First of all, I'd really like to thank Laura for her review. Laura, I can't believe I made such a mistake like that! I should know better. Thanks for catching it for me & giving me a heads up. Moving on...standard disclaimers apply. I don't own Sailor Moon, but I'm content in knowing that you don't either. Unless you're Naoko Takeuchi-sama...then I'm in awe!
CHAPTER EIGHT
Expect the Unexpected
"Serena-chan," Akira called, "you have a call on line one."
"Thanks, Akira. Moshi moshi?"
"Serena! It's Rei."
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing, I'm just calling to tell you about who got their new line!"
"Are you serious?! That's great! Congratulations!"
"Thanks. I'm so excited. I'm calling everyone closest to me about my news. Listen, Rena-chan, I want to throw a dinner party Friday night at the apartment to celebrate. Only close friends, of course. You wouldn't mind, would you?"
"Of course not. You didn't even have to ask, it's your apartment too. Am I invited?"
"Of course you are! My brother's going to be there, also. He's looking forward to meeting you."
"Your brother. Great! I'm looking forward to meeting him too. I haven't seen him yet. Do you have any pictures of him?"
Rei got quiet before answering. "Uh, no. No I don't have any photos. Look, Rena, I have to go. I just wanted to tell you my news."
"I'm glad you did. I want a discount from all of your designer wear. And a few freebies wouldn't hurt either."
Rei laughed. "Sure. Hey! Before I forget, how are things going between you and that baka boss of yours?"
Serena sighed. "I saw him half hour ago, and while he's still an obnoxious ego-maniac, I'm determined to follow my side of the bargain. Whether he can stick to his side remains to be seen."
"I want to meet this guy. I know! Invite him over Friday night."
"What?! NO WAY!" Serena fairly screamed. She saw everyone looking over at her and ducked down in her seat. "Thanks a lot, Rei, now that baka dipstick will probably come over here to see--" Before she could even finish, the shadow appeared. "Hold on, Rei. Somebody wants to tell me something."
"Is there a problem, Carroll-san? You seem to be having difficulties."
"No, sir. No problems at all. Sorry for screaming."
"Please keep down, Carroll-san. You're disturbing the artists. And is that a personal call you're taking? I also ask that you refrain from doing so on company time."
*Hypocrite!* A voice raged. *You know it's not against company policy to take calls. Ito-san doesn't mind as long as the work gets done. You even talked to Rei half hour ago!*
'Well, what if she's talking to a guy?' his thoughts questioned.
*Then that's her business,* the voice answered.
Darien frowned at the conclusions he faced. If Serena was indeed talking to a man, then there was nothing he could do about it. But that didn't stop the urge to try. So he stood there trying to listen in while Serena took her call.
Serena realized this, "Uh...I have to go. I've got company."
"Who? Your boss?"
"Yeah."
"You mean he's still there? Watching you?"
"Yup."
"That's creepy, not to mention stupid."
"You hit the nail on the head, stupid creep," she muttered so Darien wouldn't hear.
Rei laughed. "What's up with this guy? Does he think he can intimidate you or something?"
"I don't know. Maybe."
"I've definitely got to meet this guy. I'll come over tomorrow and we'll go out for lunch. You can point him out when I get there."
"Ok. Look, I gotta go. I should get off at five. I'll see you later tonight."
'She'll see him later tonight? Not if I can help it,' Darien thought.
"Bye," Rei called back.
"Who was that, Carroll-san?" demanded Darien.
Serena turned and gave him a funny look. She glanced around the department and saw that while most were pretending that they weren't listening, a few just couldn't hide their excitement of seeing another verbal duel.
Remembering the truce, she admirably bit back asking him where he got off thinking it was any of his business to know. That didn't stop her from gritting her teeth. Taking a deep breath, she calmly replied, "That's personal information, bossman."
"Personal, is it?"
"Yes. It was on a need to know basis, and you didn't need to know."
"Well I don't want you taking any more personal calls during company hours, Carroll-san."
"Yes, I got that while I was on the phone, which you rudely interrupted."
"Your shrill voice was disturbing the artist's work."
"Shrill!" she screamed.
