The last person I expected to see on the east side of Domino was the multi-billionaire Seto Kaiba, but on that fated day his town car just happened to break down just blocks from auto body shop. It was a normal day for me. It was getting pretty late in the evening and I was on my way home from the store with dinner for myself and my father when I saw a well-dressed man standing over a steaming engine.

"Need any help?" I asked cautiously as I approached closer

The man look completely confused as to what was what under the hood of the town car, "I can't seem to get it to stay on and all this smoke keeps coming out. If I don't get it fixed soon I'll get fired… he doesn't like to be late…" the man mumbled under his breath

He was probably surprised to see a short, brunette girl wearing ripped jeans, a tank top covered in grease, stopping to talk with him while he was bent over a steaming engine.

"Well it's not smoke its steam. It looks like you've got a crack in your radiator and you're leaking fluid pretty good from it." I pointed out as I leaned under the hood "I got a shop just up the street I can patch that for a temporary fix, but you'll have to get the whole radiator fixed within the week."

"How do you know all of this? You're just some chick." The man cocked an eyebrow mockingly eyeing my petite frame.

"You better watch what you say mister, you're in a bad part of town and most people around these parts aren't near as nice as I am. You're lucky I haven't robbed you blind and called my chop shop friends to pick this car clean. I wouldn't leave it alone for a second if I was you. This car is worth a lot of money, but if you don't want help then enjoy being unemployed. See ya around…" I started to walk away

"Wait! How long will it take?" The man sighed in defeat

"15 minutes at the least." I said over my shoulder

"Fine, but make it quick…" The man hung his head

"Just go up two blocks take a right and you'll see the garage doors." I wave in the direction, "I'll meet you up there."

I continued in the direction I was heading and I heard the car grabble to life painfully. Within 5 minutes of walking through the shop doors the town car was pulling into the garage. I pulled on my jump suit and tied the arms around my waist leaving them as pants and the rest was my tank top. The hood popped and I open I lifted it up to a billow of steam. I began looking over the extent of the damage when I heard two of the doors closing. My head and a majority of my body was hidden inside the engine compartment of the car as I continued to process how to fix the problem.

"Look get this fixed immediately and I'll pay you handsomely." A different voice than the other man's said sternly

"Well you might rethink that after you hear how bad the damage is…" I replied and unfolded myself

I wiped my hands on my jump suit pants, and looked up to see the shocked face of Seto Kaiba looking down at me.

"You're a woman?" Kaiba mumbled

"Holy shit I am?" I rolled my eyes, "Yes I'm a woman and yes I work on cars. Any other sexist remarks or would you like me to tell you what's wrong?"

Kaiba scowled, "No just fix it, I need to get home."

"Fine…" I began gathering the supplies to patch the crack in the radiator.

I set to work to fix the radiator the best I could. I could hear Kaiba take at least 5 calls during the time I was under the car. After a few minutes of working I felt someone grab my ankles and pull me out from under the car.

"Whatcha working on there princess?" It was my father

"Just putting a temporary patch on this radiator so they can get outta here." I smiled and pushed myself back under the car

My father was a tall man who would probably be in better shape if his diet did pertain to greasy food and beer. Our job at the shop was physically demanding, but with his awful diet he was packing a little weight in the gut area.

"You two must be the clients? I'm Otis Rhodes and that there is my daughter Blair. Taught her everything she knows! She'll get you out of here in no time." My father chuckled and extended a hand

I couldn't see what was going on but I imagined that Seto was on the phone ignoring everything my father said, and his driver probably offered a cautious but friendly hand. My father was a little intimidating to people if they don't know him.

"Alright that should work for the time being. Don't push her to hard though that patch won't last if you drive much past 50. Get into your shop as soon as possible and get a new radiator in there. I apologize we don't have any in stock for that make and model, but it would take a couple of hours any ways. I don't want to keep his highness to long; I know he must be extremely busy…" I said harshly and wiped off my hands with a rag

"Ho-Oh! That's my little spit fire! Us east side folk don't have much of a filter, just ignore her." My father laughed nervously and clapped my shoulder and I glared up to him

"How much do I owe you?" Seto ignored my jape and pulled out his wallet from inside his suit jacket

"Nothing, we were closed anyways, and it was just a patch. Don't worry about it." I waved his money away

Seto laughed out of his nose and put his wallet back before going back to the car.

"How generous of you princess." My father whispered in my ear, "Ya'll have a nice evenin'."

