Seto Kaiba had problems.
For one, he was lying to totally innocent girl who really liked him. She was amiable, she didn't love him for his money, she didn't want to challenge him to a duel or make an offer for his Blue Eyes White Dragon, she wasn't trying to hurt him as far as he knew and she wasn't after his company. Whenever he did tell her, she would be pretty pissed and probably WANT to hurt him then.
For two, Joey was now tangled in this web of lies. He was after Jesse too. This created more problems because he knew who he was. And that was information he would rather keep under wraps until he decided he was finished with Jesse. The mere presence of the blond American disturbed him, the fact that he also desires Jesse, just pissed him off. He had to think of ways to get rid of him at the amusement park the next day or he would surely kill the boy with his bare hands the next time he saw him.
For three, he was going to a public area. There was no amount of make-up or clothing he could put on to cover himself there. Why did his mouth say it before his brain thought about it? He was going to have to think of something to wear and something totally new to do to his hair and appearance.
For four, he was really starting to like this girl. More than he cared to acknowledge. He was so smitten that he had absentmindedly doodled her name all over his things at school when he was pretending to listen in class. He was also made aware he did it on some documents at work when one of his clients asked him whom 'Jesse' was. He really had it bad and worst of all, he didn't even know it.
Lastly, and the least important, he had taken so much time off to be with Jesse that he was behind in work. This was why his fingers were going 50mph and his mind was working overtime to accommodate for the work and thinking of plans to deal with the annoying mutt, Joey Wheeler.
Not to mention the voice in his head that would not just shut up and stay that way. It was making it very hard to get any work done
You do know Denial ain't just a river in Egypt, Kaiba, said his conscious.
" Shut up."
She's going to find out and everyone is going to get hurt, said the voice.
" And who is everyone?"
You, her, the mutt, her, her, did I mention her?
" You are increasingly annoying."
What about your feelings for her?
" What feelings?"
Oh come now Kaiba, you're not that dumb. You know you love it when she smiles at you. You know when she laughs it's like music to your ears. You love to kiss her. Look at you; you crave the feeling of her soft, supple lips against your own.
" *Irritated* Shut up talking to me."
You're dense pride is going ruin everything for you!! You love her!!
" I do not!!"
You lie! You know you love her! She's the first thing on your mind in the morning and the last thing at night! She's all you think about besides Duel Monsters, work and Mokuba! That's pretty good as far as you and your standards go.
" What's that supposed to mean?"
Oh like you don't know! You know you can be a snob when you want to. But look at listen to yourself! You're bending over backwards because you want to keep Jesse away from Joey and all to yourself.
" Am not!"
Then why go to all the trouble of keeping her away from Joey if you don't want her?
" I DON'T want her. I just don't want him to have her."
Whatever.
" Nii-sama?"
Seto looked up from his computer screen for a second to see that Mokuba was in the doorway. He wondered how long he'd been there and how much he heard.
" What is it Mokuba?"
" Who are you talking to?"
Kaiba winced as he realized he had been talking out loud.
" Just an online conversation. Nothing for you to worry about."
" Oh. Okay." He turned around and went back to what he was doing.
Kaiba shook his head a little at the close call. He was going to have to be more careful.
But no matter how far he pushed himself into his work, his thoughts lingered on what the annoying voice said to him. Did he really love Jesse? Could that be why she was on his mind all the time? Could that be the reason he was so resentful towards Joey when the blond American tried to charm his way into the American girl's heart?
No, he shook his head. He had to be exaggerating. He didn't care anything for the girl at all. She was just something to amuse himself with. She didn't know he was famous or rich, so she made nice conversation. Not to mention she tasted like lemons. (There's a joke in there somewhere.)
He shook his head again; growling in irritation at his own lack of discipline and forced himself to concentrate on the work in front of him. He needed to get done with this so he could plan for the next night with Joey and Jesse. Sweet, innocent Jesse.
" Ugh!!"
*********************
" You're awful quite Joey."
Joey and Yugi were dueling again. Yami was laid out on the couch reading a magazine on Duel Monsters. The American had been a lot quieter than normally. Usually he would make some comment about his or Yugi's move, but today he said nothing.
" Huh? Oh, sorry. I jist got a lot on my mind." He smiled.
" Wanna talk about it?"
" Not really. It's not that I don't want too, I just can't say anything."
" What do you mean?"
" He made me promise not ta say anythin' ta anyone or he'd hurt me. And I dink he will."
" Who's after you Joey?" Yami was now interested.
" It's not me they're after?"
" Serenity then?"
" Don't ever say dat!!! Kaiba and Serenity?!! Dat's just nightmarish!! Ova my dead body!!"
" Kaiba?" Yami raised an eyebrow.
" Calm down Joey." Yugi put his best friend's fist down. " Now what's this about Kaiba?"
" Who blabbed?1" Joey looked around for any spies.
" Joey, you just did. Now what about Kaiba?"
" Oh, well, I guess I can tell you guys. But you have to swear on the Millennium Puzzle not to tell anyone else!"
" Not even Tristan and Tea?"
" Tristan knows. But Tea'll go 'women's liberation' on us."
" We swear. SO spill." Yugi sat next to him; the duel long forgotten.
" Well, it all started a few days ago…."
******************
" And now we have a date tomorra."
Joey finished his story and took a swig of his soda. He was going to have to be careful the next night. Kaiba was liable to do anything to get him to back off Jesse. But he had a few plans too. He wasn't going to let him win Jesse without a fight!
" How could he lie like that?! That's immoral!" Yugi frowned.
" He lives in the business world Yugi, he had to learn to lie somewhere." Yami turned a page.
" But Jesse'll be heartbroken when she finds out he's been lying to her."
" If he ever tells her."
" Oh he'll tell her. Or I'll do it for'em!" Joey punched into his palm.
" It sounds like you really like this girl Joey. Do you want to bust Kaiba's secret wide open and have Jesse to yourself?" Yami turned another page.
" I don' wanna hurt her. I mean she's totally innocent in all dis. Kaiba don't care nothin' 'bout her! Jesse's jist a plaything ta him! I would be a much better friend dan he would!"
" Oh Joey." Yugi looked down sadly.
" I don't know how, but one way or another, Kaiba's coming clean tomorrow!"
A/N: Had ta put a little Seto/Serenity bashing in there. I hate that pairing. Personally, I think Seto-sama goes with Yami.
Yami: Back off Serenity! Seto Kaiba belongs to me!!
See what I mean? He's so possessive. ^_^ But anyway, the ext chapter is the fair. And boy, oh, boy will it hit the fan in there! Until then, Love, Peace and Chicken Grease!!