Title: Romancing in NY Name: Lelu E-mail: ETLCHSIEH@AOL.com Chapter: 3 Rating: PG-13 AN: Thank you sooo much to Eternal Angel, who is sending my story to SMR everytime I add a chpt. or make up a new story. Another thanks goes to my editor, Mandy, and thanks to ChiChi and Rachael! If you haven't already, check out my song fanfic. It's on EA's website, First Love, and ASMR (A shameless self promoter, I know, but I need to make sure that SOMEONE is reading my stories!) Now, on with the show! Disclaimer: Copyright 1992 Naoko Takeuchi/Kodansha/TOEI Animation. Sailor Moon, the Sailor Moon characters and their respective names and likenesses are a trademark of TOEI Animation. (Unfortunately, that means Darien, too!) << denotes thought>> Chapter 3- Romance on the Mind (Thurs.) The next day, when Serena went to work, she was a zombie. Mandy, noticing the slaphappy look on Serena's face, quickly asked, "Serena? Are you feeling alright?" No response. "Hello? Serena?" No response. Finally, about after 10 tries, Mandy, who usually had lots of patience, lost it and started to shake Serena. "SERENA!" Shake, Shake. "SNAP OUT OF IT!" Shake, shake. People walking by started giving Mandy some strange looks, but she paid no heed to them. "W-w-what? What are you shaking me for?" "Gee, Serena. I don't know. Could it possibly be because I've ONLY BEEN TRYING TO GET YOUR ATTENTION FOR THE PAST 5 MINUTES?" Serena, surprised at this reaction because Mandy was usually so soft-spoken, apologized immediately. "I'm sorry, Mandy. It's just that I had such a great time last night. I went out with the most perfect guy you could ever go out with! (AN: Enter the starry eyes) His name is Darien Shields, and- "Sorry, but did you just say Darien...Shields?" "Yes, I did. Why?" "Serena, I don't know how to break this to you, but..." Serena bit her lips and her eyes snapped back to attention. "What is it? Tell me." "Well, promise me that you won't get mad first." <> "I promise." "It- It's...j-just t-t-that...Darien...well, uh, he..." Serena, getting annoyed with Mandy's babbling, nearly screamed, "Spit it out! What is it?" " Darien sorta has a reputation. He has been out with a whole bunch of different girls, and I've even heard that he's dated two or three at the same time...I'm sorry." Serena was completely speechless. She had really thought that maybe, just maybe, Darien was the one. Tears started to form at her eyes and threatened to spill over. Her breath caught and she became speechless. Realizing the situation she was in, and not wanting to show Mandy her weakness, she quickly, she brushed back the tears with a swipe of her hand, and fought for the control for the use of her mouth. Making coherent sentences by controlling her trembling voice, she quietly said, "Thank you, Mandy. I'm glad you told me this before our relationship went too far." With that, she turned around and walked to the elevator. While waiting for the elevator to come, Serena pushed back all thoughts of Darien into the back of her mind. <> Unfortunately, for Serena, Darien would not have it that way. As soon as the elevator doors opened and when she walked to her desk, a big bouquet of white roses was on it. Holding her breath, Serena opened the envelope and read the card. Dearest Serena, I had a lot of fun last night, and I can't wait until Friday. I'll call you sometime around noon, so be prepared! Yours, Darien Without giving a second thought, Serena tore up the card and threw it into the wastebasket. She sat down at her desk, arranging and rearranging the objects, and when everything was finally to her satisfaction, she picked up the phone and pressed the button that would instantly connect her to Mr. Yammati's line. "Hello?" "Hello, Mr. Yammati. Did you get the papers that I sent you?" "They're on my desk right now, Tsukino. So far, you've done a very nice job. Not to be nosy, but I wanted to know how your date last night went. Did you have fun?" Although neither of them would probably ever admit this, each loved the other like an own family member. Mr. Yammati treated Serena like a daughter, worrying about the small trifles that she had in her life, and Serena worried about Mr. Yammati. She would constantly tell him that he had better slow down in his life or something horrible, like an early death, would happen to him. "Actually, yes. I did have fun. I don't think, however, that we shall be going out again anytime soon." "Why not? Didn't he ask you out again?" <> "Well, sir, if you must know, he asked me out again and I accepted, but I think that I might have to decline for...unexpected reasons." Michael's voice turned hard. "What did he do to you?" "Oh, nothing." Her voice wavered and tears had started to form again. "It's just that...that...Mr. Yammati, if you don't mind, I'd rather come into your office and tell you