Skye's light eyes scanned the hall as a vast array of coloured clothing flew past her. She wandered just inside the entrance to the grand party that now brought on a new brew of hell, in the form of hundreds of chattering guests. Her hands curled into fists, scratching her fingernails against the palms. This was part of the lifestyle. Being the granddaughter and daughter of wealthy businessmen had taught her that on these sorts of occasions to just keep her head held high, and walk as though everything else was insubstantial.
In the corner of her eye, she could see her assigned date Edison shift agitatedly beside her as he sidled in.
"Fucking waste of time. It's not like there's any other new business around here – it was pretty damn obvious that the company was going to go down soon after Kaiba had finished with it. And the Marksons have all but confirmed the new deal." He muttered under his breath. Of course everyone knew how ruthless Seto Kaiba could be. Who else would know it better than his enemies?
But Skye refused to speculate on anything in the business world. She was here by her family's exhortation and she did what she always did best: keep quiet and watch.
"Maybe. But you would do well to keep your opinions quiet. My father will be arriving soon." She murmured, refusing a glass of champagne from a waiter who was eyeing her with more than polite interest. Edison's hand shot out and gripped her wrist. She winced slightly as he dug his fingers into her flesh.
"And you would do well not to speak at all. You refused to follow your family's legacy, you know nothing, you are nothing. Who do you think you are to advise me?"
Staring at him coldly, Skye retracted her arm from Edison's grip and walked off to put some distance between them. She would not deal with him bullying her about tonight, as he always tried to do.
But unfortunately for her, she would find little comfort of company in anyone else present. Most of the attentions that she had received in her lifetime were merely recognising the fact that she was from a wealthy family, and really, she wondered how her family dealt with the bullshitting. She already had a headache.
And sometimes at events like this, she felt that her life was more of a game than it being something that was in her control.
"Ah! The beautiful Miss McLaughlin. What a pleasure to have you here, as always." An elderly man approached Skyer with a broad smile.
"Mr Shore." She acknowledged him with a tilt of her head, allowing her hand to be kissed as she put it forward in a manner of well-trained etiquette. Then she allowed the elder male to take it and walk her gently through the crowds.
"You are looking well, my dear. I hear you've done well with your studies." Mr Shore said.
Smiling and patting the graying haired CEO on the arm, Skye broke away from him with modest grace.
"I thank you, sir. It has been an interesting journey to say the least."
"And what will you do, now that you have completed them? Join the family business, I presume?"
Skye's smiled faded a little as she looked briefly down to the ground.
"I wish to become a teacher."
Mr Shore raised an eyebrow.
"Decent profession, of course. But your family?"
"A delicate matter."
Nodding understandingly, Mr Shore smiled at the young McLaughlin before reaching for her hand again.
"You're a bright young lady, my dear. I wish you good fortune. Enjoy your evening."
And another who tried to quietly make their exit upon hearing of her plans, as though they would rather not be associated with such news. Skye understood perfectly. Dipping her head slightly in her farewell, she gathered her dress in one hand and moved on.
The amount of people was beginning to unnerve her, faces that were familiar and yet unfamiliar. She needed to get to a bar and soon. A glass of water would help clear her slightly dizzy head.
"Do excuse me young lady, but may I have the pleasure of knowing your name?"
Composing herself as best she could, Skye turned to see none other than Maximilian Pegasus standing close by, his lips curved into a charming smile, eyes twinkling mischievously. Returning the smile with yet another tilt of the head during the course of the evening, she introduced herself.
"Skye McLaughlin, sir."
She allowed the older man to raise her hand to his lips. Pegasus' expression became momentarily thoughtful as he studied the young woman, before snapping his fingers in a manner that was almost delighted. He chuckled and released her hand, then he took a sip of his champagne.
"Oh yes! How clumsy of me: you are indeed the granddaughter and daughter of the remarkable Theodus and Robert. How delightful to make your acquaintance at last, for I do not often see you at these gatherings." Pegasus replied, a hint of teasing creeping its way into his voice. Skye nodded.
"Indeed. But I suppose I have some excuse in lieu of my studies. I have recently graduated, you see."
Pegasus' eyes practically sparkled.
"A young scholar in the family – oh wonderful! And what field, may I ask?"
"English."
"Simply marvellous. I do like a good book I must say. Or comics, if you get my meaning." Pegasus winked at Skye and she smiled faintly.
"Of course. What a shame they do not class them as canon."
Again, Pegasus laughed. Skye McLaughlin may have been under the radar for a long time, but she was not easily fooled into charms, he gave her that. Indeed, her now appearances made her fresh meat, as far as the business world was concerned. Even if she wasn't her father and grandfather's puppet, her family would no doubt want her married, and into a good family also. Not much had changed since medieval times. And perhaps not necessarily for the worst. Pegasus could see already that many businessmen would be keen for a pretty and witty young bride.
