8.20.03
Title: To Love Again
Author: DragonLow
Chapter: 7
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailormoon!
Okay, I had expected to get this out yesterday, but some unexpected stuff came up. But I've still kept my promise! I want to thank cd-girl for her suggestions; they were great, and also all my reviewers. But this chapter really wouldn't be as it is without Aqua Rhapsody!! Thank you! Even though I added and changed your scene, this chapter is really by you!! I couldn't have done it without you!
Okay, I'm done, here. The chapter is a very short, but I think it's pretty good. Enjoy!
******
Darien walked past Mina the next morning, looking slightly less than his usual impeccable self. He had been up late trying to work and failing miserably, still thinking about yesterday's events.
"Good morning, Darien!" Mina chirped. "How are you today?"
"In a bad mood," Darien replied grumpily.
"Well, what else is new?" the ever cheerful blonde replied. Mina was only 5 months pregnant and the hormones hadn't quite kicked in. Darien almost couldn't wait until they did; she'd be a little less annoying then. Without another word to her, he strode to his office, anticipating many long, uninterrupted hours of work.
"Oh! Darien, I forgot! You have a conference scheduled this morning! Your clients are waiting in the main conference room."
Darien whirled around to face Mina. "What are you talking about? I have no conferences scheduled today. Tell them to get out and make a real appointment next week or something."
"But, Darien, they say they have appointments."
Darien sighed. He'd obviously have to handle this himself. Mina was set on being difficult today. He strode purposefully to the elevator, his usual frown a little deeper. He tapped his foot impatiently as the elevator rose, and when the double doors finally slid open he went straight to the conference room. He opened the door to reveal 5 young women and a table covered with notebooks, diagrams and samples.
"What do you think you're doing here?" Darien bellowed. "Get out, before I call security! You have no business being here without first making an appointment!"
All five women stood, looking annoyed. Darien, thinking he had succeeded in getting rid of them, gave a satisfied smile.
"Why, Darien," a voice behind him said. "We do have an appointment. Just like the surprise, crack of dawn appointments you attempted on me."
Darien turned. His smile had disappeared. "Serena?"
"Who else? This is my staff," Serena said, gesturing to the women, who now had smug smiles on their faces as they seated themselves again.
"I didn't hire these people," Darien said, annoyance creeping into his voice.
"But you only work with the best, Darien. And I assure you, my staff is the best."
"This is Amy," she continued, gesturing to a short blue-haired woman. "She's my roommate and the general contractor." Amy nodded absentmindedly in greeting before turning back to the contract she'd been pouring over when he'd first arrived.
"This is Michelle," Serena said, nodding towards an aqua-haired woman in a teal business suit. "She'll be the interior designer of the building. She's absolutely fabulous."
Darien nodded dumbly.
"We've briefly discussed a sculpture over your first floor, and I told you Lita would be able to create just the thing. I was right, too, she's already come up with some great ideas."
"Amara here does glasswork, and she's going to fit the windows on the building." The tall amazon woman looked at Darien coldly but didn't say a word.
"And finally, we have Trista, who won't really have anything to do with the creation of this building except to handle any disputes we might have. Trista is my lawyer."
Darien looked around at all five of the hard working women before turning back to Serena.
"Ms. Tsukino, a word?"
"Of course, Mr. Chiba." Serena turned to her friends and co-workers. "I'll just be a moment. Then we can start on the details.
Darien led Serena out of the room before beginning his tirade. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
"What you wanted. I've brought in the top people from all fields pertaining to building a structure."
"Well, you didn't discuss it with me," Darien hissed.
"I don't see why I should discuss who I hire for this building when you won't listen to me about whether or not I want to have lunch with you," Serena said nonchalantly.
"Why are you being so damn difficult?" Darien asked exasperatedly.
Serena looked him square in the eye. "Because I'm tired of these games you're playing, Darien. I'm not doing this job for my mother anymore. I'm doing it to prove that I can handle you. Because I can handle you, Darien Chiba. And nothing's going to stop me from finishing this job." With that last remark she walked back into the conference room.
******
Done! I know it's really short, but it's such a nice place to stop, and I'll get the next chapter out sometime next week. School's starting next week, but I don't think that'll be too much of a problem. I seem to find it harder to write over the summer than during school. Strange, I know, but that's just the way it works, I guess. I hope
