Fraud Identity

by ayanamiyuy

Left alone by the Gang's outing, Serenity lost her memory. Mokuba took this opportunity and proposed that his brother Seto Kaiba is her boyfriend. Truth and lies got all mixed up, chaos and confusions followed, leading to a journey of life and self-discovery.

14. Confusing Reality

DISCLAIMER: I don't own YUGIOH

Flying through the sun's rays, the plane descended under the clear blue sky, along with it an ominous feeling. Laughing and smiling, a group of passengers went down the aircraft, unknowingly carrying the key to Serenity's awakening.

Fraud Identity XIV– Confusing Reality

x-x

Gravely Yearning

"Toot toot toot"

The sound of an alarm clock erupted, wakening a young girl sleeping delicately on her bed, tangled sheets scattered, yellow curtains waving, permitting the sun's rays to highlight her cheeks. Her eyes fluttered to open, having a hard time to wake up, still enjoying her slumber,

"Toot toot toot"

"Ugh" She grumbled heavily and lifted her arm slowly, moving it up in difficulty, like the bed has some kind of magnet and was pulling her down. She clicked the alarming clock and the buzzing finally stopped. The sudden silence in her room nudged her to pull her thoughts together and reassess where she is, who she is.

And there was no gasp nor shock expression as her eyes opened and met the dimly decorated ceiling and a discoloured wall. There was no problem. She should not stand up confusedly for she didn't sleep in other bedroom this time, most especially not in his bedroom. But definitely she had slept in her bedroom. She meant her real bedroom, in her real house. 'That's weird'

She lazily sat upright and massaged derisively her eyes, still not wanting to start the day yet. She didn't want to think yet. She was in a different room; she was in her real room. And she put this thought at the back of her mind.

She put her legs on the floor, wore her bunny slippers and then headed outside her room. Yawning, she stepped down the stairs, still sleepy.

"Good Morning!" Someone greeted her as she stepped down dreamily. She took more steps and saw a young man standing at the kitchen, with an apron hooked in his neck and a kitchen gadget like spatula clasped in his hand. There was a fire in the stove and a pan above it, which inside of it is an egg to be scrambled. Serenity frowned...'Is he cooking?'

Wait, he...He's my...

Serenity froze as she realized who it was. "Brother!" She exclaimed in happiness and hastily ran down the stairs and embraced him.

"Whoa, wait a minute, Careful, this thing might touch you. It's hot" Joey said warningly, as he raised abruptly his arm holding the spatula and jerked it away to avoid it to touch her.

Serenity embraced his chest tighter and whispered softly. "I missed you"

"Oh come on, we have just done this the whole yesterday" Joey commented in a confident and strong manner.

And still she didn't hesitate and held him dearly.

"I really missed you!" She countered earnestly, like a child seeing her parent for the first time. It had been so long since she saw him, so long like her whole time. Right, like her whole life she didn't see her brother for she had no memories of him. He had been gone so long, very long, like living 16 years of her life without him.

"Yeah, me too" Joey eyed her softly, welcoming her emotional greeting to him.

How did she forget? They already meet up like this yesterday. "I thought..." She began, voice soft and even. "Yesterday is just a dream. But seeing you again, it's definitely not"

"Serenity..." Joey stared at her, seemed assessing her reaction towards him. It was so obvious that she had suffered a lot when he was gone. There were so many things that happened and she faced it all alone. She faced her amnesia state all alone while he and the group enjoyed in the beach and welcomed their happiness with laughter.

"I'm sorry...again for not being here with you at your accident" Joey muttered weakly, now influenced by Serenity's drama.

Serenity shook her head, backed away, and then looked at him with a faint smile, squinting. "It's alright! I'm okay"

"No it's not" Joey sternly retorted and held her shoulder. He looked at her firmly, sending a serene feeling to her that he will protect her from anything in the world. "I know it is difficult for you to adjust. You might have been lost!"

And she went on gazing, looking wonderingly at his brother. 'So this is what the feeling of being a sister like' she mused, appreciating his presence and his apparent concern to her.

"I knew it something is wrong! I felt it in the beach"

There was no doubt. She was very happy. She was very happy indeed now that they had came back, now that he was here and the feeling of being a sister and having a brother like him was slowly coming back to her memory. She was sure that his brother would help her to remember. And while she has a brother like him, she will be safe and away from the feeling of grief and sadness. This was what his brother's words sent to her.

"I should have followed my instincts." Joey continued blabbering, raising an irrevocable tone and a protective brother persona.

"This is their fault, if they didn't stop me from going back here, I should have been here-"

"Brother, it's fine now" Serenity interjected, raising her palm in front of him. "You're already here" She touched his shoulder and gave him an affirming smile, ending the discussion.

Joey stilled at the moment, shut by her expression which dazzled in a midst of innocence and contentment. 'She still looks so fine even after all that had happened...' He thought in admiration.

He looked at her softly and her face warmed his guilt. "You're right" He nodded, finally stopping his outburst. "Well, I'm so glad they helped you to remember us and brought you back in this house"

"I should thank them personally." He went on and paced towards the door. " Show me where I could find them-"

"Oh there is no need!" Serenity cut hastily, looking worried. " They're...They're not in their house right now" She stammered nervously, covering up something.

"Ah I see..." Joey muttered and paused to look at her once again. There was some silence as he marvelled her face.

"I'm still glad you remember me" Joey said serenely, changing into serious expression.

"Yeah, I'm happy too. But it's only you that I still remember and not yet everything" She retorted then knitted her brow in dismay. "I'm so embarrass at them yesterday for not knowing who they are" She lowered her head, avoiding seeing his face.

"Aahh that? Don't worry, we'll help you to recover" He patted her shoulder, comforting her. "I'm sure now that we're here, you'll remember us soon!"

She then looked up and smiled genuinely. "Thank you!"

The fire on the stove ejected a sound, disrupting their conversation. They looked back and saw an unnerving scene of a pan burning.

"Oh Damn!" Joey exclaimed as he turned around and turned off the stove immediately. "Crap!" He swore under his breathe, panicking.

Serenity laughed at his reaction.

She remained there, gazing and observing his funny yet comforting behaviour. Right now, everything was satisfying, so peaceful.

Everything happened so fast. It was so fast. Just two days ago, she was with the Kaiba. She was with Seto as they danced calmly in the cold night, and then the next day after that, she was brought here in her house after Mokuba informed her they will come back soon. Of course, she knew she had to pretend and act as if nothing happened. Yes, nothing happened in terms of all her communication and experiences with the Kaiba. After all, it was a secret. Her relationship with them was a secret...They shouldn't know.

And yesterday afternoon, they arrived indeed. His brother arrived, together with a group of friends. 'They are Yugi, Tea, Mai…hmm...Tistan'

'Oops no, it's Tristan, Ryou and...'

'Who's the other one again?' She frowned, trying to remember. She forgot their names again. 'How awful'

Yesterday, she met them, and confusion flowed over her face. She didn't remember her friends. How pitiful; it was so embarrassing. But then, they understood anyway. She told them the truth that she had an accident and had forgotten her memories.

And their reaction? Simple, They Over-Reacted.

They all over-reacted especially her brother and the two other guys. His brother embraced her so suddenly after hearing it and begged to bring her back to the hospital in order to assess her state. She declined and assured him she was fine for her classmates took care of her very well. Her classmates brought her back to her house and gave some information about her past. Her classmates were her companion while she was left alone and suffered her amnesia. Her classmates...

Her classmates...were a lie.

The truth was, it was never her classmates. It was the Kaiba brothers.

The reason to cover it up? Just the name Kaiba was enough reason.

She remained standing, curiously looking at her brother, as to how he cleaned the burnt pan and also how he continued to talk and tell her their adventures and fun from their outing.

And she just smiled and listened to him. She just smiled...

Having fun listening to him, she smiled, looking satisfied and fine. And indeed, that expression was not true for inside of her innocent and happy face, uneasiness was crushing her thoughts, confusing her.

Uneasiness...This feeling was seemed to be her shadow these days, always present at the back of her thoughts. She was with them all day, just like yesterday, laughing, smiling and eating together. And what was her best weapon in pretending? It was her smile. She joined them and tried to act natural. She was with them, with the people she couldn't remember but then she tried her best to act as if they were her friends for a long time.

It was indeed very hard.

True that the feeling was still there, that inside of her she knew they were her friends. However, the fact that there were no thoughts or memories supporting this claim gave her uneasiness. Imagine to laugh with the people she didn't know; it was awful.

