AN: I've just realized that I am not very consistent. I'm very bummed about that. It's not a good trait. I say that I'm going to write shorter chapters and update more often. Do I do that? No. I say that I'm going to be posting extra info and answer questions on my webpage. Have I been doing that? N-O-P-E. Gosh darn it, I'm mad at myself. I've decided that I simply should shut up. What's the good in me saying anything when I don't do it. Here's how it is, whenever I feel like posting, I will post. That works for both of us right? It damn well better, because I can't come up with a better solution.
Anyways, about this chapter: I think that it's okay. You may or may not like it. To me, personally, I feel that the story is dragging on...I need something climatic...events seem like they're being over dramatic and over played now...but hey! Don't let that stop you from reading it! But do tell me what you think when you're done. I want to improve for the next chapter. Suggestions always welcomed!
So, now on with the show!
Disclaimer: All rights to Sailor Moon reserved to Naoko Takeuchi.
Neither Serena nor Darien moved an inch for a full hour. They sat together like old friends who grew up with one another, and were discussing trivial things that animated the room with the heat of their debate. But that was just an analogy. The truth of the matter was: they were not old friends; they've known each other not even for a year. They were not quibbling over trivial things either; they were quibbling over the plans of their wedding, in which they would be bonded together for life. Frightful. Mere strangers were all they were. And mere strangers they promised to be.
"How about next spring?" Serena suggested thoughtfully; propping her chin in the palms of her hands. She was leant over her legs, her head tilted up towards Darien.
"Its spring now," Darien frowned.
"Is that an agreement?" Serena asked hopefully; she squinted at his intimidating scowl.
"Its spring now," Darien reiterated, looking fiercer. He sat straight back against the couch, his arms rested along the top cushions.
Serena was not scared of Darien's sharp eyes. In fact, she had already come to the conclusion that she would not be the one being pushed around in the marriage. No siree; if Darien wanted to play rough, she'd put in equal measure.
This time, as Serena spoke again, she put an extra force behind her voice, "I think," she paused dramatically, rising from her bent position until her back was a rigid upright arch, and then she cast him a piercing glare, "that a spring wedding would be beautiful."
She watched as Darien's scowl melted away, replaced by a slow almost sexy smile. His eyes connected with hers, and for the briefest of seconds she saw in his eyes an understanding. She decided she liked that—this strange connection that she somehow shared with him. It would almost be very beautiful if not for the fact that neither of them felt any real romantic affection for the other. She had won, she knew. He would relent.
"It's spring now."
This time it was Serena's turn to frown. Boy was she wrong.
She looked menacing, Darien decided, and his smile broadened.
So much for a connection, she thought dryly. Yeah, sure, she murmured sarcastically to herself, she certainly could read him like a book. Serena sighed, her frustration on the verge of exploding from the top of her head like molten magma from an ancient volcano.
"I know its spring now," she replied in a strangely controlled calm voice.
Darien nodded, satisfied, and then said, "All right then; now we can continue with the plans."
Serena chanted a prayer for patience, for she was sure she was going to kill this man before they could walk down the isle together.
"Darien," Serena purred on a yawn, "What's wrong with getting married next spring?"
Like a child eyeing a piece of delectable candy in a window display, Darien's eyes hungrily followed the arch of Serena's back as she pushed her chest forward and raised her arms high above her head in a lazy, unconscious movement to stretch her aching muscles. His eyes set a hot path down her creamy elegant neck, lingering at her breasts thrusting out against the white T-shirt she wore, and finally down the erotic curve of her back to the tiny exhibit of flesh that was only visible when her shirt was hiked up with the elevation of her arms. And on his journey back up, he lit the trail with a match that set her whole body ablaze.
There was no way in hell he was going to wait a full year before he took her to bed. Absolutely no way.
And he told her exactly that.
Serena flushed beet red. "I did not want to hear that."
A slow roguish grin pulled at Darien's lips. His eyes lit up with amusement as he directed his soul-searing gaze onto her. "I thought women liked it when their men told them how attractive they were." His voice was like a child's; he feigned innocence of her embarrassed glare. He even had the audacity to shrug his shoulders at her and smile knowingly.
His good humor proved contagious. Serena looked away, unable to help the laughter that escaped from her mouth. She really did not want to encourage his foolishness, but he was too darn cute. She couldn't help it. And strangely, she didn't want to help it.
Serena took a quick glance back at Darien and found him still watching her with that knowing gaze, and she diverted her eyes to her lap. She remembered the staring contests she used to have with Darien a while back and how she would never back down from a challenge; but for some reason, she simply could not bring herself to meet his eyes anymore. It seemed to her that there was something underlying the simple action, as though if she ever did connect with his gaze she'd be a goner. Doomed. It'd be the end of it for her. She'd fall in love, that was for sure, and she couldn't let that happen.
Taking a deep breath, drawing up all her courage, Serena commanded in her no-nonsense voice, "Stop it. We're getting sidetracked again, and personally, I want to discuss the important issues before the day is out and I have to leave."
Despite Serena's fervent tries to get his mind out of the gutter, Darien did not sober up to her authoritative tone. Instead he sat back and regarded her with an amused sideways glance that irritated Serena to the point of contemplating homicide. He was trying his damn best to keep the conversation light and carefree while his bride was trying her damn best to keep the conversation as professional and serious as it was. Their efforts simply were not effective.
"Okay, fine. Since its spring now," she mimicked Darien's tone, and then glowered when he chuckled at her dire attitude, "Let's have our wedding at the end of April. That gives us two full months to take care of arrangements."
"Two weeks," Darien shook his head.
Confused by Darien's words, Serena dug into her pockets and pulled out her cell phone. The frown upon her brows lifted as she checked the screen. "No," She shook her head, "It's only the first week of March, which means we'll have all of this month and all of April to prepare for the—Why are you shaking your head like that? Darien, stop it."
"I'll give you two weeks tops and then we'll have the wedding," Darien answered. He was being very serious. The set in his jaw was evidence enough for that, and Serena was becoming increasingly incensed with his easy air of authority. It wasn't fair, he had a lifetime of practice, and she really did not know how to deal with him.
"But Darien," Serena protested, she felt hopelessly helpless and she didn't like it—she was the bride damn it and the wedding was suppose to be done her way—"I don't want to get married in March."
Darien didn't even spare her a glance as he replied, "Well that's too bad, I've already decided."
Infuriated, Serena jumped to her feet. She turned like a madman on Darien. Her hands were clenched at her sides, her knuckles white with the sheer might she exerted on them, forcing all the blood into her face, which burned red with her anger. "Unless you're marrying yourself, Darien, you have to consult me with your stupid ideas first before we go through with them! This is my wedding too, and I will not sit back and watch like some helpless bystander or worst—like a guest—while my whole wedding happens before my eyes. I won't have it! We're partners here, and if this is your idea of an equal partnership, then I really don't think I want to stick around for the rest of my life to see how this—this thing turns out! Do you understand me?"
Her voice broke at the end. And despite her act of strength, her vulnerability shone through.
Serena was trying her hardest not to cry. She was becoming an emotional wreck and she could not explain it. Could it be due to stress? No, she reasoned, stress was hardly the problem. Could it be due to the fact that she was selling herself into this marriage in name only? It made sense. She was filled with so much doubt and confusion about her decision; she was lost in a whirlwind of questions. She couldn't help but feel that there was something else there. Something. It was subtle, barely detectable, but still there, and it was tearing at her, and somehow she knew it had to do with her real decision for agreeing to marry Darien. If only she could figure out what it was.
She was breathing hard from her heated tirade; her face was still red, her hands were still clenched, but now tears threatened to fall. Darien thought she looked very much like an angry and hurt angel. His angel, and for some strange reason his chest swelled with tenderness at that thought.
