**** Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh ****
**** Indicated from the chapter title, this chapter is indeed 18A. It is by far the most romantic chapter in the story! Aren't you excited? ^_^ ****
Chapter Thirty-One
Three Little Words (18A)
Roux lay wide awake almost the entire night staring at the ceiling, feeling cold in the surrounding sheets and covers. Every now and then her skin would bathe in salty tears, and she was unable to stop them from coming
Nothing as in her mind except the constant words of Kaiba, and the heart- breaking story he told her last night in the limo about his horrifying childhood. For the longest time Roux figured Kaiba made it all up, spending his childhood in a damp dark basement, a victim to frightening sadistic abuse to "prepare" him for his future duties as a businessman. Roux wanted it all to be a fictional tale.
But then again it explained quite a lot about him. Why he was so distant and cold towards everyone except his younger brother. Roux was glad that Mokuba had been asleep while Kaiba told her the story. She didn't want him to hear, or rehear the story. To be truthful she wasn't too sure where Mokuba really was within this story of Kaiba's.
Halfway through his terrifying story she had started crying, the tale tugging at her heart. She wanted to hug to him and demand it wasn't true, and ask how anyone could do such a thing to a darling little boy who only wanted a chance for a better life.
But why had he told her? Was it because she wanted to know? Wouldn't he be afraid she would blab the story to Yugi and his friends when he had chosen to tell her and only her? She would never tell them, if Kaiba didn't want her to. Did Kaiba know this? Did he trust her?
She was awake almost the entire night thinking about it. From the light of the moon until the early morning light flooded her room, she could think of nothing but a young Seto Kaiba in a dark basement bound by a collar around his neck hunched over books and books, crying silently to himself, day after day. Not known, not appreciated, not loved, a broken little boy. Roux couldn't bear to think of it, yet her mind could think of nothing but.
She got up at about seven and buried herself under a cold shower, wondering if today she would be going back to Kaiba Corp with Kaiba, although she wasn't sure she could handle it. What if he hadn't told her something and chose to tell her more?
She got dressed and went downstairs, still thinking and trying not to think about Kaiba's story. Mokuba was in the foyer sitting on a bench, swinging his legs and staring at the carpet. He looked bored, but eager as though waiting for someone. He looked up, seeing Roux come down the stairs. He grinned.
"Hi Roux!" he said cheerfully, jumping off the bench and running up to her.
Roux smiled. "Hello Mokuba." She said sweetly, smiling sadly. "Um, where's your brother?" she asked nervously.
Mokuba was about to tell her, but at that moment Kaiba emerged slowly from the hallway. "I'm here." He said softly, grabbing her attention.
Roux looked over at him, and she saw that he too looked rather worn down, disturbed from reliving the story of his horrid childhood, like he hadn't slept, soft tear stains were faint from his azure eyes down over his cheeks. Roux wanted more than anything to hug him. She wouldn't care what he thought or what Joey thought or what anyone thought. She didn't hate Kaiba anymore, and she would stay with him forever, love him if she had to, just to soothe the pains in his heart.
Roux cleared her throat. "Kaiba, I wanted to ask you."
Kaiba awaited her request patiently. He was beginning to wonder if telling her about his past was a good idea. Kaiba knew she would keep it to herself, that was why he told her. That and because she wanted to know. He saw the pain that was in her eyes when he came into a room or when he spoke to her. She felt great compassion towards him.
Roux cleared her throat. "Do you think I could.spend the day with Joey?" she asked nervously.
Kaiba was taken aback, even hurt by this request. He couldn't expect any less, unfortunately. She was, afterall, a good friend with Joey. Had his story caused her to become afraid of him? Or to fear what he may think of her for crying at his expense?
~ What about the dream? ~ His mind called out in worry.
Kaiba thought for a moment. She could go with Joey, as long as she didn't go anywhere and she remained in the apartment. She couldn't expose herself, not after what had happened at the square and certainly not after the dream he had had.
"I just want to see him." She said, trying to give a convincing look of eagerness, and failing. She wasn't sure if she could ever smile at him again.
Kaiba nodded. "All right." He said, and then motioned to the door. "Let's go, I have a lot of important meetings today." He went to the door and picked up his briefcase, which was already waiting for him. He hugged his brother quickly and told him to be good to the servants.
Roux hugged Mokuba telling him that she would see him later that day. She knew he wouldn't go to Kaiba Corp if his brother had nothing but meetings to go to all day.
So Kaiba and Roux went out to the limo together, and sat down. When the limo started moving, Kaiba called Joey and let him know that they were coming. From the phonecall they were mostly quiet.
When they were ten minutes to the Wheeler apartment, Kaiba spoke up, clearing his throat. "I hope you're not dying to tell Wheeler what I told you last night." He said rather sarcastically.
Roux shook her head, giving him no smile. "Kaiba I would never repeat what you told me if you didn't want me to." She assured him.
Then again if the gang ever laughed at Kaiba again, she would have a few things to say to them.
Kaiba nodded, looking satisfied. "Good. Now I have some ground rules to lay out, if you're going to spend the day with Joey. First, no leaving the apartment. I want you to stay inside at all times."
She nodded. It was a reasonable rule.
"I don't want you to answer the door, the phone-"
Roux laughed softly. "Kaiba, it's okay." She smiled at him softly, making his heart jump. "I'll be with Joey, remember?"
Kaiba rolled his eyes. "That's what I'm afraid of." He confessed, and then gave her a smile when she laughed. Roux recognized it as a caring, sweet smile, instead of a smug taunting smile.
The limo stopped at Joey's apartment, and Roux rested her hand on the knob. But before she could jump out, Kaiba lurched forward. "I'll be here around eight to pick you up." He told her.
Roux nodded and smiled again at him. "I'll remember." She promised. "Bye."
Kaiba smiled back. "Bye." He said softly, but he was afraid she hadn't seen.
~*~
"And so as you can see Mr. Kaiba, with the excitement evolving around your Battle City Tournament lately, we can easily lower the amount of income on.Mr. Kaiba? Mr. Kaiba are you listening?"
Everyone looked over at the head of the table, where sat Seto Kaiba who was not paying any attention whatsoever to the presentation. He was drawing something rather absent-mindedly on the pad of paper that was laid out in front of him, his chin rested on his palm.
They were all in an executive meeting to discuss the Battle City Tournament. At least ten businessmen sat around the table, few were giving presentations and lectures about improving the tournament. The man giving the presentation momentarily, who looked rather angry that the CEO hadn't been listening, cleared his throat in irritant.
"Excuse me, Mr. Kaiba." He said irritated highly. "If you're quite finished losing yourself in daydreams over whatever you're got there, I would like to finish my presentation." He snapped.
All the other men grimaced. They knew that if you dared to say such a thing to Seto Kaiba, you were as goo as fired. And judging by the look on Kaiba's face, indeed this man was fired.
