Title: Inc-Chapter 2
Author: MarshAngel
e-mail:watsonma@hotmail.com
webpage: http://angelmoon.sinfree.net

It's the strangest thing but I realized for the longest time this fanfic was uploaded with an entire section missing from the first part of chapter two.... And an important section too. This has to be one of the bigger boo boos I've made.


A light tapping on the door of her office derailed her train of thought. 
"Come in," she said in her warm sweet and smooth as honey voice that matched everything about her. She had a calm relaxing way of talking and moving that was warm and seductive and had a devastating effect on most men and made children immediately warm up to her and made her cousins jealous. That was one of the things that still confused people who knew her. Her warm, gentle and friendly aura immediately drew people to her but still so often she felt as though she were alone in the world, no matter how many friends she had.
The door gently pushed inward and a blonde head peeked in, glancing first at the desk in the center of the room, expecting to see Serena sitting there. She wasn't, but the blonde head stepped into the room when he saw her figure, softened by the warm light of the setting sun, standing by the window. Her curly blonde hair was hanging loose, resting gently in the curve of her lower back. She turned around slowly, smiling as she did so.
"I can smell your cologne," she said. "I'd recognize it anywhere."
"Hello Sere," Andrew said walking across the gray carpet of her office in long strides. Reaching her position on the other side of the office he placed his hands gently on her waist and bent his head to kiss her on the cheek. She turned in his arms to face him. She stared up into his bright and cheerful blue eyes so much like her own, as if trying in vain to find something that would say she should love him more than she did. She felt nothing but friendship and she felt guilty for what she would do to him. She kept her guilt at bay by assuring herself that someday he'd thank her. 
"I figured you'd be working late again. I thought I'd drag you out of here before they lock you inside the building," he said, his eyes twinkling and a bright smile on his face that would have made many other women sigh.
"I know you probably forgot to eat again so how about you call it a day and I take you out?"
She considered turning him down to finish her work but she knew they'd have to talk, and now was as good a time as any.
 "Sure just let me get all my stuff together and I'll meet you wherever you want to go. I think we should both drive our cars; I don't want to leave my car here." 
"Yeah that's fine. Meet me at Mystique in fifteen minutes. Does that give you enough time?" Andrew asked. 
"Yeah that's great." She kissed him on the cheek and he turned around and casually strolled out of her office.
After he'd left she returned to her desk and immediately began going about the task of returning the files she had been working on to their respective folders and closing all the applications and files she had opened on her computer. She mumbled to herself as she cleaned up the mess on her desk trying to remind herself just where each file went.   She finished in less time than she'd expected and strolling over to the door, she opened it and looked around her office one last time, making sure there was nothing out of place.
With her pocket book slung over one shoulder, she made a decision to stop in the bathroom to check on her appearance before leaving the building. She was a professional and she intended to look like one at all times if possible, there were just some things your mother taught you that you couldn't escape. She pushed open the metallic silver doors of the ladies room and made her way across the pale blue tiled floors to stand in front of the blue and silver metal sinks, a theme that continued through the entire building making it seem modern and sterile.  
She stared at her reflection in large mirrors before her, checking the status of her makeup. Her eyes were tired and under them she could see the beginnings of dark circles reminding her that she needed more sleep than she was getting presently. In the meanwhile however there was always the miracle created by makeup. 
Working in the stressful corporate environment, she had learned how to conceal her weariness with a little makeup. Previously she hadn't needed much but when she had begun working for Kyler Inc. fighting hard to get her point across, she had quickly learned that a good night's sleep was a privilege, one which she did not have presently. If she wanted to get ahead and make herself recognized by her father and her peers as more than a pretty face she would have to forego her wish for eight hours of restful sleep and take what she could get.
 She pulled a small travel-sized bottle of concealer and foundation from her pocket book and made an effort to conceal the signs of weariness from beneath her eyes. She was successful and she stepped back from the mirror to get a good look at her reflection. She had a done a good job and staring back at her were to bright blue orbs set in her beautiful oval face with hardly any sign of the lack of sleep from which she suffered. Satisfied, she straightened her outfit, returned the bottle to her bag, and walked confidently out of the restroom and to her car.

A single skin-toned stocking covered foot in gray heels stepped out of the dark BMW, followed by its twin a few seconds later. The uniformed valet couldn't help staring at the long legs, as the woman to whom they belonged got out of the car and pulled herself up to full height to reveal a face far more impressive than her legs. She reached out a delicate hand, handing him her car keys and giving him a gentle smile.
 The valet nervously adjusted his glasses with one hand as he took the keys with the other. He knew this woman; she came here often with that tall handsome man that made him jealous. No matter how many times he saw her however, she always made him nervous, with her gorgeous smile and bright blue eyes, and those incredibly long, well-toned legs of hers. 
She always smiled at him; she was one of the few people who was always nice to him. Most of the other people who came to the restaurant just tossed him their keys and ignored him. She always said hello to him too and called him by his name. He loved the way she said it too. 'Daryl' rolled off her tongue smoothly. No one else ever made his name sound so important.
He watched wistfully as she walked into the restaurant leaving him to park her car. Turning around, he faced one of the other valets who always teased him about the crush he had on Miss Kyler. He sneered at the guy hoping to intimidate him into going away, but being at least five inches shorter and a good thirty pounds lighter, added to his protruding front teeth and wild brown hair, he looked more like a rabid bunny than anything else, forcing the other valet into fits of laughter.
 Daryl sighed and got into the drivers seat of Serena's BMW. What he wouldn't do to be that handsome blonde fiancée of hers. Most men would do just about anything to have a woman like that. Miss Kyler and her fiancée were the two luckiest people in the world.

