Happy late New Years! I wrote this chapter very fast because someone said they would kill me if I didn't cough differentxdreamz cough Well enjoy
Reminders: I DO NOT own Sailor Moon…I wish I did but I don't and I'll edit the grammar later.
Chapter 4: Plan in Action
Piles of boxes surrounded the apartment room 509. Nothing was out except for two luggages. Darien looked around his New York apartment, he felt a bit sad, for the apartment has been his home for the past eight years and he had hoped it would all ways be his home. The apartment over looked the busy streets of New York City. When he came to live in New York he fell in love with the view; it cleared his mind of all the things that crushed him. Before taking a sip of his bottle of water he said to himself, "I guess that's it. Now all I have to do is wait for truck."
Knock, Knock
"Hmm I wonder who it could be? The truck is supposed to be here at five o'clock not three." Darien walked to his door and opened it.
"Hi Darien," said a soft voice.
"Oh hi Linda, come in. Sorry if it's a bit messy."
The woman named Linda walked in. Her soft brown hair bounced as she walked just like her chest. "So I guess that the rumors at the hospital are true."
"What do you mean?"
"About you leaving to California," replied Linda
"Oh that, yeah I leave on Sunday. My flight takes off at 7 am."
"So soon? I thought that you would leave after the holidays?"
"Yeah well the hospital wants me to be there before Christmas."
Linda sat on one of the boxes. She crossed her legs, making her skirt rise. Looking at Darien with passionate eyes and a seductive voice she said, "Can I ask you something Darien?"
"Sure," said Darien, ignoring what he knew Linda was trying to do.
"Why are you leaving? I thought you loved New York and it was everything that you have ever wanted?"
"I do love New York but my mother is lonely and she needs me. That and one of the hospitals in Long Beach asked me if I wanted to finish my residency at their hospital.
"Are you going to live with her?" questioned Linda.
"No, I'm just going to live somewhere near my hometown. Dr. Smith thinks it would be a good opportunity for me. He says that the hospital is wonderful and I would really enjoy learning more things with one of his friends and I also think it would be a good opportunity."
"But Darien what about us? Our friendship?" whined Linda
"Will still be friends Linda"
"Oh Darien." She stood up and walked seductively to Darien. She placed her hands on his shoulders and closed the space between them. "Darien, this could be our last night together. Lets spend it together," she whispered in his ear.
Darien wasn't shocked that Linda was coming on to him. He knew that Linda liked him; this wasn't the first time Linda came on to him. Ever since he met Linda in college, she had tried to come on to him so many times during the past eight years. And with in those eight years he kept telling her that he wasn't interested in her but she never listened.
Ok, I'm sick of this. This is the last time she does this. Thought Darien.
"Linda," spoke Darien in a cold voice, "Get off of me."
"Huh?"
"Get off now!"
Linda took her small hands of his shoulders and stepped three steps back; Darien's cold voice scared her. "What's wrong Darien?"
"When are you going to understand that I don't feel anything towards you but friendship."
"But Darien, everybody says that we would be a cute couple and the way that I feel for you is so strong. I can't help it." She stepped two steps closer to him. She looked up to see his eyes; she spoke softly, "Darien, I love you. Don't reject me."
Darien stood in shock. A woman had said I love you to him and it wasn't her but someone else. Just hearing those words brought back memories of the past that he was trying to get away but she brought them back. "Linda, just leave," whispered Darien.
"But..."
"No Linda, just leave. I don't love you please understand that. Why don't you just go and find someone who wants to be with you because I don't."
"Darien but I…"
"Can't you take a hint? I'm trying to be nice but you just make it hard. I DON'T LIKE YOU LIKE THAT! Thank god I'm leaving New York, I won't have to see you trying to hit on me every single day."
Linda gulped; she had never seen him so mad or so cold hearted. Tears fell from her pretty green eyes; she walked away quietly towards the door. She turned to see him but his back was towards her. "I don't know why you don't want to be with me! I'm sweet, nice, hard working, and I come from a good family. But if that's not what you want then tell me want you do want and I can be that, I can change. Darien please give us a chance," she sobbed.
"Linda, no, first of all I don't see you in that way and I don't want to be with anyone. Do me a favor Linda."
"For you Darien, anything," whispered Linda.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
"Go find someone who can love you, Linda."
"But…"
"You promised."