But she was no fool, and this was the twenty-first century. She would exercise as much of her own choice as she could.
"Indeed, a shame it is! But maybe one day, hm? No matter. I must be off now, my dear. Lots of hungry businesspeople to attend to. Congratulations on your studies, and may they bring you much success in the future." Pegasus raised his glass in toast before taking another idle sip, his eyes slanted in amusement from above the edge of his glass.
"So I hope. Good evening, Mr Pegasus."
"Good evening, Miss McLaughlin."
With an elaborate bow, Pegasus walked away and left Skye feeling very, very tired.
Seto Kaiba forced himself not to roll his eyes too dramatically in public. He watched two females sidle past, giggly and prone to silliness, clinging onto one arm each of a young man who looked like he couldn't quite believe his luck All of them were tripping and stumbling towards a private room down a darkened corridor.
Scowling disapprovingly, Seto strode confidently through the array of guests. They all parted out of his way as he moved towards the drinks counter to get a glass of champagne. Placing one hand in his trouser pocket, he turned back to glare at everyone behind him. As far as he could observe, there was no one here who was new or of particular interest.
"Ah! If it isn't young Kaiba boy! And how fares business with you?"
Feeling his eyebrow twitch with uncontrollable irritation, Seto turned to meet the smirk of his arch-business rival, Pegasus. Grunting, he took a sip of his drink
"What do you want? Haven't you got a comic book to get back to?" Seto sneered. No pleasantries were needed, nor was there a necessity to waste time with idle chit-chat. Pegasus was not welcome, but he seemed to delight in annoying the most powerful CEO going.
Nt even attempting to hide the fact that he was here to get under some skin, Pegasus feigned hurt in a sing song voice, "Oh, my dear boy! I thought we were getting along quite well. Though you seem to be using your pleasant nature this evening as always. Of course, after your recent successes, you surely cannot be anything else towards everyone."
"Don't play games with me. What do you want?" Seto snapped back. Pegasus' smirk grew bigger with mirth.
"Oh it's nothing, Kaiba boy, as you always say. Just reporting some rather intriguing gossip. It would appear that the McLaughlin's no longer have an heir to continue their company. Usually the news would be so heart-breaking, but from what I gather, the young lady who was supposed to be the heir has other ambitions."
"So? A girl throws away the best chance of a future she may ever get. Tragic. What is she hoping to go for?"
"My sources say she wants to become a teacher. Perhaps not a bad idea, considering she has just finished an English diploma."
"A teacher?" Seto for once was stumped. Why would anyone wish to be that? Screaming, badly behaved children. He certainly wouldn't have the patience for it. Or the tolerance either, for that matter.
"Yes, indeed, quite a gruelling profession. Of course, the family has tried to keep it all hush hush, though what good is it when they have forced the very issue to attend this gathering?"
Eyebrow raised, Seto finally turned to look at Pegasus, who was staring out at the crowds with a grin.
"She is here now?"
"Why yes. Skye is her name, and a wonderfully shrewd young lady. I could barely get a word out of her. She has been well trained, but my, what a stare she gives people. Somewhat a pity she won't continue the business. She could have as much presence as her father and grandfather, if she trained and put it to use."
Pegasus went to continue his ramblings, but found that the younger CEO had left when he turned his gaze to the once occupied spot.
Seto rapidly scanned and searched through the hordes of businessmen and businesswomen. As soon as her name had left Pegasus' lips, it was as if a switch had been pressed and the image of a young girl with a sweet smile and green eyes appeared in his mind. What would she look like now? Why did he want to meet her again all of a sudden? His curiosity more or less. Seto Kaiba was never one for pursuing sentimental memories.
For a while it seemed that Skye was nowhere to be found. Until he spotted a flash of grey walking through the crowds, weaving expertly between each person in her way.
Seto stared after the figure, peculiarly fascinated with her as she moved towards the bar. He saw her request a drink from the bartender and turn back to look at the crowds, so he could now see her face. There was no mistaking those eyes. He had found Skye McLaughlin and slowly but surely, he made his way towards her.
"Will that be all for you tonight, ma'am?"
Skye gave the bartender a weary thanks as she took the glass of iced water. Her head was pounding with nerves; every pair of eyes upon her were scandalising, accusing, as though she had done such a deed of great dishonour, that she could only be looked upon with disdain.
This was her punishment, and she had her father to thank for this embarrassment.
"You chose this path, little lady."
Swallowing the water in her mouth with dread, Skye refused to look at Edison as he slid onto the bar close beside her. Very close beside her. But she resolved herself to not rise to his spiteful comments.
