Author: Here comes chapter 22! Thank you for everyone who has supported me this far. I hope my story has been able to take your mind off everything that's happening at the moment. Writing has certainly been a good escape for me.

I enjoyed reading everyone's comments as it makes me feel connected to you guys.

I'll see you at the end of the chapter.

Chapter 22 - All cards on the table

Kaiba sat in his office finding himself unable to focus. Everything from the steady ticks from his own watch, the crisp snaps from his fireplace and the sound of his own breathing had him distracted. He closed his eyes in attempt to shut out all the noise, trying to visualise the machinery he was working on. Instead of his latest duel disk, his mind constructed a pair of warm brown eyes and the girl they belonged to...

His eyes shot open and the vision disappeared. Quickly he brought his concentration back to his prototype, thinking how he could make things different. Pegasus may have made him the laughing stock, but that made Kaiba more determined than ever. He planned to create something far superior, a duel disk without peer.

"You want to duel me with your latest contraption?" the theatrical voice resounded in his head. "I don't even know how this silly device even works. Do I spin it like a top or roll it like a ball?"

This time there wouldn't be room for such mockery and confusion. The new sleek angular design was like one of a kind and he couldn't wait to release it to the general public. It was so cleverly planned with the surface allocated for monster cards and slots underneath for magic and trap cards. The only problem was he hadn't figured out a place for the projectors. Everyone knew there wouldn't be any holograms without projectors.

Kaiba frowned in concentration, there had to be a way around this. There was a way around this. He could always go with Andrew Carter's suggestion, the idea of having two small projectors installed on either side. Two projectors that would be ejected whenever the duel disk was turned on. Then again, the thought of Carter brought the thought of his daughter.

Fuck, he was back to square one again.

What exactly happened with Rebecca? It was obvious they hadn't the best start, having met through a collision with his car and all. Since then, he felt like he had gotten to know her in a way that he could have never imagined. She had given him the ability to see, to feel, to love.

'Love?'

He scoffed at his mind's use of the word, a strong word that was so commonly misused. It was impossible that anyone could have such a feeling towards him.

Rebecca had no trouble expressing her emotions, if anything the girl cared too much. Her family, her friends, it seemed that there wasn't a thing she wouldn't do for them. Kaiba once thought that he was considered one of the two, but he was wrong. He couldn't have been more wrong.

His mind then began to wonder into a dangerously dark place...

~Flashback~

"You insolent runt!" Gozaburo's voice thundered loudly. "How dare you humiliate me in the middle of a board meeting."

Even as a young boy, Seto was no coward. He never failed to stand up to the cruel man known as his stepfather. Gozaburo's anger outbursts were a common occurrence, comparable to a child throwing a tantrum. Whenever he didn't get his way, the man would simply lose it.

Seto was not a disobedient child, but that didn't mean that he gave in to Gozaburo's temperament. In a way, his stubbornness and fight were something that the Chess Champion secretly admired about the boy. The brunette would often challenge him, however it not out of disrespect. It was because at times, he found his demands illogical and unreasonable. That itself, caused a constant power struggle between the two.

However Gozaburo had never sounded so angry before. This time something was different.

"Answer me Seto!" his adoptive father roared.

Seto looked his stepfather dead in the eye before assertively replying. "I've done nothing wrong, I own shares in Kaibacorp. I had every right to be there."

"You had no right!" Gozaburo bellowed, slamming one of his large fists into the wooden table. "I don't think you realise the magnitude of what you've done. That childish stunt you pulled cost our company the deal. Now those other business owners no longer want to invest in us."

"That's not true," Seto interjected. "They were still interested."

"Ah yes," the Business tycoon recalled facetiously. "Instead of investing in military technology, they want to invest in some stupid theme park. What did you want to call it again?"

"Kaiba land," the young boy stated defensively. "It's a place where kids can go to have fun."

"I've already told you the answer is no. I never expected such foolishness even from you, but I guess someone's ego is getting in the way."

"Who's ego are we talking about here?" Seto questioned with narrowed eyes. "Mine or yours?"

"Where do you get the nerve to talk to me like that?" Gozaburo yelled, raising one hand and striking him.

The slap was loud and stung his face. It had been an open-handed smack and had left a red welt behind. Just below his eye was a small cut where Gozaburo's ring had caught him. Seto staggered backwards, clutching his face, his eyes watering.

