Hey! And I'm back with Chap. 4. Sorry for the long wait, but I'm writing like three stories at once, so it's taking me a while to finish this one. But don't worry, this one will be finished before the others unless I get tired of working of this one and move on to another one. I will come back to this one though, and I will finish it. That is a promise. Anyhow, enjoy the chapter.
* * * * * *
"Not bad."
This was Darien's response to seeing himself in a 3-piece white pinstripe suit that had been especially tailored for him.
"Not bad at all."
His aunt sniffed.
"Not bad my foot." She uncrossed her legs and then crossed them again. "It's certainly a hell of a lot better that what you're used to."
Darien couldn't help but chuckle. He did not deny his aunt's statement. The suit was out of his former price range, and it certainly wasn't something he would have picked out for himself, but he liked it. It fit his 6'7 inch-frame like a charm. His aunt agreed.
"And you'll have a chance to show it off tonight, too."
Darien turned around to confront his aunt, an inquisitive look on his face. "We're having a gala tonight, here, in your honor. It will be a good way to introduce you to the rest of the elite."
From Darien's expression of distaste, it was obvious that he did not like parties or other social functions for that matter.
"Besides," she said, adding the last part with a sly grin, "Many of my colleagues will be bringing their prized daughters and most of them are your age…"
Darien's face immediately lit up.
"When's this gala again?"
"Make sure you are downstairs, pressed and dressed and by the entrance by 8 tonight. As host it is your duty to greet all your guests."
Darien nodded ecstatically and was off to his room to shower and prepare.
* * * * * *
"Serena, dear, are you ready? Do hurry, we are late as it is."
Serena did some finishing touches on her face and then stood before her mirror. Her hair, braided and in its usual coil, slicked down in the front, was adorned by two ruby and diamond studded clips and a single red rose that sat embedded in the center of her bun. The floor length, strapless, blood red silk dress clung to her like a second skin, and the deep V-cut in the back showed a sufficient amount of skin. She smiled, and a red glossed mouth smiled back at her in the glass. Diamond was going to be there tonight, and so was Naru, her former best friend. She would show him that she could go on without him. That she had been worthy of him; better than him. She picked up a small purse from her bed and at the last moment, placed a carat diamond ring on her right middle finger before going down the stairs.
"Yes mother. I'm ready."
* * * * * *
His smile felt as though it was plastered on his face, he'd greeted so many people. He turned to look at the ballroom. Packed. The only time he'd remembered seeing this many people in one place was at the circus when he was younger. Finally, the last of the guests came in through the door. He shook hands, gave kisses and then nodded to the butler to close the door before joining the tumultuous crowd. Several young women made attempts to cozy up to him, but he wasn't really interested. Some of them seemed as though they got around, and others lacked beauty and conversation skill. An ebony-haired girl caught his attention from across the room, and then a husky voice addressed him from behind.
"Hello."
The voice alone turned him on. He now faced a fiery redhead with a superfluous bust wearing a very low cut dress. His eyes scanned her.
"And you are…?"
"Beryl Datsuna. And you?"
"Darien. Darien Chiba-Stone."
"I'm honored. It's not so often you find yourself in the presence of a god."
She lowered her head in mock respect, and he laughed. They made small talk for a while. Then she said something that made Darien aware of one of her character traits—one he did not like. "You are new here, but you're already holding parties. But then the Chibas were always well off. The things I could do if I had your kind of wealth…" She laughed. Darien's eyes were almost reduced to slits at the comment he immediately recognized as the sign of a gold-digger. He decided there and then that he wouldn't get too involved with this girl. Send her for a ride once or twice and let her get off; yes, that would be best. He needed someone with more substance for a steady relationship. He looked over Beryl's head to see his Aunt Momo almost flying over to them.
"I'm sorry to interrupt. Good evening, Beryl."
It was obvious that Momo did not like this girl. Beryl, however, was either oblivious to this fact or didn't care because she flashed a dazzling smile.
"Good evening, Mrs. Chiba. This is a lovely gala; one of the best you've ever had. I do hope you are enjoying yourself."
"Yes, Beryl, I am, thank you. Darien, could I talk to you for a moment?"
Darien nodded his agreement and followed his Aunt some distance way from Beryl. She stopped to turn and face him.
