RIVALS – Chapter 3
R.Umali
roc1@access1.net
Rated: PG13

* In Tokyo
It was late Wednesday evening when Darien made his way back home, his 
grandmother had pleaded for him to stay, so that evening Darien had 
called Michael to let him know that he was staying the night and 
wouldn’t be in on Tuesday. Darien felt the whole visit relaxing, except 
when they would bring up about marriage.  During the drive all he could 
think about was his grandmothers pleading words.  He shook his head to 
erase his thoughts on the word LOVE.  He was completely gratified when 
his cellular phone rang.
“Hello, Darien Chiba here”
“Hey Darien its Michael”
“How were your grandparents?”
“It was a relaxing visit, except for the pushing on giving them a 
grandchild,” he said sarcastically.  Michael on the other line was 
laughing.
“Well, I just wanted you to know that Beryl was looking for you.  She 
demanded to be part of the deal with the P.A.G negotiations.  What did 
you do to her?  She’s pretty piss, good thing you left before lunch.  
When she didn’t find you in your office she barged in mine”
“Well I’m glad you handled that” Darien said laughingly
“Darien, she had me against the wall trying to prey out any information 
to who you are currently sleeping with or better yet her words 
‘fucking’.  I knew being your buds that she would go see Andrew next, 
so I called him and warned him.  But I guess she went there first and 
Lita and Beryl almost had it out.”
“Is Lita okay?” Darien asked worriedly.  He would feel so bad if she 
was injured regarding his affairs.
“Oh yeah, she’s fine. Lita’s tuff.  Beryl even backed down when she saw 
how sharp Lita’s eyes were and you know she doesn’t let down.”
“Well I gotta go, Ive got to finish all the work you left me..” Michael 
said sarcastically.
“Good, you do that” replied Darien smartly.
“Darien wait, you need to talk to Beryl.  I think she’s going to 
confront Rei next and you know with Rei’s temper there will sure be a 
brawl”
“Okay, Ill do it first thing in the morning, Bye!”

* In New York~
Wednesday morning Serena walked into her office like always with a 
smile on her face.  
“Good morning Miss. Serena” said Angela her secretary.  
“Good morning Angela. Any messages for me?”  Asked Serena as she 
stopped in front of Angela’s desk. 
 “Yes ma’am. You hav….” Angela said before she was cut off.  
“Angela, you know I don’t like this formal stuff, Just call me Serena” 
said as she took the messages from Angela’s hand.  
“Thank you very much.  Oh by the way, can you call Tsukino Financial in 
Tokyo and asked them to have profiles of the assistant CEO’s and 
advisors ready on my desk for Monday.”  
“yes maaa…” Angela caught herself  “I mean Serena,” said Angel with a 
smile.  
“Thank you!” said Serena going inside her office.  She suddenly stopped 
dead in her tracks when she thought about Angela.  ‘all this excitement 
about Tokyo, I didn’t even realize what’s going to happen to Angela’ 
she thought to herself.   
“Angela, can you come in here please, I would like to speak to you.”  
“Yes, Serena be right in” within a few seconds Angela came in with a 
note pad.  
“yes Serena” Angela said while taking a seat.  Now sitting on her black 
leather chair – 
“Angela, I suppose you know about me moving to Tokyo,” said Serena.  
“Yes, and I thinks it’s great.  I’m so happy for you Serena.”  “Thank 
you, but I don’t want to talk about me.  I want to talk about what will 
happen to you when I leave” said Serena worriedly.  
“Oh, your father already gave me a position in the real estate 
investment department” she said cheerfully.  
“He did?  Well that’s great.  I guess Dad took care of everything for 
me.  I was so worried that nobody prepared you for me leaving.”  
“Oh no, Serena Iv known for a couple of weeks now”.  
“WHAT!!!, you knew” said Serena with a surprised expression.  
“Ah..huh… but your father wanted to surprise you, so I promised not to 
say anything.  I’m sorry!”  “Oh no, its okay.  I’m just glad that 
you’re being taken cared of.  You’ve been such a great help; I would 
have been lost without you. I’m definitely going to miss you.”  Said 
Serena with a smile.  “Me Too.  I really enjoyed working for you.”  
Angela then got up to give her boss a hug of appreciation.  
“ Angela, how does our schedule look like today,” said Serena breaking 
the hug.  
“Well for the rest of the week – nothing!!!..”  Shrugging her 
shoulders.  
“What happened to the meeting with the Aaron Co.?”  
“Your father took care of everything.  He will be meeting with the 
Aaron Co. on Monday.  So it looks like you’ve got 2 days to do what 
ever you want.”  Angela smiles.  
“Leave it to Dad…Hey how about you, how’s your schedule?”  
“Well just like I said, your father took everything out of your hands, 
which means all my work too.  He gave it to his secretary and I think 
she’s a little mad.” Angela said with a smirk on her face.  “ Well 
then, I m not going to keep you here to stare at the wall.  Why don’t 
you pick up your son and take him to the zoo or something” said Serena 
while taking out her wallet and writing a check.  “Here (handing her a 
check) its one me”.  
“Miss. Tsukino, I can’t take this” holding $1000 check.  “Well then I 
think I have some work for you to do somewhere” she said while opening 
her drawers.  
 “thank you Serena” Angela said with a smile 
“Your welcome.  Oh don’t forget you’ve got tomorrow and Friday off 
too.”  Angela got up once more and gave Serena another hug.  Thank you 
was all Angela can say while heading out the door.  

