Chapter 1
After locking up the front gates, Serena Stevens grabbed her purse and left the small bookstore she had been working at for the last eight hours of the day. She was tired and her feet hurt from walking around the small store, putting books where they belonged, searching for others for customers and all she wanted now was to make her way back to the orphanage she called home. She longed to get out of her clothes and into a bath, one that she would have to ask to take since the orphanage only had showers except in the guardian's rooms.
Making it out of the mall, she began to walk home, taking shortcuts along the way. She knew her way around the back roads, being that she lived in the town all her life. Her parents left her on the doorstep of the New Hope Orphanage 17 years ago. She was only two weeks old with a small note explaining how her mother was too young to be taking care of a mistake. Serena remained at the orphanage because she had grown attached to the safety of the walls and when someone wanted to adopt her, she would run and hide for a week until they had decided to adopt someone else. However, as time passed she began to resent living there. She had no privacy, no real freedom, and no real friends, and by the time, she realized she wanted a new home; nobody else wanted her because she was too old. When she started to go to middle and high school she soon realized that all the guys liked her but only because of her body, they never wanted to get to know her, but rather know her bed, therefore she never dated either.
Serena turned into the final alley before she would make it home. Dread filled her body as she walked further and further into the alleyway. There was a sudden crashing sound behind her causing her to jump and turn quickly to see what had caused the commotion. Serena calmed down when she saw a small black cat run out from behind an overflowing trashcan on the side of the alley. The alley was very dark and there were boxes and trashcans everywhere. She let her breath out and continued on her way, walking a little faster. She came near to the end of the alley when she heard another noise behind her but before she could turn around; she felt two strong arms pull her back.
"Didn't your mommy tell you not to walk alone in the dark?" His breath was very harsh and the stench of alcohol surrounded him like a second skin. Serena froze, not knowing what was really going on until she felt a steal blade against her neck.
"What do you want with me?" She asked, her voice trembled as her knees shook and clattering together. She felt one of his hands reach down and grab her thigh and move its way up, crossing her stomach and across her breasts.
"What do all guys want?" She felt his hot breath and sticky tongue on her neck. She was too scared to scream, to scared to move all she could do was stand there and pray that she was having a bad dream.
"Please don't do this." She pleaded but his only response was a hand under the black skirt she was wearing. He tightened his hold on her neck and with in a few minuets she was out cold.
Darien Chiba was driving down the main road by the New Hope Orphanage when he saw a man run out from behind an alley way. He paid no more attention to the running man until he saw a glob of blond hair lying on the ground. Quickly, Darien jumped out of the car and tackled the guy to the ground, noticing the guy was resisting and was very drunk he punched him, knocking him out for the moment. Darien ran back to where he saw the girl; taking notice of the way her clothes were torn, exposing her body, he took off his jacket and draped it over the girl, while dialing the police on his cell phone.
Serena slowly opened her eyes, immediately wishing she were still asleep. She felt as if she was just hit by a car; her whole body ached. After a few moments, she was able to look around and found herself in a large pink room with a rose boarder and large white furniture. She sat up in the large king size bed and looked around some more, she could not make out where she was at; it could not be the hospital, it was to fancy for that, and she definitely was not back at the orphanage.
"Hello Miss Stevens, how do you feel?" A man with midnight hair and perfect blue eyes walked into the room with an arm full of fruit and juices.
"I suppose I am fine." She watched as the man sat down the tray before she spoke again. "Where am I? And who are you?" She looked at him again and her eyes widened. "You're Darien Chiba!" She blurted out as he chuckled lightly. Darien Chiba was the only son of the Chiba family, one of the richest families in all of Tokyo. Not only that, but he was also the most eligible batcher.
"I am indeed Darien Chiba, and you are at my home." He stated as he handed her a small cup of juice, which she took and began to drink. "As for why you are here, I don't like hospitals, so I brought you here and had you cared for by our doctors, I hope you don't mind." Serena shook her head.
"No I appreciate it very much, I'm sorry if I caused you any trouble. " Darien smiled.
