Author's note: Hi guys, welcome to a new story written by yours truly. I have been absent from this website for a while now and honestly, I had given up on writing. But recently, I felt the need to write again. Hopefully, I'm not too rusty from the long pause.
This story is my attempt at humor. I fancy myself a drama/angst/romance writer. I have said in the past that humor is not my strength but I love a challenge and that's why I will try to make this story humorous. Key word is 'try'.
I am aware that there is another Yugioh "Bachelor" story available on this website by Padewan CarrCarr. It's called "The Bachelor Kaiba Style". I have already communicated with Padewan CarrCarr and have obtained her consent to write this story. I know that my story will be somewhat similar to hers as the basic idea is the same. But I hope to make mine different so that Padewan CarrCarr doesn't feel like I have plagiarized her work. If any of you feel like my work is very similar to hers, please inform me so I can make amends. But I will try my very best to write an original story.
I will also appreciate constructive feedback and comments, and any ideas you have about the story e.g. any date ideas that can be used in the story. Though I already have most of the story figured out and outlined, I am open to incorporating your ideas if they are interesting. With that, I hope you enjoy this story.
Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh or The Bachelor or anything even remotely similar to either.
"Talk"
'Thoughts'
Flachback/Dream
...
...
...
Tea glanced around the small cafe, enjoying the peace and quiet. The place was empty at this time of the day. No other customer, besides her, was present. She guessed people in Domino weren't as obsessed with coffee or caffeinated beverages as the people in New York. There, the time of the day or year didn't matter. Everyone needed their caffeine fix and every coffee shop in the city was always bustling with customers. But here in Domino, in the middle of the day, the small cafe was empty, almost lonely. She was the only one sitting in a corner, sipping her hot coffee, feeding her caffeine addiction. It was a habit she had picked up from her fellow New Yorkers after living there for nearly six years.
The servers were idly standing and talking to each other behind the counter. Occasionally, one would look her way but turn away quickly. She wondered if they recognized her from a poster, but that was not possible. She wasn't a big star.
'At least not amongst the common folk of Domino.' She hid a smile behind her coffee cup. Ballet was the past-time of the rich and snobby, as her friend liked to say. And Tea agreed whole-heartedly. After having attended dozens of after-parties, she was well aware of her fanbase, their ages, and bank accounts.
Taking another sip of her drink, she sighed in content, enjoying her last few minutes of silence before she was to be thrust into the chaos that was her friends company. She was supposed to meet Joey. Tristan, and Yugi at the Game Shop in a few minutes. She suppressed a smile as she thought about them. The passing of years hadn't affected them at all, at least not their maturity. They were still as rowdy and childish as they were back in high school. Even though they were all in their mid twenties, college graduates, and working members of the society, they were still as boisterous and, at times, immature as ever.
But that was she loved about them the most, the fact that they seemed untouched by the passage of time. When with them, she could forget that she was living alone in New York, away from her parents, away from her friends, away from everything that was her life for eighteen years. She could forget that she was about to start the last year of her contract with her company, and that already, she was being tugged and pulled in all directions by different dance companies about her future. She could forget the jealousy other dancers felt at her success, and the jealousy and fear she felt at theirs.
With Joey, Tristan, and Yugi, things were simpler, pure, and true. That's why she had decided to spend her two months off with them in Domino, instead of visiting her parents. She was glad they had understood her need, and hadn't made her feel guilty. Then again, she hadn't seen her friends in almost a years. Hell, she hadn't been in Domino in almost four years. Her parents had moved out of Domino when she had moved to New York, and the guys came to her because they could afford it, and because they wanted to travel and go sightseeing. Thus she never had a chance to go to Domino, but she had missed her childhood home. So when she expressed her desire to her parents, they had understood and had come to visit her in New York before she left. . She was lucky to have amazing parents and friends.
