Chances to be given
Chapter 1
Disclaimer: any characters in this story does not belong to me, they were only used for the purpose of telling a story. Enjoy! And sorry if the story is not very organized, the only excuse for that is 'cus I'm not the most organized person. Far from it!
~~~
Golden rays of sunlight playfully swam on the surface of the water making it sparkle with starlight talent.
The wind flew like an eagle in the summer, strong yet controlled and calm.
A woman in her late 20 sat on the bench, under a blossom tree overlooking the water. She took off her sunglasses, and the bluest eyes captured all the beauty she saw. The wind began to play with her hair, blowing the loose strands in her face. But she didn't notice, her hair was in a bun, and only a little amount of hair was free to play with the soaring wind. She sighed,
"I'd almost forgotten how beautiful Tokyo was," she said to herself. She took a few more minutes to breathe in the beautiful scene before her, and then she stood up once more, seeing the sun about to set. She did not stay to watch instead she began walking towards home. Walking down the streets of Tokyo she caught a glimpse of the Arcade far ahead.
"I've almost forgotten why I left too," she thought.
"Haha, Raye, no way!! You did that!" An intake of breath remained in the woman's throat as she heard an ever so familiar voice, and an ever so familiar name.
"Yah, I mean, it was stupid of me, but you know I'm going out with Chad now, I can't do that even if I wanted to." The voices came from behind her, and she slowed down, waiting for them to pass her. She put her sunglasses back on.
"Wow, well then, why didn't you call me?! I would've gone for him!"
"Haha, Lita, I'm sorry, I forgot."
"*Sigh* Oh well, next time."
"Haha, come on, we're going to be late. Amy and Mina's going to kill us!!"
"Nah, they're used to it...I mean, Serena was..." Silence fell behind. Finally, the two women quickly sidestepped by and walked on. She didn't hear them anymore; the mention of her name seemed to have ruined the giddy mood they were in.
"But I'm glad I didn't forget," she told herself.
~~~
The moment she walked in her parents home, breathing seemed harder for her to do.
"Where have you been?!!" Her head snapped up to look upon a familiar form, Alec, her husband. He sounded angry, but he showed no sign of it. Her Mother sat across from him, a nervous look on her face. Her heart began to beat faster, and she understood why she suddenly felt like she was drowning.
"Alec, what the hell are you doing here?!!" she asked the obvious question.
"We need to talk." He merely said, staring at her intently as if she was a child who needed a lecture. His voice was harsh, cold and heavy.
"What do you want to talk about? We have nothing we need to talk about." She told him, keeping a hold of the doorknob.
"Serena, we have a lot to talk about...Listen to me, I've changed." Serena's eyes became teary, his voice had softened, and the lines on his face had been wiped away with a small hopeful smile.
"How many times have I heard you say that, Alec?" Her hold on the door loosened and her husband advanced towards her. He tipped her chin up, forcing her to look in his eyes. He knew that would do it, she would weaken, she always has and he assumed she always will. He was right, the sight of his dark eyes mesmerized her to the bone.
"I've changed, Serena, trust me." The only thing Serena could think of doing was asked for her Mother's help, she couldn't have done anything else even if she wanted to, even if her voice kept yelling to her mind to move.
"Mom?" she managed to say, the word almost getting stuck in her throat.
"Alec, I don't know why we ever made Serena marry you, but I swear you won't have her back." Alec turned to look at this old woman, trying to depend her daughter. She looked fierce, but he wasn't afraid of her. Serena saw her chance and away from his eyes, she was able to run away from him and up the stairs to her room.
"Serena!! You're only making things worse!!" He followed her steps and banged loudly on the door. "I've changed, Serena, I swear it!! I've been seeing a psychiatrist since you've been gone. I've gotten a hold of things now, I won't do it again, I promise!! And look, I've gotten a job at a company here in Tokyo. I've got a new apartment, with new furniture and I know you would just love it there. Please, Serena...give me another chance?" He sounded so sincere to her, and part of her wished he was telling the truth this time, but part of her was still hurting, reminding her of his handy work.
"How many chances do you need, Alec?! How many!!"
"Just one more, Serena, just one more." She was taken back by his answer, he had never pleaded in his whole life. He had never sounded so honest, so real. And she knew that she was going to regret what she was about to do, she knew it. But...part of her, part of her loved his eyes, his eyes that reminded her so much of...She got off her bed and opened the door. He stood there, smiling in victory. She was his once again, his and no others, he knew it.
"What in hell are you doing here?!!" Alec and Serena turned their attention to the door. Mr. Tsukino stood there, briefcase still in his hands, a deathly look on his face.
