Another Black Tie Affair

By: afallenblackrose

Author's Notes: After a long weekend, I'm back! So, funny story, I sprained my toe over the weekend and basically was on bed rest because I couldn't walk on it without hobbling around. I should have spent the time studying for my exam on Thursday, but I spent most of it trying to plan out this story. I think I've got a good idea of where this story will finally go, so I'm excited to see what you think. Thanks to SerenaDarienforeverJune30, nebelflecke, LGCoffeeAddict, applenica, fnr03, DarkMoonVisions, Anonymoose13, Kukaberry, Boston Bill, cardcaptorfan1152, and mangamania for reviewing the last chapter. I hope I'm doing you guys proud with the sequel. Let me know what you think of this chapter! Read on!

Part Three:

Meeting Mix Ups

Serena looked around the spatial penthouse apartment with a million dollar view of downtown Los Angles. She was pretty sure her jaw had hit the floor as soon as Darien opened the door, maybe even a little bit before that when he had hit the penthouse button on the elevator. But why was she so surprised? Back in Tokyo he had also owned the penthouse apartment. He was a multi-millionaire after all. He wanted the best, and he would always get it.

"Excuse me, miss," a mover grunted from behind her. Serena turned around and blushed fiercely. She had frozen in the middle of the doorway, and she was now blocking the way for the movers to bring in their things. She stepped aside and watched as the movers brought in the multitude of boxes that they had packed up. She wandered further into the apartment, and somehow felt herself drawn to one of the many windows. The apartment faced the west, and she could only imagine how gorgeous the sunsets were going to be. A small part of her hoped that Darien and her would be able to watch them together. Speaking of, she turned around to find her husband, but was saddened to find him in the opposite corner, his phone glued to his ear. Ever since their plane had landed he had been on that phone non-stop.

It was driving her crazy, but she also knew that the only reason they were in Los Angeles was because of his business. He had another CEO of another multi-million dollar company to lure to his company. She sighed already seeing how it was going to be between the two of them while they were here. Maybe it was time to call up her friend, she hadn't seen her since they had gone their separate ways after high school. It would be good to see her again.

Darien on the other hand, was getting very frustrated. His old secretary had decided to go on vacation on the exact day that he had come back and he was now dealing with an ignorant temp. His colleague, Mark, had called as soon as they landed to ask why he hadn't shown up at the meeting that was taking place, which had surprised meeting. He hadn't been informed of a meeting that would take place as soon as he landed. Just like the participants of the meeting, including the CEO he was trying to lure, hadn't been informed that he would be landing in LA as the meeting began. There had been a major screw up, and it was all thanks to the temp that his old secretary had hired in her place.

This was not how he wanted things to begin with the big CEO. He was now talking into the phone in a stern voice, the girl on the other line seemed shaken. She hadn't expected to be on the receiving line of the angry side of Darien Shields. She had heard about him, of course, but it was more of the playboy side that she heard of, not this angry businessman.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Shields, it must have been…"

"I don't want to hear any excuses," he cut her off harshly. "Look, I'm coming in, and if you slip up one more time, I will black list you." He hung up in a huff, not hearing the sobs of the scared girl on the other line. He placed his fingers on his temples, he had a headache and he had barely been back an hour.

"Something wrong?" A soft voice asked as soothing hands began massaging his back. He brought away his hands, and looked around him. His beautiful wife, who looked even more angel like in the light of the Los Angeles sun, was standing beside him, a look of concern on her face.

"Have I told you recently how much I love you?" He murmured as he brought her close to him.

"When we first got here," she replied. "But you didn't answer my question, Darien. Is something wrong?"

"I have to go in," he said with a tone of regret. He had wanted to stay in with Serena on their first night here. Order some amazing Chinese food that he knew she would have loved, and put that bed of his to good use. But no he had to go into the office.

She chuckled, "I kind of figured that you would. We're not here for a vacation but for your work."

"Are you sure?" He asked surprised by her attitude.

"Yes, now, go, Darien," she replied. "I have someone I need to call up anyway. Don't worry about me, I have to make sure that this place gets put into order, so I'll have plenty to keep me busy." A tickle began in her nose.

"You're amazing, Sere, you know?" He replied kissing her on the cheek before he dashed out of the apartment. But before he disappeared he tossed her something, which she caught with ease. She looked into her palm and saw two keys. One she assumed was the key to the apartment, but the other almost looked like a key to a car.

"Just in case you want to go somewhere," he said. "There's a black Mini Cooper downstairs in the parking garage." He waved and was out of sight before she could state her thanks. She tossed the keys in her hands and watched as the movers continued to bring in boxes. They had way too much stuff, she couldn't help but think as she began unpacking.

Darien stepped out of the elevator onto the top floor of his company's building. He was surprised that the usual rustle and bustle that he had been used to when he was working here almost a year ago, was nonexistent. You could have heard a pin drop it was that quite on the floor. Every one of his staff was sitting in their cubicles, but their eyes were fixated on him. He met each of their gazes sternly and said, "Shouldn't you guys be working? I know I haven't been here since last year, but really. I still expect you to be working." That was all that needed to be said as the rustle began. He smiled confidently; it was good to be back in this office. He strode down the hallway and stopped in front of the desk outside of his office.

A girl with red hair looked up at his approach, the look on her face could be described best as almost fearful. She stood shakily, and offered out a hand.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Shields," she said her voice wavering. "I'm Molly Walters, we spoke on the phone earlier?"