"I don't want his pretentious money…" I sulked thinking how much that money could have helped us this month

The rest of the night wasn't near as exciting. My father and I live in the apartment upstairs from our shop. It has been just me and him since my mother died when I was 16. My mom was the complete opposite of my father, but for whatever reason they got along perfectly. My mom died after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Because of the cancer she was never able to have another child after me, and that left my father wanting a son, but only had a daughter. My father would have never imagined that I would be the son he always wanted though. I grew up infatuated with motor vehicles, action movies, and everything my father loves. In the end I think he was happy to have a healthy mix of my mom and he after my mom died. Now I'm 23 but I have never thought about moving out. I don't know how my father would manage without me. He would eat himself into a grease induced coma and live permanently in his lazy-e boy rocker. I'm the one stuck paying all the bills and making sure our heads are above water every month, but it's getting harder and harder to make ends meet. Gang violence, drug dealers, and your typical lazy workers have ruined this side of Domino down to almost nothing.

Several weeks went by and I had completely forgotten my encounter with Seto Kaiba until a delivery man came with a large bouquet of flowers…

"Blair! Otis! Ya'll in here?" A voice came echoing through the shop

"Hi-ya Luke, what's going on?" I came out of the office to see my cousin strolling through the garage doors

"I kinda got into a little accident." Luke said and recoiled in anticipation to my response

"AGAIN! Luke for the love god how bad is it this time?" I shrieked at sprinted out the garage door

"What's all the noise about?" My father came lumbering out of the bathroom, "Hey Luke."

Luke and my father came following me a few seconds later to see me practically crying over the mangled mess of what used to be Luke's classic car.

"You've practically smashed the entire front end into the cab! How did the engine not come flying into your lap! You're transmission is trashed! The fender looks like a pretzel…" I began to gripe as I listed everything that was wrong

"Can you fix it?" Luke hesitated to ask

"Can I fix it? I don't know how many times I've fixed this car just for you to go wreck it again!" I said bitterly, "I can try but I'm not going to promise anything, and I know you don't have insurance so how to you plan on paying for the parts?"

"You tell me what you need and I'll get them for you." Luke winked

"More 'donated' parts, or this time will they come from chop shops?" I asked accusingly

"A little of both probably." Luke said smugly

"Excuse me but is there a… Blair Rhodes here?" A man interrupted

I turned around to see a delivery man holding a large bouquet of a variety of roses.

"That's me, and how much of that conversation did you hear?" I narrowed my eyes before taking the bouquet

"None of it ma'am." The man smiled reassuringly

"Good... thank you." I smiled weakly back

"Who they from?" Luke looked wide eye at the large bouquet

"Have you been seeing someone, Blair sweetie?" my father asked with hopefulness

"No, I have no idea who they're from, but there is a card." I said and plucked the card out of flowers

There was a large dark blue "KC" on one side of the card and on the other side a short note in elegant cursive.

Dinner Saturday 7:00PM Par l'océan

-Seto Kaiba

"Dinner? Why does he want to take you to dinner?" Luke asked looking over my shoulder

"It doesn't matter, I'm not going. That is probably some place downtown that requires formal dressing and only serves you bite size portions." I threw the card on the desk, "I don't have a fancy dress anyways."

"Go, you deserve to be taken out and treated like a lady." My father pushed

"And leave you alone to fend for yourself for a night? You'll order terrible take out and fall sleep in your chair just like you did last time I went out." I laughed

"That was 2 years ago, my point exactly. You've earned a night out." Father said sternly

"I'm not going! I just got some new parts for my Mustang anyways." I waved them off and walked over to the pile of parts that is my work in progress Mustang

Truth was that I did want to go, but for one I didn't have transportation to get into downtown other than the train, and two I really didn't have a dress that would fit. I wasn't much of what one would call a girly girl in school. I never learned how to do make up, I can't walk in high heels to save my life, and lastly I don't know anything about proper table etiquette. If only he had picked somewhere closer and with less of a dress code. I continued to work on my precious car trying to push the offer out of my mind, and before I knew it I was slumped over the hood nearly half asleep. I forced myself to step away and head upstairs to check on my father and get some well-deserved sleep. I walked into our small apartment to see my dad passed out in his chair with the ending of a baseball game playing on the TV. I kissed his head and turned off the TV before heading to my room. I walked in to see a black dress lying on top of my blankets with gold dangling earrings on top of the fabric. I pushed the jewelry off and held up the little black dress. It was a long sleeve, sheath silhouette, backless dress that stopped above my knees. It had a gold zipper with a track from my back to just below my bottom. It was going to a curve hugging dress, and it was something that I would pick out if I had the confidence to wear something like this out in public. There was a note on my pillow with my father's familiar sloppily hand writing.