Kaiba put down his pen, and his face had taken a very stern look from the soft gentle expression that had been there when he was drawing with the pen. His eyes narrowed to the man. "You are free to finish your presentation downstairs on the street if you dare speak to me like that again." He growled and sat back, entwining his fingers together. "Go on."
The man continued, and Kaiba sighed softly, and found himself for a second time not being able to focus on the presentation. Instead he stared at the patterns on the men' ties, and then staring out the window, and then studying the lines of his fingernails.
He wished Roux had come to Kaiba Corp today. He could have canceled these meetings to spend some time with her, saying he had to look after her. No one would have argued with him. It would have given them a little more chance to talk, if there was such desire there.
Kaiba remembered when he was telling her about his childhood last night in the limo. He saw her eyes fill with tears, and he wanted them to stop, he wanted to stop his story, just so she wouldn't cry. When she remained silent he wanted to beg her to say something to him; he wouldn't care exactly what she had to say. Just anything would do.
After awhile he looked down at the paper in front of him. He smiled softly. He had drawn her face on the paper.
~*~
"Joey, I really shouldn't. Kaiba didn't want me to leave the apartment." Roux said warily, just as Joey had gotten off the phone with Tristan and Bakura.
"Aw come on, I already told the guys that we'd meet them down there." Joey said, going past her, putting on his coat. "Come on, it'll be fun." He assured her, smiling at her and wrapping his arm around her. "And after spending all day yesterday with Kaiba, I can imagine you needing a little cheer."
Roux was about to snap at him, but she didn't.
At around four thirty PM the guys called and wanted to get together with Joey and Roux for dinner at the restaurant down the street. Without asking Roux if she wanted to go, Joey said they'd be there. Roux knew she couldn't leave the apartment, especially when she told Kaiba she wouldn't. Now more than ever she certainly did not want to betray his trust.
"It's not like Kaiba owns you or anything." Joey claimed.
"He is protecting my ring and my life." Roux retorted.
Joey crossed his arms. "He can't tell you what you can and can not do, you got your rights, y'know!" he argued.
Roux looked at her fingernails. "I don't want to betray his trust."
There was a pause, and then Joey let out a very deep laugh, holding Roux's shoulder for support. "Oh Roux that's rich! Wait till I tell Tristan. Listen, the shtick is, Kaiba don't trust no one, only himself. And how could he trust you? You and he are enemies!"
Roux gave a sad smile. She wanted to tell Joey that Kaiba did trust her, since he had told her the story of his past. But perhaps Kaiba didn't trust her, and only told her the story to shut her up. Roux was sad at the thought of it.
Joey was holding her coat, and giving her a look, as if to say "you know you want to".
Sighing, Roux grabbed her jacket and put it on. "Okay, but Joey you have to promise me that we'll be back before eight."
Joey waved his hand. "Piece a cake, we'll be there long before!" he said, and then hollered into the apartment. "Serenity! We're going out for dinner! You coming?"
Serenity joined them swiftly, putting on her jacket, and soon they were all walking down the sidewalk talking. Roux hugged her arms for comfort. She kept looking around this way and that. If Marik found her, she was in trouble. If Kaiba found her, she'd be dead. She knew she was playing with fire as though she held a dark desire.
She should never have risked leaving the apartment. She almost told Joey that she wanted to go back, or to fake that she was sick so she could go back by herself. But she didn't want to be in the apartment alone, and walking back alone was a sore idea.
"So what'd ya do at Kaiba Corp all day yesterday, Roux?" Joey asked, shoving his hands in his pockets and giving her a curious smile.
Roux shrugged. "Nothing much. Mokuba showed me where everything was, the labs, the food court, Kaiba's office-"
Joey smirked. "So moneybags wasn't around at all to look after you." He tossed his head and shook it. "That guy sure does have some attitude. Won't even live up to his destiny unless there's fifty million dollars in store for him."
Roux scowled, and again the urge to snap at him came to her attention, but she refrained. She kept quietly, keeping a sharp lookout on the street until they arrived at the restaurant. Inside Tristan, Tea, Bakura, Yugi and Mai were waiting for them. Yugi stood up and waved frantically.
"Yeah, we see ya Yug!" Joey said waving back, and they went over to the very spacious booth and sat down. They talked for a long while until Duke came strutting in.
"Hey guys." He said to everyone and sat down across from Roux. "So Roux tell us all, how was your day yesterday with Kaiba?"
Roux wasn't expecting this. All eyes were on her. She swallowed softly and shrugged. "Actually I barely saw him all day. Mokuba took me on the grand tour. But I got to see where they make all the equipment and everything."
"Wow." Tristan said in awe. "Apparently if your life's in danger and Kaiba's the one to protect you, you get the free tour!"
"Can you imagine what he'd do if one of us asked for a tour?" Duke laughed. "Kaiba would kill us on the spot."
Roux scowled softly. "Guys, I don't wanna talk about Kaiba, okay?" she said, and then tried to ignore the rather shocked looks on the faces of her friends around her. She hugged herself and shook her head. "I just don't want to talk about him."
They nodded, and they went to a different topic and talked for a long time until the menus came. The restaurant got fuller, and the waitresses were short and rushing around. Roux kept checking the clock on the wall. She saw that it was already five thirty and they hadn't even taken orders for drinks yet.
She was growing nervous. What if they wouldn't be back in time for Kaiba? What would he do? He'd kill her, that was what he would do, and then he'd lock her up so she could never get out and disobey him again.
Roux sighed and tried to convince herself that they would get out of the restaurant in plenty of time and not to lose hope. She found it desperately hard as the minutes ticked on and they were still waiting for their drinks.
~*~
At seven o'clock, Kaiba was sitting in his office finishing the last of the work he had to do for that day. Soon he would get in the limo to pick up Roux, and he was ashamed to admit that he was rather excited about going to pick her up.
He typed madly at his keyboard and then uploaded a few files concerning the Battle City Tournament. Every now and then he would glance at the clock on the side of the desk and notice the precious minutes going by until seven thirty, when he could close up and leave.
Kaiba obliviously went through duelist profiles, clicking on names to check or change certain things about their profiles. He was busy with that for awhile, until he came across two very familiar names. He paused and stared at them.
Marik Ishtar, and Roux Matuko.
Kaiba clicked on Marik's profile quickly, just to check out his statistics. Perhaps he was there in the Battle City Tournament for reasons more than just wanting Roux's millennium item. He had to make sure, although he doubted that the profile would tell him as such.
It took a little while to download, and at that time Kaiba started to put the rest of his things into the briefcase that sat open on the desk. He tucked away his documents and folders, and then turned back to the laptop.
Marik's profile finished loading. When he saw it Kaiba was confused. There was no writing there was not his age or his background or his statistics. All that remained of Marik's profile was the picture, smiling smugly at him, and a quote.
Kaiba read it. "The Millennium Stone is mine, Seto Kaiba!"