Her musings were interrupted by the sound of the bell above the door ringing. Someone had entered the cafe. Curiosity got the best of her and she peeked from her secluded corner to see who was in need of a hot beverage on a warm summer day. It was a relatively tall male, with unruly black hair. Despite the shaggy locks, he looked quite sophisticated. She figured it was because of his obviously expensive clothes. He glanced around the cafe after placing his order and his eyes met hers, purple with blue. Both set of eyes narrowed in confusion before widening in recognition.
"Tea." He said in a surprised voice and quickly walked towards her.
"Mokuba?" Her tone was questioning, as if she couldn't believe this tall, handsome young man was the same boy she had said farewell to when she had left Domino.
"Of course." He laughed. "Who else can look this sexy wearing ordinary clothes?" Tea was baffled at his comment. Nope, this was definitely not the small boy she had left in Domino. Then again, she had been away for six years and she had barely kept in touch with him, let alone see him. He had to grow up and change in her absence.
"Sorry, I just didn't believe it was you for a second." She replied sheepishly and he let out another chuckle.
"No problem. We haven't seen each other in a very long time. And I got a haircut." He winked, running a hand through his hair. She let out a small laugh.
"Yes. That's why I didn't recognize you. Last time I saw you, which was years ago, you still had your long hair. What happened?" He sighed dramatically.
"Seto happened." His said with a pout, eliciting another small laugh from her. She remembered the older Kaiba frowning at his brother's unruly locks.
"He kept badgering me to get a haircut. He insisted that I didn't look professional, even with a ponytail."
"Oh what does her know about looking professional?" Tea said cheekily and Mokuba smirked.
"Exactly." He wanted to continue talking but was interrupted by the server who informed him his coffee was ready to pick up. He excused himself to grab the cup but quickly came towards her again, taking a seat opposite her.
"When did you get here? I didn't hear anything from Yugi or Joey."
"Just got here three days ago." She replied. "I was jet-lagged for two days and the guys didn't tell anyone so I could recover and be myself before meeting everyone."
"You mean they kept you all to themselves." Mokuba teased. "You look fine now and yet, if I hadn't seen you by chance, I wouldn't have known about you. Those selfish friends of yours want to deprive the rest of us of the pleasures of your company."
"When did you become such a flirt?" She said with a smirk.
"Right after I realized it was easier and more fun to get laid by flirting than by flashing money." He replied.
"Mokuba." She said in a scandalous tone but dissolved into fits of giggles soon. "I bet your brother is really happy with your behavior. It's a lot more professional now."
"He's jealous because I get more than him." Mokuba replied without missing a beat. "But then again, I bet even ghosts get more than him."
"Seriously, what happened to the innocent kid I liked so much?" She demanded good naturedly.
"He turned into a man you can love." He finished with a comical wiggle of his eyebrows, causing Tea to laugh again.
"I bet you are a real heartbreaker." She knew it was true. He was a charmer. She could see girls falling for him.
"You're not too bad yourself." She rolled her eyes.
"Oh stop with the generous compliments. You're inflating my ego." She said very sarcastically and he smirked.
"How long are you here for?" He asked casually.
"I have two months off so I'm here for the duration. Then I'm off to New York again."
"Two months." Mokuba seemed thoughtful.
"What are you up to these days?" She asked.
"Besides breaking hearts?" He asked innocently. "I'm at Kaiba Corp. Seto's got me working like a dog." He complained. "He's a workaholic and he assumed that just because I'm related to him, I must have the same disease as him. He doesn't understand the concept of fun or relaxation."
"I guess Kaiba hasn't changed either." She said, more to herself. She could just picture him, with his dramatic trench coat, steel brief case in hand and a steely look in his eyes, staring down everything and everyone. It brought a nostalgic smile to her face. Coming to Domino really felt like travelling back in time.
"Not one bit." Mokuba replied. "But I'm working on that. I've got a plan to infuse fun in his life."
"Plan? What kind of plan?" Tea asked curiously but cautiously. This older Mokuba was far from innocent, and she felt that this "plan" would be as devious as him.
"Don't worry. It's nothing harmful."Mokuba assured her. "He is still my brother and I love him. I'm only doing this because I'm worried about him. He needs to take a break or I'm afraid he will negatively affect his health. Already the doctors are telling him to relax or he will develop blood pressure and heart issues." Tea shot Mokuba a sympathetic smile.
