A/N Flame me if you wish, I don't care. If you don't like it, don't read it. For the rest of you please enjoy the show...
"Hey Rei!" Usagi waved her hand in the air as she stood across the street from Rei's apartment.
Rei inwardly groaned and rolled her eyes. This was definitely not what she needed on a Sunday morning. Lady luck wasn't shining on her today. Well, come to think of it, it never did. Life was just one big tragedy after another.
By the time Usagi made it across the busy street, Rei felt a migraine coming on. Rei began to walk down the street and Usagi followed her. And if Rei even thought that she would stay quiet this morning she was wrong. Usagi opened her mouth and started talking about the events of last night and about the dark and handsome man.
Rei winced as the noise level started to get louder as they entered a cafe. Rei took her usual seat by the window and Usagi took a seat across from her.
Rei glared at Usagi's mouth as it ran on and on, it was not good to have her near you when you're recovering from a hangover. It wasn't that Rei hated Usagi, quite the opposite. Rei was very fond of her. They were best friends and even sister at tines. But like all sisters they have their arguments at times. And this was one of them.
"Could keep your mouth from running amuck" Rei hissed dangerously at her friend. Usagi took one glance and ignored it and went right on talking. She found it very amusing to annoy Rei when she had the advantage.
"He was so dreamy..." Rei threw a disgusted look at Usagi when hearts appeared in her eyes.
"Please, I don't want to vomit again this morning" Rei retorted with a grimace. Usagi finally stopped and took a good look at Rei.
"You had a little too much to drink last night didn't you?" Usagi guessed.
"Yeah, and I swear that'll be the last time" Rei moaned as more people came in through the door which set off the merrily jangling of the bells.
"I'll go order some hot tea, maybe that might help" Usagi patted Rei's shoulder as got up and left to buy some tea at the front counter.
When she came back Rei was staring out onto the busy streets on the other side of the glass window. Usagi set the drinks down and looked at Rei.
"Are you okay?" She asked quietly.
"How can they stand it?" Rei asked, never once taking her eyes away from the people outside.
"How can they do what?" Usagi asked.
"How can they be so happy and...carefree. As if nothing...hurts them..." Rei sighed heavily.
"Because they're lucky enough" Usagi held Rei's hand and comforted her.
No words were needed. They understood each other more than they think they do. They had a bond; always they're for each other no matter the consequences and result. Just for Usagi to be present made Rei a bit better. It hadn't completely lift the burden off her shoulders, but it lessened.
For a few quiet moments all that was heard was the two sipping their hot tea. Than nothing at all.
Usagi looked around and leaned forward. Then in a quiet whisper, "I know this is your first con. It might feel cruel and diabolically unjust-"
"I don't think that" Rei gazed calmly into her cup of tea.
"If you don't want to con him then don't" Usagi smiled. Rei grinned. She knew that she'd always have Usagi to back her up.
"It's just that I'm worried about what might happen to us"
"Nothing will happen; we're a group...no! We're family. And family stick together and help each other. I won't let anything happen to anyone of you. And I know you and everyone else would do the same" Usagi set down her tea and checked her watch.
"Going somewhere?" Rei asked.
"Actually yes. I'm supposed to meet John soon. But if you need me-"
"No, go ahead. I know how important of a swindle he is. Don't lose it because of my hangover" Rei reassured her.
"Okay then, bye" Usagi waved as she left and hailed a taxicab over and rove off into the traffic.
Rei sighed as she finished the remains of her now cold tea. Life just wasn't getting any easier. Just when she was prepared to leave a man sat down across from her. Rei looked up and froze. It was her father.
"What do you want?" She spat at him.
"We need to talk. Let's go to the park" his steely tone almost made her wince.
"I'm not going anywhere with-"
"Do you want me to tell everyone what you and your friends do for a living then?" He threatened.
Rei's eyes widened as she made sense of what he said. It hit her like a high-speed train. In truth, she felt like wreckage. Her tongue wasn't obeying her brain and wouldn't speak. All she could do was nod like a fool.
They walked around in the cold park breathing out white mists of smoke. They've been walking for quite a bit and still not two words were exchanged yet. Rei was quickly losing her patience while he simply played the role of the arrogant self-centered father.
"How do you know?" She asked quickly when her patience ran out on her.
"It was easy to see. The looks in your eyes, your friend's eyes. They way you act and spoke to men. But over all it was the conversation with Usagi that I happened to over hear" He grinned as she stopped and looked at him in total and utter disgust.
"You spied on me!"
"Hush darling you'll attract attention" he growled at her.
"What exactly is it that you want?" Rei's eyes narrowed on him.
"All I want is for you to simply marry Frederic" he explained.
Steam began to rise out of her ears as those words flew out of his mouth. How dare he think she would marry that lowlife spawn of satin.
"Why won't you give up!" She shouted in disbelief.
"I was, but now I got something that will make you marry him" He smiled at his success.
"By all means tell me" she snarled at him.
"It was a mere coincidence that I happened to be sitting behind you at the cafe and heard it all. I can't believe my luck at finding such information" He almost jumped with giddiness.
"Stop frightening me with your silly smiles and tell me already. I'm planning on being somewhere soon. And far away from you" she glared at him but he took no notice in the tone or her expression.
"Fine" he replied back equally as harsh. He grabbed Rei's arm in a vice like grip and pulled her to a quieter spot to talk.
"Rei this is my offer, it's plain and simple. You will marry Frederic or I will talk to the police about you and your friends" he whispered in a quiet menacing voice.
