RIVALS - Chapter 3

By: raqUmali
Edited by: wolf_mistress
Rated: PG13


* In Tokyo *

It was late Wednesday evening when Mamoru made his way back home; his 
grandmother had pleaded for him to stay and that evening he did. While there, he 
had decided to have his fill, seeing a handmaid named Mikimoto. With their 
midnight rendezvous in the stables, she had always sought to fulfill his 
personal needs and satisfy his cravings during his visits. Be it wishful 
thinking for Mikimoto, she was never more than to pacify his lustful cravings.

During the drive all he could think about was his grandmother's pleading words. 
He shook his head erasing the thought of LOVE, MARRIAGE and FAMILY. He was 
married to business, having a wife and even a family would only complicate 
matters in the world filled with big heavy hitters such as he. Having such 
things would only weigh him down. 

~ Phone rings ~

"Hello, Chiba speaking," completely gratified when his cellular phone rang 
taking him away from his thoughts. 

"Hey, Mamoru, its Kyle."

"What's up, Kyle?"

"Nothing much, but how were your grandparents?"

"They're good ... except for the pushing on giving them a grandchild," he said 
sarcastically. Kyle on the other end was laughing. "Overall, the visit was good"

"Well, I just wanted you to know that Beryl was looking for you. She demanded to 
be part of the deal with the Koichi negotiations. What did you do to her? She's 
pretty pissed, good thing you had left before lunch. When she didn't find you in 
your office she barged into mine."

"Well, I'm glad you handled that," Mamoru laughingly added.

"Mamoru, she had me against the wall trying to pry out any information."

"What type of information?"

"You know... the usual... who you're currently sleeping with or better yet her 
words, 'fucking'. I knew, being your best friend, she would go see Motoki next, 
so I called him and warned him. But I guess she had gone there first. Makoto and 
Beryl almost had it out."

"Mako-chan... is she alright?" Mamoru worriedly thought about his best friend's 
fiancée. Makoto had a flare when it came to her territory and, sure enough if 
she found anyone hounding Motoki, he was sure there would be an all out brawl 
against the two. He would feel so bad if she was injured regarding his affairs.

"Oh yeah, she's fine. Makoto's tough. Beryl would never survive Mako-chan's 
wrath, so she backed down... Well I gotta go, I've got to finish all the work 
you left me..."

"Good, you do that," replied Mamoru.

"Mamoru, 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..."

"Yes... yes... we all know Rei's temper. Okay, I'll 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," Angela, her secretary greeted her as she came out 
of the elevators.

"Good morning, Angela. Any messages for me?" Serena 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," she took 
the messages from Angela's hand. 

"Thank you very much. Oh by the way, can you call Tsukino Financial in 
Tokyo and ask them to have profiles of the assistant CEO's and advisors ready on 
my desk for Monday." 

"Yes maaa..." Angela caught herself and smiled, "I mean Serena." 

"Thank you!" Serena entered her office, stopping dead in her tracks when she 
thought about Angela. 'With all this excitement about Tokyo, I didn't even 
realize what's going to happen to Angela' "Angela, can you come in here please." 


"Yes, Serena, be right in." Within a few seconds Angela came in with a notepad. 

"Yes, Serena," Angela took a seat. Now sitting on her black leather chair, 
Serena thought for a moment before speaking. 

"Angela, I suppose you know about my transfer to Tokyo," 

"Yes, and I thinks it's great. I'm so happy for you, Serena. Congratulations." 

"Thank you, but I don't want to talk about me. I want to talk about what will 
happen to you when I leave." 

"Oh, your father already gave me a position in the real estate investment 
department," she said cheerfully. Serena's eyes didn't miss her surprise. 

"He did? Well that's great. I was so worried that nobody prepared you for me 
leaving." She sighed a bit; her father was mingling with her affairs. Yes, she 
knew he was the boss, but at times their business to business status mixed in 
with an overly protected father. It was what she had not wanted when she signed 
on with them. 