That was obviously the wrong thing to say. Darien winced from her loud voice. In his jealousy, he'd forgotten his surroundings. If his commanding presence at Serena Carroll's workstation hadn't everyone's attention by now, then they sure had it now.
He looked around for the first time. "Uh, Carroll-san," he asked quietly, "would you mind if we discussed this at another time?"
"What?" Serena was too carried away by her anger to lower her voice. "You were the one who came over here throwing around false accusations and insults!"
"It's my job to oversee that any trouble afoot be avoided."
"Are you implying that I'm trouble?"
"You know that quaint American saying, 'If the shoe fits...',"
"You don't seem to remember that I told you that there were no problems the first time you asked. After I answered you, you should've been on your merry way."
"Questioning my duties again, Carroll-san?
"I question all of your actions."
"I haven't heard any complaints from anyone else."
"That's because they don't know any better," she replied.
"Or maybe it's just that you have a serious problem, Carroll-san. Why must it always only be you I need to deal with?"
"What can I say, you bring out the worst in me."
"Your 'worst' as you call it, is becoming a nuisance."
"How's that?" she looked at him again.
"Er...," he stumbled, "like I said, you were alarming the artists."
"Oh yeah?" She got up, "Was I disturbing any of you guys with my phone call?" she called out. The room was silent except for the few muffled laughs. "There, you see? Even that didn't bother them. So if that's your only complaint, then move on."
"Carroll-san!" he hissed. "I won't tolerate this behavior. One more outburst like that, and I'll take action."
"And what are you gonna do, tell my mommy?"
"I'm warning you, Carroll-san."
Serena sighed. She was so tired. She turned away only to catch sight of the written truce. Already their agreement was down the drain. "Look, it won't happen again."
Darien followed her line of sight and saw her copy of the truce too. "Carroll-san," he sighed, "just try to keep it down, ok?"
"Fine."
********
The next day
Rei walked into Himeko Ito's Entertainment Art Studio just before noon. She had already found out where Serena was located from the receptionist out front. She was provided with a guest i.d., which was a little new to her since she had never visited her brother during working hours. She quickly spotted her roommate's blonde head and walked up behind her.
"Ok, I'm here. Where is he?"
"Rei!" Serena jumped and clutched her hand to her chest. "Don't do that! You scared me!"
"Consider it payback for all those times you slammed the door at home."
"Yeah, yeah."
"I repeat, where is he?"
"I'm assuming you're talking about the baka. Yeah, he's not here."
"What do you mean he's not here? I came all the way across town just to see this guy and give him a piece of my mind!"
"Sorry you wasted the trip. I would've loved seeing that. He got called out early this morning and hasn't been back since, thank goodness."
"The truce still not working, huh? It didn't look good from what you told me yesterday."
"It's works fine--as long as he's not here to bother me." She turned back to her sketchpad, "just let me finish this up right quick and we can go to lunch."
********
Between meetings, Motoki pulled Darien aside. "So, buddy, how's life been treating ya? Been good?"
"Oh, it's been going as well as I expected."
"And how's that?"
"You know, you take the good with the bad. The usual."
'This is going to be harder than I thought,' Motoki thought. "Ok, I'll come straight out since you want to play the stubborn game. How's the truce working?"
"Want to hear the story straight from the horse's mouth, do you?"
"You know it."
"Well, you know how I told you that Serena thought the idea of the truce was stupid?"
"Yeah."
"She was right."
"Really? But it's only been in effect for what? Two days?"
"Exactly. Today would be the second day and I haven't even seen her today. But it failed as soon as it began. I'm sure you heard about the battle in the workshop, right?"
"Uh, yeah. From several sources actually."
"If you know what happened already, then why are you asking me about this?"
"Because I want to hear your side of the story. How you feel about the matter with Serena. I'm your best friend, I like to know these kind of things."
"What did you hear?" Darien asked.
"That you acted like an idiot again."
Darien groaned. 'Great! Now everyone had witnessed what a total jerk I was to Serena. Although, I'm not surprised. We certainly had everyone's attention.'
"My sources also say," Motoki continued, "that the whole feud was your fault too. Come to think of it, it seems like it's always your fault, Darien. And what caused it this time? A phone call?"
