So sorry it's been FOREVER since I posted regularly. I'm starting to get back into the swing of things. I'm trying to just press on and get a chapter out as often as I can. If there's any inconsistencies, let me know. It's been so long since I started the story so my facts/notes may be all jumbled. This whole project is a bit of a mess haha it wasn't meant to be taken seriously but it became a dark and serious story.
Thanks again to everyone for their messages and kind words. I really appreciate it.
(Undercover)
Sora could only describe Kaiba's "captain's quarters" as one word. Decadent.
Crystals dangled from brass lighting fixtures and sparkled across her vision like tiny tinker bells dancing in the light. Brown leather sofas as rich in hue as melted chocolate were at the corner. Dark forest green carpets and landscape paintings of stormy skies and majestic cliffs met her eyes. Despite the seafarer theme of her personal cabin, this room consisted of earthy browns and vibrant greens. Open doors down a narrow hallway revealed a large bed and drawers while another showed a clean bathroom. Sora studied the large oak desk with its neatly stacked papers and laptop whirling its little fan merrily. It was too far to see but she caught snippets of schematics and the words, "Duel Disk V3" and "Crystal Cloud Network".
"If you're still hungry I can have food brought up here." Kaiba cleared his throat and loosened his tie. Sora whirled around at the tired looking CEO. He began undoing his cuff links as he went to the couches and collapsed into one. "Though knowing you, I'll call up wine."
She blinked as her contacts dried up. Her head was spinning slowly but her heart wasn't fluttering any more. "You don't care for my drinking."
"Under my supervision, it's fine. But not when you're off flirting with some fuck face in front of me." His glare brought a chill in the air. Sora kept blinking hard and rubbing her tear caked eyes. In a shameful puppy dog shuffle she scuttled to the seat across from him and gingerly sat down. She looked cautious and sheepish at the same time. After a few seconds of silence, Kaiba snapped, "What's your problem?"
"What's yours?" Her face grew hot as she felt a mix of rage and embarrassment. "So what if I flirt with a guy in front of you? We're not dating." He stared at her blankly, as though her words weren't in a language he understood. She half laughed and quickly added, "We're friends at most! Besides, so what if I'm flirting with other guys? It's not like I'd have a right to be upset if you paraded around with one of your supermodel arm warmers."
Kaiba snorted and grimaced as he fought away a smirk. "You'd be devastated if I did that. But unlike you, I think things through."
"That last part is true," Sora conceded, "But I promise I wouldn't care if you were being smothered to death by a horde of naked Amazons."
His eyebrow lifted slightly. He leaned forward with his folded hands to his mouth as he softly asked, "You've been watching too many Axe commercials." He had a glint in his eye and his shoulders were slightly trembling. He was laughing at her.
She grabbed the nearest projectile to fling it at him. Unfortunately, or fortunately, it was just an overstuffed pillow that missed its target and hit the bookshelves behind him. Thankfully, nothing fragile broke. "You, sir, are an imbecile. An idiot. Stupid!" She giggled briefly before covering her mouth and trying to stop. She felt significantly relieved. Safe. Like she was at home.
He smirked. "I disagree. I've got you right where I want you." He looked away. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't go making me feel like a fool in front of everyone. What you did back there was humiliating."
More face heat followed by a gut punch of guilt coursed through her body. "I'm sorry."
Kaiba nodded, adding, "You seem to be doing better." His sapphire eyes darkened to a deep abyss blue. "The man that hurt you. How did he find you?"
"I don't know." Sora pulled out her cell phone, pulling up the message from the unknown caller. "I received this earlier today." Kaiba took the phone from her, his eyes quickly darting across the phone. He began to sift through more information but Sora swiped the phone from him and shot a dirty scowl at him. "There's nothing else important to see."
(Undercover)
His fingers still vibrated with the sensation that he was supposed to be holding something. Yet his hand was empty save for the sharp sting from one of her fingernails when she swiped the phone quicker than he would have credited her for.
"There's nothing else important to see."
Huh. Well that is what sane people call an overreaction.
Kaiba put his empty hand down and studied her. Her dark hair had been styled like a wild fern. Or maybe it was just her instability that gave her the frazzled look. Her bloodshot eyes and heavy breathing made her look like a junkie jonesing for a fix. She looked better than earlier at the balcony and precariously close to going over the side. She looked like she was going to jump. That had scared him. He didn't plan on leaving her alone tonight.