"Ahh, Miss Kyler" the maitre d said smiling at her. "Right this way. Monsieur Davenport is waiting for you."
Serena smiled and nodded at the man. For the first time since she had been coming to the restaurant she felt nervous. She was going over just what she wanted to say to Andrew and when. Should she say it before dinner, after dinner and before dessert, during dinner or right before they left? And then there was of course how she would phrase it. She'd done too much thinking today already and this further stress was giving her a large headache.
She followed the short, dark-haired French-Canadian man to the table. The maitre-d, whose name was Lacroix, tried to pass himself of as French, this being a French restaurant, but he was really from Quebec. Most people never knew of course, but having talked to the man while waiting for Andrew one night, she had found out quite a bit about him. He'd even shown her a picture of his two adorable daughters and baby son and his pretty red-haired American wife. 
Serena arrived at the table and Lacroix pulled out a chair for her and she sat down facing Andrew smiling nervously at him. She hoped he wouldn't notice her nervousness but her hopes were shattered when she picked up the glass of dry white wine that Andrew had ordered for her. Her hands shook and she almost spilled the wine all over the ornate white tablecloth. She hoped the subdued lighting would cover the wild nervousness displayed in her eyes.
Andrew watched her. Something was definitely wrong. She had been a bit distant when he had gone to her office earlier and he had never seen her as nervous as she appeared now. He reached out a strong hand and steadied her arm and removed the glass from her fingers. 
"OK. What's wrong? I have never seen you this nervous before," Andrew asked, his deep voice warm and caring. He was unnerved by her sudden nervousness; she was always so calm and collected. Maybe all that time she was putting in at the company was finally catching up to her. Sometimes he had to remind her that she needed to sleep.
"I... well, it's nothing. Wait, I need to tell you something. I'm too unnerved to sit through an entire meal like this."
"OK, he said calmly. What's wrong?" he couldn't imagine what she h ad to tell him that could possibly have upset her this much."
"I feel as though we're making a huge mistake here. Well it's not really a big mistake, but it doesn't feel right and I think we could both do better." she stopped as she realized she was rambling.
"I think you're right. We should definitely have ordered the red wine instead of the white. Red wine goes far better with the rack of lamb with figs I was planning on ordering," Andrew teased. 
"Andrew! I'm trying to be serious!"
"Sorry." He smiled. "Continue sweetheart." 
"Andrew, what I'm trying to say is, I don't think we should get married." She exhaled audibly and waited for him to react. She stared into his bright blue eyes and waited for an expression that would tell her just how he felt. She thought she heard him heard him let out a breath, a reaction she had not expected. Maybe he thought she was getting cold feet.
He was calm and collected when he asked her why. He didn't seem particularly upset. She should be relieved but she wasn't sure just what she should feel about his odd reaction. She wondered if he was taking her seriously.
"Well," Serena began "I don't love you Andrew." She hadn't meant to be that blunt but it was too late for regrets; she could only hope to remedy matters by explaining herself. Andrew went still, but there was still no other reaction. He remained quiet.
"When we were younger, I had an enormous crush on you," she continued hoping to ease the discomfort she was feeling by explaining as much as possible In a short time, "You were gorgeous, charming, and all around perfect. My parents approved and I was hopelessly infatuated with you. You swept me off my feet and I loved every moment of it. As we got closer and more comfortable in our relationship though those feelings began to fade and although I love spending time with you I knew I didn't love you the way that I should love the man I was going to marry.
You know I was driving one day and I saw this couple and their two kids and I realized I had no vision of you and me with children. I couldn't even imagine us as a family. I always thought that when I fell in love I'd be blissfully happy, we'd have children and life would be perfect and I'd wake up an old woman someday with you by my side and a dozen grandchildren. I know that's unrealistic and quite likely a product of too many romance novels in high school but I can't really see a future with us together 
Every moment we spend time with each other, I feel as though I trust you. I can tell you anything, but I couldn't love you as a husband when everyday it seems like you're more of my best friend. I can even say I love you, not as a lover but as my dearest and closest friend. 
That's why I can't marry you. I don't love you and I don't believe you love me. We could probably survive a marriage but would it be what we really want?"
She leaned back and took in a deep breath. She had said what she had come to say and now she waited for his reaction. He seemed to be contemplating what she had said. He swirled the wine in the glass he held in his hand and leaned back in his chair, his brow furrowed in concentration. There was a moment of complete silence, one that made her incredibly uncomfortable.
He took a sip from the glass and put it down on the table. His brow smoothed out and he once more appeared cool, calm, and collected. He gave her a gentle smile, which was more shocking to Serena than anything else. She was tempted to ask him if he'd heard what she'd just said but she instead allowed the silence between them to continue.
The silence was broken when he said calmly, "I understand."
"You do?" she questioned skeptically.
"Of course I do Sere. I love you but not as a husband should. I enjoy being with you but there is something missing isn't there?" he paused as if in thought, relaxing in his seat. "I'd hoped that it was just a phase in our relationship where we'd gotten comfortable, but you are right. I guess I was just nervous about having to go back to being single. I'm glad you had the guts to stop this before we made a mistake, I'm not sure I would have. I must say though I will miss you."
"You don't have to miss me too much. You're still the best friend I've ever had."
"Yes. I think we should still be friends for your sake. You need someone to remind you to eat and when to leave work." 
He smiled one of his fantastic grins at her and she returned it with one of her own. She took his hand, which had been resting on the table in her owned and kissed the back of it. 
"Thanks for making this easy for me." She said.
"I don't think I've ever had someone kiss my hand. I could get used to this," he said playfully. "Anyway what would you like to have for dinner?"