It was so awful and depressing, these feelings coiling her insides, but had to ignore it and continue plastering a smile on her face. Yesterday when she opened the door, they all came in and greeted her, embraced her, and looked at her. And right at that moment, she wanted to run away, go to him and hold him. She was like a child strangers wanting to touch her face, sending fear to her, making her want to runaway and cry to her security, to Seto.

But that didn't happen. She just wanted to do it but she couldn't because hewas not here. He couldn't be here and she got scared not capable of seeing him at the moment she needed him the most. She needed to see him.

Their faces were like strangers- strangers that persistently looking and talking to her comfortably and yet making her numb, confusion evidently the scream of her heartbeat, pushing her to cry and kneel in fear, but she didn't as she fought it badly.

And she remembered his words. "Just pretend as if nothing happened...and pretend good. I'm just right here"

Those words helped her to face them. Those words remained in her as her encouragement like her water in the heat dying dessert.

Of course, the uneasy feeling was an exception to her brother. After all, she had remembered his face already.

But everything else was so complicated. Her life right now was complicated. She had to act, smile, nod, look interested and fine, but in reality, what she really wanted to do was to scream and run away. All of this was not easy. It was never easy and yet she had to do. For him she will do it or else their relationship will be over.

Her brother... she missed him so much. She really missed him so much. 'Did I say much already?' She heaved a sigh, feeling frustrated. Her brother...he was also the reason why she had to pretend and suffer this uneasiness inside.

It was him who was against her to be with him. It was him who will stop her from seeing him. It was him who will end their relationship. No. That would not happen. She will not let it happen.

'Him, my brother...' She had seen his reaction yesterday when the name Kaiba was brought into the discussion. He held his fist and slammed it on the table when he told the group how he insulted him.

And at that moment, she trembled...

And it hurts for her to see her loved one against her another loved one, to see her brother against her boyfriend.

And that was the truth and it hurts. She was torn between two people, and she didn't know who to choose exactly. She was not choosing that's why she was pretending and suffering like this.

Mokuba said their relationship had been a year. That means she had suffered these complicacies and had successfully pretended for a year. 'For a year... I am not doing anything to resolve this'

And yet it had only been a day and it felt like she couldn't do it any longer. However, she must; she will. If she would just think of him and their moments together, somehow she felt stronger. She seemed to gain strength to protect those memories and gladly like those memories to happen again. And so, she must do this!

'This is my life from now on'

And this was her life, a life of pretending and discovering of her past. From now on, she will pretend - she'll pretend and hide their relationship to be with him. However, she had decided not to hold this situation longer, for sooner or later she will tell her brother about her him. 'One year is enough pretending. I hate lying and I hate liars. I don't want to be a liar myself' She just needed to have a right time where his brother is in a good mood and then she will tell him the truth. And besides, she didn't want to pretend and hide their relationship forever and she didn't want to lie -to lie about him.

Him...Seto...

It had been a day since she had seen his face.

And she already missed him badly.

"Riiiiinnng"

The sound of a ringing phone erupted and Serenity hastily craned up her neck, scanning the room for the foreign sound.

"What's that?" Peeking at the side, Joey looked at her and asked wonderingly. Indeed, the tone was different, not usual to their landline telephone.

"Riiiiinnng"

It rang again and Serenity heard it coming very near from her, like inside her clothes. 'What's that? ' She thought as she scraped her pocket and then she suddenly sensed a solid thing that made her eyes widened. "I forgot!"

"Riiiiinnng"

She slowly put her hand holding the ringing phone outside of her pocket. Indeed, her thought was right. Why did she forget? Seto had just given her a cellphone before she went away as their main source of communication.

"Serenity what's-" Joey looked at her once again and saw her holding an elegant black cellphone. "Whoa! You got a cellphone? Where did you get it?" Joey exclaimed in amazement and wonder. He was shocked indeed to see his sister with an expensive looking gadget. And certainly, he will bet that she didn't buy it herself for money was something out of their league.

"I-it came from my classmate" Serenity stammered, getting nervous all of sudden.

"Riiiiinnng"

"Um b-b-brother, exc-cuse me for a while." Serenity asked, still stammering and trembling lightly.

The ringing of the cellphone had just caught her off guard there. Of all the time it would ring, why would it be in front of her brother. 'What is he thinking? Is he doing it on purpose and intentionally trap me in a threatening situation?'

She hastily went outside, not minding that she was still wearing her pajama outfit. She inhaled and exhaled deeply, relaxing herself. She lifted her hand and slowly put it near her ear and pushed the button. 'Seto you're making it really worst' she thought furiously but her heart was beating fast.

"Hello?" She said, voice hinting some annoyance.

"Hi" the husky voice sounded shortly and coolly.

Serenity frowned in contempt at what she had heard. He was so cool and here she was perspiring in anxiety and weirdly, her heart was leaping again just hearing his voice. "Seto, why did you call at this early morning?" Serenity spat in exasperation, hiding her excitement at the same time. "Don't you know that you just rang the phone in front of my brother and I still haven't told him about this phone-"

"I don't care" Seto cut her hastily and calmly.

"What? Don't you know I'm in a difficult situation here?" She burst, while walking away the house to avoid Joey hearing her yell.

"I know, that's why I call"

"Ha! And for your information this call had just make it more difficult for –"

"Guess where I am" Seto interjected, not paying attention to her lecture.

"What?" she asked, getting irritated already at his unruffled behaviour. "Where?"

She heard a chuckle and turned around. The sight in front of her made her almost drop the phone and pinned her into stillness. There he was, evenly leaning at her house post, hand still holding the phone near his ear, eyes staring at her mischievously and lips plastering a smirk.

"Hi" He greeted again and waved his hand formally.

''Hi? That's it?' she thought, shock still looming. She paused at her position, staring at him confusedly. 'Is he just standing in front of me right now? In front of my house - where my brother is just few strides away and many people passing by?

She then blinked a few times, wakening her self and suddenly walked towards him and shot him a glare. "Are you out of your mind?" She said forcefully and scorned.

"I'm here, blabbering about the call, just a call, simply ringing of the phone, and then I have no idea you are already here, in front of our house. I mean physically here!" Serenity yelled, flying her arms in anger.

"Who knows, someone might see you and tell my brother" She went on, standing directly in front of him. "Or worse my brother sees you"

"Are you not even thinking your actions-"

Seto suddenly grasped her shoulder and turned her around, positioning her to lean on the post. He put his hand on the wall, leaned down and kissed her.

He kissed her softly, cutting her outburst. It was a good thing he made her lean at the post or she might had just collapsed right now as her knees weakened. He slowly backed away, stared at her penetratingly and cupped her chin gently.

"I missed you" He whispered hoarsely, his warm breathe contacting her flushed cheeks.

He then backed out, turned around and headed outside the gate. He understood the situation. He must not stay long. This was risky and she was right.

Serenity stared at him, unblinking. That touch, that look and that kiss was like a spark firing her entire body, wakening her senses, to the reality and state they were in, and also wakening her yearning she was trying very hard to restraint.

"Me too..." Serenity muttered weakly, tears forming as she controlled her burning desire to run towards him, embrace him and apologize. She just can't. No matter how much she wanted to go to him, be with him, touch him...she can't.

Can't. She can't.

And she felt sorry at her behaviour. She just scolded at him heatedly, not noting that he just wanted to see her as much as she also wanted to see him. And yet she blew him off. She blew him off because she was as coward as always, afraid of taking risks.

She knew their situation was very hard for him also. They were so restricted. They couldn't just talk in public. They couldn't just look at each other easily. They couldn't be together at any moment she wanted to be with him. And there were so many 'couldn't'!

What a life!

"Seto..."She trailed, and wiped her tears before it fell down. He just came here to see her, to see and talk to her after a day of not seeing each other.

And he went here and talked to her; and kissed her.

She touched her lips, remembering his soft lips. And she smiled...

"Serenity who's that?" The voice wakened her thoughts and hastily removed her daze expression and looked at her brother fearfully.

"No-nothing..."She stuttered nervously. "Just my classmate asking when is the start of the class" she said and tucked some of her hair behind her ears tensely 'That's stupid cover up Serenity'

"Ah I see" Joey nodded and went back inside.

"Hi Serenity" A female voice said.

"Oh, Mai you're here." She turned around and waved cheerfully.

Mai stared at her for a while, looking at her seriously and then sighed. "Is Joey around?" She inquired confidently.

"Yup he's inside"

"Hmm...okay thanks" She walked straight and then suddenly stopped, remembering something. She turned around and said. "Wait. Are you okay, do you feel sick? You're so red"

"Am I?"

x-x

The chimes sounded as Serenity, who was holding a plastic of foods for their dinner, exited the grocery store. She headed outside and scanned the crowd, looking for her brother.

