she personally agreed with them, that Serena should loosen up and give some guys a chance. "Well would some triple chocolate ice-cream with extra caramel help make you feel better?" Molly asked waving a carton of ice-cream in front of Serena. Serena's face immediately lit up and grinned. "Yup! I think ice-cream is just what I need right now to make myself feel better. Actually thinking about it, why don't you pack up and leave now, you deserve to have a good rest" Serena said giving Molly a wink. Molly grinned it had been a long time since she had been let off work early and was able to spend some good quality time with her boyfriend Melvin. "You're the best Serena!" Molly quickly said and started to pack her things and leave. Serena just smiled and walked back into her office. Serena sat down with her ice-cream and began looking over the work she had to do. It was nearly 7 when Serena finished all the work and was about to leave. Serena yawned turned her laptop and desktop office, grabbed her jacket and walked out of her office. That was when she realized there was still light near Ronald's office. Serena wondered to have a look and there Ronald was still sitting in front of his computer tying away. Serena shook her head. "Ronald…" It startled Ronald and he dropped his pen. "Ms. Tsukino…I didn't think you'd still be here, you scared." Serena gave Ronald a small smile. "You still working on D&D?" Ronald nodded not wanting to look at Serena in the eye. "It's okay don't worry about it, I think the representatives of D&D are coming over tomorrow, we'll talk to them about our concerns and give them options. So don't worry, I've got it all covered; now pack up and go up it's nearly 7pm your wife and children are waiting for you." Ronald instantly smiled. "Really? Ms. Tsukino? It's going to be okay?" Ronald asked as if he didn't trust Serena. Serena chuckled. "Yes, I'm sure now go home!" Serena said sternly. Ronald nodded furiously and grabbed his suitcase and hurried off. "Thanks so much Ms. Tsukino!" Serena just gave him a small nod before turning around and walking away. "Oh Ronald?" Serena said turning around. "Yes Ms. Tsukino?" Serena rolled her eyes. "It's Serena" Ronald smiled back. "Yes Serena".

Serena got to her car and drove home. Serena lived in a nice moderate sized apartment with 3 bedrooms, right in the middle of New York City. The apartment was given to her as a gift from her mother who was currently living in Japan, after the divorce, Serena's mother left and went back to Japan where she met her current husband and was living happily in Tokyo. Serena walked into the lobby and greeted Bob the security with a smile before entering the elevator. Serena finally got to the 27th fall after a short ride in the elevator and opened the door to her apartment. She was then immediately greeted by her 2 year old husky dog Lucky. Serena knelt down and gave Lucky a big hug and patted it, Serena had always wanted a dog but because her mother was allergic to dog fur, she was never allowed to have a pet. But now since she was living by herself she could do anything she wanted. "Lucky sit!" Serena said sternly. Lucky obediently sat down. Serena smiled to herself. "Good now let's see what we have? Hmmm… do you want Pork with Chicken today? Or do you want Chicken and Salmon?" Serena said looking at Lucky where his tongue was hanging out of the side of his mouth. Serena laughed. "Okay, I get it buddy you're hungry why don't you have the Pork and Chicken today, cause you had the Chicken and Salmon the day before yesterday" Serena said while pouring the dog food into Lucky's food container, he quickly rushed up tot his food container and began eating the food. Serena smiled. 'Now…what should I have? Sigh…sometimes I really wish humans had pre-made food in cans…' Serena thought to herself as she looked through the take away menu's in front of her. Well, for people who didn't know Serena would probably ask or say? 'Why doesn't she cook herself dinner instead of buying Take Away'. But for people who know Serena they would definitely prefer her buy take away instead of going into the kitchen and actually cook, because the last time Serena tired to bake a cake she nearly burnt her whole kitchen down and had to call the Fire Brigade. So since her family and friends and pretty much banned her from going into her own kitchen. After a few minutes of looking through she finally decided to settle for Chinese Take Away and began calling Ching's Kitchen. Serena then spent the rest of the night resting and preparing herself for another long day tomorrow at work.