Chapter Two
Serena Tsukino looked around her ugly room, trying not to let its blandness depress her. She had always been used to the finest in life; her own bathroom, walk in wardrobe, pool, gym, an unlimited credit card etc. But ever since that dreadful night when she'd gotten kicked out of her house for something she hadn't done, Serena had to consider herself lucky if she was able to bathe in warm water. Being only seventeen, she couldn't even claim her inheritance left by her dead grandmother, who had made it startlingly clear that Serena wasn't allowed to claim it until she turned eighteen. Now she had to work like a dog all day and sometimes well into the night.
Serena sighed, trying not to think of the day ahead. Ten hours of dull, monotonous work. She had recently dropped out of school, not by choice; simply because she had to. To her, getting an education was something only the wealthy could afford to indulge in.
As she prepared her breakfast, the phone rang. Serena walked slowly towards it, exasperated. She didn't need phone calls at six thirty in the morning on top of everything else.
"What?" she snapped, irritated.
"Good morning to you too, meatball brain." Rei's voice responded cattily.
"Alright Rei, what do you want? I don't need this shit from you right now." Serena balanced the phone between her head and shoulder and started eating the long desired toast with honey.
"Anyway, I just called to tell you that you're invited to my cousin Trista's engagement party. Tonight. And since you don't have any classy clothes, you can come after work to borrow some of mine." Rei said.
"Not thanks, Rei, I don't take charity. Plus, I really cannot be bothered attending the party. I'd just get home late, and then be totally dead tomorrow morning. I work now, remember?" Serena answered tiredly.
"You know very well that you don't have to work and drop school. You have two options; apologize to your parents, or come and live with one of us."
"I said it once, and I'll say it again. I don't take charity."
"Oh, you and your damn pride! Fuck, you annoy me. However, you are coming to the party tonight, and you'll have a blast. Understood?" Rei commanded, thoroughly exhausted with Serena's non- sense.
"Fine, whatever." Serena muttered in defeat. She just didn't have the strength to argue with Rei right now.
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"Come on, move it." Rei dragged Serena away from the shop and into the bus waiting across the street.
"Ow Rei, do you have to be so rough?" Serena complained. She was in a bad mood, as work had not gone well that day.
In the morning, a suspicious looking individual entered the store, his sneaky little eyes sliding over the displays. Suddenly, he had lunged at a stack of expensive wallets, grabbing about four, and ran out of the store at lighting speed. By the time Serena had gotten out from behind the counter, he had already run three blocks. Now Serena would have to tell her boss about this highly unfortunate incident, and he would probably punish her by forcing Serena to compensate for the loss with her own money.
"Serena, you better be in a better mood by the time we get to the party, or else I'll fucking kill you." Rei muttered warningly.
Serena sighed resignedly. Once again, she thought she had better do what Rei said, or else she'd never get any peace.
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"Wow, you look stunning!" Rei exclaimed admiringly, for once forgetting to hide her true feelings behind the cool façade.
Serena blushed, not used to receiving such high praise from her critical friend. She was gowned in a wonderful, satin blue dress, the colour accentuating her eyes magnificently, making them appear like two, limpid pools of aqua. Her tanned arms created a nice contrast to the pale material.
"Someone is going to fall in love with you tonight. I can feel it." Rei smiled gently. She also looked gorgeous, clad in a slinky red dress that showed off her slim figure to perfection.
Suddenly, Rei snapped out of her reverie and spoke with her characteristic briskness.
"Hurry up, meatballs. I'll kill you if we're late! My cousin is very precise, and she expects everyone to be on time."
Serena sighed, sorry that the spell was broken. Really, why couldn't Rei be more like Ami? Placid and gentle towards everyone. Oh well, some things never change.
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The two girls entered the beautiful building, complete with its own pool and bar for 'refreshments'. The decorations were simple yet stylish, creating a sophisticated atmosphere.
The room was filled with impressive guests, talking quietly and sipping expensive wine. But for all its beauty and class, the room felt cold and impersonal, the extravagant decorations displayed mainly for show.
Serena and Rei were soon joined by Lita, Ami and Mina.