As Serena and Andrew stared at the food in front of them that seemed too pretty to eat, a questioning look came over Andrew's face. 
"Sere, did you tell your family that we're calling off the wedding?"
"No, not yet. Why?"
"Sere, come on. You can't really be that tired."
"Oh damn!" Serena muttered. "Now I'll have to put up with my annoying cousins. Worst yet, Linda just got married, so Aunt Melissa will be gloating incessantly at the annual Memorial Day picnic, not to mention Vivienne and Tammy." She was annoyed now. She could just see them all gloating and giggling, her cousins, if only she could find a way to get out of it.
"Actually, I could still go with you and we could keep the engagement idea going until then and then ease your parents into it. The rest of your family may eventually notice but you won't have to tell them directly"
"Would you? Anything to keep my mother off my back until I come up with something to tell her."
"Sure, why not? Your mother likes me. I can handle her."
"Thanks. I finally get her to pay attention to me and now I wish she'd stop. One can only talk so much about flowers, caterers, and cake flavors without being completely soured on the idea of a wedding. It's enough to make me wish she had continued to ignore me."
"Well it will be over soon enough when she finds out there won't be a wedding."
"Well considering I don't believe I've seen her as happy as she's been since she started planning my wedding, I wonder just what her reaction will be. She might just go into shock."  

Setsuna sat at her desk looking through the appointments and 
schedule book. She tossed her straight black hair over her shoulder before 
refocusing her attention on the book before her. Unlike so many of the 
other corporate secretaries she didn't have the opportunity to file her nails 
at her desk or gather with them around the water cooler and gossip about 
their bosses and their various co-workers. She didn't mind though. She 
could hardly be considered the average secretary.

While, for the most part, she maintained a highly professional 
relationship with her boss in the office, she was also one of his best and 
oldest friends. That fact alone would have shocked many people. It was 
difficult enough to believe that the man had friends let alone one of the 
female sex. His relationships with women, if they could be called that, were 
notoriously short, numerous and never platonic. 

She had known him for long enough to not be unnerved by his 
presence as most of his employees were. He had the amazing ability to 
make the toughest of men feel like the wimp on the school playground. He 
was demanding, cold, and distant and still the few women who worked for 
him found themselves fantasizing as soon as his back was turned and they 
were no longer the focus of his unnerving stare that left some grown men 
stammering and quaking.

 It wasn't that he was unreasonable. He simply had higher standards 
than most. In fact being his secretary was an enviable position. He was, 
after all, the CEO and not to mention one of the most beautiful male 
specimens she had ever come across. His rather distinct personality and 
stern demeanor only served to make him more attractive and her, the envy 
all the other women on the floor.

That was just one of the reasons she enjoyed her job so much. 
Although she often felt embarrassed by the way some of the other 
secretaries behaved when he was around, she had to admit, she enjoyed 
any opportunity to watch grown men snivel, quake and make fools of 
themselves before him.  There were times however that she worried about 
his conscience, or rather his seeming lack of one not to mention his 
seemingly endless supply of arrogance. She found herself wincing as he 
bought valuable companies, some of which had been around for longer 
than he'd been alive, split them into smaller pieces, and sold them for a lot 
more than the original purchase price. The owners were almost always less 
than pleased and Setsuna could hardly help feeling somewhat sorry for 
them.

 She adjusted the headphones that she wore instead of having to pick 
up the phone. Jackson Phillips wanted to arrange a meeting with 
Derencourt. She would call back to confirm. Looking at her behind her 
desk, one would immediately assume she had a boring job but the 
assumption would be wrong. Watching Darien work was a wonder. He was 
nothing short of brilliant. Most people didn't react as violently as Mr. 
Vicente had a few nights ago. Few dared; though he hardly ever raised his 
voice. His broad shoulders, emotional distance, and hard-balled business 
tactics made him extremely intimidating to everyone. Few had seen him 
truly angry, but having seen it herself, she knew better than most how 
intimidating and damn scary he could be at times. As long as she'd known 
him he had been that way. It must be genetic; his sister Michelle was very 
much like him.

Most of those with whom he worked knew very little about him except 
that his harsh but successful business tactics that had gotten him where he 
was today. With success came a certain level of fame and in social circles it 
was not only his business abilities for which he was renowned, rather it was 
a rather appealing combination of good looks and money, both of which 
attracted many beautiful women.

A while ago Setsuna had been one of the women who had stared at 
him in awe of his looks as well as the power he exuded. She had naturally 
known she had no chance with a man like him and so moved her interest 
on to more approachable men resulting in the engagement ring she now 
proudly wore on her left hand. Even if she had believed she had a chance 
with him she found him somewhat lacking in warmth. 

