Hey, it's been a while, but I hope everyone's still interested to know what's happening
Thanks to Zaya. You really cheered me up about writing this.
I don't own YuGiOh. Although that is fairly obvious.
Enjoy...
Oh, and for those of you who are wondering what Matthew Alexander's agenda is, you're going to have to wait a little while to find out...
Chapter 26 – Trapped
As Olivia left the Kaiba Mansion in search of painting supplies, Seto was hovering in the shadows outside the Physio suite. The light streaming in through the windows illumined Joey's figure making his hair dazzle like gold. The boy's movements were cautious, and his legs clearly unsteady. Concentration furrowed his brows as he took one step, two, three. Entirely beautiful. Somehow Seto felt he could just watch him forever.
"Are you just gonna stand there and stare at me Kaiba?"
Seto blushed deeply, and stepped into the light. Joey glanced back at him over his left shoulder.
"Well that's better, at least now I can perve on you perving on me."
Seto's face was practically purple, he strode over to the window, not quite able to deal with Joey's remark. It was a sign of returning confidence, no doubt, but before the accident he would have been able to ignore it. The problem with being friends was that you couldn't just look. The problem with being attracted to someone was that look was all you wanted to do. Well…not all, but it would do.
"Whatcha thinking about?"
Seto coughed. "Erm...well…a poem actually."
"How literary of you…what poem?"
Joey had left the equipment and stood behind him now, so close that his breath hit the back of his neck, standing the hairs on end.
"Have you heard of W.H Auden?" Looking over his shoulder Seto saw Joey shake his head. "Just a couple of lines of his reminded me of that night…" He turned to meet the amber eyes, his face flushed, and his breath ragged, "That night when you slept in my arms."
Tentatively, hesitantly, and painfully slowly, Joey reached out a hand and put it to the blue-eyed teen's cheek. Seto watched the amber eyes as they flitted over his features, eventually staring unabashedly at his lips. The golden-haired teen closed the gap between them, and when he whispered his response, their lips brushed lightly together.
"Now listen Kaiba, I'm not the most forward of types, and I've never done this before in my life, so if I get it wrong I apologise, but I think if I wait much longer for you to make your move I'll go grey so mmmf!"
Before Joey could finish his speech he was interrupted by the forceful shutting of his lips by Seto's own. His eyes flung wide open he saw the other man's expression, clearly as surprised as his own. They broke apart.
"What was that?" Joey exploded, shock plainly printed on his features.
"You think I know?" Seto muttered, eyes scanning his shoes. "And for God's sake Joey, call me Seto."
"You serious?" Joey's expression broke into a broad smile as Seto nodded.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
As Joey performed a small dance in front of him, Seto rolled his eyes. Using the sheer force of his willpower to regain control of his complexion, he strode off towards the door.
"Hey! Where are you going?"
"It's a beautiful day. We should be outside."
Joey grabbed his crutches as he hurried to follow the dark haired teen out of the room. "But I thought we couldn't go outside…what about the cameras?"
"I'm Seto Kaiba. I can do whatever I want."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Helicopters are pretty awesome things. I don't think we flew for all that long, I kinda fell asleep. That was pretty embarrassing. Anyway, Seto (gotta get used to calling him that), has taken me to a beach, which is so deserted I'm guessing it's a private one. I'll ask him in a minute, but right now I'm concentrating on sketching his nose. It's a bit of a fiddle. I dunno how it can be so darn angular. I wouldn't be surprised if he'd had some work done on it. I'll ask him.
That possibly wasn't the best idea I ever had. He just threw my 4B pencil into the sea. I didn't know he could be so sulky.
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
The two lay on the golden sands together. Seto had deigned to remove his coat, and had even rolled up the sleeves of his crisp white shirt. He lay on his back with his eyes closed. Joey lay on his side, facing the C.E.O., the sketchpad laid out on the sand between them. Seto watched the golden glow of the inside of his eyelids while beside him the pencil darted backwards and forwards over the page, it's scraping in tune with the roaring of the waves. It was nice, it was rare for him to spend an day like this. In fact he couldn't really remember the last time he spent a day away from work. Maybe he should call in. He reached into his pocket.