"Isn't this a fantastic party? Look at all the hot guys! I mean, they're everywhere!" Mina sighed with contentment. She had already managed to get off with one hunk, but he had mysteriously disappeared after she asked him to bring her a drink. Oh well, there were many more to enjoy, and the night was still young. Suddenly a tall, slender woman approached the clique. The cool exterior and confident walk reminded Serena of a stately queen, ready to be crowned. "Hello, Rei darling. How are you? I haven't seen you for centuries! We simply must catch up one of these days. And who are these lovely young ladies?" Trista Mayo, Rei's cousin, asked serenely. "These are the friends I told you I'll be inviting. This is Ami, Lita, Mina and Serena." Rei pointed them out one by one. After a few more minutes of idle chit- chat, Trista declared she had to get going. After all, she was the bride to be, and had to keep all of her guests properly entertained. Serena was utterly bored. This party was completely uneventful, and all of the men present were snobs. She was just about to propose leaving when a familiar frame caught her eye. No, it couldn't be. Suddenly, the man turned around, giving Serena a perfect look at his handsome face. Darien Shields! What was he doing here? "Rei, who is that man?" Serena asked urgently. "Why, that's Trista's fiancé! I see he's finally appeared. About time." Rei responded dryly. Just then, Darien caught Serena's eye. They stared at each other, hypnotised, and suddenly Darien was making his way over to her. Serena's heart fluttered and she felt a faint blush stain her cheeks. "I do believe we've met." He asked quietly, looking down at her. "Um.. I was the assistant at the store a few nights ago." She answered. Recognition flashed through Darien's eyes. "Oh! You were the one with the blood nose, am I correct?" He asked quickly, a grin appearing on his finely chiselled face. Serena blushed and looked away. Was he ever going to forget this? "Anyhow, let's not talk of the past anymore. Instead, may I interest you in a dance?" He asked courteously, extending his hand. Serena took it gingerly, not sure if she was doing the right thing. All of a sudden, Darien's hand was ripped out of her own, and a cool voice coated in sugary, false sweetness hissed. "Darien, sweetheart, why didn't you come and find me? I've been waiting for a while now." Trista's hand snaked around Darien's waist possessively, her eyes shooting ice at Serena. "Sorry, Tris." He kissed her cheek, and the ice queen melted. Some of the warmth (however fake) returned to her eyes, and she moved away, dragging Darien with her. He looked apologetically at Serena, and followed his fiancé. "Serena, what's wrong? You look heartbroken." Lita asked the smaller girl tenderly. Serena immediately wiped the look off her face, but not before Rei saw it. She scrutinized Serena carefully. Her head swivelled between Darien and Serena, understanding dawning on her lovely face. She shot Serena a look as if to say don't you dare sabotage my cousin's relationship, or I'll kill you. Serena looked away nervously, then groaned. She was so stupid! How could she fall for a man, especially a man so much older and more experienced than her, who on top of it all, was engaged to one of her best friend's cousin?
Serena Tsukino looked around her ugly room, trying not to let its blandness depress her. She had always been used to the finest in life; her own bathroom, walk in wardrobe, pool, gym, an unlimited credit card etc. But ever since that dreadful night when she'd gotten kicked out of her house for something she hadn't done, Serena had to consider herself lucky if she was able to bathe in warm water. Being only seventeen, she couldn't even claim her inheritance left by her dead grandmother, who had made it startlingly clear that Serena wasn't allowed to claim it until she turned eighteen. Now she had to work like a dog all day and sometimes well into the night.
Serena sighed, trying not to think of the day ahead. Ten hours of dull, monotonous work. She had recently dropped out of school, not by choice; simply because she had to. To her, getting an education was something only the wealthy could afford to indulge in.
As she prepared her breakfast, the phone rang. Serena walked slowly towards it, exasperated. She didn't need phone calls at six thirty in the morning on top of everything else.
"What?" she snapped, irritated.
"Good morning to you too, meatball brain." Rei's voice responded cattily.
"Alright Rei, what do you want? I don't need this shit from you right now." Serena balanced the phone between her head and shoulder and started eating the long desired toast with honey.
"Anyway, I just called to tell you that you're invited to my cousin Trista's engagement party. Tonight. And since you don't have any classy clothes, you can come after work to borrow some of mine." Rei said.
"Not thanks, Rei, I don't take charity. Plus, I really cannot be bothered attending the party. I'd just get home late, and then be totally dead tomorrow morning. I work now, remember?" Serena answered tiredly.
"You know very well that you don't have to work and drop school. You have two options; apologize to your parents, or come and live with one of us."
"I said it once, and I'll say it again. I don't take charity."
"Oh, you and your damn pride! Fuck, you annoy me. However, you are coming to the party tonight, and you'll have a blast. Understood?" Rei commanded, thoroughly exhausted with Serena's non- sense.
"Fine, whatever." Serena muttered in defeat. She just didn't have the strength to argue with Rei right now.
-----------------------------------------
"Come on, move it." Rei dragged Serena away from the shop and into the bus waiting across the street.
"Ow Rei, do you have to be so rough?" Serena complained. She was in a bad mood, as work had not gone well that day.