He didn't appear to get close to anyone. She didn't even ever 
remember seeing him smile recently. That would definitely have put a 
damper on anything she might have felt for him. Theirs was an interesting 
relationship. He could be a strange man, but she loved him all the same. 
She knew better than to meddle with his personal life but sometimes she 
couldn't help but wonder if it wasn't a woman he needed to put a smile on 
his face, one that wasn't merely a result of good sex, but of true love.  Of 
course good sex couldn't hurt either.

She made a note in the appointment book and looked up to find a 
tall and handsome gentleman standing before her. He looked somewhat 
familiar. He was tall with wide shoulders and a head of neat silver hair. He 
seemed to be in his mid-forties but his eyes said he was much older and by 
the look of him he was a successful businessman, one she felt she should 
probably recognize. 

"Hello, I'm Mr. Kyler," the man said in a deep demanding voice. He 
was obviously used to being in charge. On hearing the name she 
immediately recognized him as the owner of Kyler Inc.  She remembered 
his appointment. 

"Yes of course Mr. Kyler." She pressed a button on the telephone. 

"Mr. Derencourt, Mr. Kyler is here to see you."

"Good," a deep voice replied. "Send him in." 

Mr. Kyler didn't bother to wait for her to say anything else, or guide 
him to the office as she usually did. His long legs strode across the 
carpeted lounge towards the large double doors that led into Darien's 
office. Setsuna wondered to herself if all CEO's were as arrogant and 
demanding as the two now sitting in the office to her right. She sighed and 
went back to work.


"Mr. Kyler," Darien said calmly, inviting the older gentleman to take a 
seat, with a gesture of his hand.

"Derencourt," Kyler nodded stiffly, and sat down.

"What can I do for you Mr. Kyler?"

"I think the question is what we can do for each other."

"Darien raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. He doubted that 
anything this man had to say would be of interest to him. He was curious 
as to why a successful businessman like Kyler would want to come to him. 
He had other things in mind however. 

For one thing, he needed a haircut. His hair was falling into his eyes 
again and although some women found it incredibly sexy he still needed 
use of his eyes. There was also the fact that it was already four in the 
afternoon and he hadn't eaten anything all day.

"Why exactly are you here, Mr. Kyler?"

"I have a business proposition for you that I think would benefit both 
of us."

"I sense this is going to be a while. Would you mind if we continued 
this discussion at "Gerard's? Would that be inconvenient for you?" he asked 
not really caring one way or the other. He was hungry. Business could be 
conducted anywhere.

"Actually, I think that would be far more preferable. My driver is 
waiting outside. Is that acceptable to you?"

Darien nodded his agreement. He could tell that Kyler was not the 
least bit intimidated by him; that made him one of very few.  He knew of 
Kyler and had met him once or twice at the Orchid Charity Benefit Party his 
wife was in charge of, an event he was obligated to attend but did not really 
enjoy. Were it not for the press attention he received for his company 
because of the large check he usually wrote, he would not bother to attend. 
Press attention affected stock price. Of course they really didn't care as 
much about his company as they did about his relationship with whatever 
supermodel-quality beauty was on his arm at the moment. He also recalled 
meeting Kyler at the Warren Gentleman's club when he had first moved his 
headquarters to San Francisco.

He and Kyler definitely traveled in the same social circles. Kyler 
however commanded a great deal more respect, his family having owned 
Kyler inc. for generations. In Darien however, other businessmen saw 
something to fear and dislike. His business tactics were cold, ruthless, and 
enormously successful, and that was the source of any respect paid him. 
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was always looking over 
his shoulder and some banker was always ready to kiss his ass. Despite the 
fact in past years Kyler had been just as demanding and intimidating, 
Darien was far less liked; he was after all a corporate raider, the worst kind 
of predator. Kyler still intimidated many, but over the years people had 
grown to respect him, as an honored member of the San Francisco 
business community.


 Darien had yet to earn that type of respect from his fellow 
businessmen, nor did he really expect it. Many of them loathed him as 
much as they feared him. They knew of his reputation for buying out 
companies, and liquidating everything, hostile takeovers, and the like. 
Darien had an eye for business of which they were envious. He bought and 
sold companies as if they were merely fruit at the market.

He was representative of everything they wished they were and 
everything they loathed. He had built himself up from nothing; he was 
young, handsome, wealthy, successful, and free. They feared him not only 
for his business reputation but also for the simple reason that they knew 
nothing of him. Were it not for his wealth and charitable contributions, they 
would have done their best to keep him out of their social circles. To their 
best knowledge he had none of their family history or long-standing 
position in society. 

To top things off, he had attracted the kind of press to the business 
community the likes of which they had never seen. Stunning good looks 
coupled with his mysterious past made him the press' champion. He had 
come out of nowhere to dominate the business world. He had what Bill 
Gates never had, good looks, and the attention of hundreds of women.
Knowing the general dislike that many businessmen had for him, 
Darien was curious as to what had brought one of the top businessmen in 
the country to approach him. His curiosity would not let the matter rest so 
he brought himself to ask the question when he and Kyler were comfortably 
seated in the limo instead of waiting until they arrived at dinner.

"So, Mr. Kyler," he began, masking any curiosity he felt. "What was it 
that brought you to my office?"

