Once again, Serena was stuck arriving home at around midnight. Of course, the extra work she had been receiving lately was to be expected, given the article that had been released about a month ago in the New York Times, naming Serena Tsukino as "New York's greatest divorce attorney; a woman who will soon revolutionize the process of divorce as we know it." Goodness, how Serena hated that article. Soon after, every businessman, socialite, mob boss, and gold-digger demanded Serena Tsukino, LL.B to represent them, thinking that wealth could fix a faulty pre-nup, or lack thereof. However, Serena cringed at the idea that she would, "add flair and fashion to the world of divorce." Uptown New York had enough romantic drama without her adding to it.
Working as a divorce lawyer had not been Serena's dream job. As a fresh-faced, eager law school graduate, she had wanted to work in criminal law, defending the innocent and putting evil-doers in jail. She had held an image of herself as some type of superhero who would help bring justice to the world. However, law school had not come cheaply and heaping educational debts meant she did not have time to seek her dream job. Instead, she accepted an invitation from one of New York's finest divorce firms. Now, she helped to break up marriages.
As soon as Serena locked her door, she switched on the light and, exhausted, flopped down onto her light pink couch. Her uptown apartment followed the stereotypical fashion common amongst many New York City urbanites: stylish, classy, and messy. In an effort to find the television remote, Serena was forced to finally confront the multiple empty sushi cartons and takeout boxes strewn across her coffee stand. Obviously, her love of eating was amongst the most prominent traits the apartment displayed. In the corner, Serena spotted a black, furry mound, huddled inside a light pink fabric-covered basket. Clearly, Luna had decided not to wait up for her owner tonight.
"…partly cloudy tomorrow with some chance of showers," blared suddenly from the plasma screen television, causing Serena to jump. Apparently, she had found the remote without actually "finding" the remote. Well, at least the television was on now. Hopefully, the volume would not wake Luna, although this was a given, as nothing could wake Luna. When that cat slept, she really slept. Serena chose to tidy up the coffee table first before continuing her search for the evasive remote. Wading through stacks of documents and newspapers, she managed to make her way towards the kitchen. Perhaps she should hire a housekeeper? She certainly had enough money, but something disturbed Serena about an unknown stranger rummaging through her property. While in the kitchen, she grabbed a half-eaten carton of mint chocolate chip ice cream before heading back towards the living room and plopping herself down on the couch right in time to stare at the gorgeous body of none other than Beryl, in a highlight of New York's fashion week. Normally, the sight would not have affected Serena in the slightest, but for some strange reason, she felt a pang of something – although what exactly, she could not name. Perhaps bed would be best at the moment. Putting away the ice cream, Serena scrambled around for the remote and, after a few minutes of searching, finally found it lodged right under her seat cushion. After switching off the television, she flopped back onto the couch to rest a moment before she would then into her pajamas.
The next day, Serena awoke to the shrill ringing of her home telephone, accompanied by Luna hissing at the noisy appliance. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, realizing from the smudges of mascara smeared onto her fists that she had not yet removed yesterday's makeup. As she lifted herself up by her elbows, her neck and shoulder muscles smarted from the couch's hard, cardboard armrests. While attempting to reach a sitting position, she accidentally rolled onto the floor, letting out an irritated grunt. Clambering to her feet, she hurried to the kitchen just in time to hear the answering machine divert the call.
"Hi, you've reached the apartment of Serena Tsukino," sang Serena's recorded voice from the tiny, silver device. "I'm either not here at the moment, or just too busy to speak to you, but at any rate, leave a name, phone number, and message, and I'll call you back later. Have a nice day!"
"Serena!" blared the voice of an evidently irritated Molly. "You've only got a half hour before your first appointment! What's going on? You haven't been late for a week now, and I'd really like it if I did not have to deal with another angry, rich snob so early in the morning. So get up and get your butt down here, pronto! I'll try your cell, then. Bye!"
Serena's eyes widened as she turned toward the digital clock on her end table, which proudly displayed '10:30 AM' in red laser text. She had half an hour to get ready and hitch a subway ride down to the office – an impossible task. Looking down, Serena saw that she still had on her suit and stockings from the day before and her hair and makeup were an absolute mess. However, she immediately began a shortened version of her morning routine and managed to make herself look halfway presentable with a new suit, freshly applied makeup, and her waist-length, blonde hair pulled into a high ponytail. About fifteen minutes later – a time that must have qualified as some sort of world record – she bolted out of the building's revolving door, running to the subway station in her leather pumps. As she shoved her way through the crowded streets of the Big Apple's uptown district, her stomach grumbled angrily. Never has Serena Tsukino missed a meal in her life. However, if she did not make it to the meeting, Molly would be absolutely furious, and the last thing she needed was a feature in the New York Times about how she was murdered by the receptionist.
