(Seto's POV)
"Oh good! Sir, your 1 o'clock showed up a little early, and she was insistent on not waiting out here." Sun sighed picking up a file and handing it to you.
"And who is my 1 o'clock?" you questioned taking the file and giving it a glance over.
"Nicola Gabriella. She is a representative of a medium-sized Italian investment firm. They were interested in putting into our holographic technologies if I'm correct." She explained looking back at some notes on her notepad.
"I'll never turn down someone wanting to give me money, but just what are they expecting in return?" You muttered to yourself trying to find any detail that would be useful in the coming conversation.
The firm in question was an older one, so they most likely invested their money well. What caught your attention though was their usual company types to invest in. From what you could discern, most of the companies and endeavors listed were in the textile and fashion industry. You couldn't find a familiar technology company like your own anywhere on the list. What game are these people playing?
"And sir? Ms. Nicola's English was very hard to understand and she didn't seem to know any Japanese. Should I call a translator in case you need one?"
The question caught your attention for a moment. "I don't think so Sun. I can probably manage." You pondered on the idea for a moment when something else came to mind. "Actually, what you could do is call Miss Silvers and ask her to stop by if she's available."
"Miss Silvers?" Sun asked kind of bewildered.
"Yes, she's fluent in the language. I'm sure she'd arrive here before another translator."
"I wasn't aware she could speak Italian." She commented as if thinking aloud.
"Neither did I until I met her Italian family in the Spring." You pointed out handing the file back to your secretary, "Let me know if she's unavailable, but I will probably manage none the less" The woman nodded returning to her desk as you made your way to your office.
You entered your office where you found a tall medium set woman standing at the widow in the back of your office looking down at the city below.
"I hope you haven't been waiting here long Ms. Gabriella. I thought I wouldn't see you for another ten minutes or so." You spoke up getting her attention.
"Not at all." The woman replied in a thick accent facing you with a small smile.
Her clothes were as you would suspect of a woman involved with the fashion scene. She wore a simple but form fitting dress that came just below her knee. You had seen a piece like it on a couple other women that you knew kept up with the recent trends, & you could only assume everything else she wore was just as authentic. From afar, she looked to be early middle aged, but as she came into view, you could see the slight wrinkling to her face and the graying at the roots of her black hair that told you she was slightly older than you first assessed. It was the critical look in her eyes that made you pause for a moment. What did this woman want?
"Can I get you anything before we begin?" You offered trying to get a feel on this woman and her intentions.
"No thank you, but I do appreciate the offer." she shrugged stepping back from the window and taking a seat in the chair just past you. You could see what Sun was talking about, her English was harder than most to understand, but you could just barely make it out through her thick accent, " I was told you were abrasive, but I can see in your eyes why she likes you."
"Excuse me?" You asked on guard now. Last you checked, you didn't know this woman. Did the two of you have a common acquaintance?
"You are Seto Kaiba are you not? The young man who owns this building?" She questioned motioning to the area around the two of you.
Now this lady was starting to piss you off. "Who else would I be?" You snapped not liking where this conversation was already going. You had only just met this woman and she was already getting on your bad side.
"Ah! There it is." She dared smirk resting her elbow on the arm rest and letting her chin set upon her hand. Was this amusing to her?!
"I suggest you tell me what you're after soon, or you might be sent home empty handed." You snapped taking a seat at your desk.
"I'm here to do a little business, but I was also wanting to meet the boy that's been seeing my granddaughter." She shrugged glancing at her painted fingernails.
"Your granddaughter? I'm sorry Ms. Gabriella, but I have no clue who you are talking about." You scoffed already loosing interest in her initial purpose of business.
"You don't now? Interesting. My son, Marco, was telling me wonderful things about you, but I guess he must have been mistaken?"
"Excuse me," You paused trying to piece the puzzle together. Wasn't Nicole's father named Mark? That couldn't be just a coincidence, "Ms. Gabriella, the son you speak of would not be a Mark Silvers would he?" This woman did not look a day over 50 much less be a woman who would supposedly be nearing her 70s in order to be Nic's grandmother.
She suddenly had a large bright smile, "Why yes, Marco Silvers is one of my two boys. Marco adapted the American version of his name, Mark, not long after he left Italy."
You had to tread carefully here and you knew it. "So that would make your granddaughter-"
"Nicola Ellanore Silvers." She shrugged keeping her elbow on the chair's arm but setting her hand in her lap with the other, "Like her father, Nicola's real first name seems to only be on paper. So tell me Mr. Kaiba, do I have the right young man?"