"As I said before, I have a business proposition for you."

" What exactly is the nature of this proposition?" Darien asked raising 
his eyebrows.

"I would like you to consider a merger." Darien was surprised but he 
hid it well.

"I know this comes as a shock, but I think it would benefit us both."

"How so?"

"Kyler Inc. is a longstanding, reputable and highly successful 
company, but to be quite frank things aren't exactly at their height right 
now but we're almost ready to expand once more. We're losing ground to 
our competitors right now but a merger with you would ensure Kyler Inc 
returns to its rightful position at the top of the market.  I don't want you to 
think this is just some rescue operation you would stand to gain a lot in 
profits as well and my gain would simply be keeping the company out of 
the hands of others whose intentions are less than grand. "

"If I'm not wrong, Mr. Kyler, Kyler Inc. is a family corporation. The 
Kylers still own a large percentage of the stock. Why would you want to 
merge and take away the corporation from your family?"

"I am doing what is best for the corporation, and my family. I have no 
son or nephews or anyone else of in the family with any skill to take over 
from me and I'd hate to know that my company was run by a group of 
pretentious weaklings. My people are skilled but they aren't good leaders. I 
knew at some point this corporation would leave my family, and there is 
little I can do to avoid that. None of my nephews are good businessmen. 
Although Kyler Inc. is doing well, we are at risk for a hostile takeover and 
the person interested in such a takeover is the last man on earth I would 
like to see running Kyler Inc. His name is J.T. Montgomery. His business 
tactics are unsavory and he is rumored to have dealings with organized 
crime. I do not want to see Kyler inc. swallowed up by him."

"You know, people say the same about me. They claim my business 
tactics are suspect. You don't think the same? Or am I just the best of the 
worst? Why not go to one of your long-standing friends like Davenport? I'm 
sure he could lend you the money to get you out of this slump.

Derencourt was obviously well informed. It was part of what made 
him a great businessman. He had seen right through the façade and 
understood just what this was about. Kyler needed the backing of the banks 
to finance the expansion Kyler Inc. needed to survive and he didn't have 
that right now."

"I don't want to depend on Davenport, he's not the most reliable man 
I know. I like the man but he doesn't have a great head for business and 
besides his business and mine have nothing in common, he wouldn't care 
to invest in it. It's time he let his son run the company. Andrew would be 
much better at it. Besides it's too much money to risk investing. A merger 
is a secure future for both of us that will ensure the backing of the banks on 
a long-term basis 

I have nothing against your business tactics. You're good at what you 
do. I like your style, your business interests are varied, and you're the only 
one I can trust to take on Montgomery."

"Ok. I see your point but why come to me on your own?" Darien 
didn't see completely. From the way he'd spoken it sounded as though he 
didn't care for his daughter in the least. In fact it sounded as though he 
had something against women in business. " What about your board of 
directors?"

"They are not yet aware of the threat to the company. This 
information isn't exactly readily available and as you said I own majority of 
the stock, it is my choice." Darien caught the meaning behind that 
statement easily. However Kyler had gotten the information it certainly 
hadn't been above board. 

"I don't want the information to get out and cause a panic. I can 
sense that some of my best workers are already uncertain as to whether 
they want to stay with the company as it is. They are already receiving 
offers from Montgomery. If I can manage a merger with you before 
Montgomery can get his claws into a large portion of my stock and my 
employees, we both stand to gain."

"This is most certainly an intriguing offer, Mr. Kyler," Darien said. The 
limo had pulled up in front of the restaurant and Darien was already 
stepping out of the door, the doorman had opened for him. "Why don't we 
continue this conversation inside?"

They continued into the restaurant, where, despite their lack of 
reservations, they were seated immediately as they were both well known 
and appreciated customers. Darien glanced over the menu, but he already 
knew what he wanted, so it had been unnecessary. Both men ordered their 
meals and Darien ordered a red wine Merlot to go with his steak.

"As I was saying," Darien continued, "That is most definitely an 
intriguing offer. I had never even considered the possibilities of a merger; I 
don't think I can make that decision right away. I will have go over your 
company's records and take some time to think about it and get back to 
you as soon as possible. I will of course respect you wishes and keep this 
between us."

Kyler nodded in acceptance and when their meal arrived they 
continued their discussion, keeping it to general business, theirs as well as 
that of their competitors. Darien was really beginning to like Kyler. In him 
he saw his future, or what he hoped his future would be like. Kyler on the 
other hand saw his younger self in Darien. Despite the differences in their 
backgrounds they had the same zeal for business and inner strength. 
Darien was the son his wife couldn't give him.


Serena shoved another donut in her mouth. She had gotten no sleep 
last night and she had a pretty good idea that tomorrow's board meeting 
would be more stressful than she planned for. She would be the one to tell 
her father about their current situation. 

Kyler inc. stock price was down and if that wasn't enough of a 
problem, she suspected even bigger trouble. After some checking, She had 
discovered that a large percentage of Kyler stock had been bought up by at 
least two different unknown sources. At first sight that could have been a 
good thing, but such a large percentage of stock being bought at a time 
when stock prices were down could mean the beginning of a hostile 
takeover. Hopefully stock prices would rise and discourage anyone buying 
up stock for a hostile takeover.

