AN: Hello everyone. I'm finally back with a new chapter. I'm so sorry that I've postponed for so long. I hope you won't be too disappointed with this chapter, I believe it's the second to last chapter! So heads up, the next one will be the end! I hope you enjoy. Please read and REVIEW =].
"Okay, look Mr. Rich-and-Famous—" a single accusing finger jutted at his shoulder, "Don't think that what I said to you the other day changes anything. All right?"
Darien deflected the finger with a single swipe. In annoyed amusement he smiled and patted her on the head. "Good morning to you too, Sweetie."
He had just walked out of his bedroom when he nearly tripped over the fuming blonde stalking his door. Having not slept a wink last night, he decided he would eat breakfast and go for his routinely jog to clear his mind. That usually helps. Usually. But as of late, his conflicting thoughts concerning his feelings for Serena; her mysterious identity, and her attempted murder; were all he could think about.
He watched the news. She was there in the crime reports. He went to work. She was there in his office tucked in a file in his drawer. He went to bed. She was there too; a part of his waking dreams. And it drove him insane.
"Don't call me 'Sweetie'," Serena growled, folding her arms across her chest. "And don't try to butter me up with tender words. Remember? No games. I just want to get this over with, and I know that you know that we don't need any more complications, isn't that right?"
He thought she was being cute. The way her lips were puckered up in that don't-mess-with-me way was really a turn on. It was hard keeping a straight face as he clasped her on the shoulder and shoved her aside. It really was. She even had the most adorable expression as she let out an outraged gasp. He couldn't get over it. Nope. He couldn't. She was just too darn pretty. And those eyes! He chuckled, those magnificent blue eyes burning for murder. Hm…well, at least what he was doing would keep her out of being the one murdered.
"Look, Serena, get over yourself. I have better things to do than to mess with you, all right? Now, why don't you just head on down to the kitchen and have some breakfast. That's what I'm doing."
"Hey, buddy, don't you dare just blow me off!" Serena huffed, stamping her feet after the dark-haired handsome as she flailed her arms like a crazy woman.
Darien cast a glance over his shoulder and quirked an amused eyebrow that made her flush in embarrassment. "Calm down. I understand you want to start some beef with me. How long did you stake outside my door anyway? I'm starting to feel like a hunted criminal inside my own home."
As if her face wasn't red enough, Serena blushed even more. She was scarlet, and it wasn't the scarlet of the rosy glow on Santa's chubby cheeks, but the deep crimson darkness of a red rose.
"I was not staked outside of your door!"
"Uh huh," Darien agreed all too congruously for Serena's liking.
"I was not!"
"Sure."
"Really, why would I even want to have a stake out just to catch you in the morning?" She repudiated.
Darien stopped in his tracks. He turned around; Serena almost slammed her nose against his chest.
"What!" She shouted, looking up at his disarming smile.
"How long?"
She thought she would kill him as the corner of his lips raised to a crooked rascals grin. In defeat, she sighed, "Fifteen minutes, okay."
He laughed.
"Oh my…" Mina breathed in amazement.
"Serena, you look fabulous!" Amy exclaimed.
"No," Lita shook her head, "Like a queen!"
"Tissues, please, someone grab me the tissues, because my brother is going to die when he sees you in this dress!" Rei was gushing, but not only was she gushing, she was behaving like a frantic mother hen, chaotically running around the dressing room trying to find tissues.
"Rei, calm yourself. You're going to break your neck running around like that in those five-inch heels." Serena cautioned, shaking her head at the flabbergasted stupor of all four girls.
"You guys really think it looks good?"
That was the wrong question to ask. All at once her four friends came out of their trance. All at once she received four very nerve raising death glares.
"Oh, just turn around and look at yourself in the mirror, Serena," Mina chimed, walking forward to her friend garbed in pearl white to lift the lacey fabric of the train so she could maneuver.
"You're stunning," Mina whispered into her ear.
She really was, Serena thought. Or, well, at least the dress was. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever worn. The material was so soft, so delicate, so fine….she didn't feel worthy to touch it.
"I think we all agree." Lita nodded, "This is the one."
Serena looked at the complementing neckline, the off the shoulder straps, the pearl encrusted bodice, and the long flowing skirt that seemed to swirl with an ethereal illusion. Was it the right one? She'd be stupid if she chose a different one.