"You would Ms. Gabriella, but please clarify for me. You don't look old enough to be the mother of the Mark Silvers I met. His sister maybe?"
"Now you are just humoring an old woman Mr. Kaiba." Gabriella grinned, "Call it a family secret if you will. The women in our bloodline age very well with it."
If this woman was telling the truth, which is sounded like she was, what did that make Nic? What motive did her grandmother have coming here?
"If you don't mind me asking Ms. Gabriella. Are you actually here to talk business, or are you here to actually talk about my personal life?" You had to be as cool with this as possible.
"It's a little of both actually Mr. Kaiba. The possible applications to your holographic technology outside of video games is real. Imagine your technology being used to broadcast 3D imaging of events across the globe. Say, the next Armani show. One model can be virtually seen walking down twenty different catwalks being watched in twenty different cities. My show overhead costs could plummet as instead of booking twenty sets of barbies, twenty different trips, all to show the same one clothing line, I just schedule all the shows at once with one full staff and project it on all the other stages with your wonderful imaging technology. Less overhead means more profits. That being said, it is an expense I would certainly be willing to pay."
"Ms. Gabriella, if you were not aware, our images are extensively programmed before-hand. I don't think we are up to 'live' imaging at this time."
"At this time Mr. Kaiba true! That is why I am here. You agree to work with me, and my group can help you reach the real time imaging bar. You be the man to bring that technology to the table, you could probably retire before you are even old enough to drink."
"Ms. Gabriella I was rich enough to retire before I was old enough to drive, but I do appreciate the enthusiasm. So, is this endeavor fueled by personal reasons as well?" The offer was sounding wonderful, but you were looking for the other shoe to fall. There was always a second shoe when it came to wonderful things.
"Family means a good bit to me Mr. Kaiba. Though her father and I have not always seen eye to eye, Nicola is still my granddaughter, and I am trying my best to extend an olive branch if I may. That and I have a personal favor to ask of you." Her eyes and tone suddenly turned serious.
"What kind of personal favor?" You questioned on guard. Hello second shoe.
"Marco said he gave you something back in March to hold onto for Nicola until she came of age. A family heirloom of sorts. I would like that back."
You thought about the request for a moment. March. What would have- The thing her father gave you the night of Nic's birthday! The jewelry box. The voice in your head shrilled. You had almost forgotten about that thing.
"And why do you wish it returned Ms. Gabriella? Just to be clear."
"I'm not asking to take it back forever if that is your line of questioning." Her voice was cold. Precise. Calculating her next move, "No offense is intended, but you are not the suitable one to be handing that particular piece of history to my granddaughter. It was not her father's place to give it to you. I would like to take it and give it to her myself.. If I so may?" She added the last comment with a short nod of her head.
You thought about the request for a couple moments. The woman did seem sincere. You just wished you knew what her relationship with Nic actually was like. Was Nic even aware of this.. heirloom? Would she miss it if her grandmother changed her mind and kept it? Just get more details of her other offer. If it suits you, you can give her the jewelry box. The voice in your head surmised. You couldn't help but agree with yourself. You got up from your desk and walked over to a nearby bookcase. You shifted over a small set of books revealing the small safe you kept for your business travel documents and other small things. Once you opened it, you pulled out the small dark box Nic's dad had given you the night of her birthday and closed it back.
"Tell me more about this offer your group wants to make Ms. Gabriella, and we'll see if I want to part with this." You set the box right in front of you on your desk.
"Fair enough Mr. Kaiba. Business it is." Nicola reached over and pulled a couple folders from her bag setting one right in front of you.
You had been talking with Nicola for about twenty minutes when a knock came at the door.
"Come in." You announced looking up as Nicole herself poked her head in.
(Nicole's POV)
You got the call from Sun asking for your help with translating for an Italian business guest not long after getting up from your short nap. You made quick work of making yourself presentable and straight-lined it to KC.
"How is he doing?" You asked Sun as you made it to the executive floor.
"I think it has been going well." She smiled, "He said he would try to manage, but feel free to peek in and see if you can lend a hand."
"Will do. Thank you." With that, you knocked on the main door to his office.
"Come in." You heard him reply.
"Mr. Kaiba," You spoke up as you stepped into the office closing the door, "Sun called and said you might need a-" Your words became stuck in your throat as your eyes became fixed on the black haired woman sitting in front of Seto. "N-N-Nonna?!" you managed to stammer.