The CEO's eyes bulged, his anger flared, and at that moment he wanted to pick up the laptop and throw it across the room. Who had been tampering with his file? Or was Marik somehow able to break into his computer system?
Impossible, no one could hack into the Kaiba Corp computer system.
Kaiba stared at the line in Marik's profile for a very long time, and then he stared at the picture of Marik. While staring with such hatred he reached for his phone, and pressed a button. "Get me Joey Wheeler's number." He said to his secretary.
While his secretary was busying herself getting Joey's number, Kaiba clicked out of Marik's profile and went to Roux's. Like Marik's, it would take a little time to load. Kaiba clicked his fingers impatiently, waiting for his secretary to get the number.
He was just calling to tell her to be ready. That was all. He was not calling to make sure she was okay, he was just calling her to tell her to be ready. Nothing more.
The number was dialed in and was ringing. Kaiba listened once. He looked over at Roux's profile just as it rang a second and third time. He wondered why no one was answering the phone.
There was Roux's picture of her smiling sweetly, but Kaiba was shocked to find just as Marik's profile, hers had been erased as well, all her statistics were gone, vanished. All that remained was a single line, exactly where Marik's had been.
"I'm sorry, Seto."
Kaiba's mind screamed a thousands different things. No one was answering the phone at the Wheeler apartment. He told her not to leave. What did this mean? Was she gone? Did Marik have her? Was that what this meant?
It had to be. "The Millennium Stone is mine", "I'm sorry Seto". It meant only one thing. Marik had Roux!
"NO!" Kaiba screamed, slamming his fist on the desk, his anger and emotion rising inside of him like a flaring ball of fire. "NO! ROUX!" he screamed into the phone, and breathing hard, he bowed his head and shook it. He sat down in his chair and tried to think. Nothing could come to his mind. Roux was gone. She was just gone. He had failed. He had failed her. He had failed them all.
But perhaps it wasn't too late. Perhaps Kaiba could catch Marik if he was lucky. He told his secretary to bring the limo around, it was an emergency. When she assured him it was on it's way; he swiftly shut down the laptop, grabbed his briefcase and left the office. On his trip down to the limo, he kept thinking, shaking his head. How he should have brought her with him that day. She would have been safe.
How stupid he was! Why didn't he refuse her proposal to spend the day with Joey?
Because she wanted to, and Kaiba couldn't bear to see her sad. But what could this have meant?
He got in the limo in a hurry, and told the driver that if he didn't drive as fast as he could to the Wheeler apartment that he'd be fired. Of course they were there in less than ten minutes.
~*~
"Joey, come on!" Roux said, pulling on Joey's arm and looking at the clock in worry. "We have got to go! Come on! Please!"
"Aw right, aw right!" he said, waving his hand at her and putting on his jacket slowly. "What are you so worried about? He'll probably be late getting there anyway!"
Roux swallowed tightly. "I don't want to risk it. Please Joey, go faster! We have to get back!" she said frantically. She looked at the clock. It was quarter after seven. It would take them at least twenty minutes to get back to the apartment on foot.
As they said goodbye to the gang, finally Joey, Serenity, Yugi and Roux were out of the restaurant and headed towards the Wheeler apartment. Roux was ahead of them all-walking very quickly. She held her jacket together and didn't stop moving.
What would happen if they didn't get there in time for Kaiba and he found they were gone? He would kill her, he surely would. She was scared what he would do.
"Roux what's the rush?" Yugi asked from behind.
"She's worried that we won't get back in time for Kaiba." Joey said, and then laughed. "I doubt he'll even drop by tonight, he's probably so tied up in work that he won't come until one in the morning or something. Roux wouldja slow down please?"
Roux couldn't slow down. The Wheeler apartment was just ahead of them. Roux searched the street quickly. The limo wasn't there; she let out a deep breath of relief. Still she wanted to be inside when he pulled up to the door. So she continued to hurry.
The others were just coming to the steps when Roux was at the door to Joey's apartment. She called to Joey for his keys, but then she noticed that the door was open. She remembered that Joey never locked the door. She went inside quickly, leaving the door open for the others.
Already she was scared. The apartment was very dark and held an intimidating atmosphere. She stood in the living room and reached for the nearest lamp. She turned it on, and her heart seemed to stop when she heard the voice behind her.
"It's about time you got back." Came the furious, teeth-gritting voice.
Roux was shaking. She swallowed tightly and breathed in an out, trying to calm herself down. She shut her eyes. Kaiba was there, and he was going to scream at her. She prepared herself.
Slowly she turned around. Kaiba was sitting on the sofa, his legs crossed, his angry eyes on her. His expression was hard and showed much worry and furiousness.
Roux bit down on her lip. "Kaiba, I sorry."
He rose. "You should be." He snarled at her, and he seemed to grow a few feet taller, towering over her, making her feel very small.
Roux swallowed again. She was scared senseless. "I lost track of time." she shook her head. That was beside the point. "I shouldn't have left the apartment, and-"
"YOU BET YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE LEFT THE APARTMENT!" he screamed at her, and she let out a terrified gasp and backed up towards the kitchen door. At that moment Joey, Serenity and Yugi walked in. The froze at the site of Kaiba looking like he would explode, and Roux looking like a frightened kitten against the wall.
"I have half the city out looking for you, and two faulty profiles making me think that you're in trouble, that Marik's got you!" Kaiba shouted waving his arms around, his eyes burning into Roux.
Roux's red lips shook with fear. She tried to speak. "I'm sorry.I know I was irresponsible. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you, I'm sorry I didn't heed to your wishes. I'm sorry I made you worry about me."
"Worry?" Kaiba demanded. Then he stopped for a moment. He seemed to cool down altogether.
The three standing at the door was frozen in shock. They would have moved and let them talk alone, but they seemed petrified. Joey was about to step forward and tell Kaiba that he hadn't taken Roux seriously when she said she couldn't leave the apartment, but he feared for all their lives when Kaiba was in this state.
Kaiba stared at Roux. Roux, the beautiful creature before him, who had changed his life since he had first heard her name. Worried about her? Of course he was! He was and always would be. But would that be a good thing to say now? In front of Joey and Yugi and Serenity?
Kaiba swallowed nervously. "All I'm worried about is losing the Millennium rod and the cards." He lied.
Roux was no longer scared. She saw he had cooled off, she took in a deep breath. Hurt came into her eyes, and she nodded softly. "That's all I'll ever be worth to you, won't I Kaiba?" she shrugged. "A rod and some cards."
Kaiba stared at her. He knew he had hurt her. He didn't want to see her so hurt. He wanted to kill himself for making her eyes fall in such a manner. He had been so worried.he wanted right now to hold her. Just once. Just to know she was safe now in his arms. He was so worried.worried Marik had found her.
"Get your stuff, we're leaving." Kaiba said softly, and then pushed his way past Joey, Yugi and Serenity standing in the door.
