Here it is, the highly anticipated press conference! I apologize if there seems to be too much dialogue, but people talk at press conferences.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-OH!
Chapter 21: The Press Conference
Yugi fidgeted in her seat. The thought of going in front of dozens of people, revealing her feelings, made her nervous. She had always wanted to keep to herself, not to draw attention to herself and staying out of the public eye. Now, she had to force herself to stand out in order to stop the rumors.
This wasn't going to be easy.
"Are you ready?" Atemu asked as he fixed his tie in front of the mirror hanging in the side room of the conference hall.
Yugi inhaled and exhaled deeply. "As ready as I'll ever be." She tried to make her voice sound confident, more to convince herself than him.
Atemu sat next to her in a spare chair. He placed his hand on her knee, causing her to look into his crimson eyes.
"Yugi, I will be right there with you. You have nothing to fear."
She leaned her head onto his shoulder. She felt his arm lay across her back, his hand cupping her shoulder.
"I know, but I never thought I would willingly put myself into the media."
"If it makes you feel better, you're not really going in willingly."
She pulled away, giving him a look. "Yes, I am. I am willingly telling the press about our relationship."
"Only because the media gave it the wrong attention," he added. He could see the fear still in her eyes. He wrapped his arms around her.
"Yugi, if I didn't think this would help, you wouldn't be here now."
She reluctantly nodded. "You're right about that."
The publicist stormed into the room. The couple jumped at the sound of the door slamming against the wall. Atemu stood to greet her. She was, however, not in the mood to be greeted warmly.
"Why the hell do you insist on telling the truth?"
"Yugi wants to tell the truth. She doesn't believe in lying."
"She should if it will save your reputation! My job is to make you and the company look good whenever these scandals and rumors come about. Yet you didn't take my advice and use the story I came up with to explain why the two of you were spending the amount of time together that you did!"
Atemu's eyes narrowed slightly. "I told you, Yugi doesn't want to lie to the press. It would be like the rumors, which are lies."
"No, telling them there is actually something between the two of you would only solidify their claims or create new ones. That is why I created that story."
Yugi now stood next to Atemu, wrapping her hand in his.
"I know it may not be the way things are done here, but I don't want to give the media false information, just the truth." Yugi stated. "If the media still wants to make waves, I will feel better about it if the truth is released."
"What if reporters twist the truth?" The publicist asked, knowing full well the media likes to tell the story their way.
"This is a televised press conference. People watching will know that the printed story is wrong. Plus, only disreputable newspapers would print false information."
Ms. Ohayashi grunted. "Fine, but if this brings the company down, I don't want to have it on my résumé. I quit."
She stormed just as quickly as she entered. Yugi stared at Atemu with concern.
"Would that really happen?"
He looked at her with comforting yet troubled eyes.
"If the company does suffer, then the people of this nation care too much about reputation than actual service."
She nodded. The Massri-Wong Company has been rated as one of the best in service. If the company suffered due to this scandal, then the people aren't worthy of it. She frowned.
"I don't think people would do that."
Atemu gave her a smile. "I'm sure they won't." He glanced at his watch before looking at his girlfriend.
"It's time."
The butterflies in her stomach fluttered more violently. She felt Atemu grip her hand.
"I will be right there with you. Don't forget that."
She nodded and smiled sweetly as the uneasiness began to subside. Something in his crimson eyes chased some of her anxiety away.
He led her to the edge of the room. She took a deep breath before stepping out of the room through a red curtain.
Hundreds of flashes surrounded her body, which only meant hundreds of pictures were being snapped. It only made Yugi more nervous.
She felt Atemu grip her hand tighter, giving her strength. She returned the squeeze, making her feel better.
"The press conference will commence now," Atemu said, "We will take questions one at a time."
Dozens of hands reached to the sky, hoping to be called. Yugi did her best to keep her composure, even though her heart was racing. Atemu pointing into the crowd, indicating who the first reporter was to speak.
"Mr. Massri, how did you meet Ms. Yugi Mutou?"
"I was out late one night. Tired, I went into a small diner. Yugi was working that morning. That is how we met."
Another hand was giving permission.