"In that case, I support you a hundred percent."
"Really?" Mokuba said.
"Really." Tea repeated back childishly. "Kaiba is undoubtedly a strong and independent man, but everyone needs someone else to lean on every now and then. It doesn't diminish their strength or make them weak. Instead, it makes them stronger. Your brother needs to realize that, and I'm glad he has you to make sure he sees this." Mokuba nodded.
"Yes, yes, of course. That's exactly what I want. And I'm very thankful of your support."
"I'm here to help you if you need me." Tea offered him. "Well, for the two months that I'm here, I'll help you in any way I can."
"That means a lot. Thanks." Mokuba said in a grateful tone.
"Good." She said with a tone of finality, signaling the end of their conversation. She really should get going. The guys would be wondering where she was. She should have been at the Game Shop ten minutes ago. A few more minutes and Joey and Tristan would start cooking up crazy theories of her abduction and they would go into over-protective hero mode.
"I have to go meet the guys now but I'll see you around." She said. "Good luck with your plan." She began walking towards the door when Mokuba called out to her. She turned to see him hurriedly walking towards her.
"Something the matter?" She asked.
"No." He quickly replied. "I mean, nothing is wrong. I just had an idea and I wanted to talk to you about it." She was even more confused but Mokuba began walking with her outside.
"You said you would help me." He repeated her words from a few minutes ago and she nodded her head, slightly worried at what he might be planning to ask.
"Can I ask you a huge favor?" He said in a pleading tone. She paused, causing him to stop walking as well.
"What kind of favor?" She asked suspiciously.
"A small kind."
"I don't believe you." She said flatly and he blushed in embarrassment.
"Okay, fine. It's not a small favor. It's huge to me but it might be small for you."
"What do you want Mokuba?" She sighed.
"I'm doing a small project to test the waters of the showbiz industry, and since you are a part of that industry, I would really appreciate your help."
"Showbiz?" She said in a completely surprised voice.
"Yes. Kaiba Corp. provides a lot of equipment used in the showbiz industry. We even provide the equipment and software for the amazing graphics used in Hollywood movies. But I want to try a different venture. I am producing a show for Domino."
"What kind of show? And what do you need me for? I'm a ballet dancer. I do live shows. I don't really have experience for the kind of show you plan on doing."
"You don't even know what kind of show I'm producing." He pointed out. "If you don't want to help, you can just say so. Don't beat around the bush. Just say it that when you offered me your help, it was just symbolic. You weren't serious about your offer because you didn't actually expect me to ask for anything." Tea winced at his words.
"No, that's not true." She said. "I did mean it when I said I will help you."
"Then help me." He said. "I promise you no harm will come to you. You will be taken care of like a celebrity."
"What would I have to do?" She asked.
"Nothing at all." He assured her. "You'll just have to be yourself and spend a little time on the project I'm working on. Nothing else. I'll send you the detailed instructions by email tonight." He quickly said and began marching away.
"Mokuba wait." She called out but he had started jogging now. She couldn't help but think he was running away from her and her questions. As she watched him literally break into a run and turn the corner, she knew it was official. She had trapped herself in some weird scheme by Mokuba. At least she knew him and where he lived. If he was planning on tricking her or embarrassing her in any way, she would sick her friends on him. That thought brought a laugh out of her, and suddenly remembering that she was even more late now to see them, she too, broke into a run.
'Hold on guys. I'm not trapped with a psycho, at least not yet.'
Tea suspiciously gazed at the rapidly passing landscape from the window of the speeding limo. Where was this mansion Mokuba had told her about? Three days ago, she had her meeting with Mokuba in the cafe and that same evening, Mokuba had sent her an email, as promised, with as little information as possible, as she had feared. She had spent two hours with her friends, trying to figure out what Mokuba was planning.
Flashback
"That's it?" Tristan said over her shoulder as he finished reading the email along with the others for the third time.
