An Offer You Can't Refuse Chap.4
A/N: Hey guys, I'm slowly making progress in updating/rewriting each chapter. For the Japanese phrases that you will see in here and possibly other chapters, I can't write out the English for it intuitively since I am so used to seeing the Japanese writing for it; seeing it in English trips me up so bad. Anyways hope you guys enjoy the little snippets of Japanese that I do know haha and I'll provide translations at the end of the chapter.
Next Day
Seto sat in his office with the report Kari was supposed to turn in, but received it from Riley instead on his desk. Since he already knew she did the drawing, he had a feeling she must've also changed the report.
'This girl has irritated me for the last time. She really is testing my patience. I wonder how shitty this report is since I got it from the daughter. It can't be any worse than her mother's.'
Seto saw that Kari did do the necessary corrections he specified, but on the last 10 pages, he noticed something a bit different. Not only did the last 10 pages have the revisions he marked on the last version, it was above and beyond his expectations.
'If it wasn't for that hot head of hers, I could actually respect the work she has actually done. This is obviously done by that blasted girl, Riley was it. Her mother did the minimum; she did more than I asked. I have to wonder, is this girl smarter than she actually looks? I'm starting to wonder, if anyone at my branch in LA actually helped out Kari. I mean there is a big difference in the work delivered by Kari versus Riley. It makes me wonder, did Kari actually get help from Riley before submitting her report or did that girl actually just skim and just wrote stuff without knowing anything about this project?'
A knock on the door snapped Seto out of his thoughts.
"Sir, would you like a cup of coffee?" his secretary Haruhi asked.
"Yes please."
'This is insane. This doesn't make any sense. Something isn't adding up here. Kari has written great reports when my stepfather was around. When I took over a couple of years ago, her reports were decent, but not as great. Maybe she just edited them and just compiled everything from someone else, not actually really write much. Before I hired her, I noticed her reports suddenly were very good. I thought that with the number of years she dedicated to this company, she got excellent training from my senior associate. Great quality as she first started. Something isn't right and I'm going to get to the bottom of this. There's something fishy going on here.'
Kaiba picked up the phone made a phone call.
"Akira, I need you to run a thorough check on every employee in the marketing division in our LA location. I need it now." Seto just hung up the phone.
Kari
Kari sat in her office staring at the computer screen going over the report that was edited. She sighed as she knew she worked so hard to get to this point. She tried her best to make the best marketing strategy for games, but that was so new to her.
Kari in fact did write reports while in LA and put the whole project together from the smaller subdivisions, but in fact she did get help on her reports from someone. True her reports were good, she delegated alright, but someone else did it better. When Gozoburo was in charge, she found it easy to write the reports and come up with ways to promote new weapons, but once it shifted to a gaming company, that's where things got a little bit tricky. A gamer enthusiast, by the name of Kain, was the one who would help her out with the reports before presentation time. Unfortunately, due to Kain not being an official employee, Kari took all the credit for his work.
Kain was their next door neighbor. He is currently an 18 year old boy who has had a crush on Riley since he was child. They are a year and a half apart. He would frequently visit the house when both were children due to Riley having no siblings of her own. Kari found out about his love for gaming and computer skills when her laptop was having an issue.
Kain would help Kari secretly with of course her paying him under the table. From what the other subdivisions presented, he helped her come with ideas thus, the reports were good. Now without Kain, she felt kind of lost. She didn't want Riley to find out that she really has been a fraud for the past 3 years. She started out as the person making coffee for everyone and slowly worked her way up the ladder. She became part of the marketing team her 6th year while she was an undergraduate student majoring in business. Three years later, she got her Master's degree in business marketing. During this time, she found out that the company got taken over by Gozoburo's stepson, Seto Kaiba. The reports she wrote as an undergraduate were really good since it really came to her naturally. Gaming was an area that she wasn't too familiar with thus her performance started to go downhill until a few months later when Kain started helping her. And here we are to the present day.
Twelve years and now she is being tested to see if she could do this without anyone else's help. Now she had to rely on her daughter. Maybe she was better at something else that she wasn't aware of yet.
