Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon. Not now not ever. So thank you for rubbing it in.

Just a note: Arigato min'na! Your unwavering support, not to mention the reviews, put me in the writing mood once again for this story. I must mention that this is total fiction and in no way based on any particular city, Villa, or vineyard in Italy.  I should also mention it isn't geographically accurate. I have mixed some aspects of both Northern and Southern Italy to get the desired setting for both the fictional Villa and vineyard. Special thanks to Jessie-Chan for helping me pick out Darien's last name. *Smiles* It is sexy huh?

Chapter Three

At the station Serena nervously looked around as she sat on her trunk. All she was told was someone from the Villa would pick her up. She hoped they had some idea what she looked like. After a while of watching people come and go. She began to wonder if anyone was coming for her at all. The sun was lowering in the sky giving everything a golden glow. Mr. Ward had given her an envelope before she boarded the plane. Pulling it from her pocket she opened it to find a slip of paper and a few notes of currency. She began to read. It explained she had a couple thousand liras just in case she got hungry, she could buy a meal. It then went on to explain that her Uncle's apprentice Darien Giambelli would be the one picking her up. As she continued to read she could not help but giggle. The last part she found particularly funny, she was instructed not to talk to strangers, as if she were a child with a note pinned to her shirt. Folding the envelope she placed it back in her pocket. She leaned back on the trunk supporting herself on her arms. The dry warm air seemed to ease her tension as she waited. 'What am I doing here' she thought. She noticed the sky was quickly setting in the sky. 'Maybe they forgot I was coming, or chose to forget' she thought bitterly.  She had all but given up when a deep voice broke through her thoughts.

"Signorina Phelps?" he asked tentatively. He seemed unsure of whether he had the right person. The description he was given was vague at best. "Are you Signorina Phelps? He asked again not having received an answer. There was a hint of annoyance in his voice.

Serena broke from her stupor. "Yes, I am Serena Phelps." She extended her hand to him, which he shook lightly.

"Charmed, I'm sure." He said sarcastically. Her eyes narrowed in response.

'What's with this guy?'  "Um…and who…" she trailed off. His face registered surprise for only a moment before turning into bemusement.

"Yes, I should introduce myself. Darien Giambelli. I assumed they told you I was coming for you" He bowed more in mock than cordial gesture with a smirk on his face. "Is this trunk all you have?" he asked motioning to where she sat.

"Yes."

"Then lets get going." He grabbed the handle of the trunk hoisting it onto his shoulder with relative ease. She followed as he led her out to a horse drawn wagon. She stopped for a moment in confusion. "Signori Phelps prefers to use horses to automobiles." He said as if reading her thoughts.  He placed the trunk in the back before turning to her. "Do you need help getting in?" he asked with that insufferable smirk on his face once again.

"I can manage" She looked in confusion at the wagon for a moment. Then putting her foot on a low rim she climbed into the seat.

They rode in silence. Serena was glad for the opportunity to take in the lush green landscape uninterrupted. Still she wondered at the cold reception she received from the man beside her. "What was his deal?" she thought absently taking in his features from the corner of her eye. He would have been considered handsome if not for his gruff personality. She could see herself being attracted to him. His broad shoulders and muscled arms indicated he did a lot of heavy lifting. She noted the way he held his back straight as he steered the horse. The way his unruly black hair fell before his eyes, causing him to run his fingers through it occasionally. It was almost with a surprised start that she caught a glimpse of his eyes. They were indeed the deepest blue she had ever seen. Even with the scowl on his face and the way he held his eyes narrowed, she had to admit he was a very handsome man. 'To bad he is such a jerk' she thought as she once again focused on the picturesque landscape that laid before her. If it were not for the breeze against her face and the sound of the horse's hoofs on the road, she would have thought it a dream.

The sky was growing dark when they arrived at the Villa. The first sight that greeted her was a large decorative gate that led to a circle drive. The wagon pulled to a stop before the large house, it was the color of a peach with large oak doors. Darien calmed the horse and jumped from the wagon. He strode to the door in wide steps and knocked on the door. He stood waiting for a response. The door opened to reveal a tall and slender woman in her sixties. Her silver-gray hair was pulled up in a graceful bun at the top of her head. She wore a dark gray dress that came below the knees. It had little white flowers on it that made it look cheery despite the color. Darien said a few words to her that Serena could not hear before he returned to the wagon. Serena climbed from the wagon almost falling in the process. Righting her footing she made it to the ground with minimal embarrassment.

The tall woman walked to the wagon. "Hello, Serena. I am Sophia Phelps." She pulled her into a warm embrace that startled Serena slightly. "I wish our first meeting was under better circumstances my dear," she whispered into her ear. "I'm sure you will be happy here," she said pulling back to look her over "ameno" she said with a smile placing her hands on her cheeks.

"I-I'm sorry, but I don't understand." Serena whispered back somewhat embarrassed.

"Don't be sorry. We will speak only English for you. Ameno means lovely and that is what you are. Quite lovely." She smiled at the blush that crept to her cheeks.

"Thank you"

"Come. Lets get you to your room. You must be tired after your long journey." She hugged Serena shoulders as she walked her to the house.  She stopped suddenly her eyes growing wide." Ah! You are probably starving after such a long trip. We will make you a snack first. Who can sleep on an empty stomach?" Sophia said as they continued into the house.