It can't be?! You thought to yourself. No! That woman never leaves Italy!
"Nicola! Nipotina!" The woman shrilled getting out of her chair wrapping her arms around you in a tight embrace. You could only hug the woman in return as you slowly came to terms that she was actually here.
"Nonna, what are you doing here?!" You whispered hoping Seto did not hear. You knew better. Your grandmother hated to travel, and when she did, she always stayed in Europe. If she had to travel far, it's because heads were about to roll.
"We will discuss that later Nicola. Alone. I need to finish some actual business first." she matched your tone taking the sides of your face in her smooth hands. She spoke up, louder this time as if to signify that the private conversation was over, "It's been far too long Nicola. You have certainly grown a great deal since your father let me see you last."
"And you haven't aged a day Nonna."
"Did you call Nicola here for a personal reason Mr. Kaiba?" your grandmother asked turning back to face Seto who was watching the whole scene intently.
"Actually no, I asked for her to stop by as a potential translator. But I think we've communicated just fine Ms. Gabriella?"
They communicated?! What about?! What is going on here? Your mind was racing and you were trying to pick up on what had already transpired. Was your grandmother here to scold you for your relationship? How did she even know?
"I would say so Mr. Kaiba. Were you only intending on having Nicola here as a translator?" Your grandmother questioned leaning against the back of the chair in front of her.
"I did." Seto nodded glancing back at you as if trying to read the situation.
"Wonderful!" your grandmother smiled, "Then you wouldn't mind if I took Nicola with me? I don't think I've had the pleasure of my granddaughter's presence in several years. We have quite the catching up to do."
Seto's eyes came to your own again as if asking for a cue. You could only nod as you lightly bit your lip. You really weren't sure what you were in for, but you knew enough to not challenge your grandmother. If she wanted to talk to you alone, it had to be done.
"I wouldn't mind at all Ms. Gabriella. Are you saying we are done here?"
"Almost done," She paused looking back at you, "Nicola, please go on down and meet my car out front. I shouldn't be long at all. I think Mr. Kaiba and I only have one more matter to discuss."
You nodded and left the room. Your heart was racing. Your body shook with nerves as you made your way to the elevator. There were so many questions. So many scenarios about what was about to happen. Only one way to know for sure. Wait and see.
You were only in the lobby for about ten minutes when you heard the elevator door and the clicking of heels against the tiled floor. Looking back, you saw your grandmother walking alone in your direction.
"It is a pleasure to see you dear. I wasn't bluffing when I said it had been too long." She stated kissing your cheek gently.
"I know. I have had my reasons as I am sure you are aware." You shrugged on edge.
"I am." Her voice became ice, but you knew it wasn't to you specifically, "A man that can strike his child as Marco did you from what I am told, is no son of mine Nicola. Had I known-"
"No one knew Nonna." You interrupted her, "Besides, dad has kind of... turned things around for himself. I wouldn't be too hard on him if he is your next visit."
"I actually have no intention of seeing your father on this trip. I came out here to strike a simple business deal and to see you specifically Nicola."
"To see me? Why?" You asked trying to prepare yourself for whatever it may have been.
"Take this to the car please Nicola." She nodded gesturing her hand toward the car waiting out front.
You followed your grandmother to the car out front. She uttered a quick instruction about going to the hotel to the driver before reaching into her clutch purse for what looked like a small black box.
"Nicola, I am here because it seems you are much more valuable to this family than I think you know." She announced in her native Italian tongue.
"E-excuse me... What?" You stammered.
"Our family is a powerful one Nicola. You know this?" She glanced over at you sternly.
"Y-yes Nonna. I know."
She opened the box in her hand keeping it facing her as she continued on, "You remember all of the stories you would read when you visited? The ones with all of the princesses and princes, mages, knights, and dragons?"
"I do. All the fairy tales."
"I used to ask you if you wanted to be the princesses. A fair pretty maiden to be saved and whisked away by true love. Do you remember?"
"Not really. I think I was really young then?"
"You were." She smiled lightly, "you would tell me you did not want to be some damsel princess. You instead wanted to be like the mages and the knights. You wanted to fight and vanquish the evil in the world."
You listened intently waiting for her point.
"What if I were to tell you the not everything in those stories were a fairy tale Nicola?"
"What do you mean Nonna? What parts?"
She pulled a small item out of the box letting it dangle from her fingers. From what you could tell, it was a polished stone on a gold chain. "Magic Nicola. Literal magic." She began, "And you my dear... like me can wield it."