In the morning, a suspicious looking individual entered the store, his sneaky little eyes sliding over the displays. Suddenly, he had lunged at a stack of expensive wallets, grabbing about four, and ran out of the store at lighting speed. By the time Serena had gotten out from behind the counter, he had already run three blocks. Now Serena would have to tell her boss about this highly unfortunate incident, and he would probably punish her by forcing Serena to compensate for the loss with her own money.
"Serena, you better be in a better mood by the time we get to the party, or else I'll fucking kill you." Rei muttered warningly.
Serena sighed resignedly. Once again, she thought she had better do what Rei said, or else she'd never get any peace.
--------------------------------------------
"Wow, you look stunning!" Rei exclaimed admiringly, for once forgetting to hide her true feelings behind the cool façade.
Serena blushed, not used to receiving such high praise from her critical friend. She was gowned in a wonderful, satin blue dress, the colour accentuating her eyes magnificently, making them appear like two, limpid pools of aqua. Her tanned arms created a nice contrast to the pale material.
"Someone is going to fall in love with you tonight. I can feel it." Rei smiled gently. She also looked gorgeous, clad in a slinky red dress that showed off her slim figure to perfection.
Suddenly, Rei snapped out of her reverie and spoke with her characteristic briskness.
"Hurry up, meatballs. I'll kill you if we're late! My cousin is very precise, and she expects everyone to be on time."
Serena sighed, sorry that the spell was broken. Really, why couldn't Rei be more like Ami? Placid and gentle towards everyone. Oh well, some things never change.
--------------------------------------------
The two girls entered the beautiful building, complete with its own pool and bar for 'refreshments'. The decorations were simple yet stylish, creating a sophisticated atmosphere.
The room was filled with impressive guests, talking quietly and sipping expensive wine. But for all its beauty and class, the room felt cold and impersonal, the extravagant decorations displayed mainly for show.
Serena and Rei were soon joined by Lita, Ami and Mina.
"Isn't this a fantastic party? Look at all the hot guys! I mean, they're everywhere!" Mina sighed with contentment. She had already managed to get off with one hunk, but he had mysteriously disappeared after she asked him to bring her a drink. Oh well, there were many more to enjoy, and the night was still young. Suddenly a tall, slender woman approached the clique. The cool exterior and confident walk reminded Serena of a stately queen, ready to be crowned. "Hello, Rei darling. How are you? I haven't seen you for centuries! We simply must catch up one of these days. And who are these lovely young ladies?" Trista Mayo, Rei's cousin, asked serenely. "These are the friends I told you I'll be inviting. This is Ami, Lita, Mina and Serena." Rei pointed them out one by one. After a few more minutes of idle chit- chat, Trista declared she had to get going. After all, she was the bride to be, and had to keep all of her guests properly entertained. Serena was utterly bored. This party was completely uneventful, and all of the men present were snobs. She was just about to propose leaving when a familiar frame caught her eye. No, it couldn't be. Suddenly, the man turned around, giving Serena a perfect look at his handsome face. Darien Shields! What was he doing here? "Rei, who is that man?" Serena asked urgently. "Why, that's Trista's fiancé! I see he's finally appeared. About time." Rei responded dryly. Just then, Darien caught Serena's eye. They stared at each other, hypnotised, and suddenly Darien was making his way over to her. Serena's heart fluttered and she felt a faint blush stain her cheeks. "I do believe we've met." He asked quietly, looking down at her. "Um.. I was the assistant at the store a few nights ago." She answered. Recognition flashed through Darien's eyes. "Oh! You were the one with the blood nose, am I correct?" He asked quickly, a grin appearing on his finely chiselled face. Serena blushed and looked away. Was he ever going to forget this? "Anyhow, let's not talk of the past anymore. Instead, may I interest you in a dance?" He asked courteously, extending his hand. Serena took it gingerly, not sure if she was doing the right thing. All of a sudden, Darien's hand was ripped out of her own, and a cool voice coated in sugary, false sweetness hissed. "Darien, sweetheart, why didn't you come and find me? I've been waiting for a while now." Trista's hand snaked around Darien's waist possessively, her eyes shooting ice at Serena. "Sorry, Tris." He kissed her cheek, and the ice queen melted. Some of the warmth (however fake) returned to her eyes, and she moved away, dragging Darien with her. He looked apologetically at Serena, and followed his fiancé. "Serena, what's wrong? You look heartbroken." Lita asked the smaller girl tenderly. Serena immediately wiped the look off her face, but not before Rei saw it. She scrutinized Serena carefully. Her head swivelled between Darien and Serena, understanding dawning on her lovely face. She shot Serena a look as if to say don't you dare sabotage my cousin's relationship, or I'll kill you. Serena looked away nervously, then groaned. She was so stupid! How could she fall for a man, especially a man so much older and more experienced than her, who on top of it all, was engaged to one of her best friend's cousin?
