Hey readers! This is my first fanfic! Yay! Okay... the usual procedure:
Sailor Moon doesn't belong to me (I wish!) and never will. It belongs to
Naoko and whatever company she granted right to. I, on the other hand
are among all those poor starving authors who write fanfiction and don't
earn money off it. Anyway... don't copy my story or you're going to pay!
(laughs hysterically).

To prevent flames on me, I just want to say that this story is inspired
my Judith Michael's "Sleeping Beauty". A good read, too! Don't worry,
You probably are sick of my babbling now, so on with the story! On yeah,
one more thing, this is rated PG13 - R (more PG13, though. Just watch
for some parts).

Falling Chapter 2 by Angelica (that's me! ^_^) sailoryaoli@hotmail.com
Rated: PG 13 - R
note : indicates thoughts

Here I lie...
in a lost and lonely part of town...
held in time in a world of tears I slowly drown...
Goin' home I just can't make it all alone...

Steps "Tragedy"

Serena sat down on the bed of Mina's house. She had met her husband
Kunzite and smiled wistfully at their happiness. Baby Michael is
absolutely beautiful with Mina's blue eyes and her husband's silver
hair. He's gonna be a lady stealer someday Serena thought. They
had it all... what a perfect family. Sighing, she ran her brush
through her lovely locks. I want what they have... She reverted
her thoughts to the will. Should she go? Maybe I should. Give that
bastard something to laugh about. I wonder... who's going to get the
control of the company? I hope it's not James... that fucking jackass!

Serena let out a sharp exhale of breath. She was nervous. Wring her
hand and fiddling with her bracelet, she waited anxiously. Out of the
corner of her eyes, she saw James, looking cool and sure of himself. Mina
gave Serena a reassuring pat on the arm.

"Is everyone here? I will begin to read the will," the attorney said.
"I, Kenneth Thorten in the right mind and body (I'm not sure I know how
will reading goes... never been to one! ^_^') wish to leave my company
and all of my estates and money to ..." Serena felt the tension mounting
in the air. Her stomach did a flip as she waited. Even James seemed to
be nervous.

"Serena Thorten, my daughter." The attorney looked up from his piece
of paper. Serena couldn't hold it much longer. It was too much... almost
all of her family's wealth... to her! Why... papa? was the last thought
before she fainted.

Pain... that's what Serena felt as she opened her eyes. Mina's
concerned face stared at her.

"What..."

"You fainted," Darien deadpanned. The blond gave the handsome man
beside Mina a confused look. God... he's cute! was the first thought
that entered her mind. She blushed, reprimanding herself for that thought.
Hey, it's true her other self argued. He had a dangerous face. Eyes a
stormy midnight blue and a perfectly chiseled face. Ebony hair black as
midnight, full lips... a great build...

"Uh.. why is your face all red?" And why are you staring at Darien
Mina added silently before giving Serena an innocent concerned look.
Serena flushed deeper and stood up.

"I'm fine..." She mumbled. Wincing, she ran a hand through her
scalp. Apparently she had bumped her head against the chair. Giving
Mina a sour look, she pouted, letting a whimper of pain. Grumbling something
incoherent, she groaned.

"Oh man... how am I gonna be able to managed a whole company?" She
complained, remembering the cause of her fainting.

"That's why you have a co-owner," Darien said dryly. Serena looked
annoyed as she looked at Darien again. The man was handsome... but he
should put his own foot in his mouth for that comment. Heck... why not
award him a whole leg? She glared at him silently.

"I thought you were only a vice president. I ought to fire you,"
she smirked, cocking her head to a side.

"Apparently you missed the rest of the will... your father made
me your partner and co-owner." Darien replied smugly. The girl obviously
had an arrogant streak. He watched with satisfaction as her jaws dropped
in anger. White fire seemed to pour from those eyes of hers. She clenched
her fists, but then realized something...

"I missed the will?!"

"Yes... you fainted the minute your name was said. Quite a performance,
Ms. Thorten... oh... and I have a letter that your father asked to give
to you," Darien added, looking amused at her anger. Serena's rational
brain screamed at her to calm down, but for some reason, the stranger
seemed to get on her nerves. Snatching the letter away from him, she stuffed
it rather roughly into her purse. A staring contest was engaged... He's
making me act like a child! She fumed inside while staring up to his
face, eyes hard and determined, her nose a tad bit into the air.

Alas, fate was not on her side as she stumbled forward. Damn these
heels! She felt strong arms steadying her.

"careful... meatball head," he whispered in her ear. She turned red...
crimson red. Ugh...his arms are kinda warm. Serena could've slapped
her inner brain is she could.

"Conceited jerk..." she mumbled, backing away from his arms. Co-owner
indeed! I don't want to give my share of the company cause it will then
be given to James but... what about my career? I'm a model!

"You are a model, Ms. Thorten. I wonder how you'll manage a huge
medical science company by yourself," he commented, giving her a pointed
look. He thinks he's better than me!

"In case you may not know, Mr. Shields, I am equipped with knowledge
on business. It was one of my majors at Harvard." Darien was intrigued.
This young woman actually went to Harvard!

"You... went to Harvard?" Now it was Serena's turn to smile smugly.

"Yes. I'm not a bimbo blond model that knows nothing. Remember that,
Mr. Shields. Also, I believe I'll start next Monday. You can show me the
ropes and I'll take it from there," Serena replied icily, ending their
conversation.

"Whatever you say, ICE," Darien bit out, smiling coldly. Two can
play this game. His eyes caught her surprise before he turned around to
leave.