"NO!" Darien shouted defensively. "Here's what happened. I was walking around the studio, looking over a few things and talking to a few people when I hear this loud...shriek of some kind. The most horrible noise I've ever heard. Of course I realized it was Serena Carroll right away, so I went over to see what the problem was. One thing led to another and..."
"And your brilliant truce was shot all to bits," Motoki commented dryly. "Why didn't you just leave after you made sure that nothing was wrong?"
"I don't know," admitted Darien. "I overheard part of her conversation on the phone and I kinda stuck around to see what she was talking about."
Motoki looked at him funny. "And the reason for eavesdropping would be what?"
Darien mumbled something.
"What was that? Couldn't hear you," Motoki said.
"I said that she was talking to a guy!"
Motoki considered that for a moment, shook his head, then reached the only conclusion he could. "You were jealous," he said wonderingly.
Darien shifted a little, looking uncomfortable.
Motoki then grinned. "Ah ha! So you do like her? I knew it!"
Darien scowled. He could deny it until his dying day and Motoki wouldn't believe him. "I admit that I admire her."
"You like her."
"She's a talented artist."
"You like her."
"And some would consider her pretty."
"Pretty? Dude, she's a goddess! C'mon, admit it. You like her."
"No."
"I'll take that as a yes."
"Motoki!" Darien cried exasperated. "Stay out of this?"
"But I have to help you two lovebirds get together."
"Just leave it alone, Motoki," Darien warned.
Motoki smiled. "You know, you two would be a good couple too. Almost as good as Reika and me. What does your sister have to say about all this? She's wants to set you up with her roommate, right?"
"Rei? No. She just wants me to meet her new friend."
"Hmm. Well, I still think you ought to do something about Serena. That truce was the best idea you had yet regarding her, even though it's not really working. Have you really put forth the effort, Darien?"
"Motoki! Will you let me handle this? It's my business!"
"You don't have to get mad at me because things aren't working out the way you'd like. It's certainly not my fault you go about romancing women backwards. But I forgot, you have that Elementary thing going. Who knows, maybe it'll work...in a few years or so. You don't have that kind of time, Darien. She leaves in a few months."
"I realize that. And maybe then I could get some peace when she's finally gone for good."
"Or maybe your problems will have just begun."
********
Serena and Rei ended up at a café called Crown's just a few blocks from the studio. Its location was very ideal for the patrons they dealt with.
"Have you decided what you'll serve Friday night?" Serena asked.
"Not yet. But I know that I'm not going to want to cook. Slaving over a hot stove all day--what kind of celebration would that be? And I don't really want to have food pulled out of the freezer either."
"You could always have it catered."
"True. But it'll have to be something affordable. You know, cheap, but not so cheap that you could tell it was cheap."
"How about me paying half the expenses and we get something moderately expensive?"
"Rena-chan, you don't have to do that. Really."
"I know I don't, but I want to. Please? Consider it as a congratulatory gift. Besides, you know how much I eat, I'll be getting my money's worth." They laughed at that considering Serena's healthy appetite.
"Thanks, Rena."
"No problem. Now are we getting themed food here?"
"Hmm," Rei considered, "that might be good. It would make it easier to find someone to cater it then. There's a Mexican place that recently opened up. That's brand new food for Japan."
"Nah, I hate Mexican."
"You hate food?" Rei asked, shocked.
"Hey! It could happen. How about Chinese?"
"Too close to take-out. I want something a little fancier than that. French?"
"What exactly is French cuisine?" Serena asked.
"I don't know. Hiroyuki Sakai's makes French cuisine on Iron Chef. They say it's very good."
"I love that show, but I'd rather try it first than test it out on guests. How about Italian?"
"Italian might work," Rei said, considering the option. "Yes, Italian has variety. We could have spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, and all kinds of things. Yeah, let's do Italian. Who should we hire?"
"Got me. I just got here recently while you've been here all your life. Pick a place that's good."
"I'll look up a few places later today."
"Who are you inviting?"
"Just a few friends from work and my brother of course. I've already told them not to make plans that night, so they're coming. You should invite some people too. That way you won't be totally bogged down by strangers."