One look at Darien's clenched jaw and Serena knew he was not happy with what she had just said. Slowly the tension in her fingers loosened, and when she regain some semblance of control over her breath, Serena decided to take a guarded stance, with her hands crossed over her chest and her legs together, in front of Darien. She looked away, out into the wide windows that looked down into the Chiba's large garden, so that Darien would not see her glazed eyes.
She was being stupid, she told herself. Why was she crying? There was no reason to cry. She hardly ever cried, and she would not let herself do it now, in front of Darien, and for no reason at all.
Darien knew she was on the verge of breaking down. The bright sunlight that streamed into the room through the window reflected off the tears in her eyes so that her sapphire orbs looked like crystallized wild flowers of blue. He did not like what he saw. He did not believe that the same broken girl in front of him was the same that had just been yelling like an enraged tyrannical queen at him. Silently he swore at himself.
What did he do? He wondered. Was he not being serious enough for her? He had tried to comply with her wishes. She had wanted him to be more serious, right? And he had done that. What was wrong with her? Sighing, Darien resigned himself to the knowledge that she was a woman, and with that in mind, it was fruitless for him to even try to decipher what was going through her head because he would never understand her.
But he knew that he could not leave her feeling the way she was, it was easy to see that she was hurt somehow, and he had to make amends. And he did what he knew how to do best. He reached out for her.
Surprised by the gentle caress of Darien's fingers against her skin, sending a shock of electricity through every nerve in her body, Serena's head swiftly dropped to her waist, where Darien's hands had found their way under her shirt.
"What are you doing?" She gasped. Her hands immediately sought his, in an attempt to stop him from doing anything else that may cause her heart to beat faster than it already was. His hold was strong, but very gentle, and Serena could not understand why in the world that excited her so much.
And then his voice caught her attention, and her eyes immediately connected with his. She saw all of her answers there in his eyes. Smiling back at her in their deep dark depths, were all the tenderness and affection that any man had ever given her and, until this moment, had only been a dream of hers. In that moment all of her fears seemed to fade away. There was such promise there in his gaze, such comfort. She couldn't help but feel incredibly protected. Now, she was in trouble. She had met and held Darien's gaze for longer than was reasonable.
"I'm trying to reassure you," Darien answered sincerely as he moved his thumb back and forth ever so sensually across her midriff.
Trying to ignore the sweet sensation Darien was sending up her spine, Serena raised an inquisitive brow and asked skeptically, "Reassure me?" She clamped her hands down over his thumb, which was playing a little too low under the waistband of her pants.
Nodding, Darien gently began pulling Serena closer towards him. She was intoxicating him. Just touching her drove him crazy and rational thought seemed to elude him every time she was near. And all the while, he was steering her right onto his lap.
"And how are you reassuring me?" Serena questioned. She was absolutely oblivious to Darien's expert maneuvering. Her hands were still clamped down over his.
Pulling his hands away, Darien smiled tenderly up at the girl perched on his lap. "I'm making sure that you know that between you and me we'll always have equal partnership." Placing his hands at the tops of her knees, Darien leisurely began kneading her thighs through the fabric of her jeans.
"And how are you going to do that?" She wondered, not yet aware of her soon-to-be-husband's roaming hands. Serena looked down intently at Darien to see his reply.
"Like this." With those simple words he took her chin between his thumb and index finger and brought her lips to his.
He was being extremely gentle. His kiss was incredibly sweet, and not at all forceful or passionate like the others he had given her before. There was something much deeper in this one, and very tender. Just the slight pressure of his lips against hers was making her dizzy with pleasure, but she didn't let him know it. She sat as rigidly as a block of ice upon his lap, letting his warm kisses thaw her slowly.
Serena could feel his hands moving back and forth in a comforting manner up her thighs. It wasn't at all sexual. Just soothing. His whole entire attitude was soothing, and she found herself melting into his kiss. Her nerves were calmed and her entire being relaxed, and she felt unbelievably rejuvenated. She had never felt as alive as when Darien kissed her. It was magic, pure magic, how he could make her feel this way.
Tiny butterfly kisses assaulted Serena's lips, and she smiled into it. Changing courses, Darien's lips found the corner of her mouth and created a hot trail of kisses down to her chin, and up her cheek to her earlobe. She could feel the rising passion in Darien as he breathed hotly into her ear, sending shivers of delight to her very core. And she too began to lose herself to the simmering heat that was growing stronger and stronger with each caress of Darien's lips against her skin, in the pit of her stomach.
She was falling fast into the euphoric bliss Darien was wrapping her senses in, but only one thing sent her tumbling to her heavenly demise.
Darien's voice pierced through her haze as swift as an arrow, his tone warmed her heart and kindled the fire burning deep within her. "Please," he whispered gruffly into her ear, "Kiss me back." She could feel him shake with his need to have her take part in the sweet torture he was giving them both. And Serena was swept away by the strong pull of Darien's tide, carrying her off into the vast ocean that was filled with all the wonderful possibilities Darien held in store for her. Her mind captured the poignancy of the moment like a snapshot in her heart.
"Kiss me back, sweetheart," he said again, but this time, more pleadingly as he brushed his lips tenderly against her. He wanted her entire cooperation, and he would not stop until he had her kissing him back and panting for more. Then she'd see that all he wanted was her equal partnership.
She moaned with all the emotions Darien evoked in her, and immediately she answered his plea by pressing her palms against his chest, and she began to run her tongue along the seams of his lips, urging him to open for her. Her boldness won her a strained groan from Darien as he drew her tongue into his mouth to let her explore him. And she squealed with surprise as both his hands cupped her round buttocks and lifted her so that she sat straddling his waist.
Darien could only groan again at the increase in pressure on his member. His control was slipping fast, and he knew he couldn't be doing this right before his own wedding—he'd die of raging lust. Under the intense onslaught of Serena's open mouth kiss, Darien was fighting a losing battle. He really wanted to be gentle with her; to let her take control of this kiss, just as he'd taken control of all the other ones before. But the way she was running her tongue along his was too damn tempting. And the way her body was pushing and moving against his…ah hell.
Serena felt Darien's hands slide up her thighs, where he had been massaging them with such strength that she was sure would leave bruises. Her breath caught in her throat as she felt them move up over her hips, and continue determinedly upward until they reached their destination. Her breasts. Stiffening, Serena pulled away from his lips and began panting wildly up against his cheek as she felt his hands cup her breasts firmly and began squeezing gently and kneading them seductively.
"Darien," Serena began in protest. The fear was in her voice, and Darien did not miss it. "Darien, I don't think—"
His eyes opened then, and Serena's gaze held his. She had never been held or handled in this way before. Everything he was doing to her was absolutely new, and each new experience he made her feel was a blissful surprise, but for some reason this intimacy scared her a little. It seemed to her that he was somehow finally staking his claim over her with his touch, and she wasn't sure if she wanted to relinquish to him the rights to her body just yet.
But there in his eyes, so filled with passion, she could also see genuine concern, and she melted into his hands. And it just felt right.
Feeling the stiffness leave her body, Darien fully took control over the kiss. Roughly his lips seized hers in a searing kiss that burned to the soul. It was hot and wet and open and carnal. His hands increased their force on her breasts, and his whole being shook as he heard her moan of sheer delight; but he never lost his gentle touch. In and out his tongue moved; showing her just what he wanted to do to her with his body. At first forceful and fast, but then sensually and slowly, teasing her until she was almost pleading for him to stop the torment.
She was making the sexiest sounds he'd ever heard come from any woman from the back of her throat, and it made him want to take her then and there on the couch. He could feel himself getting harder and harder at the thought of completing the act, the thought of entering her, and feeling her strong long legs wrapped around his waist.