For the rest of the day, she was at home making a few phone calls and 
stuffing the rest of the boxes, getting them ready to be picked up by a 
shipping co.  After another day of packing, she settled in their comfy 
living room with her mother reading beside her. Then suddenly a ruff 
and familiar voice rang from the front door.  
“I’m home.”  Serena’s bright eyes gleamed that voice could only be one 
person.  She jumped off the couch and ran towards the door to engulf 
her brother in a huge hug.  Sammy responded with open arms to his older 
sister.  Sammy was 4 years younger than Serena, which makes him 22.  He 
was attending Boston State University to major in Civil Engineering.  
“Little brother, your not so little anymore.  You are growing up too 
quickly.” Serena said after ending the embrace and turning her brother 
around. Sammy who was in the past a small little shrimp that irked and 
annoyed Serena was now 6 feet and built very well.  With his tall and 
well defined male physic he had a clean cut short brown hair and heavy 
blue eyes that just added to his lovely male features.
“Yes, a replica of his father” said Irene looking at her son.
“Hi Mom!” said Sammy while walking over to her and embracing her in a 
hug.  
“It’s so nice to be home.”
“So, what are you doing here… and where’s Mika?” Serena asked 
curiously.  Mika is Sammy’s girlfriend for 7 years.  She’s been with 
him so long that she’s so much a part of the family.
“Well, I got done with my mid terms early and my work didn’t have 
anything scheduled for the next few days, so I though I would come 
visit.  As for Mika, she not done with her mid terms just yet.”  Just 
as he finished his sentence his stomach was giving him hints of 
frustration.
“Before I answer any more questions can I get something to eat?  I’m a 
growing boy and need my nourishment,” said Sammy sarcastically.  The 
three walked to the kitchen happily, taking out left overs and 
different items to satisfy the hungry boys cravings.  Serena happily 
took a stool next to her brother, popping grapes in her mouth.
“Hey, Sis I heard about the promotion.  Good going, I guess all that 
beauty finally got you somewhere huh?”  Said Sammy with a mouth full of 
chicken.  Knowing too well that, that kind of remark was very sexist 
and rude but he loves teasing her.
“Why Thank you but I don’t know whether to take the last statement as a 
complement or an insult” smirked Serena.  Sammy and Serena had the 
usually brother and sister fight when they were small.  Often they 
would chase each other around and get into trouble.  They were very 
good at blaming each other for many mischievous deeds. But a turning 
point arises when at one memorable incident a boy Serena’s age pushed 
her and she fell flat on the sidewalk.  Sammy only being 6 years old 
pushed the other boy and told him to leave his sister alone.  With that 
gesture Serena saw her young over protective brother like never before.  
Before she acknowledged him only as a brat that made her life miserable 
but now it was different.  While growing up, Sammy became very 
protective of his sister.  He often threatened perspective boyfriends 
or even beat the ones that meant harm to her.  Like an ex-boyfriend 
that she would more than like to forget. Trying to shake away the 
horrible memory only known to her and a handful of people.  Serena 
faced her brother and watched him eat.