"So you're the one I have to blame for the meeting I missed," he said ignoring the hand she had offered for him to shake. "How did that happen, by the way, Molly? I thought the meeting wasn't until tomorrow?"

"That's what I thought too!" She exclaimed. "But they must have changed it. I checked my e-mail and the voicemails on my phone and on the office phone, but Mr. Dawson's secretary didn't send me anything to notify me about the change of time and day."

Darien quirked an eyebrow and walked over to the fax machine by her desk. There was a piece of paper in the tray. "Did you check the fax machine?" He asked her as she followed him. Once she saw the paper, she went to it and read over it quickly. The color in her face drained.

"N-no, I d-didn't," she stuttered. "But who sends faxes anymore? E-mail is so much easier!"

He took the paper from her outstretched hand and read over it quickly, it stated in black and white that the meeting time had changed. He looked up at the girl and said sternly, "Maybe you should research your clients thoroughly because if you had you would have known that Mr. Dawson's secretary is from the old school and uses faxes to inform people of meeting changes." He turned and began walking into his office but then he shouted over his shoulder, "Get Luna on the phone, I need to rearrange this meeting."

"Of course, sir," Molly stuttered and sat down in her chair. Her hand reached out to the phone and began dialing numbers. Once she was sure that Luna was on the phone she paged Darien's office. "Mr. Dawson's secretary on line one."

"Hello, Luna, how are you?" Darien answered.

"I'm doing very well, Mr. Shields," Luna replied. "How are you? I hear that you just arrived in Los Angeles and that is why you didn't attend the meeting this morning?"

"Yes, I'm afraid my usual secretary decided to go on vacation and so I have a temp working for me," he said. "She doesn't know how you work with meeting changes, Luna, so she didn't check the fax machine. If I had known that the meeting had been changed I would have booked an earlier flight."

Luna laughed, "Very well, would you like to speak with Mr. Dawson?"

"If he's available."

"He is, one moment, please," she said and connected him to the CEO in question.

"Darien Shields! I was very disappointed that you didn't make the meeting this morning," the man greeted.

"I am very sorry about that, Mr. Dawson, but as I explained to Luna, my usual secretary took off on vacation and I have a temp who doesn't exactly know what she is doing. My apologies, I'm hoping we can reschedule?"

"Of course, of course, it wouldn't be the first time a temp secretary has screwed up. I'm not sure what I'm going to do when my darling Luna decides to retire. But don't you worry, Darien! Your colleague, Mr. Matthews, showed me some of the presentation that you were working on. I am very interested, so we shall set up another meeting, perhaps for tomorrow evening?"

"That sounds perfect, Mr. Dawson."

"Please, Darien, call me Sapphire," he replied. "Very well, Luna will set it up and fax you the details, and I heard through the grapevine, that you are married? I would very much like to meet your new bride."

"I could bring her with me, if you'd like," Darien offered.

"That would be wonderful!" He exclaimed. "I shall see the both of you tomorrow evening! Good-bye Darien."

"Good-bye, Sapphire," he said and hung up the phone. "Molly!" He called out. "I am expecting a fax from Luna that has the details for tomorrow's meeting. Once you get it, please call me with the details. I'm going to go and thank Mark for helping me out this morning, and then I'm going home to get settled." Without another word he walked back down the hallway, leaving Molly speechless and staring after him.

As he walked down the hallway, many people nodded at him and waved in greeting. They also welcomed him back to the building. He smiled at all of them and thought again about how wonderful it was to be back. He stopped in front of another door, and smiled at the secretary sitting in front of it.

"Good afternoon, is Mr. Matthews available?" He asked.

"For you, Mr. Shields, always. Should I let him know that you're here?" The girl asked smiling at him.

"No, I want to surprise him," he said and walked towards the door. He knocked and waited for Mr. Matthews to say it was okay to come in.

"Come in!" He exclaimed. Darien opened the door and strode into the office. Mr. Matthews was hard at work, pouring over some paperwork. "Better make it quick, Anna, I'm really busy."

"Too busy for your boss, Mark?" Darien asked. His pen stopped in its tracks and he looked up. A look of surprise crossed his face before he scrambled from his chair and came to greet him.

"Darien, my friend!" He exclaimed as they shared a "manly" hug. "I knew you were back, but I didn't think you'd be coming into the office today! What are you doing here anyway?"

"I had to figure out what went wrong and reschedule the meeting," Darien replied. "Even though I heard that the only reason I have another chance, is because you told Sapphire about what we have planned. Thanks for that."

"No problem, that's what I'm here for," he said. "So, how is it being back?"

"Strange, but I like it. I forgot how much I like it here at this office. The Tokyo office was just too stuffy for my liking."

"Then why did you stay away for so long?" Mark asked. "You didn't tell me why you left to begin with."

"I didn't?" Mark shook his head. "Well, I, um, kind of got married while I was away."

"WHAT?"

"Yeah, look, it's a long story, one that I'll explain later, but I got married."

"Did you bring her with you?"

"She's back at the apartment, unpacking," he said. "Speaking of, I probably should go help her. I just came to thank you, and to say hello. So, I'll see you later?"

"Yeah, we should grab a beer or something soon," Mark replied.

"Definitely, then I can tell you that long story," he smiled and nodded his head in good-bye. It was time to go home, to his wife.

Author's Notes: Part three of the sequel complete, and now I'm really believing it will be longer than ten chapters. Did I happen to mention that my birthday is tomorrow? No, well, it is, and it would make me very happy if I got some reviews as a present, please? I'll update soon!