"Damn…" he grounded out against her mouth. She was beginning to move her hips against his, and he knew she didn't know what she was doing to him. In fact, he was sure she didn't even know she was doing it.
He liked it. He liked it a lot, all right, and he wasn't going to stop her if she wanted to cuddle up against his…oh man.
Serena was trying to move away from the offending object that was pushing up against her private areas. She kept shifting left to right, up and down, but she couldn't get away from the hardness that was pressing against her. Was it his zipper? She thought through the clouded state of her mind. As Darien continued to ravage her lips with his, and drown her senses in erotic pleasure, Serena began a restless thrusting movement with her hips that she found a natural response, and it kind of…strangely, felt good.
Her hands began a slow descent down his chest, to where the hard object was straining against the very heat of the junction between her thighs.
Darien nearly shouted as he felt Serena's slender fingers close around his erection through his pants. Immediately, he pulled his lips away from hers, and his head fell to the hollow of her neck. Sweat drenched his forehead as he waited for her to release her grip on him as hot white flashes coursed through him. It was torture.
After a long moment of deep breaths, and thoughts of Antarctica, Darien was able to find his voice. It was apparent to him that Serena was in a state of shock. She did not speak nor move an inch. And that was the problem, she still held him firmly in her hands.
"Are you planning to do something with that? Because if you aren't, can I ask you to let me go?" Darien asked through clenched teeth, trying to keep his mind off his throbbing erection, in which he knew full well that Serena could feel it surging in her fingers.
At his words Serena released him, jerking her hand back as though she had just been burnt.
"I'm sorry," She blurted out embarrassedly. "I didn't know."
Throwing his head back onto the cushion of the couch, Darien closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He was giving himself time so that his heart could slow down and so the blood in his body could flow back to his brain so he could think properly.
"Don't apologize," Darien replied brusquely, and he picked her up and deposited her on the cushion beside him. "I should have stopped it before it got that far."
Her ears were pounding with her mortification, and so Serena was hardly paying attention to what Darien was saying. Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness, was all that ran through her mind. She could not believe what she had just done—what she had just held! Oh my fucking goodness. Could she possibly be more retarded? Of course the hard thing pressing up against her was his…she gulped. She should have known, but she wasn't thinking clearly at the time. Hell, she never could think clearly when Darien was around. As the full meaning of her actions hit her, Serena felt like crying with embarrassment.
Holy cow she had just grabbed his penis.
Serena wanted to jump off a bridge. She was sure she could never look Darien in the eyes again. Or worse, think of him without his erection. What was she thinking? Grabbing him like that? Serena didn't know she was holding her breath until her lungs were burning for air. Okay, just calm down, she told herself, taking deep breaths. She really needed to grow up. She was turning nineteen for Kami's sake. And was she not going to marry this man?
Truth finally dawned on Serena then. Yes, she was going to marry Darien. And yes, he gave no pretense about what he wanted to do with her on their wedding night. She knew what he wanted, and had agreed to it. So, why was she acting like this? Like a child? Darien made her yearn for so many things that excited her and scared her at the same time, but he never steered her wrong. He could make her pulse quicken with just the touch of his hands against hers, he could make her breath catch with just a sideways glance, and most of all he could make her feel incredibly wanted with just the simple caress of his lips against hers. No one ever made her feel that way before.
Serena decided that she'd best swallow up her humility, for she was going to be seeing a lot of Darien. And if touching him from outside of his pants freaked her out, she couldn't imagine what her reaction would be like, seeing him outside of his pants. She'd die, she was sure, but she'd do anything for her husband, and if he wanted to get kinky at night then she'd willingly oblige.
Seeing the sour face on Serena, Darien grimaced. He hoped she wasn't rethinking their agreement on intimacy. He knew he came on a little too strong, but he couldn't help it. Not when his little temptress was doing all of those things to his tongue, and grinding her hip up against his arousal. But, he still should have had a little more restraint. He was the experienced one. He should have stopped things before he became that lost in her kiss. Oh man, when had he ever been so lost in a kiss before? It was only Serena who could do that to him. She did the weirdest things to his thoughts. And damn it, he didn't like the way she affected him.
One thing was for sure however, he was not going to let her back out of the deal now.
Her tears were forgotten, and his purpose to show her their partnership was long gone.
"What are you thinking about?" Darien asked with a gentle frown across his forehead.
Serena looked up from her lap. Her humiliation was gone from her face. She was scowling though, and Darien didn't like that very much either. Her brows were furrowed in a thick mess of thoughts, her eyes were lowered slightly as if she were analyzing something chaotic, and her lips were pressed firmly together in a stubborn line. She was definitely thinking over the intimacy part, Darien deducted.
When Serena answered, the apprehension in her face slowly dissipated, and she managed a weak smile. "Our wedding," she answered truthfully.
Darien's frown grew fiercer. "Exactly what about our wedding?" He was making sure she wasn't dwelling on how he was possibly ruining her life by coercing her into the union.
Serena hesitated for the briefest of seconds before she gave him her answer, debating on whether or not she should fib just a little bit. "I was thinking about our wedding night," she answered honestly, and a faint blush could be detected on her cheeks. "I'm a little scared," she confessed and then added, "but I'm sure everything will turn out perfectly," and as she said this, she patted Darien lightly on the arm.
It took him a moment to realize that she was trying to reassure him. She was looking up at him with eyes that offered comfort, and he couldn't fathom why. He felt like laughing. He was in no need to be encouraged that their wedding night would be perfect, in fact, he'd make sure that her every need would be fulfilled and then he'd find his own satisfaction. He was absolutely positive everything would be heaven.
A wide grin crossed his face, and Serena thought he looked absolutely delicious. And she too smiled at the thought that she was going to have an eyecandy for a husband.
"You do know what I intend for us to do on our wedding night, right?" Darien questioned, just to make sure.
Serena nodded, and then said grimly, "Yes, I do, so there's no need for you to explain to me about…you-know-what."
Laughing outright at her modesty, Darien scooped her up and sat her upon his lap again like Santa Clause would do to tiny children around Christmas time. "Serena, you're not thinking about running from the wedding, are you?"
Serena laughed out loud at his suspicious tone of voice.
"Are you accusing me of being a coward?" Serena slapped Darien's arm in mock outrage. "Because if you are, the wedding's off Mister! I will not marry a man who thinks I'm a coward."
"Nice try, sweetheart," Darien chuckled, and he kissed Serena on the cheek. "But I hardly think you're a coward."
"Well you better not," Serena scolded playfully, "Or else you'll get it on the wedding night."
Darien quirked an eyebrow suggestively and drawled, "You got some ideas about the honeymoon already? Getting kinky, aren't we?"
A pillow hit him in the face in reply. "Don't be stupid," Serena rolled her eyes. "Guys and their fantasies—might as well warn you now that whatever you're cooking up in your head won't come true."
Chuckling lightly, Darien brushed his lips slowly against Serena's. "Wanna bet?" He asked huskily.
"No."
Smiling at her brisk answer, Darien lifted her up and placed her back on the cushion beside him once more. "Good, you're becoming too much of a distraction anyways."
Serena frowned darkly. "Whatever," she grumbled, "Let's cover some basics, at least. We haven't even put a dent in the wedding plans."
As she said this, Rei entered through the doorway.
"Well that's a relief," Rei said as she made her way around the coffee table to sit across from them. As she sat down in the armchair, she crossed her legs and stretched her arms out wide along the armrests. "I thought I'd miss all the major planning. I mean, I decided to take a shower, and I was sure you two would be done discussing wedding plans already." Rei tossed her raven black hair over her bare shoulders, and Serena noticed that her hair was indeed wet.
"So?" Rei inquired bluntly.