"Daddy..." Serena breathe.
"It seems I've won again, Mr. Tsukino, Serena's going to be living with me here in Tokyo, she's coming back to me," Alec gloated.
Mr. Tsukino looked from Alec to Serena, back to Alec then to his daughter once again.
"Serena..." His eyes narrowed and stared intently into hers, piercing her heart all the way from across the room.
"I'm sorry, Daddy." Silence followed then until the sobbing sound of Mrs. Tsukino.
"Then...pack your bags and get the hell out of our house!!" He yelled. He dropped his briefcase and headed to the kitchen. Mrs. Tsukino followed him, giving Serena a confused look.
"I'm sorry too, Mom." she whispered.
"Come on, get your bags and let's get out of here."
~~
He was right; she did love the look of their new apartment. It was beautiful and it even had a balcony overlooking the water.
"I told you you'd love it. Come on, unpack your bags." She hesitated; she only saw one door, meaning there was only one room.
She couldn't trust him again, she hated him touching her, and it was only his eyes that she loved.
"Come on," he said, with a hint of agitation in his voice. He opened the door to their room, and Serena breathed.
"I figured you might not like it at first if we slept in the same bed, so we'll be sleeping in different beds. This one by the window is yours; I know how much you love looking out. And this will be mine," he said. She looked at him in disbelief. Had he really changed? Did he really love her now? Did he finally see that what she wanted was important too? That her happiness was all she wanted?
"Alec..." He looked at her and saw her disbelief. He chuckled.
"I know, I know, it's probably something you never expected from me. It's pretty late, you better unpack tomorrow, you look tire, we better get some rest. I start work tomorrow at 9, wake me up before 8 ok?" Serena managed a nod, still in disbelief. Alec began to undress and Serena quickly turned away. She too began to get undressed, taking out her pajamas and changing. She still felt uncomfortable undressing with him in the same room. They were married after all...for a year now...so, why was she still treating him like a stranger she didn't know.
"Because I still don't know him." the answer came to her.
~~
It was at dawn that she found herself awake, in a new room, a new home...if she could ever feel like it was her home. She got up and quietly began unpacking. There wasn't much, only what she had been able to take with her at her fast disappearance. She looked over her shoulder at the form lying on the bed beside hers. How did he ever manage to convince her again? How could she give him another chance after...but everyone deserved chances didn't they? Wasn't that what life had always thought her to do, give chances.
She forced the tears to subside, this was tomorrow, and tomorrow was always fresh, with no regrets. Yesterday, that was where regret lay, and yesterday had gone. Hadn't it?
~~
Alec breathed in the air.
"What are you cooking there, honey?" he asked, smiling, still feeling good about his victory.
"Just some French-toast."
"Well, smells good." He grabbed some and sat down in front of his coffee.
"What time will you be home?" Serena asked just for the sake of a conversation.
"Well, it depends really," he said, toast in his mouth. "Sometimes I get home early, but if there's lots of work to do, I might be home late." Was he telling the truth this time? She wondered. "What are you planning to do today, hon?" he asked taking a sip of his coffee.
"I don't know yet, shopping, if that's all right."
"Of course, here's some money." He took out his wallet and dropped a hundred on the table.
"You don't have to..."
"Nonsense, I mean, it's not like you have a job to get your money from."
"I could, couldn't I?" The agitating feeling she always felt towards him came back. Why was he always pointing out what she didn't have, yet not what she had. She could picture him thinking. The last time she had brought up the subject of getting a job, he had refused.
"Sure, why not."
"Really?"
"Why is that so hard to believe? Listen, I'm going to be late, kiss?" She turned off the stove and walked over to him. Her lips landed on his cheek.
"Do I disgust you so much that you can't even manage a peck on the lips?!" Serena stepped back, afraid. Alec gave her a look of disbelief, then left, right after he handed her an extra copy of the apartment keys.
"Take care..." Serena whispered to herself, not bothering to yell it out, she knew he would ignore it.
She went back to the kitchen, took a plate and put some toast on it. Then she brought it outside, feeling free once again. The wind taunted her loose hair, but it didn't matter, it made her feel free. And she wished time would stop...but her wishes never came true, not once. She forced the tears back, singing a sweet tune in her head, trying to distract her heart from aching again.
After a while, she took a shower and got dressed, grabbed the hundred and her pursed and walked out of their new apartment. Where would she go today?
She knew Tokyo so well, and the only place she wanted to go was...to the Arcade. No one would be there, right? Who would?
She knew the answer to it when she walked in, but she breathed when no one paid attention to her. She grabbed a seat by the back, where no one would turn back to look.