Darien followed the two into the house carrying the trunk. Sophia led the way up limestone stairs to the upper part of the house. They rounded a corner and entered a large room. Darien placed the trunk on the floor by the bed as Serena gaped at her surroundings. The floor was a dark wood with a beautiful multicolored rug in the middle of the floor. A large bed set against the far wall with a wood headboard. She turned to see large glass doors that led to a small balcony. The whole room was warm and beautifully decorated. Serena eyes watered at the sight. It was more than she expected, by far, much more.

"Do you like the room?" Sophia stood beside Serena mistaking her teary eyes for disappointment.

"Yes, it's beautiful, so beautiful." She took another look around as if expecting it to disappear.

"I am glad" Sophia gave her a wide smile. "Now let us feed you" receiving a nod of agreement Sophia clasped her hand pulling her from the room.

 After assuring Aunt Sophia-which is what she insisted on being called-she could not eat another thing she returned to her room. Sophia informed her that her uncle was in Sicily on business and should return in a few days. She did not fear meeting him as much as before. With such a kind wife he couldn't be as bad as she thought. She had begun to put her things away when she heard a knock on the door. She placed a shirt she held in her hand in the dresser before she headed to the door. Who was on the other side of the door she would never have imagined. There in her doorway stood Darien Giambelli. He stood there staring at her for a moment, and then he spoke.

"Well may I come in?" she pondered for a moment whether it was a trick question before stepping back to give him entrance. She left the door open as she went back to her trunk to continue unpacking.

"What did you want?" she asked after an uncomfortable silence.

"I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier." That got her attention. She stopped to look at him.

"Why were you acting that way?" She asked with genuine interest.

"I thought your grandfather sent you here as a trick." He paused as her eyebrow rose.

"A trick?"

"Yes, he has been trying to get his hands on this vineyard every since it started showing profits."

"So you thought I was here as a spy…. and now?"

Running his fingers through his hair. "I can't say that I trust you. Your sudden arrival here is suspicious to say the least. You may very well be here to sabotage Signor Phelps, but I should not have prejudged you. For that I am sorry"

"I accept your apology. I hope that you will learn to trust me," she paused in thought "Believe me, I would never help my grandfather hurt anyone." She turned back to her unpacking. She could still feel his eyes on her back. For some reason it unnerved her to have him so close and acting so nice. It completely went against her prior opinion of him.

"Thank you. I will see you in the morning then. I can show you around if you would like?" She gave him a large smile.

"Yes I would like that"

"Good evening, sleep well" He smiled in turn before leaving the room closing the door behind him.

Darien walked into the corridor kitchen, where Signora Phelps stood pouring herself a glass of wine. "So, have you given up your silly notions about a spy in our midst?" She asked pouring another glass of wine handing it to him

"Not yet." He took a sip of the pinkish liquid. "You know what they say. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." He took another drink emptying the glass.

Shaking her head lightly "I can not believe such a charming creature, would spy for such a man." She poured him another glass. "I am sure you are mistaken"

"Perhaps. I just find it odd that after countless letters both friendly and threatening, making clear his feeling toward us, that he would then suddenly decide to send his granddaughter here, with less than a days notice, at that. He is up to something and I believe she knows what it is." He put his glass on the counter. "You and Signor Phelps have been like parents to me, I will not let anyone cause you harm." He stated seriously.

"I know and we appreciate your concern for us.  All I ask is that you give her a chance." She placed her hand on his. "It is not good for someone so young to worry so." She gave him a warm smile then walked from the kitchen. "You should get some rest. I will see you in the morning. Good night" She said over her shoulder as she went to her room.

Serena sat on her bed. Every once and a while she glanced at the book that sat on her dresser. She tried to convince herself, she had no interest in reading it. After all it was none of her business what happened. If it were a diary it would be like invasion of privacy. Ok, well maybe not if the person was no longer alive. It really wasn't invasion of privacy. She was her grandmother after all. So what harm would it do just to take a little look? Before the thought had cleared from her mind she had the book in hand. She sat on the end of the bed running her fingers across the smooth leather binding of the book. Its cover was made entirely of leather. Each page was lined with a golden color. She opened the cover and stared at the name signed in elegant script. It read, Eleanor Phelps. She then turned to a random page and began to read.

June 25,

Edward had to work late today. He has to work late a lot lately.

Sometimes I wonder. Sometime I wonder if he has found someone else. Someone that

Makes him happy. I don't make him happy. I 'm loosing him. We used to be so happy. .

I still love him so. If only I knew if he still loved me. I hear him coming home.

It is late and he will expect me to be in bed, asleep. It is always the same.

He comes home and goes to the library to continue working.

Only coming to bed when he believes I am sound asleep. I 'm never asleep.

I hear him walk softly into the room closing the door.

Then as with every night for the last 3 months he undresses quietly in the dark.

I feel the bed shift as he slips into bed, always making sure not to disturb or touch me

in any way. Oh how I wish he would touch me, just once the way he used to, at least then

I would know he needs me for something.

Serena closed the book holding it in her lap. Her thought ran rampant with ideas. This did not sound like the woman Mr. Ward described at all. She seemed so unhappy, not the cheerful woman he told her of. She yawned into her hand, placing the book on the table by the bed. She slipped beneath the covers. For tonight she needed sleep. In the morning she would read more. Maybe then she would discover her secret.

To be continued.

Well? R&R and tell me what you think of it. All comments are welcome. Ciao!