~*~
In the limo there was nothing said between them. Roux leaned against the seat, feeling awful. She couldn't look at Kaiba, she felt utterly heartbroken. Not because he had been so angry about her, but because he hadn't been worried about her at all. Just about her ring. He didn't care about her. Maybe Joey was right.
Kaiba felt like stabbing himself to death. Roux wouldn't look at him; he had said all the wrong things back at Joey's apartment. What could he do now? He couldn't protect her so closely anymore, that would result in further hurt. If she was going to be so hurt, Kaiba couldn't stand to be near her.
He told the driver to take them to the Domino City Plaza hotel, and when Roux heard him make this request, her eyes filled with tears. He was ditching her at her hotel; he didn't want her anymore. He was done with this task. She had disobeyed him for the last time.
She buried her ring into her sweater. She hated the ring so much. How much torture it had brought her, so much terror and horror. She asked in her mind why Kale couldn't have bought her a typical engagement ring? Because he was not a typical guy, she knew this. But still she wondered why not.
Roux would be spending the last days before the Battle City Tournament with Joey and the gang, but not with Kaiba. The thought made her want to cry and cry, and made her wish that she would die.
Why? Because she cared about him. She almost even-
The limo stopped in front of the hotel. Roux looked up at it in awe, as though she had never seen it before. She breathed in a deep sigh and then swallowed it. She opened the door, and still not being able to look Kaiba in the eye, she whispered. "Bye."
Kaiba looked up just as the door slammed. He wanted to say bye to her back, but he knew it would only confuse her. He watched her go up the steps, and the doorman held the door for her. Kaiba sighed heavily. There she was, gone from his life, it seemed.
The limo started to pull away from the hotel, and Kaiba said down rubbing his temples. He had been so worried that night, but he didn't want that to destroy what relationship he had with Roux. It was one he knew could evolve if he tried. And he wanted to try. She was more to him than just a rod and some cards. He knew this in the depths of his heart. The heart of stone, in which so many said.
But perhaps Roux had been the one to chisel away the stone on his heart, and found a crystal.
Kaiba told the driver to stop.
~*~
Roux couldn't feel the tears coming down her cheeks. She wasn't even sure if she was crying as she walked through the lobby towards the bank of elevators. She was so upset, she wanted to lay in her hotel bed and cry until it would be time for her to go back to Osaka.
It was wrong for her to come to Domino City. Too many things had gone wrong.
The man at the desk grinned when he saw her. "Well hello Miss. Matuko. Wonderful to see you." He said in a chummy way.
Roux eased the tiniest smile and hugged herself for comfort. "Thank you." She squeaked. "Um.is my room still-"
"Yes Miss. Matuko, it is indeed." He said happily. "Are you retiring for the night?"
Wordlessly she nodded, and he nodded in reply. "Have a nice night."
Roux would have replied, but she was far too upset.
Shrugging, thinking, she went to the elevator and pressed the button to go to the eighth floor. She looked around in her purse for her hotel room key, and found it without delay. Sniffing softly, she looked up at the flowing buttons, waiting for the eighth one to ring.
Why didn't she stay in the apartment? Why didn't she do as she was told?
Roux tried to push these thoughts from her head. It was all over now, there was no going back, and there were no second chances. The bell ringed and she stepped off the elevator, and went down the hall towards her room.
Stopping at the door, she leaned her forehead against the wood, and sniffed again. At this point in time all that came to her mind was a hot bath to made her thoughts and memories melt away, and then to go to bed, to sleep and dream of happier times.
Carelessly she tried to put the key into the lock.
Then, just as she was about to open the door in frustration, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She wanted to tell whoever it was that she didn't want to be bothered, so she looked over her shoulder to tell them to leave her alone.
But to her great surprise her eyes locked with sapphire eyes, full of warmth.
Kaiba!
Roux stared speechlessly up at him. What was he doing there? Wasn't he through yelling at her, making her feel unwanted and hurting her yet? "Kaiba!" she squeaked, startled.
Kaiba swallowed softly. His expression held a tint of sadness, but his eyes were smiling, full of warmth. He leaned a little more into her as she turned her body to face him completely. He stared down into her eyes, her beautiful jeweled eyes.
"You're not just worth a rod and cards to me." He said softly, not wanting to make her feel at all scared or worried. All he wanted now was to be with her. "I was worried tonight," he confessed. "but not about the items." He stared at his hands.
Roux stared at him. What was he trying to say? She found she couldn't breathe. Was this really happening?
He looked at her. "I was worried about losing you."
Roux's jaw trembled, and she could feel the tears coming once again. She shook her head softly. "Why?" she whispered, unable to say anything else.
His eyes played with laughter, and his lips drew into a very sad smile. He bit down on his lip and breathed. "I think I love you."
Roux shuddered softly at those words. Did she hear him right? He just said he thought he loved her. Was it true?
Kaiba smiled softly at her, and wanted more than anything to touch her right then an there. He could see the tears in her eyes, but they weren't of sadness or remote surprise. They were of happiness, of joy.
"Kaiba." she breathed softly, and then she swallowed. "Seto." She addressed him by his first name, making him smile. "I-I love you."
They both smiled this time, and carefully Kaiba drew his hand up towards her face. Caressing her cheek with his fingers, and then her jawbone with his thumb, he became thrilled. He had never touched a woman like this before, but he had wanted to do this to Roux for so long.
Roux smiled up at him, and a tear ran from her eye. At that moment Kaiba leaned down into Roux, closing his eyes softly, feeling his mind losing itself as he brushed his lips softly against her own. Roux was scared for a moment, but then she began to kiss him back.
Gently and sweetly they kissed in the hallway for a few moments. Kaiba cupped Roux's face in his hands, and Roux wrapped her arms up around his neck. They were feeding from the kiss, hungering for more kisses.
Kaiba curiously slipped his tongue into her mouth, tasting her all around, and managed to open the door to Roux's hotel room. They went inside and put the "do not disturb" sign on the knob.
~*~
18A!!!!!!
The room had gone steamy; the covers on the bed were dismayed. Soft sounds of moans and groans were the only things heard. On the bed Kaiba and Roux entangled each other, nude as the day they were born, but with a feel and love for belonging next to each other.
Kaiba smiled. Roux was underneath him, smiling up at him and wanting him to touch her, to explore her. She touched his lips and skin softly with her fingertips. He smiled, letting her touch him, and then he leaned down into her and kissed her lips softly and sweetly, like he was afraid he would hurt her.
Slowly their clothes littered the floor, and they kissed softly under the bed sheets, Roux had her eyes closed and savored the lust and bliss that he bestowed upon her. She moaned softly and he trembled to speak. "Seto."
Their pleasurable moans filled the air of the solitary hotel room; their bodies were silhouetted against the shimmering blue light coming from the window in the wall beside the bed. The whole city listened to their sounds of intimate love making, and then when they were too exhausted to go on they collapsed in each other's arms and fell into a deep forgiving sleep.
