Chapter Three

Rei grabbed Serena roughly by the arm and hauled her outside.
"Why were you staring at him that way? Serena, don't even think about it. He is taken, and anyway, he is way too sophisticated for you." Rei yelled angrily.
Serena winced and shrunk back against the wall. As if she was even planning to steal him. Just because she had felt the connection, didn't mean that he had. In fact, Darien had looked quite cool and detached when he had kissed Trista.
"Let's go home. I'm tired." Serena said timidly. Rei nodded, satisfied that Serena had succumbed to her warnings. They headed back inside to collect their shawls and jackets.
Serena had just taken her shawl off the hook when she felt someone grab her hand and pull her into an empty room.
The light snapped on, and she was facing him.
"Sorry to startle you, my dear, but I simply had to see you again." His deep, melodic voice said softly. Suddenly he realised something quite important.
"We haven't even exchanged names!" He exclaimed, not knowing that she was already well aware of his name. A grin formed slowly on his face, making his already sensual mouth look even more appealing.
"Serena Tsukino." She replied shyly.
"And my name is Darien Shields." There he was again, staring at her. But now, instead of only interest, Serena also spotted lust and appreciation in his deep, sexy eyes.
"By the way, I saw the look Trista had given you. You really mustn't mind her, Serena. Although she may appear confident on the surface, she is really very insecure. I find it quite annoying, to tell you the truth." Darien chuckled softly.
Serena, although enjoying his pleasant conversation, was suddenly aware at how close he had gotten. She was now in quite a vulnerable position, her back pressed against the wall, her arms pinned to her sides. Darien also seemed to notice her awkward pose.
"But you, I'm sure, are not a clingy, irritating type of girl, Miss Tsukino. You're far too beautiful to be insecure. Especially with men." His eyes roamed over her perfect figure, drinking her in.
Then, as light as a breeze, he pressed his lips to hers. Serena's eyes widened with shock, but after a moment they closed again with contentment. She responded gently. As soon as he realized that she had reciprocated, Darien deepened the kiss, gently flicking his tongue over her lips. One of his hands found its way to her breast, while the other one massaged her backside. She could feel him harden against her.
Suddenly Serena's eyes snapped open, and she pushed him away forcefully. He looked up, surprised, and took a step forward to continue, when Serena finally spoke up.
"Darien, Mr. Shield, whatever, this is totally wrong. You're engaged, for God's sake! And, well, I'm not someone that's up to your standards n relationships. So, we should just forget about this." She mumbled. Darien only smiled wickedly.
"So, you're a virgin, Miss Tsukino? This should be interesting." Serena coloured brilliantly. She wasn't used to feeling this way. No man had ever turned her on like Darien could, and she'd only known him for four whole days.
"I...I gotta go." She grabbed her purse and shawl and shoved past him. Unfortunately, he was too quick, and grabbed her elbow, pulling her against his hard body.
"I'm not going to let you go until you agree to meet me again." He said coolly.
Serena was fully aware of how provocative their pose was now. His leg thrown across her own, holding her down. His arms around her waist and back.
"OK, OK! Where?" She asked nervously, glancing behind her. Rei was surely enraged by now. All she wanted to do now was get away and think.
"How about at the Whispy Cafe? They have great coffee there, and offer lots of privacy. Do you know where it is?" He wriggled his eyebrows suggestively. Once again, Serena turned scarlet.
"Sure! Meet you there at six. Bye!" He finally released her. She flew down the hall, praying Rei wouldn't ask too many questions, as Serena was not a good liar.
She saw the girl leaning against her car, impatiently smoking a cigarette. As soon as she spotted Serena, her eyes flashed with anger, and in five quick strokes she was beside the cowering blonde.
"Were the hell have you been? I don't have all night! You've been gone for a fucking hour!" She yelled, pointing an accusing finger at poor Serena. All of a sudden, Serena straightened her pose and the look of sheer terror disappeared from her lovely face. How dare Rei talk to her like this? She was only a friend, not her fucking mother.
"Don't yell at me like I'm a little child! I can take care of myself you know. How would you like to have someone constantly on your case, bitching that you're too slow or too stupid or too something! Just leave me alone!" Serena cried, enraged.
Rei stared, dumfounded. She had never seen her friend this angry. Sure, Serena was always chucking fits, but it was mostly whining and complaining. This time, though, she seemed truly upset. Maybe she should back off.
Actually, why should I? I give her a free ride, take care of her, and this is how the cow repays me? We'll see about this.
"If you feel this way, then go find yourself another ride. I don't want you in my car. In fact, I don't want you anywhere near me." And with that, feisty Rei got into her car and pulled out, the tires squealing. Serena glared after the offending car defiantly, determined not to panic. There were lots of people who would gladly give her a lift.