Blair,

Don't worry about how much this costs. Your cousin, Mercy, helped me pick it out after I closed the shop and you were working on your car. She'll be over tomorrow at 4 to help you get ready for your dinner. I know you want to go; I saw it in your eyes. I'll be gone before you get up in the morning, gonna go fishing with the guys.

Love,

Dad

I sighed but my heart warmed by my father's heartfelt gesture. Of course he wouldn't have picked this out himself, and Mercy knew my style better than anyone. I guess I was going to go to dinner, but knowing Mercy I would look like a painted whore if I didn't rein her in. I hung up the dress and put the earring in my mother's old jewelry box before crawling into bed for the night. I woke up a little after 9 the next morning and just as promised my father wasn't home. I moved around the apartment going about my usual Saturday routine of cleaning and dancing like no one was watching. As time got closer and closer to 7 my nerves began to set in. I hadn't been out on anything this close to a date in ages. Promptly at 4 there was knock on the door and my cousin Mercy came bursting through the door with a suitcase rolling behind her. Mercy was an overly confident, woman with big dark black hair that has been teased a hundred times to many. Mercy wore tight skimpy clothing, but it suited her because he was just as fit and in shape as I was. Mercy was very particular about her appearance unlike me. She never leaves the house without her hair and make-up done, and I've never seen her without a manicure. Despite her appearance Mercy was not… well the smartest of some of us in our family. Mercy has gotten so far on her looks and sex appeal that she has never really had to apply herself academically.

"Really a whole suitcase? What the hell did you bring in that?" I cringed at the thought of all the tortuous things she had in there

"We everything of course! Shoes, make-up, curlers, straighteners, wands, jewelry, ya know the works!" Mercy replied smacking on her gum

"Right, well its dinner at a fancy French restaurant so let's keep this as modest as possible." I said warningly

"Of course, you're naturally pretty. I'm just gonna enhance that a little." Mercy smiled and lead me into my room

"And nothing crazy with the hair!" I said quickly

I never realized how much effort it took just to get ready for a night out, and I wasn't even the one doing all the work. I don't know how Mercy does this every day, but it explains how she is in such great shape. I was exhausted by the time we finished my make-up and we still had my hair to do. Mercy, however, wasn't tired or complaining.

"Alright I just curled your hair a little because we are running out of time. Go put on the dress and we'll see which heels look the best." Mercy pushed me out of the chair

I put on the dress and came out to a long row of heels varying from hooker height to modest kitten heels.

"You wear these? How do you walk?" I picked up a pair of bright blue platform pumps with at least 6 inches of a stiletto heel.

"How about these they are about 3 inches." Mercy held up a pair of black ankle strap heeled sandals

"Well they don't look like they will break my ankles." I grabbed them and strapped them on, "I like them, not too bad."

I walked over to my floor length mirror and was completely surprised by who I saw in my reflection.

"Oh my god, Mercy…" I mumbled

"You look sexy as hell! Damn you really should dress up more often. The men would be crawling all over you!" Mercy eyed me sarcastically

She wasn't wrong; I did look pretty good all dressed up. I just wasn't used to seeing myself not covered in oil and grease.

"Shit the time… I got to catch the train if I don't want to be late." I grabbed my purse and ran out the room

I didn't make it past my door before I stumbled and nearly fell, "Damn it…"

The heels slowed me down considerably and I was practically shuffling so I didn't roll my ankle. I made it to the train just in time to catch the line that would take me closest to the restaurant. I rode the train with very few passengers for the first few stops, but those who were on there couldn't help but to eye me lustfully. The closer we got to the interior of the town the more people got on the train, and the more glances I got from the passengers. Men looked at me with lust, and women looked at me with jealousy, some even looked at me with lust, but I wasn't going to judge; I knew I looked hot. I made it to my stop and quickly regretted not bringing a coat. I walked with my head held high, but all my focus was to not trip over myself and embarrass myself. I stumbled a few times but I recovered with a graceful charm. I found the restaurant, but there was no sign of Seto. It was too chilly to wait outside so I stepped inside. I was greeted by a blonde in a pencil skirt and a white button up blouse.

"Hello, do you have a reservation?" she smiled kindly

"I'm supposed to be meeting someone actually." I said nervously

"What's the name?" She began to scroll through her tablet.