Yes, her brother. Her brother will walk her home. She was always with him these days, never leaving her side for being scared that she will have an accident again or she might get lost. Wherever she goes, she must inform him the place. Whoever she is with, she must tell him who they are and he would even ask the number of that person. Tough guard he was, wasn't it?

Right, very tough indeed. She couldn't even escape anymore at his sight to see him.

Him, Seto. It had been five days now since she last saw him. They just talked few minutes in the phone, inside her room or even in bathroom, just for a few minutes for his brother or the group will notice if it was longer than that. Yeah even in her room where his brother was doing a round up check almost every hour. They should not get suspicious or else the situation would be more difficult to handle. It was better to be careful.

"Serenity, sorry I'm late. Did you wait long?" Joey said, while running and then stopped and panted roughly.

"No I just went out anyway" She smiled faintly.

"Good! Let's go" Joey reached for the plastic to help her. He peeked inside, curious at the groceries. "Ooohh...what are these?"

"That's our dinner for today" She answered, while walking naturally.

"A cake?" Joey raised his brow, uncertain.

"Oh! Not that one. That's our dessert" She corrected abruptly.

"These many?"

"Um...ah...ye-yes, I'm quite hungry you know" She trailed, convincing him hardly.

Joey gave her a dubious look. "Do persons suffering amnesia always hungry?"

"Maybe" She chuckled nervously.

Joey finally stopped questioning her and she sighed, feeling relieved. This was indeed getting harder and harder. Of course, about the cake, that was a half lie for certainly, not all of those cakes in the plastic are for them.

She couldn't help it. When she was shopping, she saw that mocha cake and she remembered. She remembered him - how he brought it in his office and ate it all. And she can't stop herself buying and wanting to give it to him again.

However, she bought it without thinking first how she could possibly hand it to him. If only she had a chance to see him and give it.

"Joey! Serenity!" Tea called them who was standing and waiting for them at the end street.

They walked towards her, attempting to chit chat for a while. "Hey, do you want to come inside my house, the gang is there, watching a card game battle in TV"

"What the hell? I forgot!" Joey exclaimed in shock, and hurriedly sauntered towards Tea's house, leaving Serenity behind.

"I knew he will react that way. He never misses that game" Tea commented cheerfully.

And they headed inside Tea's house. She was right, they were all there - Yugi, Mai, Tea, Tristan, Ryou and Duke.

Duke, that was the one she forgot before. They were there, watching intently the show and joking around especially now that her brother joined them. They stayed there for a while, seemed having a group meeting. And as usual, she laughed with them, rode on to their jokes and had fun with them...

Nevertheless, she just wished one thing, that one day she will remember who they really are, these people she was having fun with...

"Wow! What's that Serenity?" Tea asked in amazement, looking at her chest. They were at the kitchen and preparing a juice for the group.

"Huh?" She looked at her questioningly.

Tea pointed her chest and clarified. "That, that silver rounded on your neck"

"Oh this?" She said softly, pulled the necklace outside her clothes and touched its pendant. "It's a lightning necklace"

"Beautiful! Very beautiful!" Tea widened her eyes, seeing the pendant with exotic carvings engraved. "Can I look at it?"

"Sure, here" Serenity unclipped it and gave it to her.

"Oh! This is indeed beautiful and it looks very expensive as well" she said in admiration, while staring at it intently, flipping it upside down, and scanning it in every angle. "Where did you get this?" she asked curiously.

"Um...a friend gave that" Serenity covered up.

"Ooohh...an admirer I see...a rich admirer" Tea teased, still looking at the necklace.

"No! He is just a friend..." Serenity corrected strongly, defending hastily. "Just a friend…"

"Hmmm…I see, a rich friend- Oops" Tea suddenly loosed her grip and the necklace fell on the floor, creating a screeching sound.

"Sorry!" Tea picked it up and handed it to her. "Here, I feel that this is important to you"

She reached for it and clipped it once again. "Yes...it's very important"

'It's very important indeed...for this comes from him'

Serenity brought the tray of juice to the living room and gave it to them. While holding the groceries, she sat at the corner, thinking heavily.

The group laughed together and she excused and isolated herself for a while, looking disturbed.

And she was definitely disturbed. Everything she saw and did kept reminding her of him.

She must really see him today...she needed to see him. It had been so long, very long. Five days were so long and her desire to see and hold his hand was burning constantly inside like a poison, that the longer not healed, the more intense the pain will be. Indeed, she was sick, desperately sick to see him.

She desperately needed him and yet she wasn't making any move. Five days ago, it was Seto who risked. Such guts he had to go to her house. Somehow she envied him, for at least, he had courage to do it unlike her, who was always hiding behind her innocence and obedience and just praying to let fate meet them together one day. Heck, as if it would happen.

And if ever will, it will be too late, this pain, poison already spread out, probably had stopped her heartbeat. 'Am I waiting to let fate turn fire to snow to be with him? Of course not!'

Many times Seto tried to do something but she always stopped him. Why? Because she was so coward. She hated risks, and yet she was involved in a risky situation were the only option she had was to take risk as well. However she didn't that's why she became like this, so poisonously sick, so desperate...

And suddenly she remembered Maggie, their conversation they had before they left the wooden house.

"So you're leaving?" Maggie asked while leaning on the door and watching her packing her things.

"Yup. I'm so worried about him." Serenity retorted, while putting the sandwiches and mineral water inside her backpack. " He was still affected at what happened, to our kidnapping. And he was so worried about Mokuba and his business"

"Ah I see... "Maggie smiled and nodded calmly. "But you can work it out"

"Really? Thanks for encouragement." She muttered lightly and looked at her. Then she looked down the floor, suddenly looking sorrowful. "But to be honest, it's hard you know. Like things can get out of hand, some kind of fate out there that sometimes makes things smooth and sometimes rough. Like accidents and coincidences! " She explained, sadness in her tone.

"And the fact that we are out of control of what's going to happen to us scares me..."She gazed at the window, looking far away. "Well I would just hope that whatever lies ahead is a good thing, of what I want"

Maggie walked towards her and then put her hand on her shoulder. "Serenity, there's no fate" She said softly, eyes looking at her genuinely.

"There's none?" She asked questioningly, looked confused.

"If that's how you define fate, that kind of thing doesn't exist." She clarified, lecturing her motherly." It is not some kind of outside force that you couldn't control and leave you powerless and that all you have to do is just wish it will bring you a good thing."

"Oh..."

"Me and Roger had undergone a lot of events that you might say fate was against us and wanted to separate us. But then why are we here? What do you think?"

"I don't know" She answered truthfully.

"Because we choose it, that's why" She said, answering her own question. She reached for her hand and held it warmly.

"Now, things will sometimes get rougher and tougher in this life, but remember that you should not depend on opportunities or fate like what you called it. You create that opportunity yourself!"

"There are no coincidences in this world Serenity, for everything happened by your choice!"

"Decide what do you choose to be now, what do you want to happen right now, then choose to make it happen, and it will really happen!"

'My choice? What do I want?' She reflected, remembering clearly her words.

'I want to be with him right at this moment, to see him and talk to him...'

Then so be it

"Brother?" She asked, settling the things bothering in her head.

"Yes?" Joey asked, not looking at her and still concentrated at the television.

"Um...I forgot to buy a pepper in the grocery store, can I go?" She lied, making an excuse 'I hope this works' she wishfully thought, crossing her fingers in hope. Maggie is right. For once, she needed to take risk and make a move. She would no longer wait for the so called fate or destiny, for she will now do it herself and create her own experience. What does she want to experience? To see him right now, and she definitely will even just for a few seconds. No more being cowardice this time.

"Sure I'll come with you" Joey said, pacing to stand up.

"No it's okay" She assured abruptly, shaking her palm as a gesture. "The store is very near from here, I can do it alone" She explained more, establishing her escape.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive" She nodded decisively, eyes glinting joyously as she could almost smell the effectiveness of her plan.

"Okay, but come back here immediately after" Joey ordered, permitting her.

"Sure" She walked towards him and embraced him happily. "Thank you so much! Bye" She said then ran away, smiling widely.

"Wow! She's so sweet isn't she Joey" Mai teased, hitting Joey's shoulder lightly.

"Well, that's my sister, Wheeler's are naturally sweet." He boasted and crossed his arms arrogantly.

"Except you" Mai informed rudely and Joey scorned at her. "No I'm not"

"If you guys notice, she seemed to be happy these days. Do you observe it?" Tea interrupted, sharing her thoughts. And she was right, something was really different in Serenity and she was not the only one who noticed it.

"If you count constantly smiling to yourself for no reason, always looking far away at the window, doing enthusiastically the household chores as happy. Yes, she's definitely happy these days. "Joey supported and then drank the juice naturally.