"Why do you want me to marry him so badly?"
Rei was at her point in frustration and wanted to cry, but for now she had to hold it in. It took her entire will power to keep it from showing. Life just didn't like Rei, did it?
"I thought you'd know by now" he scoffed at her ignorance. "Frederic happens to be the richest boy I know. His father is my best friend. And his wealth will keep me satisfied in my old age" he explained fully.
"So all this is to benefit you!" All her frustration vanished as she stared back at him.
"You'll benefit as well my dear. He's very handsome and will give you plenty of sons" he assured her with a pat on the arm. Rei flinched away from his touch.
"I don't want sons" were all she managed to choke out from her anger, which was taking over her entire being. This was the very reason she detests men. Everything was only to his or her own benefits never anyone else's.
"You'll be happy with the money so stop complaining, child" he began t grow annoyed of her.
"Is that all you care about? The money?" Rei could not even look at her father anymore. He was too disgusting to bear.
"That and some grandchildren, preferably grandsons, would be pleasant" he smiled at her. Rei caught the smile at the corner of her eyes.
"Go to hell!" Before she could stomp away he caught her arm again and swung her back.
"You will not speak to your father like that!" He yelled.
"I have no father and I will speak to you whatever way I like!" She spat back at him equally enraged.
"You will marry him or risk losing your friends as well as your own freedom" Rei calmed down and examined her current situation.
Everything she held dear to her was in the palms of this man who she could barely call a father. Like Usagi had said before "Family stick together and help each other out. I won't let anything happen to anyone of you. And I know you and everyone else would do the same" It tore Rei apart to recall those words. Because now she knew what she must do.
"I hate you" she whispered as the tears rolled down her cheeks.
"You'll thank me someday" he began to button his coat and straighten out hat.
"I don't see how" Rei whispered as more tears emerged.
"Don't cry it makes your eyes red and swollen" he shook his head at the sight of her.
"Isn't there someway I can do something else?" She asked as she turned her back to him. Then it hit her like lightning. She turned around in a second and walked up to him. Her eyes were wide with hope.
"What is it?" He asked reluctantly.
"Why can't I just con a guy? I can get just as much"
"But it isn't certain"
"I have a man who's worth millions right now. He wants to marry me" Rei told him hopefully.
"How much?" Rei's heart flooded with joy when he considered it.
"Two million in a divorce" she said hopefully.
"Frederic has twice as much even in a simple palimony"
"I can always find other men"
"Like Usagi said you're a beginner there's no guarantee" he said pointedly.
Rei's blood boiled when he practically told her she was incompetent at doing a simple thing as a con. She wanted to prove him wrong.
"How about a little bet?" She suggested.
"A bet? What do you take me for a fool?" Rei fought the urge to shout out "Yes!"
"Are you afraid of a challenge then?"
"Of course not!"
If there was one thing this father and daughter had in common was their pride.
"Then are you in?" She raised her eyebrow at him as if she thought he was a coward.
"Fine, what are the terms?" He asked huskily as the cold began to nip at him.
"I'll marry Frederic if and only if I cannot find someone who is worth more then him. I'll seduce and con him. If I can't manage that, then I'll be more than happy to marry that demon Frederic" she smiled bitterly at her last sentence.
"Fine but under one condition"
"And that is?"
"It is to be done in three months time. And I want triple the amount Frederic is worth" he said greedily as he rubbed his hands together and grinned.
"I want all the money you get from him" he added.
"Fine! It's not like I care for how much a man loses. I hate them all" she grunted as she stormed off.
*Next week*
"...so that is what I must succeed at or marry that devil" Rei kept her tears in check while she was at Mina's apartment when she told the rest of the girls the story.
Usagi had ran off to the bathroom crying when she found out. For some reason she blamed herself for all this. If she had not bothered Rei at all this would never happened.
Ami was currently at the door trying to get Usagi to come out. Eventually she did, but couldn't bare to look at anyone in the eyes. Rei walked over and hugged her tightly.
"Remember, we're family, we stick together and help each other out no matter what. I'm helping you guys by doing this. If you want to help me, then help me look for a guy who's worth more than six million in a divorce" Rei sighed.
It was stupid and childish of her to agree so quickly. It would be nearly impossible to find a man who is willing to give six million in a simple divorce case. But it had to be done for her friends sake, as well as her own.
"I know a way" Makoto piped up. Everyone turned to looked at her. Usagi and Rei finally took a seat on the couch and gave their attention to Makoto.
"New years eve is coming up. We could throw a party at my cousins mansion. I know she wouldn't mind since practically all her spending money comes from me. Her husband keeps her on a tight lease. But the mansion is hers not his and she'll surely allow me to throw a party"
"And I can ask Judith for names of some men she had at her party" Ami pulled out her cell phone.
"I can do a little searching around the city and Usagi can help me" Mina suggested.
Rei smiled at her friends and sighed. They were truly the best friends she ever had. All four were more than willing to help her out. At least there were some things in this world that made life easier for her to bear.
"Thanks you guys, I'd be lost without you" Rei smiled as the tears finally let out. Usagi held her and couldn't help but cry too.
"You bet you'd be lost" Usagi smiled. Rei chuckled and pulled away and began to think of a way to break up with Michael. It wasn't going to be the easiest thing to do since it was her first con after all.
Rei sighed and picked up her cell phone and dialed Michael's number.
"Hi, Michael. It's me..."