"May I take your order, miss?" a girl of 16 came up to her.
"I think I'll just have a chocolate shake." It wasn't her usual order, but she wasn't the same usual self either.
"Is that all, miss?"
"For now, I guess." With her sunglasses on, she placed her eyes on the group of girls, sitting at the booth at the far front.
"Here's your milkshake, miss." Serena noticed that it wasn't the same girl anymore, but instead...Andrew?
"Thank you," Andrew smiled at her, his usual friendly smile.
"Now, what would a lady like you be doing in a place like this?"
"Hmm...The Arcade was my favorite place to visit when I was a kid," she admitted, panicking. What if he recognized her? He would surely tell the others and they were the last people she would want to talk to right now.
"Really? You don't look that old, and I've been working here a long time. I must've met you once then." He said, hoping to get her name out of her. Serena felt uncomfortable.
"Really? How long have you been working here?" she asked instead, ignoring his question.
"Oh, I'd say about 10 maybe 11 years."
"Wow," Serena said, trying to act surprise. A gush of air came from the door, and Serena and Andrew turned their attention to the newcomer.
"Hey, Andrew, how's business today?" Serena caught her breath. Why? Why did I have to come here? She paid for her shake and stood up, wishing she wasn't too late...unfortunately, her wishes were always ignored.
"Hey, wait!" Andrew said to her. She stopped and turned around. "No tip?"
"Hey, Darien! There you are, we were just talking about you." the group of girls approached him. His face showed amusement. Serena felt nothing but panic.
"Were you?"
"Uhhum...who's this?" Mina asked, seeing Serena.
"Um, excuse me, I've got to go." She tried to cut through...but they stood so close together that she didn't know which way to go.
"That voice..." Serena's eyes widened, and before she knew it, her sunglass was swiped from her face, and she heard everyone gasp.
"Uh...Serena?" Serena gulped, then charged at them and quickly ran out.
"Serena!!!" she heard them.
What in the world was I thinking?! I knew they would be there, I knew it!! They're always there!! Why did I hope that they weren't?
Don't those people have work?! *Sigh* Why do I keep running away? She turned the corner and headed back to the apartment.
I would be safe there, yes, I will.
~~~
"Was that Serena?" Raye asked the others as they sat back down at the booth with Andrew and Darien joining them.
"Yah, Raye, I think it was. But...why would she run from us?" Lita looked at each of her friends in turn. None of them seemed to want to admit the answer, but they knew why, at least as far she knew it. Her eyes fell on Darien. Was that hurt in his eyes? Was he still hurting over Serena?
"Darien, are you okay?" she asked him. The tall man with dark hair and dark eyes did not answer. He seemed to have fallen into a sort of trance.
"Darien? Yoo-hoo, buddy, DARIEN!!" Andrew came around and up to Darien's ears, screaming his name, hoping that would do the work.
"Oh Dear God!!" Darien held his ears and shook his head. "What was that for?" Andrew nervously laughed.
"Hehe...Ah, you fell into a trance...what's wrong?" he answered.
"Was that...was it, HER?"
" "HER" ? That's what you call Serena now?" Raye was mad.
"Raye...I'm sorry...it's just...that couldn't be her...I mean...she...I thought...I mean...was that...it's not...I mean...why did she...oh, that couldn't be...?"
"Oh Darien, shut up! You're not making any sense. I think that was her, which means she's either permanently living in Tokyo, or just here for a visit."
"But why in the world would she run!!!" He slammed his fist on the table, making the others flinch with fear. But the same question was in their mind.
"I don't know, but I'm certainly going to find out! Come on, whose with me? Her parents have to know where she is."
"Mina...even if they did, we can't just go up to her place and barge in and interrogate them."
"Who says anything about interrogation, we just go up to them and ask."
"But...wouldn't that be like butting into someone's business?"
"And since when did you care about that?"
"Hey! Fine, I'm in." Mina grinned.
"Me too,"
"Yah,"
"Sorry guys, I've got work," They all turned their eyes to Darien.
"I can't," was all he said. Then he walked away, wanting some time to think.
~~~
"Who?" Mr. Tsukino looked at them as if he had no idea who they were talking about. The girls didn't know what to say, they were astonished, bewildered, in a questioning awe of his answer.
"Serena, Mr. Tsukino, you know, you're daughter?"
"I'm sorry, girls. I have no idea who you're talking about, maybe you should look them up in the phone book." Then, as if the conversation was officially over, he shut the door in front of them.
"Whoa, now what was that about?" Raye asked, confused.
"Beats me...maybe we should look her up in the phone book."