She let out an exasperated breath, causing her bangs to fly up, and 
threw herself back unto her couch. Adding to her stress the distribution 
department was having problems and she was expected to deal with it. She 
was very worried about the future of the company. She knew the moment 
she mentioned the problem, Davidson, her father's right hand man, would 
immediately suggest budget and departmental cuts something she knew to 
be a bad idea.

The company should be trying to raise stock value by expanding 
instead of cutting. If the stock prices rose, it would be too valuable for 
anyone wishing to take over the company to risk spending on it without 
being guaranteed success, never mind the confidence it would inspire in 
stockholders that the company could handle itself. Besides cuts would 
mean loss of jobs and not to mention placing an enormous strain on the 
company's cash flow at a time when they could least afford it. Right now 
however, this was too much for her to handle. There was an up side 
however, her family still owned a majority of the stock so unless they could 
be convinced to sell a percentage, the company should be somewhat safe, 
she hoped.

She placed her hands to her temples and massaged them in circles. 
There was nothing she could think of to do at the moment. She was not 
looking forward to this fight with Davidson, knowing her father would 
probably take his side. As she sat on her beige couch with her feet propped 
on the glass coffee table, sinking deep into the cushions, the doorbell rang. 
She groaned, unwilling to rise from her comfortable position on the couch.

"Coming," she mumbled more for her own motivation than to anyone 
waiting outside the door. She managed to haul her body off the couch and 
over to the door. She swung the door open dismissing all the rules of safety 
she knew she should have followed. Being killed by someone outside her 
door would be a welcome relief from the pounding in her head.

Outside the door were two gorgeous women a glamorous blonde who 
could almost have passed herself off as Serena's twin, at least in facial 
features, were it not for a their differences in style. As far as bodies were 
concerned Serena was more endowed in the curves department, while Mina 
was sharper and more toned, but most people hardly took note unless the 
girls made it a point to show off their physical characteristics. Beside the 
gorgeous blonde stood equally glamorous raven-haired beauty in an 
expensive Ralph Lauren silk suit Serena had been hoping to get in black.

"Hi!" the excited blonde said inviting herself and her friend beside her 
in before Serena could mutter a word. "Andrew told us you were probably 
feeling a bit stressed," she continued, "so we decided that we would come 
over and give you a break from all this work you always get caught up in."

"You sure look like you could use it," the raven-haired girl added, 
pointing to the papers on the coffee table and the floor.

"Would you look at this face," the blonde said pinching Serena's 
cheek and pointing her face at the other girl.

"Tsk tsk tsk," the raven-haired girl muttered. "Serena dear you look 
absolutely horrible. Andrew was absolutely right; you most definitely need a 
break. It's a good thing that you already have a fiancée because there is no 
way you could get a guy to look at you when you look so, so..." She ran out 
of words as she pointed to Serena's sweat pants and T-shirt.

"Never mind what she looks like now," the blonde began again, "that's 
all about to change."

"I don't know what you're planning, Mina" Serena said addressing the 
blonde, "but you and Raye can leave me out of it." She made her way back 
to the couch and plopped herself down on it.

"But you don't even know what we're planning," Mina said. She sat 
down on a chair facing Serena her back turned away from the glass doors 
leading to the balcony overlooking the swimming pool in the courtyard. 
Adjusting her flared peach skirt around her legs, she tossed her long 
straight blonde hair over her shoulder.

"Yes, Serena," Raye added. "You have no idea what we're planning, so 
you have no reason to refuse, not that we have any intention of giving you 
that opportunity."

Serena sighed. Turning them down would be tough, but it would have 
to be done.


two hours later.


"I can't believe you guys dragged me into this," Serena yelled trying 
to get her voice heard above the loud music.

"Oh give it up. You know you're enjoying yourself," Mina yelled 
watching Raye dance with a tall handsome brown-haired guy."

"That's besides the point," Serena yelled pulling at the bottom of her 
short white dress. Mina had put Serena's hair up in a French twist with 
curls surrounding her face and dragged her from her apartment to this 
club. At the moment both girls were taking a rest from dancing. 
Serena's slender, curvy body, in the figure hugging, spaghetti strap 
white dress had attracted quite a few dance partners. She had decided to 
take a break with Mina at the bar, Now she wasn't so sure it was a great 
idea as the bartender seemed to have a problem deciding whether he 
should be staring down hers or Mina's cleavage. Regardless of the 
bartender's eye problems, Serena had to admit she was enjoying herself, 
she hadn't given a thought to work since she had come into the nightclub.

It was early in the morning but Darien was already in his office. He 
hadn't been particularly tired so he hadn't bothered to spend any extra 
time in bed. Setsuna, well aware of Darien's bad habits was already in his 
office. She was really more of a personal assistant than a secretary. She 
didn't min having to come in earlier than most people, she was, after all 
being paid more than enough to compensate.

"I want to know everything there is to know about Kyler, his company 

and his family."
Setsuna smiled. She was well ahead of him. When Kyler had come in 
yesterday she had an idea he had something serious coming up. Darien 
had explained the meeting last night on the phone, she had already 
gathered the necessary information.

"I'm insulted that you think you needed to ask." She handed a file 
folder to him with everything he needed to know, including a few magazines 
with pictures of him and his family.

"What would I do without you Susa?" He was constantly amazed at 
her resourcefulness.

