Well, hello there! Welcome to the second chapter! Starting off, I definitely didn't expect the wait for this chapter to be SO LONG. I know I explained there wasn't an update schedule, but it was somewhat ridiculous. So, I apologize. Anyway, this one is another introduction chapter like the previous one, so enjoy!
Hordes of information danced across the pages with each word holding a newer meaning to the narrative than the last. Each page allowed for a further chance of understanding. Every piece of the narrative lead to a new world ahead, yet one that wasn't much far off than the current one. However, the current world fell to silence with nothing but a focus leaning towards the new one that lay waiting on the pages. Another page meant a new adventure. But, like the current world, the new one still held imperfections. Still, another page was turned.
"Lydia!" a voice shouted.
The dark-haired girl looked up and focused herself back with her surroundings. She looked around her room to see no one else present. Did I imagine that?, she questioned.
"Lydia!" it called again.
Nope. The girl hurriedly marked her page, realizing it would have to continue another time. She made her way through her home only to wind up in the kitchen where her mother was standing against the counter with a coffee cup.
"Yeah?" she looked to her mother.
"Can you find my car keys for me?" Her mother, Lisa, grinned.
"Why can't you?"
"I'm busy," Lisa smiled while giving a slight raise to the coffee cup.
Lydia gave an amused sigh knowing there was no point arguing the matter further. "Okay,"
Eventually, after rummaging through both the kitchen and living room, Lydia obtained the keys and tossed them to the blonde woman.
"Thank you," Lisa replied. "So, what were you doing in your room?"
"Just reading. I found an interesting story about a man with a split personality, so I picked it up."
"That does sound interesting. I've seen a few people with conditions like that in the psyche ward at the hospital."
"Yeah, but maybe not as severe."
"I don't know, you see some pretty crazy things in the medical field." Her eyes peered over to the clock on the wall, and then proceeded to polish off the rest of her coffee. "Speaking of which, I need to head out," Her daughter nodded as she planted a kiss on her cheek. "I'll be back later on tonight, love you."
"Love you too," With that said, the older woman fled from the home. Lydia soon turned on her heels eager to continue her book.
Unfortunately, not much more than a half hour later, her conscience was disturbed. A faint creaking followed by a pattern of footsteps came from the distance. Lydia slowly marked the page in her novel, unsure if the noises could've just been her imagination. However, the movement outside her room still persisted.
Hesitantly stepping towards her door, she clutched her cell phone in her hand while pressing her ear to the door. The noises persisted the same. She slowly pulled the frame open and peered around, concluding that the noise was coming from their home office.
"Dad?" she questioned, bracing to shut the door if necessary.
"What's up?" a familiar voice responded. Lydia released a sigh of relief and made her way down the hallway.
"What are you doing home? I thought you left an hour ago."
She entered the office to find her father hunched over his desk collecting a stack of files. Before he could respond to her, his phone pinged loudly to grab his attention
"Kosei," he answered. There was a pause as he listened to the voice over the receiver. "Yes, I'm getting them now. I'll be right there, bye." He ended the call and glanced back to his daughter. "I forgot some files for the meeting this afternoon."
"You didn't mention anything about a meeting earlier. What's it about?"
"The company wants to meet with some Kaiba Corp executives to discuss contract terms."
"Wow, that's pretty serious."
"Yep."
Kosei neatly placed the needed files in his briefcase before turning to make his way out of his office. He soon began making his way back towards the door before stopping to ponder something. He turned back to Lydia to find her watching him make his way out.
"Do you want to come to the office with me?" he asked. "It may be a good opportunity for you to see more of the company during contract deals."
The dark-haired girl beamed. "Sure! I'd love to!"
"Then come on, we don't want to be late."
The duo hurriedly made their way out the door to their vehicle. Driving through the suburban area slowly transitioned into the downtown buzz. Tall skyscrapers and apartment buildings lined the roads while the residents of the city were either positioned well in their cars or taking their time in walking. Even with the amount of congestion around the city, there still seemed to be something lively and refreshing about the community of Domino.
Their commute soon came to a close once they approached the Akasei Design office. As the duo entered the building, they were met with a large hustling of employees passing files and reports between one another. Despite just completing a crucial project just weeks ago, the office hadn't nearly been in the flurry that it was currently.
Making their way through the labyrinth of rushing workers, the duo reached the elevator. "I'll meet you outside the conference hall," Kosei began once the elevator was in motion. "I need to deliver some of these files to your grandfather."
Lydia nodded as she got off at the designated floor and watched the elevator doors close behind her. Making her way down the hall towards the conference hall, things appeared much more relaxed than the floors below. Other than the occasional worker or secretary dropping off or retrieving papers, not many passed by. The quiet atmosphere allowed for her mind to drift as she waited for her father to return.
"Hey, Cuz,"
Lydia turned to meet the eyes of a young man not much older than herself. "Oh, hi, Nao," she greeted.
"I didn't expect you to be here today. What, did your father bring you in again?"
She couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Actually, yes. What are you doing here then?"
"My father said it seemed like a crucial opportunity for me to attend as a future heir."
Lydia smiled to the young man. "Funny, mine said the same thing. After all, we're both heirs."
He frowned. "True, but you don't have the business experience to even comprehend what's said in meetings."
"And you do?"
Lydia noticed a familiar smirk return to the young male's features. "Of course, I am the older one, after all."
"You're trying to provoke me,"
"Provoke?" He grinned. "Into what?"
"You always liked starting arguments."
"That's also true, but today isn't a good day for me."
Lydia couldn't help but to keep staring at his grin. She supposed the best way to describe it was condescending. Although, the more she thought about it, she could never pinpoint what went on in his head.
"Good afternoon, Naoto, Lydia,"
The two cousins looked up to find their grandfather standing beside Kosei. The elder man smiled to the two waiting for a response.
"Hello, Grandfather, Uncle," Naoto began as he glanced between the two.
"How are you?" Lydia questioned.
"Quite well, thank you." the elder CEO spoke. "I understand that you two were planning on attending the meeting today. But, as I was just explaining to Kosei, I'm afraid that's not possible."
"What?"
"Kaiba Corp prefers for this to be between executives only."
The two teens nodded in silent disappointment.
"Well, I have to go finish some paperwork anyway." Naoto announced. He said his farewells to his family members before starting off down the hall.
Board members began making their way into the conference hall once the elder man took a seat at the table.
"I'm sorry, Lydia," Kosei began. "I didn't realize there were such strict guidelines."
"That's alright," she smiled. "I'll just wait in your office until you're done."
Kosei nodded before the duo parted ways. Lydia paced herself as she headed towards the elevators realizing she was certainly not in a hurry to get there. I Wonder what I'll do now, she thought. I really wish I'd brought that book with me. She pressed the button for the elevator waiting for the doors to slide open. Maybe I could call Haruna?
The elevator soon dinged and opened its doors. Lydia swung around to enter its presence before she collided with another figure before her.
"Oh, I'm sorry! I wasn't looking whe—"
She froze. There almost seemed to be something familiar about the person. Before she could place her finger on it, the opposing figure was gone. Wait! Was that..? She turned back to face the person, but they made no inclination that the event had even occurred. Rather, his sapphire gaze was merely fixed on the sole point ahead of him.
It's finally done! For whatever reason, this chapter was difficult to do. I went through about three drafts before settling. Due to the difficulty, some of the dialogue may seem off, another reason could be me still trying to swing back into writing. But, hopefully, it still works. Anyways, thanks for sticking with me and I'll see you next time!