Chapter Four

Darien drummed his fingers on the silky table cloth impatiently, all the while keeping a close watch on the front door. Not even a sign of a beautiful blonde. He sighed angrily, checking his watch for the 20th time. She was late a whole entire hour! He knew he should have picked her up instead of allowing her to get to the place by herself.
He couldn't stand it any longer. He got up abruptly, causing his chair to squeak eerily on the polished tiles, and stormed out of the elegant café.
Darien signalled angrily to the limousine parked across the street, and it approached him immediately. Not even waiting for his chauffeur to open the door for him, Darien got in, slamming the door behind him vehemently. How DARE she stand him up? Didn't she know who he WAS?
His fury building, Darien commanded the driver to take him to 109 Bursweek Street. As the street came into sight, he let out a frustrated breath, running a well manicured hand through his silky hair. Man, no woman had ever made him feel this way. Why was she different? Sure, she was gorgeous, but so was Trista and many other women he had dated. No, it was something about the aura that surrounded her. She was encompassed in a blanket of innocence and sweetness, not a deceitful bone in her body. He remembered the way it felt to kiss her, touch her, and his anger started to deflate. He would have to watch what he did around her. Darien didn't want to lose such a valuable treasure over his temper.

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Serena glanced outside, her horrible mood clouding her vision and making the day outside appear gloomy and dark. She sighed, flipping her hair over her shoulder impatiently. Today it was even more monotonous than usual, without a single customer entering the store. Really, what did old Gray live off? This store was out of the way and completely useless, filled with junk no one sane would ever consider useful.
Darien did though, a thought answered tauntingly. Serena slapped her head, trying to stop thinking about him. All day her thoughts have been only on Darien, and now she felt emotionally drained.
Suddenly, the door swung open roughly, causing the wind from outside to scatter several papers around the store. She rushed to gather them, not looking at the inconsiderate customer, lest she lost her cool. She didn't want to get fired on top of everything else.
"Seeing as you won't look at me, I have to make the first move." A deep, sensual voice said, amused.
Serena gasped, and looked up at the man.
"D.Darien." She stuttered, colour rising to her cheeks. Here she had been trying to avoid thinking about him, and suddenly the object of her daydreams appeared right in front of her face.
"Why didn't you meet me? I don't appreciate being stood up." His light tone had changed to a darker, angrier one, his eyes hardening. Darien was not a man to be made a fool of.
"I'm sorry. I came late to work today, and my boss threatened to fire me if I did not stay late to 'compensate' for my tardiness." She answered slowly.
Darien stood looking down at her. She saw various emotions flickering through his eyes: disbelief, anger, understanding, belief and then desire. Serena sighed with relief, for she knew she was going to be forgiven.
"Come with me now." He replied huskily, taking her hand in his own. Serena sucked in her breath as the electric shock went through her. The atmosphere was charged with sexual tension, and she didn't want to be the first one to pull away.
All of a sudden she came back to her senses.
"I can't. I have to stay another four hours." She choked out, excruciatingly disappointed.
"Where is this boss of yours? I want to speak to him." Darien answered softly. Serena wasn't fooled; she could see that he was furious inside. But as much as she wanted to go out with him, she needed the money. And Darien 'talking' to her boss would most certainly deprive her of that necessity.
"Um, he's not here. He had to go home." As soon as the words came out of her mouth, the ugly, shiny of Mr. Gray appeared in the doorway of the storeroom.
"Ms. Tsukino! What are you doing, chatting with your friends? I am not paying you to stand around spreading mindless gossip! How dare you.." He drifted off as soon as he saw exactly who Serena was conversing with.
"Mr. Shields! What a delightful surprise. Please, come in, come in. Would you like some coffee, tea?" The old tyrant asked excitedly.
"No, thank you. Nevertheless, I am glad you're here, for I wish to speak with you. Why must Serena receive such a harsh punishment for a mere mistake? I understand her services were not exactly needed this morning anyhow." Darien asked lightly, with a hint of a challenge in his voice. His eyes roamed the small store contemptuously.
Mr. Gray twisted his fingers nervously. Serna could see his mind was of two opinions. The fist being to continue keeping her in unnecessarily, and the other one to give in and let her go out on her date. Finally, he made up his mind, speaking like a reluctant parent.
"Alright, you may go Serena, but make sure that you are not late tomorrow. Is that clear?"
"Yes sir, crystal." She wanted to whoop for joy right then and there, yet she restrained herself. Who knew what Mr. Gray would do when he saw her so delighted? The old coot walled in misery, and liked to see everyone else equally miserable. He would probably fire her.
"Hang on Darien; I'll just grab my coat." Serena rushed to the storeroom, grabbing the leather coat off the hood quickly, then bolting back towards the front of the store.
Darien opened the door courteously.
"After you, Ms. Tsukino." He waved his hand in the direction of his limousine, and Serena's heart soared. What a wonderful day this had turned out to be!

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"So, Darien, who are you? I have never seen Mr. Gray so gracious before." Serena asked him suspiciously. Now that she had calmed down, she was curious to know how Darien managed to get her out of such a sticky situation. "Oh, let's just say Mr. Gray and I go back a long way." Darien answered lazily, stretching out comfortably on the plush leather seats inside the limo. He stared at Serena intensely, studying every aspect of her lovely face. She blushed under his concentrated gaze, shifting her eyes towards the window. "So where exactly are we going?" She asked, deciding to change the topic and distract him from staring at her. "Since you did not show up at the café, there is only one other alternative. My home. I'm sure you will find it quite pleasing." He smiled seductively, running a hand up her thigh. Serena shifted uncomfortably, aware that the atmosphere was once again charged with sexual tension, yet this time ten times stronger. "Darien, if you don't mind my asking, what about Trista? Aren't you supposed to be engaged to her?" She asked tentatively. He only smiled. "Yes, that's a fair question. Well, you see, Trista and I have known each other for all our lives. Before we were even old enough to talk, our parents paired us off, agreeing that we would some day be married. My father even went as far as saying he would write me out of his will if I did not consent to his wishes, as did Trista's. So, we are both trapped in an unhappy relationship, neither one of us loving the other. The only satisfaction I have out of this arrangement is the great sex. Trista and I share no common interests whatsoever. We are totally opposite people, and no, the old proverb 'opposites attract' does NOT apply to us in the least." He finished tiredly. "But if you're so unhappy, why don't you just get out of the relationship? You strike me as a smart man. I'm sure you could make it in the world on your own." Serena commented, her brain not understanding the problem. If she, a spoiled little rich kid, had had the will to leave all her luxuries behind, she was sure he could manage. Darien laughed. It was a hollow, dry laugh, which made her look up at him, surprised. "Oh, sweet, innocent Serena. You just don't understand, do you? I CAN'T just disobey him. My father is a VERY powerful man, and has connections practically everywhere all over the world. If I were to back out now, not only would he disown me, he would also make sure I could never have another job in the high corporate companies anywhere. And I do not want to spend the rest of my life working in a store, or participating in a similar low paying job. I wouldn't be able to take it. So I just figured that after we get married, Trista and I can lead completely separate lives. She can have her male 'companions' and I can have my mistresses. That's all." He sighed.

Suddenly Serena saw him as a weak, tired and defeated man. He had lived his whole life under his father's thumb, obeying his every whim and desire in the fear of being disowned. It was pathetic really. Why couldn't he stand up for himself? And that sly comment he had interceded about 'low paying jobs'. Really, had he no feelings? She was just there, sitting in front of him, and he was bagging the job she worked hard at. All of a sudden all she wanted to do was get out of the car and forget about this sad excuse for a man. Her perfect man was after all, NOT her perfect match.