"You were no trouble at all." He paused then continued. "I suppose you would like to know what happened?" She nodded. "I was driving down by New Hope two nights ago when I spotted you lying in the alley and a man running away. I was able to stop your attacker, but not before the damage was done." He watched as Serena went pale with the understanding that she was raped. He took her hand in his and continued. "I called the police, who arrested your attacker, who is currently in jail awaiting sentencing, then I searched your purse and had an officer friend of mine find out who you were. I took the liberty to call the orphanage and your work and alert them that you were in an accident and were under my care. I also instructed the doctor to give you the morning after pill, just incase…"
"Thank you…for everything you have done for me Mr. Chiba."
"Please, call me Darien, there is only one Mr. Chiba, and that is my father." With a wink Darien stood. "I am going to call the doctor to alert him you are awake, she needs to check up on how you are healing. I will send Jake up with some food as well, in the mean time, you need to rest." Serena nodded and watched him walk out of the room. A few moments later, there was a soft knock on the bedroom door and a shorter person walked in with some soup and tea.
"Hello Miss Stevens, it is good to see you awake." The man set the tray on her lap after pulling out the legs from underneath it so the tray did not sit directly on her lap.
"Thank you…you must be Jake." The butler nodded as he took a set of silverware out of his pocket and placed them on the tray.
"Yes mam, I am here to serve. Is there anything I can get you?"
"No thank you, I'm fine, but please call me Serena." Jake nodded.
"Please eat, you need your strength."
"He's right you know you need to eat." Darien said as he walked back into the bedroom. "I see you've met our butler, Jake. If you need anything, he will be happy to get it for you." He smiled, which made Serena smile in return. "The doctor will be here within the hour, and then dinner should be done at around 6:30, that is if you are up to it, you can always have dinner in your room." Serena shook her head.
"I think I will be okay for dinner, I really would just like to take a nice long bath, if that is alright with you."
"Sure, there is a bathroom right through that door; I hope you will find it to your liking." He pointed to a small white door to the right of the bed. "I will be back soon. I have some work to finish, but you get your rest and make sure to eat all your food or you will upset the cook." With a smile and a small wave, he walked out the door. Once he was out of the room, Serena sighed.
"I think he has his eye on you Lady Serena." Jake said as he walked over to her.
"No, I don't think so, he was just being nice." Her smile grew when Jake shook his head.
"He has never acted like this toward any woman; usually he just lets the staff take care of everything when we have guests. But when he brought you home, he never left your side for more then an hour." He sat down in the seat where Darien had just been standing. "You DO know that he is only 20." With that, he left the room.
The doctor came just as Darien had said; Dr. Holland was an older woman, in her mid fifties. She had been the family doctor ever since Darien was born. Serena's check up went well, there was no long-term damages to her body however, mentally could take a while to get over. Once the doctor left, Serena took a long bath in the claw foot tub adjoining her room.
Darien walked up to Serena's room with a handful of clothes that were just dropped off for her by one of the house cleaners. He knocked softly on the bedroom door, when there was no answer he walked in expecting to find her asleep, but what he got was a little more shocking. He stood in the room face to face with Serena in nothing but a large white towel. Quickly turning around so she could put something else on, however in the process he managed to drop all the clothes he had in his hands.
"I'm so sorry, when there was no answer I figured you were sleeping and I didn't want to wake you and-"
"It's okay, this is your house anyway…you can turn around now." He did and to his relief she was now in a large robe that covered her entire body.
"I just wanted to bring by some clothes, I didn't know what you would like so I had someone pick you out a couple different things, and we can get you more later." It was then that he realized he dropped the clothes on the ground and bent down to pick them up.
"Let me help you." Serena bent down to pick some up when they both reached for the same shirt. She looked up at him and found herself getting lost in his blue eyes, as was Darien. Serena broke out of the trance and stood up. "I'm sorry."
"For what?" Darien grabbed the last bit of clothes and stood up as well.
"For being so much trouble; I mean first you rescue me, then fetch me a doctor, let me stay at your house, feed me, and buy me clothes and I have no way of repaying you." Darien sat the clothes on the bed and looked up at her.
"You have been no trouble at all, as for repaying me, all I could ever want is that you accept me as a friend." Serena nodded. "And since I am now your friend I would like to offer you a place to stay, we could give you so much more than the orphanage can."