"Judging by that smile, I'll have the sales lady wrap it up for you. I'll go get her while you take it off," Amy volunteered jubilantly and sauntered out of the room.
"One more day…" Serena whispered, staring at the image before her. She saw a slender young lady. Scared. Uncertain. Confused. She didn't know who she was anymore—that girl in the mirror, it wasn't her. It wasn't the strong, confident, unruly girl who began school that first semester. In her place was a fragile-looking princess; all dolled up for her royal commencement. And the funny thing was: that wasn't a metaphor. She was soon to begin her reign as the heiress to Japan's richest, most prestigious family. Joy.
The ghastly pale pink room in white trim was straight out of the Rococo. The ostentatious furnishings and frivolous décor made Fragonard's paintings pale in comparison. It was very pretty, but it reminded her of a museum; cold, frigid, haughty, an air of look-but-don't touch. She didn't feel very comfortable.
That was the world she was going to live in.
"Let me unbutton the back for you," Lita volunteered.
"Thanks," Serena nodded as a wave of nausea hit her.
"You okay?" Lita asked, her fingers were quickly moving down the dress, but her eyes watched the blond in the mirror.
"I'm starting to feel a little dizzy" Serena admitted, grabbing onto a chair.
"Uh oh," Lita chuckled. "Is someone starting to get cold feet?"
"No, not cold feet. Just…a little confused."
"Tell us about it," Lita rolled her eyes. "To be honest with you, we've been nothing but confused since you and Darien broke the news to us. We could hardly believe you two wanted to get married."
"What?" Serena asked, flabbergasted. Her eyes darting to Lita's in the mirror. "I thought you guys all liked that we were getting married."
"Don't get me wrong," Lita shook her head, "We're glad. We are. It's just we found it a little weird is all." She shrugged.
Serena frowned. "Weird? What do you mean weird?" Somewhere in the room Mina and Rei were laughing, and no matter how hard she tried to drown them out her head kept ringing. She glared down at Lita, who shrunk back in defense.
"Well…did you know that Mina and Darien used to date?"
Serena nodded, grimacing at the throbbing sensation that was building behind her eyes.
A look of relief washed over Lita's brow. "Whew, thank goodness! We thought you didn't know!"
"What are you trying to say?" Serena asked; a shrewd look was on her face.
"Oh, nothing…we just thought it was a little odd, you know? Being, Mina was the only girl in Darien's life, and then a few months after their break up, he asks you to marry him. We were all just wondering if you were the rebound girl or not."
"Rebound girl?" Serena could hardly force the words out. And even as she said it, they didn't sound coherent to her.
"Yeah, according to Mina, he sounded pretty bad over the phone."
Serena turned her head slightly, catching a glimpse of the beautiful blond chatting up with Rei. The glamour of her silky blond hair, the elegance in her high cheek bones, the loveliness in her deep-set eyes. A slow envious fire kindled in Serena's stomach.
"The phone?"
"Yeah, she broke up with him through the phone. Gave him the break-up call from Paris and said that-was-that. Kind of sleazy in my opinion, but she said he agreed to it and that it was mutual. But she did say that he sounded a little aloof, and according to her, "aloof" is a defense mechanism for Darien when he feels too emotional about something. Are you okay?" Lita looked up at Serena from her crouched position. "You're shivering. I'm all done by the way."
"I—I'm okay," Serena managed a weak smile, but like her trembling fingers, her voice shook imperceptibly. She let the dress fall to the floor and stepped out of the silky white mess.
"Yeah, so anyway, Mina said he really loved her. She said there was no doubt in her mind he would have taken a bullet for her. And Rei agreed. She said her brother was crazy about Mina."
Serena felt dizzy. A throbbing sensation built at the back of her head and threatened to explode. She could feel her head expanding, ready to burst over its threshold. Her grip tightened on the chair, feeling her knees give way under her weight.
"I'm just worried for you, Serena," Lita admitted, standing and hooking her thumbs into the belt loops of her jeans. She shifted her weight onto one foot. "I've always had your back, but ever since this whole Akita-University-thing I haven't been able to help you at all. Now, I know it's not my place to judge your relationship with Darien, but I just want you to be careful, all right?"
Why was it becoming so hard to breathe? Serena felt a burning sensation at the back of her skull. She broke into a cold sweat as she gasped for breath and slowly slipped a hand through her hair to her scalp. What she felt there gave her pause. A long, nasty scar thrusted along the surface of her head. It burned hot under her hand.
