Rent-A-Fiancé

Chapter 4

Disclaimer:  I have nothing quirky and cute to say…so no I don't hold any right to Sailor Moon….sad isn't it

AN: Someone asked, so I will answer lol.  Mina is 22, but she could probably pass as 18.  She's just graduated from College; she went into fashion…lol.  She was one of those preppy cheerleaders you always hated in high school that always will be that way.  Serena is probably about 26-28 who owns her own restaurant while Darien is 30-32 who is President of a company his mother owns, but she lets him oversee it and such.  Don't ask what the company is because eh I haven't figured that one out yet lol.  Any other questions that I wasn't to clear on? Ask lol!  Ok a lot were asking about Mina's place in this story.  To tell you the honest truth I wasn't really going to tell much about her.  She well…at the end of this chapter she has served her purpose and probably (not entirely certain at this point) won't be appearing again.  There is a small chance she might appear in another chapter but as I said…when I write I just write it as it comes to me.  I have the main plot planned out but as I write chapters little things come to me that I add into the story.  I am mainly focusing on Serena and Darien.  So if you want to know more about Mina…make it up for yourself :-) lol

Darien sat at his desk, thinking back on these last few weeks.  He'd only been with Serena a little over two weeks and already he'd fallen madly in love with her.  He could deny it no longer.  He loved her.  He probably had loved her since the first time he'd ever laid eyes on her.  But Serena was an entirely different story.  You could never tell what she was thinking.  He'd been looking through his desk drawer and found a few Polaroid's his mother had taken that afternoon.  There was one of him and Serena, where his arms were wrapped around her waist and her hands were on top of his arms.  He didn't even know his mother had taken it and slipped it in his pocket.  There was a frame on his desk that used to contain a picture of Rei.  He slid the picture in and it made his desk look homey.  And now, he just had a gut feeling that Serena didn't want to embrace the fact on what was going on with her.  But he himself couldn't embrace it for fear that it wasn't true.  What if it was just a bug….but then again…what if it wasn't?  Darien was disturbed from his thoughts by a knock on the door.  "Come in"

"Hi Darien….I was just in the neighborhood and thought I should drop by and say hello."

________

Serena waited until Mina left the house to leave herself.  She was on a mission.  But she was very nervous.  She'd never had to do anything like this before…what if she ran into someone she knew?  But she had to know…this was just wasn't the type of thing you would put off until the answer was apparent.  She just had to do it.  She drove into the next town just incase there was a chance of her running into someone she knew.  Then there were about 5 brands on the shelf….she didn't know which to pick.  A woman came up beside her.  She looked about the same age as Serena but she had three children.  She pointed to a brand and said it always gave her the best results…then saying not meaning what she wanted it to be…but it was accurate.  Serena laughed and chatted with her a few moments before making the dreaded trip to the cash register.  E.P.T. it said.  Sitting at red lights gave her plenty of time to read the instructions that came with it.  But it also got her thinking.  She already knew the answer….she just knew.  And so did Darien…he just didn't want to come out and say it.  Bastard.  He'd probably say it couldn't be his.  But there was no other one it could have been.  Darien was the only man she'd slept with in the last 4 months.  And they of course didn't use anything either.  Something he said was also nagging her.  That night…he must have thought she was asleep…but she could have sworn he murmured something about love... "Oh my gosh….he said he loves me!" Serena exclaimed to no one but herself.  In realizing this she also realized that she loved him back.  Maybe things weren't as lost as they seemed.  She had to tell him….tell him as soon as possible.  Instead of turning home…she made the turn to his office.

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"Hi Darien….I was just in the neighborhood and thought I should drop by and say hello." Said Mina as she plopped down in a chair.

"Not enough shopping places to suit you here Mina?" said Darien

"If I weren't in such a good mood I might take that as a jab at my character.  Is that all you think I do? Shop?" She pouted

"No Of Course not." Darien lied

"No…I'm an observer too…and I do notice things."

"Now if I didn't know any better, I'd say that comment was directed at me."

"Yes who else."

"So what is it you have noticed Mina?"

"I've noticed that you and Serena sure don't have the relationship most would expect you to have."

"What kind of a relationship would that be?"

"Just that….you don't seem in love.  Like you never bring her flowers…you don't call her cute pet names—"

"You've only been staying here a few days…how is that to judge on a relationship?"

"The most I've seen you two do is a peck here and there…nothing more…and a few unreturned glances."

"What do you mean?"

"It's like….you are trying to make it work but she's not.  It's like she doesn't want you or something."

He had to admit…Mina had a point…was it so obvious?

"So I see I've got the wheels in your head turning…your starting to see what I say as true."

Yes he saw…and he certainly saw the seductive pose she was in…and if this had gone on two weeks ago…he would have jumped on it…but now things were different.  Much different.  "If that's all you wanted to talk to me about…then please allow me to remind you that I love Serena…nothing could come between us now…it might have at some time…but now things are different.  And while you are staying under my roof…you will leave her alone and keep your legs closed.  Allow me to escort you out."

Mina was mortified.  Why wasn't he playing with her like all the rest had done?  Was it possible that Serena was the winner from the start?  No she couldn't let her win so easily.  Mina saw a flash of golden blonde hair thought cheating was the way to win.  Serena was rubbing her clothes smooth, about to walk in the direction of Darien's office.  Darien was walking towards her, leading her to the elevators, when she saw her chance.  She grabbed Darien by his tie and whirled him towards her and covered his mouth with hers.  He wasn't struggling but yet he wasn't reacting either.  She pulled away when she heard Serena clear her throat…

"Well it clearly seems I'm interrupting one of you important business meetings." Serena said before turning around and walking back towards the elevator.