"So, what?" Darien replied unperturbed by her entrance into their private conversation.
Rei wasn't fazed by her brother's lack of collaboration. "So when's the wedding, who's coming, where's it going to be at? You know," she looked at them dumbly, "all that good stuff."
Serena smiled as she answered, "The weddings going to be at the end of March."
"Next spring? That's a wonderful idea," Rei nodded her approval.
"At the end of this month, Rei," Darien interrupted tersely.
He was beginning to become highly annoyed with his sister, and that didn't happen too often. But he believed he was excused due to his state of sexual arousal. He'd much rather be alone with Serena at the moment, and he really didn't appreciate his sister's interference.
"You can't do that," Rei protested, shocked, "that's impossible."
Baffled, Serena looked at Rei for an answer, "Why's that?"
"Serena, you're not going to settle for a dinky little wedding are you? You can't let Darien give you a last minute ceremony. You've got to have time to prepare."
Thankful for Rei's helpful words, Serena nodded her agreement. "You're right, Rei," Serena said, and then she turned towards Darien, "Maybe we should wait; prolong the engagement."
Darien glowered. And as he replied he sounded like a grouchy bear, "Serena," he grumbled, "should I tell Rei the reasons for why we chose the end of this month again?" At his subtle threat, Serena immediately changed her mind.
"Oh yeah," She nodded wholeheartedly, "I'm sorry, Rei. The decision is final; Darien and I have already settled it."
Rei looked at them from one to the other warily. "Is that right?" She remarked just a little too dryly for Darien's like.
"What's that suppose to mean?" He growled.
Rei raised her hands defensively. "Jeez, Darien, calm down. If you want the wedding plans all done and carried out in two weeks, then I'm fine with it. But don't you think Serena will be a little stressed out with all of the things she needs to get done. You've got to realize what she's got to deal with. She's got to find a dress, she's got to pick out a place to have the ceremony, she's got to pick out invitations cards, she's got to make out her guest list, and then she's got to pick out the food, the decorations, the band, the photographer, her brides maids, her cake, her shoes, and oh my gosh what else?"
Serena looked to Darien for help. He was staring darkly over at Rei, and Serena smiled guiltily; she was taking pleasure in his pain. He deserved it though, she decided. Rei was right; Darien was being very inconsiderate about what she wanted for the wedding. Serena decided she was going to have to speak up.
"She's right, Darien," Serena said gently, trying to ease him into reality.
Darien's head swiveled slowly in her direction, and as she was pinned with the full force of his eyes, Serena stiffened. He looked rather eerie, like one of those dummies used by ventriloquists.
"Rei," Darien said rather too calmly to be a good sign, "Can you please tell Serena the number of staffs Chiba Industries have?"
Rei frowned, as though she couldn't think of what his question had to do with any of the problems she'd just brought up. "How am I supposed to know?"
"Over fifty thousand," Darien answered his own question.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Rei asked impatiently.
"That means that I'll have everything taken care of; the only thing Serena needs to worry about is finding her dress. There, are you two satisfied now?"
Serena blinked, feeling very lost in their conversation. "You two lost me a while back ago."
Females. You can't live with 'em; you can't live without 'em. Darien couldn't see what the big problem was; Rei was blowing everything out of proportion. All he wanted to do was ease Serena's troubles; the last thing he intended to do was cause her more stress than she was already dealing with. She had a hit man after her, her family is in substantial debt, she is an outcast at school, and most of all she'd just lost her memory. He couldn't possibly imagine how Serena was dealing with all that, but he knew that she wasn't particularly in any condition to deal with more chaos. That was his main reason for marrying her. He wanted to aid her; to share her burdens, and to carry her problems on his shoulders.
"Tell me exactly what you want, and it'll be done for you. No questions asked. Whatever you want, you got it," Darien explained earnestly.
It wasn't what he said precisely, but the way he said it that touched Serena's heart. Gone was the playful and teasing man, gone was the harsh and defensive man, and what was left was a naked human being. His pretense was stripped away, his defenses fallen, until all he had was honesty. And the honesty that wrung true in his voice was so sincere it pierced her very soul with the magnitude of it.
Serena smiled inside, so happy that she was marrying this man. Not Chiba Mamoru, the rich socialite that everybody saw in the media, but Chiba Mamoru, the man. Not the image. His money, his good-looks, his name be-damned; she really didn't care about all of that. What did matter to her, however, were his character, his integrity, and his strength of mind. And Darien had the whole package.
Her doubts vanished then. She was making the right decision; marrying Darien would be the best choice she'd ever make. And very slowly she smiled up at him, who was still looking down at her, waiting for her reply.
"All I want is to marry you," and as Serena said this, her smile broadened, spreading from the dimples in her checks to the special light in her eyes.
Darien would never be able to tell her how her simple reply made him yearn to pull her into his arms and lose himself in her kisses. She did weird things to him. Like now, despite how hard he tried to keep focus, he couldn't because she was looking up at him in that bizarre way that made him tingle all over. He never felt this way before. Simply caught in her eyes made him want to do crazy things, and he, at twenty-three, had thought he had mastered the art of keeping his emotions in check, but she totally unwound him. Her words, like incantations, affected him in areas that he thought was no longer possible. Like with his heart.
"Okay," he nodded. "I can do that for you."
Rei's chest swelled painfully at the touching sight before her. She really didn't believe it when Darien had announced their engagement at Mina's party. But now she was witnessing it. Their love. And it was overwhelming her as she watched Serena and Darien look at each other in that way; as though they were the only two in the world. And her mind was finally content with the marriage. She had her doubts, but they went flying out the window.
"As touching as this scene is, you two have got major planning to do," Rei broke in, feeling awkward and out of place as neither Serena nor Darien spoke. "And I think I should leave you alone," she added exasperatingly.
After Rei exited from the room, Serena chuckled, "She's right, you know? We've got things to discuss and we keep digressing."
Darien returned her smile. "It's because of you," he teased, poking her lightly in the side, "You're the reason why we keep getting sidetracked."
Pouting playfully, Serena replied, "What did I do?"
Tilting her chin up at him with his thumb, Darien kissed her lightly on the lips. "You distract me," he answered gruffly, and his face scrunched in displeasure.
Laughing, Serena splayed her hand on the side of Darien's jaw, keeping his face almost against hers. "I'm sorry," she apologized with a grin.
"Yeah, right," Darien growled, and he pulled himself away, "You look down right pleased."
Her laughter rang as clear as bells, and he felt it reverberate inside him.
"I'm gonna ask you a few questions, just tell me exactly what you want," Darien said after her shoulders halted their shaking.
Serena nodded her consent, and waited for him to begin.
Darien had stood up and walked around to a desk at the end of the room and came back with a pen and piece of paper. "I left my palm pilot in my room," he explained. "Tell me, do you want a big, medium, or small wedding?"
"I don't care as long as you're there," Serena said as she placed a hand on his shoulder and leaned forward to see what he was writing.
Smiling, Darien looked up and gave her a peck on the cheek, "Smart answer."
She watched as he scribbled out "little" and "medium" on the paper, and she couldn't help but be amused by his decision. "You want a big wedding?"
Nodding, Darien clarified as he looked up again, but this time with an innocent expression on his face, "Dreamed about it since I was a child."
"Really?" Serena was highly entertained with that bit of information. "Why's that?"
"Because I wanted the whole world to know that my bride belonged to me, and only me."
His answer knocked the wind out of her. She thought that was definitely a romantic thing to say, although they had agreed to a business-like partnership. And it hurt her, because it made her yearn for all of it, not only did she want his name, but she wanted his affection, his loving affection. She told herself to shake it off, and savor the prize he was already giving her.
"Aw…," Serena tried to sound coolly detached, "I didn't know boys dreamed of that stuff."