"Edison, my boy, you keep straying from us. Have we bored you already? Though we can't blame you for being so quick to get away when you've got this stunner to come back to." A man in his mid-forties suddenly appeared behind the two of them. Skye vaguely remembered him some discussions her father and grandfather had about him. His voice was drunk and booming, and accompanied by several other equally drunk men. Her headache worsened.
Edison smirked and forced Skye to turn and face the businessmen, his hands firm on her shoulders and his mouth so close to her ear that she fought to visibly shudder.
"I certainly wouldn't dream of not sharing this beauty with you all," The hairs on Skye's neck stood up on end, "She really is a stunning one. Aren't you, Skye?"
Unable to take anymore of Edison's jibes, Skye broke herself from him as discreetly as she could manage and almost ran off into the crowds. Behind her, she could hear one of the men make a lewd joke, followed by a roar of laughter. Yes, her father was definitely punishing her. She could not think of any other reason why she had been paired with Edison other than that he had been a friend of the family for years. She thought she had escaped him after she went to university. She was tired of him tormenting her.
She needed to get out. The party was hot and constraining and everything from her body to her head was begging to be released from it.
A hand suddenly took her by the waist and guided her to the dance floor. Still dizzy, Skye followed suit without complaint and tried to make out what tune was playing the background. Was that a waltz?
"Miss McLaughlin."
She snapped out of her dizziness and looked to where the hand belonged. Her eyes widened slightly when she met the cobalt gaze of Seto Kaiba. Since when had he become so tall?
"Mister Kaiba." She replied in a murmur. Seto took her in for a moment and was almost stunned. Tall, a generous five feet and seven, long dark wavy hair. And then those eyes. Green, sometimes appearing as grey. Hard, cold, lakes of ice. He removed his hand from her waist and extended it towards her. Out of habit, she accepted without question and the couple settled quietly into the dance.
"I hear you've caused quite a stir. And yet you were always quiet."
Straight to the point. Skye did not answer for a moment as Seto swung her out, her arm also reaching into thin air, remembering what her dance teachers had said. Your body is like a stream of water. Follow the current, as though no obstacle is in your way.
If only her circumstances now were as simple.
"As they say, always the quiet ones." Said Skye as she turned back into Seto's arms, not quite meeting his eyes.
"Why a teacher? You have a good family fortune to your name."
"You of all people should know why. But I won't remind you."
Seto would not answer that, though he could see in her eyes that she was daring him to. By admitting he remembered their past, he was also admitting that he left her behind. He had never been able to shake why that made him feel uncomfortable when he thought of her. It was clear that she thought he had forgotten. But he hadn't. He couldn't forget.
"Mister Seto Kaiba, here with my daughter, no less."
Judging by the slight grimace now on Skye's face, Seto guessed that Robert McLaughlin was the reason that she had been forced to attend tonight's torture. While her father had never been as cruel as Gozaburo, it was not hard for Seto to see why she was desperate to escape. She didn't belong here, and she knew it.
"Dad." Skye greeted quietly, detracting herself from Seto and immediately walking to her father's side. Please, will he let me go home? She thought.
Swallowing, Seto found his voice and addressed the new arrival, "Mr McLaughlin. It has been…a while."
"That it has, young man. And in that time, you have made quite a name for yourself. Congratulations."
Seto wasn't sure whether there was some barb in that comment. His ascension to CEO of Kaiba Corporation had been shady, that most people knew. But like every other businessman, Robert McLaughlin did not make his thoughts or intentions obvious. Seto would let the comment fly. Just this once.
"Dad, if I am not needed here, I will go home." Skye finally spoke up. Robert raised an eyebrow.
"Leaving so soon?"
His stare was cold and disdainful as the rest of the gaggle, but Skye remained firm.
"I have already spoken to the Marksons from America. They are more than willing to do business, but as ever, it would need your follow through. I said you would address them in due course. There is no one else here that needs speaking to, I presume?"
Robert shook his head stiffly and said, "Very well then. I will see you at home."
"Good night, Dad," Skye brought her gaze back to Seto, who had been watching the exchange impassively, "Good evening, Mr Kaiba."
She swept of without another word and Seto did not take his eyes off of her. She slipped through the crowds as though she were made of silk, and no one could catch her. He had been lucky enough to do so tonight it would seem, because otherwise, Skye did not engage with anyone. She was a lone fish in open waters.
When she finally left the building and Robert moved on to his next business venture, Seto ground his teeth and headed for the bar. Only a good whiskey would make this evening bearable now.
And here it is. A new, fully revised version of the first chapter to 'A Side I Never Knew'. Even though its been a long time, I'm glad to have come back to this story refreshed and ready to go. The other chapters are currently being edited, so watch this space. More chapters will hopefully follow in the next couple of months. Please also leave a review if you wish. I have always welcome feedback. Cheerio for now folks!
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