I can't say how thrilled I am from all of the reviews. It makes me smile :D. It has been brought up and yes it is true the opening is very much a parallel to the opening of Ironman. That was my inspiration to start this. Nonetheless, Keep reading and reviewing!
Childs Play
Serena felt awkward for the next few days under Darien's keen eyes. It was as if the situation with Seiya had him on high alert so he was making sure she didn't slip up on anything. The few moments she used to have alone now consisted of menial tasks that he himself could do but now requested her time. She didn't have time to call Seiya like she wanted until late at night just before bed.
"Hello? Serena what's going on? Why haven't we talked during the day?"
"Mr. Shields has been giving me more work since he found out the two of us are together." She sighed.
"Really? Why don't you just quite and come be my assistant… It'll be more fun."
"Seiya. Stop that. I like my job here with him. He's always been fair even if, at times, he's a little moody."
"I think he's moody all the time. He doesn't really seem to enjoy life."
"I don't blame him really, he doesn't have a family, no real friends except my friend Andrew… he's lonely."
"No wonder. He's an asshole Serena and you know it. He treats you like a slave! You do everything for him."
"I don't mind…"
"You should! You should be taking care of yourself not some twenty six year old delinquent who never bothered to pour his own bathwater."
"Seiya! He has many favorable qualities."
"Name one."
"He's dedicated to his work."
"So am I."
"Why are you being like this?"
"I'm being like this because you need to get out of there… let's go out tomorrow. I'll come and get you."
"Seiya! He's really angry about the fact that I'm dating you. If you come here he may blow a gasket and it's really not something I want to happen. I've seen him blow up before and the results are ugly."
"If he even tries to start something with me he'll be chin deep in trouble and reporters. Anyway, you'd better get to bed… night sunshine."
"Night." She smiled and clicked the phone off. "I have to go and talk to him…" She sighed and stood up making sure the blankets o her bed were folded back nicely. Looking in the mirror she realized she was scantily clad in her sports bra and panties so she slipped on her long white silk robe and tied the sash snugly around her. A quick turn of the wrist unlocked her door as she stepped quietly into the dark, deserted hall. Her bare feet carried her effortlessly over the cold marble floors to her destination. What if he's asleep? He'll be furious if I wake him. She thought and rapped lightly on his bedroom door; no answer. "Sir?" She ask firmly and knocked more loudly on the door; still no answer. There's something wrong… Her hand shakily grasp the cold metal of the door handle and turned slightly to release the latch. There was complete silence as the door slid open to reveal an empty bedroom. Just as she stepped in a bright beam of light burst across the floor in the shape of a rectangle as Darien stepped out of his personal bathroom with nothing on but a towel wrapped around his waist. Water dripped off of his tone and muscular chest dampening the carpet.
"Hello… is there something wrong Miss. Tsukino?" He asked unfazed by her presence.
"I… I thought there was something wrong so I just walked in… I'm sorry." She turned away quickly with a red face.
"Why did you come in the first place?" He asked catching her by the wrist and turning her to face him.
"I wanted to talk to you about something. I had no idea you'd be taking a shower, it can wait till morning."
"Don't be silly. We can talk now." He released her wrist and stood in front of her waiting for her to begin talking.
"I… I can't talk to you like this." She shook her head and turned away once more.
"Step out that door and you're going to make me angry." He warned with a slightly playful tone.
"Why?"
"You said you had something you wanted to talk about so talk." He shrugged and walked over to his closet.
"I wanted to talk about the situation with Seiya."
"There's a situation?" He ask turning to face her again. "What kind of situation?"
"You're making me feel awkward about seeing him."
"I am?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. You are."
"I'd say I'm sorry but I'm actually not." He shrugged and turned back to his closet.
"You're not sorry for making me feel uncomfortable? Of all the nerve…"
"I think you know exactly how nervy I am Serena."
"I… I'm not sure I understand why you're not sorry."
"I don't want you around the guy. If it means making you uncomfortable I will."
"Maybe I should just quit then." She threatened the heat rising to her face.
"You don't want to quit."
"Maybe I do!"
