Loveıs Got A Hold On My Heart
Chapter 5
By: Jessica M. Moonflower
E-mail: salud731@earthlink.net
Rated: G

Disclaimer: You all know that this 
writer does not own Sailor Moon!
If I did, Iıd have a claim on Darien
already! ^.~

ANs: Ah, it seems like your little
author is coming out with more
and more chapters lately. Thatıs 
what happens when you are on
summer vacation! ^.^ Oh, sorry
for not coming out with a chapter
sooner, but this author went on
a family vacation to France! I had 
such a nice time, too! Well, Iım
back and now itıs time to start this
story! ^.~ ^.^


³Teach me how I should forget to
think.²
*~William Shakespeare*~


--<----<----***--<----<----***


  It was a beautiful Friday morning,
and Serena had just turned in her review
for The Rose Garden Cafe to her boss. Mr.
Erickson was so impressed with it that he
was convinced to make a reservation at the
restaurant for him and his wife tonight.

  With an air of confidence and a satisfied
look and smile gracing her features, Serena 
eagerly strolled back to her office where she 
saw Raye leaning against her wooden door 
casually.

  ³Hey Serena!² she greeted the blonde
happily, promptly pushing herself off the door
and smoothing out her silk purple scarf that
was tied around her neck.

  ³Hi Raye!² she greeted back, standing
in front of her door and rummaging through her
black leather purse for her office key.

  ³So, how was the restaurant?² Raye 
eagerly nudged her friendıs arm.

  Unlocking the door, she turned on the
lights and walked over to the windows where
she pulled the blinds up. Raye followed her 
in and instantly closed the door behind her
so no eavesdropping person could intrude
on their conversation like last time.

  ³It was very beautiful! Inside the restaurant,
there were myriads of colorful roses--as many as 
you can think of! The music was so soothing, almost 
spellbinding. The service was fantastic! Waiters
and waitresses who were always very helpful,
courteous, and always liked checking up
on you to see if everything was going well and to
your liking. The food--pure heaven! The main 
course was delicious and their desserts was
beautifully made! Too bad I couldnıt eat everything.
This is one restaurant that I find the best next to
Litaıs. Lastly, the gardens were gorgeous! Raye,
walking through that garden felt like stepping into
a fairy tale. Words canıt even begin to describe it!²

  Serena sighed dreamily while reminiscing 
about her walk though the gardens, putting her
purse next to her laptop on her desk and sitting 
comfortably in her chair.

  ³Looks like you had a great time reviewing
the place. I hope I can convince Chad to take me
their on our next date. I want to experience what
you did.² Raye sat in the seat across from her,
sitting up straight and resting her clasped hands 
on her lap. 

  ³Well, youıre not the only one that wants to
go there now. My review has got Mr. Erickson 
convinced as well.² She examined her well 
manicured fingers carefully, deciding she needs 
to replace her light pink nail polish with a baby blue 
color when she got home.

  ³Who wouldnıt want to go? I bet when this 
review is in tomorrowıs paper, youıll get a thousand
more people convinced into going to that cafe! Itıll
bring so much business to that place after New 
Yorkers read it! Your review on Litaıs restaurant
helped her earn a number one spot in the top
restaurants to dine in New York in several well 
respected magazines and newspapers and you
helped her business soar to the point that people
all over want her to open up more restaurants!²

  ³I know. I didnıt think my little review--my
own opinion could have such a great affect 
on people!² Serena thoughtfully said.

  ³For that, Lita is still very grateful
for your review,² chirped a content Raye.

  Leaning forward in her chair, Rayeıs 
violet eyes showing keen interest to know 
a certain piece of information that her
friend failed to mention, she innocently
inquired, ³Say Serena, you never did tell
me what the owner of the restaurant was like,
whether he was handsome, rude, charming,
etc. Care to throw in a few details for your
gossip hungry friend?² She arched an
eyebrow curiously, arms propped up on the
desk with her head resting comfortably in 
them as she waited for the blonde to speak.

