Chapter 3: Diamond

Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN ANYTHING ALREADY COPYRIGHTED SO YOU CAN'T SUE ME, ETC. and even if you tried all I have is a pack of gum to my name.

Aino Minako walked into the office, her eyes darting back and forth between Usagi and Mamoru.

"That's why you're not answering the phone." Minako tossed her messenger bag on the back of the chair next to Mamoru and plopped down in the seat. "How scandalous! Does Diamond know about this?"

"Who's Diamond?"

Usagi ignored Mamoru. "Mamoru is going to be working on my team."

"Is that a euphemism for something? Or is he seriously working here?"

"I just started as a financial analyst. Now, who's Diamond?"

"Do you know..." Minako was interrupted by Naru Osaka, Usagi's secretary.

"I'm going to Starbucks. Do you want anything?"

"Two soy lattes and... an Americano?" Usagi looked at Mamoru for confirmation. He nodded. "And an Americano, thanks." Naru typed in Usagi's order on her phone.

"Okay, be back soon!"

"She's kind of cute."

Usagi stared at him with disgust. "Unfortunately for you, there is a strict policy against fraternizing with co-workers."

"Anyway," Minako continued. "Do you know Black Moon Clan?"

"The heavy metal band? I've heard some of their songs. Why?"

"Well, you asked who Diamond was. Diamond is the lead guitarist and... he's dating Usagi!" Minako giggled. "That's why I wondered if he knew you were here, but since you guys are just 'working' together..."

"Exactly why are you here, Mina? Don't you have people at your own job to harass?"

"I was coming to invite you to lunch! You know I'm working on a BMC video game, so you know who is going to be at this business lunch... and since I'll be writing it off as a business expense, free food for you and you get to see your honey!"

"I would never call him that," Usagi gagged. "But, I can't pass up free food... and Diamond and I haven't spent much time together lately. Where are you going to eat?"

"Narisawa. Oh, and bring Mamoru."

"What! Why?"

"Don't you think Mamoru, our old school friend, would not enjoy a free meal at Narisawa?" Minako rolled her eyes.

"Thanks, Mina, you're always looking out for me. Unlike someone." Mamoru cleared his throat. Just then, Naru came back into the office with the coffees.

"Be there at noon," Minako reminded them as she grabbed her latte and left.

"So, how is it that you ended up dating a musician?" Usagi and Mamoru were taking a taxi to Narisawa.

"Are you trying to say that I could possibly not attract a musician?"

"No... that's what you said."

"Who are you dating, Mamoru? Why don't we talk about your love life for a change."

"I'm single," Mamoru shrugged. "Not much else to say... we all can't attract the attentions of a rock star," he teased. Usagi was torn between wanting to punch him in the face or kiss him. She knew it was a terrible thing to think, especially on the way to see her boyfriend. But, after spending hours in the company of her hot ex, who could blame her? He looked even better than the last time she saw him. He was totally a cute boy in high school, but now he was a gorgeous man in a perfectly tailored three piece suit, crisp white shirt, and silver blue tie. She couldn't resist a man in a suit.

"Here's your chance... although your only prospect in the band is Emerald." Usagi immediately regretted her words. She despised Emerald. And nothing could be worse than Emerald dating Mamoru. Mamoru did not respond and they rode the rest of the way in silence.

Minako, Diamond, and the rest of BMC were already seated when Usagi and Mamoru arrived. The hostess walked them over to the private dining room.

"Ah, here they are! Everyone knows Usagi, of course. And this is Mamoru, an old friend from high school. Mamoru's working with Usagi now, isn't that hilarious?" Usagi fought the urge to pinch Minako. No doubt Diamond would start to suspect something and ask questions. It kind of sucked having a super jealous boyfriend... who didn't have any problem with the thousands of female fans salivating over him.

"Hello, princess." Diamond stood up and gave Usagi a chaste kiss. "Hello, I'm Diamond." He shook hands with Mamoru. "And this is Emerald, Sapphire, and Phantom." In addition to Diamond, BMC consisted of Emerald, the lead vocalist; Sapphire, the bass guitarist; and Death Phantom, the drummer.

"Nice to meet all of you." They sat down and began to look at the menu.

"So, you and Usagi were... friends... in high school also?" Emerald asked Mamoru, eyeing suspiciously.

"Yeah. It was a group of us from freshman year, good times. Today was like a mini reunion."

"You haven't seen each since then?" Sapphire joined in on the interrogation.

"Ah... no. We went to different colleges." Mamoru looked perplexed. Usagi's annoyance level was rising. Emerald hated her because she wanted to be with Diamond. And since he was in love with Emerald, Sapphire hated her as well. Thus, they always did their best to rile Diamond up.

"That's strange," Diamond took a sip of tea. "Close friends usually stay in touch after high school."

"Not when they're worrying about not failing at college," Usagi muttered.

"Oh? So because I didn't go to college, I had nothing better to do than stay in touch with my friends?" Diamond narrowed his eyes.

"Diamond, I hardly think you can get upset when you just chastised us for being bad friends!" Minako hoped to stop the situation from escalating. She thought Diamond was a pretty cool guy, but when he felt insulted, everyone would suffer from his wrath.

Minako continued talking to Diamond, while Mamoru fielded questions from Emerald. Usagi, Sapphire, and Death Phantom spent the rest of the meal eating in silence.