"That should teach you," Gozaburro muttered, lightly shaking his wrist.

Seto felt the muscles on his chin tremble, as his tears burst forth like water from a dam. He closed his eyes as if the darkness itself could soothe him. His scars would heal in time, but the theft of his hope and spirit was an injury that the world would never see.

He hated Gozaburo, he really did.

"You can't keep doing this!" Seto cried out, roughly wiping his tears with his sleeve. "I could report you to the authorities. If they found out how you've been treating us, you could get sent to prison."

Gozaburo laughed coldly, his expression was so unsettling that it made his skin crawl. "Do you actually think they would care about someone like you?"

Seto knew this was part of his stepfather's manipulation. It wasn't the first time Gozaburo made it seem like his feelings weren't valid. Even so, it didn't mean that what he was saying didn't get to him. Sometimes he would fall in the trap of believing him. Every single word.

The young brunette shook his head, not wanting to give in to Gozaburo's mind games. "You're wrong!" he argued, with fierce determination in his voice. "People aren't like you, they care."

"Oh, people care do they?" Gozuburo questioned with an eyebrow raised. "Wasn't it your own relatives who sent you and your brother to the orphanage?"

Seto clenched his teeth in anger. "Stop it!"

"Let me give you some advice Seto, because I'm feeling generous." Gozaburo said coarsely. "You may be extremely intelligent, a child prodigy. People will admire you, envy you, long for your success and no doubt you'll make an excellent heir to the Kaiba corporation. Still, that doesn't change a thing about who you are - an orphan with no class. No one will ever love you. You will always be worthless, you will always mean nothing. You got that boy?"

Now Seto found himself shaking uncontrollably, it was as if he had been struck a second time. This time only words had carried out the assault. He had always thought escaping the orphanage would keep them safe, but instead it had forced them to face an even bigger monster.

Gozaburo walked towards his desk, showing complete disregard towards his trembling son before him. Dusting off his suit, he checked the time on his wall clock. Surely he had wasted enough time disciplining Seto. Now it was time to get on with usual business.

"Look at you, you're weak." Gozuburo scoffed in disgust. "Your emotions are what will hold you back. If only you were more like me..."

"I promise father," Seto spat bitterly. "I'll never be like you!"

Thats when Seto found himself harshly thrown to the floor. Gozuburo was about to raise his hand to deliver the second strike when they both heard the door slam open. They both turned their heads at he surprise intrusion.

"Leave him alone!" Mokuba shouted, running towards the enraged Gozaburo.

When Seto looked up to see his younger brother his face was a mixture of shock and fear. "Mokuba get out of there," he yelled with panic in his voice.

"I'm not walking away," the little Mokuba replied stubbornly, shaking his head. "No one hurts my big brother!"

~ End of Flashback~

Kaiba blinked and found himself back in reality. He was confused when he felt an usual dampness on his cheeks and he patted them dry with a handkerchief in his pocket. Had he really been crying?

A few seconds later, he heard the stressed voice of his receptionist through his receiver

"Mister Kaiba we may have a problem..."

Rebecca didn't expect to spend her Saturday staring at the ceiling, but she did. Her conversation with Kaiba kept replaying in her head over and over again. Surely everything was her fault, it was her who had pushed him away. It was only now that she had realised why she said what she did. She was scared.

Honestly, the girl was terrified. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't understand what was happening between them. Rebecca kept wondering if everything she felt towards Kaiba was real. When she was around him, she got his feeling that she couldn't describe. As unpredictable as he was, at times it was as if she knew him. Like things were familiar...

Rebecca wanted the guessing game to come to an end once and for all. She desperately wanted to know if there was something beyond their friendship, something beyond him hanging around to please Mokuba. Maybe the feelings were mutual, but there was only one way to find out..

If only she could muster up the courage to tell him or ask him how he felt at least. Rebecca wished she could storm into Kaibacorp and lay all cards on the table. What was the worst thing that could happen? Well there was the possibility of being completely humiliated, but it was worth the risk right?

Running down the stairs, she grabbed her coat before opening the front door. Immediately a cool breeze hit the warmth of her cheeks. Out of all days, the weather had to be horrendous. The sky was covered by a blanket of grey and large droplets of rain pelted down.