"Fair enough." He shrugged then walked to her making her back into the door. "If you really want to quit then turn around and walk out that door." He fingered her silk robe and looked into her eyes.
"What… are you doing?"
"You want the truth or the answer you'll prefer?"
"The truth." She gulped and pressed herself tighter against the door.
"The truth is that… I think I'm in love with you. Ever since that first night you went out with him a new feeling came over me and I just knew that I had to make you see how right we are for each other. If you haven't noticed I haven't had any women around lately..."
"I think you're tired… perhaps drunk."
"I'm completely sober."
"I'm not dumping him."
"That's fine. Don't but you know that I'll win in the end."
"What? Win?"
"Yes, in the end I'm going to be the one who's here for you while he runs off to go and do something childish. That's what he is after all, a child."
"He is not. He's a very mature gentleman."
"Sure he is. You know deep down that's he's a little boy in a grown man's body and you don't want to have to baby-sit him."
"I don't baby-sit him."
"I bet you do and you don't even know it… I can promise you this though, you don't need to baby-sit me because I'm not a little boy."
"You act like one at times."
"At times. You can call me on it when you see me acting like one." He smiled and started to turn away. Serena relaxed a little and moved slightly away from the door just as her boss turned back and held her in a passionate embrace. His lips sent shivers down her spine making her squirm only to be held in place by his strong hands. He could feel her fight then give in to his attack which made him compliment himself on a job well done. Just as she began to wrap her arms around his neck he pulled away and smiled. "I'll see you in the morning Serena." He turned away and walked into his closet leaving her alone against the door wishing for him to come back.
Get out of here! Her mind screamed. You're falling for the same tricks he uses on all the others Get OUT! She pulled the large door open and was swiftly running down the hall to her room. You know you liked it… you'll go back and you know it.
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Darien stood in the front entrance waiting for his rival's car to pull into the long driveway. A light smile played across his lips knowing that the previous night he'd pulled into the lead and was miles ahead of the childish man everyone knew to be a poor business man. Finally a pair of headlights caught Darien's eye as the blue car parked in front of the front stairs and Seiya himself stepped out.
Seiya skipped up to the door and was about to knock when Darien pulled it open and smiled at the man. "Come on in Seiya."
"Thank you…" The response was suspicious and rightfully so.
"Going out again huh?"
"Yeah. Bet you wish it was you." Seiya smirked.
"It could be."
"Hah! She's smarter than that. She knows not to fall into your claws."
"Does she now? It's not about being smart. It's about being worthy. I don't TRY to be with women they seek me out. I'm actually going to try with her and that my friend is what will make me the winner here."
"You're sooo on."
"We were the moment you hit on her."
"And look what you have to show for it."
"More than you think boy." The comment made Seiya's eyes widen.
"I'm taking this to the press."
"Fine. Be my guest. Feel like a toast?"
"I don't drink."
"It's cola."
"Fine. May the best man win." They both drank their glasses of cola.
"Hi Seiya!" Serena smiled and quickly rushed down the stairs.
"Hey!" He went to kiss her but only met her cheek.
"I'll be back sometime. I took care of your bed and your dinner."
"Thank you Serena. Have fun."
"I will." She touched his arm then walked out the door followed by a glaring Seiya.
"You're going down." He breathed and shut the door leaving Darien alone in the large house.
"That boy has no chance… Though… if he does manage to gain the lead I'll destroy him." Darien murmured to an invisible entity. With a slight twitch he called the number one gossip channel in the business and told them the "scoop".
"Are you sure Darien Shield's assistant is dating his competition?"
"Absolutely positive." He smirked.
"Do you know where they are?"
"As a matter of fact I do." He slid his hand over the top of his laptop and flipped the screen up to reveal a large map of the city with a blinking red dot. "They are at Chez De La Roche on 37th and Broadway."
"You are an amazing tipster… can I have your number so I may call you back?"
"No. Good luck." He pushed the end button on his phone and leaned back in the black leather office chair to stare at the ceiling. "I'm sorry Serena but I have to keep an eye on him."
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"Seiya… I don't know what's going on really but I was wondering… have we agreed to be mutually exclusive?"