"Oh we do," Darien nodded, and a devilish spark lit his eyes. Serena knew then that she had made a big mistake. "How else do you expect us to plan our honeymoon?"
She pinched his arm. "Ow, stop that," Darien winced.
"Not another word about our honeymoon or wedding night," Serena warned with a chilling look in her eyes.
Darien didn't dare upset Serena; he just smiled instead, and rubbed his arm where she had pinched him. "I think you drew blood," he remarked strangely amused. "See, you've got me digressing again."
Rolling her eyes heavenward, Serena ordered testily, "Well get on with it then."
Casting her a curious glance, Darien shrug off her strange temper from his mind, and continued on with his questions. "Where do you want the ceremony?"
When no answer came immediately, Darien turned to see what was keeping her. She smiled at him. "I haven't thought about it," she replied sheepishly.
"How about at the Sacred Gardens—"
"Can we really get married there?" Serena interrupted excitedly. "I thought only the royalties could—"
Darien shook her head, "Do you want to get married there?"
Serena nodded vigorously, but very shyly.
Smiling at the astonished expression in her eyes that soon turned into pure joy, Darien promised to her, "Then we'll get married there."
"Really?" Her mouth opened in awe.
"Really," Darien reassured her.
She was in a dream. That was it. She really wasn't going to get married at the Sacred Gardens. But then again, she was marrying into the richest family in Japan. Anything could happen if you had money, right? Serena reasoned. And then it really dawned on her that she, Tsukino Usagi Serena, was going to get married in a place were only Japan's most revered leaders got married. She was going to swoon.
"You okay?" Darien asked worriedly. Her cheeks were becoming pink, and she looked a little light-headed.
Serena sighed contentedly, "How can I not be?" She asked dreamily. "I'm getting married at the Sacred Gardens!"
"Well as you let that sink in, can you consider this next question too?" Darien smiled goofily at the way Serena was acting (like a child about to experience their first time at an amusement park). "Where do you want the celebration?"
Contemplating that for a minute, Serena turned to ask Darien uncertainly, "How about here? There's plenty of room right?"
"It's all up to you," Darien replied coolly.
"We'll have it in the back, out in the garden area. It'll be lovely!" Serena was getting excited about all of the planning. "Oh Darien, I can't wait!"
"And you wanted to wait another year," Darien smirked.
"Shut up," Serena glared at her groom darkly.
Darien continued to smile smugly at Serena, when something from the corner of his eyes caught his attention. He looked up. In an instant his whole entire body tensed. Standing in the doorway were his parents.
Darien's noticeable changed in attitude struck quickly and quietly. Serena was not unaware of it, however. She frowned slightly with concern at the icy glaze in his eyes, and she followed his gaze over her shoulder. Surprise swept through her like a cold windy draft. There was an elderly woman and man standing in the doorway looking critically at her; their eyes blank and almost as cold and harsh as Darien's.
They weren't very old, just older. They looked to be in their late forties to early fifties. Time was very kind to them. The woman had a striking face and slender figure with long flowing black hair that looked closely related to Rei's, and the man had a tall well-built frame and was almost the exact image of Darien; except around his eyes were harsh lines that looked as though they had been etched in stone and in his hair were scattered strands of white. As Serena finished her study of the couple, realization dawned on her quickly. She was looking at her future in-laws.
Darien rose like an Egyptian obelisk; rigid, tall, and unbending. His face was devoid of any emotions and his eyes betrayed nothing. Serena trembled. Something wasn't right, she knew it.
"Mother," Darien nodded in greeting, "Father."
Serena thought it was awfully formal of him to greet them in that way. She stood then, and bowed. It was an awkward moment. Darien's parents were the last people on her mind, but she hadn't planned for their meeting to be like this. She kept her head bowed for a long while, wincing at how silly she felt.
"Hello Mr. Chiba," She said through a smile that she felt from the heart, "Hello Mrs. Chiba." Serena, in her own way, was extending an olive branch by opening her heart so acceptingly.
Her offer was not going to be reciprocated, Darien knew it. And he felt like an ass, for not telling her. She was so tenderhearted; she was going to get her feelings hurt. However, he wasn't going to let his parents hurt her or degrade her. Serena didn't deserve it. Hell, she didn't deserve this deception, period, but he was still putting her through it. He was a selfish son of a bitch, Darien swore bitterly to himself.
With a detached air of confidence, Darien observed his parents as they entered the room and took a seat on the sofa beside Serena and him. He could feel Serena move closer to him; he could feel her tremble. With a soft reassuring smile, he looked down at her and kissed her forehead. He could sense her rising feeling of uncertainty, and he wanted to put a stop to it.
"This is Tsukino Usagi," Darien introduced in a voice that was so far away it heightened Serena's worry. For some reason there was a gnawing at her sides that told her something wasn't quite right about this meeting, and Darien wasn't helping with his aloof attitude.
"Serena," Darien said, but this time his voice was filled with warmth, "I want you to meet my parents. This is my father, Chiba Junichiro, and my mother, Chiba Kiko."
His mother was the first to raise a question, "Serena?" She asked skeptically, "He calls you Serena?"
Nodding her head in affirmative, Serena went on to explain, "It's what I go by."
Kiko did not look pleased, but she smiled anyways. "Just like Darien, then," she said surprisingly cordial.
Serena returned the smile, feeling her anxiety dissolve. "Yes, however, unlike him I'm not working overseas with English-speaking business partners."
Darien's mother actually laughed at that. Looking confused and slightly wary, Darien never took his eyes off his father, who was still watching Serena cautiously, while his wife was already warming up to her. He was surprised. Darien had to admit that. He didn't think his mother would be so hospitable. In fact, he had expected a fight!
"So you're the girl my son plans to marry?" Junichiro sounded rather guarded.
Reminded of Darien by his distant gaze, and authoritative tone, Serena actually smiled at his question. She could see where Darien got his hard outer shell. Chiba Junichiro was as intimidating as any man with superior power could ever be. His mere presence demanded respect and attention, as did Darien, but he was much older and more hardened in his ways than his son. Serena couldn't help but be amused at the notion.
"Well that depends, sir," Serena answered with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
"It depends on what?"
"On whether or not I can convince him to not marry me," Serena replied.
That smart remark won her a smile from the older man; it was a small one, but a smile all the same.
"How's it going so far?" Junichiro asked gruffly.
Feeling more comfortable with herself, Serena answered laughingly, "Not so good, I'm afraid. He won't hear a word I say."
And in the next moment, Serena shared a secret look with Mr. Chiba. It was a look of approval, and a look of welcome. Warmth seeped through her like the sunbeams on a tropical beach. She felt completely at ease, even though he didn't say it, she knew that she was no longer under intense scrutiny.
"Then I guess we'll have to welcome you into the family."
Serena gave Darien a sly look that immediately made him frown. "Actually there's one other option I can use to get out of this marriage."
"Don't you dare," Darien whispered fiercely.
She didn't back down from the challenge, Serena continued, "I have to runaway and never come back."
"You pull a stunt like that and I'll launch a world wide man-hunt for you with Chiba Industries investigative agency," Darien snapped
"You wouldn't dare."
"Oh I would."
Serena was not at all the woman neither Kiko nor Junichiro had been expecting. She was carefree, witty, and light-years different from the money grubbing whore they had imagined. There she sat in front of them, wearing a plain T-shirt with loose fitting jeans, but exuding all the confidence and personality they had ever seen in a young woman. They even approved of her above Mina! Whose skimpy skirts were not at all becoming for a woman of background. But Serena was refreshingly different. She didn't look to please them, as they were Darien's parents; and she neither pretended to be something she was not, they liked that quality. They liked her.
For once they thought their son was doing something right.