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"Lita! Ami! Mina!" Serena called, frantically trying to locate her friends. Suddenly she spotted Lita's shiny, brown ponytail bobbing above the sea of unfamiliar heads. She ran toward the tall girl, hoping that Lita wouldn't leave without her.
Finally she caught up, and grabbed Lita's shoulder. The girl turned around, taken aback, but when her eyes settled on Serena's flustered face, her expression changed from mild annoyance to caring.
"What's wrong Serena? Why aren't you with Rei?" She asked her trembling companion. Serena, after momentarily growing a back bone, had turned back into her agreeable, tired self.
"We had a fight. Can you please take me home, Lita?" she asked desperately. Lita nodded wordlessly, and took Serena's arm. They got into her green Holden, and slowly pulled away from the curb.
After a few moments of silence, Lita spoke up.
"So what happened?" She asked softly, yet without pressure, so as to not scare Serena. Serena smiled wryly.
"Let's just say I finally answered Rei back, and she didn't like it." She looked at the side mirror and fixed her dishevelled hair.
Lita looked at her, sure there was more to it than that, but wisely said nothing more. For the rest of the way, they rode in silence. Finally, Lita pulled up in front of Serena's shabby apartment block, eyeing it with disgust.
"Are you sure you don't want to come and live with me? Mum would love to have another person around the house." Lita asked Serena pleadingly, scared for her safety. Out of the corner of her eyes she spotted some suspicious looking people, sharing and exchanging some stuff. Most likely drugs.
Serena shook her head stubbornly.
"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Thanks for the ride." She got out of the car quickly, and hurried across to the entry. Lita made a move as if to follow her, but decided against it. She didn't want to hurt Serena's feelings by following her and showing that she thought Serena was incapable of looking after herself. Instead, Lita reversed out of the parking lot and drove back to her own house, bothered by her conscience.

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Serena woke up to the sunlight shining on her face, warming it and making her feel alive. She got up, stretched, and looked out the window. The sky was a beautiful baby blue, the snow covered side walks glistening. The world looked enchanting, and she felt ready to face anything.
Serena stepped into the hot shower, scrubbing her body carefully with wonderfully scented soap. She was feeling excited about her date with Darien later that day, glad she had agreed to meet him. The promise of romance and fun overruled the guilt she was feeling over secretly meeting a taken guy.
Back in her room, Serena chose her clothes carefully, knowing that she wouldn't have time to change before their meeting. Luckily, her shift today was short, so she wouldn't have to rush to the café.
She wore a black mini skirt with thick, black tights, topped with a pretty pink cashmere sweater and a leather coat. Before she had moved out, Serena had packed some of her finest clothes in case the occasion arose for her to wear them. This outfit made her appear sophisticated yet cute. Darien would surely be impressed.
Suddenly, she caught sight of the time, grabbed her keys and rushed out. She was already fifteen minutes late! This is precisely what happened when one decided to pamper herself and forget her responsibilities.
Oh please, don't let Mr. Grey be there, please please please. Serena prayed as she ran to the bus stop across the road. Just as she had anticipated, the next bus was due in half an hour, which would make her a whole hour late.
Stupid, stupid, stupid. Serena hit her head on the side wall, ignoring the pain shooting through her skull. This meant she would have to stay behind an hour to make up for the lost time. Fuck, she was such and idiot!
Serena sighed tiredly, and plopped down dejectedly on the seat. It looked like she wasn't going to meet Darien today after all.

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"Serena, you're totally late!" Molly hissed.
"I know, I'm really sorry. I missed my bus." Serena mumbled apologetically, hurrying to get behind the counter.
Suddenly, her worst nightmare appeared in the doorway of the storeroom. Her boss, Mr. Gray, glared at her angrily.
"Young lady, how dare you be so tardy! A whole hour, no less. Oh, I'm going to dock your pay for this, you mark my words. As for your other punishment, you'll have to stay here until ten tonight, for free. Unless you want to lose your job, that is." He said cruelly. Serena stared at him unflinchingly, not surprised at his reaction. She had already known what was coming, and prepared herself on the way to work. Darien would just have to understand.