"She is cheerful and cook me food...especially the mocha flavored cake" Yugi added, joining the conversation. When they visited Joey's house, Serenity always handed them cakes, showing off her good baking skills. 'Such sweet girl!'

"She was always cheerful, not that she was not cheerful before, but somehow she was cheerfully great...more cheerful than the usual cheerful. Did you understand?" Ryou said vaguely.

The group just nodded hesitantly.

"Hmm...Joey" Tea began weakly, sounding serious. She touched her chin, looking down the floor. "I'm just wondering...maybe, maybe Serenity has an admirer...I don't know"

"Admirer?" Joey, Duke, Tristan exclaimed in unison.

"You got to be kidding!" Joey who was now slackening on the sofa, remarked mockingly.

"Well, it's possible. She's already sixteen so she is in the right age." Tea explained, proving her analysis." And besides, with that charming face of her, it couldn't be helped" Tea was also a girl, so she knew easily if someone behaved differently when it comes to relationships and certainly she noticed that to her.

"It can't be..." Tristan muttered, shading some hurt.

"Joey?" Yugi said, sensing his silence and the frown pasted on his face.

Joey looked up and smiled at them. "Well, if that's the case, then so be it" He said easily, and the gang eyed him immediately, dubious.

"What? It's just okay with you?" Tea asked calmly, in behalf of the whole gang's reaction. When it comes to his sister, it would not just be as easy as 'so be it' like that. It had to be tougher, tougher and harder and overacting as well. That was the usual Joey reaction.

"Sure, but then..."He stammered and then suddenly smirked sinisterly. "He needs to pass on my dead body first" He clenched his fist and raised it upward, showing a dreadful and strong personality.

"Oh" They all said, seeing his behaviour.

"Just kidding..."He put down his fist and smiled playfully at them. "I mean, if she has some suitors, I need to know who they are first" He sat upright and then stood up, seemed preparing a speech. "They need to pass first the brother's criteria" He said confidently, thumping his fist on his other palm.

Except for Tristan and Duke, they all looked at him lazily, sweat dropping. "And what are those?" Tristan and Duke asked eagerly, ears listening intently and hand holding a pen to chat it down.

"Well, first he must be a good looking like me!" He began, standing in a proud position, like a politician campaigning. 'Of course he must be, I don't want the Wheeler name to be stained with ugly blood' Joey said inside his mind.

"Aha aha" Tristan and Duke nodded firmly, chatting it down.

"Second, he must be interested in cards or a good duelist like me" He went on, pointing two fingers as a gesture. 'Yes, this one is good so that I have a connection in card dueling'

"Alright alright" The two went on, paying attention closely to word by word details.

"Third, he must be rich, unlike me" He rubbed his palm, smirking at his thoughts.

'Right, if one thing Wheelers don't have, is sufficient money. We need a rich one that I could kid easily and get money. This is good. Haha!' He thought, smiling maniacally in his mind, clearly fantasizing.

"Yes! This is getting good" Duke jumped joyously, seriously noting Joey's words.

"Wait. Listen, listen...this is the most important one..." Joey informed, seriously attached to his mini speech. They all listened and rode on to his acting.

"The most important requirement that NEVER I will compromise in this world is..."He began, sounding excited and firm. "The most important in the brother's criteria is...he should NOT hold any single blasted attitude of that bastard KAIBA! Period!" He yelled fiercely, eyes looking determined.

"Ohhh, I definitely agree" Tristan added.

"Me too!" Duke supported, smiling frantically.

"Cool requirements Joey!" Yugi commented, smiling and riding to his speech. He never changed indeed. His arrogance and over protective attitude was still in his friend.

They laughed together and discussed one by one the reasons why the fourth requirement was so special. They stayed that way while Serenity headed towards the person they loathed the most.

'And he isn't just an admirer like all of you thought...and definitely doesn't hold the last condition...for he doesn't only possess a single attitude of him, but ALL...for he is a Kaiba...Seto Kaiba for real' Someone thought sadly, staying in silence.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Reality Grasping

The sun lightened the city, enveloping it in warm and comfort; high raised buildings owned by rich privileged people served like a diversion of light, marking a shadow in streets. The city, when looked from above, compressed the perspective like a fish bowl, cars so tiny as they lined up and moved slowly, following the shifting of lights. Busy people existed everywhere, doing different things. They were there, like cars and buildings, subsisting as the runner of life, definitely a catalyst of creation.

A runner...

Someone was busily running in the streets, carrying an overflowing joy.

And like before, she had run like this, just like when she challenged to race him in their seemingly own world – without boundaries, without risks, totally free.

And right now, her destination just few strides away, desire forcedly buried these past few days was coming up, exciting her, completing her. She was not running where the soft grass bowed down against wind, nor the whistling leaves fell slowly to her hand. No.

Today's case was not like that.

For right now, she was running desperately to see him, and sadly under time constrained. Hurry. She needed to hurry, for she was only freed for few minutes.

Time was ticking and so she must head directly to...Wait.

'Oh gosh!'

She didn't know where she was going. She didn't know where Seto was. She didn't know this place. Why she didn't think of this first?

Too bad she had left her phone, and to get it back from their house would consume her alloted time more so that was not a good option. But she had to find him. Where could he be? And then it came to her. Sure her boyfriend was so workaholic and today was a weekday so that only left her to one answer: He was in his office, in the Kaiba Corporation building.

'But where is the Kaiba Corporation Building anyway?' And yes, the obvious answer was she didn't know. She didn't know where to go and yet she was running in nowhere and doing this all alone.

To be left alone - the last time this happened was when she got lost in the market. She got lost and almost cried in meeting other people and yet right now, same was the case. She got lost but was not worrying. She just needed to know the place and she would see him.

She approached a guard near her and asked him where is the Kaiba Corporation. Well, she hoped she was lucky and the place would be just a walking distance from there. Time was running.

And she jumped in happiness and embraced the guard, whoever he was, when she heard it was just two blocks away from her current location. And so she ran towards it while smiling. Some people couldn't help but notice a woman distractedly running with a warm smile. She asked some more people to confirm the direction, and she didn't fail to give them her gratefulness either by shaking their hand, embracing them or bowing continuously.

She was just so happy today, very happy, for today she will see him after five days, a long five days.

x-x

"Oops lady. Sorry, you're not allowed to enter" The fat looking guard blocked the door, stopping her. He was wearing formal black suit attire, which made him like an agent protecting something important. He had something like earphone inserted in his ear and a gun injected in his pants.

Serenity raised her brow, acting to be sophisticated. "Why is that Sir?"

"Read if you know!" The guard rudely said then pointed the 'clothes should be formal' sign. He glared at her, insinuating her outfit.

She looked at herself and she was indeed not wearing any formal clothes. She was just wearing her usual attire, a faded shirt and shorts and shabby old shoes. But then she remembered Seto entering the place with his normal attire so she argued.

"But why is Seto Kaiba wears only a coat and some pants and you still allow him to enter?" She reasoned out, fighting the guard. Like proving a theorem, give one instance and it will be proven wrong. She learned this from their discrete logic class, her favourite subject.

The guard made a sarcastic laugh. "You're so funny little lady you know that? Of course we'll permit him. He is an exception from all the exceptions. He is Seto Kaiba, the owner of this place for g*d sake!" He slammed his table stand hard.

Serenity scorned immediately.. "It's unfair!"

"Rules are rules lady! I'm just following it" The guard lazily said, crossing his arms on his chest.

"Well your rules are unfair. If there is an exception to every rule, then there is no rule after all!" Serenity yelled, seemed creating a scandal at the entrance gate.

"Whatever you say!" The guard said, chuckling.

"Excuse me" A woman said, hinting Serenity to move out of the way. Serenity took one step to the left and the guard let the woman to enter. Serenity pouted her lips, feeling envious. 'This is really so unfair' But if she would not do anything right now, she would miss her chance to see him. Her risk earlier to her brother would just be for nothing if she didn't see him.

There was no choice. She had to do this. She knew she must not tell this to anyone, but this time she will. She must! This is the last resort she has...

"Excuse me again, Mr. rude" She walked near him, and put her one hand on her hips, acting arrogant. "For your information you have to let me enter right now, because I'm-Seto- Kaiba's girlfriend" She said stressfully and gracefully, with a hint of bragging. "And I need to see him immediately!"

The guard suddenly laughed loudly, not taking seriously her confession. "You know, you are really so funny"

"I'm not lying" Serenity spat in exasperation, irritation slowly forming. She just ran very hard and persistently asked for the direction of this place but then the rude guard in front of her won't even let her enter.