"Lita, not funny. Why was her Dad acting like that?"
"Yah...good question."
"But...what could have happened here to get him that angry?" Amy asked, concern in her voice. They stood there for several seconds trying to come up with a good explanation when the front door suddenly opened and out came Mrs. Tsukino. She smiled at them, but they could sense that she wasn't in the best of mood.
"Hello, girls."
"Hai," they nodded their heads and asked the question they wanted badly answered.
"Serena has been home for a month now," she told them, sitting on the porch step. They sat around her, intent on finding out what had just occurred.
"A month? Why didn't she call any of us?" Raye played with her hair, feeling hurt that she hadn't seen any of her Meatball Head.
"I don't know myself, every time I suggested that she phone you girls, she would go on as if I never mentioned it at all. I thought it was just because she was having a hard time."
"What do you mean?"
"She and Alec...well, I don't think I should be the one telling you, Serena should." Mrs. Tsukino looked tired. A small faint smile came to her lips as she tilted her head to glimpse at the stars.
"But...we don't know where she is."
"Nor do I." She closed her eyes as if all her might wished that she were dead.
"But I thought..."
"Yesterday, Alec came here to pick her up. At first I thought Serena would resist this time, I thought she would take control...but instead...you know how big a heart Serena has. No matter what anybody does, she gives them another chance. No matter how bad, or how much they hurt her, she gives them another chance, and another and another. But she never seems to give herself one of those chances.
She had so many chances to give to others, but she never left any of them for her." The girls nodded in agreement. It was true, Serena had always been forgiving growing up, but she would constantly beat herself for making mistakes.
"So what did Alec do?"
"I'm sorry, girls, I can't tell you. I promised. But...it was something...a good enough reason for her to leave him completely!"
Silence fell over the whole.
"I'm sorry, I can't exactly say where Serena is right now. As you can see, my husband is very angry with her. She hasn't called me either.
But...look around, I know she's nearby." Mrs. Tsukino got up, dusted herself off then looked once more at the stars. "When you find her, do tell her to open her eyes and think." Then she bid them good night and went back inside the house.
"Where could she be? And what did she mean? "Open her eyes and think?""
~~
"Honey, I'm home!" Serena slowly opened her eyes. She looked at the VCR just under the TV and glimpsed at the time. It was 9 o'clock and Alec just got home? She struggled to stay awake and to keep her mind from making up stories of why he was only home now. She closed her eyes; she really didn't want to face him right now. She had been crying all day and she was sure that Alec would notice.
"Hey, sleepy head, why don't you sleep in the room, it's much more comfortable." He sat down at the corner of the couch beside her legs.
She smiled faintly at him and in return so did he.
"How was work?" Serena asked, getting up in a sitting position.
"Oh, it was all right. Busy as always. Sorry I came home so late, but some friends and me went out to dinner, it was Harry's birthday today so we thought we'd treat him to an "All you can eat" buffet." Why did that sound so familiar? Serena asked herself. But she believed him.
"Come on, get on in bed. What did you do all day?"
"I...I got some air early this morning, but I didn't feel too well in the afternoon so I, I just went back home and watched some TV." She ignored his eyes that were trying to catch hers.
"Well, if you're not feeling any better, you should get some rest. And don't bother waking up early for me tomorrow if you still feel sick, ok?"
Was he worried about her? Was that worry she sensed in his voice?
"Thanks, Alec. Good night," feeling like she needed to thank him for worrying, she kissed him good night, a small peck on the lips.
He was surprised, and glimpsing a look that quickly passed over his face as her lips touched his, Serena wondered if he had been telling the truth.
"Good night," he said to her, switching off the lights.
~~
She awoke at the sound of the door opening. For a moment, she was dazed, and where she was she didn't know.
"Go back to bed, sweet." Who...? She didn't bother to open her eyes...she knew well who it was. But for a moment, her mind had almost told her that finally, she was awake and sitting beside her would be...Darien. But reality struck her, she wasn't dreaming, this was her life. And Alec was kneeling on the floor, whispering her back to sleep. When had he ever done that? Never, and she felt like crying. He was finally going to change, for her. She hoped, with all her might, he was changed. She smiled and felt his lips on her forehead.
"I love you, Serena." Were the last words he said to her as he came out of the bedroom, leaving for work. Serena took a deep breath. He loves me, she told herself. And finally, her heart told her the truth. For the year they have been together. For the times she saw him angry, happy, sad...somehow, she had fallen in love with him. Even if that love wasn't as deep as her love for another man, she still loved him. And perhaps, she would now be happy with her life, or maybe even just satisfied and content.
End Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Disclaimer: any characters in this story does not belong to me, they were only used for the purpose of telling a story. Enjoy! And sorry if the story is not very organized, the only excuse for that is 'cus I'm not the most organized person. Far from it!
~~~
Golden rays of sunlight playfully swam on the surface of the water making it sparkle with starlight talent.
The wind flew like an eagle in the summer, strong yet controlled and calm.
A woman in her late 20 sat on the bench, under a blossom tree overlooking the water. She took off her sunglasses, and the bluest eyes captured all the beauty she saw. The wind began to play with her hair, blowing the loose strands in her face. But she didn't notice, her hair was in a bun, and only a little amount of hair was free to play with the soaring wind. She sighed,
"I'd almost forgotten how beautiful Tokyo was," she said to herself. She took a few more minutes to breathe in the beautiful scene before her, and then she stood up once more, seeing the sun about to set. She did not stay to watch instead she began walking towards home. Walking down the streets of Tokyo she caught a glimpse of the Arcade far ahead.
"I've almost forgotten why I left too," she thought.
"Haha, Raye, no way!! You did that!" An intake of breath remained in the woman's throat as she heard an ever so familiar voice, and an ever so familiar name.
"Yah, I mean, it was stupid of me, but you know I'm going out with Chad now, I can't do that even if I wanted to." The voices came from behind her, and she slowed down, waiting for them to pass her. She put her sunglasses back on.
"Wow, well then, why didn't you call me?! I would've gone for him!"
"Haha, Lita, I'm sorry, I forgot."
"*Sigh* Oh well, next time."
"Haha, come on, we're going to be late. Amy and Mina's going to kill us!!"
"Nah, they're used to it...I mean, Serena was..." Silence fell behind. Finally, the two women quickly sidestepped by and walked on. She didn't hear them anymore; the mention of her name seemed to have ruined the giddy mood they were in.
"But I'm glad I didn't forget," she told herself.
~~~
The moment she walked in her parents home, breathing seemed harder for her to do.
"Where have you been?!!" Her head snapped up to look upon a familiar form, Alec, her husband. He sounded angry, but he showed no sign of it. Her Mother sat across from him, a nervous look on her face. Her heart began to beat faster, and she understood why she suddenly felt like she was drowning.
"Alec, what the hell are you doing here?!!" she asked the obvious question.
"We need to talk." He merely said, staring at her intently as if she was a child who needed a lecture. His voice was harsh, cold and heavy.
"What do you want to talk about? We have nothing we need to talk about." She told him, keeping a hold of the doorknob.
"Serena, we have a lot to talk about...Listen to me, I've changed." Serena's eyes became teary, his voice had softened, and the lines on his face had been wiped away with a small hopeful smile.
"How many times have I heard you say that, Alec?" Her hold on the door loosened and her husband advanced towards her. He tipped her chin up, forcing her to look in his eyes. He knew that would do it, she would weaken, she always has and he assumed she always will. He was right, the sight of his dark eyes mesmerized her to the bone.
"I've changed, Serena, trust me." The only thing Serena could think of doing was asked for her Mother's help, she couldn't have done anything else even if she wanted to, even if her voice kept yelling to her mind to move.
"Mom?" she managed to say, the word almost getting stuck in her throat.
"Alec, I don't know why we ever made Serena marry you, but I swear you won't have her back." Alec turned to look at this old woman, trying to depend her daughter. She looked fierce, but he wasn't afraid of her. Serena saw her chance and away from his eyes, she was able to run away from him and up the stairs to her room.
"Serena!! You're only making things worse!!" He followed her steps and banged loudly on the door. "I've changed, Serena, I swear it!! I've been seeing a psychiatrist since you've been gone. I've gotten a hold of things now, I won't do it again, I promise!! And look, I've gotten a job at a company here in Tokyo. I've got a new apartment, with new furniture and I know you would just love it there. Please, Serena...give me another chance?" He sounded so sincere to her, and part of her wished he was telling the truth this time, but part of her was still hurting, reminding her of his handy work.
"How many chances do you need, Alec?! How many!!"
"Just one more, Serena, just one more." She was taken back by his answer, he had never pleaded in his whole life. He had never sounded so honest, so real. And she knew that she was going to regret what she was about to do, she knew it. But...part of her, part of her loved his eyes, his eyes that reminded her so much of...She got off her bed and opened the door. He stood there, smiling in victory. She was his once again, his and no others, he knew it.
"What in hell are you doing here?!!" Alec and Serena turned their attention to the door. Mr. Tsukino stood there, briefcase still in his hands, a deathly look on his face.
