Seto didn't believe in omens, but he still felt the faintest itch in the back of his mind telling him something was going to happen today. If he were completely honest with himself, he was probably subconsciously anticipating Wheeler's revenge to that video he had shared with the rest of Domino. But he didn't want to be honest. He wanted to be hopeful. Optimistic, even. Today was important and he couldn't afford for it to be hampered by Joey's antics. He checked his appearance in the full length mirror before heading downstairs to the garage.
"Morning, sir," the chauffeur said when he entered. "Which car will you be taking today?"
Seto was about to answer when he did a double take on the chauffeur. It was the evening driver, Pemberton, but his shift didn't start until sundown. Where was Nishimura, the morning driver?
Anticipating Seto's question, Pemberton said, "Nishimura had a family emergency, so we switched shifts."
It was a perfectly viable excuse, Seto had to admit, but he was taking no chances. What if Wheeler had bribed or convinced Pemberton to drive him into a ditch or something? Would he really do something that despicable? Seto didn't want to take the chance.
"S-sir?" Pemberton asked hesitantly. "If I'm not mistaken, you have an appointment soon."
Seto shook himself free of his thoughts. "Yes," he said, "I do."
"I assume the black Mercedes, then?" Pemberton walked to the mentioned car and reached for the door handle.
"No!" Seto cleared his throat. "I mean, no. I'll drive myself."
Pemberton raised an eyebrow and backed away from the car. "Okay," he said slowly. "Drive safely, I guess."
Seto nodded and walked over to the red Corvette. He was about to get in when an idea struck him: what if Wheeler saw this coming? He did trick him last time, and Seto refused to be fooled twice. He backed away from the car and looked it over. Wheeler could've slashed the tires or cut the brake line or peed in the gas tank or something. He inspected the car carefully for about fifteen minutes, but could find nothing wrong.
Tentatively, he got into the car. He started the engine and listened to the purr. Nothing seemed out of place…. He experimentally shifted gears and pulled slowly out of the garage.
Once he entered the city and nothing bad happened, Seto relaxed considerably. Maybe he was wrong. Maybe Wheeler was at home crying his eyes out over yesterday's viral video. Maybe — just maybe — Wheeler had finally given up this idiotic prank contest. That pleased him. He glanced at the slowly rising speedometer and smirked. Today was gonna be just fine.
In no time, Seto had reached the designated restaurant — an Italian place called Amici's — and pulled up to the curb. He saw the stares he caught and revved the engine to complete the show. He waited until the suicide doors opened completely before getting out, grabbing his briefcase from the other side, and tossing the keys to the valet.
"Scratch her, and you'll be eating through a tube," he said coolly. The valet gulped and nodded his understanding.
Seto went inside. The maître d' recognized him immediately and led him to the proper table. His guest was already there, stirring cream and sugar into his coffee and reviewing an open file. When he noticed the two approaching, he looked up and smiled.
"Seto Kaiba," he said, standing to offer his hand.
"Hayden Nichols," Seto replied. The two shook hands. "At last at meet."
Nichols laughed, setting his salt and pepper beard a-tremble. "In person, at least." They sat down and each took a menu from the waiting server. "I heard their rigatoni primavera is divine," Nichols said absently as he perused his menu.
Seto nodded. He preferred meat dishes himself, but in a show of good faith he ordered the primavera. Nichols gave him a knowing smile and ordered chicken parmesan. Once the waiter had taken their orders and collected the menus, Nichols leaned in conspiratorially.
"Let's straight to business, shall we?" he said. "We're both busy and certainly cannot afford to waste each other's time."
Seto sat back and crossed his arms. "Right. Our offer still stands. Nexus will reserve all patenting rights and have access to our virtual technology after an eighteen month grace period."
Nichols nodded appreciatively. "What's in it for you?"
Seto smirked. "Nexus will also provide test subjects for the game's prototype and accept full responsibility for health risks."
"Seems fair," Nichols said. "After all, it is our software." He smiled a little. "But what if it isn't our software that's the problem? Who's liable then?"
"Kaiba Corp will be liable for hardware malfunctions," Seto replied, eyes narrowing slightly, "if it's proven that that was the case."
"And who would be in charge of that investigation? Forgive me if I sound skeptical, but whoever's company conducts the investigation will be at a decided advantage. Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Kaiba?"
Seto had no choice but to nod. "What would you suggest then?
Nichols sipped his coffee, seemingly thinking it over. "Nexus is prepared to accept all your terms," he said finally, "on the condition that we —" he pointed to himself and Seto — "share liability."
Before Seto could respond, Nichols' phone rang softly.
"Terribly sorry," he said as he stood, "but I must take this." Seto couldn't object if he wanted to. In a flash, the plump man disappeared with surprising nimbleness into the sea of waiters and patrons.