The wound threatened to undo what the stitches had done. She could feel the blood gushing out. She could see the crimson elixir drenching her hair. She could smell the rank poison on her skin. She was remembering.
Blurred and obscured images became clear and defined. Missing puzzle pieces to that night reemerged out of the darkness and connected and refined her memory. It was all coming back to her. Everything.
She nearly collapsed. The chair she grasped tipped forward under her weight, groaning as it skidded across the floor. It was a strange feeling: having full consciousness but no ability to control her body. She told herself, "Stand." But she couldn't. And down she went as tremors racked her body. Down, down, down to the floor as each vivid memory came back to her.
"You guys…" Serena called; her voice just above a hoarse croak, "I remember..."
Amy had just come in through the door and saw Serena's pale face. "Serena, are you okay?" Amy asked, rushing to hold up the fragile blond; she walked her to the couch.
Lita, Mina and Rei stopped in their antics and gasped. All four girls huddled around the bride-to-be. Amy checked Serena's pulse. It was irregular. Amy checked Serena's temperature. She was burning.
"Girls, step back, give her space to breathe!" Amy ordered, going into doctor mode.
She was shaking uncontrollably. Her eyes were dilated. Her breath was short. With chattering teeth she stuttered, "I remember—Oh my-my—I remember it all…"
"Serena," Amy commanded, taking her hands in a firm hold, "I need you to take in a deep breath—yes, yes—just like that. Okay, now hold it. Hold in that breath….okay, now let it go. Alright, stick with me. Again. Take a deep breath, hold it, and…let it go."
"Amy what's wrong? Should we call an ambulance?" Mina's voice was frantic. She hovered by the side of the couch on her knees, scared by the sudden attack. The look on Serena's face frightened her, and she worried they might need to get her to the hospital. Mina felt like crying. It was going to be Serena in a hospital bed all over again, and they all would be waiting to see whether she were to live or die.
"No, not yet. She's hyperventilating; I just need to help her regain her breathing, so her blood flow will return to her face and hands—Kami they're cold!"
"What's wrong with her?" Rei cried, clutching the side of the couch. "She was just fine a few minutes ago."
"I don't know," Amy shook her head, "But we can't stay here."
"Come on," Amy ordered, as Serena struggled to control her breath, "Lita help me get her into the car."
"N-no, I need to—" Serena began, putting out a quaking arm to push the brunette away.
"Serena, listen to me," Amy said, cupping the blonds face, "We need to get you out of here, okay? So, cooperate and that way we don't hurt you carrying you out. Does that sound alright?"
"I n-need t-t-to a-as-sk..." Serena began again, but as she did so, her vision began to blur and faces became unfocused, and then…
Everything faded to black.
Darien. He was her first thought. She sat up.
"Darien," she called to him.
She felt a cool hand cover hers and she opened her eyes. It was her mother.
"Mom," Serena said with a smile.
"You just missed him, Darling. Darien just left."
Serena struggled to get up, but the layers of blanket over her were suffocating.
"Darien made sure you were all wrapped up before he left."
It figured, Serena grumbled to herself. Of course he was the one who would torture her in this way. "Help?" She raised a suggestive brow to her mother, who jumped at the invitation.
Sitting herself back down by Serena's bedside, Mrs. Tsukino laid a gentle hand on her daughter's thigh and patted her, worry flashed in her eyes. "How could you scare us like that?"
Her daughter gave her a wry smile, and remarked, "Gee Mom, I'll be sure not to do it next time."
Her mom gave her a look that suggested she wasn't going to take that tone. "What happened?"
What happened? She didn't know either. Squinting through the dim light of her room she tried to recall the events of the afternoon, and tried to assess what had happened to her in words.
"I think it was a side effect of the head trauma, Mom. It must have been—my coordination malfunctioned, and then…then—" she tried to explain it as best she could, but how could she when she didn't even know herself?—"It was kind of scary. I just blacked out."
Her mom seemed to be holding her breath; she let out a wavering sigh as she got up and wrapped her arms around her daughter in a tight hug. "Don't do that again, honey. Not to us. Not to Darien either. I swear that boy loves you like no tomorrow. He wouldn't leave your side until he knew you were okay."