"Daddy..." Serena breathe.
"It seems I've won again, Mr. Tsukino, Serena's going to be living with me here in Tokyo, she's coming back to me," Alec gloated.
Mr. Tsukino looked from Alec to Serena, back to Alec then to his daughter once again.
"Serena..." His eyes narrowed and stared intently into hers, piercing her heart all the way from across the room.
"I'm sorry, Daddy." Silence followed then until the sobbing sound of Mrs. Tsukino.
"Then...pack your bags and get the hell out of our house!!" He yelled. He dropped his briefcase and headed to the kitchen. Mrs. Tsukino followed him, giving Serena a confused look.
"I'm sorry too, Mom." she whispered.
"Come on, get your bags and let's get out of here."
~~
He was right; she did love the look of their new apartment. It was beautiful and it even had a balcony overlooking the water.
"I told you you'd love it. Come on, unpack your bags." She hesitated; she only saw one door, meaning there was only one room.
She couldn't trust him again, she hated him touching her, and it was only his eyes that she loved.
"Come on," he said, with a hint of agitation in his voice. He opened the door to their room, and Serena breathed.
"I figured you might not like it at first if we slept in the same bed, so we'll be sleeping in different beds. This one by the window is yours; I know how much you love looking out. And this will be mine," he said. She looked at him in disbelief. Had he really changed? Did he really love her now? Did he finally see that what she wanted was important too? That her happiness was all she wanted?
"Alec..." He looked at her and saw her disbelief. He chuckled.
"I know, I know, it's probably something you never expected from me. It's pretty late, you better unpack tomorrow, you look tire, we better get some rest. I start work tomorrow at 9, wake me up before 8 ok?" Serena managed a nod, still in disbelief. Alec began to undress and Serena quickly turned away. She too began to get undressed, taking out her pajamas and changing. She still felt uncomfortable undressing with him in the same room. They were married after all...for a year now...so, why was she still treating him like a stranger she didn't know.
"Because I still don't know him." the answer came to her.
~~
It was at dawn that she found herself awake, in a new room, a new home...if she could ever feel like it was her home. She got up and quietly began unpacking. There wasn't much, only what she had been able to take with her at her fast disappearance. She looked over her shoulder at the form lying on the bed beside hers. How did he ever manage to convince her again? How could she give him another chance after...but everyone deserved chances didn't they? Wasn't that what life had always thought her to do, give chances.
She forced the tears to subside, this was tomorrow, and tomorrow was always fresh, with no regrets. Yesterday, that was where regret lay, and yesterday had gone. Hadn't it?
~~
Alec breathed in the air.
"What are you cooking there, honey?" he asked, smiling, still feeling good about his victory.
"Just some French-toast."
"Well, smells good." He grabbed some and sat down in front of his coffee.
"What time will you be home?" Serena asked just for the sake of a conversation.
"Well, it depends really," he said, toast in his mouth. "Sometimes I get home early, but if there's lots of work to do, I might be home late." Was he telling the truth this time? She wondered. "What are you planning to do today, hon?" he asked taking a sip of his coffee.
"I don't know yet, shopping, if that's all right."
"Of course, here's some money." He took out his wallet and dropped a hundred on the table.
"You don't have to..."
"Nonsense, I mean, it's not like you have a job to get your money from."
"I could, couldn't I?" The agitating feeling she always felt towards him came back. Why was he always pointing out what she didn't have, yet not what she had. She could picture him thinking. The last time she had brought up the subject of getting a job, he had refused.
"Sure, why not."
"Really?"
"Why is that so hard to believe? Listen, I'm going to be late, kiss?" She turned off the stove and walked over to him. Her lips landed on his cheek.
"Do I disgust you so much that you can't even manage a peck on the lips?!" Serena stepped back, afraid. Alec gave her a look of disbelief, then left, right after he handed her an extra copy of the apartment keys.
"Take care..." Serena whispered to herself, not bothering to yell it out, she knew he would ignore it.
She went back to the kitchen, took a plate and put some toast on it. Then she brought it outside, feeling free once again. The wind taunted her loose hair, but it didn't matter, it made her feel free. And she wished time would stop...but her wishes never came true, not once. She forced the tears back, singing a sweet tune in her head, trying to distract her heart from aching again.
After a while, she took a shower and got dressed, grabbed the hundred and her pursed and walked out of their new apartment. Where would she go today?
She knew Tokyo so well, and the only place she wanted to go was...to the Arcade. No one would be there, right? Who would?
She knew the answer to it when she walked in, but she breathed when no one paid attention to her. She grabbed a seat by the back, where no one would turn back to look.
