The Center of my World - Part One
Usagi-chan
minako_usagi
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	Serena stepped out of the long, sleek car carefully. Holding 

her head high, she walked gracefully up the front stairs of the mansion.  

	Somehow, David had managed to obtain a ticket to a party hosted 

by one of Darien Shields better friends.  It was rumored that the tycoon 

himself would be there, and so Serena was in attendance as well.  

	She and David had worked on a story for her to tell any of the 

busybodies who ventured close enough to a newcomer to ask questions.  

She was the favourite niece to an extremely rich man who had recently 

died.  Coming into such a grand inheritance, Serena had decided to make 

her debut on the social scene.

	The large doors opened for her without question as she carried 

herself the way any youthful rich woman would.  She never cast second 

glances, even though the glamour of the house astounded her.  The place 

seemed to reek of money and wealth.  

	Following the people who had entered before her, Serena went 

into the large ballroom.  Again, she was awestruck at the way the room 

seemed almost magical.  Candles were everywhere, glowing brightly and 

casting an unearthly light about the place.

	Suddenly Serena was glad her parents had forced her to go to 

all her father's company balls.  Not only did she have the clothing 

from them, but she had the dancing experience and manners expected 

of a young woman at such a function.  

	Sighing with a mixture of relief and delight, Serena headed 

over to one of the empty tables at one end of the room.  She wanted a 

few minute to collect herself and to observe the others at the party.

	"You must be new around here."  Someone said softly near her ear.  

It nearly caused Serena to jump, except the deep voice had her completely 

mesmerized.  Turning slightly, Serena smiled at the young man who now 

moved next to her.  

	"I'm not quite sure I know what you mean." She replied, a slight 

smile playing on her lips.  She had played this game before, well, 

before her father had scared all the boys at the parties.

	"Beautiful women like you shouldn't be sitting alone." The 

man grinned at her, and Serena found herself smiling back.  The tall 

man had dirty blond hair and friendly brown eyes.

	"I'm Andrew Furuhata." He told her, offering Serena his hand.

	"I'm Serena Tsukino." She replied, accepting his hand.

	"May I sit here?" He asked, gesturing to the empty seat next to 

Serena.  

	"Of course." She nodded.

	"Thank you." He sat and looked at her.  "Tsukino, sounds 
Japanese."

	"It is." Serena smiled.  "I'm originally from Japan."

	"You certainly don't look Japanese, but it explains the name."  

He smiled.  "I'm from Japan myself.  Where in Japan are you from?"

	"Tokyo, the Juuban area." Serena replied.  "You?"

	"The same, actually.  I grew up running the arcade there, 

until my family moved here." Andrew told her, before glancing around the 

room.  He seemed to spot someone he had been looking for because he 

excused himself and made his way across the floor to another blond.  

	The woman seemed to recognize him, and Serena turned attention 

away from the couple.  She scanned the ballroom for Darien Shields.  

Although she had never seen him in person, she was familiar with his 

appearance through the many pictures she had seen of him.

	Finally her gaze fell on a tall dark haired man, dressed 

impeccably in a tuxedo.  Taking a deep breath, Serena tried to prepare 

herself for the initial confrontation.	

	'This is all for David, and the church.' She reminded herself as 

she headed over to where the hard, emotionless man stood.  As she moved 

closer to him, she observed his every gesture.  She took in the way he 

held his glass in one hand, and had his other hand casually in his 

pocket.  And somehow, as she watched him, Serena realized exactly how 

dangerous this game was.  If Darien ever saw through the charade, and 

realized what was happening, she would be dead!  That's all assuming 

she even got close to him, that she was able to trick him the first 

time round.	

	She was so near when Darien  suddenly turned and looked at her.  

His midnight blue eyes gazed into hers, and Serena was sure he could see 

through her.  

