RIVALS C16 - PG
By: raq-UMALI
umalific@hotmail.com
February 21, 2001 – Mar 6


Time for some dedication!  Thanks to all of you that have emailed me 
constantly to tell me of your likings of my stories.  I especially 
would like to mention how grateful I am to having new pen pals and new 
friends.

GINA – girl I miss you ?………… (raq..chants… ANDY! ANDY!) I'm glad you 
have will power girl… I would just died of boredom without reading any 
stories.  MORE POWER TO YOU! Tell Ricky I said HI!

TINA – thanks for the emails… for as far as I have known you've always 
been honest and kept up with my stories.. I likes.. thank you!

BECKY – My mom is coming over to play BINGO again! (raq shakes her 
head).

MARIA aka Dark Angel – Thanks for the support.  I always know where to 
turn to for opinions.

Stef-Chan – who keeps me on my toes everytime Im on the web by poking 
me and stuff.

Diana – Sorry that sometimes I cant chat… you know its all about the 
timing with me. 

Takako Chan, Ming ……… I miss you guys.. come visit me some time on the 
web k. To all of those that don't know.. Im 'usually always' on the web 
on MSN.. wanna chat I'm here ?!


Enough Blabbing……On with the story…………………… don't forget to email me.

**********************************************************************


Wednesday had finally arrived for Serena and not a moment too soon. 
Beginning to feel helpless in her hospital room she was eager to leave.  
With her fever going down dramatically, dejected to nothing it was 
almost down to its norm but Serena was no doubt still weak.  Her immune 
system is stable but was still fighting off the last of the alien 
toxins in her body..  Her complexion was regaining its true color and 
by the end of her stay Serena's cheeks blushed naturally.  

During her stay, many Doctors and Nurses had been surprised to visit 
Serena, for her room was a scene from a beautiful botanical garden.  
Flowers and foliage everywhere greeted everyone as they visited.  
Blooms from the wildest orchids, calla lilies to the wonderful white, 
pink, and yellow rose combinations.  But even as beautiful as the 
flowers her parents and Jaq had sent she always found her eyes to drift 
in a corner of the room.  

In the corner all on their own, bloomed many yellow roses… a complete 9 
dozen brightly yellow roses.   They were now in full bloom and Serena's 
thoughts couldn't stop the lingering they were doing.  After the first 
day of receiving flowers from Darien and the short confession of 
wanting to be friends, Serena was surprised to receive another set of 
three-dozen identical roses each day.  Within no time, Serena had 
receive a beautiful set of 9 yellow kissed roses.  Indeed she was 
overwhelmed by the sweetness Darien had been pursuing and indeed he 
seemed to care for her welfare as much as her friends did.  Truly she 
can honestly say that he means more to her than her arch-enemy Darien 
Chiba of Chiba Bank Commerce.   

Being so close, so concerned so protective then sending her roses. 'I 
don't just give flowers to anyone' rang in her mind as she snapped her 
hair to her catching trademark. 'hmmm' she thought 'could it be that 
this is a peace offering' she thought ideally 'or should I read 
different'.  Serena herself couldn't deny that she was attracted to the 
tall handsome man. Being so caring over her safety filled her heart 
with warmth and acceptance.  The man of such arrogance and strictly 
business statuette was more than what he made himself seem, as to her 
eyes that is..  He does have a heart, though a chauvinistic one… he 
still had one.  Now at a mere thought of Darien a lovely smile creased 
her face and brightly glittered as her beautiful roses..

The door to her room opened and entered Elaine and the others, 
surprising and disturbing her moment of silent and personal thoughts of 
Darien.  Indeed she already knew that Elaine had felt an attraction, 
but really only thought about it as a flash of coincidence.

"Hey girl… ready to get out of here?".  Serena smiled to her lovely 
confidant.  With her being away in business and personal sick matters.  
Mina has been a best assistant ever.  Her willingness and never 
complain attitude only spoke of true loyalty to the company and to 
Serena.

"Yes I am" smiled Serena gleefully and warmly giving her friend a hug 
"but what about my flowers?"

"Those… well it looks like were gonna have to borrow some type of 
wheeled furniture" laughed Ben as he looked in to her floral filled 
room.