"Enough! You're so desperate to lie like that. You? His girlfriend? Nice joke!" The guard mocked more, still laughing at her. "It's not like you are the only one who attempted that method. Lots of girls came here, saying they are Seto Kaiba's girlfriend. That strategy is no longer effective"

"Ugh Serenity grunted and raked her hair in annoyance. ''Why do people judge others easily by their clothes? Life's unfair!' she thought and then walked away, giving up.

She stayed outside, sitting at the stairway. It was too bad! She couldn't enter the place. Of all the time she would forget her phone, why it would be in this day. No one believed her. But they have a right anyway. Does she look like a Seto Kaiba Girlfriend material right now? She looked down to see herself, and the answer was clearly written. Obviously not.

She looked at her watch and fifteen minutes had passed. 'Too bad. I only got thirty minutes as my excuse. How terrible'

She looked at the plastic, inside it the cake she would give to him. This cake, like the same cake she baked before, was the one she would willingly wait for more than 8 hours, just to desperately give it to him. And at that time, she didn't give up and just waited for him. And right now, it will be the same. She would not give up also. She will enter that place and give this to him. 'That's right Serenity. You are as strong as a tree. You are not easily giving up!'

She devised a plan and hid at the post. Mr. Rude was now talking to other person, their topic was about her. After their quick conversation, she saw the man pacing to enter, as Mr. Rude went back to his post and logged his entry. She took this opportunity and shadowed herself from the man's back, and successfully entered without the guard noticing her.

"Yes I did it!" Serenity jumped joyously and ran at the corner to hide. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" She muttered happily, proud of her performance.

She stood at the reception area and winched her head left and right, star struck of the interior of the place. It was very elegant and so classy. Just looking at the chandeliers hanging at every corner, one can't help but drop his jaw at its sophistication. The floor was made up of expensive marbles sparkling, could almost serve as a mirror. Few people eyed her in interest, probably noticing her attire. True that she was really an eye catcher of the place for she was not wearing any formal clothes nor a beautiful shoes and jewerlies like everyone.

'Now for the next phase, I need to call him before that guard found out I just sneaked in' she thought seriously, disrupting her site seeing. She saw an old woman with a phone and walked towards her.

"Um...excuse me, can I please borrow your phone even just for a minute? Please I need it so badly" Serenity begged, clutching her hands together.

The old woman eyed her dubiously, observing her unusual appearance. Feeling the old woman's doubt, she said cheerfully. "Don't worry, I'll just be here and won't take your phone"

The old woman handed it, realizing she didn't look like a thief or a robber. She just looked so childlike who needs help..

"Oh thank you madam. Thank you. Thank you. I owe you one" She bowed gratefully and dialled Seto's number. It was a good thing she had memorized it after staring at his number day and night, chanting it like a prayer for missing him before she sleep.

x-x

Seto was inside his office, tediously noting the business proposals. He was sitting with his usual accessories in him, the laptop and paper works. The secretary stood in front of his desk, reminding him of his schedule. But he wasn't really listening and just continued typing on his laptop.

"Sir, just a reminder, at 11:00, you'll have a business meeting to Mr. Tao, and at 1:30, there will be a conference together with Formosa Company and at-

"Rriiinngg"

The sound of the ringing phone made Seto to gesture his palm, stopping the Secretary. He reached for his usual phone and realized that it was not the one ringing. It can't be. He was only carrying two phones right now, one is for business and the other one is...

He crinkled his brow, realizing where it came from. He reached for the other phone, pushed the button and put it near his ear.

"Serenity?" He said roughly, hinting some worry. It was really strange that she would call at a time like this. She never called him during daytime but evening usually.

x-x

"Hey Seto!" Serenity said, sounding excited. The old woman beside her immediately looked at her in interest. "Did she just hear the name Seto?" The woman said softly.

"Why did you call?"

"Well..." Serenity stammered, somehow getting shy. "Um...guess where I am"

"Where?"Seto questioned, and then gasped lightly, realizing it was the same pattern he used last time. "Wait. You're here?" He said, sounding surprised and then put down the phone hastily.

"Yes" She said lively, but then the other line already hanged up. 'Hmm...that's weird'

x-x

Seto didn't even let himself hear her answer, assuming already it was a yes. He hurriedly stood up from his seat, reached for his coat and stride to walk outside.

"Sir, wait, where are you going? You still have-" The secretary said, but the door was already shut, leaving her behind.

Like autumn leaves falling from an aging tree,

Before the last leaf will fall...

Before all the leaves will perish and

Before parting the tree in barren

I will fall, and fall together with the last leaf. Together with you.

x-x

Serenity handed back the phone to the old lady and bowed again. "An endless thanks again Madam. It really helps a lot!"

"You're talking to..."

"Yes, Seto Kaiba. And thanks to you, I was able to talk to him. I'll pay you one way or another Madam. I'm very grateful-"

"Hey you sneaky rat!" A guard called, walking towards her. There were other three guards following him from behind, carrying gun and handcuffs.

"Oops, Mr. Rude found me" Serenity said worriedly, standing numbly. 'Gosh, this is bad. Seto come here immediately' she thought, panicking.

"Enough of your fantasies young lady" The guard stood beside her, clasped her hand and handcuffed it together. "I'll bring you to the police department"

She gasped. "Oh no please! I'm telling the truth. I'm really Seto Kaiba's girlfriend." She yelled, resisting their strong grasp on her shoulder. "Ouch careful!"

This was really getting bad. Not only to the guard she had exposed the truth but to everyone. They laughed together at her declaration, marking her as ridiculous.

"Alright, alright, I believe you" The guard said sarcastically, playing along. "Of all the reasons you will choose to be as excuse, being his girlfriend is the most unbelievable"

"First, Mr. Kaiba is not interested in girls. He probably has many girls following him but he always turned them down" The guard explained, lecturing her.

"Second and the most important thing, if ever Mr. Kaiba would have a girlfriend, it would not be you. Look at you, your clothes are shabby and out of class. You think Mr. Kaiba would fall with you, you're dreaming!"

Then there was a sudden silence as people around them bowed and greeted someone coming out from the elevator.

Seto walked hurriedly at the hallway, looking left and right, scanning someone.

"Good Morning Mr. Kaiba"

"Good Morning Sir"

People kept bowing at him in respect, noting his position in the company, the boss of all. He didn't answer them back or even looked at them, but he focused mainly in scanning the crowd, looking for a certain girl.

"Hey Seto!" Serenity cheerfully yelled, seeing him. She smiled widely, heart jumping in joy. She raised her arm to wave at him, seemed forgetting that she was still handcuffed.

Seto heard her and looked at her hastily. He was about to smile when he suddenly noticed a handcuff in her hand and a police holding tightly her shoulder who seemed treating her like a criminal. He immediately walked towards them, looking serious.

"Oh sir, you're here. Right in time for this sneaky girl just entered your building and deliberately flaunting a gruesome lie that she is you girlfriend-"

"Get the hell your hands off her!" Seto suddenly yelled, emitting anger, glaring fiercely. The CEO's voice called everyone's attention to look at the unexpected commotion.

The guards suddenly trembled, feeling nervous all of sudden. "Sir?" They asked, barely audible.

"Are you deaf? Or do you want me to repeat it again for the sake of your dirty ears?" Seto went on, with vehemence at the edge of his tone.

The guard prevented themselves to drop their jaw in embarrassment. "Um...yes sir, immediately" They hastily unchained Serenity, hands shaking.

Serenity once freed, walked towards him and muttered lightly. "Seto I-"

"Are you hurt?" He asked coldly, still shading some anger.

"No but-"

"Wait a minute Serenity. I'm not finish with these people yet" Seto remarked strongly, then glared one by one the four guards, seemed melting them through his stare. Their boss was just glaring at them so badly, and it wasn't a good sign at all.

The angry reaction of their boss had just proven one thing. The girl wasn't lying, and recalling their treatment to her earlier and the reaction of their boss right now, things don't look good for them right now.

"So...sir is-is it true?" One guard courageously asked, stammering fearfully. "Is she-she really your girlfriend?" Such guts he had to ask this question to their boss who was glaring at them to death.

Seto narrowed his eyes. "You – are –all - so - dumb!" Seto said strongly and slowly. "You are all fired!" Seto angrily yelled, turned around and reached for Serenity's hand to walk away. "Let's go Serenity! These dumb people are just ruining my day!"

The guards were seemed slapped strongly on their face, making them stayed numbly in their position. Did they just hear their boss right? They're fired? As in fired which means they have no job from now on?

They were working in here day and night for a few years now, and they were fired just like that. They took few seconds before they realized what happened. Wakening themselves, they hurriedly walked and followed Seto.