Riley
Out of her own curiosity, Riley searched up the marketing director job description on Kaiba Corp's website.
The basic gist of it is someone who would delegate responsibilities, compile the final report from the other subdivisions, and implement marketing strategies to existing or new products.
'Mom seems to be doing ok in terms of delegating responsibilities, but it seems like the report isn't as strong. Maybe she should do something more specific in terms of marketing rather than try doing everything at once. My mom is good with numbers. Maybe she should have been an accountant instead.'
There was only a week and a half before school started. Looking at the uniform that her uncle gave her, she cringed at the pink blazer.
'何で'(Nande?)1
With it being a nice day, she decided to explore the city since most of her essential stuff was already organized. The rest of her stuff, such as stuffed animals, old notebooks, and other miscellaneous items were still in their boxes since she didn't need them right away.
She changed into a pair of shorts, a blue tank top, and wore a pair of blue converse. She put her hair up in a ponytail and grabbed her small purse that already contained her wallet. Riley grabbed her keys, map, and cell phone from the counter and went on her merry way.
Mokuba
Mokuba received the handkerchief that Riley gave him to borrow a week earlier from one their maids, Hana. It was so clean Mokuba almost forgot it was so dirty when he brought it back.
It was such a nice day, he decided he wanted to go to the arcade to play games for a bit. He texted his brother and asked Roland to drop him off.
Riley
As Riley walked through downtown Domino, something caught her attention. An arcade was on the other side of the sidewalk that she was walking on. As she running over to the other side, she ran into a small kid with black hair.
"Ow, hey watch where you're going… Hey is that you Riley?" Mokuba stood up and straightened out his clothes.
"Oh I'm sorry. Oh hey Mokuba, fancy seeing you here on this fine afternoon. Where you headed?" Riley asked curiously.
"The arcade, how about you?"
"Same." Riley let out small laugh. "一緒にゲームをしない。(Isshoni, geemu wo shinai)2?"
"びっくり。日本語を話すできますか。"Bikkuri. Nihongo wo hanasu dekimasu ka?)3
"少しだけ。"(Sukoshi dake)4
Mokuba was quite surprised. He didn't know Riley could speak some basic Japanese at all.
"I am still learning Mokuba, I am taking some Japanese classes in addition to my main subjects."
"I see, at least you know some basic things. If you need help practicing, I'm here to help and if you need some Kanji help, I'll do my best. Seto is really good at Kanji, he's actually helping me out with it. It can be quite hard."
"I agree, well anyway, let's go play some games."
Kaiba
Kaiba had no luck that could explain how Kari's improvement on her reports the last year and a half. He did give her the benefit of the doubt that with her experience that she was good.
The presentation was in a few days. He wanted it to be a success. The young CEO was debating on including Kari. She might screw up his image with all her rudimentary mistakes. The only person he could think that could pull this job off is no other than Kari's daughter. She seemed pretty smart, she could possibly learn all about this project in a few days. He just needed to make her an offer she can't refuse.
If this project is a success, the real fun begins. Production on the prototype could begin and once it's a success, he would of course have an event to commemorate another success to the Kaiba Corp name.
Even though he ignored the press more than half the time, he would see on magazines that he was one of the most eligible bachelors in Japan. Girls would constantly try to beg him to take them out on a date. He only took models and actresses as dates hoping that would deter girls from hitting on him, but that only went so far. The people he paid to be his escort also expected a romantic relationship afterwards which deterred him from bringing a hot girl to an event again after like the third or fourth time.
Since Riley hated him, and he shared the same feelings as her, an idea clicked. What if he used her to be his date to formal events? He was sick of all those models and actresses expecting more than just a date. He needed someone who didn't really care about him and all and didn't look half bad. Riley fit the bill quite perfectly. All he needed was some collateral to make his plan work.
Arcade
Mokuba pulled on Riley's arm to drag her to play the Initial D.
"もくば、トケンがない。" (Mokuba, token ga nai)5
"心配ない。" (Shinpai nai.)6
Mokuba walked over to the clerk who seemed to be quite familiar with Mokuba.