"I know… its beginning to smell like a garden in here" commented the 
very helpful nurse that brought over a wheel chair for Serena's exit.

"Oh… I wont be needing that…we can use that to help with all the 
arrangements"

"But Miss… its hospital policy.."

"Besides we have a handy push tray to help you with you things" said 
another nurse coming to see Serena off.

"But.. I really would like to walk"

"Oh Serena stop the whining and just get on the thing." Pushed Mina as 
she nudged Serena a bit towards the waiting nurse. "If not we'll never 
get you home"

"But"

"No buts Serena, DOC said you will need a weeks rest and rest you will 
get".  Serena glanced at Elaine and stood quietly before feeling 
defeated.

Back to work…………….

Serena drove her slick white BMW with a bright smile, definitely 
excited to get back to her usual routine.  Since her allergic ordeal 
she had been stuck at home with little to do.  Spending most of her 
time reading and peaceful walks along the shore.  Indeed it had been a 
relaxing week for Serena and now it was back to her passion, work!  

Relaxing but yet restless, her mind always needed to fish up 
information and the direction of the company.  It was her duty to keep 
the company at full shape but as she found out it was her assistants 
duty to keep her in full health.  

Though Mina and the others always visited, updating her on the company 
improvements and minor setbacks.  Serena by the third day found 
herself, calling the office for items to be faxed to her.  Little did 
Serena know when the doctor had instructed for her to rest for a week, 
she didn't know that Elaine and the others took it to full heart.  It 
also didn't help when her father had given strict instructions to her 
assistants to not bring Serena any work or they would have to answer to 
him. Sure Serena felt small when her father side stepped her and made 
his own demands on her assistants.  It was almost like 'Daddy to the 
rescue'.  Though it was for her own welfare, she will need to speak to 
her father and made sure he knew who was boss in Japan.

Mina, Ami, Jayson and Molly were great at what they do, handling all 
her business affairs in a very professional manner.  Grateful that she 
was blessed with such loyal and great assistants/friends she entrusted 
them with every bit of confidence.  One that Serena would never change 
for the world.   She could not blame them for not giving her work, 
after all they were on strict orders from a higher up.

Days past and Serena tried to find ways to keep her self busy for she 
was bored to her might.  Her busy lifestyle was what kept her happy and 
without it, her life was sure to easy and simple. Being unable to even 
so much as help around the house with cooking and cleaning she was 
literally being pampered to death.  

Reading a few novels and finishing them in no time her mind wandered in 
many directions, work, charity events and fundraisers but as it was 
with the beautiful roses her days never went afar without it wandering 
towards Darien.  For a week now since the special flowers she had not 
seen, contact nor heard from him and as much as she tried to hide it 
her anticipation to return to work was to also be able to get a glimpse 
of the tiger tamed cat rival. 

Serena entered the parking structure, humming to herself as she headed 
for her parking space.  Passing so many cars she finally found her 
stall and smoothly parked her car.  Never before had she ever seen a 
parking structure high.  Sighing to herself before retreating from her 
car she pasted on a bright smile as she headed for the heavy metal 
doors that would taker her to the lobby to start her new work day.  
  
She was indeed anxious, ecstatic to be returning.  All the paper work 
all the functions she loved and be lost without.  The elevator dinged 
as the doors opened, she entered without even a hesitation.  At one of 
the corners of the moving steel, her mind for the millionth time began 
to wander to the man she has been unable to push from her mind. 'are we 
still on for that coco?'… 'of course we are I wouldn't have it any 
other way' she thought gleefully.  Taking a look at herself in the 
mirrored walls in front she smoothed her hair and pressed her lips 
together for a better glow.  The elevator dinged again the door opened 
to another floor of the deeply and over packed parking structure.  

As the doors opened her eyes traveled from the walls to the new comer. 
Surprised and pleased as her eyes met his and soon she was silently 
gasping for air as he said her name that seemed almost sensual.
"Serena…."


*Stay tune for chapter 17…………. Just kidding… hahahhahahahah…… Keep 
reading!