"Joey where have you put my phone?"
"Somewhere you wouldn't think to look."
One blue eye opened slowly to register its opponent.
"I assure you Mr Wheeler, that if you are hiding it on your person I will find it."
A 6B pencil dropped into the sand as Joey sat up slightly.
"I doubt that somehow."
A more than slightly cheeky smirk stole into the young C.E.O.'s expression. Sitting up slowly, a hand drifted over and buried itself under Joey's arm. Attempting to hold his features still only lasted the golden-haired teen for a nanosecond as he burst out laughing, giggling madly, his head thrown back, hair sparkling in the sunlight, throwing himself, fingers first, at his blue eyed assailant. Desperately trying to withhold his urge to break, Seto forced his face into a look of grim concentration as he battled to win the tickle fight. However, as Joey, shifting himself over to lean over him, began, without a shadow of a doubt to win, he found it hard to stop his face from twitching, and soon he was roaring with laughter as loudly as his fellow.
"Alright! Alright! I give up!"
"Beg me!"
"Wh-what?"
"You heard me rich-boy. Beg me!"
"Never!"
"It is useless to resist!"
"Alright! Please Joey! I give up. You win!"
Beaming, Joey lay back against the sand as if nothing had happened, but allowed himself the pleasure of whistling a suitable tune. At the opening bars of Queen's "We are the Champions", Seto rolled his eyes, and in doing so spotted one of his bodyguards, lurking a short way behind him, whose gaze had been averted. Standing up, Seto marched down to the edge of the tide, and picking up a stone, threw it into the waves as hard as he could, hands shaking with a sudden rage.
He stood, wrapped in thought, until a shuffling, tripping step halted beside him. He didn't turn his head.
"What is it?"
The taller teen sighed, pushing his slender, pale hands deep into his pockets. "You might be better off asking me what this is."
Joey frowned. "This?"
"This. Us. Whatever you want to call it."
"Oh. I hadn't really thought about that bit yet."
"Haven't you? It's all that's been on my mind lately."
"Well…what do you think this is?"
"I don't know, but I know what it can't be."
"What can't it be?"
"A relationship."
When Olivia had returned to the mansion, she had been more than a little surprised at the tension she found. It was clear that Joey and Seto had had some sort of argument, but neither was willing to speak about it. In fact neither seemed particularly interested in speaking to her at all. In the end she had left Joey his room surrounded by his new materials and gone to work on her revision of the bones in the skull.
By the next morning it was getting ridiculous, and Olivia found herself wandering around the Kaiba mansion, simply from a lack of better things to do. Eventually she was in Seto's corridor, and walked naturally towards the door of his office, although her eyes lingered on the door which she had never seen behind. She was surprised to find the door ajar, and walking quietly in, more surprised to see Seto watching television. He faced away from her, eyes fixed on the screen, fixed on the face of a man. Olivia recognised the face. Gozaburo Kaiba.
"I, Gozaburo Kaiba, make this my last will and testament. On the following conditions I bequeath all my possessions to my adoptive son Seto Kaiba. The first condition is that Seto must support his brother Mokuba fully until he leaves education, and that whatever education Mokuba takes, must be fully funded from Seto's inheritance. Mokuba's wedding and funeral expenses will also come from my estate. As will $100,000, to be put into a savings account, for every child he should have. The second condition concerns this tape. This tape is to be kept in copy, updated into every new technological format, for as long as Seto Kaiba remains alive. At least one copy must reside in Kaiba Corp., to be watched at least once a year, in order that its terms can be certain to be being kept, and any effects of its being breached can be put into motion. The third, that the Kaiba mansion be the permanent and principal residence of Seto Kaiba for the duration of his life, and that any alterations he wishes to make to said mansion must be put before the board of directors. The fourth, Seto Kaiba must remain in full possession and control of Kaiba Corp. for as long as he lives. The fifth and final point is as such: Seto Kaiba must marry by his 25th birthday, and on no accounts, is ever to be allowed to enter into a homosexual relationship. Any breach of any or all of these points will result in Seto Kaiba losing any and all holds he has on my estate, including that which he has earned from it since my death. Any ideas copyrighted in his name will be forfeited, and all profits are to be subsumed into Kaiba Corp. He will be indebted to Kaiba Corp. for all expenses covering his education and upbringing, and that of his brother, and will be charged interest at a rate of 100 per annum. This is my last testament, and as such is irrefutable."