"I think I will." Serena sat there a minute thinking about her friends at work. "I think I'll invite two friends from work and his girlfriend. Oh, but he'll be out all today and tomorrow. He gave me his cell number, I'll call him now." She sat and dialed the number. On the fourth ring, someone picked up.
"Motoki," the voice greeted.
"Hey! This is Serena."
"Serena? Hey! How are you?"
"Oh, I'm good. How about you?"
"All's well. What's up?"
"Well I was wondering if you were busy on Friday night."
"I don't think so. Why?"
"My roommate, Rei, is having dinner party Friday night. Just small affair."
"That sounds like fun."
"Yeah. We're celebrating her success in the fashion world, so we're calling a few friends to come join us for dinner. I was wondering if you and Reika would like to come?"
"Friday night? Sure! What time?"
"Seven."
"Great! Should we bring anything?"
"How about some wine? We've decided to go Italian."
"Sounds great. Can't wait, thanks."
"No problem. I'll see you later."
"Bye."
"So," Rei asked slyly, "you implied that two people from work would be coming..."
"Yeah?" Serena asked warily.
"Would one of those be that baka boss of yours?"
"Rei! Ew!"
********
Motoki barely contained his laughter after his unexpected invite. What were the chances? Darien had already told him of Rei's success and about the dinner party that she was planning. Who would've thought that Serena Carroll would've turned out to be Rei's roommate? And neither of them knew that they shared a common link in Rei! It was amazing. It was also bound to be quite a night come Friday. He couldn't help but wonder if he should alert Darien to the situation.
'No,' he thought. 'This is just going to be too good. Finally a place I can see all the fireworks. I can't wait!'
"So what did Serena want?" inquired his dark haired friend.
Motoki had forgotten that Darien was sitting next to him, hearing the entire one-sided conversation. He didn't look pleased either. Good. "She invited Reika and I out Friday night."
"No, really?" Darien replied sarcastically. "I never would have guessed." Motoki was amazed to see his normally perfectly composed friend sink down in his seat and actually sulk. "The question is--why?"
"Why what?"
"Why did she ask you out Friday?"
"She didn't ask me out. I told you that Reika's coming too."
"What did she ask you out for then?"
"My aren't we curious?" Motoki looked down so that Darien wouldn't see the mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Why do you think?"
"Probably to go out on a double date with that guy she was talking to," Darien replied somberly.
It occurred to Motoki that Serena wasn't talking to some man. It could have possibly been her roommate, Rei. He almost felt sorry for Darien. Almost. "Are you sure that it was a man Serena was talking to? I mean, how can you be sure?"
"Of course I'm sure! Who else could it have been? And she's making plans for Friday night."
"It's the weekend," Motoki said dryly, "people do that."
"But they don't usually invite couples out to go with them unless it's for a date. A double date!"
"Let's just say it's going to be an evening of entertainment, and leave it at that."
********
Friday night
All of the guests had arrived for the little party, except for Rei's brother. He had been detained, so he called in that he would be a little late. No one had minded, so they decided to hold off dinner until he had arrived.
Serena liked Rei's fashion friends. They were so happy for their friend's success. Rei vowed that she'd have them design a few things also for her line and make sure that they got their name spread around. Half an hour went by and Serena was talking to Motoki and his girlfriend, Reika. Motoki seemed especially excited this evening for some reason. She had found out that he knew Rei through her brother. Everyone was sipping champagne and chatting when the door bell rang.
"That must be Rei's brother," she said. Serena looked over and saw that Rei was preoccupied, "I guess I'll get that."
*ding dong* The doorbell rang again.
"Coming!" she called.
She opened the door, and gasped so loudly that all the guests turned to see what was happening.
*Dun Dun Dun* Whoever could it be behind the door to make Serena act so strangely? I bet you can guess. How am I doing so far? Keeping you in suspense? I hope that you keep staying tuned. Thanks for keeping up with it so far. So now comes the part where I ask you to R/R. You've already done the 1st "R" (read), so please do the 2nd "R" (review). Just hit the "Go" button at the bottom of the screen. And to everyone who has reviewed...Thank you SO much!!! I read every last one & I really appreciate your thoughts. Til next time...