I am soooo sorry this is late! I had a hard time writing this week. But without further ado, here is chapter eleven.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!
Chapter Eleven: A Goodbye and a Confrontation
Atemu's heart jumped out of his chest from happiness. Yugi was coming back to Domino, closer to him.
"But I don't know when I will actually be moving."
His happiness dropped slightly. He looked back at her.
"I could help you move right now if it is a matter of transporting stuff."
She smiled. "That is sweet Atemu, but that's not why. My name is on this lease. I need someone to take it over before I can move."
Atemu hummed in understanding and annoyance.
"The only problem is that it is in the middle of renting season. Normally people move in the beginning or the ending of summer, not in the middle of winter."
Atemu smiled. "You don't have to find someone."
Yugi gave Atemu a look. "You do realize what happens if people walk out on a contract, right?"
"I never said anything about walking out." He pulled her closer. "I will pay off the lease."
"Atemu, you don't have to do that."
"I want to. You deserve a break after what you have been through. Besides," he pulled her closer, "it means you will move quicker and you'll be closer to me."
He kissed her lips, relishing the silkiness. They tasted sweeter due to the recent news that graced them. His hands pressed firmly against her back to deepen the sign of affection. He smirked as he felt Yugi's fingers tangle in his hair.
Yugi felt his tongue glide across her lips. She obliged its pleading and parted her lips. Her body shivered with ecstasy as the slippery muscle graced hers, massaging it slowly. Moans escaped from crevices between their mouths.
Atemu reluctantly released the kiss, cursing himself the need for air. He opened his eyes and smiled when he saw Yugi's flushed face.
"I don't think we have kissed like that since Love Rock Club."
She blushed red, recalling the night, before hugging him tightly.
"I will never forget that night."
Atemu squeezed her firmly against his body.
"Neither will I."
"Good Luck Anzu!" Yugi wished as she hugged her best friend.
"Thanks Yugi." Anzu replied, returning the hug.
"I will call as soon as I am in New York."
Yugi released the brunette. She gave a bright smile, before letting it waver.
"Are you and Honda coming in January?"
"I know Honda will be here, but it depends on my schedule."
Yugi nodded. Anzu's new job came first, but she was still hurt by the answer.
Yugi and Anzu waved their final goodbyes before Anzu walked through the gate security. The shorter female kept up the gesture until the other was no longer in sight. Yugi dropped her hand and sighed, exposing her sadness.
"You're going to miss her huh?"
Yugi twisted her head. She glanced at Atemu, who was giving her a small, comforting smile. She attempted to give one of her own.
"I am glad she is going to live her dream. In fact, she would have stayed in America if it wasn't for Kastuya's death. She left to be with me. I tried so hard to protest but she wouldn't have it. 'You need someone' she told me. I was always grateful for that." She dropped her gaze. "But she is the last friend who lived here in Japan. When Anzu first went to America, Honda followed her, attending culinary school. Ryou went back to England after completing two years of college here. Rebecca has always lived in America. And you already know about Katsuya." Eyelids covered amethyst orbs. "It just seems everyone is leaving me."
Yugi felt lean yet toned arms encircle her body. The disheartened girl picked up her head to see two pools of crimson staring at her.
"I will never leave you."
She blushed at his words and reddened deeper as he kissed her in the airport, in front of strangers. Embarrassed, she buried her face into his chest.
"Yugi?"
"Thank you Atemu."
She felt him shift as he squeezed her tighter. The couple stayed in each other's arms for a moment. Hearts beat in unison in the embrace. Yugi broke the silence as she spoke.
"We should go now."
Atemu nodded but did not move. He seemed to forget his grasp over her being, or chose to ignore it.
"Atemu, are you going to let go?"
She heard him sigh before he removed his arms, only to claim her hand with his. Yugi kept in sync with his movements as they walked through the airport. The young woman scanned the dozen or so shops that lined near the entrances of the terminals. Souvenirs to food vendors to reading material occupied the shelves of the box like rooms. Hundreds of languages could be heard. Some she recognized while others were alien.
"So many different people here."
"Tokyo is the capital of Japan. It only makes sense that people from around the world cross through here. This is where I go when I need to travel."
"Where do you travel to?"
"Oh, here and there. Mostly for business, and to see family."
"In Egypt?" Yugi paused, only to blush from embarrassment. "Sorry, that was a stupid question."
Atemu chuckled. "Don't apologize, Yugi. Yes, in Egypt."
"You know, my grandfather has been to there so many times but I have never been there."
