Disclaimer: Denied.
Plot OC - Anshu© 9/1/2009. Gold Digger's prequel.
"Good Morning! Can I help you?"
Approaching the teenager, the sales assistant offered.
He was keenly observing her. From his experience, he knew she was a serious buyer. Given her age, and the intensity of her emotions, he deducted, she was choosing a present for her boyfriend... or a potential boyfriend.
Barrods was Domino's famous department store. Standing in its men section, near a tie rack, the girl looked curious and confused.
"Um, yeah," Anzu glanced at the man, and smiled in relief. "I'd like to buy a tie, just can't decide..."
She was nervous. She had never shopped for a male before. Well, maybe once, at the Egypt airport, when she bought blank, silver cartouche for Atem... but that was different. Buying an article of clothing was like taking things up a notch. It was just too personal. Especially for a guy who didn't even like her.
"What's he like?"
"...Hunh?"
The man smiled and Anzu ducked her head and blushed.
"Is it that obvious?"
The hired help nodded.
Anzu sighed with a quiet dignity, thinking over the unsolved mystery of Seto Kaiba.
"Complicated!" She said. "He's intelligent, hard working, and complicated. Nothing like an average teenager. Doesn't play silent-strong type or act cool. I mean, he's got substance to back his attitude. And if he puts his mind to something then nothing can hold him back." She smiled. "Um, he's a bit rough around the edges. But that's because he's too mature and talented for his age. I think his success makes him bitter. He can be cold and rude. But that's just..."
Oh dear! Scratch crush, the girl was in love. And madly at that if this verbal diarrhea was any indication. The man thought.
"I have the exact thing for you." Putting her elocution speech on 'what her boyfriend was like' to a halt, he led her to the other side of the counter. Unlocking the glass window, the sales assistant took out a set of exquisitely beautiful cufflinks.
Her eyes the size of dinner plate, Anzu whistled. The cufflinks looked expensive. They were made of crystals with small encrusted black and white diamonds. 'Perfect! But out of budget.'
"I give you- Object of Desire. Designed for a contemporary man to make an individual statement."
'O it'll make a statement, alright! On my bank balance!'
Her look gave her away. The man read her economic discomfort. "Don't worry. We'll work out a payment plan."
"Thanks! I'll buy them."
'390 from personal account, 100 from Julliard's, 200 from rainy day account and 60 from piggy bank. Yup! We're in the clearing now.' She was saving money for her laptop. 'Looks like that'll have to wait.'Because Seto's birthday in less than three days.
XXXX
"So what's in that box?"
Anzu kept the food tray on the table. Her red handbag next, pulling out a chair, she sat on it. "In the box, lies a world, full of trouble!"
Mai laughed, settling opposite. ""Do tell more Pandora. I love trouble."
"You're hopeless." Anzu rolled her eyes. She ignored Mai's bait, unwrapped the vegetable burger, and dig in with gusto.
"Stop slurping! You're creating a scene. Now, are you going to tell me what's in that box? Or do I have to shred the wrapping paper to find out?"
It was Sunday. It was also the day girls met for lunch, brunch, or movie and dinner, whatever was convenient. Though today, the Domino mall was bustling with activity. Still, the girls had managed to find a secluded corner table for two at the food court.
"Gee Mai, would ya give it a rest! It's a gift, alright!"
After the return of the millennium items to their resting place, and Atem's departure, Mai had decided to give up globe-trotting. She had settled down in Domino. Though Anzu knew better... She knew Mai's reasons were chiefly influenced by a certain blonde haired, knucklehead friend of hers.
"I gathered that much." Mai stirred her coffee. "What is it, and who is it for?"
"It's a set of crystal cufflinks. And I'm not so sure about... what are you smiling at? You better not be cooking something devious in that brain of yours."
"Hmm, Cufflinks?! That makes sense. He's mostly on his laptop. By giving him cufflinks, you'll bind his wrists. Your gift will always be in his line of sight. Nicely done Anzu... I didn't think you had it in you. That's very sneaky, if I do say it so myself..."
"Well then don't! Because I'm not sneaky! I've no idea where you came up with that twisted theory... but don't worry, I won't give this to him."
"Now just wait a minute!" Mai flicked the blonde curls behind her shoulder and objected. The singsong cadence in her voice gave the feminine character to her tough personality. "Don't tell my lessons have gone over your head? You know this is your chance to make your move. Or has the fact that you're head over heels in love with Kaiba managed to escape your attention?"
"It would if you'd stop reminding me every ten seconds..."
"Look girlfriend, he must have some weakness. Everyone has a weakness. Trojan's had their horse. Pandora had her box. Achilles had his heel. Cleopatra loved her snakes and Kaiba..."
"Loves his Blue –Eyes?"
"That too, but I was going for his over boisterous ego. You'll have to stir his pride to catch him. But for now, let's wrap it up. It's dress shopping next. Florence Gardner's autumn collection is on sale. I'm sure I can find you something reasonable to wear. Your prom is in less than three days. Now hurry!"
XXXXX
Come Monday morning, Anzu jumped out of her bed before the alarm shrilled 6:00 am.
