Disclaimer: ... still don't own Yugioh...
AN: Thank you so much for my reviews for this! I loved them! They really inspired me! Super-special-awesome hugs for Lppurplegirl11, Ria D'Arcy, Fragile Mercy and Sister of the Crimson Dragon:D
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Plans and a Party Dress
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"Send them in."
Clover stood up from her desk and gestured to the door, "Mr. Kaiba's waiting for you, gentlemen. Please follow me," she said and led the Mystel Graphics producer into Kaiba's office.
It was the week of the launch, more accurately, the morning of the launch. Both the registration week of KC Grand Championship and the launch of the newest model of Duel Disc today. It's Battle City all over again. It had been a hectic week, the phone's been ringing off the hook and her boss' mood was stuck somewhere between murderous and giddy.
"Mr. Kaiba, good to see you," Tyson said with a smile, holding his hand out.
"Zachs," Kaiba nodded, but he wasn't exactly the 'handshake'-type.
But, being in damage-control mode, Seto's secretary was quick to offer the slightly-annoyed Tyson Zachs a bit of a distraction, "Something to drink? I make a killer cappuccino," she said and smiled brightly.
"Sure, thanks," the man replied with a smile before turning his attention back to the KaibaCorp CEO, "… You know why I'm here this morning."
"You want to buy in on the profits?" Seto said and glared at the man.
"… no. I want to buy Adshare… partner up with your company in advertisements."
"We worked together on one project. Don't expect me to fawn over your products when I've only dealt with one," Seto snapped and sat back in his chair, "Is that what you came out all this way to tell me?"
"… I think I'll take a rain-check on that cappuccino," Tyson said and took a deep breath, "But, please take the time to consider the offer. Mystel Graphics and KaibaCorp can change the face of the Gaming community, if we work together."
The man promptly turned on his heel and stalked out of Seto's office.
"Sir, here's your cappuccino," Clover chirped happily, mug in hand, "The cream took forever to- hey. Where's moustache-man?"
"He left," Seto said, eyes still glued to where Tyson had exited.
"He left his cappuccino… rude," Clover snapped and decided not to let a good java go to waste by promptly downing the coffee in one go.
"We have a problem," Seto said, more to himself than anyone else. His lips drew to a thin line, as he thought over his options for a moment. He then reached into his last drawer of his desk and pulled out a large black file, "Take this."
She trotted forwards and took the file from her boss.
"Here's the guest list for tonight's launch party," Seto said handed her a thick folder, each page had a photo and short biography of each guest.
"How many copies would you like?" Clover asked, quizzical look on her face.
"None. You're attending the party, you'll need to know who everyone is," Seto said and tapped the folder, "So I don't have to."
"It's not part of my job to chaperone."
"No, your job is to work as my secretary and assistant. And since my personal assistant is non-existent, you'll have to do. "
She suddenly regretted not taking time out of her schedule and hiring an additional assistant –as she's privy to- when she had the chance a couple of weeks ago, "… I have to memorize all these people?" she said and laughed nervously, "I don't have a photographic brain."
"I know, that's why I'm giving to you now," he said and held out a black bank card to her, "And buy yourself a new dress for the event tonight."
She looked down at her purple doll dress with a frown on her face, "What? The one I'm wearing isn't good enough?"
"Would I give you the card if it was?" he said with a raised eyebrow, "Now, take the damn card and buy yourself a decent dress."
"… and if I spend 10000 yen on it? How'd you feel then?" Clover retorted, knowing how her frugal boss would reply. This was the one way she KNEW would make her boss back out AND, in so doing, get her off the hook.
"Do you buy all your clothes at second-hand stores?" he quipped.
Her face dropped. She forgot she was talking to THE Seto Kaiba. Mr. I-built-a-Blue-Eyes-White-Dragon-Jet-Because-I-Can.
"Mokuba told me you'll be able to find something decent at these stores…" Seto said and held out a paper with a list of names to her, "Take the limo, go this afternoon and he'll meet you there to help you pick out something… less economical…"
Clover Maki might not be a person who's easily offended, but she was basically ready to murder him right then and there. She grabbed the card and the list of names from him, ready to toss them out the fortieth floor window when she got the chance.
"And shoes too. And, maybe get your hair done…. Or whatever it is you do…"
So…. That afternoon…
"This one?" Clover said, not exactly the most ecstatic shopper from her generation. She had her closet stocked with the stuff she found fitting, but she wasn't exactly one to shop on a whim. She was more the kind of shopper of necessity –"… This blazer has a seam tear… damn, gotta get a new one" –that kind.