~*~
**** Breathes in: AWWWW! Now how was THAT? ^-^ ****
**** Indicated from the chapter title, this chapter is indeed 18A. It is by far the most romantic chapter in the story! Aren't you excited? ^_^ ****
Chapter Thirty-One
Three Little Words (18A)
Roux lay wide awake almost the entire night staring at the ceiling, feeling cold in the surrounding sheets and covers. Every now and then her skin would bathe in salty tears, and she was unable to stop them from coming
Nothing as in her mind except the constant words of Kaiba, and the heart- breaking story he told her last night in the limo about his horrifying childhood. For the longest time Roux figured Kaiba made it all up, spending his childhood in a damp dark basement, a victim to frightening sadistic abuse to "prepare" him for his future duties as a businessman. Roux wanted it all to be a fictional tale.
But then again it explained quite a lot about him. Why he was so distant and cold towards everyone except his younger brother. Roux was glad that Mokuba had been asleep while Kaiba told her the story. She didn't want him to hear, or rehear the story. To be truthful she wasn't too sure where Mokuba really was within this story of Kaiba's.
Halfway through his terrifying story she had started crying, the tale tugging at her heart. She wanted to hug to him and demand it wasn't true, and ask how anyone could do such a thing to a darling little boy who only wanted a chance for a better life.
But why had he told her? Was it because she wanted to know? Wouldn't he be afraid she would blab the story to Yugi and his friends when he had chosen to tell her and only her? She would never tell them, if Kaiba didn't want her to. Did Kaiba know this? Did he trust her?
She was awake almost the entire night thinking about it. From the light of the moon until the early morning light flooded her room, she could think of nothing but a young Seto Kaiba in a dark basement bound by a collar around his neck hunched over books and books, crying silently to himself, day after day. Not known, not appreciated, not loved, a broken little boy. Roux couldn't bear to think of it, yet her mind could think of nothing but.
She got up at about seven and buried herself under a cold shower, wondering if today she would be going back to Kaiba Corp with Kaiba, although she wasn't sure she could handle it. What if he hadn't told her something and chose to tell her more?
She got dressed and went downstairs, still thinking and trying not to think about Kaiba's story. Mokuba was in the foyer sitting on a bench, swinging his legs and staring at the carpet. He looked bored, but eager as though waiting for someone. He looked up, seeing Roux come down the stairs. He grinned.
"Hi Roux!" he said cheerfully, jumping off the bench and running up to her.
Roux smiled. "Hello Mokuba." She said sweetly, smiling sadly. "Um, where's your brother?" she asked nervously.
Mokuba was about to tell her, but at that moment Kaiba emerged slowly from the hallway. "I'm here." He said softly, grabbing her attention.
Roux looked over at him, and she saw that he too looked rather worn down, disturbed from reliving the story of his horrid childhood, like he hadn't slept, soft tear stains were faint from his azure eyes down over his cheeks. Roux wanted more than anything to hug him. She wouldn't care what he thought or what Joey thought or what anyone thought. She didn't hate Kaiba anymore, and she would stay with him forever, love him if she had to, just to soothe the pains in his heart.
Roux cleared her throat. "Kaiba, I wanted to ask you."
Kaiba awaited her request patiently. He was beginning to wonder if telling her about his past was a good idea. Kaiba knew she would keep it to herself, that was why he told her. That and because she wanted to know. He saw the pain that was in her eyes when he came into a room or when he spoke to her. She felt great compassion towards him.
Roux cleared her throat. "Do you think I could.spend the day with Joey?" she asked nervously.
Kaiba was taken aback, even hurt by this request. He couldn't expect any less, unfortunately. She was, afterall, a good friend with Joey. Had his story caused her to become afraid of him? Or to fear what he may think of her for crying at his expense?
~ What about the dream? ~ His mind called out in worry.
Kaiba thought for a moment. She could go with Joey, as long as she didn't go anywhere and she remained in the apartment. She couldn't expose herself, not after what had happened at the square and certainly not after the dream he had had.
"I just want to see him." She said, trying to give a convincing look of eagerness, and failing. She wasn't sure if she could ever smile at him again.
Kaiba nodded. "All right." He said, and then motioned to the door. "Let's go, I have a lot of important meetings today." He went to the door and picked up his briefcase, which was already waiting for him. He hugged his brother quickly and told him to be good to the servants.
Roux hugged Mokuba telling him that she would see him later that day. She knew he wouldn't go to Kaiba Corp if his brother had nothing but meetings to go to all day.
So Kaiba and Roux went out to the limo together, and sat down. When the limo started moving, Kaiba called Joey and let him know that they were coming. From the phonecall they were mostly quiet.
When they were ten minutes to the Wheeler apartment, Kaiba spoke up, clearing his throat. "I hope you're not dying to tell Wheeler what I told you last night." He said rather sarcastically.
Roux shook her head, giving him no smile. "Kaiba I would never repeat what you told me if you didn't want me to." She assured him.
Then again if the gang ever laughed at Kaiba again, she would have a few things to say to them.
Kaiba nodded, looking satisfied. "Good. Now I have some ground rules to lay out, if you're going to spend the day with Joey. First, no leaving the apartment. I want you to stay inside at all times."
She nodded. It was a reasonable rule.
"I don't want you to answer the door, the phone-"
Roux laughed softly. "Kaiba, it's okay." She smiled at him softly, making his heart jump. "I'll be with Joey, remember?"
Kaiba rolled his eyes. "That's what I'm afraid of." He confessed, and then gave her a smile when she laughed. Roux recognized it as a caring, sweet smile, instead of a smug taunting smile.
The limo stopped at Joey's apartment, and Roux rested her hand on the knob. But before she could jump out, Kaiba lurched forward. "I'll be here around eight to pick you up." He told her.
Roux nodded and smiled again at him. "I'll remember." She promised. "Bye."
Kaiba smiled back. "Bye." He said softly, but he was afraid she hadn't seen.
~*~
"And so as you can see Mr. Kaiba, with the excitement evolving around your Battle City Tournament lately, we can easily lower the amount of income on.Mr. Kaiba? Mr. Kaiba are you listening?"
Everyone looked over at the head of the table, where sat Seto Kaiba who was not paying any attention whatsoever to the presentation. He was drawing something rather absent-mindedly on the pad of paper that was laid out in front of him, his chin rested on his palm.
They were all in an executive meeting to discuss the Battle City Tournament. At least ten businessmen sat around the table, few were giving presentations and lectures about improving the tournament. The man giving the presentation momentarily, who looked rather angry that the CEO hadn't been listening, cleared his throat in irritant.
"Excuse me, Mr. Kaiba." He said irritated highly. "If you're quite finished losing yourself in daydreams over whatever you're got there, I would like to finish my presentation." He snapped.
All the other men grimaced. They knew that if you dared to say such a thing to Seto Kaiba, you were as goo as fired. And judging by the look on Kaiba's face, indeed this man was fired.