"I don't know…"
"I know you will be eighteen soon, where are you going to go after then, the orphanage wont let you stay there after your birthday, it sucks, I know but that is the reality of the situation. Here you won't have to worry about that, you will have what you deserve, plus you will get to hang out with me." Darien winked, causing her to laugh at his egoistic comment.
"Well since you put it that way." She smiled and continued. "I would be honored, however you must tell me if I ever overstep some boundaries or do something wrong and at least give me something to do to repay you."
"Deal…you will have to let me take you shopping tomorrow."
"You don't have to do that-"
"That is your duty, it is final." She nodded. "Now, dinner is in fifteen minutes, can you get ready in that time?"
"Yes."
"Good, I will be back to escort you to the dining room." He began to walk out of the room when Serena called out to him.
"Wait!" She called out. "I don't know if I can do this."
"Do what?"
"I don't know how to act here. I am use to just going to the cafeteria at the orphanage and taking it back to my room. I never had to dress up for a dinner." Darien chuckled a little and walked over to her.
"Wear anything you would like tonight, we will find you something tomorrow that will be more suitable attire. At dinner, you will have many forks, just work from the outside in, don't worry, I will help you out with anything you need."
"Thank you." She whispered.
"You're welcome. I will be back to take you downstairs." He said then left her alone to get dressed.
After a little while, she was fully dressed in a knee length black and white skirt with a pink top that Darien had dropped off earlier and waited for Darien to come get her as he said he would.
At six twenty-five, Darien came to her room again and escorted her to the dining room. The walls were all decorated with different things from all over the world. One thing that caught her eye was a small portrait of Darien when he was younger. He looked so happy, something she missed growing up.
They reached the dining room after about five minutes. There was a long table with ten chairs around it; the plates were all set up and there were three forks along with a knife and spoon.
At the two end of the table was an older couple. The male wore a gray suit and his hair was a little lighter then Darien's. The lady was very elegant; she sat straight in her chair and she had on a blue dress. Her hair was a light brown, and her eyes were more of an orange color. Both people stood up when Serena walked into the room.
"Welcome Miss Stevens, it is so good to see that you are okay." Said the older gentleman.
"Thank you, but please call me Serena." The man nodded.
"Oh, where are my manners? Serena, these are my parents, John and Martha." Serena slightly bowed her head.
"It is good to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Chiba. I thank you for your hospitality." The two smiled.
"Please, just call us John and Martha; there is no need to be so proper all the time." Mrs. Chiba announced. "Have a seat." Darien pulled out her chair for her. She sat down quietly and said thank you to Darien. He then took his seat on the other side of the table.
"We hope you like your stay here. I must tell you, when Darien first brought you home, we were worried that you were not going to make it. Luckily you are a fast healer my dear."
"Yes, I have been known to heal quickly." She said quietly.
"Serena, my dear, I know it will take you a while to adjust, but we are here to help you." Mrs. Chiba added. "I took the liberty to enroll you in Tokyo High. You don't have to go if you do not wish."
"No, I have always wanted to go there." Serena said excitedly. "Thank you." Tokyo High was the best high school in the country. She was never allowed to go because it cost too much.
"The first day is next Friday." Mr. Chiba added.
"Thank you very much. Nobody has ever been so nice to me before." They all smiled. I'm going to like it here. She thought.
"It is our pleasure Serena." After dinner, Darien showed her to the study since he found out that she loved to read. There were all sorts of books lining the walls of the three-story room including a spiral staircase that led to the upper deck where the computers were held.
"I have to go do a little work; will you be able to find your way back to your room?" She nodded and watched him leave. She walked down the stairs to the computer and found that it had a complete list of the books that were in the study; it was just like a library.
She found a romance novel and sat on the small couch that was in there, and started to read it.
"Serena?" She looked up from her book and saw Mrs. Chiba there. "What are you reading?"
"The legend of the Moon, it is quite good." Mrs. Chiba chuckled.
"Yes, I know. It is one of my favorites." She sat down on the couch next to Serena. "Serena, I don't want you to be afraid of us. I hope that you will be able to open up to me one day. I know you have been through a lot and I wish I could help you. But I can't unless you allow me to."
"Thank you Martha. I am just a little scared, I do not know how to be the proper lady. I grew up with no guidance or parents. I don't know how to act." She whispered.
