So first off all, YES I KNOW, I haven't updated my other story's but they all involve a lot of violence and little romance and I recently brushed off my Yugioh OC, Scarlette Hopkins and I had only drawn her before so I decided to write a story about her. So a few things first.

This is an AU! Where all the characters are five years older than they are in the English version. So for example, Kaiba is eighteen in the dub (yes I use the dub and will refer as Domino as an American town rather than a Japanese town because that suits my needs xD) and will be twenty-three in this story. So that also means that the characters will be attending college instead of high school. And I decided to give some characters job and more of a background but you'll see that soon enough ;)

Also, I'm taking a huge leap by beginning the story shortly after Duelist Kingdom. Now keep in my mind this story will follow the Yugioh story-line VERY loosely. So there will be a relatively large time-gap between the gang returning from Duelist Kingdom and Ishizu arriving to Domino. But there will be Marik, Rare Hunters and all that good stuff.

I might upload pictures of what my OC looks like on my Tumblr to give you guys a better grasp of my view of what she looks like. That is, if you want to ^^

…

Scarlette was never particularly fond of Seto Kaiba. They took a couple of the same classes in Domino's college and she spotted him more than she liked at the local coffee shop she worked at. He had this arrogance surrounding him, befitting him as a twenty-three years old CEO of KaibaCorp.

Still…he got on her nerves. Especially since he had been assigned to be her partner in the classes they had together and he barely showed up when she needed him to. She could understand to some degree that he was a billionaire genius that now presided over a global company and that was the reason he didn't attend class but some of the projects she just couldn't do by herself.

She had tried to talk to him about it but he had always brushed her off, leaving her frustrated and angry and on the rare occasion, close to tears. She really wanted to pass these classes and it seemed he was deliberately sabotaging her.

Sighing, she wiped her hands on her apron and looked out of the windows. A car suddenly pulled up and as she expected, Kaiba got out, dressed in one of his many trench coats. She lowered her haze when he entered, busying herself with frosting cupcakes.

One of her colleagues, a girl her age, greeted Kaiba flirtatiously when he stopped at the counter, asking him what he wanted. He, however, ignored her completely, turning to her.

'A black coffee, make it a strong one', he practically ordered.

Scarlette kept her focus on what she was doing. Unbeknownst to her, this agitated Kaiba and she could soon feel his presence across from her. She looked up.

'What?' she asked.

'I don't like waiting on my coffee, so why don't you get to it?'

She suppressed a scoff. 'I'm busy, sir. I'm sure my colleague would be more than happy to -' 'I'm not asking your colleague, I'm asking you', he immediately cut her off.

She ground her teeth together, feeling herself flush with anger under his commanding gaze. She really didn't want to; she didn't like being bossed around, especially not by him. He was an arrogant, conceited, and spoiled -

'S-sure', she interrupted her thoughts, faking a smile to get him a cup of the strongest coffee they had.

While she did, she could feel his eyes go over her. She tried to not let it bother her, which was made extremely difficult as his gaze just didn't seem to let up. Regardless, she handed him his coffee. As he took his coffee, his fingers brushed hers. She pulled back instantly, winching at the contact. He noticed easily, a hint of a smug grin on his face. He put down the money on the counter.

'Consider it a tip', he paused to find her eyes, keeping her there, in his cold gaze; 'for the record, you're too good to be working here', with that, he turned around, leaving her to slowly grasp the money on the counter.

Looking at it, she felt her heart sink into her stomach at the amount of cash he had laid down. But why? And why had he been so keen on getting coffee from her? It just made no sense at all.

…

The rest of that week had followed in a similar fashion. Every afternoon, Kaiba would show up, demanding she'd make his coffee and leaving a huge tip every time. Sometimes he brought along his brother Mokuba but he mostly came on his own.

He also made a habit of taking a seat at one particular table at the café, which somehow gave him perfect view of the counter she was busy at and she absolutely hated it. Adding to that she was forced to wear a short skirt all the time and she found herself stuck in a situation where he would blatantly stare at her and she couldn't do anything about it.