Rebecca was tempted to shut the door and retreat by to the comfort of her own home, but she knew this was something that couldn't wait. She grabbed her raincoat and umbrella before rushing out the door. Living in the same part of Domino meant she didn't have to travel so far. She had managed to reach the massive building in about fifteen minutes.

Taking a deep breath, she entered through the automatic glass doors. The reception area was large and had many black leather chairs scattered around the room. Rebecca was quick to notice the wealthy businessman, suddenly feeling slightly small and inferior in their presence. Firmly placing both her hands in her pockets, she meekly walked towards the reception desk. The receptionist was an attractive woman with long chocolate brown hair. She was touching up her lipstick with a small mirror and looked up as she saw her approach.

"Hi Sweetie! How can I can I help you?"," she asked smiling kindly.

Rebecca returned her smile shyly. "I, um, I need to speak to Seto Kaiba, please." she said, looking around the room. She knew that was probably the same reason all the other suits were there too.

"Do you have an appointment?"

"Uh, no, but this is really urgent." She continued with forced confidence. "I'm sure he'll want to see me."

The receptionist leaned over the desk and began to look her up and down. Rebecca wasn't sure how to interpret her actions, but something made her feel quite uneasy. Within a few seconds of observation, the Kaibacorp employee was able to notice certain things that she hadn't before. The clothing the young girl wore was simple, far from designer and expensive. The makeup on her face was light and natural.

"You're young." the brunette pointed out, her tone was slightly condescending.

"I'm sixteen," the American explained, sounding irritable. "We do go to school together. Do you know when he'll be taking lunch? I just need to see him for ten minutes."

The receptionist shook her head apologetically. "I'm sorry, but Mister Kaiba is a very busy man. He doesn't have time for anything that isn't business related."

"I understand," Rebecca exhaled in defeat. "Thank you."

The black-haired girl was about to give up when she noticed something. She noticed many employees making their way up and down a large set of elevators at a far corner of the room. Rebecca smiled to herself, suddenly she got an idea. If she got into one of those elevators it could take her to the top floor. Kaiba's office was on the top floor...

Rebecca glanced back at the receptionist who was now pre-occupied flirting with a business man. Now was her chance. Taking a deep breath, she sprinted towards the elevators without looking back. She heard voices yell loudly as two security guards chased after her. Fortunately for her the doors shut in time before the elevator began to rise.

There was no going back now.

Kaiba heard the stressed voice of his receptionist through his receiver.

"Sir, we may have a problem..."

"What now?" the brunette snapped harshly, wondering how on earth his day could get any worse. His head was a mess with girl problems, followed by an unwanted trip down memory lane and now this. How much longer before he lost it?

"There's been a security breach." she explained anxiously. "We're sending two armed guards up right now."

"I don't understand why you can't do your fucking job!" Kaiba snarled back.

He felt like he was about to fly off the handle as he quickly unlocked a drawer in his desk. Removing the gun inside, before removing its safety. If those idiots couldn't protect him, then he would just have to protect himself. Kaiba took a deep breath to compose himself. He'd dodged bullets before, but never had to fire one himself. Truthfully the thought of sending someone to a premature death scared him, but now wasn't the time for fear.

Kaiba's chest pounded as the door handle began to move slightly. He raised the barrel of the gun towards his alleged assailant. The door slowly opened...

'What an joke!'

Rebecca Carter, that's who he was meant to be afraid of? That's who they had sent the two armed guards for? It was laughable, however her expression was not. The girl was wide eyed and trembling, most likely due to the fact she had a deadly weapon pointed at her.

Kaiba exhaled and lowered the weapon to his side. He hoped that the action itself would give the girl some reassurance that he wasn't going to put a bullet in her head. Still a part of him was livid. How could she be so reckless like that? When it came to his security protecting his life was a number one priority. If they shoot, they shoot to kill.

"Call off the security," he instructed through his collar. "It's like sending two lions to hunt a fucking mouse."

He looked back at her and noticed her breathing was still quite staggered. It was like there was another reason behind her anxiety that didn't involve security guards and firearms. A part of him wanted to hold her, to tell her that he would never harm her because he would never. Another part of him was clouded wtih anger and hurt from their previous conversation.