Kaiba put down his pen, and his face had taken a very stern look from the soft gentle expression that had been there when he was drawing with the pen. His eyes narrowed to the man. "You are free to finish your presentation downstairs on the street if you dare speak to me like that again." He growled and sat back, entwining his fingers together. "Go on."
The man continued, and Kaiba sighed softly, and found himself for a second time not being able to focus on the presentation. Instead he stared at the patterns on the men' ties, and then staring out the window, and then studying the lines of his fingernails.
He wished Roux had come to Kaiba Corp today. He could have canceled these meetings to spend some time with her, saying he had to look after her. No one would have argued with him. It would have given them a little more chance to talk, if there was such desire there.
Kaiba remembered when he was telling her about his childhood last night in the limo. He saw her eyes fill with tears, and he wanted them to stop, he wanted to stop his story, just so she wouldn't cry. When she remained silent he wanted to beg her to say something to him; he wouldn't care exactly what she had to say. Just anything would do.
After awhile he looked down at the paper in front of him. He smiled softly. He had drawn her face on the paper.
~*~
"Joey, I really shouldn't. Kaiba didn't want me to leave the apartment." Roux said warily, just as Joey had gotten off the phone with Tristan and Bakura.
"Aw come on, I already told the guys that we'd meet them down there." Joey said, going past her, putting on his coat. "Come on, it'll be fun." He assured her, smiling at her and wrapping his arm around her. "And after spending all day yesterday with Kaiba, I can imagine you needing a little cheer."
Roux was about to snap at him, but she didn't.
At around four thirty PM the guys called and wanted to get together with Joey and Roux for dinner at the restaurant down the street. Without asking Roux if she wanted to go, Joey said they'd be there. Roux knew she couldn't leave the apartment, especially when she told Kaiba she wouldn't. Now more than ever she certainly did not want to betray his trust.
"It's not like Kaiba owns you or anything." Joey claimed.
"He is protecting my ring and my life." Roux retorted.
Joey crossed his arms. "He can't tell you what you can and can not do, you got your rights, y'know!" he argued.
Roux looked at her fingernails. "I don't want to betray his trust."
There was a pause, and then Joey let out a very deep laugh, holding Roux's shoulder for support. "Oh Roux that's rich! Wait till I tell Tristan. Listen, the shtick is, Kaiba don't trust no one, only himself. And how could he trust you? You and he are enemies!"
Roux gave a sad smile. She wanted to tell Joey that Kaiba did trust her, since he had told her the story of his past. But perhaps Kaiba didn't trust her, and only told her the story to shut her up. Roux was sad at the thought of it.
Joey was holding her coat, and giving her a look, as if to say "you know you want to".
Sighing, Roux grabbed her jacket and put it on. "Okay, but Joey you have to promise me that we'll be back before eight."
Joey waved his hand. "Piece a cake, we'll be there long before!" he said, and then hollered into the apartment. "Serenity! We're going out for dinner! You coming?"
Serenity joined them swiftly, putting on her jacket, and soon they were all walking down the sidewalk talking. Roux hugged her arms for comfort. She kept looking around this way and that. If Marik found her, she was in trouble. If Kaiba found her, she'd be dead. She knew she was playing with fire as though she held a dark desire.
She should never have risked leaving the apartment. She almost told Joey that she wanted to go back, or to fake that she was sick so she could go back by herself. But she didn't want to be in the apartment alone, and walking back alone was a sore idea.
"So what'd ya do at Kaiba Corp all day yesterday, Roux?" Joey asked, shoving his hands in his pockets and giving her a curious smile.
Roux shrugged. "Nothing much. Mokuba showed me where everything was, the labs, the food court, Kaiba's office-"
Joey smirked. "So moneybags wasn't around at all to look after you." He tossed his head and shook it. "That guy sure does have some attitude. Won't even live up to his destiny unless there's fifty million dollars in store for him."
Roux scowled, and again the urge to snap at him came to her attention, but she refrained. She kept quietly, keeping a sharp lookout on the street until they arrived at the restaurant. Inside Tristan, Tea, Bakura, Yugi and Mai were waiting for them. Yugi stood up and waved frantically.
"Yeah, we see ya Yug!" Joey said waving back, and they went over to the very spacious booth and sat down. They talked for a long while until Duke came strutting in.
"Hey guys." He said to everyone and sat down across from Roux. "So Roux tell us all, how was your day yesterday with Kaiba?"
Roux wasn't expecting this. All eyes were on her. She swallowed softly and shrugged. "Actually I barely saw him all day. Mokuba took me on the grand tour. But I got to see where they make all the equipment and everything."
"Wow." Tristan said in awe. "Apparently if your life's in danger and Kaiba's the one to protect you, you get the free tour!"
"Can you imagine what he'd do if one of us asked for a tour?" Duke laughed. "Kaiba would kill us on the spot."
Roux scowled softly. "Guys, I don't wanna talk about Kaiba, okay?" she said, and then tried to ignore the rather shocked looks on the faces of her friends around her. She hugged herself and shook her head. "I just don't want to talk about him."
They nodded, and they went to a different topic and talked for a long time until the menus came. The restaurant got fuller, and the waitresses were short and rushing around. Roux kept checking the clock on the wall. She saw that it was already five thirty and they hadn't even taken orders for drinks yet.
She was growing nervous. What if they wouldn't be back in time for Kaiba? What would he do? He'd kill her, that was what he would do, and then he'd lock her up so she could never get out and disobey him again.
Roux sighed and tried to convince herself that they would get out of the restaurant in plenty of time and not to lose hope. She found it desperately hard as the minutes ticked on and they were still waiting for their drinks.
~*~
At seven o'clock, Kaiba was sitting in his office finishing the last of the work he had to do for that day. Soon he would get in the limo to pick up Roux, and he was ashamed to admit that he was rather excited about going to pick her up.
He typed madly at his keyboard and then uploaded a few files concerning the Battle City Tournament. Every now and then he would glance at the clock on the side of the desk and notice the precious minutes going by until seven thirty, when he could close up and leave.
Kaiba obliviously went through duelist profiles, clicking on names to check or change certain things about their profiles. He was busy with that for awhile, until he came across two very familiar names. He paused and stared at them.
Marik Ishtar, and Roux Matuko.
Kaiba clicked on Marik's profile quickly, just to check out his statistics. Perhaps he was there in the Battle City Tournament for reasons more than just wanting Roux's millennium item. He had to make sure, although he doubted that the profile would tell him as such.
It took a little while to download, and at that time Kaiba started to put the rest of his things into the briefcase that sat open on the desk. He tucked away his documents and folders, and then turned back to the laptop.
Marik's profile finished loading. When he saw it Kaiba was confused. There was no writing there was not his age or his background or his statistics. All that remained of Marik's profile was the picture, smiling smugly at him, and a quote.
Kaiba read it. "The Millennium Stone is mine, Seto Kaiba!"