Normally, he wouldn't waste his time with a basket case. He'd have his security detain and remove her, had she been anyone else. He had much more important matters to attend. But Sora... Sora was someone he had a taste of and needed to buy the scoop. Not just in his attraction, which he still couldn't find a rational reason for, but also in the fact that somehow he cared. He cared about what was happening to her just as much as he cared about what had happened to her. He feared what would happen to her.
Though, he admitted, her getting drunk and being an idiot was getting old. He considered having her admitted for mental care. But besides the legality issues he wondered if he could forgive himself for doing that to someone who wasn't a harm to others. He believed that everyone had a right to live their lives as they choose. And before he met her, he never cared if the person wanted to waste their life away. It meant less competition for him. But now it was different.
"I'm going to get some water." She stood up, pulling down at her skimpy dress that had ridden up. She was still very drunk, though functional. Slightly swaying, red skinned, and glassy eyed, Sora slowly went to the kitchenette to help herself. He took the opportunity to study her red blister scarred upper thighs and the roughened red of damaged skin. That dress did little to cover up the damage. As she leaned over the sink to pour herself a glass of water he could just make out what looked like healed stitches below her armpits. Those many superficial injuries looked intentional. His muscles all tightened in anger as he discovered more about her abuse.
The idea that someone out there hurt her filled him with hot lava and smoke. He clenched his jaw and sharply inhaled to keep his demeanor cool. True, she was insane. But someone made her that way. She was broken.
"You can sleep in my room tonight." Kaiba got to his feet and went to retrieve some clothes she could cover up and sleep in. "Feel free to use the shower, if you want."
"Thanks." Her voice was soft but right behind him as he pulled drawers and pulled out some silk pajamas. He rued never investing in more generic sleeping wear than his expensive tastes allowed as he handed her the shiny light blue pants and shirt. Her face lit up and she giggled, taking his clothes and fleeing to the bathroom. He covered his face, wanting the feeling of embarrassment to evaporate or at least willed himself to disappear.
(Undercover)
Sora let the warm water loosen her shoulder muscles as she slowly relaxed and washed her hair. She'd have to put the wig back on before she left, but it was nice to take it off for now. She didn't plan on sleeping the night.
As soon as Kaiba fell asleep she was sneaking away. That was the plan.
She had gone overboard, she knew. It was more mortifying than she could express, having to stay in with Kaiba after her little explosion. She had just needed to relieve pressure. And my, did the kettle almost burst. She had made a mess of things. And here she was, again, back in a situation she wished she hadn't gotten herself in.
She hoped she didn't give away too much. But this situation was just like last time. And she had been so lucky, before. He bought her story before, but she doubted he'd buy another lie too. She bit her lip and fumed at herself. Idiot. You stupid idiot.
She sighed and tried to come up with an escape plan. She couldn't jump out the windows, they were simple circled glass welded into the steel walls of the ship. She'd have to go out the front door. Past the couch where she assumed Kaiba would lay.
How would the damsel escape the guard of the great dragon? She snickered at her fantasy. Why, she must slay the dragon.
A nagging feeling of professional sloppiness scolded her as she rinsed off the soap. She had an opportunity to interview Seto Kaiba. And she kept blowing it with her own baggage.
I'd appreciate it if you didn't go making me feel like a fool in front of everyone.
She turned off the water, trying to distract the waterfall of emotions pouring over her. She should feel flattered. Ecstatic. Seto Kaiba was interested in her. This was every girl's dream come true: Win the heart of a rich, handsome, powerful CEO. Some drama, a little BDSM and it was fifty shades of Kaiba.
A part of her was thrilled. A legend of a man that she admired for years was interested in her. But that feeling was laced with the burdening dread she didn't understand. She was afraid. Not of him. But what would happen if she stayed around him. She wasn't sure if it was from what happened or just because it was Seto freaking Kaiba. As she towel dried her long white hair she looked at herself in the mirror. She looked alien with the brown contacts and platinum hair. She hadn't bothered trying to preserve any of the other details that created Sora. The lash extensions were already peeled off her eye lids, revealing snowy lashes framing fake irises. The makeup was scrubbed off and the pale complexion underneath was all white and pink with no cream to contour and shape her face. She'd have to leave the bathroom soon. But she didn't want to see the look on Kaiba's face at the complete un-makeover of Sora.
In procrastination, she opened the medicine cabinet, curiosity fully engaged. She noted shaving creams and razors neatly organized. She lit up and went to open and sniff a bottle of aftershave, pleased to find it full of the cinnamon and sandalwood that he exuded. After inhaling healthy lungfuls of the sweet and sensual scents she put the bottle back. Her eyes had caught the familiar bright orange of prescription bottle plastic.