"Oh honey, you don't have to worry about it. I will teach you all you need to know, and I know Darien will help too. He is a wonderful young man." Serena nodded and blushed a little. "I see you like him huh?" Serena blushed more. "Don't worry about it, most of the girls do."
"See, that's a problem. EVERYONE likes him, they all have their expensive little cars, perfect hair, perfect nails, and are like Barbie dolls." Martha had to laugh at that.
"Darien hates girls like that. Trust me, you have a better chance then any of those other girls." She winked at her. "Come, I want to show you something." Martha grabbed Serena's hand and led her out of the house.
Serena was awe struck when she finally saw the front of the house. It was bigger then the white house in America. The yard had a large fountain shaped like a crescent moon, with roses imprinted on the cement bench that surrounded it. They walked out to the garage and when Martha opened the doors, Serena gasped.
"You may pick any one of these, except the red convertible, that one is Darien's." The entire garage was full of cars. There were twelve different cars, which went from BMW's to Lexus'. Serena's favorite was a black corvette convertible.
"Are you sure?" Martha nodded. "What about that black one over there?" Serena pointed to the black convertible.
"You like it?" Serena nodded her head.
"I do, but I can choose another one."
"Nonsense, that one is yours."
"Really?" Martha nodded her head. "Thank you so much." She squealed and hugged her. Martha just laughed and returned the gesture.
"Come on now, it is getting late. You need to get some sleep. If you ever want to go anywhere, feel free, but all I ask is that you tell someone first, just incase something was to happen." Serena nodded her head and they walked inside.
"I already have Jake working on your security passes, and Darien is taking you shopping tomorrow for anything you need."
"Martha, how did you know I was going to agree to stay here?"
"I didn't, but then again, we were not going to give you the option of saying no."
The next morning Serena got up and found her way down to the kitchen for breakfast. Darien was already there and had a head start on the pancakes and bacon. He was already dressed in a pair of jeans and a blue button up shirt, neatly tucked into his pants with a black belt. He definitely had the sexy look down. She took her seat next to him as Jake gave her a plate.
"Did you sleep well?" Darien asked as he finished off the last of his breakfast.
"Yes, like a rock, you?" He nodded.
"Pretty good…So, when did you want to go shopping?"
"I guess first thing this morning."
"Ok, well let me take care of a few things then we can go." Serena nodded and watched as he left the room. Jake took her plate as soon as she finished her breakfast. She walked back up to her room to get ready to leave.
After twenty minutes, she came back out of her room. She wore a long black skirt she found in the closet and an open back, yellow shirt. She pinned her hair back on the two sides. She had on a pair of black heels and some stockings. She found Darien downstairs talking to his mother in the living room. They both smiled when they saw her and she walked over to them.
"Serena, you look lovely dear." Martha said.
"Thank you, but it isn't really my style." Martha smiled and handed Serena a credit card.
"I know this week you will go over the allowance and that is okay, spend as much as you need, however next week you will be cut down to three thousand." Serena's jaw dropped.
"Three thousand dollars?" Martha smiled and nodded. "I don't think I will spend that much, not even close to that." Martha just smiled.
"Trust me, with Darien with you, everything is possible. He spent ten grand the first time we gave him his card." Darien just looked down at the floor. Serena just laughed.
"You ready to go?" Darien asked her. She nodded and walked out of the door.
"First we need to go to the mall. I need a new purse; I don't know what happened to my last one." She said while walking to her NEW car that she had gotten the night before. She got in and looked over to Darien. "Are you coming or not?"
"You want me to go to the mall?"
"Yeah, why not?"
"Do you know how many girls come after me if they see me, and the mall is full of them." He said while scrunching up his nose.
"Don't worry, I'll protect you." She teased. "Just get in." He got in the passenger side and buckled his seat belt.
"You DO know how to drive, don't you?" He looked over at the girl and smiled.
"Yes I DO know how to drive." She rolled her eyes and took off.
"Serena, come on!" The girl with short blond hair called out from her yellow sports car.
"On my way, chill Amara." Serena grabbed her purse and ran out the gates of the orphanage. She jumped into the car and they drove off to the school parking lot. "Are you sure you want me to drive your car?" Amara just nodded and got out and let Serena scoot over to the driver's seat.