"I do not want you to have anything to do with that dirty shujo. Do you understand me?"
He nodded.
"That girl is the 'village mistress', so to speak, and I will not have her or you ruin you reputation by even being seen together. Is that clear? Last season Tomaki Ryen was with her and the boy barely escaped with his good name intact. I will not have the same happen to you." She looked into his eyes and then walked away.
Darien headed towards the raven-haired girl he'd seen earlier when Beryl cut in front of him. He smiled obligingly. 'Gold-digger and a mistress. She's a professional whore!'
"So," Beryl said, adjusting her dress, "what was the big secret your prestigious aunt had to rush you away to tell you?" She put her arms around one of his. "I was lonely." He slowly removed his arm from her grasp.
"It was nothing. She wanted me to go and speak to someone. So if you'll excuse me..."
He walked quickly to where the dark-haired girl was standing.
Out of the corner of his eye he could see the butler letting two women in through the doors. He ignored it until his Aunt Momo motioned for him to go and greet them. He cursed. He looked over to see where the girl was and saw that the she'd been asked to dance, so he strode to the door. He kissed the older woman's hand first and then turned to the younger girl. All at once he was looking into a pair of the clearest gray orbs he'd ever seen. Flaxen hair, perfect figure, smooth skin…he could feel a familiar heat building in the crotch of his pants. "Sugoi," he whispered to himself.
"Good evening," he said, "and welcome. My name is Darien Chiba-Stone, and I shall be your host for tonight." He raised the girl's hand to his lips and kissed it. So sweet…so soft…He could barely keep himself from nibbling on her fingertips. She made him think of innocence: pure and untainted. An angel.
* * * * * *
Serena really wasn't in any mood to go to any party, but her mother insisted that it would be for the best and besides that, there hadn't been an event like this in years, so it would be scandalous if she was to miss it. On the short ride to the Chiba estate, Serena thought of how long it had been since she'd visited her godmother. The woman had been so nice to her and Sammy. When they were younger they used too…She could feel her eyes stinging with tears. She blinked them away. No, no, it wouldn't do to start bringing back old memories now. She was to enjoy herself tonight, and she certainly couldn't do that if she kept thinking of her brother. The Gates of Crystal Manor soon came into view. The guard tipped his hat and let them in.
As she walked in through the door she became self-conscious. She opened her purse and pulled out a small mirror. Perfect. Not a smudge in sight, and her eyes…oh no. She gently prodded her left eyes to move the contact back into place. A man of tall stature with black hair was making haste to meet them at the door. He straightened his jacket before addressing them. "Good evening." He kissed her mother's hand and then came to her. She blushed and averted her eyes to the throng of people inside. Her throat went dry. He was so beautiful. She felt him kiss her hand. She turned her gaze back to him and found herself looking into his sapphire blue eyes again.
"Never," he breathed, "have I encountered such beauty."
She managed to stammer out a quiet "Thank you."
"May I?" He offered her his arm. She took it and he led her to the crowd. She took it and her led her to the crowd. 'And,' she thought, seeing Diamond coming towards them with Naru hanging on his arm, 'my death.' She held her head high.
"Well, well, well. Look who came out to play."
Diamond's drawl sent ripples down her spine. He nodded to Darien in an informal greeting, which was curtly returned. He then addressed Serena.
"And looking sexy at that."
'Well, I hope he and Naru are happy.'
She glanced at her former friend. At that moment, she did not hate Naru. The girl looked so miserable she wanted to give her some kind of comfort. Diamond's voice was heard again.
"Serena, I hardly see you around anymore. You don't even talk to me or smile when you do see me. Are you so busy you don't have time for old friends anymore? What's been going on?"
"You tell me." The statement was forced and her voice was harsh and iced.
"Ooh, tou-chy." He put up his hands. "Take it easy, will you?"
'Easy? Take it easy? 3 months of fucking cheating with the bitch standing next to you and I'm supposed to take it easy? My best friend!! 3 months of lying, sneaking around and then having to face the heartbreak…3 months of telling myself that the rumors weren't true, that he really did love me…'
She smiled gracefully at him and his date. She knew that if she didn't smile she would cry and wouldn't be able to stop. She felt a strong arm embrace her waist while another held her hand. She looked up to see Master Chiba's cold gaze locked with Diamond Obisun's.