She hadn't had much of a sleep. The nervous dread in the pit of her stomach kept her up tossing and turning. By asking Kaiba out, she was going to sign her death warrant.
Sighing, she headed for the bathroom. Brushed, cleaned, groomed and dressed she was ready to face the day with vigour and some anxiety.
Her clock read 6:30 am.
Still too early to head downstairs and greet her aunt. Her parents died in a car accident when she was only two years old. An aunt had taken care of her since then. She was well provided for. Her basic necessities, be it her clothing, schooling, food or travelling were all looked after. Raised comfortably but with indifference, Anzu didn't know if her aunt loved her. Despite living under the same roof, they never talked much. Auntie never questioned her outdoor excursions. Not even when she was out for numerous days and nights, assisting Yuugi in his world saving quests.
Anzu knew her guardian would be in bed. The school started at eight. Her breakfast and lunch would not appear on the dining table before 7:30. She had an hour to herself. The school bag packed and the homework done.
'What now?' Her eyes scanned the room to find some source of amusement and landed on the packed gift box, right next to a Gold Sarcophagus on the study table.
After the final duel, Yuugi had given the Gold Sarcophagus to her.
"I've found my adventures, Anzu. Now it's your turn." He had said.
She picked up the small golden tomb. Yuugi found his puzzle pieces in it. At that time, he didn't know that the fragments of a 3000 year old spirit lived in those pieces. Yuugi completed the puzzle and merged with the spirit. The spirit of the dead, the nameless pharaoh that lived in the tomb... it was only fitting to see that his journey ended from where it began.
Yuugi and Atem came together through this Gold Sarcophagus. In the end, they also separated through it.
Atem found his refuge. Yuugi got his wish. He found his confidence and his friends.
"I wonder what you can give me." Opening the lid, Anzu placed the cufflinks in it. Closing the lid, she shut her eyes, wishing. "I want to know what Kaiba Seto has gone through. And I want him to feel how much I love him."
By making her wish, she had sealed their fates.
XXXXX
The black stretch limousine dominated the roads.
"That is not my concern." Eyes narrowed, Kaiba snarled over the phone.
He finished briefing the European office. Catering to seven different time zones was tiring. He had barely slept for four hours. Leaving KC he was now headed to school.
"Due to your boundless incompetency, KC is dragged in speculations. Go find me a capable candidate..."
KC's European management was not up to the standard. He needed a new Finance director. He needed someone highly skilled with numbers and zero tolerance for failures.
"We're here sir."
So far, Monday was not proving to be a profitable day.
Getting out of the car, Kaiba straightened his uniform, collected his briefcase, and instructed the required. "Call Alexa. Have them arrange a proficient governess by this evening." The world's best governesses came from Alexa agency. "Make sure to pick Mokuba on time."
"Yes sir! Very well, sir."
Isono was talking to himself. Kaiba didn't wait to hear his confirmations. He was headed to the hell-hole that general masses called school. It was the breeding pool of miscreants, commonly known as students, congregated under the false pretext of learning by the institutionalised idiots with degree, commonly known as teachers. The quality of education was becoming a joke these days. He single-mindedly despised this bunch of morons with no sense of direction, no discipline, no self worth...
"Mornin' Sunshine! How're we doin'?"
'Exception to the rule.' Seto regarded the epitome of justice - Anzu Mazaki.
Last thing on his list was a confrontation with the merriest member of the geek squad. Her self-righteous, happy, fool-loving attitude on life irritated him to no end. He knew the cheerful seventeen year old had a big crush on him. But he had no time, intention, and inclination to reciprocate her feelings.
"This working week had been a colossal nightmare. As a result, I feel exhausted and sleep deprived. Anything else?"
"Perhaps you should go home and rest."
"Perhaps you should get out of my way."
Seto stood proudly on his turf glowering over Anzu's small frame. He knew she was untouched by his act of intimidation. But Cobalt's were harsher than usual. She had wasted enough of his time. For a split second, Anzu gulped. He smirked at his victory. He was about to leave when she grabbed his arm.
"Fishing for a death wish, Mazaki? I'll oblige if you are."
Fishing for a date actually! But can't tell you that. "You can oblige me with a dance." She retorted, refusing to let go.
"For once, I'll use small words so that a simpleton like you can understand. NO."
Simpleton? Anzu huffed. Nevertheless arms folded, foot tapping, she blocked his way.
"Whatever Kaiba! Just admit you're afraid of me." She lay out the bait, reeling in the trap. Just like Mai planned.
Seto about to leave stopped in his tracks. He turned, mouth tightened to a harsh line. Eyes narrowed, he held her gaze. Anzu squirmed inwardly. It was his classic dominant stance. She recognised the signs of his subdued ire awakening in response to the insult. Good! It was exactly what she was aiming for.
She now had Kaiba Seto's undivided attention.
"How can I be a simpleton, Kaiba? When I know you're no match for me. I am the better dancer. I know it. And you know it."
'Fine Anzu, let's dance. We'll waltz the waltz that'll make your dead ancestors spin.'
"Eight thirty sharp, and don't be late. I abhor tardiness."