"It is nothing like Japan, at least in weather and terrain. Sun and sand is the lay of the land." Yugi laughed at the joke. "The cities are bustling with people though, mostly buying and selling in markets. But there are skyscrapers and industrialization in major cities. Of course, there are dozens of historical sites about Egypt's ancient past."
"I would love to see it sometime. I have heard so much from my grandfather and find it fascinating. I just need to save enough money."
"Yugi," Atemu began, stopping in front of his girlfriend, "you know I can take you there. Money is no object."
Yugi frowned. "I don't want to keep using your money. You already got me out of the lease. That is enough for now."
"But I want to do it. If you really want to then…"
Yugi raised her hand. "I told you, I don't need to be showered with gifts and favors but," she emphasized as Atemu opened his mouth, "if you are so determined, I will go to Egypt with you sometime. Right now, I just want to go home, relax and forget about what has happened recently."
Atemu nodded and dropped the subject. He knew what he would have to do, start planning a trip to Egypt. Of course, he would have to take Yugi there when they decided to get married. Married? He shook his head slowly, hoping Yugi would not notice. Why am I thinking of marriage now? We have been dating for barely a month. Yet, it was only two months when he asked Vivian, which turned out to be a mistake. If I were to marry Yugi, it would be after we told each other we love one another. I know I love her, but I have no idea how she feels, really feels. His heart dropped slightly at the thought. But I won't give up.
"Just out of curiosity," Atemu began as they reached the car, throwing his personal conversation out of his mind, "what's going on in January?"
Yugi froze in fear, not for the answer, but for his reaction. She gave a sad smile and a sigh.
"Well, when Katsuya died, we, that is, Anzu, Honda and I, agreed to visit his grave every year on his birthday. It's in January."
"That is very touching."
"Are you okay with that?"
"Yugi," he began in a loving voice, "I know how much Jounouchi was part of your past. How can I be mad? It hurts me that you would think that." He finished with a hint of pain in his voice.
"You're right, I'm sorry." She kissed his cheek. "I just don't want you to be uncomfortable."
"How about this," Atemu began, "I will let you know if something is making me uncomfortable. Just understand that I will listen to anything you say. I want to know everything about you."
Yugi smiled and nodded. "Sounds good."
Atemu stared at the files that lay before him. His fingertips tapped rapidly against the wooden desk as he read the charges. Crimson eyes narrowed as he contemplating on the decision before him: to file a civil case against Vivian or confront her with the evidence to break her down.
At the moment, the second choice was winning.
He ran a hand through his hair and he groaned. Why is revenge so tempting?
"Have you decided on how you're going to handle Vivian?"
Atemu picked up his head to see Seto at the door, arms folded proudly against his chest. The Egyptian removed his hand and sat up in the chair.
"What are you doing here and how were you able to enter without my knowledge?"
"I asked you a question first." Seto replied plainly, walking and taking the seat across from his cousin.
"No," Atemu answered bluntly, "I have not. I don't know which route I should go."
"Revenge." The word was short and sweet as it escaped Seto's lips. "That is what I would do."
"I'm not you Seto." Atemu answered before leaning back in his chair. "Although, in this case, I would love to make an exception."
"Then why not?"
"Because my father wouldn't think it right. As the next president of Massri-Wong, I need to think about the company's employees and outlook. Revenge wouldn't be the right route. You should know that Seto."
A humph was his response.
"I will confront Vivian and tell her about the charges I plan to make with my evidence. She can decide if she wants to work this out of court."
"Why give her a chance at redemption?"
"Yugi."
"Yugi?"
Atemu nodded. "She thinks Vivian's actions were a cry of pain, that she was being rash because of sorrow. Personally, I don't see it."
A curl of a smile formed on Seto's lips. "Can I watch the confrontation?"
"No."
Seto's face hardened at the reject.
"Look, I want to see if she will comply without outside pressures."
"Whatever." The taller man stood from his seat. He turned his back to Atemu and walked towards the door. "But, if you need some help, let me know."
Atemu waved as Seto walked out the door. He shook his head. "Such a pain sometimes."
Atemu sat in Conference Room 202, waiting. He had set up the meeting with Vivian.
Vivian walked in the room along with her father. Her eyes were flaring with pain and distrust.
"You are probably wondering why I called you here."
"Mostly likely you called us to tell me to go to hell!"
"Vivian calm down," Mr. Wong stated to his kin. He left Vivian to pout as he addressed Atemu. "What would you like to discuss?"