"Ms. Mutou, did you really work at a diner when you met Mr. Massri?"
It was now or never. Yugi breathed in deeply.
"Yes, I was a waitress at the diner Mr. Massri mentioned."
Another hand. "How long have you known each other Ms. Mutou?"
"He came into the diner in mid-June. We have known each other since then. It has been about five months now."
"Mr. Massri, is that around the time you started your relationship with Vivian Wong?"
"Yes, I began my relationship with Vivian shortly after I met Ms. Mutou."
"Ms. Mutou, are you the reason the engagement ended between Mr. Massri and Ms. Wong."
Yugi bit her lip. This is the question she had been dreading.
Atemu felt Yugi tense. He squeezed her hand, causing her to relax, somewhat.
"I never had an affair with Mr. Massri. We began our romantic relationship after the engagement ended."
The reporters weren't satisfied.
"Mr. Massri, is Ms. Mutou the reason the engagement ended?"
"I ended the relationship and engagement with Ms. Wong due to the fact that I was unhappy. The decision was all about my happiness, not Ms. Mutou."
Another reporter tried a different approach.
"Then Ms. Mutou had influenced your decision, seeing that you are happy now?"
Atemu breathed deeply. He felt Yugi squeeze his hand, encouraging him to tell the truth.
"Yes. I was developing feeling for Ms. Mutou during my relationship and engagement with Ms. Wong. I realized I was unhappy with Ms. Wong, while Ms. Mutou did. In that sense, Ms. Mutou affected my decision to end the relationship. By no means did we have an affair."
"So throughout your relationship with Ms. Wong, you remained faithful?"
"I did not have any outside relations, romantic or sexual, while I was with Ms. Wong." Atemu spoke with a tone of honesty which no one would dare question.
No one except San Hino.
"What about the hot kiss you shared with Yugi at the Love Rock Club?"
The young reporter held a poster size copy of a photograph which depicted Atemu kissing Yugi, his arms wrapped tightly across her back while her hands intertwined with his hair.
Atemu restrained himself to not give a death glare to the well known woman who never afraid to go all the way when it meant getting the story, even if it meant isolating her. San Hino just stared back, waiting for an explanation, along with the rest of the crowd.
"I went to Tokyo to help a friend. We ended up at the Love Rock Club. I met Ms. Mutou there for the same reason. We danced for a while, enjoying each other's company. When Ms. Mutou was bumped, we happened to kiss."
"So you did cheat?" San Hino pushed, setting down the poster.
"It was never my intention to cheat on Ms. Wong."
"But you did."
"Look," Yugi interrupted, "I know that what happened at the club was wrong. I felt so bad I was ready to shut Mr. Massri out of my life. I was so disgusted by myself for what happened. But we both felt the connection. Yes, he cheated on Vivian in the fact that he kissed me during their relationship. However, Atemu never had the intention to cheat. If I had not been at the club, then none of this would be happening."
San Hino perked up. "So you are claiming that this is your fault? That the reason Mr. Massri ended the engagement was because of you?"
"San Hino," Atemu began in a deeper tone than usual, "Yugi was not the reason the relationship fell apart. I made a commitment to a woman who was not 'the one'. None of this would be happening if I did not believe I should settle down with my business partner. I am the reason the relationship ended. It is my fault."
A hush fell over the crowd. Atemu felt the guilt rising. The whole situation, the pain, the press, the speculation; it was all because of him. He caused Yugi pain because he went for Vivian, only because she was 'perfect,' the biggest mistake of his life.
Yugi glanced at Atemu, still holding his hand. She read the remorse in his face. She frowned to herself.
"So," San Hino, "now that he has confessed, will you stay with him Ms. Mutou?"
"Yes." Yugi spoke with a happy yet serious tone. "Even if he made the mistake, Mr. Massri has shown to me he is able to learn from his mistakes. Our relationship is about honesty and trust. Without these, there is no relationship."
"Don't you find it strange since he lied to Vivian? Do you think you are different than Vivian or any of the other women he has dated in the past?"