this, rather than have the whole floor hear about this. With those words, she turned around, and sure enough! Everyone and anyone who was on the floor at that time was trying to eavesdrop on the conversation that she was having with Mr. Yammati. "Well, Serena. Sure. Come in right away! But first, put me on the speaker phone." "Why?" "JUST do IT!" "Uh...Yes, sir." Serena connected him to the speakerphone. Not had one second passed before Mr. Yammati's voice came booming over the lines. "HEY! Get back TO WORK! What do I PAY you PEOPLE for? Now, MOVE IT!" Then, with a calm, gentle voice, Mr. Yammati called Serena to his office. "Okay, Serena. You may come in now." Anyone who had heard Mr. Yammati's announcement (which was the whole floor!) busied themselves, either looking at the 'intricate designs on the ceiling,' or the 'intricate designs on the *carpeted* floor." *Inside Mr. Yammati's office* "Now, Serena, now that we have some privacy, why don't you tell me why you aren't going to go out with him anymore? He is a nice person. I've met him on many occasions, and he seems like a fine young man. All the ladies know and like," he gave a little grin here, "it. They always flock to him when..." His voice trailed off when he saw Serena's response to his last two sentences. His fatherly instincts kicked in. "Serena, what's wrong," he asked in a soothing voice. "Oh, nothing," she said. She had tried to sound nonchalant, but tears kept on falling down her face. "I'm::sob:: perfectly ::sobs and blows nose on tissue:: fine. ::breaks down:: "Serena, dearest, no offense, but that was a really pitiful line." Laughter broke through the tears. "I know, sir, but...It was worth a try!" After Michael had let Serena calm down a bit, he quietly and calmly stated again, "Serena, why won't you go out again with Darien?" Serena felt brave this time. With neither a quiver in her voice nor a tear in her eyes, she said, "Because I heard something about him." Mr. Yammati raised an eyebrow at this. "Heard something about him? Would you care to digress?" "No, not really..." Her voice trailed off when she saw Mr. Yammati's dark blue eyes <> she thought. She gave a smile at him trying to coax her into saying the inevitable. "Mandy, the girl from the 3rd floor, told me that he...he...hehasareputation," she blurted out. "Really," Mr. Yammati questioned. "What kind of reputation?" Serena started to lose some of her confidence. "Sir, after I moved here to NYC, you acted like a surrogate father to me. Have I ever told you how much I appreciate that?" "No and thanks, but don't try to distract me. It's not working. Now answer the question." Serena sat up straight and looked him straight in the eye. "She said that he has dated a whole bunch of girls. He has a string of ex-girlfriends. She said that he has even dated more than one girl at a time." With that, she broke down again, sobbing. Her heart-wrenching sobs were even making Mr. Yammati wince. He could feel her pain. However, he knew why Darien did this. 'To find the right girl, Dad. I want to find the right girl before I'm too old...' Darien's words rang in head. <> he thought, <> Without trying to give away too much, he said, "Serena, did it ever occur to you that he might be trying to find the right girl? I know that when I was his age, I did the same thing, although I'm starting to regret it. He might be dating a bunch of girls in order to...make him happy. Don't give me that face. I didn't mean it in *that* kind of way. I meant so that he could find the right girl, get married, have children, and live happily ever after." Serena's sobs subsided. <> "Well, sir," she said, trying to clear her voice, "that does seem like an acceptable excuse...of some sort. He's calling today at 12:00. Should I question him about it?" Mr. Yammati thought about it. <> "Go for it, Serena. Ask him, and don't forget. Trust is the most important thing to have in a relationship. It is the foundation, like a basement is on a house. It is-" "Sir, I don't mean to interrupt you, but...I think I get it." "Good. You may leave now." Serena walked to the door, but before she twisted the knob, she said, "Thank, you. I really appreciate having you around." As soon as she opened the door, a whole group of people fell inside the office, nearly smothering Serena. A *very* angry Mr. Yammati barked at all the unlucky souls who had just 'happened' to be leaning on his door. "What the hell are you fuc*ing people doing here? I pay you enough fu*king money, and all you lazy bast*rds do is sit around and eavesdrop on my conversations! Get to work!" Chpt. 4 should be out sometime this week! Thank you to all the people (4!) who have e-mailed me! At least I know someone is reading this! My e-mail address is ETLCHSIEH@Aol.com, so feel free to drop a line. Lots of lines! Until next time, I remain...Lelu!