	Without thinking, she veered off her original course and left 

the ball room through the first exit she saw.  Serena tried to act 

nonchalant as she walked swiftly down a dark corridor.  The long white, 

satin skirt of her dress inhibited her walking despite the thigh high 

slit, so Serena was forced to slow her pace.  She turned slightly to 

glance behind her, and saw that no one was there.

	"Why are you so spooked, Serena?" She asked herself.  Glancing 

around, Serena found herself in a room that was obviously not a part of 

the party.  There was no furniture, and there was little light.  As she 

studied the room, Serena realized there was a collection of paintings on 

display in the room.  She had never seen such a magnificent collection 

of paintings before.  Unable to stop herself, Serena found herself 

gazing at one of the paintings.  She was so entranced by the picture she 

was studying, that she never heard the footsteps come into the room, and 

pause several feet away from her.

	"Stunning piece of art, isn't it?" A voice asked.  Serena 

whipped around,and found herself face to face with the man she had 

been trying to escape.  

	"I guess..." She tore her eyes from her face and focused on 

the painting.  Darien leaned against the wall casually, as though 

nothing could perturb him.  His hand was in his pockets, and he had 

taken off the jacket of his tuxedo.  It was slung across his shoulder,

suspended by two fingers.  

	"You guess?" He asked.  "You seem positively bewitched by it."

	Serena turned away from him, and moved to a different painting.  

Although Darien stayed where he was, his eyes followed her every move. 

	"One of my favourite artists, Lonnie Lanai." Darien told her 

from where he stood.

	"It's incredible..." Serena breathed, stunned by how perfect 

the piece seemed.  There was something about it that drew her to it.  

	Serena shook her head to clear it.  She needed to focus on 

Darien, not on the paintings hanging around her.  Suddenly it occurred 

to her that Darien had followed her here, and she had no clue as to why.  

There was no way he could know what she was planning.  Only she and 

David knew...

	"I noticed you in the ballroom, and when I looked in your 

direction, you fled as though the hounds of hell were after you." He 

commented, as though reading her mind.

	Serena whipped around to face him, causing the skirt to flip, 

revealing her long, slender legs.

	Darien shoved himself off wall so that he was standing straight.  

Standing upright, Darien seemed to tower over Serena, despite her own 

incredible height.  Unnerved by the man she had just met, Serena turned 

and continued along the wall of the room, her eyes scanning each picture 

in turn.  Darien followed her as she examined each painting.  Serena 

tried to ignore him, but Darien had a presence that demanded attention.  

Serena glanced at him, and found that he was studying her with his deep 

blue eyes.  She found she wanted to blush under his gaze, but wouldn't 

allow herself to.  

	"You seem rather found of art." Darien commented.  Serena nodded.

	"My mother worked part time as an art curator." She told him, 

turning far enough to glance at him again. 

	"And your father?" He asked, curious about any information this 

woman was willing to reveal.  Although he didn't want to admit it, he 

found her vaguely intriguing.

	"He ran a newspaper, he was the editor." Serena told him, with 

a fond smile.  Serena loved her father dearly, despite his over anxious 

behaviour where his daughter was concerned.

	"You seem very close to your parents." He smiled wistfully.

	"Do you and your parents not get along?" She asked, curious at 

the man behind the mask, so to speak.

	"I never really knew my parents.  They died when I was very 

young." He told her, surprising himself at being so open with a woman 

he barely knew.  A woman whose name he didn't know.

	"I'm terribly sorry for your loss, Mr. Shields." And Serena 

genuinely was.  If anything had happened to her parents, Serena would 

never have made it on her own.  

	"What's past is past, Miss...?" He raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

	"Tsukino.  Serena Tsukino." Serena offered her hand in way of 

introduction, and Darien took it, bringing it to his lips for a soft 

kiss.

	Startled, Serena almost jerked her hand back.  As his lips 

brushed her skin, tiny tingles seemed to run up and down her arm.  

Darien himself seemed startled as well, but masked the shock well.

	"You must be new, and the one causing all the worry back in 

the ballroom." Darien commented.