"We need to talk,"

"At first I wasn't sure, but I had a feeling it was you." Kaiba said before walking to his desk. He raised a glass to his lips, before swallowing a generous amount of the liquid inside of it. Rebecca had remembered her father joking about on his day drinking, but she dared not comment on it.

"You did?" she questioned intrigued.

Kaiba's azure eyes flickered up as his gaze met hers, then came that familiar infuriating smirk. It was times like this that she understood Joey's frustration. That look made her want to knock him out.

"You said we needed to talk, so talk." he said, folding his arms across his chest impatiently. "I haven't got all day. There are some of the most successful buisness owners downstairs."

"I know, but I'm not leaving till you tell me everything. I want to know what happened at Burgerworld yesterday. I want to know why you followed me home from the Arcade. I want to know how you found me in that alley and why waited with me in hospital. I want to know how you always show up at the exact right time to perform your miraculous rescues. I want to know why you agreed to tolerate me for the sake of Mokuba." Rebecca said, her voice trembling with emotion as Kaiba kept watching her impassively. "And I want to know why you care about keeping me safe." she finished, unconciously wrapping her arms tightly around herself

"Is that all you wanted to know?" Kaiba laughed with a raised brow, looking seemingly amused. "I think its possible you already know the answer to all your questions, Rebecca."

Her teeth slightly clenched at his response, of course he avoided answering her question. What really irritated her was that smug smile on his face. It was as if he was enjoying her confusion.

"Does everything have to be a game to you?" Rebecca cried out in exasperation. "Can't you just be honest with me?"

"I was being honest with you when I said you've got it all figured out." Kaiba said dryly, drawing his attention away from her as he carelessly took another sip." Maybe I was wrong to assume you were the smart one in the group."

Why do you have to be like this?"

Kaiba narrowed his eyes. "Like what?"

"So cryptic! It's like you've got no fucking emotions," she screamed as the much anticipated tears rushed down her cheeks. Kaiba was momentarily thrown by the cursing, but kept his composure well. He would have never admitted it, but he was so close to spitting out his drink. "You've spent so much times with machines that you've practically become one yourself. You always talk in riddles and its so hard to tell how you feel..."

He swallowed hard, realising that her speech sounded so familiar. Hell, it was nearly identical to Téa Gardner's furious rant at Duelist Kingdom. Kaiba could admit he found it hard to show humility and sympathise with Yugi given his own difficult circumstances, but this was different. If he told her the truth, he knew there would be no going back.

"And you want to know how i feel...about you? "

"Um...i..."

"They said I was bad news right?" Kaiba asked giving a mirthless chuckle, clearly referring to her group of friends. "Maybe you should listen to those friends of yours and leave before you expect too much and get hurt."

"No," Rebecca shook her head frantically. "I'm not just walking away, Kaiba."

"Is that what your heart is telling you?" He remarked sarcastically.

"Yeah I guess it is," she replied, not feeling the slightest bit ashamed of her answer. "It's what makes me human."

"You say it like its something to be proud of." Kaiba snorted as he rolled his eyes and turned his back to her. "Don't kid yourself Rebecca, your emotions are what makes you weak. You want proof? Take a look at yourself."

Rebecca's chest felt heavy and she took deep breaths in and out. The conversation had drained her so much emotionally, yet it seemed like Kaiba wasn't the slightest bit phased. Still, she wasn't going to stop now. Not after how far she'd come. "You know what? Maybe my emotions do make me weak, but at least I can be honest about how i feel."

"You want real honesty?" he asked, glaring at her with his piercing cerulean eyes. Kaiba had walked forward so now he was standing directly in front of her. His expression was no longer smug or conceited and Rebecca could see a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I hate emotions because sometimes feeling can fucking hurt. If know if I let myself be happy for just one moment, my world will eventually come crashing down."

"But Kai-" she began before she was interrupted.

In a movement, he pressed his lips against hers and the world fell away. It was slow and soft, never what she imagined a real kiss to be like. Their lips fit togther perfectly like two puzzle pieces and it seemed the two teenagers couldn't fight it anymore. This was destiny.

It finally happened! After twenty-two long chapters...IT FINALLY HAPPENED!

It feels great to be back writing, hope you guys are safe, happy and healthy.

PLEASE REVIEW! I'M DYING TO KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS THINK OF THIS ONE X