"Serena!!! Serena come back Serena!!!" He gave Mina a 'I-Hate-You' look to her gloating expression and then chased after her.  "Serena please wait!!"

She finally stopped at the plea in his voice and let him catch up with her.

"First off…why are you so worried of my reaction?" asked Serena without expression

"Worried? Because I don't want you to think the wrong thing…Mina came on to me!"

"Personally my opinion doesn't matter."

"What—what are you talking about?"

"I'm not your girlfriend Darien…I'm not your fiancé…I'm not even your friend!  I'm just surprised at you.  I thought I was supposed to be the guilty party…but it seems you've been the one caught with their hand in the cookie jar.  But tell me…aren't you afraid of what the William's will think of your dirty deed?"

"What are you talking about? Serena I love you!!!"

Serena didn't answer right away. "The wedding is off!" she said loud enough for everyone to hear.  Then softly, "Darien I have no power over you…I never did.  We were never together…sorry I've been cramping your style.  I'll pack my things tonight." Then the elevator doors closed before he could respond.  But once the doors closed…she broke into tears.

Darien stood there, staring at his reflection in the doors.  What had just happened here?  Mina! That damn bitch…he felt pretty sure that Serena wouldn't have come here just to visit…she had something to tell him…and Mina messed up his chances.  He walked up to her, she was smiling triumphantly. He slapped her.

"Do you have any idea on what you have done!?!? You just ruined my life!" Said Darien walking past her.

Mina, holding her face, laughed and said "I didn't ruin it alone…she was just looking for an excuse to let you go.  If she really loved you she would have been crying her eyes out."

Darien kept walking but the words sank in his head.  She was right.  There was no emotion on Serena's face at all…more relief than anything.  What just happened?

Serena was getting funny looks from people she was passing.  She was bawling.  She got into her car and just laid her head down on the steering wheel.  She felt so stupid.  How could she have been so stupid?  How could she have actually believed that he loved her?  She caught a glance of the plastic bag sitting in the seat beside her.  Oh God!  This child would be a bastard!

Serena was packing her suitcase when she heard the door open and close downstairs.  She could tell it wasn't Mina by the sound of the foot steps.  These were quick and heavy.  Sure enough there stood Darien in the doorway.  Her heart started pitter-pattering at the site of him.

"What do you think you are doing?" asked Darien

"What does it look like I am doing?" asked Serena

"You can't leave."

"And why the hell not?"

"Because we had an agreement."

"Would you shut up about that damn agreement!"

"It's a legally binding contract Serena."

"And by me leaving I break the contract?"

"Yes"

"I don't think so.  That contract has been broken….that night we made love we broke that contract…it was one of the rules set by my father.  If you don't believe me you can look at it yourself."

"So what you are saying is that nothing is keeping you here."

"Yes that's what I'm saying."

"Then why didn't you leave then?"

Instead of answering Serena walked past him and was about to go down the stairs.

"Serena…answer me!"

"Why didn't I leave? Because I—I" She stopped.  His gaze towards her stopped her.  No she wasn't going to back herself into this corner.  So she went to continue her trip down the stairs and trip is what she did.  At that exact moment her ankle bent out from beneath her and she went tumbling.  Darien tried to grasp her but was too late.  With Serena crumpled at the bottom of the stairs, he called 911 and cradled her in his arms.

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Serena woke up in a room of intense white light.  She looked at surroundings and realized she was in a hospital.  Darien was asleep in a chair beside her bed.  She lifted her head but immediately laid it back down.  The pain was too intense.  She heard Darien stir and closed her eyes.  She didn't want him to know she was awake.  He got up and stood over her.  Sighed and walked out of the room.   She couldn't help but feel sorry for him.  If he ever did love her, he was one of the causes of her fall.  She had her eyes open and it was too late to close them when Darien returned.

"Serena, are you awake?"

"I think so…"

"How do—how do you feel?"

"I feel like a truck ran me over.  What happened?"

"You—you fell down the stairs."

"Oh yeah…I remember now.  My ankle gave out and I tumbled."

"Yeah.  I was so scared that I had lost you."

"I'm just glad you were there."

"We—you lost…the baby."

"It was probably for the best."

Darien nodded but stopped.  "Why? Why would it be better?"

"Darien…you and I both have busy lives, a child would disrupt it and complicate things.  It would also prevent us from having a clean break."

Darien was tired of fighting and just nodded his head.  "I kicked Mina out."

"Why?"

"Why not?"

"Well I don't want to inhibit your love life."

"Damn it Serena!  What is it going to take to get you to realize that I love you and I want to be with you and that I wanted this child more than anything in this world and I want to marry you."

"All the more reason for me to leave.  Darien it would never work…maybe at some other time in our lives but now.  We know things about each other that—that.  Darien just leave it alone and let me be.  My father will be collecting my things.  I don't want us to have to bear any difficult meetings again.  And with this I understand that with the contract broken, my restaurant—"

"Serena….why is everything about business with you.  If you want to be left alone, then left alone you'll be.  Serena, you just don't trust anyone."

"I don't trust you, no."

"Well Serena, you may not get hurt…but you won't get loved either." And with that, Darien turned and walked out of the room.  Leaving her to assess what he had said.

It had been a week since the accident and Darien just moved like a zombie.  Life without her seemed unjust.  He loved her.  And he would never love anyone else.  He didn't know how…but he would get her back.

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AN: ok I completed this chapter on the 11th of January.  But I can't give it to you just yet….I need to give you time to read chapter 3.  Ok so anyway…I think one more chapter and an epilogue and it will be through.  Tell me what you think.

SilverSerenity