	"Trouble?  What do you mean?" Serena asked, alarmed.  Darien 

chuckled.

	"They think you are going to steal the hearts of all the 

eligible young men.  Those women want to get their daughters married 

off, you know." He told her.  Serena laughed, somewhat in relief.

	"I don't intend to marry just anyone." She told him.

	"Oh?  And who do you intend to marry?" He asked.

	"I want someone who will sweep me off my feet with romance and 

love." She replied, telling him the ideals she never even told David.  

	David....

	Even her wonderful fiancé didn't stir the feelings she had 

dreamed the man she would love would.  He was a sweet, gentle man, 

whom she loved dearly, but he wasn't... passionate, and impulsive.  

	Standing in the art room, alone with Darien Shields, Serena 

began to doubt her engagement, and she began to doubt David.  Simple 

David, who was nothing like Darien.  Darien Shields who made her heart 

flutter with a look, or a brush of his lips.  

	Serena turned away from Darien, and her thoughts.  She would 

try to figure everything out once she was home, away from Darien and 

the emotions he caused in her.

	"Romance and love….  What an ideal." Darien smiled slightly.

	"What do you mean ideal?" She asked, turning back to the painting 

before her.  It was another piece by Lonnie Lanai.

	"It's an ideal, Miss Tsukino.  There is no such thing as true love 

and romance.  Everything is based on an ulterior motive." Darien told 

her.

	"Not true!" Serena exclaimed.

	"I'm sorry to disillusion you, but it is true.  The majority of 

those women out there are looking for a man who will support them in the 

same lifestyle daddy did.  They claim to love the man, but they only 

love his wallet."  

	"What an awful idea!  I don't believe that for an instant." Serena 

told him.

	"Are you saying you would marry a poor man over a rich man?" 

Darien asked.  He looked at her with one eyebrow cocked.

	"I would marry a man based on my feelings for him, and his 

feelings for me.  Not money.  Money is irrelevant." 

	"But love does not exist." 

	"It does!  Take this painting for example.  It's another one by 

Lanai.  It speaks great volumes of love and passion.  Those two love 

each other so much, its almost as thought they would die to be 

together..." 

	Serena's voice softened as she spoke.  She continued to gaze at 

the painting, while Darien studied her.

	"I guess your right…" He relented.  "They do seem happy."

	"Mmm…" Serena didn't know what to say.  She wasn't sure what 

Darien was really thinking, so she decided to keep quiet until he 

spoke.

	"It's certainly been interesting, Miss Tsukino-" Darien began.

	"Serena, please." She interrupted him.

	"Alright, Serena, but I do have to return to the ball room.  

Andrew will be looking for me, and I did promise Mina a dance.  Shall 

I escort you?" Darien asked.

	"No thank you.  I'm sure I can find my way back." Serena replied.

	"Very well.  Perhaps we will run into each other again."

	"I certainly hope so." Serena smiled.  With a final nod, Darien 

turned and left the room as quietly as he had entered it.  As soon as he 

was gone from sight, Serena fled to one of the small balconies leading 

from the room.  She sucked in the cool night air, trying to calm her 

frazzled nerves.

	"Oh David...  What had I gotten myself into?" She asked the 

silent night sky.  Darien was nothing like she had expected.  If he 

had been the heartless, cruel business tycoon all the papers made him 

out to be, stealing his money wouldn't have been so hard.  But Darien 

was a man, a real man, who had revealed part of himself to her tonight.  

And had set a part of her on fire.  Despite what Serena wanted to 

believe, a brush of his lips sent more electricity through her than 

David's most passionate kiss.  Sighing, Serena turned back inside, 

deciding that her work was done.  She had made an impression on Darien, 

and now she would have to wait. 

	"Miss Tsukino!" A voice called as Serena was almost at the door.

She turned to see Andrew Furuhata waving her over.  Pasting on a smile, 

she headed in his direction.