“So when are you leaving Serena?”  He asked knowing the answer.  Though 
not showing it Sammy actually came home to wish his sister good luck 
and bid her farewell to another country. Shedding his feelings to his 
sister somewhat made him uncomfortable, so he just usually left in 
within himself.  He loves his sister dearly and even being 4 years 
younger he always felt that it was his duty to protect her in every way 
but being the beauty that she was he knew that he had a big task.  He 
recalled the days when he would threaten boys and even female friends 
that envied her, making sure they knew the consequences of hurting her. 
A displeasing memory suddenly came into mind, an incident that they 
both wanted to forget. 
“My plane leaves Friday morning at 7:00am” said Serena breaking Sammy’s 
trance.
“Friday! So I guess I have to spend some time with my sister tomorrow 
then” with a sarcastic tone but with a huge grin.  Irene watching the 
two and only smiled as she can clearly see that what he was trying to 
hide.
“Why not, DAD took all the business out of my hands yesterday, so I’ve 
got the whole day tomorrow free to be with my little brother.”  Said 
Serena with a smile, elaborating on the little brother part.
“Little brother…. Little brother…” He stands up besides her and says 
“Little brother huh.  Well for your information Usa, I think regarding 
height wise you don’t stand a chance with me.”  Giving his mom a wink.  
Serena stood up on her tippy toes; only to reached up to barely become 
height with his shoulders.

“Who cares about your height, I’m still your older sister,” said Serena 
pushing him away knocking him to the floor.  All three laughed in 
unison and all of the sudden there was a brawl on the floor.  Sammy 
managed to get Serena on the floor for a tickle attack.  Irene can only 
watch in laughter at her silly grown children.

* In Tokyo
On Thursday Darien tended his work busily. Signing contracts, meeting 
with prospective clients, making deals and proposals were just some of 
his daily tasks.  He avoided all phone calls regarding his many women 
but failed to not run into them.  It just seems that everywhere he 
went, weather it was to lunch or leaving for home, they were there.  He 
was tired and didn’t want to deal with any obsessive women right now. 
Besides his schedule was so hectic, he had meetings from early mornings 
to late evenings.  He had no time for them and their silly games.  He 
wanted to souly concentrate on the take over by the new CEO of Tsukino 
Financial.  Going home was something he looked forward too.  It was 
time where he can feel relaxed and comforted by the perimeters of his 
own home but his mind screamed that something was missing.