Now, Seto Kaiba's a smart man, he probably took this into account and made the necessary arrangements. And THAT's why Mokuba and the Kaiba Brother's tailor, Vanessa, had joined forces to pick out a dress for the unenthusiastic-shopper-secretary-of-Seto-Kaiba. So far, no hits.
Mermaids, Ball Gowns, Slipdresses, Princess Dresses, Empire Dresses and Drape dresses… Clover Maki was one woman who never even knew there were so many types of dresses. She preferred suits, skirts and pants to dresses (or just sweatpants and a tee when she's at home), but it seemed like it was time for a style-injection of the dress-kind.
"No, no!" Mokuba said and tossed several other dresses at her, "Seto would want you to dress… you know, to impress!"
She looked down at the assortment of gown-type dresses, all frills and fuss, "Why don't you just pick me one."
"That's not the point of shopping!" he said and gestured to the fitting room, "Come on, try them on, we don't have all day!"
"… I don't even want to go, I'd rather be home watching House," she grumbled, and marched back into the fitting room.
"Too bad!" Mokuba replied cheerily, calling Vanessa closer, "Could you take this dress to her as well?"
The maid nodded, took the turquoise flair dress and walked over to the fitting room, "This one too!" and tossed the dress over the rail.
"Hey-ow! You could've removed the hanger!" Clover snapped angrily.
This was not a good day for shopping. Or, being shopped for-for that matter.
After a few minutes though-
"Tada." Clover deadpanned, emerged from the room.
"WOW~" both Vanessa and Mokuba's eyes were wide in admiration. And, just to further the moment, the tailor pair shared a well-placed high-five. Good times.
"Can we go now?"
"Nope. Hair and make-up~" Vanessa all but sang as they ventured further into the store.
And Mokuba? Well, he just has an evil grin that will make Seto proud. "I'll see you guys later, I have to check-up on the party arrangements."
A few hours later, at the party, it was all just a vague blur of eye-shadow and high-heels to the young secretary. She wasn't exactly surprised to see the billionare crowd of Japan in one place, but to be part of it?
The driver had dropped her off a few minutes earlier and told her that her boss would be there shortly. She decided to wait outside at the top of the steps, just taking in the view and appreciating the lilting classical music reverberating through the walls.
She eyed the rows upon rows of expensive cars lining the driveway, waiting for her boss to arrive. Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Aston Martins… a couple of others she couldn't place. It was amazing, and intimidating too.
When Kaiba's limo finally pulled up, he climbed out of the car, dropping his laptop unto his seat. Mokuba was right behind him though, a huge grin on his face. They both were dressed up in navy tuxedo's, but it was the bow-tie that made Clover laugh.
"Nice look!"
Seto paused in his conversation with Mokuba and looked up. The faintest look of shock graced his features and he looked like he was about to crack a smile, "Maki, I was wondering if Mokuba had anything salvageable to your looks."
Her smile ceased and an unimpressed look plastered itself firmly in place, "Thanks."
"Seto!" Mokuba elbowed his brother and turned back to her, beaming with a sunshine smile, "Seto knows you look great! He's just jealous that you're going to be flirted with at the party!"
Yep. She knew just then her face was beet-red from embarrassment, and maybe just a tad from happiness.
"I expect you to be polite," he instructed when they were finally inside the elevator.
She shot a glaring look towards her boss. She had a choice noun for him on tap, oh yea, but that little comment's time will come. Soon. She was just waiting for the right opportunity.
"There's a reason why I asked you to come with me," Seto said, sticking his hands in his pockets.
She grinned, suddenly thinking it's because he was –just maybe- interested in her, "Is it because I'm gorgeous and intelligent?"
"No, Siegfried will be there. I need someone-"
"You need arm-candy?" she finished the thought for him. She sighed and readied her professional-façade again. Clover wasn't disappointed, besides, the smallest iota of a crush she might have for him has nothing to do with work. And now, she needs to be focused on that.
"-a distraction. All the backers of KaibaCorp are attending this event. Siegfried's company is trying to sway my investors."
"… you need him to be distracted so he won't steal your investor buddies?"
"… I didn't say that."
"And you don't have to. I got your back, boss!" she said with determination, and a sly smile, before finally stepping out of the elevator with her arm hooked with that of her boss's.
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I hope you enjoyed this chappie! Please drop me a review if you liked it!
On the next chapter, things start to get a bit more... interesting, for both Seto and Clover...
Espionage, traitors and a kiss ;)