"Sir, wait we're sorry. Please, we didn't know." The guards begged persistently, trying to catch up with his pace.

"Heck I don't care" Seto said coldly, looking straight at the path and dragging Serenity with him.

"Please. I'll do anything. I need money so much. Please!" Mr. Rude said, with a gesture of praying hands. Serenity remained in silence, deeply looking at them, seemed confused. At a single command from him, these people had already lost their job. How easy for him to make it happened and it was all because of her.

While they were walking, another man approached them. "Oh Mr. Kaiba, I'm Josephus, your employee. You manager had just fired me last week, and I am hoping if you can reconsider my application. I just need this job so badly. My son is sick and is in the hospital" An old man frantically begged after seeing a rare situation where a CEO was just wandering around the ground floor.

"I'm not in charge of that. Get out of my sight!" Seto commented, ignoring them and still heading towards the elevator. This is why he hated coming on the ground floor – lowly people kept on pestering him with such non sense.

"But Mr. Kaiba" The man stopped and also the guards, looking depressed. This was definitely not a good day for them.

Serenity turned her head and looked at them while walking. Then, she suddenly removed the grip of Seto's hand and stopped. Seto sensed it, paused and turned around. He looked at her worriedly. "What's wrong?"

Serenity frowned, starting to make a scene. "That's so rude!" She criticized him deliberately, not considering where they were, inside the Kaiba Corporation right before of his employees.

"I'm the one who's rude?" Seto shot back, not minding also the scenario they were creating. "Well excuse me, I'm just trying to defend you there. Well, if you are not appreciating it, and be ungrateful and even remark me as rude, fine with me!" He angrily commented, confused at her reaction. 'I should have known Wheelers are ungrateful!' He didn't understand this woman! He had just saved her as being a damsel in distress, and instead of a thank you or embrace or kiss, a 'that's so rude' remark was given back to him.

"Well you're missing the point" Serenity began, starting to explain. "You just fired all these people that easily? Do you even think how many people would get affected from your hasty decision?" She went on, sharing her sentiments. "Look at that guy, his son was sick, and then you fired him. Those guards over there, they might not be the only one who will starve from today on, but their wife and children also" She was not a rich person so she could really relate to the severity of Seto's action. Losing a job like that would be so easy for a privileged like him. But to these people? Definitely not.

"They had committed a mistake, they deserve it" Seto argued coldly, showing an invariable character.

"But everyone commits mistake. I understand them if they didn't believe me earlier. I myself will not actually believe I'm your girlfriend. Look at me, they're right, I look very poor and I am really poor." Serenity said, getting calmer this time.

Seto quivered at her statement, remembering something.

She then walked towards him and touched his hand gently. "Seto...please, reconsider it?" She asked, sounding begging. She looked calmer this time as she convinced and eyed him sweetly. "I bought you a cake... your favourite..." She said playfully and then showed him her present, smiling irresistible.

Her expression was just making him weak, deliberately pointing to him his wrong actions and he couldn't do anything about it. 'Damn that smile!' he thought, giving up. He didn't see her for a long time and seeing her expression like this again left him defenceless. He flied his one arm and turned around to face the guards. "Fine. All of you, start working again. And you–"

"Josephus" The man said obediently, shading some happiness.

"Josephus, talk to my secretary" He ordered authoritatively then turned around to face her. "Happy?" He said sarcastically.

"Seto..." she smiled shyly and then pointed someone. "Could you help that woman also? I owe her a big one" Seto handed his calling card to the old woman who was one of the people encircling them. "Say to my secretary your needs" He stated, obediently following Serenity.

The old woman naturally received it, seemed shock at his gesture. She wasn't even aware that she had contributed something to a special person like her. Today indeed had become a good day to her and to everyone as well. They smiled, seemed couldn't believe themselves that everything was resolved that easily. Because for sure, if they would protest, they still have to undergo a long process before their protest would reach the CEO. And today, it was easily granted. Thanks to her.

"Are we done here?" Seto looked at her and raised his brow conceitedly.

Serenity suddenly embraced him and said joyously. "Thanks! You are so good!" She backed out immediately, noticing suddenly they were in public and people were eyeing them curiously.

"Let's go eat outside. I will just get my files in my room" Seto tried to drag her with him but she didn't move, remembering something.

"Wait. You don't understand" She jerked her hand, looking troubled. "I only got five minutes left for I just escape my brother"

"Ten more minutes being late wouldn't be an issue" Seto commented, convincing her to take risk. She nodded, agreeing. She badly wanted to be with him and seeing him just a few minutes like this was still not enough. Honestly, she wasn't really thinking straight right now to realize the possible risks she had created today and was about to create. She just agreed to go out with him for ten more minutes.

"Wait here" Seto ordered and headed towards the elevator. Before he rode the elevator, he turned around and gave the guards a glare. The guards gulped and smiled nervously.

And the famous CEO left the ground floor, leaving the people shocked. Serenity, who was left alone was eyed by the people in admiration after noticing who she was and the power she had over him.

The guards went in front of her, kneeled and bowed. "We're really sorry Ms-"

"Serenity" She filled in, telling them her name. She shyly looked around, embarrassed at their doing which attracted everyone's attention.

"Yes, Ms. Serenity. We are really so sorry and embarrass at what we have done to you. I'm sorry if we didn't believe you and hurt you. We're-"

"It's okay. Stand up now. "She ordered, feeling uncomfortable at such words and gestures.

"No. It's not yet enough. We also like to thank you for convincing him to reconsider us." They added, still bowing continuously.

"Yes me too Ms. Serenity" Josephus interjected, bowing in gratefulness. "I am always here everyday, filing up my reconsideration paper but nobody pays attention. And yet in just your one command, it was already granted. Thank you!"

"Oh...That-that was nothing" She said, stammering. "Get up now. It's really okay"

"No we must thank you still" They said strongly, wanting still to apologize and thank her.

"Well if you're not going to get up, I'll ask him to take it back" She still had to threaten them to make them stop, and so they immediately obeyed, stood up and smiled at her.

"You are so good" One guard praised. "Unlike him" He added, whispering.

"I agree. Mr. Kaiba never shows compassion to his employees. He doesn't even have time to speak to us" The other one added, supporting the other's opinion.

"Oh..."She trailed, not knowing what to say at their confessions.

"But today...whoa! What can I say! You're great out there, making him take back his words. Because usually, once he said something, it was never broken"

"Aa...aah..." She stuttered, thinking and then chuckled uncomfortably at their reaction.

"Thank you young lady for your action" The old woman, who lent Serenity earlier a cellphone joined the conversation. "At first I didn't believe also, but my eyes deceived me"

"You're such a blessing to us!" Another person appreciatively said, eyes sparkling in joy. "what can we do to repay you"

"Hmm actually I just have one favour" She said remembering something. She took few steps toward them and whispered. "Can you make sure what happened today remains a secret, especially the 'girlfriend' part?" She eyed them softly, pleading.

The few people around remaining frowned at her request, but nodded instinctively as this was coming from her, their saviour. They wanted to ask more but want to lose the good position they have right now with her.

"Thank you so much" She clasped her hand together, joyous at their response. The scene today went out hand, and she need to fix it as good as she can.

"No we're the one who should thank you" Serenity just kept on smiling, didn't know what to say. It was just earlier when these people around her judged her easily as poor, and eyed her as if she was dirt. But then, right now, they seemed to worship her.

It happened so fast. Just the fact that Seto came over here and proved the truth of her words changed everything upside down. It was worth to notice how people judged someone easily by their appearance and status. And when they realized that the person was important and connected to someone powerful, they changed 180 degrees expression and praised that person from head to toe.

True that anyone would assume the situation earlier was seemed like a fairy tale, where a prince charming had rescued a damsel in distress princess. But that thought was a mistake. It was not as simple as that. Underlying to that fluffy, heart wrenching thought, concept of unfairness, discrimination, power hierarchy exists. She clearly noticed these, and her life is definitely not a fairy tale.

Though it may look like it at first glance - being with a famous person whom his brother loathe so badly, and she needing to sneak out behind everyone's back and lie to them just to hear and see her lover, and all of this happening under her amnesia state. So does her life still looked like every young maiden's dream? Hiding and lying to your family and friends, and her not doing anything about it? No, she didn't like it at all.

And through the earlier event, she had realized this thought, the gravity of her predicament. Before, when she was still secluded inside the Kaiba mansion, she was not aware of the social issues of her relationship. She just knew that Seto was her boyfriend and she loved him period. But then, right now, to be outside at the mansion and to live in the city, she realized it wasn't that easy. Their secret relationship together was not the only one that made it complicated but also their difference in status.