"Serena, we'd like to meet your parents," Kiko ordered more than suggested, "Maybe we can meet them tomorrow, or sometime soon, I hope."
"Of course," Serena said brightly; she was thrilled with the thought.
Darien groaned.
"That's rude," Junichiro frowned at his son.
"Oh it doesn't bother me," Serena replied, trying to ease the look on Junichiro's face. "He's always this way."
"No, he's never this way," Kiko contradicted. Her eyes gleamed with something that Serena could not understand, but she knew that Kiko felt there was something significant about what she had just said.
"Can you please not talk about me like I'm not sitting right here?" Darien requested tersely. With his elbows on his knees, he rubbed his face with his hands in a frustrated action.
"And Serena," Darien added moodily, "one more talk about running away from the wedding and I'm telling my parents about you-know-what."
She frowned menacingly. "How long are you going to hold that against me?" Serena queried irritably.
"As long as it takes you to get over your embarrassment," Darien bit out firmly.
It was rather amusing. Her modesty was something he had never encountered before with other woman. Even Rei, his own sister, had never been shy about expressing her sexuality; though he never asked for that information, Rei just liked to talk about everything. Serena alone, was the only woman he knew who could blush with the mere mention of a kiss, and who could immediately cry with mortification with any connotation of sexual intercourse in her presence. And he found that utterly delightful, and down right funny! No, in fact, it was hilarious!
"Darien, do not tease Serena," His mother scolded. "Can't you see how red her face is? My goodness, she looks ready to explode."
Kiko's observation did little to help Serena's pride. In fact, her soon-to-be mother in-law had just ripped it to shreds right in front of her face and had stomped on it. Her pride was dead.
"Serena, I here you attend Akita University; how's it doing for you?" Kiko asked conversationally.
"It's doing nothing for me," Serena answered truthfully, feeling the heat drain out of her face (Darien had cast her one last warning look before he turned away).
In surprise, Kikos' brow's raised in elegant arches across her forehead. "Really? Akita is the top university in the country."
"It's also the most arrogant university in the country," Serena replied bitterly.
"I've never heard so much as a complaint—"
"Yeah, well you just heard one," Serena interrupted briskly. Akita was a sour topic to her. She simply hated the school. And it in return hated her.
A most perplex and troubled expression crossed Kiko's face. "I'll talk to the board members about that problem, thank you, Serena," Kiko expressed gratefully.
"You're going to have to quit your jobs."
Junichiro was the one who made that remark.
Surprised by the random turn in topics, Serena's face was a reflection of blank confusion. "Excuse me?" She uttered bewilderedly.
There was a firm set behind Mr. Chiba's eyes as he looked at her. "You've been plastered all across newspapers and magazines for a couple of months now, Ms. Tsukino—"
"Serena," Serena cut in quickly.
Nodding silently in acknowledgement, Junichiro continued, "Serena. Would you not agree that though most of their stories hold lies, even in the ugliest falsehoods are the tiniest of truths?"
Serena nodded.
"Then though I highly doubt that you're an," he coughed here, pausing as if he were trying to collect his thoughts, and then stammered for a moment trying to find the right words, "an exotic dancer and a, um, female escort, I do believe that you're working two jobs, am I right?"
Horror struck by the slander to her name, Serena could only stare blankly on the outside, but on the inside raged a violent turbulent storm. She had not bothered to read any articles about herself in the newspapers and magazines; she knew they were all trash. But she had not anticipated such vile accusations against her character from the tabloids. Serena had thought that there was no need for her to concern herself with what the media had to say about her. She had doctors who told her all she needed to know about her injuries, she had the police who told her all she needed to know about the night of the accident, and she knew herself well enough to remember her childhood. The papers wouldn't be able to do anything for her. She was wrong.
Apparently, the tabloids could make her out to be a scandalous street-girl who worked the nights on city corners. That's what they could do for her. They could rewrite her life-story, and she would never know, because she turned a blind eye. She was deeply shocked and hurt by this truth. And once again, Serena could feel the swelling tide of tears build behind her eyes. She was indeed an emotional wreck.
It was that, and because she just couldn't stand to be looked down upon so disgracefully that her sentimental break down was occurring. She had lived her life trying to be perfect, damn it. She was honest, and worked hard; she was kind, and even courteous to the rich! But in turn this was the prize she would receive in the end; this was the greatness she had strived for! She was made to look like a whore! Serena was deeply ashamed.
Darien's voice broke out like angry thunder, with deep reproof in his eyes. "What are you trying to imply?" Like a furious knight storming into a blazing castle guarded by giant fire breathing lizards, he rushed in for her defense.
Sending a scathing look to his son, Junichiro hardly absorbed the harsh set down directed to him. "I have not yet addressed you, Darien," he replied coolly.
"And you need not to for me to speak for my soon-to-be bride," Darien retorted irritably.
"You feel that you must speak in her defense?" Junichiro retorted scornfully. "Has she done something wrong that you feel you must be her shield?"
Darien's jaws clenched. This was why he disliked his father—he was an arrogant son of a bitch. His father was a manipulative creep; he had a way with switching words around to suit his needs, and he was very cunning. That was how he became such a prosperous businessman, with his cold-as-ice personality and insane work habits.
"Stop it," Darien demanded in his deadly calm voice again. His eyes never left his fathers; it was icy blue to icy blue. "Stop this game of yours."
"What game?" Junichiro's forehead crinkled into a frown.
"This game," Darien replied nonchalantly, "Your devious plan to break Serena down, to weaken her confidence. It needs to stop." His last words were uttered in a lethally soft voice.
Junichiro's eyes lowered just a fraction of an inch, but it was enough to change his confused expression into one that of caution. The corner of his lips twitched. He opened to his mouth just a little, but no words came out. And then his wary eyes turned aggressive and fierce.
"Serena has to face reality. She needs to know what life is like for a Chiba. She has to know that she'll be under constant scrutiny in the public; every little action will be analyzed and picked apart until they've come to the conclusion they want, whether it's true or not. And you, Darien, know as well as I do that they won't stop until they've picked apart her image. I'm just telling her what they've publicized to the world."
"And she was supposed to get all of that from your ill choice of words?" Darien's voice never rose above a normal speaking level; but the contempt in his voice spoke louder than his cool calmness.
"Don't you back sass me in front of a guest—ever!" His father hissed like a vehement serpent. His eyes were murderous. "Do you hear me?"
"Loud and clear," Darien bit out through gritted teeth.
From beside Darien, Serena noticed the muscle leaping in the side of his cheek, and she realized he was clenching his jaw; his face taut with the harshness born of raving anger. She was deeply touched with his concern for her feelings. After getting over the initial shock of Mr. Chiba's words, she had shrugged off the painful attack to her pride, and was no longer in need of a knight in shining armor to defend her honor. But it was definitely a pleasant sensation, having her own protector.
She never had one before.
Gathering all her courage, Serena gently slid her hand up over Darien's back and onto his shoulder. When his head turned to look at her, she smiled a slow steady smile. It was a soothing, thankful smile; filled with all the mixed emotions in her. Though it wasn't as radiant or as cheerful as her other carefree teeth-bearing grins; it spoke true of her gratitude. And slowly, under her hand, Serena could feel the tension leave from Darien's shoulder, and the stiffness in his expression softened.
He gave her his own quirky grin—the one she hated, but was falling in love with.
"You two are causing a scene," Kiko admonished, appalled. She looked from her husband to her son. "Have some self-respect and behave."
Something in the way Darien's eyes twinkled at her made her laugh out loud at Mrs. Chiba's words. In her mind she was replaying the make out session she had indulged in with Darien. He was making her crazy. She had never in her life thought about kissing, nonetheless wish hopefully that he would kiss her again. As all of that ran through her head, Serena thought about Darien's parents who were sitting so unsuspectingly across from her, and her shoulders shook with mirth. She was starting to have a dirty mind.