Darien smiled, thoughtfully as he parked in his usual stall.  Many 
times he had parked there and never had the day seemed different by 
chance.  Perhaps it was just his mood, cheery and was a bit out of the 
norm.  'what the heck is the matter with me' he thought as he stupidly 
laughed at himself as he made one sweeping look at his rear view mirror 
to side swipe a lock of hair.  Out he went from his emerald green 
Mercedes that only spoke wealth upon seeing.  Everything was well 
touched and personally emblem with the famous name CHIBA.  Well Armani 
suited, Darien walked smoothly, briefcase in hand as he stopped in 
front of the metal casing.  Again taking a look at himself as he 
straightened his tie.  Making himself presentable for his morning run 
ins with other professionals.  One his mind thought quickly, one that 
he wouldn't mind at all running into… A woman by the certain name of 
Serena.

Days had passed since her incident and he found himself questioning Rei 
for how Serena was doing and at times had to avoid the questioning eyes 
as he turned and walked the other way.  The flowers too were of no help 
when it came to a personal hello to Serena.  For their circle of 
assistants passed through the grapevine that he was sending Serena 
flowers.  There had been several times Michael and even Andrew had 
asked him on it, but a reply never came.  Only one of 'Cant a business 
man send flowers to make amends with his RIVAL' but it didn't work for 
both best friends knew that Darien didn't give flowers just to anyone.

Looking down at his shoes, making sure of the fine shine, the doors 
dinged warning him of the elevator's arrival.  The doors opened, taking 
a step forward he noticed a familiar woman that he had in mind the past 
week.  His dark blues met her charming eyes and they locked for just a 
second as it hit him.  
"Serena…". 

Darien was deeply happy to see the beauty that he inevitably happened 
to run into.  Still he stood there in front of the elevator as both 
enchanted one another with their flirtatious smiles.  Days have passed 
and Darien so had wished he had spoken to Serena or even visited her in 
the hospital.  But his ego, his high mighty ego lacked the nerve he 
usually had and stayed away. But another reason always lingered in his 
mind, one that he always tried to avoid but haunted him at the mere 
thought of Serena.  The thought of his fellow business men and 
shareholders to his company that prompted him to make himself well 
acquainted with Serena Tsukino.  

It was an ugly thought and always dimmed his mood.  Times have gone and 
he had once, twice a dozen times had done to other women what he is to 
do with Serena. The basic wine and dine then bring them down type was 
almost scaring him when it came to Serena.  Yes…… he was pretty 
chauvinistic to a certain point and he never denied that but it was all 
due to business.  He had stepped on many toes climbing to the top, he 
was crude and at times just plain rude.  You don't become a high-class 
business-man being nice.  Being ahead of the game, nothing more nothing 
less.  He had to stay on top and at almost any cost.  Never lawbreaking 
or murder he would never allow himself to deal with imprisonment or 
criminal confinement.  Playing with woman's hearts was a different 
story.  Per say, no law can condemn a man for having an affair thus it 
was one game he involved himself with.  

As it was with the wife of the infamous Mitsua International company, 
he played and thus he won greatly. She had clearly taken a liking to 
Darien and Darien had taken that as a sign of easy prey.  Easy to 
seduce easy to play and sure enough that is what had happened.  He 
easily weaseled himself to seduce the wife, manipulating her enough 
where she had convinced her husband to invest in Darien's business.  
Not only investing but also allowing him to have control of their 
shares in certain companies.  Giving Chiba Bank a healthy sum of 
commission in return.  It worked greatly, and as soon as the contract 
was finalized, he eased himself away and the affair ended.  No-way 
would any wife's or daughters tell for they knew that the breech of 
contract that both companies signed were worth millions.  IT was better 
off for their skeletons to be kept inside their own closets.  

The Mitsua investment was so real that it had brought Chiba Bank 
Commerce to untouchable heights.. plowing the way to many great deals 
around Tokyo and other neighboring countries.  Darien was sharp and 
knew a good investment/daughter or wife when he saw one.  Chiba 
Commerce was on top, profit making and at a $189 dollars a share it was 
good business.  That is… until the Tsukino companies stepped in and 
involved themselves within Japans market.

Serena Tsukino very much had different values and professional views 
than Darien.  She was of course well brought to full respect of others 
and never was she able to step on anyone's toes and be proud for doing 
so.  She was sure in her business profession, professional and 
proficient at what she does but still she held her keen sense of 
modesty in everything she had done.  