Her boyfriend was not any normal teenager that she could fall in love easily, be with him and then they happily live forever, tada! That was a fantasy. Seto Kaiba was not that kind of person; he was a prominent one who held a high status and involved in many relations. He had a power over someone. No. It was not just to someone, but even to corporations, foundations and politics as well. These people around her, they were all under him, under her boyfriend. And these people actually held the same status she had in a society and maybe even higher. And yet right now, it looked like she was higher than them. She looked higher and was admired because she was connected to him, connected to the famous Kaiba.

What a life, so full of complicacies. And she was involved on it, deeply involved. Her life seemed so complicated. Everything was so complicated. Is this what they called a fairy tale? Definitely no.

She had a boyfriend who was so rich like this, so powerful, and she...she was just a normal school girl who was still suffering in amnesia, no identity at all. They were so different. Seto and her were totally different, and yet they were together, hiding behind her brother and friend's back. Such liar she was...looking innocent yet behind her smiling innocent face was a lying person who wanted to see her lover that everyone loathed. These people kept on remarking her as a very good and kind person. Yes, say all you want for they really got it right. She was very good, definitely a very good liar!

The elevator opened and Seto arrived and headed towards her.

And this was it. This was her choice, to live behind lies and fool her brother and her friends. A liar she was and yet she hated liars.

Rethinking her dilemma, she decided to settle it as soon as possible. She didn't want this kind of life, this untruthful life, absolutely not, and so she decided she had to tell her brother the truth, soon before he founds out.

x-x

Joey was outside Tea's house, standing worriedly as he scanned the street to look for Serenity. The game he was watching had just ended and yet she still wasn't coming back. She said she would just a buy a pepper at the next block. But it had already been thirty minutes. It had been too long.

"Um...Tea, I'll just go and find her. I'm worried." Joey said, frowning in anxiety. He was just having this weird feeling again, afraid that she might have an accident. And besides, she was not yet recovered, she might get lost at the directions.

"Joey, maybe the line in the cashier is so long" Tea assured him, soothing his fear.

Joey heaved a sigh, crumpling his face. "But that grocery store always has few customers" Joey retorted, panic at the edge of his voice.

"Oh..."

"I'll go now. And if Serenity went here, tell her to head immediately to our house. I'll wait for her there" Joey ordered, then walked out. 'I should not let her out alone! Who knows, someone took her and hurt her...' he thought, with his heart beating faster.

"No problem!" Tea answered and then walked inside the house.

x-x

Serenity was lining up in a cashier, aiming to buy drinks. They were inside the classy cake shop, as Seto took her there to spend dating even just for ten minutes. Yes, ten more minutes to be late. But right now, she wasn't thinking that. She wasn't thinking anything except that she was really happy right now being with him after those torturous five days.

And honestly, she was feeling dizzy today, not the physical dizziness but emotional dizziness. There had been so many things simultaneously in her life these days, numbing her to think of the consequences and resolution to his current dilemma.

After painful days of not being with him and now deciding to throw herself in the risk, she had lost it. She had lost herself, drowned into her emotions to spend time with him and ignore other things. And these dizziness and confusion were all currently suppressed inside, unconsciously rising up that will soon come out.

Seto remained at the table, eyes darted seriously as he read a newspaper. His character was emitting formality, perfectly matched up with his presence in the elegant shop. His blue eyes carried his normal expression, rigidly covered with emptiness and cold. He was reading a newspaper as he waited patiently for Serenity to buy their drinks. The cake that was given to him was laid at the table as their main course.

He was reading seriously when a hand sliding up like a snake around his shoulder suddenly touched him. Unmoving, he looked at his shoulder through the corner of his eye and saw a hand manicured with black fingernails.

And he immediately grunted. That black manicure was not a good sign at all.

"Well, well, well what do we have here..."From his back, a woman took two steps to look at his face and leaned down very closely. "Darling Seto!"

And his assumption was right. It was her, Releina Fallafox, the only daughter of the Fallafox Corporation, which his company was partnered with. And she was here, together with that revealing outfit again. She was wearing a thick lipstick that would absolutely make her looked like a prostitute. She had thick bangs, that instead to make her innocent, it made her look like a bitch. Her long black hair swayed perfectly to her cat like movements as she showed off her butt shifting solidly left and right. And indeed, her favourite formal outfit was the most noticeable, a black coat that had a clear cut in front, flaunting her cleavage, and very short skirt, showing off her legs. She was wearing a wet look boots, perfecting the term bitch. Exaggerated make-up, and a strong eye liner would complete her definition more.

Seto ignored her and eyed again the newspaper. Releina stare didn't falter as she leaned back and lifted her arm and touched playfully his hair. "I'm so glad you visited my shop! I'm flattered" She hissed seductively.

Seto hastily raised his arm and held her, stopping her twirling his bangs. "Do you mind? You're bothering me" He spat huskily, vehemence clearly released. She's the owner of this? If he had known it earlier, he wouldn't even gone here. Releina looked at him deeply and whispered sexily. "Playing hard to get huh?"

This was not a rare event. This happened all the time when girls like Releina will disturb him and flirt to the max, and when that happened, there was only one thing to do – to go away.

However, this time he couldn't.

Releina sensed his repelling reaction and backed away. She smiled sweetly and then walked towards the other seat in front of him and sat there. She put her elbow on the table and leaned on her hand, trying to get his attention.

Seto, who was aware of Releina's unwavering stare, was fighting his urge to go right now but he couldn't for just one reason - her.

Her... 'Shit!' and he swore under his breathe as he looked up and clearly saw Serenity looking angrily at the corner, carrying a tray of drinks in her hand.

Serenity was furiously staring at Releina's back as she stood numbly at the corner. Releina moved again her hand and covered Seto's newspaper, a way of distracting him and calling his attention at the same time. But Seto wasn't looking down at the newspaper anymore but to Serenity who was now sauntering slowly towards them.

"Get out now" Seto muttered threateningly to Releina in an undertone.

She made a whimpering looking face and exclaimed in a high pitch voice, like a shrieking cat. "Why? I'm still enjoying being with you like this" She slide her fingers like a snake on his hands, flirting. "Besides I'm the owner of this place, why would I get out" Seto immediately backed her hand and leaned back on the chair, seemed getting uncomfortable, uncomfortable to someone looking at Releina to death right now. "You are always running away from me!" Releina whined, pouting purposely her lips.

Someone cleared her throat, interrupting the scene. "Um...excuse me" Serenity spoke, sounding still polite. "Sorry to disturb your little chat or rather your obscenity show with all that eye hurting, ludicrous outfit"

"Who the hell-"

"But, then, you have to go right now because you're occupying my seat" She said hastily, tone getting louder and solid. She strongly put down a tray of drinks, leaned down and glared at her. She looked at her strongly, eyes burning, emitting unpredictability.

And Releina didn't hesitate and stared at her at the same time. They held their gazes for a while, until Releina backed out first. She let out a small chuckle, seemed calling everyone's interest.

She then slowly stood up stylishly from her seat and faced Serenity directly.

"Such guts you have to look at me like that. Do you know who I -"

"I perfectly know who you are" Serenity cut her, sounding arrogant and confident. "You're a disgraceful woman persistently suiting yourself to someone who's not available!" She grunted mockingly, and rolled her eyes obviously. "How desperate!"

Releina immediately frowned at her words, confused. "Seto what is she talking about?" She asked, still trying to be sweet. Even at confused state, she still tried to flirt.

Seto, who remained numb from the fight building up, mechanically answered. "She is Serenity, my-"

"His girlfriend!" Serenity proudly interjected, saying it loud and clear so everyone would hear it and the words will head directly towards Releina's eardrum to smack that word on her face. She crossed her arms on her chest and smirked rudely at her, looking arrogant.

"Oh..." Releina trailed, and remained silent for a while, caught off guard to her confession. She cleared her throat, wakening her self to say something or else she would look pathetic in front of everyone.

"I don't know your taste became this low Seto. I never expected this..." She vainly criticized, and showed off her fingers, looking at it in a classy manner.

"Geezz, she has no class. Look at her manners. Oh and her outfit. Ewww" She added more, heat evidently heating up between them. "Where did you pick this girl Seto, in a squatter's area?" She chuckled and covered her mouth femininely, loving Serenity's furious and silent reaction.

"Um guard!" She turned around boldly and waved her hand. "Next time, could we enlarge the trash can here, around her size, a little more than 5 ft. That would be her exclusive dining table from now on, perfectly suiting her" She looked at her and laughed sarcastically.

'That's it!' Seto thought, taking it as a signal. He stood up and tugged Serenity. "Let's leave! It's not worth it!" He said to her, wanting to leave before chaos ensues. He was having a very bad feeling about this.