"No." Yugi stated firmly. "However, Mr. Massri has shown me he wants to make this work. He was willing to wait a year to even go out on a date. He has treated me with nothing but kindness and affection. He has helped me tremendously while I became the center of attention. If he does, then I will be the fool."
San Hino held up her nose. She wanted more truth, well, darker truth but Yugi wasn't giving her anything.
Yugi saw San Hino's dissatisfaction but ignored it. She pointed to another hand, taking over Atemu's conference responsibilities.
"Mr. Massri, will the decision to ending your engagement to Ms. Wong and to date Ms. Mutou break-up Massri-Wong?"
Atemu regained his composure, pleased that the question did not reflect the Love Rock Club or about the activity that occurred there.
"I have been talking with Mr. Wong and Ms. Wong about the company. I am trying my best to keep the company together, despite the recent events."
"Will the company now have a battle for the rightful heir to the presidency?"
"As I said I have been discussing the future of the company with Mr. and Ms. Wong. No decisions have been made at this time."
"Would you leave the company if Ms. Wong asked you too?"
Atemu groaned quietly. The press conference had moved to the company instead of his current relationship. Yugi glanced at him and smiled.
"Again, no decisions have been made about the future of the company. If there are no more questions about my relationship with Ms. Mutou, then the press conference will end."
Another hand was called.
"You stated that you started your romantic relationship with Ms. Mutou after you broke up with Vivian. Mr. Massri, about how long did you wait?"
Atemu sighed internally, knowing the real answer. Yugi wants to give the truth.
"A week."
A few gasps were heard throughout the crowd. A different reporter spoke.
"So you waited only a week before asking Ms. Mutou to become your girlfriend?"
"Yes," Atemu said truthfully.
"Ms. Mutou, didn't you find this a little disturbing for Mr. Massri to quickly hook up with you after only a week of ending his engagement?"
Yugi shook her head. "After the incident at the Love Rock Club, I knew Mr. Massri cared for me. I told him I wanted to wait to date publically, in order to avoid the press coverage. However, I never felt wrong in becoming his girlfriend."
Another hand.
"Ms. Mutou, have you talked with Vivian since you began dating Mr. Massri?"
"No, but I would like to. I would like to apologize for the grief and sorrow I may have caused her."
"Do you think she will talk to you?"
"Perhaps not right away, but I hope she will let me someday."
I doubt she will ever, Atemu thought to himself.
"Ms. Mutou, due to the nature of his previous relationships, are you afraid that Mr. Massri will leave you after the first fornication?"
Atemu slapped himself mentally, since he couldn't slap the reporter. How dare he ask that question!
"No."
Atemu tried not to look at her in shock, knowing he was on camera.
"Care to elaborate Ms. Mutou?"
"Unlike his other relationships, Mr. Massri has learned a great deal about me before the dating stage. We have established this relationship on honesty and trust. I will not 'fornicate' with him until I am completely ready. For most men of that description, the wait would kill them and they would leave."
"And you opinion of Mr. Massri?"
"Mr. Massri was ready to wait a year just to date me. I don't think he will leave after the first time we have any type of copulation."
"I am so sorry Yugi."
Yugi laughed at her boyfriend's embarrassment.
"Atemu, I knew that someone was going to ask it, due to your past relationships."
"Still."
"Calm down Atemu." She wrapped her arms around him. "It's over."
He smiled, feeling her body against his own.
"At least for now." He knew full well that there will still be some before the whole mess would be over.
"We'll just have to deal with it. I mean, I knew that being with such an important man would bring attention to me." She frowned. "I just wish it hadn't been so negative."
Atemu smirked.
"Yugi, there is something I want to show you."
"And what would that be?"
He leaned in closer to her face, touching her nose with his own.
"You'll have to come with me and see."
A/N: I have been debating if I wanted to post a second story while I am posting the second installment of the Happiness Trilogy. The other story is entitled Saving Our Home. I would like to know if I should work/post it or just worry about Keeping Happiness. Please visit my profile for a detailed summary of Saving Our Home as well as my email to give me your opinion. I will say that Saving Our Home will be different from the Happiness Trilogy in the feel and character. Thanks for reading, reviewing and taking the time to consider my predicament. ~Kiyusa