"Shrivel up and die most likely." She replied smiling.
He read through the file quickly and quietly, efficiently absorbing all 
the information.

"So he's sexist and traditional."

"Why do you say that?"

"He told me had no heirs to succeed him but he has a brilliant 
daughter who although she's young is probably competent enough to pick 
up where he left off. I guess he doesn't think so."

"Serena Kyler. I guess he doesn't see her as a prospect. She's the 
princess of the Kyler family, about to marry the society prince himself, 
Andrew Davenport, heir apparent to Davenport Shipping."

"I've met him a couplet times. She made a good choice although I 
can't help feeling they don't look right together."

"What!" Setsuna said stunned. It wasn't like him to make notice of 
anything that didn't have something to do with business. There was also 
the fact that the statement was utterly ridiculous. "You would be the only 
one to think so. From what I see they seem like the perfect couple. Their 
families are friends they're both wealthy and gorgeous, from similar 
backgrounds and are supposedly very much in love."

Darien frowned. "That's probably it. They're just a little too perfect. 
Perfection is not always a good thing."



"Ugh," Serena groaned slowly. She rolled over in her bed and faced 
the blaring alarm clock. Her groan quickly developed into a loud scream as 
she realized the time. "Ahh!" She had fifteen minutes to get to the office and 
after that, only five minutes to get her notes together for the board 
meeting. "That's the last time I party on a work day," she mumbled as she 
hurriedly got dressed. Had she not had an innate ability to dress and drive 
at high speeds, albeit not at the same time, she would be tearing her hair 
out right now, instead she tore out of her apartment and was on her way to 
work. 

"Serena ran into her office with two minutes to make it to the board 
room. She tossed her pocket book unto her desk and grabbed her file 
folder and took off slamming her office door behind her. As she ran past 
the secretary's desk outside her office she quickly eked out a "Good 
Morning Molly." Molly shook her head and smiled, turning her attention 
back to her notes. It was going to be one of those mornings.

Serena entered the large boardroom and took her place two places 
down on the right from her father. If she weren't so nervous she would have 
taken the time to appreciate the comfort of the new soft swivel chairs that 
had been recently ordered for the room. The first set had been rather 
painful on the back. 

Directly across from her sat Alexandra Summers one of the few 
female executives in the company and one of the few persons who made 
the short list of people at the company she considered friends. She was a 
very unusual woman. She wore gorgeous tailored pantsuits and for the 
most part seemed to be a very professional, strategic businesswoman. 

Serena however, knew she had a wild streak that appeared the moment she 
left the office, put on her sunglasses, and got into her red sports car, 
speeding out of the company parking lot to meet her girlfriend Michelle. 
Today she was wearing a black double-breasted pantsuit and as usual she 
was completely at ease in the room full of men. As the chief investment 
officer, Alex was an ally she could definitely use.

Sitting next to her on her left was that sniveling idiot Brian Davies 
who somehow managed to do a passable job in Manufacturing. His tie was 
as usual askew and he had a crumb of whatever he had eaten for breakfast 
at the corner of his fat cheeks. No one could count on him for anything but 
agreeing with the majority. She disliked having to sit beside him but she 
could ignore his stuttering most of the time. Before she'd announced her 
engagement he had tortured her with his requests to have dinner with him. 
He had, she supposed assumed that marrying the bosses daughter would 
secure him a permanent influential spot on the board, if not a shot at 
senior VP and possibly president. Not bloody likely.

On her right, next to her father was Alan Davidson, the thorn in her 
side. Her problem with him was indefinable. She couldn't quite give any 
reason why she disliked the man but she did. She had examined her 
feelings a while back and decided that she was definitely not jealous 
despite the fact that her father had chosen him over her and he was in the 
position any one with a sense of ambition would like to be in as the Senior 
Vice President. It was something else on a deeper more complex level of 
human social interaction.

She had to admit that he was an excellent businessman. He knew his 
job and did it well. He was handsome with his light green-gray eyes, short 
dark curly hair, and a strong jaw line. He always looked as though he had 
stepped out of a men's magazine, his suits and ties were always perfect, 
his shoes shiny, nothing was ever out of place and yet there was something 
about him that unnerved her, something inside her distrusted him.

Her father, on the other hand, trusted Aaron completely. He 
considered him his right hand man. He was her major obstacle. He and her 
father always seemed to agree and their agreement, most of the time, was 
in opposition to her ideas. This situation however demanded that she stand 
her ground and do battle with this man.

When her father had taken his seat, and the board meeting had been 
called to order, various minor matters were settled and she once more had 
to listen to Davies' sniveling as he discussed his situation in manufacturing. 
Gordon Beale wasn't present so she had temporarily taken over his work in 
distribution and explained her problems and solution, which was easily 
agreed on by everyone. Dealing with these minor problems prepared her to 
take the bull by the horns when new business was ready to be discussed.
When new business was called for, Serena took a deep breath and 
began to speak.

 "There is a pressing matter that needs to be discussed immediately," 
she began. "All eyes turned toward her. "As we all know our stock value is 
presently down." Before she could be interrupted she added, "I know that 
can be viewed as a temporary fluctuation in the market, which it just might 
be. That is not the problem on my mind however, in fact there is no real 
evidence of a problem, only the suggestion that there could be one in the 
future." 