The video ended as abruptly as it began, and the screen turned black. Seto, leaning forward in his chair, put his head in his hands, sighing deeply.
"You can come in Olivia."
She moved, sitting in the chair next to him. Looking at the hands that seemed to be clasping at his face, as if the closeness and darkness of the inside of his own palms could give him comfort.
"Why did he do that?"
"Because he hated me."
"Then why give you his money?"
"Because he knows that by doing this he can control me. Even from beyond the grave. Everything I do, he controls. I can never escape that. If I ever broke terms…I'd be ruined, beyond ruined. I'd have less than nothing. I'd be indebted more than I could ever repay, and I'd drag Mokuba down with me. The only way I could actually escape it would be…to die. And even if I did…" His breath came raggedly. "even for a moment…want to…hurt myself. I know in the end it would be because he wanted me to."
Olivia felt a deep anger, smouldering fiercely within her. An urge to protect this man, no more than a boy, a boy forced into a world of men so soon in life, a boy she loved as dearly as the son she may never have. Slipping out of her seat she knelt in front of him, and pulled him into a tight embrace.
"There's nothing I can do Olivia. I'm trapped."
Several hours later, Olivia walked out of the Kaiba mansion, with an expression that read of nothing more or less than utter sorrow. Turning on her mobile, she received three messages.
"Hi, can you go 2 pharmacy? New pills in. Can't get out of bed. Paul."
"Out of bed. Making pasta. What time you gonna be home?"
"Hi Olivia, good to bump into you again. Will be at Ponte Rialto on High Street 7. Come along if you're free. Hope to see you soon. Matthew x"
Olivia frowned. Why was Matthew inviting her for dinner? Could it be that he? No, that was ridiculous, and besides, it sounded fairly informal. As she got into her car she looked at her watch. 6.30. She could be at the restaurant in about 35 minutes. Paul wouldn't need his new pills for at least another week. Or she could go home. Go home to Paul, and his microwaved pasta, because he could no longer lift the saucepans. Go home to the frail, weak man who was slowly replacing her husband, the man who had been strong for her. Sat behind the wheel, it took several moments for Olivia to realise that her hands were trembling. Her breath was short, somehow not enough, and she felt dizzy. Was this a panic attack? She hadn't had one since school. Why was the thought of going home so terrifying? Why was she so confused? Taking a deep breath, she started her car and drove away towards the town centre, so busy with her own thoughts that she barely noticed the fact that there were only twenty reporters outside the gate.
As Olivia walked from the car park to the restaurant, she called her husband.
"Hello?"
"It's me."
"Hey Livvie. What time will you be back?"
"Actually sweetie, I won't be back for supper, I'm…meeting a friend."
"Ok. No problem. I'll see you later then."
"Yup."
"I love you."
"I-I know. Bye."
Why hadn't she said it? Why was she putting her phone on silent, when she knew Paul might need her? When she knew Seto or Joey might need her? Why was she checking her appearance in the window of a shop? Perhaps because just for once, she wanted to know what it was like not to have everyone depending on her. Perhaps because she just wanted to forget. Perhaps it was because of him.
He was sat fairly prominently in the restaurant, now wearing a closely fitted pinstripe suit, with a black silk tie. He rose to greet her.
"Olivia! I'm so glad you came."
Olivia blushed deeply. "Well I've wanted to eat here for quite a while. I haven't really had a chance."
"Ah." Said Matthew, returning to his seat, indicating her into a chair. "I see. So it has nothing to do with me at all." He feigned a mildly upset look.