"Fine. Sighed Linda, " But I don't want to see you in New York again because if I do I know I won't be able to do what you asked of me."
"Don't worry Linda you won't. Good-bye Linda."
Linda didn't bother to say good-bye she slammed the door and never looked back. Darien just stood there. The words I love you ran over and over in his mind. He never expected anyone but her to say those words to him. He now knew what he had to do. She had to be part of his past. She was no longer in his life and probably would never be in it again. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his wallet and took out an old photo. The photo dated back to eight years ago. It was a picture of him and her on the day of their senior prom. He stared at it for a long time.
Flashback
"Darien, Hurry up!" yelled Serena as she pulled Darien to the limo.
"Honey, we are not going to be late. Prom starts at 7 pm and its 4:30. We have time," whined Darien.
"Yes but we have dinner reservations and we have to pick up the girls and we have to take pictures, if we don't take pictures my mother is going to kill me. You won't believe what she said she would do to me if we didn't take pictures."
"Serena, stop!" Darien grabbed Serena by the shoulders and turned her so that she could face him, "Sweetheart you must calm down. I know this is a big day for you but I think this day will be better if you slowdown." He pulled her towards her. Placing his lips where her neck and shoulder connected and started to kiss her very softly.
"Mmm Darien," she moaned softly.
"Mmm."
"Save this for later. I'll slowdown if you hurry up," mumbled Serena.
Taking his lips off her neck he said, "Huh? Sere, that doesn't make any sense."
"To me it does so come on we hat to go and take pictures. Geez and they say you're the smart one."
"Alright lets go," sighed Darien, "But first you have to give me a kiss."
"Later lets go!"
"Fine, but you owe me."
Serena stopped and kissed him softly on the lips. "I know Darien, I know."
End of Flashback
After a few minutes of staring at the old photo, he ripped it into little pieces. He was done with the past; he was done with her. No matter how much he still loved her. He knew that he could no longer live the way he did; California was the answer. There he would restart his life, a life with out her in the back of his mind.
Sunday…
"Welcome to California. May I please see your ticket?" asked the airline agent (A/N: I think that's what they are called…)
"Yes, here."
She took his ticket and typed in the data. "Ok Mr. Shields, How long do you plan on staying in California?"
"Actually I'm moving here."
"Ok, let me check. Hmm ok well everything is in and everything seems to be in order. You may pass to the room where you may receive your luggage."
"Thank you Miss."
"No problem."
Darien took his ticket and walked to where his luggage would be. When he got there his luggage still hadn't been unloaded; this irritated Darien. The flight wasn't as pleasant as it could have been. The setting on the plane was all right since it was first class; it was the woman, who kept bugging him during the whole flight that made him grouchy. She kept asking if he was single and if he would like to get to know her a little better in the bathroom. It sickened him that a woman could stoop so low. He wanted to start over with his love life but not with someone who was desperate. After he finally received his luggage, he left as quickly as possible, he saw the woman who sat next to him. He stepped into the receiving room and immediately he saw his old friend.
"Hey man."
"Hey, long time no see."
They shook hand and gave each other a man hug. Andrew helped him with his luggage. The old friends were happy to see one another. As they walked to the car they talked about the good times. To Darien, California didn't seem to change at all. It was still hot and the sky was blue unlike New York. New York did have its hot summers but they had cold winters. It was almost winter in California but the skies were clear and the sun still shined as if it were summer.
"Hey Darien, are you planning to see your mom tonight?" asked Andrew.
"Um no, not tonight. I told her that I would see her on Monday and on Tuesday I have to go to the hospital so I think you're going to have to drive me to the DMV to renew my license and drive me to get a car. Why do you ask?"
"Well today it's my anniversary with my girlfriend and I wanted to know if you would like to join us for dinner?"
"Drew, its your anniversary. Why in the hell do you want me to go and spend it with you and her?"
"Well I would really like for you to come. This would be a good chance for you too meet my future bride-to-be," said Andrew with a smirk.
"Wait WHAT? Repeat what you just said?"
"I'm going to ask her to marry me and I need to have my best friend to see if she's really the one for me."
"Congrats man! I can't believe you are going to get married. I didn't expect you to get married first."
"Well…actually I'm not going to ask her tonight. I have no cash for a ring right now. I just bought this BMW and it kind of left me broke."
"Just like old times," laughed Darien.
"Well you know I think by the time I get money for a ring, you're going to get married."
"Me, married, no way."