"That can't be it." Joey said. "There's got to be more information than that. He isn't saying anything at all."
"I know." Tea sighed in frustration. "I had a feeling this would happen. I somehow knew he won't tell me anything solid. He was avoiding it when we were talking face-to-face. I knew right there and then that I wouldn't like what he was planning." The guys frowned in suspicion. So far, the promised email had just told her that she would be going to a mansion for approximately three weeks. The mansion was far from the city and transportation would be limited so she was advised to bring plenty of necessary items. She was also advised to bring casual to formal clothes as she might be required to dress up for some events. She needn't worry about money. Any item that needed purchasing would be taken care of by the producer i.e. Mokuba. She would be allowed contact with her friends and family but it will be limited compared to her normal routine. That's it. The email was as vague as it could be and didn't provide any useful information to her. She still had no idea what she was supposed to do, or what Mokuba wanted from her. At the end of the email, Mokuba had again expressed his profuse gratitude at her help.
"Sounds like you are going on some kind of retreat." Yugi said. "Grandpa went on something like that last year. He went to the Himalayas to visit some temples, and to meditate with the monks. He got similar instructions, to pack properly and be prepared for lack of communication with the outside world."
"But why would Mokuba want me to go on a retreat?" Tea wondered. "He said he was producing a TV show."
"Maybe it's a reality show." Tristan suggested.
"Yeah. Some kind of competition." Joey agreed. "Don't you have shows like that in USA?" Tea frowned as she thought of a few that might fit the description.
"Yeah. But those shows require physical challenges and there is a big monetary prize at the end. Mokuba didn't mention anything like that."
"I don't think Mokuba would trick you into that kind of situation." Yugi assured her.
"Not unless he's got a sick sense of humor." Tristan supplied.
"Which he might, considering he is Kaiba's brother." Joey said. "All those years with that evil maniac has changed him. He isn't the same innocent kid anymore. Now you hear stories about him that prove that he is a Kaiba."
"What do you mean? What kind of stories?" Tea asked worriedly.
"Nothing serious. Joey is just exaggerating." Tristan assured her but she still looked worried.
"Mokuba is a bit of a trouble-maker." Yugi explained. "He has a reputation of being manipulative and clever. But he has never done anything serious or against the law. Just small things to gain small favors."
"He's more interested in helping himself than anyone else." Joey said plainly. "I bet this scheme is the same. He isn't telling you everything because he knows if he told you the truth, you won't agree."
"Stop freaking her out man." Tristan growled at Joey, watching Tea worriedly bite her lip.
"I'm sure it's nothing horrible." Yugi again assured her. "Mokuba might have changed a bit but he's still a good person at heart. We have dealt with him all these years and he has always been very nice and honest with us. Even Joey can't deny that." Joey grumbled some words under his breath until Tristan cuffed him, at which point both boys engaged in a small fight, rolling on the floor like children. Tea smiled at their antics.
"Just like old times." Yugi said with a shake of his head and Tea laughed.
"Yup."
"When are you supposed to leave, and for how long?" He asked.
"I'm leaving in three days. A car will pick me up from the address I forward to them. Then I'll be taken to the mansion where I will stay for approximately three weeks."
"That's half of your vacation." Yugi pointed out in a disappointed tone.
"I know. If I knew, I never would have agreed to it, but he manipulated me into it. I'm going to watch out for him in the future."
"Well, three weeks would pass soon and you will be back here and we can do all the things we planned on doing." Yugi said with a smile and she smiled back.
End flashback
The limo had long passed the city limits of Domino. The landscape now consisted of a lot of trees and vegetation, kind of like a small forest, which looked uninviting in the fading light of the setting sun.
'Great. A mansion in the middle of nowhere.' She thought miserably. 'I feel like a character from a horror movie, about to enter a secluded house haunted by an angry ghost. I hope I come out alive out of this.'
The limo turned and she stared out the window again. This time, she could see a huge mansion appearing at the end of the road. As they neared, she noticed that the area surrounding the mansion was very well kept. Perfectly trimmed hedges lined the border on all sides. The limo came to a gate and after a pause of a few seconds, the gate opened by itself.