Seto occupied himself by extracting a few forms from his briefcase and thumbing through them. He paused only when the food arrived. When the waiter left, he decided to wait politely for Nichols to return and went back to his papers. He didn't know when exactly he got lost in the task, but either way he didn't notice Nichols's return until he spoke.
"My apologies again, Mr. Kaiba," Nichols said. "They were giving my assistant trouble up front."
Seto looked up to reassure Nichols that it was fine but froze. Standing just behind Nichols was the blond who should have been home crying his eyes out. "What are you doing here?" he demanded instead.
"Didn't I tell you?" Nichols answered. He clapped Joey on the back. "Young Mr. Wheeler here will be heading our beta-testing division."
"No," Seto replied lowly, "you did not tell me."
Nichols shrugged and sat down. "Must have slipped my mind." Joey followed suit and sat beside his boss. "You hungry, Wheeler?" Nichols asked as he picked up his knife and fork.
"No, thank you, sir," Joey replied half-heartedly. Seto knew he was lying but commended his propriety.
"Oh, come now. It'll be my treat." Nichols looked over at Seto. "We're going Dutch. Agreed?"
He had a feeling he'd regret this, but he shook his head. "No. You're my guest, so I'll pay." Nichols looked like was going to protest, so he added, "I insist."
"The man insists, sir," Joey said with a smile. Nichols hesitated but eventually let it go. He beckoned a waiter for a menu. Joey didn't take long to order; after all, he asked for half the menu. Literally. At least he knew how to pronounce the items.
"So," Nichols said when he was finished and Joey was on his third dish. "Have you given any thought to my counter proposal?"
"Oh," Seto replied, trying to tear his gaze away from Joey's devouring. "Yes. I have. In fact, we predicted you would want to share responsibility." He pulled out a packet from his stack of papers. "So we drafted this." He handed it over to Nichols.
However, Joey intercepted the hand off. "Don't bother, sir," he said. He ripped it up and put it beside his plate.
"Wheeler! What the hell are you doing?" Seto clenched and unclenched his fists to keep from strangling the blond across from him. Nichols looked at Joey with raised eyebrows.
Joey smirked. "As long as I've known him, Kaiba's managed to worm his way out of liability clauses left and right. So, I took the liberty of writing this." Joey leaned down to take something from his own case. He put a similar packet in the middle of the table.
"Go ahead, Mr. Kaiba," Nichols said with an amused smile. "I trust Mr. Wheeler."
Joey beamed while Seto picked up the new contract and skimmed it. Sure enough, Wheeler had closed the loop holes he usually used to avoid lawsuits, along with a few he hadn't thought of. When he finished, he pretended to read through it again to give the semblance of being thorough. How did Wheeler come up with this document? And how did he know Seto's trick? What did he know about law? Wasn't he majoring in…actually, what was he majoring in? It had better not be law! And what was he going to do? He really didn't want to sign an agreement he did not write, but if he didn't do it here, Nichols might get suspicious and rescind his cooperation. And there were tons of other entertainment businesses clamoring to welcome Nexus to the country — Kaiba Corp was just the first.
He sighed silently and took out a pen. For what seemed like an hour, he initialed all the boxes and signed his name on the dotted line, careful not to let his hand tremble at the thought of his typical back door being closed. He looked up to glower at Joey's triumphant smile. Nichols took the packet and gave it a once-over. He nodded approvingly.
"A pleasure doing business with you," he said pleasantly. "If you're finished, Mr. Wheeler, we'll be taking our leave."
"You go ahead, sir," Joey said. "I'll stay and keep Mr. Kaiba company."
Nichols smiled. "If you insist."
When Nichols was out of earshot, Seto leaned forward. "What the fuck was all that?" he practically growled.
Joey sighed. "You know, we never talk anymore," he said ruefully.
"When did we ever?" Seto rolled his eyes, amazed that he was even indulging this conversation.
"Well, if we did you'd know I got a kick-ass job at Nexus last week!" Joey slammed his fist on the table. "You're always so wrapped up in yourself. I thought we were best friends." Joey tried to hold it in, but under Seto's glare he caved in and burst into laughter. "Okay, I'm a good actor, but not that good. I can't even think that with a straight face."
Seto tapped the table impatiently as he waited for Joey's laughing fit to subside. "I'm surprised you dared to show your face," he said finally. "Especially after yesterday."
Joey frowned slightly at the memory of his Internet notoriety and crossed his arms. "Well, get used to it," he said. "You'll be seeing my face a lot more now that we're working together. Partner."
"You think you've won this little game, don't you?" Seto smirked. "Well, let me tell you this, Wheeler." He leaned forward and looked Joey in the eyes. "I'm only getting started."
AN: Though it seems less like a prank and more like a clever business strategy...
And Nichols may or may not be back...eventually.