"Oh no! Don't be so silly." Olivia laughed, her fear slipping into familiarity.
She took the glass of wine he offered, and ordered a bowl of Risotto ai Funghi. They talked for a while of trifling matters: how the summer was predicted as one of the hottest on record; how Italian wine was infinitely superior to just about any other. Eventually however, Matthew fell silent, and sat back in his chair, looking thoughtfully into his glass.
"Are you alright?"
Dark eyes looked slowly up into her own, flashing with emotion and intensity that was breath-taking, and stained Olivia's cheeks crimson.
"There's something you're not telling me."
"How do you mean?"
"I mean, Olivia, that although you are now somewhat more relaxed than when you arrived, something has happened, you are upset."
"You're very insightful." Olivia felt the wave of panic rise within her again, an overwhelming sense of stress that she could barely lift from her mind. She played with the unctuous rice in front of her. "Something has happened."
Matthew leant forward, and put his hand on her own. "Is it your husband?"
Olivia withdrew her hand from the table. "No. No, but it's about someone else I care about very much." Matthew gave her an enquiring look. "My employer…Seto Kaiba."
Matthew frowned. "You mean you actually know Kaiba? When we went there the other day I assumed you were one of the nurses working with the boy in the newspapers, but you've actually met him?"
Olivia nodded. "I'm the head nurse in charge of Joey's care. Seto and I work pretty closely together."
"Is that what this is about? Is he a bad employer?"
"No. Not at all. He's a very dear friend and a better boss than I could ever hope for, but he's in such an awful situation. I just feel so angry for him."
Matthew looked at her with his head on one side. "We are talking about the same man? He's rich beyond his dreams. What more could he want?"
"You don't understand, it comes at a price. I get so angry when I think of it. If two people love each other, surely nothing in this world should stand between them."
Matthew's eyes softened, became soulful. His response was barely a whisper. "Yes. Yes. I know what you mean." He paused, and seemed to come back to himself. "But what do you mean?"
Olivia took a deep breath. "His father made this…will…It makes all this stipulations…ridiculous, invasive stipulations. About the house, and his brother, even about his love life."
"His love life?"
"Yes, and now he's afraid that every moment he's with Joey he'll be caught somehow. He's trying so hard to deny his feelings, but it's just not fair that he has to do so."
"He's not allowed to be with Joey?"
"No."
"But he is?"
"Sort of. They have feelings for each other, there's no denying it."
As Olivia went to her car at the end of the evening, Matthew pulled a small digital recorder out of his pocket and stopped it. As he walked to his car he smiled. Faith had brought him nearer to his goal, and Faith at last was within his reach.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I just found something attached to my pillow.
"Don't regret today. I don't. But I need time to think about what I have to do. This poem strikes me as more apt than ever.
Lay your sleeping head, my love,
Human on my faithless arm;
Time and fevers burn away
Individual beauty from
Thoughtful children, and the grave
Proves the child ephemeral:
But in my arms till break of day
Let the living creature lie,
Mortal, guilty, but to me
The entirely beautiful.
Soul and body have no bounds:
To lovers as they lie upon
Her tolerant enchanted slope
In their ordinary swoon,
Grave the vision Venus sends
Of supernatural sympathy,
Universal love and hope;
While an abstract insight wakes
Among the glaciers and the rocks
The hermit's sensual ecstasy.
Certainty, fidelity
On the stroke of midnight pass
Like vibrations of a bell,
And fashionable madmen raise
Their pedantic boring cry:
Every farthing of the cost,
All the dreaded cards foretell,
Shall be paid, but from this night
Not a whisper, not a thought,
Not a kiss nor look be lost.
Beauty, midnight, vision dies:
Let the winds of dawn that blow
Softly round your dreaming head
Such a day of sweetness show
Eye and knocking heart may bless,
Find the mortal world enough;
Noons of dryness see you fed
By the involuntary powers,
Nights of insult let you pass
Watched by every human love.
--W.H. Auden
Yours, Seto"
I wish I knew why.
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