'He must come here quite often'
Mokuba came back with two bags of tokens, one for each of them.
"うわああ、すごい。" (Uwaa, sugoi.)7
The young Kaiba beat Riley in every game, well almost every game. He beat her in all the fighting games and the racing ones. The only game he lost to Riley on was the DDR game.
Both of them had so much time they didn't realize at least two hours passed by.
"楽しかった。アイスクリームをたべたい。" (Tanoshikatta. Aisukuriimu wo tabetai.)8 Riley asked Mokuba.
"うん。" (Un)9 Mokuba nodded enthusiastically.
As they both exited the arcade, they saw a group of four teenagers around Riley age enter about to enter the arcade when one of them, the one with spiky hair went ahead and greeted the duo.
"Hey Mokuba and you got a new friend. Hi I'm Yugi Muto. And you are?" Yugi asked Riley.
Before Riley could answer, the other three introduced themselves.
"I'm Tea." A girl with short brown hair said after.
"I'm Joey. Joey Wheeler." A blonde boy said with confidence as he posed with his thumb up pointing at himself.
"And I'm Tristan." A guy with brown hair said afterwards.
"私はライリーです。"(Watashi wa Rairii desu.)10
"Wow you know some Japanese. That's cool." Tea replied excitedly. "たとえば、どこへいく。"(Tatoeba, doko he iku?)11
"We were about get some ice cream. Want to join us?" Mokuba invited the group.
"Food before playing games sounds good to me. Count me in." Joey happily ran right next to Mokuba.
"Joey you just ate." Tea shook her head.
"Yeah, but I didn't get dessert." Joey pouted.
"Since you're new in town, it wouldn't hurt to make some new friends before school starts right?" Yugi said casually.
"I suppose so." Riley replied neutrally. "It would be great to actually have at least even one friend before starting school so I wouldn't be as nervous."
"Which school are you attending? We all attend Domino high school." Tea asked curiously as they all walked to ice cream shop next door.
"What a coincidence, I just got accepted to transfer there." Riley replied. "I would still need some Japanese classes though, my Japanese is really basic."
"Not to worry, we got your back if you need help practicing." Tristan said confidently.
All six of them arrived at the shop and ordered their ice cream. Mokuba found a big booth where all of them fit.
"So, what brings you to Japan?" Yugi asked curiously.
"My mother got a promotion to be a marketing director for Kaiba Corp."
"EH?!" everyone said in unison all in shock.
"Your mom works for moneybags? That's insane. I bet Kaiba treats all his employees like shit." Joey seemed to have forgotten that Mokuba was also there.
"Hey, you forget that half of the Kaiba duo is sitting right across from you." Mokuba said irritably. "We don't treat our employees horribly, we just expect great things from our employees and for your information, Kaiba Corp treats all employees well."
"Kaiba Corp gives all their employees holidays off you know. I should know, I was always with mom on major holidays." Riley chimed in.
"Whatever you do, stay away from that creep Kaiba. He also goes to our school." Joey and Tristan grumbled.
"He owns a company as it is, why even go to school?" Riley tilted her head in confusion.
"He has his reasons." Mokuba replied.
"He is attending school just trying to prove he's better than anyone." Joey stood up.
"Finish your ice cream!" Tea tugged on Joey's ear bringing him back down to sit down.
The group all laughed and ate their ice cream happily.
From the corner of her eye, Riley saw a black limo pull up.
"Mokuba, "お兄さんここにいるだよ。"(Oniisan koko ni iru yo.)12
Mokuba nodded and stood up. The rest of the gang walked out the shop and saw a grumpy looking Seto leaning against his limo.
"Oh great the geek squad." Seto rolled his eyes. He saw that Riley was with them as well, but she looked a little different.
The shorts showed off her legs, the tank top she wore showed her figure really well, and with her hair up, she didn't look half bad.
'Please she's not attractive. As if she would ever be. The only way that would happen is if she had a Hollywood makeover.'
Mokuba ran up and hugged his brother around the waist. Seto snapped out of his thoughts and realized something. He could seize his opportunity to make Riley present the project and if it's a success, she would have to be his date whether she liked it or not.