She pulled out the single bottle, studying the contents. Strange white pills that appeared sugar coated shined through the translucent orange. She read the prescription, noting it was Suvorexant. Recommended use: 1 Pill Daily, as needed as sleeping aid.
She wasn't surprised. She figured Kaiba would be stressed beyond belief and probably suffered insomnia. She was astonished to find that the bottle looked completely full. He didn't seem to be taking them. She contemplated opening the bottle and taking some herself. She figured, she could slip one in his drink to help make her escape easier. Or use them on herself on a sleepless night. But she shook her head, not wanting to keep building the tower of bad karma that was her existence.
The bathroom door gently knocked. "Are you okay?"
"Yes," Yuriko cleared her throat and continued to towel her hair quickly. She looked around the tiny little square of a washroom for a hair dryer. Pulling it out from a cabinet below the sink she plugged it in and cranked it on full blast. She wanted to dry as much of her hair as she could before she shoved it all back in the wig cap.
She completed the Sora: DeGlam look while careful to pull and fluff at the artificial hair to make it look freshly blow dried. The silk pajamas were large and comfortable. The silk was as smooth as water.
Opening the door, she poked her head out to sneak a peak at the exit. "The bed is behind you." She tensed and careened her head over her shoulder. Kaiba had changed into his sleeping attire, a darker blue set that matched her own. She held the air in her cheeks as she tried not to cackle at the situation. She was half afraid and half hysterical at the absurdity of the situation. She was careful to cover as much of her face as possible.
"I find nothing funny about this." Kaiba scowled. "These pajamas are more than what you make in a day." Sora let out a series of crow caws, holding her lower stomach and buckling over. "Go to sleep." Kaiba sounded done with her shenanigans.
She wiped tears from her eyes and smiled up at him. "I do appreciate all of this." She awkwardly gave him a quick hug, pulling away and keeping her smile. "Thank you."
Kaiba looked away. "If you need me, I'll be on the couch."
She quickly turned her face away and entered the bedroom, relieved that he hadn't noticed the finer features of her true face.
(Undercover)
Sora did her best to stay still. It would have been hard, even if she had planned on sleeping there, to fall asleep. Kaiba had insisted she keep the door open to the bedroom. She at first argued but he wouldn't hear anything of it. He didn't trust her, that was obvious. But he also didn't feel she was safe to be alone. That made her feel like a nutjob. And she hated that.
She tried to slowly roll over and curl into a ball as she kept her breathing slow and gentle. She had sobered up significantly in the past four hours. Her head pounded with every beat of her heart. Her muscles were sore. Her tongue was cotton. And she needed to get out of there.
She slowly sat up, trying to hear for some soft snoring or at least some heavy breathing. Kaiba slept as still and quiet as a statue. Creepy, she thought. Maybe he wasn't really asleep. It's not like he's taking his medicine.
She now wished she had somehow drugged him when she had the chance. Every soft rustle of the Egyptian cotton bed sheets and the softest groan of her foot pressing against the wooden floor boards made her stomach sink.
She moved with an urgency and carefulness of an art thief. Her dress and purse were clutched to her chest as she made her escape.
She made progress past the bathroom and into the living room, freezing at the dark lump on the couch. She could hear his breathing but he looked completely still. Holding her breath she tip toed by. The lights from outside shined through the circle windows and cast shadows around her that reminded her of nightmares and boogeymen. When she reached the door her fingers wrapped around the cold steel of the knob. She precariously turned it, the click of the knob's lock popping out making her wince. Kaiba didn't stir.
She slowly opened the door a crack. It was just wide enough to squeeze through it. As she shimmied one leg through she squeezed the rest of herself by.
"Have a good night," Kaiba called out, his voice wide awake and alert.
She almost tripped falling out of the room, double timing into a sprint toward the nearest ladder well. She ran as though she felt the boogeyman at her heels until she reached her cabin. Every time she looked over her shoulder, she never saw him. After the initial startle, she couldn't help but feel the small pang of disappointment when he didn't give chase.
(Undercover)
"Roland." Kaiba sat up on the couch, cell phone in hand. "Sora Freud just left my cabin. Inform the staff to keep an eye on her. And if there are any suspicious characters on board, detain them immediately."
"Yes, sir. I'm watching her approach the first class cabins. Uh, should I consider Ms. Freud a suspicious character?"
"No."