The CEO's eyes bulged, his anger flared, and at that moment he wanted to pick up the laptop and throw it across the room. Who had been tampering with his file? Or was Marik somehow able to break into his computer system?
Impossible, no one could hack into the Kaiba Corp computer system.
Kaiba stared at the line in Marik's profile for a very long time, and then he stared at the picture of Marik. While staring with such hatred he reached for his phone, and pressed a button. "Get me Joey Wheeler's number." He said to his secretary.
While his secretary was busying herself getting Joey's number, Kaiba clicked out of Marik's profile and went to Roux's. Like Marik's, it would take a little time to load. Kaiba clicked his fingers impatiently, waiting for his secretary to get the number.
He was just calling to tell her to be ready. That was all. He was not calling to make sure she was okay, he was just calling her to tell her to be ready. Nothing more.
The number was dialed in and was ringing. Kaiba listened once. He looked over at Roux's profile just as it rang a second and third time. He wondered why no one was answering the phone.
There was Roux's picture of her smiling sweetly, but Kaiba was shocked to find just as Marik's profile, hers had been erased as well, all her statistics were gone, vanished. All that remained was a single line, exactly where Marik's had been.
"I'm sorry, Seto."
Kaiba's mind screamed a thousands different things. No one was answering the phone at the Wheeler apartment. He told her not to leave. What did this mean? Was she gone? Did Marik have her? Was that what this meant?
It had to be. "The Millennium Stone is mine", "I'm sorry Seto". It meant only one thing. Marik had Roux!
"NO!" Kaiba screamed, slamming his fist on the desk, his anger and emotion rising inside of him like a flaring ball of fire. "NO! ROUX!" he screamed into the phone, and breathing hard, he bowed his head and shook it. He sat down in his chair and tried to think. Nothing could come to his mind. Roux was gone. She was just gone. He had failed. He had failed her. He had failed them all.
But perhaps it wasn't too late. Perhaps Kaiba could catch Marik if he was lucky. He told his secretary to bring the limo around, it was an emergency. When she assured him it was on it's way; he swiftly shut down the laptop, grabbed his briefcase and left the office. On his trip down to the limo, he kept thinking, shaking his head. How he should have brought her with him that day. She would have been safe.
How stupid he was! Why didn't he refuse her proposal to spend the day with Joey?
Because she wanted to, and Kaiba couldn't bear to see her sad. But what could this have meant?
He got in the limo in a hurry, and told the driver that if he didn't drive as fast as he could to the Wheeler apartment that he'd be fired. Of course they were there in less than ten minutes.
~*~
"Joey, come on!" Roux said, pulling on Joey's arm and looking at the clock in worry. "We have got to go! Come on! Please!"
"Aw right, aw right!" he said, waving his hand at her and putting on his jacket slowly. "What are you so worried about? He'll probably be late getting there anyway!"
Roux swallowed tightly. "I don't want to risk it. Please Joey, go faster! We have to get back!" she said frantically. She looked at the clock. It was quarter after seven. It would take them at least twenty minutes to get back to the apartment on foot.
As they said goodbye to the gang, finally Joey, Serenity, Yugi and Roux were out of the restaurant and headed towards the Wheeler apartment. Roux was ahead of them all-walking very quickly. She held her jacket together and didn't stop moving.
What would happen if they didn't get there in time for Kaiba and he found they were gone? He would kill her, he surely would. She was scared what he would do.
"Roux what's the rush?" Yugi asked from behind.
"She's worried that we won't get back in time for Kaiba." Joey said, and then laughed. "I doubt he'll even drop by tonight, he's probably so tied up in work that he won't come until one in the morning or something. Roux wouldja slow down please?"
Roux couldn't slow down. The Wheeler apartment was just ahead of them. Roux searched the street quickly. The limo wasn't there; she let out a deep breath of relief. Still she wanted to be inside when he pulled up to the door. So she continued to hurry.
The others were just coming to the steps when Roux was at the door to Joey's apartment. She called to Joey for his keys, but then she noticed that the door was open. She remembered that Joey never locked the door. She went inside quickly, leaving the door open for the others.
Already she was scared. The apartment was very dark and held an intimidating atmosphere. She stood in the living room and reached for the nearest lamp. She turned it on, and her heart seemed to stop when she heard the voice behind her.
"It's about time you got back." Came the furious, teeth-gritting voice.
Roux was shaking. She swallowed tightly and breathed in an out, trying to calm herself down. She shut her eyes. Kaiba was there, and he was going to scream at her. She prepared herself.
Slowly she turned around. Kaiba was sitting on the sofa, his legs crossed, his angry eyes on her. His expression was hard and showed much worry and furiousness.
Roux bit down on her lip. "Kaiba, I sorry."
He rose. "You should be." He snarled at her, and he seemed to grow a few feet taller, towering over her, making her feel very small.
Roux swallowed again. She was scared senseless. "I lost track of time." she shook her head. That was beside the point. "I shouldn't have left the apartment, and-"
"YOU BET YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE LEFT THE APARTMENT!" he screamed at her, and she let out a terrified gasp and backed up towards the kitchen door. At that moment Joey, Serenity and Yugi walked in. The froze at the site of Kaiba looking like he would explode, and Roux looking like a frightened kitten against the wall.
"I have half the city out looking for you, and two faulty profiles making me think that you're in trouble, that Marik's got you!" Kaiba shouted waving his arms around, his eyes burning into Roux.
Roux's red lips shook with fear. She tried to speak. "I'm sorry.I know I was irresponsible. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you, I'm sorry I didn't heed to your wishes. I'm sorry I made you worry about me."
"Worry?" Kaiba demanded. Then he stopped for a moment. He seemed to cool down altogether.
The three standing at the door was frozen in shock. They would have moved and let them talk alone, but they seemed petrified. Joey was about to step forward and tell Kaiba that he hadn't taken Roux seriously when she said she couldn't leave the apartment, but he feared for all their lives when Kaiba was in this state.
Kaiba stared at Roux. Roux, the beautiful creature before him, who had changed his life since he had first heard her name. Worried about her? Of course he was! He was and always would be. But would that be a good thing to say now? In front of Joey and Yugi and Serenity?
Kaiba swallowed nervously. "All I'm worried about is losing the Millennium rod and the cards." He lied.
Roux was no longer scared. She saw he had cooled off, she took in a deep breath. Hurt came into her eyes, and she nodded softly. "That's all I'll ever be worth to you, won't I Kaiba?" she shrugged. "A rod and some cards."
Kaiba stared at her. He knew he had hurt her. He didn't want to see her so hurt. He wanted to kill himself for making her eyes fall in such a manner. He had been so worried.he wanted right now to hold her. Just once. Just to know she was safe now in his arms. He was so worried.worried Marik had found her.
"Get your stuff, we're leaving." Kaiba said softly, and then pushed his way past Joey, Yugi and Serenity standing in the door.