"Castaneto come with me." Kaiba said briskly.
"As if I'd ever go with you umiuma." That nickname always made Kaiba cringe.
"Umiuma?" the boys started laughing.
Kaiba grabbed her arm, which Riley fought back.
"Hey let go!" Riley struggled with all her might, but Seto was too strong for her.
"Hey moneybags get your filthy hands off her." Joey was about to step in when he saw Riley was going to slap Kaiba with her free hand, which Kaiba caught.
"This doesn't concern you Wheeler. Get lost." Kaiba shot the gang a death glare. "I won't ask again, get in. I don't have all day." Kaiba's cold blue eyes bore into Riley's once again.
Mokuba was waiting in the car.
"Give me one good reason why I should go with you." Riley challenged as both her arms were now free.
"You don't, you know what happens don't you." Riley grit her teeth. She knew Kaiba had the power to fire her mom just like that and she didn't want that. "Fine, make this quick."
Before Riley got in the limo, she turned towards the gang. "Nice meeting you everyone. I'll be fine don't worry." She got in the limo and Kaiba took his seat next to her.
"What do you want Kaiba, make it fast." Riley said irritated.
Kaiba remained quiet for a moment knowing full well it would get on Riley's nerves.
"Well, spit it out." Riley's irritation level started to rise.
"I'll cut to the chase since I'm a busy man. You're presenting the report in a few days time."
"Oh hell no, that ain't my problem. That's your deal not mine." Riley strongly opposed it.
"I don't know what you did to the report, but it seems you got a better handle on this than your pathetic mother does. Do this presentation or I'll cancel her training and fire her first thing tomorrow."
"You wouldn't dare." Riley glared back. "How dare you insult my mother!"
"I can and I will if you don't do it. I'll also see to it your mother never gets a marketing job ever again." Riley eyes widened. "You don't know who you're dealing with nor what I'm capable of. I'm quite an influential figure not only here, but all over the world. Wouldn't that be a nice thing to have on your conscience? Your mother losing her job all because of her daughter's lack of cooperation for just one trivial thing, I suppose I have no choice." Kaiba reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
"Fine." Riley almost growled. "I'll do your damn presentation. That's all right?"
Kaiba's smirk widened.
"That's not all." Kaiba pulled a stack of papers from his briefcase.
"What the fuck is this?!"
"A contract of course, I always come prepared."
"This wasn't even a negotiation, it's pure blackmail you asshole." Riley snatched the contract from Kaiba's hands and read every line and the last part shocked her, not only did she have to do this report, he wanted her to be his date for formal events. "What's the meaning of this? Your date? Aren't there plenty of other women who would be better suited to this than me?"
"Look, I'm sick of women drooling all over me. Women are so annoying."
"Funny, you men usually like that kind of thing. I ain't gonna be your date. You got the wrong girl."
"No, I got the right girl. You hate me and I hate you. All I need you to do is just to let me do the talking and look the part. Don't worry; I'll pay you for your efforts. What do you say?" Kaiba put his pen on the contract. "Take it or leave it. If you chose the latter, you know what will happen."
The limo stopped in front of Kaiba Corp.
"Roland, take my brother home. Ms. Castaneto and I have some business to attend to."
"Yes ."
Seto got out of the limo and so did Riley. Riley just glared at her new boss. He practically just forced her to accept this offer by blackmailing her. If it wasn't for her mother she wouldn't have even agreed to this.
"Right this way, Ms. Castaneto. It's going to be a long night."
A/N: Hey guys, I hope this rewrite is a bit better than the original. Also as a note, most of the Japanese phrasing I put is in a more casual conversation way, not formal. And now for Enlgish translations XD
1) Why?
2) Want to play videogames together?
3) I'm surprised. You can speak Japanese?
4) A little bit.
5) Mokuba, I don't have tokens.
6) Don't worry.
7) Wow, awesome.
8) That was fun. Do you want to eat ice cream?
9) Yes. (informal way)
10) My name is Riley.
11) So, where are you going?
12) Your big brother is here.