She blamed it on Darien.
"I wasn't expecting you guys to come home for another two weeks."
Darien made that comment. He didn't sound at all happy.
His father gave him one swift hard look and replied, "I wasn't expecting you to botch things up in the media for another two weeks either."
Serena cracked a smile at his sarcastic tone. She couldn't help but compare father to son.
"We came home as soon as we were finished with the work that could not be postponed. When your father and I saw the headlines on Tokyo Times we immediately made plans to come home," Mrs. Chiba explained.
"Yeah," Darien remarked flatly, "you come home two months after the accident."
"We had business," his father answered in the same flippant tone, "We don't have time to come home every single instant you make a mess to clean up after you."
"I wasn't aware that I had made any mess," Darien grounded out through clenched teeth.
A shiver ran up Serena's back. She could feel the hostility from earlier swoop down upon them once again, a dark pall that blanketed the room. Immediately she tensed in response. Guilt seeped through her as the conversation became uglier.
"It was my fault, sir," Serena broke in hastily. She was rubbing her palms up and down her jean clad thighs nervously. "Darien only got involved because of me."
Chiba Junichiro's eyes were the most unnerving set of cobalt blue eyes Serena had ever seen, and when their full force were directed on her, it took all of her courage not to look away and crawl out of the room.
"Darien is man; he is responsible for his own actions. You are not the one to blame for his mistakes."
"And what was his mistake, sir—saving my life? Was that his mistake?"
Serena had no clue where she found the courage to demand such answers from Mr. Chiba. She was baffled, but angry too. And she was doing this out of fear for Darien's behalf. She understood the rift in the relationship between Darien and his parents' now, and she didn't want to be the cause for anymore problems. Her heart went out to him for having to grow up in such a confined, restricted lifestyle.
"Of course not; don't be obscene," Junichiro denied vehemently.
"It was noble of him to save your life," Kiko nodded her approval. "That couldn't possibly have been a mistake; it, in fact, boosted the name of Chiba even higher."
"Is that all you care about?" Serena questioned, unable to keep the disappointment out of her voice and expression.
"It's all that matters in reality, Serena," Darien answered her. His expression was solemn; his tone bleak, flat, unemotional. But there was no conviction in his voice.
Serena looked at him with skeptical eyes; she could not fathom why he would make such a cynical comment. He meant to tell her that she was naïve; she was too silly to understand the way of the world. And though she was not fooled, she was still a little hurt by it.
"Exactly," Junichiro nodded in agreement, "family background, upbringing, and wealth are the only things that really matter in the real world. If you understand that, Serena, you'll fit in quite well in this family."
"You're entitled to that opinion," Serena replied stubbornly, unwilling to bend to their silly belief about the way to live a wholesome life. "And I'm entitled to mine." She stood her ground.
Junichiro looked at her for a long quiet moment, his expression unreadable, as was Darien's, who also watched her for a long while, and then Junichiro nodded. "Right," he relented, "believe what you want."
Serena took his agreement as a small victory and she smiled. "Thank you."
"For what?" Mr. Chiba sounded surly.
"For nothing that's what," Darien replied sharply.
He had been carefully analyzing Serena's face as she spoke, and as he did so, he found himself admiring her courage, her pride, and her strength. Darien had never seen a female stand up to his father the way Serena had before, and that was a tremendous feat for her to make his father agree with her. He almost smiled too at her stubborn pride, and he felt an overwhelming emotion to hug her for her naïve views of the world. She couldn't possibly make him feel any happier, even at this most awkward of moments.
Catching the soft upward pull of Darien's mouth, it was an unmistakable smile that made Serena terribly confused with his attitude. He looked distant and unfeeling, sounded cold and harsh, but yet that small glimpse of a smile that was quickly retracted, contradicted it all. What was he playing at? Serena's mind rushed for answers.
"I hope your trip went well," Darien was making pointless conversation.
"How could it when we had to cut it short to come back home?" Mr. Chiba retorted dryly.
"That's great," Darien ignored his father's statement.
"When are you two going back to London to finish?"
"In two weeks," Mrs. Chiba answered, folding her hands in her lap.
Serena's eyes went wide. "But you can't!" She exclaimed impulsively, and then blushed at the look of surprise on Kiko's face.
Darien's eyes glinted as he looked down at her. "Oh yes they can, Serena," he told her.
Serena was confused. Their wedding was to be held in two weeks! She didn't understand why Darien was withholding that bit of information from his parents—or did they already know?
"Is there something we should know?" Mrs. Chiba asked curiously watching the shared expressions between her son and Serena.
"No—"
"Yes—"
Darien and Serena answered simultaneously.
They glared at each other.
"Which is it?" Mr. Chiba demanded; he was sounding surly again.
Despite Darien's glower, Serena explained, "We've planned the wedding for two weeks from now."
The look that crossed Mrs. Chiba's face was undeniable; she was appalled. And very horrorstricken, Serena decided, observing the way Kiko's mouth dropped slightly ajar.
"That's ridiculous," Mr. Chiba remarked distastefully.
"Absolutely absurd!" Mrs. Chiba stuttered, deciding to add her two cents too as she regained her composure.
Serena could only sigh; she was getting rather tired of the same old reactions to the wedding date from Darien's family. First his sister, now his parents'.
"You will not have the wedding in two weeks; do you hear me, Darien?" Mr. Chiba ordered. "The wedding will take place approximately six months from now at the least, when I can finally clear up all this talk about Serena's background and it will not take place a moment before that."
Watching in stunned disbelief, Serena observed as Darien slowly rose from his seat. Again, as he faced every adversity in life, Darien maintained a calm and aloof disposition as he confronted his father. She had thought that Mr. Chiba's eyes had been unnerving, but they were nothing compared to the striking, explosion of all peace and serenity within Darien's. One look at him and she was ready to keel over unconscious from the power of them. And honestly, she didn't recognize him.
"It's already been decided, father. The wedding is taking place two weeks from today, and neither you nor any greater force on earth can stop it from happening; do you understand that?" Darien let those mocking words linger in the air for a minute, and then he turned around, snatched a wide-eyed Serena around the wrist and pulled her up and off the couch, and then dragged her out of the room.
"Hello, can I take your order?"
Zachary waited for the blue-eyed girl to look up at him. A secret smile was on his lips. He couldn't help but feel giddy about his current circumstances.
"Sex on a Beach sounds nice right now," he drawled huskily; never taking his eyes off of her.
Amy's head snapped up from her cash register. Her eyes locked on to the tall, domineering form standing in front of her. Recognizing the man to be Takamura, Amy immediately blushed and looked hastily away.
"I'm sorry, sir, but I'm afraid we don't carry such a beverage here at the Cup of Tea. But I'm sure if you try the club across the street, they can help you there," she answered sweetly. Her cheeks flamed even brighter as she took in the name of the alcoholic beverage and the sexual innuendo in his tone.
It was a Saturday afternoon. The sky was a beautiful blue, and the temperature warm. Cherry blossom season was at a start, and everyone was finally putting away the heavy coats, scarves and mittens. Spring was among them, and even the freshness of the springtime air could be detected among the city musk. And yet as the revival of life began it's transformation over the city, she was stuck inside; working a six hour shift.
"Well that's just too bad," Zachary replied disappointedly. "So your name's Amy?" He looked at the brown name tag pinned onto the chest pocket of her dark green apron. Seeing but not really reading. His eyes bore intimately into hers.
She shivered.
"Yes, sir," Amy nodded shyly. "Can I help you?" She tried to shrug off the effect he had on her, all the while maintaining a peaceful disposition.