"Oh no, Serena, I've 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, it's okay. I'm just glad that you're being taken cared of. You've been 
such great help. I would have been lost without you. I'm definitely going to 
miss you." Serena had given her a faint smile. True, she had relied on her 
assistant, she depended on them to work at the same pace and the same strut she 
had built her name on. And amazingly, they always caught on. 

"Me too. I really enjoyed working for you." Angela then got up to give her boss 
a hug of appreciation. She had learned many things from her boss, teaching her 
the mechanics of the daily stock market readings, the eye for good judgements 
and the eye for seeing moneymaking investments.

"Angela, how does our schedule look today?" Serena asked, breaking the hug. 

"Well for the rest of the week - nothing!!!" Angela shrugged 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 
smiled then frowned as she saw her boss' features. "Um Serena... Is something 
the matter?"

"Not that I'm not grateful, but Mr. Tsukino needs to stop..." she sighed.

"Stop what?" Angela asked, noting the word Mr. Tsukino instead of father or dad.

"Nothing..."

"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. "It's on me." 

"Miss Tsukino, I can't take this," looking at the large amount. 

"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 

"You're welcome, consider it your bonus and my going away present. Oh, I want 
you here for only half of the day tomorrow and Friday. Just make sure everything 
is tidy and all calls forwarded to whomever is handling my accounts. One thing 
though I need you to... write a few letters to my clients... personally thanking 
them..."

"I can do that tomorrow morning," Angela got up once more and gave Serena 
another hug. "Thank you" was all Angela could say while heading out the door.

Serena smiled to herself then thought about her father. Sighing, she picked up 
the phone to tell her father how she felt.

For the rest of the day, she was at home making a few phone calls to certain 
companies telling them of her transfer and that everything should be forwarded 
to a Tokyo address. 

Serena prepared the rest of the boxes being shipped to Japan, 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. A rough and familiar 
voice rang from the front door as it opened.

"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. 22 year old Sammy 
currently attended Boston State University to major in Civil Engineering. 

"Little brother, you're 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 physique, he had 
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!" Sammy walked 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, 
Sammy's girlfriend for 7 years, had been with him so long that she's as much a 
part of the family as Jaq.

"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 still has a few." 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." 

The three walked to the kitchen happily, taking out leftovers and different 
items to satisfy the hungry boy's 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?" Sammy, with a mouth full of chicken, smiled 
knowing too well that that kind of remark was very sexist and rude, but he loved 
teasing her.

"Why thank you, but I don't know whether to take the 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 there came a turning 
point, 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?" Sammy had already known the answer. He had 
called his father for his opinion one day and had been told of Serena's 
position.

Sammy had really come home to bid his sister farewell to a new country. Though 
she would only be a phone call away, coming to see her on spur of the moment 
type thing would be impossible.

Though close, sharing his feelings with his sister right away somewhat made him 
uncomfortable. Not that he didn't trust her or disliked her, it was one of those 
male ego thing. He loved 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," she said breaking Sammy's trance.

"Friday! So I guess I have to spend some time with you tomorrow?" he cringed as 
if the thought was displeasing and annoying.

"Why not, DAD took all the business out of my hands yesterday..." the features 
she played on her face was caught by both her mother and Sammy.

"And I take it you didn't like that?" asked Sammy.

"I had told father in the beginning when I signed on that I will be treated as 
an equal to any of his executives... and he has never had a problem with that. 
But ever since I got this promotion, it seems that all of what I had said went 
out the door. He officially took everything out of MY hands and planned 
everything for me."

"I don't see a problem with all that."

"Mom, with the sudden promotion, the treatment he is giving me is so... wrong... 
I mean, I didn't see him give Danny the week off when he was transferred to 
California."

"I see what you're getting at," swallowed Sammy.

"I just don't want it to seem that I got this position because he is my father."