* In New York
Thursday morning Irene was in the kitchen cooking breakfast for her 
children when she heard a rumbling sound with laughter trailing behind 
it.  As she stepped out to the receiving room she found her son and 
daughter running up and down the stairs.  Jumping down from a few steps 
trying to see who can jump the farthest.  For Irene it was de ja vu all 
over again.
“Okay, my little ones.  Stop it before one of you gets hurt,” said 
Irene with a scolding sarcastic finger.  She knew too well what there 
response was.
“Owww Mom.. Were just having fun!”  Serena and Sammy said in unison.
“You two, you would think that your body has grown but your mind 
hasn’t,” she said while walking back to the kitchen.  All they can do 
was laugh and laugh, which was music to Irene’s ears.  All her life, 
her children and family has been her number one priority and hearing 
the laughter in the air can only bring back many fond memories.
“So, what are you two going to do today?”
“We were thinking of going to the arcade!” said Serena winking at her 
brother.
“Arcade! Don’t you guys think you’re a little too old for that?” said 
Irene while handing them there pates of food.
“Nope!  My sister and I have a little unfinished business with a 
certain video game called ‘bust a move’” with each of them having 
plates of food.  Sammy nudged Serena’s arm.  Serena looked at him and 
she can see a challenge.  She nodded…
“Ready… Set… GO!…”  Irene looked in disgust as her two grown children 
inhaled and stuff their face with food.  After a few seconds Serena and 
Sammy looked at their mom and suddenly spitting out their food and 
laughed.  
“Oh! You to are disgusting,” said Irene laughing too.
“I swear when you guys are together, your nothing but clowns.  Now go 
while I cleaned this up” Irene pointing at the door while trying to 
keep a steady face.

Sammy and Serena ventured out to many places.  From ice cream shops to 
arcades they were everywhere.  Laughter and big smiles were all you can 
get from either of them.  Then finally when they both were stricken 
with sharp pains on their side they decided to stop and rest for a 
while. They stop off at a park and decided to sit and enjoy their 
second ice cream of the day.  Finding a patch of grass on top of a 
hill, they both flopped themselves down and enjoyed their ice cream.  A 
silence grew over them as they soon realize that Friday was just around 
the corner.
“Serena, did I ever tell you that I’m happy to be your brother!” said 
Sammy shyly.  He had never disclosed his feelings to his sister before.
“Yes… yes you did” Serena said smilingly while licking her ice cream.
“I did???” <when the heck did I tell her that> Sammy thought to 
himself.
“Sammy, just because you didn’t say it, doesn’t mean I don’t see or 
feel it,” she said nudging him on the side.  “Come on Sammy, I know 
more about your feelings than you think.  I also know that you came 
home to spend time with your sister before she leaves tomorrow” said 
Serena while staring at her brother.  “I guess I can’t hide anything 
from my big sister”
“Sammy I know how hard it is for guys to share their feelings but when 
you do need someone to express it to.  I want you to know that I will 
always be here for you, no matter how far apart we are.”  *** PAUSE 
**** “I want you to also know that I m proud of the man you have 
become” said Serena now giving her brother a hug.  The two sat there a 
while longer pleasantly enjoying each other’s company.