	"Hello." She greeted.

	"I don't believe you've met my beautiful wife Mina.  Mina, this 

is Serena Tsukino." Andrew made the introductions.

	"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Furuhata." Serena shook the 

proffered hand.
	
	"Oh, please!  Call me Mina." The lady smiled.  "You know, we 

look an awful lot alike.  You aren't, by chance, my long lost sister, 

are you?"

	Serena laughed.

	"No, I don't believe I am." 

	Just then, another person joined their small circle.  Andrew 

smiled at the newcomer.

	"Have you had a chance to meet Darien Shields yet?" Andrew asked.  

Darien smiled at Serena and answered in her place.

	"Serena and I ran into each other earlier this evening, in your 

art gallery." Darien replied.  

	"Oh!  Did you like it?  Andrew's always telling me how useless 

the art is, but I love it so." Mina exclaimed.

	"It was a lovely collection, Mina.  I really adored it." Serena 

smiled at the sweet woman.
	
	"I'm so glad."
	
	"Perhaps, Serena, you would be willing to dance with me now?" 

Darien asked, surprising Serena.  She turned to him, with a look of 

shock on her face, and nodded slightly.  Darien took her hand and led 

her towards the dancing floor.

	"Do you know how to dance?" Darien asked quietly in her ear as 

he pulled her against him.

	"Of course." Serena replied, barely able to speak.  The feel of 

Darien's body pressed tightly against hers as he whirled her around the 

room was almost more than she could bare.  The pair danced in silence 

for a while, before Darien spoke again.
	
	"You dance well." He commented.

	"Thank you."

	"You intrigue me, Serena." Darien whispered in her ear.  "Tell 

me about yourself.  What do you do for a living?"

	"I'm studying to be an English teacher." Serena told him.  "I 

want to teach at a high school level." 

	"Only studying?  How old are you?" He asked.

	"Twenty two." Serena replied.  "And yourself?"
	
	"I run a few businesses, here and there.  And I'm twenty eight." 

He replied.  

	"A good age to marry." Serena commented.

	"Are you hinting at something?" Darien asked, chuckling at 

Serena's blush.

	"Of course not!" She exclaimed, suddenly wishing for the song 

to be over so she could leave Darien's arms.  Despite the feelings of 

warmth and security, she wanted to be as far away from the man as 

possible.

It seemed eternity before the music slowed and Darien released her.  

She pulled away almost too quickly, barely remembering to mutter her 

thanks before disappearing into the clusters of people.

	"Are you leaving already, Serena?" Mina asked as she saw the 

young blond heading towards the exit.

	"Yes, I'm afraid I am." Serena replied.  "I have a class 

tomorrow morning, and I need to be well rested."

	"A class?  What are you studying?" Mina asked.

	"English." Serena replied, with a polite smile.  She was 

anxious to be out of the house, and wished Mina would just shut up 

and let her go.

	"How wonderful!  Are you going to teach once you are done?"

	"I hope to." Serena replied.

	"That's quite fabulous.  Well, I supposed I should let you go, 

but you must join us for brunch.  Tomorrow!  What time are you finished 

your classes?" Mina asked.

	"My class runs until ten thirty." 

	"Wonderful!  Then we can expect you for eleven or so?" Mina 

asked.

	"Oh, I really couldn't impose…" Serena began.

	"Not at all!" Mina interrupted.  "I insist.  We'll see you then!"

	Mina turned and bustled away in a flurry of gold hair and 

blue silk.  Sighing, Serena turned as well, and headed towards the exit.  

She hadn't meant for innocent people to be involved in her little plot.  

She just hoped no one got hurt.


The end of part one.  What did everyone think?  Let me know!  Should I 
continue it?  Again, thanks to Klutz, Miaka, Serena Moon and Antigone, 
who replied to the prologue.  Special thanks to everyone else who 
replied, whose name I couldn't remember off the top of my head who 
replied as well ^_^