"Serena... I'm sure everyone knows how hard you work for the firm. So don't 
sweat it. Your father just wants to make sure you're ready..."

"I know... anyhow..." Serena bubbly piped. "So I've got the whole day tomorrow 
free to be with my little brother." Serena grinned as she elaborating on the 
little brother part.

"Little brother.... Little brother..." He stood up beside her and said, 
"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 reach up to barely become the same 
height with his shoulders.

"Who cares about your height? I'm still your older sister," said Serena, pushing 
him away and 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 could only watch in laughter at her silly grown 
children.

* In Tokyo *

Thursday Mamoru 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, whether it was to lunch or 
leaving for home, they were there. 

Mamoru was tired and didn't want to deal with any obsessive women right now, he 
had no time for them and their silly games. Besides his schedule was so hectic, 
he had meetings from early mornings to late evenings. He wanted to solely 
concentrate on the take over by the new CEO of Tsukino Financial who was 
unnerving him even more for no one knew anything about the girl.

* In New York * 

Thursday morning Irene was in the kitchen cooking breakfast for her two grown 
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 jumping down from a few steps trying to see who can jump the farthest. For 
Irene it was deja vu all over again.

"Okay, my little ones. Stop it before one of you gets hurt," Irene scolded her 
children.

"Awww, Mom... We're just having fun!" Serena and Sammy said in unison.

"You two, if it wasn't your physical features I would think you're still 12," 
she said while walking back to the kitchen. All they could 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 could 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?" Irene handed 
them their plates 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 could see a challenge and 
nodded...

"Ready... Set... GO!..." Irene looked in disgust as her two grown children 
inhaled and stuffed their faces with food. After a few seconds Serena and Sammy 
looked at their mom and suddenly spit out their food and laughed. 

"Oh! You to are disgusting," said Irene laughing too.

"I swear when you guys are together, you're nothing but clowns. Now go while I 
clean this up," Irene pointing at the door while trying to keep a straight 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 could get from either 
of them. Then finally, when they both were stricken with sharp pains in their 
side, they decided to stop and rest for a while. 

They stopped 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 each other's company. Silence grew over them as they 
soon realized that Friday was just around the corner.

"Serena, did I ever tell you that I'm happy to be your brother?" said 
Sammy shyly.

"Yes... yes you did," Serena said smilingly while licking her ice cream.

"I did???" Sammy thought to himself.

"Sammy, just because you never said 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," Serena smiled 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."

* 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 came flying with anger written all over her face.

"Sorry to be late, it's just that an irritating REDDDD HEADDDD confronted me in 
the elevator, asking if I've slept with my boss," she said, angrily geared 
towards Mamoru. Mamoru flustered and hit himself over the head with his pen for 
forgetting to speak to Beryl.

"I'm sorry, Rei. Kyle warned me that she would confront you, but I had 
forgotten. I've been so busy," he said with an apologetic tone, annoyed he was 
having his whole office go through his so-called love life. Women have bombarded 
his office for the past few days. '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 Mrs. 
Katana 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"

"She is really pushing me to the edge. They're all getting on my nerves," said 
Darien frustrated, as he looked at Kyle sitting down relaxed on the couch.

"Hey, I told you not to get involved with that snake, but would you listen?" 

"Oh... shut up Kyle"

"Mamoru-san, just let me at her, Ill show what I can do to that snake. I would 
love to get my hands on her neck and strangle the hell out of her," Giving an 
impression of what she was going to do.

"Oh, by the way Kyle. Minako-chan gave me this note to give to you" catching 
Kyle's attention.

"She did" quickly walking towards Rei to take the envelope. "WHAT?" Kyle had 
asked after sensing all eyes on him. "Oh... No... I don't think so. If anything 
blossoms over Mina and I, business would be business and pleasure would be 
pleasure," he said staring at all of them particularly Mamoru, who said nothing.