Darien for once did not know how he felt about the intriguing Serena, 
he needed to bring her down for the sake of his business.  She was his 
downfall and his mind screamed to not allow it to happen to what he had 
work so hard for.  But he couldn't deny what feelings Serena brought at 
the mere thought of her. Infatuation, Crush or Puppy love he did not 
know.  Experiencing love was something alienated from his life.  True 
he was raised as well mannered as Serena from his grandparents but it 
was Darien's influences later after his father died that threw all that 
he has learned through the trials and tribulations of his young life.  
Loosing his own well breed honest professionalism out the door and in 
the crude business man he is now.  

Innocence… he stayed away from, as he always had deemed but still it 
was what Serena offered to anyone that looked her way. Sweet and purely 
innocent but yet a fighter and expertly professional in their world of 
financing.  Something intrigued his mind and body with Serena and 
really its begging to cloud his own personal judgments.   He sensed 
that by the constant obsession of sending her roses.  He needed to do 
something about this foreign feeling or for sure he was to fall, 
something he will always deny of ever doing.

The door began to close as they both held silent.  

"OH!", Serena quickly pressed the button as the doors inched closer 
together while Darien remained motionless outside the doors.  The 
button was hit and soon the great doors opened.  Serena laughed merrily 
as Darien looked away a little embarrassed.

"Get in silly or would you like to wait".  Chuckling a bit he stepped 
in and found himself warm as Serena's usual aura hit him.

"Goodmorning!"

"Goodmorning to you Darien" she fumbled as she held her brief case 
behind her.

"Back to work so soon?".  Darien turned a bit to see Serena fully from 
one side of the elevator.  Always dressed professionally, Serena was 
dressed in a silk iced pink suit.  Well tailored for her figure, tight 
and fitting it was enhancing to her beautiful curvature.

"Soon…….'I couldn't wait to get back to work the very same day I left 
the hospital" she chuckled sweetly and lightly, smiling to their light 
chatter.

"I suppose I would be the same way"  Darien looked up to see the 
numbers lowering to the capsize 'L' for lobby.  The silence grew a bit 
as the elevator seemed to be taken its time.  Serena 's face was 
slightly bent down towards the bottom of one of the walls when she 
looked up at the mirror that faced her.  As she had meant to steal a 
quick glance at Darien, she had turned a little shade of pink as she 
noticed his own eyes on her mirrored reflection.  Not even so much as 
turning away from her, he kept his eyes lingering on the beautiful 
reflection in front of him.  Her eyes elsewhere while she conjured up 
the nerve to say what she had been meaning to say for the past week.

"Darien…" turned Serena as she faced him "thank you for the roses, they 
were the most beautiful yellow roses I have ever seen"

"I'm glad you liked them"

"I do… BUT 9 dozen… you didn't have too"

"I knew that but I had wanted too".  Largely Darien smiled to Serena as 
her mind thought 'he wanted too'.  Indeed it was the truth, he knew 
that all Serena needed was perhaps a dozen, but he felt compelled to 
send her more as he knew that it would indeed brighten her days while 
her stay in the hospital.  Even more so, they held a special meaning, 
truce, friendship and perhaps even something more and that again scared 
him.

"Does that mean that their will be no more Mr. Chauvinistic Darien 
Chiba?" sarcastically asking.  Darien surprised a bit but indeed found 
it as light hearted as it was meant.  Chuckling a bit he nodded and 
smiled.

"Perhaps…".  Serena watched his eyes turn the bluest deeps of hues as 
he played on with her own sarcasm.  She admired his handsome smile and 
surely it suited him more than the angry and a little annoyed Darien 
she had encountered before.  Serena was sure that she will never get 
used to his wonderful smile for it was doing many things to her each 
time he did so. "and I had also meant the same for that coco" mentioned 
Darien gleefully thinking how nice it would be to have his breakfast 
ritual with Michael broken to be replaced by a beautiful company such 
as Serena.

"oh?", Serena casually slightly cocked her head to the side.

"Why you haven't forgotten have you?"

"forgotten… of course not.  When would you like to…"

"Why today…. its a good day to have company such as yours to start my 
morning". 'Boy was he flirting' thought Serena 'but do I mind nah….' 