"Why are you using your business tone with me?"
"Answer the question."
"I thought we had… is there another guy?" Seiya practically gritted his teeth knowing the response.
"Well, there may be and I'd like the opportunity to find out… If that is okay?"
"Yes, I guess it's okay."
"Thank you, you're wonderful."
"I'm glad you've noticed." He leaned in and gave her a quick peck on the lips just as a camera flashed blinding the two. Seiya froze then turned towards the camera man and fumed. "What the hell! Get out of here!" He snapped viciously.
"Let me handle this." Serena smiled then stood and turned towards the man with the camera. "Can I help you in anyway?"
"If you like you can answer some questions."
"Very well. Sit." She ran her hand across her forehead and smiled.
"Firstly… How long have you two been seeing each other?"
"Roughly two months now."
"Are you two exclusive?"
"No."
"So there are other people?"
"Yes."
"Is this affecting your position at Shields International?"
"No. Mr. Shields and I understand each other. He knows that I remain loyal to the company and can still have an outside relationship."
"So… are you loyal to the company or Mr. Shields?"
"What?"
"You said still have an outside relationship… does that mean you have a relationship with Mr. Shields."
"That's not what I meant by that." She calmly stated.
"Then what did you mean Miss. Tsukino?"
"I meant that I can have a relationship with someone outside the company."
"Ah… and Mr. Johnson. Are there other people for you?"
"No."
"So… she's the one who wants to leave her options open?"
"I don't know how open they can be where she's looking."
"Seiya." Serena eyed him.
"Please, Mr. Johnson… continue."
"On what?"
"Where is she looking?"
"Where are you looking Serena?" Seiya turned to her.
"This interview's over." She glared at him.
"I'm not don't talking."
"Fine then talk without me." Her face reddened as she stood.
"Fine. Now… I bet you want all the gritty details…" Seiya leaned forward.
"There aren't and gritty details Seiya! You make things up and I promise you…"
"What? You know… I adore you and you come in here telling me that there may be someone else! That hurts!"
"I don't want to hurt you. If I didn't I wouldn't have said anything." The cameraman was scribbling as fast as he could.
"The hell you didn't. This must be a game for you isn't it?"
"No! Seiya stop it!"
"Sorry I go into attack mode when I'm hurt."
"I'm going home."
"I drove."
"I can call a cab."
"Yeah huh."
"Or I can call my boss and he'll come down here and rip you to shreds."
"He'd come down here but I doubt he'd rip me to shreds." Seiya smirked.
"You are childish aren't you?"
"Who said that?"
"It's an observation." She spun away from the table and grabbed her cell phone.
"Come back here!" Seiya jumped up and grabbed her arm.
"Get your hands off of me." She threatened.
"Why?"
"Seiya… please, you've made a complete spectacle of both of us and you've lost a great deal of respect in my eyes."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"One small scene in a restaurant is nothing compared to a parade of wo…" He was silenced by a sharp slap across the face.
"Don't call me until you're ready to apologize." She pushed Darien's speed dial number.
"Hello."
"Will you please come and get me?"
"Where are you?" He asked playing stupid.
"Chez De La Roche."
"I'll be there in a few minutes." He hung up the phone and beamed a wide smile into the mirror. Check mate, whoever said I couldn't win this was an idiot. He slowly rose from the chair and gently picked up the set of keys to his flashiest sports car. "I'm coming."
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"Seiya! Just stop talking!" Serena shouted at the blabbering man who had hurt her feelings.
"Shut your trap boy." Darien barked as he stepped into the restaurant.
"Mr. Shields is it true that Miss. Tsukino is thinking of leaving your company to work for her new Beau?"
"No it isn't. Miss. Tsukino, get in the car. You did the right thing calling me." He stepped aside so she could step out.
"You're not leaving me!" Seiya shouted.
"You're drunk!" Darien hissed venomously at the obviously marinated Seiya.
"Oh my God you are!" Serena gasp. "When were you drinking?"
"It doesn't matter. Come on. Leave him to his vices. Have a wonderful evening Mr. Johnson."