"Now, does anybody have any new information?" Mamoru broke the conversation.

"Before being offered the position, she signed The Charles Simon 
Company," blurted Zen.

"The Charles Simon, the owner of the multi million dollar truck manufacturer?" 
Mamoru inquired.

"Yeah, he's the one. He made a 4.5 billion-dollar investment with 
Tsukino Financial," added Rei as she smiled at her knowledge but cowered down a 
bit as she saw Mamoru's reaction.

"HOW DOES SHE DO IT?" he asked flustered "What is she doing that WE are 
not?????" he said angrily and paced around the room.

"She umm... also closed the deal with umm... The Saq's Company," Nathan 
hesitantly mentioned, already knowing how upset Mamoru was.

"Saq's company... We've been trying to get that deal for months... and she..." 
Sounds of yelling could be heard and then some screaming, a deep sweet voice of 
an angry secretary as well as the woman he wanted to see out of his life. 

"Hsssssssssssss," Kyle stood and hissed, mimicking a snake.

Mamoru, as pissed as he was, barged out of the door and found Beryl pinning Ms. 
Katana up against the wall. Grabbing her arm, he yanked her away from Ms. 
Katana's face. Kyle and Rei ran to comfort the distraught secretary, who was in 
total shock of the accusations Beryl had given. Anger boiled in Rei's veins and 
was about to charge when Nathan's hand grabbed her.

"No, Rei, let him deal with her."

"What is your problem?" Mamoru seethed in anger.

"She's the one huh... she's the one you're sleeping with?" Beryl had pointed to 
Mrs. Katana. "I should of expected you to have better taste..." Without a word, 
Mamoru, as rough as he was, dragged Beryl in his office, threw her on the chair 
and slammed the door.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" 

"Mamoru, 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 stood up to hug 
the emotionless Mamoru. But to her dismay, he pushed her away and back down to 
where she had been thrown the first time.

"Beryl, we were never together. I used you as much as you used me and that's all 
that will ever be."

"But Mamoru... I love you." 

"Love? You don't know what love is, Beryl. I don't think 'fucking' people for 
favors or clients for business count as love..." Beryl was shock at the most, 
yes she had seen the callous and rash side of Mamoru, but this arctic emotion he 
was showing was too cold for even her blood. "Don't come around here accusing my 
employees of things they don't even know about. Now get out! I don't need this," 
Mamoru opened the door and stood stiffly, impatiently waiting by the door. 
"Beryl, I suggest you save yourself from the embarrassment and not make me drag 
you out by your hair." Her mouth dropped, and after the cruel feeling of 
rejection sunk in, she regained her composure and stood. 

Everyone's eyes were focused on her as she emerged from Mamoru's office. Head 
raised, chin up, Beryl stopped in the middle of the room. Rei still held her 
anger in and stood ready for any type of duel. 

"WHAT are you all staring at?"

"Someone that doesn't belong here that's for sure," Rei glared to the challenge.

"Why you..." Beryl made a move towards Rei when again, the same man that had 
told her to leave gripped her arm to a painful hold.

"Leave, BERYL..." Darien about half dragged her towards the elevator and pushed 
her towards the closed doors. Loosing her balance from his rough handling, she 
staggered. Balancing, her eyes turned the deepest shades of red, a burning 
inferno.

"Nobody humiliates me like this," she spat.

"Well I hope this doesn't bruise your ego," he grinned as the door dinged 
opened. "There's your cue... now leave!" Mamoru crossed his arms in front and 
leaned on the door.

"This is not over, Chiba Mamoru, you'll come running back," she expressed as she 
stepped onto the elevator.

"Don't count on it." The casual look of the man didn't help Beryl's ragging 
fire. "And Beryl... next time you come in this building, you better have an 
appointment." A few long strides, Mamoru entered his office, the door slamming 
on the frames loudly.

Stay tune for Chapter 4

Thanks for reading... see you in chapter 4