"Kaiba, Seto Kaiba." I whispered

She stopped scrolling immediately and looked back up to me with shock, "Oh… umm, right this way…"

She led me through the restaurant and passed several tables with other diner's following me with their eyes. The farther she led me the less and less people I saw. We turned a corner and there I saw Seto Kaiba sitting at a two person table scrolling through his phone. The hostess pulled out the chair and as I was sitting Kaiba looked up from his phone. His eyes slowly moved down my body looking over every curve the dress outlined.

"Sorry I had to take the train." I said with a small voice as I sat

"You're right on time…" Seto placed his phone in his inner suit pocket

He was wearing a black pin stripped suit with a light blue tie and white button up shirt underneath, and a matching light blue pocket square folded neatly in his breast pocket.

"You took the train wearing that?" Seto asked gesturing with his eyes to my apparel

"No I brought a change of clothes; I left them with the coat check." I said annoyed

Kaiba smiled softly and chuckled through his nose, "Why did you take the train?"

"Because I don't have a car, duh…" I rolled my eyes

"I could have sent a car." Seto said but it more to himself than to me

I picked up the menu and tried to keep my face from falling. I couldn't read a single word on it, it was completely in French. I quickly put it back down and took a sip of water to hide my embarrassed blushing.

"Are we ready to begin the first course?" A waiter asked

"The first course?" I asked confused

"Yes, I believe we are." Seto handed him the menu paper back and I did the same

"The 7 courses have been paired with a vintage aged wine, would you like a bottle?" The waiter looked to Seto

At the word '7 courses' my eyes grew wide.

"Yes, thank you." Seto replied but was looking at my surprised face with a faint smile

The waiter walked away with a nod.

"You could read that menu?" I asked hesitantly

"Not a word…" Seto smirked and took a sip of water

"Don't be modest. You're billionaire, genius Seto Kaiba; don't tell me you don't know French. On top of that you're not known for being a modest guy." I raised an eyebrow

"My reputation perceives me. I do know how to read French." Seto's smirk deepened

"So why did you invite me to dinner, and how did you know I would show up?" I tried not to smile at his attempts to lie

"I didn't know if you would show up, but I figured that you would. It's to thank you for fixing my car." Seto replied

"Confident in your first impression that I would blush at the invitation to dine with you? I fixed your car almost a month ago." I giggled

"I've been a little busy. I've been trying to find the time to do this." Seto said sternly

At that time the waiter came back with a bottle of wine and poured each of use a glass before leaving the bottle. I gently grabbed the glass and took a cautious sip. I was never much of a wine drinker; I grew up drinking beer and whiskey. The wine was sweet and nutty all at the same time. I knew expensive wine would taste amazing, but I didn't think it would be like having the Tuscan sun in my mouth. I moaned as the fruity explosion went down my throat.

"It's a little dry." Seto scrunched his nose after he took a sip

"You're kidding this is the best wine I've ever had!" I said greedily "I've never had wine that didn't come out of a box though."

"Well for $800 a bottle it should be better." Seto grabbed the bottle

I nearly spewed wine all over the table, "$800 a bottle!"

"I would imagine they would have paired the meal with something of an older vintage." Seto wasn't affected by my shock

From there on I continued to drink the wait a little more sparingly. The waiter began to bring out the courses and the conversation began to die down between us. Just as I thought the portions were bite size but unbelievably tasteful, and with all the courses I was going to be stuffed by the end. By the time the last course came I didn't think I could eat another bite. The desert course was chocolate cover chocolate of some sort, and my weakness is chocolate.

"That was the best meal I have ever had." I sighed

"It was alright." Seto shrugged

"You can go back to being modest now." I rolled my eyes

Seto laughed softly and pulled out his phone again, "Excuse I need to make a phone call."

Seto face fell as he stood up, and he dialed his phone as he walked away. The waiter came back and laid down the check book. I grabbed it before Seto came back and nearly screamed in surprise. The check was over $1000. I placed the it back where the waiter left it and tried not to puke up everything I just ate. Kaiba came back but he still looked like something was bothering him. Kaiba grabbed the check placed some cash inside and held out a hand to help me stand. I took his hand gingerly and was surprised by the softness in his touch; it was soft but strong at the same time. Kaiba ushered me through the dining rooms and back to the front where he grabbed his coat from the coat check. We walked outside and Seto gave a ticket to the valet.

"Thank you for dinner, even though that is a lot just for a simple patch." I smiled warmly trying to ignore the chill in the air, "I should go I have to catch the correct line to get home."