"I'm here," gasped Serena as she reached the receptionist desk. Although she had slowed to a brisk power-walk upon entering the building, her legs still felt about to collapse. Three-inch heels and running were not an agreeable combination. "Where is the client?"
"You just missed him," answered Molly tersely.
"What? I'm only ten minutes late!"
"I know," Molly said with a giggle. "He rescheduled right after I called your home phone. He said he had an urgent meeting to get to, and that he was sorry. Didn't you notice that I never called your cell? I thought it would serve you right to rush all the way here for nothing. Maybe next time you won't leave me hanging like this again," she added with a wink. "By the way, why didn't you answer the phone if you were home? I know you heard my massage because you're here."
Serena blushed. She knew that Molly was perfectly aware of why she did not answer, and was only doing this to make her feel embarrassed. They had been best friends ever since they were still young high school girls in Japan. When Serena arrived at the law firm, the two met each other once again by complete coincidence, as the firm had recently hired Molly to replace a retired receptionist. Now, Serena was relying on Molly once again, just as she had in high school – not that either minded.
"I," stammered Serena, looking down at the marble surface of the receptionist desk. "I was asleep."
"Of course," answered Molly triumphantly. "I knew it all along. You have to learn to just let things go sometimes. If you keep working till the late night hours, it will only affect your daytime performance. Hey, you want to grab lunch later?"
"I have some more work to do," Serena responded, although upon catching a stern look from Molly, added, "Although I guess I could move some things around and make time."
"Good girl," Molly said with a smile. "Evidently, you know that I know that you haven't had breakfast yet. And I know that without breakfast, it's just a matter of time before Serena Tsukino becomes a rambling pile of post-lawyer mess."
"What would I do without you?" asked Serena as she headed down the hall. All around her, the firm was buzzing with life. After shutting the door to her personal office space, Serena sat down in her leather spin chair. Now that her latest appointment canceled, she had a free hour at her disposal. It had been so long since she had had any leisure time that truthfully, Serena did not know what she was supposed to do with it. As if by providence, the phone on her desk rang just as the thought ran through her mind.
"Hello," said Serena with authority into the receiver. "Serena Tsukino speaking."
"Oh, fancy schmancy lawyer talk, huh?" rang the voice of none other than Serena's friend Raye, the black-haired, violet-eyed woman who ran a trendy massage parlor and meditation shop off Broadway, named "Paradise Mars." However, despite her business motto, "Ease your stress in Paradise," the girl possessed a fiery temper and a sarcastic persona that was difficult to ignore.
"Hi, Raye," answered Serena while browsing some files at the same time.
"Put down whatever you are doing, because I can hear you ruffling the papers, loud and clear," Raye exclaimed. "When you speak to Raye Hino, you must focus entirely on me."
Serena rolled her eyes. Most people found Raye's personality to be somewhat rude and annoying, as had Serena when the two had first met. Although once understood, Raye turned out to be extremely kind and loyal, even if she tended to tease more than the average person.
"You know how busy I am, Raye," responded Serena, continuing to sort through her papers. "We're still getting together tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah, whatever," Raye answered dismissively. "Anyways, I have a new shipment of romance candles which, supposedly, have mystical powers that make you irresistible to men. Shall I save you one?"
"Raye, you know I'm not into that kind of stuff anymore," answered Serena, rolling her eyes. As college roommates, she and Raye had bonded over the mutual love of romance and fantasy. However, unlike Serena, Raye was still a believer and had a fetish for love potions, love candles, and the like. Every other night, after locking up her shop, she would dress up and head out to a singles' bar to meet eligible young men to dance with – and sometimes spend the night with as well. Normally, such behavior would be dangerous, but not with Raye. Serena had yet to meet a man who had successfully cheated Raye Hino without receiving a swift kick in the crotch.
"Okay, fine then," said Raye. "Gosh, you were so much more fun before your little anti-romance phase. Now you're just She-Man Amazon Lady – independent, and without want of any man."
"It's not a phase," retorted Serena. "If you knew of half the stories I've heard with all these divorcing couples, you'd lose faith in love too. And don't call me She-Man Amazon Lady!"
"Yeah, whatever Amazon," said Raye before hanging up quickly.