* In Tokyo
It was Friday 9:30am and he had another scheduled meeting with his 
assistants.  One by one they all strolled in his office waiting for the 
only girl on the team.  She comes flying with anger written all over 
her face.
“Sorry to be late, It’s just an irritateting red head confronted me in 
the elevator, asking if I’ve slept with my boss.”  She said angrily 
towards Darien.  Darien can see the flustered look on Rei’s face and 
hit himself over the head with his pen for forgetting to speak to 
Beryl.
“I’m sorry Rei.  Michael warned me that she would confront you but I 
forgot to talk to her.  I’ve been so busy” he said with a sorry tone of 
voice.  He felt bad that his whole office had to go through his so-
called love life.  For the past few days his office has bee bombarded 
by women Melissa, Jessica, Amber, Pamela and now Beryl was tracking him 
down.  ‘Why me???? Has cupid gone mad’ he thought to himself.
“Don’t worry about me, I can handle my own.  But I think you better 
help out Ms. Bishop outside.  I think she’s next”
“She’s out there right now,” he said as he stood up making his way to 
the door.
“No. No.. She’s not. But I heard Beryl say she’ll be back to speak to 
her”
“Arggg.. she is really getting on my nerves.  They’re all getting on my 
nerves,” said Darien frustrated, as he looked at Michael sitting down 
relaxed on the couch.
“Hey, I told you not to get involved with that snake, but would you 
listen?” said Michael
“Oh.. shut up” Darien said while throwing a few items at him.
“Darien, just let me at her, Ill show what I can do to that snake”  
said Rei “I would love to get my hands on her neck and strangle the 
hell out a her”  she said while giving an impression of what she was 
going to do.  They all laughed which clearly broke the ice.
“Oh, by the way Michael.  Mina gave me this note to give to you” she 
said.  This definitely caught Michael’s attention.
“She did” he said walking quickly towards Rei to take the envelope away 
from her hand.
“Wow this should be good, two spies in Tsukino financial’ said Nathan
“Oh.. No.. I don’t think so.  If anything blossomed over Mina and I, 
business would be business and pleasure will be pleasure,” he said 
staring at all of them especially Darien.  
“Now, does anybody have any new information on the great money maker?” 
said Darien breaking the conversation.
“Before being offered the position, she signed The Charles Simon 
Company,” blurted Zen.
“The Mr. Charles Simon, The owner of the multi million dollar truck 
manufacturer?” said Darien.
“Yeah, he’s the one.  He made a 4.5 billion dollars investment with 
Tsukino Financial” added Rei.
“HOW DOES SHE DO IT” he asked flustered “How can she keep getting 
million. hell billion dollar contracts?” he said angerly and paced 
around the room. 
“Sir, she umm.. also closed the deal with umm.. The Saq’s Company” said 
Nathan hesitantly since he knew how angry he was already.
“Saq’s company… We’ve been trying to get that deal for months… and she” 
and just before he was to finish.  They heard some yelling and 
screaming of two arguing women outside.  Darien looked at Michael.
“I guess your snake is back,” he said sarcastically.  They all knew 
whom the cause of that is and Darien as pissed as he was, barged out of 
the door and saw Beryl pinning Ms. Bishop up against the wall.  He 
grabbed her arm and yanked her away from Ms. Bishop’s face.  Michael 
and Rei ran to comfort Ms. Bishop who was in total shock of the 
accusations Beryl gave.  Rei flustered in anger and was about to charge 
when Nathan’s hand grabbed her.
“No Rei, let him deal with her” he said.  Rei can only nodded but still 
angry.
“What is your problem?” asked the pissed off Darien to the obsessive 
Beryl.
“She’s the one huh… She’s the one you’re sleeping with,” said Beryl 
pointing at Ms. Bishop.  Darien like a teakettle was about to explode.  
He was already mad, he didn’t need this to add to his problems.  He 
dragged Beryl in his office and threw her on the chair roughly.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” asked Darien
“Darien, I just wanted you back that’s all.  I just want us to be 
together again and I will not stand for anyone taking you away from me” 
she said softly as she stood up to hug the emotionless Darien.  But to 
her dismay, he pushed her away from him.
“Beryl, we were never together.  I used you as much as you used me and 
that’s all that will ever be” 
“But Darien, I love you” she said staring at him with mixed emotions.
“Love, you don’t know what love is Beryl.  I don’t think ‘fucking’ 
people for favors count as love” By now Beryl’s eyes were deep red, she 
couldn’t believe that she was pouring out all these feelings for a man 
that didn’t care for her.
“Don’t come around here and accused women employees of things they 
don’t even know about.  Now get out! I don’t need this,” he said as he 
opened the door.  After a slight pause of stares, she got up and 
regained her composure and walked outside.  Everyone’s eyes were 
focused on her as she slowly turns around.
“Nobody, Humiliates me like this and gets away with it” she hissed
“Well I hope this doesn’t hurt your ego,” he said with a grin
“This is not over Darien Chiba, you’ll come running back,” she said 
while making her way to the elevator.
“and Beryl” he said waiting for her to turn around. ”Don’t count on it 
and the next time you come in this building.  You better have an 
appointment,” he said while slamming the door.  Darien walked towards 
to the windows of his office for a moment of silence. He turns back 
around and on his leather chair and slowly slumps himself on it.  While 
sitting there, the door opens and slowly walked in Michael.


Stay tune for Chapter 4
Comments and advice send to roc1@access1.net

Thanks for reading… and see in chapter 4