"I'm giving you a ride." Seto said sternly

"I've been riding that train by myself since I was 7. I think I can take care of myself." I waved him off

"It cold out and you don't have a coat. I'm giving you a ride." Seto pushed

Right at that time a sleek Tesla pulled and a valet handed Seto a key. I stared wide eye and star struck at the car. I have always wanted to see the inside of a Tesla and feel their power.

"Are you sure you don't want a ride." Seto smirked as he noticed my lustful gaze

"I'll-ugh-I'll take a ride." I stammered

Seto smiled as he had won our little argument and opened the passenger door for me. He helped me keep my balance as I tried to gracefully sliding into the plush leather seat. He then closed the door and I examined every inch of the car from the large tablet sized touch screen to the drivers speedometer. Seto got in and started the engine with a silent purr.

"It's one of the electric cars?" I asked fascinated

Seto didn't answer but continued to smile as I began to giggle like a giddy school girl as the car moved forward.

"I can't believe that I'm riding in a Tesla. This could only be topped if I was driving." I blurted out as I was still inspecting the cars luxurious features

The car began to slow and he pulled into a parking lot at random. The car was put in park and Seto got out of the car leaving the driver's door open and then walked to my side and opened my door.

"What are we doing?" I asked as I took his hand again

"You're going to drive. I don't know where I'm going" Seto replied casually

I practically skipped around the front of the car and into the driver's seat.

"How long are your legs? I can't even reach the pedals." I giggled and pushed the button to adjust the seat

"Hold on, these stupid heels…" I grumbled and unstrapped the shoes and practically threw them at Seto, "Much better."

I kept the car in park and gently pushed the gas pedal. The engine revved and I felt the vibration move through my feet and hands as the powers moved through the car. I smiled evilly and put the car into drive.

"Keep it under 150." Seto said and buckled up

I pushed down the pedal and the car lurched forward with great power, but it wasn't enough to scare me. I kept control of car and turned back on to the road and urged the car to move faster.

"I was just kidding." Seto said as he white knuckled the arm rests

"I don't know what you expected. A car girl given the wheel of a powerful car that is just begging to be driven by a real driver." I laughed but never took my eyes off the road

I continued on the path to my home with the same enthusiasm of driving. I stopped in front of the shop and sighed as I knew my time with the car and Seto was over.

"You live at your shop?" Kaiba said with a hint of disgust

"Not all of us have been so fortunate to afford mansions and fancy cars." I said bitterly, "There is an apartment upstairs. That's were me and my father live."

Kaiba looked at me with sympathy and a touch of embarrassment.

"I don't need anyone's sympathy so stop looking at me that way. Thanks for letting me drive and thanks again for dinner." I said and opened the driver's door

I stepped out and before I could completely unfold myself Kaiba was standing in front of me.

"Here you might want these. You don't need to step on a nail or broken glass." Kaiba handed me my heels

"Ey this your car?" A thuggish voice said from in front of the car

Seto and I both turned to see a cholo looking thug and a couple of what I imagined were his goons eying the car.

"Fuck off, Jose. Remember the last time you tried to fuck around and mess with me." I snapped

"Shut up, whore and give me the keys to the car." Jose lifted his shirt to expose a gun in his waist ban

I reached into my purse and too pulled out my own gun, "I told you Jose fuck off. You don't scare me, you're just as big of a pussy as your older brother."

"Blair? Seriously is that you? Damn girl you be looking fine." Jose began to get all swaying with swag

"Go find one of your little chola girls and get out of here before I call the cops." I waved the gun

"Don't be such a bitch about it I was just trying to hit chu up girl." Jose said coldly

"No you were going to steal the car…" I rolled my eyes, "Good bye, Jose."

"Hey I'm having a big party tomorrow, you should drop by." Jose winked before walking away

"Sorry about that…" I turned my attention back to Seto

He just looked after Jose and his band of misfits with wide eyed shock, "You had a gun on you this whole time?"

"I carry a gun all the time. This is a bad neighborhood, that isn't the first time Jose has tried to steal while I was around." I laughed and put my gun away

"Why do you live here if it's so bad?" Seto asked thoroughly confused

"Because I'm poor and can't afford to move anywhere else. I grew up here." I replied annoyed "I could have let him take the keys to your car. That way at least I would have been able to see the car whenever I wanted. Although I would have to read up on how to work on Tesla's."

Seto just stared at me for a moment processing my living situation.

"Again, I don't need sympathy. Goodnight, Mr. Kaiba." I smiled softly and started towards the door

I heard Seto softly say "Goodnight" as I was closing the door