Serena rolled her eyes once again as she hung up the phone. Apparently, she had a new nickname that, come tomorrow, would no doubt make itself known amongst all her other friends as well. As a lawyer, Serena had no trouble retaliating to insults and witticisms, but when it came to Raye, her own stubbornness was no match. The two were so similar, but different at the same time that it was a wonder they would get along at all, let alone become lifelong friends. When the housing committee had initially seen them together, they had anticipated a disaster. Every night, the two would play pranks on one another. Serena still remembered the time she fell asleep in front of the television and awoke to find that her face had become the canvas for a Sharpie mural. It took three days before the black ink had completely faded. Then, there was the brilliant occasion when Serena had tidbits of Raye's diary made into fliers, which she placed strategically around the campus. However, eventually both of them matured and became friends – to the great relief of all who knew them.
Looking at the wooden clock on her desk, Serena realized that it was now 11:30 AM. Putting away her papers, she prepared to meet Molly for their lunch date.
"…so this guy was totally just yelling at me, and I just said, 'Listen, sir. There is nothing I can do about the elevator. You'll just have to take the stairs,'" said Molly, giggling.
Serena and Molly sat under an umbrella, at an outside patio table. After some debate, they had decided to go to a nearby café, "La Patisserie," which was a famous hotspot for celebrities and city natives. All around them sat a multitude of people dressed in chic fashions. Molly pulled a pair of sunglasses out of her bag, with white frames that matched her crisp scarf. Serena giggled, sipping from her espresso. It was moments like these that made her feel as if she were a character in a TV show, and not just one of millions of regular businesspeople. Although she would never wish to live in the public eye, Serena did enjoy the occasional glamorous moment.
"Excuse me," called a voice nearby. Serena wondered who would be talking so loudly that they were even clearly audible over the usual noise pollution – especially with so many Paparazzi nearby, waiting for a celebrity to show up. Actually, now that she thought about it, Serena realized that it was unusual for so many cameras to flash as they were doing now, unless there really was somebody famous in the building at this very moment.
"Excuse me," called the voice again, this time louder. Turning, Serena saw a mound of wavy, red hair, arranged into a stylish hairdo above a heavily made up face that topped off a flawless body. A body that was clad in designer jeans, a periwinkle tank top, and a black, crotchet crop top.
"Hello, Beryl," greeted Serena with a smile. Although she still felt the same emotions toward the model as she had last night, she still kept a professional demeanor. "How may we help you?"
"Are you Serena Tsukino, the divorce lawyer whom my husband, Darien Shields, recently consulted?" asked Beryl, her eyes cold and her face unsmiling.
"That is I," responded Serena.
"Mark my words," hissed Beryl menacingly, leaning in closer to Serena so as to avoid being overheard by the press. "Do not, and I repeat, do not meet with him again. He is not in the right state of mind and this divorce was all a mistake. We were and still are happily married and you will do well not to interfere. I will not allow you to give him the divorce papers."
"There is nothing I can do," answered Serena tersely. She was really beginning to dislike this woman. "I am a divorce lawyer and I make my living off of clients who pay me to help them seek a divorce from their spouses."
At this, Beryl gave a small smile, although her eyes remained as cold as ever.
"Ah, yes," she said, her voice much less menacing this time. "I see what this is about. Well, I am prepared to pay you double whatever you would have charged Darien. All you have to do is say that you will no longer represent him. How does that sound?"
Serena looked into Beryl's mahogany brown eyes. The tiny flecks of ruby red did nothing to add any warmth to the model's face. Although she was absolutely stunning on the exterior, Serena could tell that on the inside, she was completely barren. Her grin was far from welcoming and instead, appeared sinister and condescending. It was a far cry from Darien's charming smile.
"I'm sorry," said Serena, her voice filled with finality. "I'm afraid that would be extremely unethical on my part. There is nothing I can do."
Beryl's eyes seemed to widen, although with surprise or anger, Serena could not deduce. Lifting her head, she merely flipped back the curls that had fallen over her shoulders when she had leaned over. Adjusting her designer purse, she smiled at the paparazzi before leaning back in towards Serena, although a little less closely this time.
"You will regret your decision," she answered, smiling. "I have an extremely broad network of connections and I will absolutely ruin you."
With that, Beryl turned and strutted out of the café terrace, onto the bustling sidewalk, where she hopped onto a waiting limousine and soon melted into traffic.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Well, this one's a bit longer than my last chapter, but I didn't want to just hand you all another boring intro piece. Hope you enjoyed the update. ) I'll try to get the next chapter up as soon as I can.
Next, I would like to give a shout out to all my reviewers from the last chapter. You've really given me encouragement to continue with this story, especially when I was scared that no one would like it. w So, thanks soooo much!
Thanks to:
LynGreenTea, daisy31, serenity11287, Kana07, Little Ler, and Alexandria18.
And to Little Ler: Thanks for telling me about the Anonymous reviews. I didn't realize the thing was disabled, but I've enabled it now. ;)
Thanks again, everyone! .:huggles:.