"May I take your order, miss?" a girl of 16 came up to her.
"I think I'll just have a chocolate shake." It wasn't her usual order, but she wasn't the same usual self either.
"Is that all, miss?"
"For now, I guess." With her sunglasses on, she placed her eyes on the group of girls, sitting at the booth at the far front.
"Here's your milkshake, miss." Serena noticed that it wasn't the same girl anymore, but instead...Andrew?
"Thank you," Andrew smiled at her, his usual friendly smile.
"Now, what would a lady like you be doing in a place like this?"
"Hmm...The Arcade was my favorite place to visit when I was a kid," she admitted, panicking. What if he recognized her? He would surely tell the others and they were the last people she would want to talk to right now.
"Really? You don't look that old, and I've been working here a long time. I must've met you once then." He said, hoping to get her name out of her. Serena felt uncomfortable.
"Really? How long have you been working here?" she asked instead, ignoring his question.
"Oh, I'd say about 10 maybe 11 years."
"Wow," Serena said, trying to act surprise. A gush of air came from the door, and Serena and Andrew turned their attention to the newcomer.
"Hey, Andrew, how's business today?" Serena caught her breath. Why? Why did I have to come here? She paid for her shake and stood up, wishing she wasn't too late...unfortunately, her wishes were always ignored.
"Hey, wait!" Andrew said to her. She stopped and turned around. "No tip?"
"Hey, Darien! There you are, we were just talking about you." the group of girls approached him. His face showed amusement. Serena felt nothing but panic.
"Were you?"
"Uhhum...who's this?" Mina asked, seeing Serena.
"Um, excuse me, I've got to go." She tried to cut through...but they stood so close together that she didn't know which way to go.
"That voice..." Serena's eyes widened, and before she knew it, her sunglass was swiped from her face, and she heard everyone gasp.
"Uh...Serena?" Serena gulped, then charged at them and quickly ran out.
"Serena!!!" she heard them.
What in the world was I thinking?! I knew they would be there, I knew it!! They're always there!! Why did I hope that they weren't?
Don't those people have work?! *Sigh* Why do I keep running away? She turned the corner and headed back to the apartment.
I would be safe there, yes, I will.
~~~
"Was that Serena?" Raye asked the others as they sat back down at the booth with Andrew and Darien joining them.
"Yah, Raye, I think it was. But...why would she run from us?" Lita looked at each of her friends in turn. None of them seemed to want to admit the answer, but they knew why, at least as far she knew it. Her eyes fell on Darien. Was that hurt in his eyes? Was he still hurting over Serena?
"Darien, are you okay?" she asked him. The tall man with dark hair and dark eyes did not answer. He seemed to have fallen into a sort of trance.
"Darien? Yoo-hoo, buddy, DARIEN!!" Andrew came around and up to Darien's ears, screaming his name, hoping that would do the work.
"Oh Dear God!!" Darien held his ears and shook his head. "What was that for?" Andrew nervously laughed.
"Hehe...Ah, you fell into a trance...what's wrong?" he answered.
"Was that...was it, HER?"
" "HER" ? That's what you call Serena now?" Raye was mad.
"Raye...I'm sorry...it's just...that couldn't be her...I mean...she...I thought...I mean...was that...it's not...I mean...why did she...oh, that couldn't be...?"
"Oh Darien, shut up! You're not making any sense. I think that was her, which means she's either permanently living in Tokyo, or just here for a visit."
"But why in the world would she run!!!" He slammed his fist on the table, making the others flinch with fear. But the same question was in their mind.
"I don't know, but I'm certainly going to find out! Come on, whose with me? Her parents have to know where she is."
"Mina...even if they did, we can't just go up to her place and barge in and interrogate them."
"Who says anything about interrogation, we just go up to them and ask."
"But...wouldn't that be like butting into someone's business?"
"And since when did you care about that?"
"Hey! Fine, I'm in." Mina grinned.
"Me too,"
"Yah,"
"Sorry guys, I've got work," They all turned their eyes to Darien.
"I can't," was all he said. Then he walked away, wanting some time to think.
~~~
"Who?" Mr. Tsukino looked at them as if he had no idea who they were talking about. The girls didn't know what to say, they were astonished, bewildered, in a questioning awe of his answer.
"Serena, Mr. Tsukino, you know, you're daughter?"
"I'm sorry, girls. I have no idea who you're talking about, maybe you should look them up in the phone book." Then, as if the conversation was officially over, he shut the door in front of them.
"Whoa, now what was that about?" Raye asked, confused.
"Beats me...maybe we should look her up in the phone book."