  The way the raven haired womanıs 
gaze was locked on Serenaıs told her that there
was no way she could side step her piercing
question that easily. Sighing inwardly and 
wishing she could find a way to escape the
probing eyes of Raye, she had no choice but
to answer her honestly yet coolly.

  ³He was cute, very nice, and charming.²

  ³Thatıs...it?! Thatıs all you can say to describe
him?² Rayeıs eyes widened in astonishment and 
incredulity.

  ³What is there to say, Raye? Iım sorry to
disappoint you, but heıs just your regular 
handsome male that you would meet on the 
street--nothing more. Heıs certainly not special
either if thatıs what you thought him to be.²

  Her face softened with concern and
worry over Serenaıs agitated and somewhat 
hesitant tone.

  ³Whatıs wrong, girl? You sound so unwilling
to talk about Mr. Darien Lane. Did something 
happen between you two?²

  Unable to keep up her calm, indifferent
facade, Serena nodded slowly, looking a bit
pale and panic stricken.

  ³What did he do?² she prodded her to
speak.

  ³Nothing, Raye, but...it happens to be
what he said to me as I was about to go home.²
She was nervously fumbling with the clasp of 
her silver heart bracelet.

  ³And...?²

  ³Before I get into that, I sort of
caught his eye when I first walked into
the restaurant.² 

  ³No way! He gave you that 
Iım-into-you look?² Raye gripped the
desk in anticipation for her answer.

  ³Big time!² She rolled her eyes
as she replied.

  ³So, what did he say to you that
has gotten you so freaked out? Normally,
no matter what a guy says, youıd never get
nervous or uncomfortable. Itıs actually the
other way around when you think about it.²

  ³He said, ŒWe will meet again! I can
guarantee that!ı And this was after he tried
to ask me out on a date.² Serena slumped
down on the chair, feeling woozy at the 
moment.

  Seeing how she looked a lot paler in
the face and beads of sweat starting to form 
on her forehead, Raye instantly got up from 
her chair, ran over to where Serena sat, and 
tried to fan her with a magazine she grabbed 
off the desk.

  ³Okay, Sere, now breathe, breathe. Why
would that upset you so much?²

  ³Because the way he said it--he seemed
so sure of himself.²

  ³Listen, Sere, all men always act like
they are so sure of themselves in everything.
Why do you think most of them are so
stubborn to ask for directions when they are
lost? Or even admit that they are?²

  She chuckled slightly at her friendıs
point. 

  ³Yeah, I guess youıre right. Thereıs no
way in the world Iıd see him again unless
I go back to that restaurant which is the last 
thing Iıd do.²

  ³Exactly.² Raye threw down the magazine
unceremoniously back on the desk. ³There 
are a million to one chances that youıd
ever see him again. So donıt worry about him. 
He probably said that just to scare you a bit.²

  ³Youıre right, Raye. Thanks.² She gave her
a small smile of gratitude.

  ³No problem. Thatıs what friends are
for.² She returned the smile graciously.

  ³Now that thatıs over, I have something
else to tell you.²

  ³Oh? What is it?² Rayeıs eyes perked
up in interest while casually leaning on Serenaıs
chair.

  ³Lita wants to throw a baby shower for
Amy and needs us all to help out.²

  ³Really? Thatıs great! Iıd love to help!²

  ³Good! Lita already told Mina about it
and so Iım passing on the word to you. Weıll
be having the shower next Saturday at our 
place.²

  ³Thatıs good. I have nothing planned
for that day anyway!² Raye gave her a wink.
³What does Lita want us to do?²

  ³Uh...she wants us to help with the
decorations, cooking, and writing invitations.²

  ³Well, since weıre busy with the cooking
and decorations for next week, how about we
write invitations and shop for Amyıs presents
this Sunday?²

  ³Perfect! I guess everything is all settled 
here!²

  ³Okay. I better get going! See ya this 
afternoon!² Raye waved to her friend before
walking out the door.

  ³Bye!² Serena waved back and turned to
her laptop to boot it up.


To be continued...

~~~~~~~~~~~***

Thatıs all for this chapter! I know itıs kind of
short, but be happy that I got something out!
Ja ne!

Written on August 13, 2001