Serena rolled her eyes. "I don't see him now," she cursed him silently. And to her utter remorse, she felt a sudden dry spell hit her eyes. Great. She cursed Darien's existence.
"He got a phone call right before you woke; said it was business," her mom explained, collecting herself. "He seemed to be in a hurry, now that I think about it. Must have been important."
"Yes, much more important than his fiancé blacking out at a bridal store," Serena scoffed.
"He's a very important man, Serena. You have to understand he's got obligations if you are to marry him," her mom scolded. "Anyways, you need your rest for the big day tomorrow. I'm going to let you sleep."
"Night."
She did not go to sleep until two hours later. Instead, she lay awake on top of her blankets staring into the darkness, thinking about how she got into the mess she was in now.
It was his fault. All of it. It was he who solicited her company. He who insisted they be friends. He who rocked her world, but now left her in the rubble of it. It was his fault and she didn't think she could ever forgive him again.
Yes, she remembered now. That night was crystal clear in her memory.
Speaking to the reporter, dancing with Darien, Reizei's haunting words echoing down the hall, and then the most humiliating part of the night—the kiss. The horrid kiss that shattered her already fragile faith in love. It tore her heart knowing that he used her. Darien used her.
It was just like the rich to use the poor to their advantage like that. She was nothing but a paper towel he rolled out to wipe his mess and to be thrown in the trash after that. She meant nothing to him. That much was clear.
So what if she was in love with him. That didn't matter. Who was she kidding by going through with the wedding tomorrow? He didn't love her. She knew the truth. Serena was aware it was guilt that was pushing him to go through with it. Of the one quality that she knew to be true of Darien Chiba, was that he had the integrity of a lion: strong and resolute, never to be broken. He wouldn't allow her to go on with her life knowing that he had been the one to cause her near-death-experience. He was too honorable.
She couldn't marry him. Not today, not tomorrow—not ever.
"I've seen you before."
Jack nodded as he shook Chiba's hand. "At the club. I was speaking to your fiancé."
Chiba's eyes lowered as he regarded the reporter. "I remember. Please, take a seat," Chiba extended his hand to the chair in the living room.
Once situated around the glass table, Jack began, "Although I've been told to drop my research into your fiancé's attempted murder, my team and I have not." He paused to gauge Chiba's reaction. The dark-haired son of a bitch was a stony mask; his fair eyes glimmered dangerously as they watched Jack. "We do not believe that it was coincidence Ms. Tsukino was nearly hit by that truck that night. I know the police believe it may have been a result of drinking and driving, but that is not so. I know you Mr. Chiba."
At that, the corner of the Chiba's lip quivered. "As I know you, Jack."
The use of his first name was like a grenade thrown into a battlefield. Jack's eyebrows raised in surprise. It appeared Chiba lived up to his reputation as a shrewd entrepreneur who made it his personal responsibility to know everyone and everything he dealt business with. This guy was sharp, real sharp.
"So you know my first name," Jack shrugged, "No big deal…Darien."
The drop of his name didn't faze Chiba. Not one bit. He still looked as dominating and controlled as ever.
"It's only fair, since I know so much about you. You're Darien Mamoru Chiba. You're twenty-three. You head your family's company in Japan while your father is away. You make a half million American dollars a year, but that's only because you're working part time. The other half of the time you go to school. You're getting your Masters in Business Administration in June. You're six feet tall and weigh 180 pounds. You are a third degree black belt in Karate and became the youngest Kendo champion in Japan at the age of fourteen. You graduated at the top of your high school class. You've dated Minako Aino for five years, three of which she was away in Paris. You're recently engaged to Usagi Serena Tsukino who you've only been dating less than a year. You love chocolate. Your favorite color is red. Your blood type is B. Your shoe size is 11 and a half. Your flower of choice are roses and you love buying diamonds for every girl you sleep with hence you have an account in every one of the finest jewelry stores in Japan."
Chiba raised an eyebrow, but he did not look impressed. "Is that all? You could find all that out on the internet. Did you Google me?"
Jack flushed.
"You're Jack Slater, an American reporter who is running away from his own scandal in the States—I'm guessing it has to do with a girl. And I'm guessing her name is Lily Shaw."
Jack stiffened at that. How did he know?