"Come on Darien, I bet you will find someone in Cali, sweep them off their feet and marry them. You know I thought you would end up marring that girl you dated in high school."
"Why in the hell would you think that?"
"Because all you did was talk about her."
"Drew, no one really marries their high school sweethearts and besides I didn't love her."
"Yeah right," mumbled Andrew.
"Hey if I go with you to dinner with your girlfriend, don't you think it would be a little weird since I will be the third wheel?"
"Don't worry about it, my girlfriend is going to bring you a friend of hers."
"I guess you were going to drag me with you even if I said I didn't want to go."
"Yup."
"So is she pretty?"
"Who?"
"Your girlfriend's friend?"
"Pretty? Man pretty doesn't even describe her. Man, she's hot! If I didn't love my girlfriend I would go after her instead. She is hot dude, its not even funny."
"Well that's good, I guess." Well tonight I guess I start my new life; a life with out her.
"What should I wear!" yelled a frustrated Serena
"Sere, I thought you said you didn't care," said Lita
"I did but now I do." Serena's room was very messy. Her clothes were everywhere. The past two days she had been a very busy woman. She had an open house; which took all day. And she had a meeting with Beryl and Seiya, which took even longer since Seiya and Beryl kept arguing. She didn't have time to shop for an outfit for today. In the past two days she had also been arguing with her self, to whether she should really take this chance to forget about him or should she wait. Her heart said no but her mind said yes…she listened to her mind.
"Lita, what should I wear?" whined Serena.
"I don't know. Everything that you have tried on, you say that its not what you want for tonight."
"I have a black dress that Mina gave me for my birthday; that's kind of sexy."
"Hmm it is but you have worn that too many times. What you need is something sexier then that dress. Hey don't you have that one blue dress that Raye gave you?"
"Oh you mean that one dress that didn't fit her so she gave it to me and then got mad because it fit me perfectly."
"I wish I was there, Mina took a picture of Raye, it was timeless," laughed Lita, "But yeah that one."
Serena went back to her closet to look for it. More clothes started flying out of her closet. "Found it, should I try it on?"
"No Serena, just put that dress back in the closet and look for something else," Lita replied sarcastically."
"Ok I'll go and put it on."
Serena was taking forever on putting on the dress so Lita started to clean up the mess that Serena and she made. As Lita was cleaning all she was thinking about was the plan. Mina told Raye about why Serena broke up with Darien and how she was going to set them up. The plan was simple, Lita would help Serena with her outfit, Raye would start to call Serena when she was getting ready to make her late, and Mina would pick her up and make sure that Andrew and Darien would arrive before them.
"So how does it look?" asked Serena as she came out of her closet.
Lita turned around and her mouth dropped. She had been friends with Serena for eight years now and never has she seen her look so pretty. The cerulean blue dress hugged her body, making her look very sexy. The dress brought out the color of her eyes; they shined. The dress had a deep-v cut, which showed cleavage but not too much, the off the shoulder sleeves added an extra touch of sexiness and the dress sat right on top of her knees; making her legs look longer.
"Serena you look so pretty! You don't even look like you. I can't image how you're going to look when you're done. I can't believe you haven't worn this dress. No wonder Raye got mad, it looks gorgeous on you."
"Technically I did wear it, I mean I had to try it on it see if it fit. Does that count?"
"No it doesn't."
"Well I guess I'm going to wear this right?"
"Well DUH! Come on Serena do your make-up and your hair. You only have an 45 minutes to get ready so I suggest that you hurry up."
"Oh my god, are you serious? We spent all this time looking for an outfit in my closet!"
"Well you do have a pretty big closet and you did take a long time in the shower and like I said you kept saying that every outfit you have worn too many times."
"What am I going to do with my hair?"
"See Sere, aren't you glad that we convinced you to cut you're hair during sophomore year in college? Imagine, it would still be wet and we would have no idea what to do with it."
"Yeah well I could have done my hair in two buns like I did in high school."
"No because then you would look a lot younger."
"Well whatever, what in the hell are we going to do with my hair?"
"Ok look, just do your make-up, I'll clean up and after your done with your make-up I'll help you with your hair."
"Ok but first I want something to drink, I'll be right back."
"Fine but hurry up." Serena walked out of her bedroom. Lita made sure that Serena was in the kitchen. She took her cell phone out of her purse and dialed Raye's number, "Hey Raye start calling."