"You're no sunshine!" She called out as she walked away in the opposite
direction. As they walked toward Mina's car, Serena couldn't help but
snap at her cousin's smiling, giggling face.

"What's so funny?" Serena demanded, her patience at end. Darien
had already embarrassed her. Oh no... I know that look...

"I think you like each other!" Mina commented, her eyes showing a
teasing gleam.

"Me like Dorkus? I don't think so... don't mistake me for some 14 year-
old."

"Oh I'm not! But a guy that teases are bound to show some feelings,"
Mina gushed on, eyes starry at the mention of romance. She proclaimed
herself the "Goddess of Love" and had paired successful matches before.
She was convinced that Serena and Darien fell "love" at first sight.
Just you wait... I'll get to gloat yet! she thought, her grin never
leaving her face.

"Can we just go?" Serena said rather loudly, irritation dripping
from her words. Mina just laughed,

In a darkened room, James held out a glass goblet in his hands.
Idly stirring the red liquid, he was raving mad when his brother had cut
him out . And he loathed the Serena bitch. Why? She had abandoned her family
a long time ago. Slamming his goblet down, his lips curved into a sneer.
If something were to happen to Ken's precious princess... the seat in
the co-ownership will automatically belong him... and then he'll plan on
getting that Darien Shields out of the way. He smiled. He'll always succeed.
He'll always win. Yes... I'll let you have the company for now, Little
Princess. But soon... well... I hope I can find you a grave to your
liking he
thought and began to laugh.

**********

The days went by swiftly. Serena had already made the public announcement
that she will be putting her modeling to a pause and that she will be
the new co-owner of Thorten, Inc. She immediately went back to New York,
thankful that she doesn't have to move since Thorten, Inc is located in
the 45th floor of the Twin Towers. Waking up that Monday, she furrowed
her brow at the prospect of working with Darien. Something about that man
just ticks her off. He stirred something in her... she just couldn't figure
out what.

She felt groggy. She had the weirdest dream... something about her
standing in ruins, fog everywhere. And that voice! Calling out to her...
Shaking her head, she prepared herself for her first day at work.

An hour later, Serena walked out of the apartment, dressed to amaze. On
her was a pink suit. She liked the femine air it gave off. Her spun gold
hair was twisted up in an elegant French twist. Makeup was minimum as she
applied a light coat of lipstick to her lips (duh! where else would she put
lipstick?). Feeling especially merry, she got on her car, tuning the radio
to Z104 (I don't know any stations in New York City so I just used my local
station).

It's in the silence...
The words you never say...
I see it in your eyes...
Always starts the same way...
It seems like everyone we know is breaking up...
Does anybody ever stay in love anymore?
I promise you...
From the bottom of my heart...
I will love you till death do us apart...

Backstreet Boys "I Promise You (With Everything I Am)"

"Good morning, Ms. Thorten," a somewhat cheerful voice said. Serena
approached her office and the person the voice belongs to. Her eyes
narrowed. He looked good... casual... A shirt and a pair of pants... a cup
of coffee in his hand... slightly ruffled hair... he DEFINITLY looks good.

"You look nice..." That was a surprise.

"Flattering won't do you any good," she spat out, trying to cover
her flushed cheeks. He laughed.

"So... why don't you show me the ropes?" She said, blue eyes challenging.
I'll show him.

"Well... come to my office," he invited, an amused twinkle in his eyes.
She pursed her lips, about to retort, but decided against it. Eyes still
flashing, she followed him.

"Please... sit," he requested. Cool blue eyes surveyed the woman in
front of him. What's your secret, ICE? Why the distance? She was mesmerizing.
Soft curvy lips and crystal clear eyes. Darien felt drawn... A soft smile
tugged at the corner of his lips. The beauty in front of him was in awe.

"It's amazing," she gasped, twirling around once. The windows are huge
and gave a wonderful view of the bustling Manhattan below. Everything was
perfect. The furniture complimented the green walls.

"You should see your own," he mumbled, flashing her an envious look. That
was when their eyes caught. Staring into the bottomless pools of cobalt blue,
Serena felt a chill up her spine. Steadying herself, she propped herself
into a chair, sighing in comfort.

"Thorten, Inc is an advanced company on Medical Technology and beyond."
Spoken like a commercial she thought, preparing for the boredom ahead of her.

"So that's it? That shouldn't be too hard to manage... I did learn about
this type of company in Harvard," she exclaimed, looking relieved.

"Well... it's fairly easy, once you get used to the paperwork. Make a
few good choices on stocks, rub in a little luck, and your company starts
blooming. Influence some other companies to sign a deal and we'll be earning
enough to lead a rich life," he laughed. Serena found herself relaxing at
the tone of his voice.

"Speaking of deals, we have to attend a social tonight. It'll let us get
to know some potential companies that we can associate with in the future.
Hopefully, we'll persuade Maven Medical Supplies to sign a deal that will
make them our customer for the heart capacitors we have just developed."
Serena nodded, feeling excited. This social will introduce their company to
lots of other companies that may require their service in the future.

"Well... looks like I have some stocks to analyze. After all, the
money we earn while trading them is the money that funds our company,"
Serena said, getting up.


(to be continued in chapter 3)
Yay! Glad to get this chapter done with! Tell me your comments at
sailoryaoli@hotmail.com or weizhouus@yahoo.com My website is at
www.geocities.com/weizhouus Thank you soooooooo much for reading my
fanfic (bows). Okay... onto the next chapter!