He didn't make small talk; hell, he never spoke a word to her or anyone for that matter, except when he demanded more coffee when he ran out. It was sickening; even though she didn't work for him, she still felt like she was. He was intimidating but she didn't want him to know that.

That Friday evening, he was still there at his usual seat, typing away at his laptop. She turned to her colleague.

'How about you go home? I can finish up by myself', she offered.

Her colleague hadn't disagreed. She was quick to grab her bags and bid her a goodnight before she left Scarlette by herself. Well, by herself, Kaiba was still there. She tried to ignore him; beginning to clean up the tables and sweeping the floor while she absently swayed along to the music.

'You're wasting your time here.'

She snapped out of her daydreaming, to gaze at Kaiba, whom had closed his laptop and crossed his arms to look at her. She frowned at him.

'What?' she asked.

'I said, you're wasting your time here', he put his laptop into his briefcase; 'why would you even bother working in a dump like this?'

She swallowed; not wanting to lash out at the fact he had just offended her and the café she worked at. She focused her attention on the broomstick in her hands.

'I like working here', she admitted.

'Oh please. Spare me the sentiment', he was in front of her before she knew it, easily towering over her shorter frame; 'you honestly expect me to believe you're working here because you want to? If that were the case why would you even bother taking classes at the college when you've already settled for a third-rate job?'

She only glared at him. 'What is it to you, huh? It's not of your damn business, sir', she told him off.

He scoffed, picking up his briefcase. 'I'll be back tomorrow. You'd be wise to show up', he warned her.

'I don't work Saturdays -' 'now you do. And don't try to call your boss to get her to change it', he, once again, interrupted her.

Her mouth dropped; he had gone behind her back? But why? What did he gain by making this week so damn miserable for her?!

He halted at the door. 'I have an offer for you tomorrow. So don't even think about not coming. Or you could lose your job altogether', he threatened.

By then, she was fuming. Who the hell did he think he was?!

'What makes you think I'm even remotely interested in anything you have to offer?' she growled at him.

He gave her a once over. 'Because what I can offer doesn't require you to wear such a tacky apron', he smirked at her darkening expression, before leaving her shaking in the now empty café.

She tightened her fingers around the broomstick-handle. Oh if she could she would beat the living hell out of him. He got under her skin in more way than one.

…

'He told you that? Well I guess some things never change.'

Scarlette grinned at her friend, Joey wheeler and a colleague she didn't get to see as much since he worked days she didn't.

He was arms deep into decorating a cake while she operated the coffee machines.

'I swear, I was so close to ramming the broomstick up his ass', she growled.

At that, Joey let out a loud laugh. 'Yeah, I feel ya'. Kaiba's a jerk', he smirked at her.

She playfully hit him with her elbow. 'Just get to work, Blondie', she stuck her tongue out.

'Will do, ma'am', he flirtatiously grinned back.

She shook her head laughing. Joey and she got along pretty well, considering she had never worked with him before. Then again, he and his gang of friends were a joy to be around. Téa was a sweet girl, always open to new people. Tristan was a big goofball. And Yugi…Yugi was a different story.

She was in no way related to him, yet both of them had violet colored eyes and the same blonde bangs with black and purple hair. It was freaky and she couldn't find a clear explanation for it. And she refused to believe in any sort of magic…

The store-bell clang loudly and in entered Kaiba, as presumptuous as ever, stalking straight towards her. She was given no time to speak or even think before he started barking orders at her:

'Make me my usual. Then bring it towards my table. We'll discuss things there.'

Before she could even stutter a response, Joey let out an audible scoff, causing Kaiba to turn his attention towards him.

'Treat the lady with respect, will ya'?' he spoke.

Scarlette cleared her throat almost fearfully

'Why don't you stay out of this, Wheeler? This doesn't concern you', Kaiba scowled at him.