~*~
In the limo there was nothing said between them. Roux leaned against the seat, feeling awful. She couldn't look at Kaiba, she felt utterly heartbroken. Not because he had been so angry about her, but because he hadn't been worried about her at all. Just about her ring. He didn't care about her. Maybe Joey was right.
Kaiba felt like stabbing himself to death. Roux wouldn't look at him; he had said all the wrong things back at Joey's apartment. What could he do now? He couldn't protect her so closely anymore, that would result in further hurt. If she was going to be so hurt, Kaiba couldn't stand to be near her.
He told the driver to take them to the Domino City Plaza hotel, and when Roux heard him make this request, her eyes filled with tears. He was ditching her at her hotel; he didn't want her anymore. He was done with this task. She had disobeyed him for the last time.
She buried her ring into her sweater. She hated the ring so much. How much torture it had brought her, so much terror and horror. She asked in her mind why Kale couldn't have bought her a typical engagement ring? Because he was not a typical guy, she knew this. But still she wondered why not.
Roux would be spending the last days before the Battle City Tournament with Joey and the gang, but not with Kaiba. The thought made her want to cry and cry, and made her wish that she would die.
Why? Because she cared about him. She almost even-
The limo stopped in front of the hotel. Roux looked up at it in awe, as though she had never seen it before. She breathed in a deep sigh and then swallowed it. She opened the door, and still not being able to look Kaiba in the eye, she whispered. "Bye."
Kaiba looked up just as the door slammed. He wanted to say bye to her back, but he knew it would only confuse her. He watched her go up the steps, and the doorman held the door for her. Kaiba sighed heavily. There she was, gone from his life, it seemed.
The limo started to pull away from the hotel, and Kaiba said down rubbing his temples. He had been so worried that night, but he didn't want that to destroy what relationship he had with Roux. It was one he knew could evolve if he tried. And he wanted to try. She was more to him than just a rod and some cards. He knew this in the depths of his heart. The heart of stone, in which so many said.
But perhaps Roux had been the one to chisel away the stone on his heart, and found a crystal.
Kaiba told the driver to stop.
~*~
Roux couldn't feel the tears coming down her cheeks. She wasn't even sure if she was crying as she walked through the lobby towards the bank of elevators. She was so upset, she wanted to lay in her hotel bed and cry until it would be time for her to go back to Osaka.
It was wrong for her to come to Domino City. Too many things had gone wrong.
The man at the desk grinned when he saw her. "Well hello Miss. Matuko. Wonderful to see you." He said in a chummy way.
Roux eased the tiniest smile and hugged herself for comfort. "Thank you." She squeaked. "Um.is my room still-"
"Yes Miss. Matuko, it is indeed." He said happily. "Are you retiring for the night?"
Wordlessly she nodded, and he nodded in reply. "Have a nice night."
Roux would have replied, but she was far too upset.
Shrugging, thinking, she went to the elevator and pressed the button to go to the eighth floor. She looked around in her purse for her hotel room key, and found it without delay. Sniffing softly, she looked up at the flowing buttons, waiting for the eighth one to ring.
Why didn't she stay in the apartment? Why didn't she do as she was told?
Roux tried to push these thoughts from her head. It was all over now, there was no going back, and there were no second chances. The bell ringed and she stepped off the elevator, and went down the hall towards her room.
Stopping at the door, she leaned her forehead against the wood, and sniffed again. At this point in time all that came to her mind was a hot bath to made her thoughts and memories melt away, and then to go to bed, to sleep and dream of happier times.
Carelessly she tried to put the key into the lock.
Then, just as she was about to open the door in frustration, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She wanted to tell whoever it was that she didn't want to be bothered, so she looked over her shoulder to tell them to leave her alone.
But to her great surprise her eyes locked with sapphire eyes, full of warmth.
Kaiba!
Roux stared speechlessly up at him. What was he doing there? Wasn't he through yelling at her, making her feel unwanted and hurting her yet? "Kaiba!" she squeaked, startled.
Kaiba swallowed softly. His expression held a tint of sadness, but his eyes were smiling, full of warmth. He leaned a little more into her as she turned her body to face him completely. He stared down into her eyes, her beautiful jeweled eyes.
"You're not just worth a rod and cards to me." He said softly, not wanting to make her feel at all scared or worried. All he wanted now was to be with her. "I was worried tonight," he confessed. "but not about the items." He stared at his hands.
Roux stared at him. What was he trying to say? She found she couldn't breathe. Was this really happening?
He looked at her. "I was worried about losing you."
Roux's jaw trembled, and she could feel the tears coming once again. She shook her head softly. "Why?" she whispered, unable to say anything else.
His eyes played with laughter, and his lips drew into a very sad smile. He bit down on his lip and breathed. "I think I love you."
Roux shuddered softly at those words. Did she hear him right? He just said he thought he loved her. Was it true?
Kaiba smiled softly at her, and wanted more than anything to touch her right then an there. He could see the tears in her eyes, but they weren't of sadness or remote surprise. They were of happiness, of joy.
"Kaiba." she breathed softly, and then she swallowed. "Seto." She addressed him by his first name, making him smile. "I-I love you."
They both smiled this time, and carefully Kaiba drew his hand up towards her face. Caressing her cheek with his fingers, and then her jawbone with his thumb, he became thrilled. He had never touched a woman like this before, but he had wanted to do this to Roux for so long.
Roux smiled up at him, and a tear ran from her eye. At that moment Kaiba leaned down into Roux, closing his eyes softly, feeling his mind losing itself as he brushed his lips softly against her own. Roux was scared for a moment, but then she began to kiss him back.
Gently and sweetly they kissed in the hallway for a few moments. Kaiba cupped Roux's face in his hands, and Roux wrapped her arms up around his neck. They were feeding from the kiss, hungering for more kisses.
Kaiba curiously slipped his tongue into her mouth, tasting her all around, and managed to open the door to Roux's hotel room. They went inside and put the "do not disturb" sign on the knob.
~*~
18A!!!!!!
The room had gone steamy; the covers on the bed were dismayed. Soft sounds of moans and groans were the only things heard. On the bed Kaiba and Roux entangled each other, nude as the day they were born, but with a feel and love for belonging next to each other.
Kaiba smiled. Roux was underneath him, smiling up at him and wanting him to touch her, to explore her. She touched his lips and skin softly with her fingertips. He smiled, letting her touch him, and then he leaned down into her and kissed her lips softly and sweetly, like he was afraid he would hurt her.
Slowly their clothes littered the floor, and they kissed softly under the bed sheets, Roux had her eyes closed and savored the lust and bliss that he bestowed upon her. She moaned softly and he trembled to speak. "Seto."
Their pleasurable moans filled the air of the solitary hotel room; their bodies were silhouetted against the shimmering blue light coming from the window in the wall beside the bed. The whole city listened to their sounds of intimate love making, and then when they were too exhausted to go on they collapsed in each other's arms and fell into a deep forgiving sleep.
~*~
**** Breathes in: AWWWW! Now how was THAT? ^-^ ****