Chapter 4: Love

Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN ANYTHING ALREADY COPYRIGHTED SO YOU CAN'T SUE ME, ETC. and even if you tried all I have is a pack of gum to my name.

The next morning, Usagi stormed into the office, tossing a cup of coffee at Mamoru.

"Damn, it almost spilled on me!"

"Pity." Usagi rolled her eyes, settling in at her desk.

"Let me guess... the grocery store was all out of ice cream?" Mamoru chuckled, tentatively taking a sip.

"Listen, Chiba. If you're not going to discuss these financial reports or anything else job-related, please close your mouth. I'm not in the mood..." Usagi continued typing furiously, not bothering to give Mamoru a chance to respond.

"Brr..." Minako said under her breath as Mamoru passed her on his way to lunch.

"Is that code for something or..."

"I'm referring to you and Mamoru...talk about cutting the tension with a knife! Sheesh."

"I just had to remind him that we are here to do work, not chit chat and act like juveniles." Minako burst into giggles.

"Oh, my. If I look up maturity in the dictionary, will your face be staring back at me? Hmmm, cue hell freezing over in 5...4..."

"Shut up, Mina. Where are we going for lunch anyway?" Usagi began to gather the documents scattered across her desk.

"We could go pick up a bento at Morimoto," Minako drawled, her eyelids drooping suspiciously. "Or we could go to Haven."

"Haven? I thought you said you would never be caught dead there."

"Well, I've been talking to the owner..." Minako twirled a piece of hair around her finger.

"Talking?" Usagi raised an eyebrow.

"Fine, dating. So, we can definitely get a table." She looked at her watch. "And if we hurry, we'll be able to catch up with Mamoru!"

"What! I don't want to eat at the same place as him."

"Of course you don't want to eat where Mamoru is having lunch with Emerald." Minako's smirked.

"WHAT?!" Usagi dropped the file she was holding. "What kind of practical joke is that?"

"I have it on good authority that it's true. Hurry up and pick up those papers and let's head over there!"

Usagi felt like throwing up. Of all the women in the city, Mamoru had to choose Emerald to be interested in. They had arrived at Haven just in time to get seated near Mamoru and Emerald, but out of their line of sight.

"Oh my god, Usagi. Please try not to break that glass." Usagi glanced at the water glass and set it back on the table.

"I. Am. So. Pissed!"

"You don't even get upset when Emerald's all over Diamond."

"Because... because... it's different with Mamoru..."

"And you haven't even touched your cake... you never feel too depressed to eat cake." Usagi poked at the dessert and then passed it to Minako.

"How can I even think about eating when Mamoru is about to get involved with that witch! I swear, if she does anything bad to him, I'll..."

"He's not your boyfriend. Diamond is!"

"Well, I'm not in love with Diamond." Usagi snapped. "I'M IN LOVE WITH MAMORU."

"Scatter my ashes at Magnolia Bakery. Please, that's the least I ask of you as a best friend," Usagi pleaded, as she made her way with Minako to meet up with their other friends for Happy Hour.

"How super awkward was it when you got back from lunch?" Minako's eyes couldn't possibly get any wider.

"Mamoru didn't say a word. We finished up some reports for an afternoon meeting and said absolutely NOTHING to one another. But I know he heard me, Mina. I saw him look at me!"

"Weird that he didn't say anything... not even to tease you about your declaration of love..." Usagi elbowed Minako.

"This is serious... what if he told Diamond... or Emerald said something!" Usagi plastered a hand to her forehead. "Why me... why me..."

A few drinks later, Usagi was feeling quite talkative and open about her love for the world.

"You know I love you, right?" She confessed to the stranger on her left.

"Hmmm, and here I am thinking I was only person that statement applied to..."