"Are you sure?"
"Yup, she's really stressed out right now and what better time to call her."
"Wait, what? Are you telling me that Serena Miller actually wants to look nice for tonight?"
"Yup, she really wants too look good tonight."
"Wow."
"Yeah I know, I wish I could be there to see her face when she sees him." Lita heard footsteps, "Got to go she's coming."
"Ok I'll start calling then."
"Bye." Lita was waiting for Serena to enter but she didn't. "Serena stop taking your sweet ass time."
"Oh right sorry." Serena entered her room running. She grabbed her make-up bag and ran quickly to her bathroom. As she was taking everything out of the make-up bag, her mind had many things running through her head. Before applying foundation on her face, she looked at her self. This was her first date in eight years. Well her first date that she wasn't being forced into. Today was the day at he would really be in her past. As she applied her make-up her cell phone rang. "Hello," she said, as she was just about to apply her eye shadow.
"Hi Serena, what are you doing,"
"Hi Raye. I'm just getting ready for the date that Mina kind of forced me to go."
"Oh ok I see that you must be busy ok then I'll talk to you later."
"Bye"
Just as she was getting ready to apply the final touches of her eye shadow her cell phone rang again. "Hello"
"It's me again! Serena, what do you think Chad would like better? A blue polo shirt or a green one?"
"What?"
"Blue or green?"
"For what?"
"For Christmas silly."
"Can we do this another time I'm kind of busy Raye?"
"Oh right, ok well bye."
"OK where was I? Hmmm oh right eye shadow," mumbled Serena to her self. She finished applying her eye shadow. She looked at her self and loved how the eye shadow tuned out. She applied a bit of blush and pink lip-gloss to her lips. Just as she was putting her make-up in her make-up bag, her phone rang once again.
"Hello," said an Annoyed Serena.
"Serena, I totally forgot to ask you what you want for Christmas."
"Raye leave me alone! I'm busy all right! Can't you get it?" yelled Serena.
"Ok, ok geez you don't have to be a total bitch about it. It's not like your going to see Darien or anything because if that was the case then I would so understand."
Serena hanged up. She was very surprised that Raye brought up Darien but she didn't think about it for long; he was now part of his past.
"Serena are you ok?" asked Lita.
"No Raye keeps calling me," whined Serena.
"Oh well forget about her right now. Serena its 6:45 and you are not ready. You're supposed to be at the restaurant at 7 pm and you don't know where the restaurant is."
"Oh my god, I'm going to be late!"
"Look sit down, I called Mina she's coming to pick you up and you know how Mina loves to be late."
"Thanks Lita," replied Serena as she sat down on a chair.
"Now how should we fix your hair for tonight?"
"Just do whatever you want with it but just make sure it's nice."
"Ok, good thing that I plugged in the curling irons." Lita grabbed the curling iron and a piece of Serena's hair and started to curl it. As Lita was curling Serena's hair, Serena closed her eyes and just wondered how tonight was going to go. She wondered if he was going to be sweet and charming. She just hoped that he wouldn't remind her of him. As thoughts went in and out of her head, her cell phone range once more; Serena got pissed. She picked it up and yelled, "Raye, what part of leave me alone don't you understand?"
"Um, Serena are you ok?"
"Mina?"
"Yes?"
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry mina. I thought you were Raye."
"Oh, May I ask why you want Raye to leave you alone?"
"She just kept calling me and I told her I was busy but she didn't stop."
"Well whatever you can say you're sorry to her later. Anyway are you ready?"
"Um almost I think Lita's almost done with my hair."
"Ok well I'm downstairs in the car just come out when you're ready."
"Ok."
Serena checked the time on her cell phone and freaked out. "Oh my god, its 7:01 we are already late"
"Well at least Andrew will understand. I mean you know that Mina loves to be late."
"True."
"Ok, I'm done. I didn't curl all of you're hair because that would have taken forever so I just curled pieces of it."
"Ok, I'm going to go see how it looks."
Serena got up from the stool and walked towards her bathroom. Taking a deep breath, she turned on the lights and looked at the mirror. She couldn't believe that she looked the way she did. She looked so different so sexy; something that she hadn't been for a very long time; at least to her. "Oh Lita my hair looks so pretty. Thank you so much." Serena turned off the lights of her bathroom and gave Lita a hug. "Your welcome Serena. Now go, Mina's waiting for you. I'll stay and clean up the mess; I'll leave when it's clean."