"Actually, I have business with Vivian."
"Ready to apologize?"
"Not exactly." Atemu pushed a manila envelope towards the woman in the same manner she did over a month ago.
"What is this?" It was more of a statement than a question.
"It contains the potential lawsuit I plan on bringing upon you for your behavior."
"What?"
"In that folder contains evidence against you for your conduct against me."
"What is the meaning of this?"
Atemu shifted his gaze to the older male. "I have proof and testimony that Ms. Wong here planned the scheme of creating fake photographs and having them printed in order to slander my name. It is quite a straight forward libel claim."
"You…you can't prove that. I…"
"But he can."
The two Wongs shifted their gaze towards the stranger in the room. The charcoal black-haired man wore a gray business suit and thick-rimmed black glasses over his hazel brown eyes. A mud brown-colored leather briefcase was settled atop of the table in front of him.
"I am attorney Kurugo Saito. I am reviewed the evidence and it is quite solid."
"Is this blackmail then?" Wong questioned in a calmer voice.
"Not necessarily. I want to bring the evidence to your attention. I will file a lawsuit."
Wong shifted his weight as he glared at the supposed evidence. The crimes Vivian committed were minimal in the court standings, with only fines, but that is not what he worried about. He was thinking about reputation. If word leaked out about Vivian's deceitful actions, he will be brought under scrutiny in the business world, ruining his chances to become big again. Such negative attention, whether convicted or not, would destroy their status.
"Then what do you suppose we do, Mr. Massri?"
"Deal with the lawsuit when it is brought to you."
"Can we settle this without a lawsuit?"
"My window of opportunity is closing. If I don't file soon I may never…"
"I am sure we can think of something." Wong interrupted, slipping into a chair. "What is it you want?"
Atemu shook his head. "It is not about what I want, but about justice. There are a million things I could have you do but would it be justice? I will let the courts decide the closure of our encounter."
The last words were geared towards Vivian. The young Chinese woman, however, were transfixed her eyes on the folder that continued to rest atop of the table. Inside held the words and photos that would ruin her. It only brought back the pain.
"You can't do anything without this." Vivian shouted as she snatched the folder. With all of her frustration and turmoil she ripped through the evidence Atemu handed them to review.
"Hah! Now who is going to believe you?"
Atemu only smirked, causing Vivian to cry angry tears.
"Did you really think I would hand over the evidence?"
Atemu pointed to Mr. Kurugo. "He has the real evidence."
Vivian screamed in frustration.
"Atemu, please, can we settle this out of the courts?"
"As Mr. Kurugo stated, I have a solid case. I would easily win if I file." He leaned his elbows on the table, supporting his chin on his fingers. "But out of curiosity, what would you do if I agreed?"
"I will drop the struggle with the control of the company. I will do as you suggest and open a branch of Massri-Wong in China and run it. You will get a profit from my company to keep the evidence out of the public's eye."
Atemu narrowed his eyebrow as he spoke, keeping his chin atop his fingers. "It is a bribe then?"
"If that is how you see it." Wong replied, copying Atemu's stature.
"I don't know…"
"Besides," Wong began, closing his eyelids with a smirk, "you shouldn't be as confident in your lawsuit."
The young Egyptian raised an eyebrow. "Why is that?"
"Due to your past." Wong kept his composure as he spoke. "Is it so unbelievable that those pictures didn't do that much damage to your reputation considering your past?"
Atemu's eyes hardened as he straightened in his seat.
"Well?" Wong egged on.
"I agree that my past is not the best, but the pictures did do damage. Many people have no faith in me becoming president of Massri-Wong now."
"You shouldn't be anyway."
Atemu shifted his hardened gaze towards Vivian, who had spoken in a hushed tone between silent tears.
"I will file the lawsuit and expose your behavior. If you truly think otherwise, get a lawyer and we may come up with an agreement."
Atemu rose from his seat with Kurugo following suit. The two left the Wongs to think about the situation. Atemu hoped that the next time he would deal with them would be his last.
I planned on including so much more in this chapter, bringing Yugi home, the final confrontation with Vivian and Wong to actually settle the lawsuit (with a special appearance by Yugi), introduce Seto's love interest, but I realized that would have been about 20-25 pages. So, that will have to wait. Anyway I hope you liked it! My goal is to write the next chapter and have it up by Saturday.
However, I have closed the poll. The winner to be Seto's love interest is…Kisara! But it was close. She will be in the next chapter. Thanks to all who voted!
