Betrayal of the heart

Chapter Four: Struggles

Mamoru was in his apartment, washing dishes, when there was a knock on the door. He debated not answering it, his voicemail box was already filled with angry messages from all of his friends. Why couldn't they just leave him alone? There was another knock, louder this time. sighing, he put the washcloth down and made his way to the door. When he opened the door, Jadiete's fist connected with his jaw, sending him flying backward into the apartment. Jadeite and Rei entered the apartment. Mamoru looked up at them, hand on his bruised jaw.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, getting to his feet, Jadeite clocked him again. Rei put her hands on her hips.

"How could you Chiba?" She asked, angrily. "How could you hurt her like that?"

"I never meant to hurt her" Mamoru replied.

"So sleeping around is just a thing on the side?" Jadiete asked.

"Look you guys, get out of my house!" Mamoru growled. "What I do, is none of your business"

"Oh, we'll leave" Rei said, "but you had better watch your back!" Once Jadiete and Rei were gone, Mamoru groaned and went into his bedroom. He glanced at a picture of Usagi, that was still on his nightstand. If she'd only listen to reason and come back to him. He clenched his fists as he thought of the man who had stopped him before. He and Usagi were destined to be together, but...he didn't love her. He had known when he came back from England that he was doing it for her, even if he didn't love her. Maybe it would have been better if she had completley called off the wedding. As he got ready for bed, he looked up at the moon, and felt a shiver down his spine, as if Queen Serenity was staring him down. He shook his head and went to bed.

Demando walked into the outer office and was surprised to see Usagi already there. Her black hair was in a bun and she wore a black pants suit.

"Good morning Usagi" He said. "This desk is yours and you may decorate it however you like. My office is just in there, and you can page me if you need anything" He said. Usagi smiled.

"Oparla told me you like coffee in the morning" She said. "It's waiting for you on your desk. It should still be hot"

"Thank you" Demando said. He walked to the door of his office, than turned to look at her. "If Esmeraude asks for me, tell her I am busy" Usagi nodded and he went into his office. The hours went by quickly and Usagi did her job quickly and efficiently. She copied what needed to be copied, too phone messages if he was busy, and paged him only if she needed something, which was seldom. Around 1:00, Demando poked his head out of his office.

"You can go to lunch" He said. Usagi stood and grabbed her purse.

"Esmeraude came by three times" She said. "She said it was urgent that she talk to you" Demando sighed.

"I think I'll go to lunch to" He said. Usagi laughed, and Demando smiled. He liked hearing her laugh.

"Come on, I'll treat you, since you bought me dinner last night" She said. Demando was about to protest, but Esmeraude popped into the room at that exact moment.

"Demando, I have been trying to get in touch with you all morning" She said. Demando sighed again. Esmeraude was still not wearing proper attire for working at the copany. This time she was in a little black dress that showed too much cleavage and barely went past her waiste.

"Not now" He said. "Usagi and I are going to lunch" Esmeraude scowled fiercely and stalked out of the office. Usagi and Demando took Usagi's car to a nice restaurant a couple of blocks away. After lunch, they went back to the office and resumed working. At 4:30, Usagi picked up her bag and with Demando's permission, left the office. She smiled, glad at having suceeded at her first day on the job.

Minako Aino was recording another song, but her heart just wasn't into it. Rei had called her and told her about Mamoru and Usagi and the baby, but she hadn't been able to get back to Japan, because she had a concert, but now, all she wanted was to see her friends and make sure that Usagi was alright.

"Stop" She said suddenly. Minako's manager looked at her in surprise as she removed the headphones.

"Minako, what's wrong?" He asked. Minako shook her head.

"I must return to Japan. Cancel all prior engagements and book me the first possible flight" she said, walking out of the recording room. Minako's boyfriend, Zoicite, smiled at her.

"I'm sure Usagi is fine" He said. Minako shrugged.

"Well, this gives me an excuse to visit" She said. Zoicite laughed and pulled her close. He still couldn't believe that she had agreed to go out with him. It was a chance to start anew.