'If it concerns one of my best friends, it does, rich boy. Now take a seat', she was stunned by Joey's restraint. Usually he would jump at the opportunity to charge at Kaiba but he seemed so reserved now. She guessed that as long as Joey was working, he was forced to restrain himself. Lashing out would look bad on his résumé.

Somehow, Joe mentioning the words my and friend caused Kaiba to narrow his blue eyes. It left her confused. Why was that?

Displeased, Kaiba stalked away towards his usual seat in the back of the café, keeping a close watch on both of them. Scarlette blew out some air.

'Thanks, Joey', she smiled at him.

'Don't mention it', he winked at her.

She breathed out a sigh of relief, preparing Kaiba's coffee. Once ready, she hesitantly went towards his table to place his cup on the table.

'Sit.'

She glared at him. Jackass.

She sat down, shifting uncomfortably and placing her hands in her lap. 'What do you want?' she asked.

He opened his briefcase and pulled out a stack of papers. She took them from him hesitantly, watching him rest his elbows on the table and fold his fingers together.

He looked over the papers, soon realizing it was a contract. Not just a contract, but a contract for a job at KaibaCorp.

'I'll cut right to it. I want you to work for me', he stated.

She flipped through the contract. 'I figured as much. But why?' she wondered.

'Because your paycheck is laughable. And you're overqualified to be working here', he stated.

Was that meant as a compliment? No, It probably wasn't, she reminded herself.

'Well I'm not agreeing to this. I don't want to work for you', she wanted to hand him back the papers but he didn't let her.

His blue eyes narrowed, impatiently. 'I'd prefer it if you didn't waste my time', he told her.

She rolled her eyes. 'Well you're the one that wanted to meet up', she muttered.

'I know you're struggling with paying of your debts.'

Her eyes widened at his words. She tightened her jaw. 'How do you know -' 'it doesn't matter. If you started working for me, your debt would be paid off in a matter of months. And that's not including the possible extras', at that, she swallowed.

'Extras?' she wondered.

'In addition to being my assistant, you'd be paid extra for accompanying me to social events and business trips as my date', he suggested.

She bit harshly on her bottom lip. She was to be his date? But why? Why would he want her? She was a wallflower, timid. There were countless women more fit to pose as his date. None of her clothes would even begin to help her fit in.

'But I don't have clothes classy enough -' 'I'd be in control of what you wore regardless', he waved her off.

She scoffed. Of course. Money wasn't an issue for him, it never had been. She had been a fool to think she could come up with an argument that he couldn't shut down. Not just that, the fact he knew about her debts unnerved her. He must've looked into her files at the college; there was no other explanation. But why? Why was he so keen on having her work for him?

Unwillingly, she pulled the contract towards her. 'I'll think about it', she muttered.

'You'd best make it quick. Many people would die for the job I'm offering you.'

Kaiba, always the charmer, she thought to herself.

'If I started working for you…when would I start?' she asked carefully.

'Right away of course. And you'd have to quit the college', her mouth went dry.

'But I can't afford to quit -' 'if you started working for me, I'd be able to take care of your debts for not getting the degree you wanted. But you should know that once you've worked at KaibaCorp, there won't be a company in the world that wouldn't hire you', Kaiba answered.

She chewed on her bottom lip anxiously. It sounded like a solid deal; there were little negatives, except her boss being Kaiba. Then again, she had had bosses she absolutely loathed before. And she had survived them.

She rested her forehead against the heel of her palm, unable to believe herself for making this decision. 'Okay', she answered.

'Okay?' Kaiba repeated.

She raised her violet eyes to him. 'Okay, I'll do it', she said.

For a moment, she thought she saw Kaiba smirk. That lasted for a few seconds before he stood up.

'Good. I'll pick you up for dinner tonight around 7. We'll go over the details of your contract then', he brushed past her and she stood up motionlessly. Why did she feel like she had just signed her soul away?

…

So yeah that's the first chapter. Let me know if I should continue it (I probably will, regardless) and don't hesitate to tell me what you think. I want to improve on this story as much as I can!

Lots of Love,

~TheOneWithTooManyInterests