4/13/03

Title: To Love Again

Author: DragonLow

Chapter: 3/?

Summary: Darien Chiba is a cold, heartless business tycoon. Ever since his father remarried he's had almost no contact with his family. That is, until he meets Serena, his stepsisterand everything changes.

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailormoon.

Well, here's Chapter 3! Thanks to Lady Tristana Rogue, moon-angel-princess, StarChild, sadprincess2000, and Lady Imp for reviewing! I'm glad you guys enjoy my story! =)

***

*1 month later*

"Hey! I'm home!"

Serena and Amy looked up to see Raye, their 3rd roommate, walk into the large apartment. After Serena had moved in with Amy, they'd decided to rent the remaining room out. Raye had immediately answered the flier and they'd soon become fast friends. Serena was always amazed at how exotic Raye looked. She had long, purple-black hair, and huge, violet eyes. She was also outgoing and short tempered, the complete opposite of shy, patient Amy. Yet, somehow, they'd all come together.

Raye went to her room and came out dressed in a short, slinky red dress. She twirled around for her roommates to look at her. "How do I look?"

"Great!" Serena replied. "Are you going on a hot date or something?"

"No, you guys are coming with me to pick up guys at a club!"

"What? No, way. I have to study–"

"No buts, Amy. You girls need to have a little fun."

"WellI'm up for it if Amy is."

The two pleading faces aimed at Amy broke her. "Fine, fine, we can go."

"Yes!"

***

3 beautiful women entered the club and turned many heads. The dark, exotic one entered first, already swaying to the music. The petite, shy, yet alluring female with the short hair entered second, and the exuberant golden angel followed behind. They sat at a small table and ordered drinks from a nervous guy who only looked like he was in high school. As they sat there, talking, Raye's eyes traveled over the club, looking for possible victims–and there were many. One of them voluntarily decided to try his luck, and lucky for him he was hot. He led Raye to the dance floor.

Amy looked around shyly before quietly trying to excuse herself to the bathroom.

"Aw, come on, Amy, it'll be fine. Just relax," Serena soothed. She grinned at the woman beside her. "Why don't we go to the bar? It'll be better there."

"Oh, I don't know, Serena"

"Pleeeeeeaaase? Try to have some fun. For me?" Serena put on her best puppy dog face.

Amy sighed, then smiled a little. "Okay, Serena. I'll try."

"Great. Now, the next guy that asks you to dance, go with him, okay?"

"What if he's some kind of creep?"

"Do you think I'd do that to you?"

Amy smiled. "No. No, you wouldn't do that to me, Serena. Okay. It's a deal."

No sooner had they sat down at the bar when someone tapped Amy on the shoulder and asked her to dance. She nervously agreed, and they headed to the dance floor. Amy looked back one more time and Serena grinned and winked at her before turning around and ordering another drink.

"What is it with you Tsukino's? Whenever I meet one of you I see you everywhere."

Serena turned around in her seat to see Darien Chiba sitting next to her. "Oh. It's you."

"That isn't any way to treat me, you know."

"Well, you know, I figured if you're going to be rude to me, I might as well be rude to you."

"I thought you'd accepted my apology."

"I did. But that doesn't mean I'm just going to forget about it."

"Fine. I guess I'll ask someone else to design my newest office building."

"What?" Serena stared at him, shocked. "How'd you know I'm an architect?"

"I did my homework."

"Why?"

Darien didn't answer. He just took a sip of his drink.

Serena decided to change tactics. "Why would you want me to design your building?"

"Because you're rumored to be the best. Young, smart, creative and beautiful," he replied with a wry smirk.

"So? You hate me. You hate my whole family!"

"You're still the best. And I only work with the best."

"You're willing to put aside your hatred for me to get this building done?"

"Yes."

"It's all about business, isn't it? Anything for business."

"You catch on quick, Tsukino." He drank the last of his martini.

"Why should I work for you? It's not like I'm all too fond of you, either."

"There's a lot of money in it for you." He got up from his seat.

"So? If I don't like my client, I don't work for them, no matter how much money is involved."

"Ah, yes, but wouldn't it make your dear mother happy to know that her daughter and stepson have a chance to get along?"

Serena winced. That was low. He knew about her mother's illness. And he was right. She would be happy, if there was a possible chance for Darien to reconcile with his father and come home. She'd played right into his hands and he knew it.

"Fine," she said through clenched teeth.

"Good. Here's my card. I'll be in touch," Darien said, taking a small tan card from his breast pocket. He handed it to her before walking away. She glared at his back the whole time.

***

*Ring Ring*

Serena groggily opened her eyes and looked at the clock. 7:00. AM. Who the hell would be calling at 7 in the morning?

*Ring Ring*

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Serena mumbled to the phone. She picked it up. "What the hell do you think you're doing, calling me at 7AM?!" she yelled.

"I'm sorry, Serena. Darien told me to call you right away. I told him you wouldn't be up yet, but he insisted."

Serena sighed. "I'm sorry for yelling at you, Mina. What does that hellish man want at this hour?"

"He wants to make an appointment for this afternoon to meet about the designing plans."

"What? That's too short notice. Make an appointment for next week, or something. I have other clients who need more attention."

"Okay, how about next Monday? At 2?"

"Sure, sure, fine with me. Good night, Mina." Serena hung up the phone and lay back down on her bed. She had a bit of a hangover from last night. After Darien left she'd drunk a lot in her anger at him and danced till she was dizzy. All she wanted to do was sleep.

*Ring Ring*

Serena's head shot up. Not again! Why couldn't people leave her alone to rest?

*Ring Ring*

She picked up the phone. "WHAT?!" she barked.

"We need to meet today."

Serena groaned. It just had to be Darien. Why did he have to ruin a perfectly good day?

"How did you get this number," she demanded.

"Mina gave it to me."

She would kill her blonde-headed friend if it was the last thing she did. Who cared if she was Andrew's wife and pregnant?

"I made her give it to me. Now, get over here so we can talk about the design of my building."

"No."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. It's too early. 7AM is not the beginning of my work hours. You're going to have to wait. Don't bother calling again because I'm taking the phone off its hook." With that, Serena hung up on the famous Darien Chiba.

***

Well, there's Chapter 3! Doing business together might be kind of cliché, but I've always loved it so I figured why not? I think this chapter's kinda boring, but that's my opinion. Hopefully others won't think so. I'll try to get the next chapter out by next week, but I can't make any promises. I've been working on a magazine my friends and I are making, so that's taking a lot of time. Plus, I'm kind of running out of ideas. Don't worry! I'll think of something! Review please!