'Mechanical.' She concluded. Was there someone inside the mansion?
The limo continued on down a long driveway, lined on either side by lush green grass, interspersed with flower beds, ornately-shaped hedges, even some small fountains. Whoever owned the mansion was rich.
The limo finally came to a stop and the drive came out to open the door for her. She took a deep breath before exiting. She stood before magnificent wooden doors carved with beautiful patterns.
"Your luggage madam." The driver said, placing her suitcase beside her.
"Thanks." She smiled gratefully at him. He tipped his hat to her and then went to the limo, ready to drive away. She watched as the limo drove away and out of sight, leaving her no other choice but to enter the mansion. With a defeated sigh, she grabbed the door handle and pushed. Surprisingly, the door opened with ease.
'Not creepy at all.' She thought and entered, dragging her suitcase behind her. At least the inside was nicely lit. She closed the door behind her and glanced around to take in her surroundings.
'Got to know the escape routes in case a psycho comes wielding a weapon.' She thought amusedly. She was in the foyer. There was a beautiful sofa placed on one corner along with a table. Next to it was a door-shaped opening which led to the inside of the mansion. On the other side, there was a set of doors, but Tea guessed it was a closet. This foyer was more like a waiting room for guests to await permission to enter the mansion.
'Can't believe people do that.' She thought. Well, no one was going to invite her in so she might as well go herself. She began walking towards the entrance to the mansion. As she neared it, she heard voices, many voices. There were other people in the house. She quickened her steps and was soon standing at the entrance of a lavish living room, right out of a fairy tale, grand staircase, chandelier and all the works. Words could not describe the beauty or the extravagance of the sight before her. But her attention was more focused on a group of girls sitting in the living room, all excitedly talking amongst themselves. Only girls, she noticed. On her left, near the grand stair case, she saw many suitcases, probably belonging to the girls already there. Shrugging her shoulders, she placed hers there as well. Her actions had finally caught the attention of the other girls who turned to look at her.
"So you're the final contestant. Hi." One girl said, standing up to greet her. She had beautiful red hair in a side-swept ponytail.
"Contestant?" Tea repeated with a sinking feeling in her heart. So this was some sort of competition. Oh she was going to kill Mokuba when she saw him.
"Yes. Come on, join us. All of us are here now." The girl said. Wordlessly, Tea walked towards them, glancing around to see everyone. Her eyes landed on a familiar face and she mirrored the shocked look.
"Serenity?"
"Tea?" The younger girl whispered back, equally shocked, but with a tone of panic.
"What are you doing here? What is going on?" Tea demanded.
"What are you doing here?" Serenity asked in a shaking voice.
"Mokuba asked me to be here as a favor, a favor I'm coming to regret ever agreeing to."
"He... did?" Serenity again whispered, her face becoming pale.
"What is going on here? What kind of contest is this?" She demanded again.
"It's Domino's very first 'Bachelor' show." One girl squealed.
"WHAT?" Tea screamed. "Bachelor? I'm on the Bachelor?" She couldn't believe it. She knew the American version of the show but had always scoffed at it. But here she was, as a contestant. Mokuba would pay dearly.
"Unbelievable." She muttered.
"I know, isn't it?" Another girl sighed dreamily. "I'm so blessed that I was one of the chosen ones. The casting call went out to very specific girls and all of us here were personally selected by the producer." Before Tea could speak more, the giant TV screen mounted on the wall flared to life, revealing Mokuba's face.
"Hello ladies. Welcome to Domino's first ever Bachelor. Congratulations on making it here." His face held a superior, in-control look as he spoke. "You were all selected because you are the best of your profession, crème de la crème. You possess intelligence and beauty, both of which you will need to win the heart of the bachelor." Before he could continue speaking, he was interrupted by a fuming Tea.
"Mokuba Kaiba." She growled, standing in front of the screen. Mokuba's expression finally changed and showed a sheepish expression.
"I can't believe you did this to me." She fumed. "You blatantly lied to me."