"Besides…" he whispered "I'm getting quite tired of Michael's ranting 
about Mina".  Serena laughed a bit before the elevator went to a sudden 
stop, startling them both.

"Um… Darien" Serena silently grew nervous.  "Is it me or did this thing 
stopped?" Darien held steady as he felt whether the motor was 
restarting or not.

"of all the times" grunted Darien as he stopped himself from saying any 
more. "I guess that coco would have to wait".  Serena laughed a bit at 
Darien's humor.

"well who said I was going to agree to today" she teased.  Darien 
cocked a brow as he sensed Serena's playfulness.

"I guess you wouldn't of had time"

"Why of course not… one of us has to stay on top" she playfully smiled.

"OH REALLY!" he set his brief case down as he crossed his arms.

"Yes really… I mean…", Serena stopped herself from getting any further, 
though she was just kidding she knew that Darien did not take his 
business lightly.  Sensing his gesture as he set his case down she 
released her serious side "I'm just kidding……" she playfully hit his 
shoulder "relax… I'm not all business you know!".  

"Oh yeah… well that's not what I heard" he arched his brow.

"and what have you heard?"

"Oh that a certain someone was a work aholic"

"That's not true, I can take a break if I wanted too" she argued as she 
herself set her brief case down her side.

"Really then when the doctors asked that, that certain someone was to 
get rest… I heard through the grape vine that she had called in the 
office and asked for work".  Serena looked at him incredulously then 
smiled in defeat. It was true, she loved work as much as it almost 
loved her.

"umm… and which particular grape did you hear this from?" she asked

"why?"

"I just want to make sure I plucked them out of their vines for telling 
such stories" she comically gestured plucking a grape from its vines.

"Stories??" asked Darien a sarcastically.

"Welll… alright, so I love to work and keep busy.  But you of all 
people know how it works and how you have to constantly stay one top of 
business"

"True… I do… But I know when to relax. And I suggest that you have coco 
with me and relax a bit… How about it?"

"I suppose your right" she smiled "even though I was only kidding and 
had ever intention on taking you up on that coco".  The two smiled 
contently at one another.

With the unknown closeness or how they became that close in the first 
place Serena and Darien became caught up in each others gazes.  Serena 
looked up to his tall frame as he looked down to her petite one.  Eyes 
still locked they seemed to have gotten themselves in a sense of far 
but yet close intimate proximity of one other.  

At a sudden defiance craving for attention, the lock of raven hair fell 
and covered Darien's clear view of Serena.  Unwanting to move, he kept 
his stare as it seemed that the two were inching closer. 'beautiful' 
Darien thought.

Instinctively Serena felt her arm make a raising gesture.  Now inches 
perhaps a good 12 inches apart Serena boldly and smoothly feathered the 
lock away from his eyes.  Causing Darien to feel a bit on a cloud nine 
as he felt her warm and gentle touch against him. 'this is not good' he 
thought for a moment than silenced his inner mind.  Not so much as even 
a flinch ever gestured his bodily functions as he watched her tame the 
lock of hair back to its position.  Serena for a moment kept her eyes 
on the lock of hair, all soft and gentle, before returning her own eyes 
on Darien.  Not knowing what came over her she smiled lightly.

"your eyes are too handsome…..to be covered" she whispered flushing a 
bit for her choice of words and gesture.  Darien's heart raced as it 
had never before.  It was so different than the usually womanly 
presence that other woman used to bring him.  If Serena was any other 
woman, he would have had clearly seen the flirtatious side of all this.  
But she was different, her gesture was innocent and yet alluring in 
every way.

With the back of his hand and unable to help himself, Darien brought 
his hand to softly caress Serena's cheeks.  Softly and smoothly his 
eyes traveled from her eyes to the base of her chin where his hand had 
stopped.  As it was to him with her gesture, his touches rapidly 
increased her already beating heart.

"Thank you…" he murmured as his eyes focused from her lips then to her 
eyes.  Both of their eyes just lingered within each others features… 
taking a liking to what they see.  And if the moment didn't get 
intimate enough for the both of them at their final truths.. the 12 
inches that held between them enclosed as Darien finally gave in to her 
tempting lips.  Slowly and surely he made his move as his eyes never 
left hers.


Stay tune for chapter 17……………………… this time it's for real!