"You are twenty-five years old and are considerably good at what you do. But what you love most about your job is the thrill of solving a mystery. Particularly murder mysteries. The case that sent you catapulting into the top of your line of work was a murder mystery—your mother's murder to be precise. Your dad abandoned you guys when you were eight. You have no siblings. Your mother was an alcoholic who you had no respect for. You spent most of your time at a neighbor's; they took you in, you considered them family. The Shaws are their name."
Again, Jack was stumped. This information was not on any of his records. The Shaws were simply friends; they weren't relatives of any sort. He had never even told Mitch about them. Now he deeply regretted wearing the bug in his jacket. No doubt Sloan and Mitch will be hounding him for answers.
"You did not graduate at the top of your high school class. You dropped out. You were very smart though, you got your G.E.D. went to a community college and then transferred to NYU where you got your degree in Journalism. Your favorite class was forensic psychology and you thought about a career in law enforcement. You headed the NYU student newspaper for two years which then got you a position as an intern on the New York Times. You are five feet ten inches and weigh165 pounds. You're currently working with Mitch White who was your dorm roommate at NYU. He's your cameramen, your right-hand man…your sidekick. Your blood type is O. Your shoe size is ten. You enjoy black and white movies. You love rainbow sherbet ice cream. Your vision is horrible—I don't know how you get those thick contact lenses on. And you love watching Tom and Jerry as you eat Fruit Loops. Is there anything I missed?" Chiba asked, folding his hands over the table.
"Favorite color?" Jack growled.
"Yellow."
Sighing in resignation, Jack smiled reluctantly. "Everything about you is true."
Chiba shrugged, looking as though he could have cared less. "I wouldn't say that."
"We'll see," Jack allowed. "Alright," Jack's tone became serious, "You know why I'm here Mr. Chiba. It's a matter of life or death. Tsukino's life or death. We believe there is a chance your fiancé is in fact—"
"Serena St. James. I know."
Disgruntled again, Jack cleared his throat and continued, "Yes. I see you've also done your research. Well we, my team and I, believe that her murderer is no one else than Ronald St. James. He wants her dead. I don't know what for, but he's coming for her."
"I know that too," Chiba admitted, his voice softening though. Jack could see the concern in the man's eyes. "I have my men on it."
"But I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation—"
"Are you saying I don't understand the immediate danger to my fiancé's life?" Chiba's voice was cutting. "If that's so, you're wrong Mr. Slater."
Jack was taken aback by the force of Chiba's simmering anger. He felt as though he was facing a fiery inferno twisting in a furnace, waiting for him to fall in. "I'm just saying there needs to be immediate action—"
"I am taking immediate action," Darien roared. "Her life means everything to me. How dare you march in here and tell me I need to do more to protect her? I'd rather die than see her in pain."
Surprised by the intensity of the confession, Jack stammered, "You don't understand, Mr. Chiba."
"I don't understand?" Darien scoffed. "No. I don't think you understand. I—" he swallowed, "I love her." The confession swept over him like a powerful wave, leaving him feeling ungrounded. It was finally out. He had said it aloud. Damn it, he had said it to a reporter.
"Serena is the only woman I think I can ever spend my life with. She makes me laugh and she makes me want to be a better person. She's amazing. I'm going to protect her at all costs: there's no way I'm losing her."
Jack stood. It was an awkward moment. One of those moments where you've just witnessed an embarrassingly intimate scene and you feel like an intruder for witnessing it. He shook his head.
"I'm glad to hear it."
"I assume this meeting is over?" Chiba rose to his feet. "I'll see you out."
The two men walked in silence to the foyer. As Jack put on his shoes Chiba called for the butler to bring Jack's coat and scarf.
"I wasn't questioning your relationship with Ms. Tsukino, Mr. Chiba." Jack confided.
Chiba nodded and extended his hand, "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Slater. But I've got everything under control."
Slipping on his coat and scarf, Jack turned to the open door and stepped out. He turned and took Chiba's hand in his for a handshake.
"I believe you will do all that is within your power to protect her, Mr. Chiba," Jack said warmly. "But there is one thing you should know."
"And that is?" Darien asked cautiously, noting the other man's severe tone.
"We've tracked St. James's credit card: he's bought a ticket to Japan and will be arriving here tomorrow. I believe he wants to be present for his niece's wedding."
End Note: Please let me know what you think: hate it or love it let me know. Thank you, I hope you enjoyed it.