"No." He denied immediately. "I didn't. I didn't tell you the full truth but I didn't lie."
"You didn't tell me anything." She pointed out. "The bachelor?" She repeated in outage. "Joey was right. You have become selfish and manipulative. You tricked me. I shouldn't have trusted you." Mokuba actually looked guilty at that.
"You're not the bachelor, are you? Because if you are, you are going to lose your favorite body part." She threatened with narrowed eyes. Mokuba let out an uncomfortable laugh at that and shook his head.
"No. I'm not him." He assured her.
"Good. Then you get to live harm free until I find you, which will be very soon."
"Tea, please, listen to me." Mokuba begged. "I can explain everything." Tea glared at him for a few moments before crossing her arms.
"Fine. Explain."
"Can you go to the confession room? I'd rather we speak in private." He said, eyeing the other girls who had watched the entire debacle with baffled expressions.
"Where is that?" She asked.
"Go down the hallway besides the staircase. It's the 4th door to your right. I'll see you there." His face disappeared from the screen and Tea turned to go to the 'confession room'. The 'confession room' turned out to be a small room with a couch and a table facing a medium sized TV screen. Mokuba's worried face was already there when she entered.
"I can explain everything." He repeated his earlier statement. Tea sat on the couch and glared at him to begin.
"I didn't lie when I said that I had a plan to help Seto, or that I needed your help. This entire project isn't just my attempt at testing the waters of the showbiz industry. I'm trying to help Seto with this."
"You mean he is the bachelor?" Tea asked with wide eyes. Mokuba nodded his head. If Tea wasn't a contestant already, she would have laughed at Kaiba's misfortune. But as it was, she was one of his suitors, here to fight for his affections. Her own situation was worse than his.
"You have lost your mind. What makes you think this will help him?" Tea asked. "You can't seriously believe that he is going to find true love from this show, especially if he is being forced to be here."
"You're right. I don't expect him to find true love and marry and live happily ever after from this show." Mokuba admitted. "But I am forcing him to interact with others. Tea, you don't see him every day like I do. He... he's gotten worse." Mokuba said in a tired voice. "His whole life has been work, work, and work. Even now, when he is at the top, it's still all about work. He just breathes, sleeps, and works, nothing else, not even dueling. He has given up on that too." That was news to her. Was Kaiba really that bad?
"It's always been just me and him, and I'm fine with that. But I can't be with him for the rest of my life." Mokuba said with frustration. "I want to travel. I want to try new things but I feel trapped here because I'm tethered to him. If I leave, then there is no one to take care of him, no one to even speak to him. I can't have that. That's why I forced him to be here. I want him to spend time with others to make him realize that he can have someone else other than me in his life. I hope that somewhere along the way, he learns that he can enjoy other peoples company and feels the needs for human contact. At the very least, he realizes that having another person in his life won't be harmful to him." Tea rubbed the bridge of her nose in irritation at his explanation. She could see his point but that didn't explain her presence.
"Why me?" She asked. "Why did you trick me into coming here?"
"Because I need your help." He said. "All the girls out there were handpicked by me personally. They represent all the different kinds of girls that I think might be good for Seto, and are all strong and successful. Only the best for my brother." He said with a smile that Tea didn't reciprocate. "But I also wanted someone from Seto's past, someone he was familiar with. I knew that Seto will be angry to be forced into this situation. He hates being in unfamiliar situations. But if I included someone from his past, someone he knew, it would give him a feel of familiarity and control. That's why I had initially chosen Serenity. She was the best I could find. But when I saw you, I knew you were the perfect fit. You have known Seto for years. You know him better than anyone else out there, besides me of course. I knew you would be able to understand him and his actions, and maybe help him understand all this too."
"That's all fine and dandy." Tea said sarcastically. "But you're forgetting that your brother and I don't get along. We tolerate each other and that's the extent of our relationship. I haven't seen or talked to him in nearly six years. What makes you think he will be glad to see me? For all you know, he could eliminate me first out of spite."