"I believe you can," Zachary nodded solemnly, piquing the blue-haired girl's curiosity.
"How can I help you, sir?"
Zachary's eyes flashed mischievously; their stormy grey contents smiling at her, captivating her, pulling her in.
Slowly the fair young man leant towards her. His gaze never wavered. They were cheek to cheek by the time he finally stopped his descent, and Amy was sure he could hear her heart pounding erratically. And when the gentle caress of his whisper grazed her ear, the involuntary shudder that ran through her body was inevitable.
"You can start by calling me Zachary."
When he pulled away, a beautiful smile graced her lips. "As you wish," she nodded, her cheeks stained pink.
"Secondly," Zachary added playfully, leaning his elbows onto the marble counter, "When do you get off work?"
"In an hour," Amy replied with a gentle frown across her brow, wondering why he was asking.
"You can also help me by accompanying me to dinner in an hour," Zachary suggested, answering the slight confusion in Amy's eyes.
Wide-eyed and awed by his smooth request for her to go on a date with him, Amy could only stare at him blankly. "You want to take me out?" She asked skeptically.
"Sure," Zachary confirmed, "Why not?"
Never before had she ever been asked out on a date. All her life, Amy had dedicated herself to three things, all in which would surely lead her to success: school, work, and family. And so, this, being her first time, came as a major shock to her. Especially since Zachary was such a handsome man. Her heart beat was pounding loudly, so loud her ears started to hurt, so loud she could hardly hear herself think.
She opened her mouth hesitantly to answer. Then she closed it. She opened her mouth again to answer. It closed once more.
Amy shook her head slowly. "I don't know what to say."
"Say you'll come with me," Zachary prompted lightly, enjoying the display of bafflement that came across her face.
"I'm not sure if tonight's a great night—" she began.
"Tonight's a wonderful night," Zachary interjected.
"Well, I was thinking about visiting Serena, she just came home yesterday, and, well—"
"I'm sure she'll understand," Zachary persuaded; his eyes laughing at her excuses, as she tried to crawl quickly back into her shell like a frightened turtle.
"But—"
"Say, yes."
"Okay, fine—"
"Say, yes," he repeated sternly.
Amy shot him an annoyed look. "Yes," she reiterated flatly.
The blinding white of his teeth glinted at her from his million-dollar smile. "Good answer," he teased.
"Well I'll see you in an hour, I suppose," she replied awkwardly.
She watched as he shook his head. "No," he answered, "If you can get me a cup of coffee I'll be waiting over here for you."
With the air of an elitist, he strode over to a table in the back corner, sat down, and winked playfully over at her.
Amy blushed profusely.
The New York sky was an ominous grey. The rolling clouds morphed together like a patchwork of darkness. Its contents threatening to pour. Thunder crashed somewhere in the distance. Smash. Rip. Roar. And then it echoed into nothing more than a whispered thought in the mind. Then it started all over again. Smash. Rip. Roar.
A dark stretch limousine pulled up along a cracked sidewalk. For a minute it stayed there as it was. Its windows, as bright as night and as clear as fog, remained rolled up in a foreboding fashion. No one could be seen on the inside. And the glass windows only shined blacker as a sinister rain cloud blotted out the sky above it. Thunder crashed. Smash. Rip. Roar.
"Mr. St. James," the driver called over his shoulder, as the little window separating the front from the back of the limousine disappeared into its compartment. "We're here."
Preoccupied with work on his mind, St. James did not stir at the warning. It had been a long day. A weary, long day. It seemed that not much was going right anymore since the incident. That's what he called it now. The "incident". And beyond that, he wasn't going to acknowledge it. In fact, he wasn't even quite sure what the "incident" was. It was all too long ago anyways. Not significant enough to remember, and not insignificant enough to forget.
Business was failing. He was head of a million dollar corporation, and business was failing. He was failing. No, wait. That's not true. It wasn't his fault. She was failing. And because she was failing, she was bringing down the corporation with her. Damn her. Even from her grave she had that control over him. The bitch. He would get her.
"Sir," the driver said again, a little louder this time, "We're here."
St. James heard him and he raised his dismal blue eyes up towards the side windows. Registering the tall Victorian mansion in a stance as solid and unrelenting as the master of the household, St. James pulled his thoughts down from the dark path they had taken. He mentally shook his head. Willing himself to forget—though he couldn't. At least not yet.
Grabbing his briefcase, St. James quickly got out into the abysmal twilight and started for the old St. James mansion. The double doors swung open in a tradition as old as time—dating back to when the St. James were a prominent family of a nation born of Britain and were lord and master over serfs and servants. The grandeur of the mansion was untarnished by time, and the old ways seemed to stay with the house. The upkeep was expensive—St. James paid and provided board for over twenty servants—why he needed twenty, no one was sure of, since he lived alone.
"Good evening, Mr. St. James," a footmen greeted him. The two footmen closed the doors and bolted them.
He had a French chef, and in tow he carried along four assistant cooks. St. James had his breakfast at exactly seven in the morning; when he came home he had his dinner at exactly one hour after his arrival time. His chef prepared him a feast at each meal, and at each meal he touched only one dish. His leftovers were directed by him to be tossed into the garbage.
St. James kept five footmen, all in charge of the tiny detail in maintaining the proper function of a household of the ultrarich. Besides that, he had his personal secretary, a portly man in his mid-fifties who had no one else but himself in the world, move into one of the five guest rooms on the first floor to be at his beck and call. For his horses, he hired two grooms to stay in the stables to care for the beasts. Lastly, he had over ten maids ready at will to clean up whatever mess he desired to make. Not to mention the serving kitchen staff, and his many security guards.
He made many enemies. It was inevitable in his line of work. Head of SJ Corp, Ronald P. St. James was anything but the ordinary entrepreneur. The St. James family had played a tremendous role in U.S history. They were one of the oldest and most prestigious families in America, and for that reason, they were revered. It was not from his own hands that Ronald built his fortune. It was inherited. As was his name, and his fame. Brought up in a world of flashing lights, the glitz and glamour of the elite class was bred into him. It was all he had, and all he knew.
He'd do anything to preserve it. Anything.
A maid in a trim grey uniform scurried into the foyer as her employer stripped off his coat. She hastily stepped forward to take it. He regarded her not once as he stalked down the hallway with his briefcase in hand. The maid, a young new member of the staff, shot a curious glance over her shoulder at his tall retreating form and then moved to the closet to hang his coat. She was used to his stony, superior silence; though it irritated her to no end.
As he came upon the last door of the corridor, St. James entered the room and closed the door firmly behind him. The study was no different in atmosphere as the rest of the house. It was grand in furnishings, grand in color, grand in size, and overall grand in the respect that it made one feel inferior. The plush leather seats, expensive imported rugs, decorative ancient artifacts, and impressive collection of books were all too overwhelming.
His cell phone rang. He hadn't yet sat down when it went off again. After relaxing in his overstuffed high-back black leather chair, did St. James finally reach into his pocket to pull out the contraption to view his missed call. A slight frown pulled itself across his hard features. Settling his briefcase onto the custom-made computer desk with his phone beside it, St. James unlocked the flaps and began retrieving paperwork from within, putting aside the call from his mind for the moment.
He had specifically told his men not to contact him by his cell.
It rang again.
Quivering with fury, St. James placed his paperwork down onto his desk, and snatched up the vibrating phone.
"This better be important," he replied with veiled anger into the other end of the line.
"Sir, we have an emergency." The voice from the other end came like a panic cry for help.
"What is it?" St. James questioned, his frown deepening, his hostility heightening. Unconsciously his grip on the armrest tightened.
"We're under investigation."
The last was rasped in a bare whisper.
End Notes: So, what do you think? Please review to inform me of your opinion.