But was this gesture already late? Serenity wasn't moving at all, not even looking at him.

"Serenity, let's go!" Seto ordered louder, pulling her outside the door.

Serenity jerked her arm and removed his clasped strongly. "No Seto. I'm not done yet!"

Now, that tone was a bad sign. And indeed, he was already late...

Serenity was shooting a death glare at Releina, shaking in anger. She clenched her fist, as if it will bleed. 'This is bad.'

"This disgraceful woman should know first who between us is as dirty as a trash, as low as an earthworm, and as wild looking as a beast!" After remaining silent, Serenity finally shot back, preparing to erupt.

"Oh really?" Releina raised her one brow and plastered a fake smile.

Serenity answered her gesture and smiled back sinisterly at her. "Really!"

"I like to straighten your obviously dull perception that all those insulting words you claimed on me" She paused and muttered gravely. " are your own self definition. All of those existed in you"

Releina quivered, seemed feeling something strong words were about to be spoken.

Serenity walked comfortably and circled her like a vulture. "First, you said I have no class. Did you know what you just did earlier? You are deliberately flirting in public with someone who doesn't even like you at all!" She went on, like a lawyer formally questioning her. "Such thick face you have for persistently showing off your big front, that one over there, like it was your own face" She pointed her chest rudely and went on unpleasantly. " Now, where's your class there!"

Releina widened her eyes for such embarrassing action. This woman in front of her was totally ridiculing and degrading her. "You-"

"Wait" Serenity suddenly put her palm near Releina's lips, shutting her up. "I am just starting. Don't get so excited." She said smoothly, teasing her.

And Releina couldn't do anything but glared at her...

"Second, you said I have no manners. Do you know that flirting with someone that was already taken and even doing it in front of his girlfriend was disrespectful?"' Serenity went on, already creating a scandal in the cake shop. People had stopped eating and just watched the fight between the owner of the shop and a customer.

"Are single guys in this world already extinct? That seems you are so desperate to push yourself to him? Don't worry, I think you're rich, you can clone some guys and can change partner everyday!" She suggested, smirking.

The people laughed at the conversation, noticing the owner's angry expression. "Okay, fine, maybe you didn't know that he has already a girlfriend. But duh? He was already shoving you off, and you still kept on gluing your dirty hands on him!"

Seto, who was obviously the 'him' in the conversation, just stood numbly, and didn't have any idea on what to do. What should he do? Stop these girls from fighting? No he didn't know that, he didn't now how to do that. He didn't know anything when it comes to this situation. All he knew was the business strategies and card duelling. Learning how to stop girls from bickering wasn't included in his Kaiba lessons, especially handling a Wheeler who was acting like a tiger!

And besides, no one seemed among the people tried to make any move to stop them. Serenity who was dominating the situation won't stop, totally not thinking the scandal she was creating.

x-x

"Um sir can I buy that newspaper" Joey asked as he stood at the street, in front of a small paper shop. He just couldn't find Serenity anywhere and he was now so worried. He went here for a while and decided to rest.

"People are really hot these days, aren't they?" The salesman said in an undertone, smiling frantically. He handed him the newspaper.

"I'm sorry?" Joey asked, confused.

"On your right, women..." The man said, and pointed the cake shop over the window where two women inside arguing.

x-x

"And lastly, If I heard correctly, you just criticized my outfit" Carrying an unbroken character, Serenity commented, totally engaged in fighting. "Well, have you looked on the mirror lately? So did you see your thick make up and the revealing coat, "She leaned down and whispered mockingly. "Which obviously doesn't suit you at all"

Releina almost drop her jaw at such statements. "You...you're" She stammered, couldn't hold her tormenting any longer. She was really planning to shoot back and do something unethical to her when she suddenly changed her mind and remained calm.

"Oh well, I wouldn't play along to this dirty verbal game of yours!" She put out a hanky and wiped her shoulder, face, and ear, cleaning all the parts that nearly touched by Serenity. "I'm educated not to go so low with you"

"You're educated? Is your action earlier the action of an educated girl? Serenity exclaimed, sounding surprised. "You're making me laugh!"

Releina was already breathing ruggedly, furiously controlling herself. "You're a trash!" She blurted out, unable to make a smart retort.

"And you're a bitch!" Serenity spat back, following her pattern.

"The hell with you, how dare you talk to me like that and yet you don't know who I am" She cried out, knitting her brow in anger. "I am just only Releina Fallafox, the owner of this cake shop and I can shove you right now.

"And not only that, I'm just only the daughter of Mr. Fallafox who runs the Fallafox Corporation – a company that plays largely in circulating the investments of Japan." She added, trying not to look humiliated.

Serenity lifted her arms and raised it playfully. "Oh I'm so scared!"

"Don't mock me, you twit! You got in my nerves this time!" She was about to slap her when Serenity reached for a fork and pointed it towards her.

"Don't ever think about continuing that" She said threateningly, holding the fork strongly. " I'm not afraid to cut your throat with this fork"

The people gasped at such scenario. Releina trembled as she saw Serenity's fierce eyes. She then gave up and put down her hand, seemed getting scared.

Serenity sensed her gesture, turned around and dragged Seto away. "Let's go Seto! There are still hundreds of cake shops in this place." Serenity said arrogantly, walking away fast.

"Whoa! What a fierce girl!" the people couldn't help but get stirred up at what had just happened and admire the customer's guts to defy a prominent person like Ms. Fallafox.

x-x

After they exited the Cake shop, Seto and Serenity walked together at the street, silence hovering between them. She paused for a while at the side wall, reality slowly sinking in. 'Oh my… what had just happened' She touched her chest instinctively, her raised temperature going down. Her eyes became unfocused, mind reeling the events from few minutes ago.

She was definitely feeling guilty and confused at the same time. What had she done? Even without her memories, she knew deep inside her behaviour. Well hello, those were supposed to be naturally embedded in her. But she did it; it was totally out of character of her, but she did it. And it seemed she was losing herself day by day. First she never lied before, and now, she was deliberately lying. Second, she never fooled anyone, but now, she was fooling everyone. Third, she never sneaked in to someone's place before without the owner's permission and earlier, she was almost arrested in doing it, doing it for wanting to see him. Fourth, she was never a risk taker. Now? She had just bloated to everyone their secret relationship. Wait. There was more. And this was the latest one. She had just lost control of herself earlier and engaged in a verbal fight with a famous person. 'To engage in a fight?'

That was never her attitude and yet she had done it, she had done it because...because of him. What was happening to her?

And she was losing it all, losing herself and yet that was not even the most bothersome thought but the fact that she was ready to lose it all.

"Um...Seto" She stopped walking and muttered shyly. Seto wheeled around and looked at her seriously.

"About what happened..."She began, looking at the floor and holding her hands together nervously. "I...I'm sorry" she went on, feeling guilty at what happened.

"I'm not thinking to burst out like that. I didn't even think how it would affect you and your feelings over-"

"Serenity" Seto interjected, standing directly in front of her.

"She looked at him, noticing his interruption. He eyed her genuinely, seemed wanting to say something.

"Are...are you jealous with her?" Seto whispered, not looking at her this time, somehow shy at asking the question.

Serenity scorned. "Jealous? You're asking me if I am Jealous?" She said, her strong expression again returning, seemed wanting to erupt again. "Of course yes, why would I degrade that woman and risk my pride if I'm not- not -not"

Seto suddenly leaned very closely to her, making her stumble in words. He looked at her sharply, his warm breathe flushing her cheeks. "You don't have to be..." He whispered hoarsely in her ear and then walked away, leaving her stunned and numb again.

'He did that thing again'

"Hey wait up!" Noticing that he was really leaving her there, she ran and called him. She tried to catch up with him and walked fast.

"You are in a hurry right?" Seto said plainly, hands tucked in his pockets.

Serenity gasped, eyes widening in realization. "Oh my Gosh! I forgot!"

She looked at her watch, crinkling her brow in worry. "What time is it? Oh no! I'm super late. Bye!" She said hastily and then turned around, going away.

"Hey the cake" Seto reminded her.

"Oops sorry" She walked back and handed the uneaten cake. "Here. Bye!"

And Serenity ran as fast as she could, perspiring in anxiety. 'I'm so stupid to forget the time! Now my brother will get angry at me for sure' She thought nervously, eyes focused straight.

She ran continuously and then a newspaper suddenly flied in front of her as the wind blew. Weird. The weather was suddenly changing to cold... She turned around and saw nothing important but only pages of newspapers scattered at the street, and her heart suddenly beat faster, feeling a bad omen...

A real bad omen...

And from here...the tree had lost all the leaves

...the beginning to end everything

TBC

x-x