"Ok thanks Lita, thanks I so owe you."
"Yeah you do, now go," ordered Lita.
"Ok wait I don't have shoes."
"Just put on so black pumps and go Serena, you two are late."
Serena ran to her closet, grabbed her black pumps, grabbed her purse, hugged Lita, and ran out the door. Lita with a big smile on her face she grabbed her cell and called Mina."
"Mina, she's going out side, is Andrew at the restaurant?"
"Yup, they are already there."
"Hey what did Andrew say?
"What did he say to what?"
"About the Darien and Serena plan?"
"Um…Um..."
"You didn't tell him Mina!" yelled Lita.
"No," replied Mina with a soft voice.
"Mina!"
"Hey if I would have told him, he wouldn't have gone along with it. He would have said that we should mind our own business!"
"Ugh, fine but,"
"Oh got to go Mom."
"Huh?"
"Ok mom, love you too."
"Oh she's there ok bye and good luck."
"Bye Mom. Hi Sere."
"Hi Mina," said Serena as she closed the door of Mina's car.
"Wow, girl you look hot!"
"You think?"
"Yeah, hey wait I thought you were just going to wear jeans and a blouse."
"Yeah well I want to change my life Mina and I think I should start with my love life. So is he cute?"
"Um I don't know. I haven't seen him, he just got here today."
"You know Mina, I have a good feeling that this guy maybe able to help me."
"Help you how?" questioned Mina.
"Well, talking about Darien made me realize that his out there being happy so I should be happy too. I just hope he doesn't look like him. I hope he has blond hair and brown eyes."
Oh boy, does she have a surprise tonight. I wonder how she's going to react. I so wish Raye and Lita could be there. Thought Mina.
Twenty Minutes passed by and Mina and Serena finally arrived at the restaurant. In Mina's mind she was giddy as a schoolgirl. She just couldn't wait to see Serena and Darien's reaction. Mina knew that this was going to be the shock of both of their lives. But in Serena's mind she was a nerves wreck. She couldn't believe that for the first time in eight years. She knew that the moment she saw Andrew's friend, Darien would be no more; no matter how much she still loved him. He would be part of her past and this time for sure.
"Can I help you Miss?" asked the receptionist.
"Yes we have reservations with Mr. Andrew Johnson," replied Mina.
"Aw yes, he has been asking for you, Miss. Please follow me."
Mina and Serena followed the receptionist. They were both looked in aw as they walked to their table. The restaurant had beautiful chandeliers hanging from the ceilings. Photos of Pairs, Rome, London, and Madrid hanged on the walls and the tables were covered in beautiful tablecloths and the table settings sparkled under the light.
"Miss, Mr. Johnson is waiting for you on the balcony."
"Thank you," answered Mina.
"Wow this place is so pretty Mina. How in the hell do you think Andrew is going to pay for the check? I mean he just bought a BMW and his job doesn't not pay that well."
"I don't know but he must have a lot of money because he knows that you and me eat a lot."
They walked out to the baloney but they didn't see Andrew. "Hmm I wonder where he is. She said that he was here but his not."
"Well if you turn around they you will see me."
Both Mina and Serena turned, and Andrew was standing on the entrance of the balcony. "Hi honey," said Mina as she walked to him, "Happy Anniversary."
"Happy Anniversary to you too hon.," answered Andrew, "Wow Serena is that you?"
"Hi Andrew."
"Serena you look H-O-T. You really should dress like this more often."
"You think?"
"Hell yes. Serena I really think you should take my advice."
"Ok, Ok stop drooling over Serena. We all know she's looking hot right now but where is your friend?" asked Mina.
"His at the little boy's room, sweetie."
"I love the restaurant hon." Said Mina as she pulled Andrew closer to her. Serena turned around and went to look over the balcony; she knew that Mina and Andrew needed a bit of privacy. The view of the balcony was beautiful; it over looked the ocean; the white full moon reflected against the sea. She hoped that Andrew's friend would arrive soon, for the first time she was anguish to meet him.
"What are you looking at?"
"Huh?"
"What are you looking at?"
"Just the moonlight against the ocean, isn't pretty Mina. I had no idea that the restaurant was next to the ocean."
"Yeah its pretty. Nerves?"
"A bit."
"Ladies, I would like for you too meet my friend from New York, Dr. Darien Shields"