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Plot/OC- Anshu© 2/2/2006. Lovingly reposted for the-hinotori, Browneyes730, lilshygrl25, Ayame11midori, sakurablossom62, Secluded Sapphire, xarmaqni, Drazeel, Silent-L, InsanityByDefinition, Sesshomaru-Kagome4ever,Redwings019, Judgemental Anubis, Syracusegrl, r0gue lebeau, Shutupndsmil3, Fprmr1, kyoko minion, maridalia1962, Lynne-Gray, Kireya, Peaches16x3, Emerald Karin, Lady Tallulah, fi13ns, Cindy, BloodyHighClaw, She's a Pistol, xSapphirexrosesxfanx, L'archangel, Zenbon Zakura, Guest, o-rangegrl9, KaguraSerenityOgata88, Bloody Misaki, Emi Takahashi, eat any good books lately, kzqueen, Twinkle-Twinkel, BRI19975, Guest, Startistica, Kirua Gasai, and Yami Kitsune, shinyangel, Snivysev, Darkness Bandit, Not-A-Randomer, Hanzatsu-Hime, & NekomataFangirl.
"Good Morning! Ms. Gardner."
Instructing the executive assistant to follow in, Téa Gardner entered her office. The clock struck ten, and anyone working in the local vicinity could re-synchronize their watch with the punctuality of the young CEO of Candour International. Settling in the fluid power of industrial distribution, her chair, she answered the knock on the door. EA, a ginger haired girl, dressed in two-piece crème suit, served her coffee. A polite nod offered as thank you, dictated the manners. Téa understood that a charismatic leader gained influence from the strength of personality. Words were unnecessary, especially when you sign the pay checks. Any interaction with the employees, unequal to the point of professionalism, violates personal space.
EA read the day's planner. "At half ten, you're meeting Mr. Smith from -Woods & Alliance. He's here for the Asian campaign." - An abstract affair! "At eleven forty five, an invitation to His boutique…"
"…Boutique opening?" Téa frowned.
"Senator Phil's friend Marty." - An emphatically gay affair! "Lunch at one with the Minister regarding the oil plant. Two forty, you'll address the postgraduates of NYU on Investment Law. I've prepared the speech." EA said, sliding a laminated draft. "I've freed your schedule at four, there's a parents meeting at Renée's school. You missed the last one…" CEO cast a sharp glance. EA apologized, realizing her mistake. "Six thirty, Board review. And lastly dinner at eight with Mr. Seto Kaiba of Kaiba Corporation."
At that name, the expressionless ceruleans gleamed in vengeful rage.
"Seto Kaiba?"
"Steel supply for Kaiba-land..."
"Reschedule him for next month." Téa instructed. Her voice icy cold, as was everything about her.
EA made the changes and left for her cubicle, leaving her boss to reflect on the last event.
'Seto Kaiba, how the tables have turned.'
Once upon a time, perhaps in another lifetime, she might have hated all this... but now, Téa Gardner herself was a plutocrat.
An affluent, influential, and thriving mogul with the combination of brains and looks. In a man's world, the twenty-seven years old had made on her own. Climbing the corporate ladder wasn't easy. She had to overcome the hierarchy. Right certain wrongs. In particular, the cliché that women lacked assertiveness and were afraid of power. It was her sheer determination and input of inhumane hours that got her so far. Though it was also the flame of hatred that burned in her soul. The flame that lit the funeral pyre of Anzu Mazaki. Giving birth to Téa Gardner. Anzu Mazaki was dead and buried under the rubble of betrayal and abuse. She couldn't cut through it. Hopelessly abandoned and cold-bloodedly deceived by the only love of her life. How she loved him, adored him, worshiped the very ground he walked upon. In return, all she ever got was his dark sarcasm.
But it was his closure that crushed her. - Gold digger!
Flashback: Ten years ago in Domino
Seventeen years old, Anzu greeted him. Kaiba glared at her. He was about to leave when she grabbed his arm.
"Fishing for a death wish, Mazaki? I'll oblige if you are."
"Oblige me with a dance."
"NO."
"Scared that I'm the better dancer." She cut his ego.
"Eight thirty sharp, and don't be late. I abhor tardiness."
Blissfully shocked, she squealed, and laughed, and pirouetted. Head over heels in love she was.
Flashback ends. Present day New York.
"Renée's bodyguard is on hold."
EA knocked. Téa took the call.
"Ms. Gardner. It's an emergency. Renée is in hospital. It was an accident."
Emergency? Accident? A jolt of motherly fear recoiled through her. It was so sudden it almost paralyzed her.
"Ms. Gardner…"
"Which hospital?"
"St. Mathews."
"I'll be there in twenty minutes." Téa hung up. She collected her beige jacket and purse from the closet. "I won't be in office today." She issued to her secretary. "Attend the boutique opening. Apologize to the minister." She concluded, approaching the elevator on the ninetieth floor.
Before entering she quickly made a call to her personal chauffer Ed. He had the car ready. Within twenty minutes, Téa was in the childrens ward.
"Mama!" A bubbly voice greeted.
"Sweetheart, are you badly hurt? Turn around let me see the damage. How bad is the pain?"
Téa was nearing the brink of collapse to see Renée covered in bandages.
The perky little nine years old with a cute round face had cobalt eyes and porcelain skin. Blessed with her father's eyes and hair, the soft brown chocolate locks hung loosely over her shoulders, with the fringes covering her patched up forehead. Renée was Téa's daughter, a love child born of one-sided love. Seeing the current state of her doll, she questioned the incompetent security guards. Renée though safe and sound was well aware of her mom's line of reasoning. Especially in the affairs concerning her safety. Being the wise kid, she didn't interfere.
"Feeling better mom?"
"Hey, drop the sarcasm! What say we spend the day together?"
"You promise. The whole day?"
"Yup, so you scream, I scream, we all scream for…"
"Ice-cream!"
"Kiddo, how did this happen?"
"I'm sorry. It's my fault..."