She glanced around the boardroom. Although the eyes that were 
looking around seemed attentive, she knew she should stop mincing words 
and get to the point.

 "Ten percent of our stock was recently acquired by two 
different unknown sources. Using two different sources could simply be a 
cover for a single company to acquire a good percentage of our stock for 
the purposes of a hostile takeover." She let out a breath as she heard her 
co-workers whispers of surprise and worry.

Her father took control of the meeting and ordered everyone to calm 
down and be quiet. He then addressed her with a question she had been 
expecting. "Do you have any real proof of this Serena?" He had hoped 
something like this wouldn't happen but Serena always had a way of 
meddling that grated on his nerves half the time. Mostly she could be 
ignored but not today. Her queries could easily stir up a panic and ease the 
way for Montgomery to move in.

"No, not really but I think regardless of whether there is a threat to 
the company or not we should ignore it and focus all our energies on 
building up a defense and increasing our stock value."

Her father surprised her by agreeing with her, as did the rest of the 
board. Davidson however raised the suggestion that she had in vain hoped 
she wouldn't have to hear.


"I think we should begin by cutting expenses and closing some of the 
less needed distribution outlets." He didn't look for approval expecting his 
suggestion to be easily accepted.

"Actually," Serena interrupted, "I don't think that's a very good idea."

"Why not?" Davies questioned mildly surprised that anyone should 

have disagreed with him. "It is important we cut back on expenses and 
focus all our attention on building our defenses against a possible 
takeover."

"Cutting back would reduce our cash flow," Serena replied. "What we 
need to do right now is to expand and increase our stock value as much as 
possible, reinvesting as much cash as we can spare in reaching more 
customers and increasing our profits."

"Serena is absolutely right," Alex put in for Serena's defense. "We 
have been playing it too safe, now is the time put all our efforts into 
increasing our cash flow and stock value through expansion."

The other members of the board had looks of consideration on their 
faces but they seemed to understand and agree with Serena's idea. The 
real decision as to whether or not the idea would be accepted rested on her 
father and Davidson's shoulders. Davidson looked as though he would 
object again but her father cut in.

"I agree with you Serena, for the most part. Your plan seems very 
sound; I doubt there is any cause for concern however." Addressing each 
board member he said, "I want each of you to have departmental meetings 
and when next we meet we will discuss each departments plans for 
expansion and the overall direction we will take. I do not however, want you 
causing any panic or giving employees any reason to worry." He was glad 
Serena had averted attention from the takeover. If only she knew the 
trouble she had saved him.

For a while longer they discussed possible strategies for expansion 
and even Davies got around to participating although Serena doubted he 
shared her point of view. It no longer mattered however. She felt an elation 
she knew to be a direct result of what she felt she had gained today. She 
felt as though she had taken one more step to gaining her fathers' respect 
and admiration. It had made her day. For the rest of the day, after the 
meeting, she felt a sense of satisfaction that made her unable to 
concentrate. For the first time in a long while she left work early and 
decided to have another fun evening; she deserved it after all.

Serena ran up the stairs of the Spanish-style apartment building to 
the second floor. It was a strange building of only four floors that consisted 
of only eight large studio apartments. It had been hell trying to get the 
apartment, as there had been many other applicants; it was also very 
expensive as it was very unusual, spacious and quiet. 

She was amazed that she was actually home while the sun was still 
up. In her haste to get up the stairs and make a few phone calls to her 
friends she tripped over one of the steps and almost fell over. 
"So that's what they mean by falling up the stairs," a familiar voice 
said, taking a hold of one arm and helping her up.

"Hey Drew!" she greeted Andrew more excitedly than she had in ages. 

"What are you doing here?"

"Well, Lita wanted my sister to make sure you're eating good food so 
she sent over something from her restaurant. Mina couldn't make it so she 
asked if I could drop it off for her. I certainly didn't expect you to be home 
anytime soon. You're not working overtime, hell must have frozen over."
Serena punched him lightly in the arm.

 "Actually I've had a very good day. My father finally agreed with something
 I said despite Davidson's objections. So I was thinking of going out and having 
some fun for a change. Your sister and Rei inspired me last night."

"Really?" Andrew said raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, really."

"You mean you actually had fun?"

"Hey I have fun sometimes," she said defensively.

"Whatever you say," Andrew said.

"Anyway," Serena said pretending to sound hurt, "Is your sister free 
tonight? I was hoping to return her favor and take her and the other girls 
out for a night on the town."

"A girls night out, no fair. Don't you think the men have a right to 
have fun too?"

"Well if you bring the guys I'll get the girls."

"It's a deal. There's someone I want you to meet provided I can get 
him away from his work. Like you he's a workaholic."

"Who is he?"

"He's... never mind we'll keep that a mystery for now."

"Andrew, you know I hate mysteries and surprises."

Andrew grinned mischievously. "I know," he said indicating that he 
was doing it just to tick her off and not so much for any mystery.
She punched him in the arm as payback.

"Just for that I just might ask him to keep his name a mystery until 
the end of the night."

"Fine. Why should I care anyway?"

"Oh you will," Andrew said with a sly smile that bothered Serena. He 
was enjoying teasing her. She put it out of her mind though and got on to 
the next subject.

"How about we all have dinner and see a movie?"

"Sounds good to me," Andrew replied.