"Ok, first you have to check all your mirrors, make sure you can see out of them." Serena adjusted the mirrors then looked over at Amara again. "Now, find were all you things are, lights, blinkers, everything."
"Where are the blinkers?" She asked while playing with a few switches. "See the little lever next to the wheel on the left side." Serena nodded. "Flip it up or down, depending on which way you want to go." She flipped it up and the right blinker came on. "Ok, now put your foot on the brake and put the car in drive." She did. "Switch from the brake to the gas and push slowly." Serena did as she was told and floored the gas. She made a few quick turns then made a perfect stop.
"How's that?" She smiled at her best friend.
"I think we need to work on your led foot."
Serena walked into the mall with Darien right behind her. The mall was large, two stories with over 200 stores. Darien was right about how many girls were there, however nobody paid any attention to them yet. They walked into the first store they saw, which was NY and Company, one of her favorite stores. Darien insisted she try on anything and everything she liked, she did have an entire closet to fill. She found a new purse, a couple skirts and shirts. After about twenty minutes they walked back out of the store carrying two large bags. They went through the same routine for the next four stores.
"I wish we would have brought Jake to carry some bags." Serena smiled, looking back at Darien who carried six large bags of clothes and shoes.
"I don't know if you want to come with me to where I have to go." She told Darien while heading toward Victoria Secret.
"Why not?" He did not know where she was going. However, when they stopped Darien saw where he was. "You're right...um...I'll go put these in the car and grab some ice cream, you want anything?" She shook her head and walked in. When she started to check out she heard a bunch of girls screaming and laughed. The cashier gave her credit card back and Serena walked out with her bags.
Darien was standing in the middle of a mob of girls, trying to get out. She chuckled a little to herself and made her way through the mob, stopping right in front of Darien.
"Hey honey!" She gave him a "you-owe-me-big" smile, and then went to kiss him on the cheek, but he turned at the right moment and caught her lips. The girls groaned and broke up. Serena was surprised when Darien deepened the kiss. It was meant to be a simple kiss on the cheek just to fool the girls, but now their tongues were dancing and his arms held her closer while roaming around her back. They finally broke apart and Serena stumbled trying to sit down on the nearby bench.
"Um...Serena...I'm sorry about that. I guess I got caught up in the moment." She turned to the blushing Darien and smiled a little. Wow! At least he is a great kisser.
"Don't worry about it, I started it. Just forget it ok?" He nodded and helped her up. He grabbed her Victoria secret bag and tried to look in it.
"So what did you buy?" He asked while moving away some of the paper. She quickly snatched it from him.
"Nothing for you." She played.
"Are you sure?" He winked at her. She just smacked his shoulder a little.
"Come on, I still need to get a pair of tennis shoes, do you have courts at the house?" She asked while grabbing his hand and pulled him to the Shoe department.
"Yeah, in the back…You play tennis?" She nodded her head. "I bet I can beat you."
"Oh yeah?" He nodded. "Ok, it's a bet, what are the terms?"
"Ok, if I win, I get another kiss-"
"And if I win?"
"You get to go out on a date with me." He said while grinning. She just rolled her eyes.
"It sounds like a win-win situation for you." She said while smiling. "If I win, you will have to go into Victoria Secret with me and stay for at least ten minutes." She held out her hand for him to shake. "Deal?"
"Deal." He grabbed her hand and shook it. "How did you learn to play tennis?"
"Do you know Amara James?" He nodded.
"Yeah, she's that race car driver right?"
"Yeah, she was the one who taught me to drive, and to play tennis." He raised an eyebrow. "She is my best friend. We did all sorts of things together, but she moved away to America to race."
"I'm sure she will come back soon." He wrapped his arm gently around her shoulder and smiled at her. "You do know that it is going to be cold soon. Do you have a jacket?"
"Shit, that's what I forgot." She looked up at him and cringed. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't swear. Its bad aren't it?" Darien just laughed.
"Serena, don't worry about it. Believe me they just pop out sometimes." He smiled down at her.
"Thanks, I just need to get a hang of everything I guess." She sighed. "I have school next week too; I haven't gotten any supplies or a backpack." She sighed again. "Looks like we are going to be here for a while."