"Lita, not funny. Why was her Dad acting like that?"
"Yah...good question."
"But...what could have happened here to get him that angry?" Amy asked, concern in her voice. They stood there for several seconds trying to come up with a good explanation when the front door suddenly opened and out came Mrs. Tsukino. She smiled at them, but they could sense that she wasn't in the best of mood.
"Hello, girls."
"Hai," they nodded their heads and asked the question they wanted badly answered.
"Serena has been home for a month now," she told them, sitting on the porch step. They sat around her, intent on finding out what had just occurred.
"A month? Why didn't she call any of us?" Raye played with her hair, feeling hurt that she hadn't seen any of her Meatball Head.
"I don't know myself, every time I suggested that she phone you girls, she would go on as if I never mentioned it at all. I thought it was just because she was having a hard time."
"What do you mean?"
"She and Alec...well, I don't think I should be the one telling you, Serena should." Mrs. Tsukino looked tired. A small faint smile came to her lips as she tilted her head to glimpse at the stars.
"But...we don't know where she is."
"Nor do I." She closed her eyes as if all her might wished that she were dead.
"But I thought..."
"Yesterday, Alec came here to pick her up. At first I thought Serena would resist this time, I thought she would take control...but instead...you know how big a heart Serena has. No matter what anybody does, she gives them another chance. No matter how bad, or how much they hurt her, she gives them another chance, and another and another. But she never seems to give herself one of those chances.
She had so many chances to give to others, but she never left any of them for her." The girls nodded in agreement. It was true, Serena had always been forgiving growing up, but she would constantly beat herself for making mistakes.
"So what did Alec do?"
"I'm sorry, girls, I can't tell you. I promised. But...it was something...a good enough reason for her to leave him completely!"
Silence fell over the whole.
"I'm sorry, I can't exactly say where Serena is right now. As you can see, my husband is very angry with her. She hasn't called me either.
But...look around, I know she's nearby." Mrs. Tsukino got up, dusted herself off then looked once more at the stars. "When you find her, do tell her to open her eyes and think." Then she bid them good night and went back inside the house.
"Where could she be? And what did she mean? "Open her eyes and think?""
~~
"Honey, I'm home!" Serena slowly opened her eyes. She looked at the VCR just under the TV and glimpsed at the time. It was 9 o'clock and Alec just got home? She struggled to stay awake and to keep her mind from making up stories of why he was only home now. She closed her eyes; she really didn't want to face him right now. She had been crying all day and she was sure that Alec would notice.
"Hey, sleepy head, why don't you sleep in the room, it's much more comfortable." He sat down at the corner of the couch beside her legs.
She smiled faintly at him and in return so did he.
"How was work?" Serena asked, getting up in a sitting position.
"Oh, it was all right. Busy as always. Sorry I came home so late, but some friends and me went out to dinner, it was Harry's birthday today so we thought we'd treat him to an "All you can eat" buffet." Why did that sound so familiar? Serena asked herself. But she believed him.
"Come on, get on in bed. What did you do all day?"
"I...I got some air early this morning, but I didn't feel too well in the afternoon so I, I just went back home and watched some TV." She ignored his eyes that were trying to catch hers.
"Well, if you're not feeling any better, you should get some rest. And don't bother waking up early for me tomorrow if you still feel sick, ok?"
Was he worried about her? Was that worry she sensed in his voice?
"Thanks, Alec. Good night," feeling like she needed to thank him for worrying, she kissed him good night, a small peck on the lips.
He was surprised, and glimpsing a look that quickly passed over his face as her lips touched his, Serena wondered if he had been telling the truth.
"Good night," he said to her, switching off the lights.
~~
She awoke at the sound of the door opening. For a moment, she was dazed, and where she was she didn't know.
"Go back to bed, sweet." Who...? She didn't bother to open her eyes...she knew well who it was. But for a moment, her mind had almost told her that finally, she was awake and sitting beside her would be...Darien. But reality struck her, she wasn't dreaming, this was her life. And Alec was kneeling on the floor, whispering her back to sleep. When had he ever done that? Never, and she felt like crying. He was finally going to change, for her. She hoped, with all her might, he was changed. She smiled and felt his lips on her forehead.
"I love you, Serena." Were the last words he said to her as he came out of the bedroom, leaving for work. Serena took a deep breath. He loves me, she told herself. And finally, her heart told her the truth. For the year they have been together. For the times she saw him angry, happy, sad...somehow, she had fallen in love with him. Even if that love wasn't as deep as her love for another man, she still loved him. And perhaps, she would now be happy with her life, or maybe even just satisfied and content.
End Chapter 1