Kaiba hung up and gathered his blankets and went to the bedroom, feeling like a haggard shell. He had already expected she would sneak off. He tried to sleep but he smelled hair spray and soap on the pillows. The sheets were still warm with the presence of her. He tried not to let his mind get lost in the thought of her as he willed himself to sleep.
He was falling. The butterfly in stomach rush followed with the ache of falling on his back. The pain made him believe this wasn't a dream. But he knew better.
Sand, cool and grainy, ran through his fingers as he felt the ground and pushed himself to his feet. Despite the night, it was far from dark. Surrounded by fire and screams he found himself in chaos. A village in flames and the familiar roar of his prize possession. He looked upward to the great silvery light of the dragon's mighty being. Blue eyes that glowed with the intensity of the sun reined down lightning shouts and flapped its giant wings.
Debris and wind surrounded him in a twister of violence. He could see children running and screaming; Mothers holding their babes to their chest as they tried to shield their young from the rage of the dragon.
"She is angry!" One man yelled over the noise of sonic booms and thunder.
Kaiba shielded his eyes as sand stung and itched them. He could barely make out the Blue Eyes White Dragon as it continued its onslaught. It was destroying the village with indiscretion. It kept raining down plasma and white fire onto the people below.
"Why is she doing this?" Another woman cried out as she ran away.
Kaiba could only stand and stare at the catastrophic damage. It didn't look like the place would survive after the dragon had its fill. A growing sense of worry and personal responsibility fell on him. The dragon was his. And somehow he had lost control. It was going to destroy everything.
Why?
He grit his teeth, unable to think of a solution. He looked around, hoping something more modern or at least useful would be available. Maybe he could order it to calm down. Maybe he could control it.
"She cannot be controlled." A voice, powerful and strong, penetrated the screams and rang in Kaiba's ears. A familiar figure, draped in his robes and turban approached Kaiba through the storm. He was like a mirage. A spirit.
"Then how do we stop her?" Kaiba yelled out over the whirling gusts.
"She is in pain. This is a cry for help." He held his hand out toward the dragon as it rained another burst of incinerating energy onto one of the last remaining buildings. It exploded into splinters and fire. "She is lost and afraid. She needs you."
"How?" Kaiba tried to yell out more questions but the storm had completely muted him. He couldn't hear himself over the screams of the wind and villagers. The dragon above had seen him and was about to unleash another attack directly at him.
Kaiba awoke, sweaty and shaken, his senses disoriented and his heart pounding. The sun had already begun peaking through the windows as the gentle rocking of the ship lulled him to calm. It was another day. There was so much to be done. He ignored his dreams and got out of bed, ready to ignore his nightmares with work.
(Undercover)
LOVE TRIANGLE? KAIBA DEFENDS FREUD HONOR! A DRAMATIC ESCAPE WITH THE CEO IN TOW.
Sora Freud has struck again, this time at the banquet hall of Seto Kaiba's newest tournament! She managed to pull the Kaiba Corp. CEO away from the opening introduction after a dramatic and emotional moment during dinner.
She paused her typing to catch her breath. Yuriko winced as her head throbbed, going to sip at her water while trying to avoid another trip to her toilet. She had ibuprofen in her veins and she was still waiting for Takaeda to get back to her about the photographs he managed to take last night.
"Ms. Yuriko, last night was crazy!" Takaeda had breathlessly tried to relay to her in her hungover stupor, "Sora was flirting with a gentleman at the opening banquet until something drove her to pour wine over his head and run screaming out. Kaiba followed her, quickly, completely interrupting his speech to tend to her. Mokuba Kaiba had to take over and did well. I have pictures of what occurred at the hall but security wouldn't let me leave. I'm sorry I couldn't get any pictures of what happened after. Perhaps you could contact her and get some insight-"
"Thank you, Takaeda," Yuriko croaked as she winced away another pound of her head. It was like someone was using her skull as a bass drum. THUMP. THUMP. THUMP. "Sora agreed to fill me in on the details. I'll have the latest scoop sent to Mr. Marukai. How soon can you have the pictures ready?"
"In an hour. I'll have them filtered and send you as many options as you can. What's the mood of the article?"
Yuriko sighed. "Dark. Dark's always attracting more readers. Make it look as sensational as you can." Might as well make the most of this whole situation. She ignored the guilt that ate at her heart like sulfuric acid.
"Are you feeling better, Ms. Adachi? You still sound seasick."
"I'm getting better, thank you. I'll be able to begin interviewing the notable tournament competitors in a few hours. I just need to get my bearings."
"I understand. Feel better soon."
"Thanks." Yuriko hung up and rested her head on the desk, questioning her life choices.