"He won't." Mokuba assured her. "Not unless you intentionally provoke him. Like I said, you will be his link to familiarity. He will want to keep you around, at least long enough to gain control over the house."
"So glad to be of use to you brothers." Tea said.
"I'm truly sorry that I tricked you into coming here, but I was desperate. I still am desperate for your help." Mokuba said truthfully. Tea remained silent for a few moments before sighing in defeat.
"Fine. I'll see what I can do." Mokuba yelled out a celebratory 'yes' at her response. "I can't promise anything. I'm still angry at you for this. And if Kaiba gets on my nerves and this whole thing seems like it's not worth the effort, I will leave."
"Of course." Mokuba readily agreed, just glad that she had agreed to stay. "Thank you so much Tea. I'm truly grateful to you."
"This doesn't mean you won't pay for tricking me. I will get you for this." Tea promised him and he chuckled in response.
"I'll take whatever punishment you dish out. For now, you can go back to the living room. I'll explain the rest of the rules of the competition." With that said, the screen went dark and Tea left the 'confession room' to join the other girls. They were all whispering to each other but when she entered, they quickly became silent and stared at her. She pointedly ignored them and took a seat on a couch. Mokuba's face re-appeared on the giant screen and he smiled charmingly.
"I apologize for keeping you ladies waiting. I will continue with the explanation of the rules of the competition. The competition will consist of various challenges, none of which will be physically taxing I assure you. The challenges will be more like dates with the bachelor, giving you the opportunity to get to know each other and impress each other. At the end of each challenge, the bachelor will select one girl whom he does not see a potential future with, sending her home. The eliminated girl will be required to leave the mansion that same night. On elimination nights, I ask that you pack away most of your stuff so you do not take long to depart. A limo will be waiting for you at the door and it will take you to the address you provide." He paused here, allowing the girls to soak in the information, before speaking again.
"For the duration of the competition, you will be living together and sharing bedrooms. There are five bedrooms upstairs, meaning two of you will share a bedroom. You are free to roam around the mansion and get familiar with the many amenities and luxuries at your disposal. Use whatever pleases you. You, along with the bachelor, will be the only people in the mansion. Cameras have been set up at every possible location to capture all the action in the mansion. You will be informed of the challenges either via envelopes placed outside your bedrooms or through this TV screen by yours truly." He flashed them a charming smile which was returned by every girl, except Tea.
"The 'confession room' is where you can go, either individually or in groups, to voice your inner thoughts for our audience. As you are already aware, communication with the outside world will be limited. You will be allowed one phone call at the end of each elimination challenge. But keep in mind that the phone call will take place inside the 'confession room' and will be video and audio recorded." Tea muttered something under her breath but the girls were too engrossed in Mokuba's talk that they didn't hear her.
"Now without further ado, I introduce to you the man whose heart you are here to win, the bachelor, Seto Kaiba."
All around her, the girls squealed and bounced excitedly, but Tea ignored them. She lifted her face upward, as if praying, and thought very sarcastically. 'Lightening, strike me now.' Nothing happened. Typical. One never got what he or she wanted, even if it was death.
She slightly turned her head and peeked between the standing girls to see Seto Kaiba saunter down the stairs, his trademark scowl ever-present on his face. She burrowed further into the couch, hoping he didn't see her. She would die, metaphorically of course, if he saw her amongst his fangirls. She saw him roam his eyes over the gathered girls. She quickly crouched on the floor, hoping to escape his gaze. He was at the bottom of the stairs now and walking towards them. If she crawled behind the couches, she could circle the living room and get to the staircase. Then she could just go upstairs and hide in a bedroom. Until when? Until she figured out how to face him and deal with this situation.
Deciding upon that plan of action, she began crawling slowly away from the standing crowd of girls and the incoming Kaiba. She was almost there. She turned sideways to go behind the couch when she heard his voice.
"Gardner?"
'God please, lightening strike, NOW.' She begged.
Nothing again.
Crap.
...
...
...
Thanks for reading. I hope you liked this chapter. Next chapter will have more of Seto Kaiba, and information on the other girls.
Review and let me know what you think.