Official Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh. Making no money whatsoever so please put the lawyers away. ^_^
Sorceress of Midnight Skies: Hey everyone! ^_^ For the past week I have been sick, sick as a dog! LOL!! I'm feeling better now and of course I wasn't going to let some cold keep me from updating. Thanks so much for all the reviews, they were great birthday presents! ^_^ Much thanks and gratitude too: Anime-Ruthless (great to see ya still floating around! ^_^), Mamono (glad to hear you loved the firefly scene! ^_^), DarkFlareKitsune, Rekkaboziegirl, Serenity Komoshiro, Seto Anzu Forever, DarkRiver, Azurite, Téa/Anzu Fan, YumeTakato, Destiny1029, Mokuba's Official Glomper, and Helbaworshipper! Thanks so much guys! ^_^ Now on to the chapter!
Chapter 10- The Business Party & the Call
A few days later…
Téa was seated on the black couch in Seto's den with Mokuba at her side. There was a bowl of popcorn between them as they sat in front of the television watching a movie. Téa glanced over at the wall clock. It was almost six o'clock in the evening and Seto still wasn't home.
"Why did Seto go to work today if he knew he had that business party tonight?" Téa asked as she still looked at the clock.
"He's a stubborn workaholic." Mokuba told her as he munched on some popcorn.
Téa laughed. "You're right about that, Mokuba." She said agreeing with him.
"So when are you going to get ready for the party?" He asked her, his eyes still on the television screen.
"In a few minutes," She said calmly grabbing some popcorn from the bowl. "I'm more worried about Seto getting home." She added.
I'm worried about Yugi too, She thought to herself. She had talked to him yesterday and he didn't sound so well. He seemed really listless and when Téa asked if he was ok, he quickly changed his demeanor. Téa knew that he was putting up an act so that she wouldn't worry about him, but she wanted to see with her own eyes if he was okay. When she mentioned this to Yugi he told her that he was too tired for visitors.
"Don't worry Téa, he'll be here soon." Mokuba told her.
"Huh?" Téa said snapping out of her thoughts.
Mokuba had finally turned away from the television set and his amethyst eyes were focused on Téa. "I just told you not to worry about Seto, he'll be here soon." Mokuba repeated. "Right now your face got so sad, like if you wanted to cry." He continued as he looked at her.
"No, no," Téa said dismissively. "I don't want to cry." They looked each other in the eyes and Mokuba looked like he wanted to say something more, but at that moment they heard the front door open and slam closed. They both turned to see a hectic Seto rush pasted them in the hall, almost out of their sight he froze and backtracked a few steps. He turned his head slowly and gaped at them astonished.
Here he was rushing to get ready and Téa was relaxing on the couch. "Téa," He said as he walked into the den. "You're not dressed yet!" He exclaimed urgently as he took off his trench coat and he half put half flung it onto the armchair of the couch beside her.
Téa smiled. "Sorry sir, I was waiting for you to get home." She said her tone playful.
"Téa, this is not the time to play games." He told her sternly. "We have to be there by eight and its already past six." He told her as he looked at her still sitting on the couch, calmly grabbing some more popcorn from the bowl. Seto glared as he walked in front of the television, blocking her view of it.
"Oh, come on Seto," She whined. "This is the part where they finally say they love each other." She moved her head to the side and Seto stepped right back into her view. She moved her head to the left and he took a step to the left, then right, then left, then left, until finally.
"Guess I have to do this the hard way." Seto muttered. In a quick fluid motion, Seto picked Téa up- which caused her to gasp in surprise- and hoisted her up onto his shoulder.
"Cool, now I can see the movie." Téa said cheerfully.
Seto rolled his eyes as Mokuba laughed heartily. Seto turned and headed out of the den.
"Later Mokuba." Téa waved from Seto's shoulder as they walked out.
"Later." Mokuba yelled after them.
They were climbing up the stairs when Téa spoke up, "Seto, I'm getting slightly nauseous. Could you please put me down?"
Seto silently obliged and set her down on her own two feet. "Good thing you were feeling sick because you were getting heavy." He said and a mischievous smirk appeared on his face.
Téa gasped appalled. "Whatever robot man." She countered.
"Robot man?" Seto inquired. "That's your best comeback?" He asked coolly.
"Umm…yeah…I guess," Téa said slightly flustered.
Seto laughed. "That a pathetic insult." He said and he continued to laugh.
Téa stuck her tongue out at him and it only caused him to laugh harder.
"How mature." He managed to say through his laughter.
Téa started to laugh as well, laugher after all is contagious. While Seto still laughed she leaned up and kissed him gently on the cheek. "We have to get ready." She reminded him.
"I know." Seto said the laughter ebbed away from his voice now.
"See you in a bit." She told him. She turned around and headed down the hallway to her room. She paused at the door, turned back to look at Seto, wink and smiled and then stepped into her room.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
~30 minutes later~
Seto stood in front of his bedroom mirror as he tucked in his light blue dress shirt into his black dress slacks. He grabbed a dark blue silk tie and tied it around his neck. He ran a comb through his silky brunette tresses, to make sure his hair was off his face. He put on his black blazer and buttoned it up. To complete his outfit, he grabbed a black trench coat from his closet (of course) and headed out of his room.
Just as he closed his bedroom door behind him, Téa's door opened with a click. Seto stayed at his door as he waited for Téa to emerge. His breath caught in his throat when he saw her. She looked absolutely amazing.
She was dressed in an off the shoulder black gown. The bottom of the gown was filled out so that it formed a bell shape and it went down to the floor. She also had a matching black satin shawl wrapped around her arms. Her long brown hair fell in loose curls around her face and back. She wore a black choker with a dark colored sapphire in an oval shape around her neck. She also carried a small black purse with her.
"You look amazing." Téa said as she walked toward him, her hands extended to grip his.
Seto reached out for her and gripped her hands firmly in his. "You're not so bad yourself." He told her, taking one of her hands and kissing the top of it. "You ready to go?"
Téa nodded her head. "Yeah, let's go." Walking hand in hand they walked down the stairs together.
"You guys look like you're going to the prom." Mokuba said when he saw them.
Téa laughed. "It kind of has that feeling." She told him.
"Well we have to go. Behave yourself." Seto told Mokuba sternly.
"Of course, big brother." Mokuba replied.
"We'll be back soon." Seto added.
"Okay." Mokuba told him. "Have fun tonight."
"We will." Téa said as they headed out the door. Mokuba stayed by the door and waved bye to them.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Some time later…
Seto and Téa entered a giant ball room where the party was being held. As soon as they entered they were accosted by waiters carrying trays full of food and refreshments. Seto shook his hand at them, and without a word they moved away from them.
Already the ballroom was full of people that were mingling and chatting the night away. The ballroom was full of small circular tables and the other side had a small stage where a quartet was playing softly. There was an area cleared by the stage serving as the dance floor. Seto lead Téa through the crowd when he spotted his business associate, Mr. Aoki.
Mr. Aoki was a middle aged man with graying brown hair. He had a friendly face and when he saw Seto he smiled at him.
"Seto Kaiba, I'm glad you're finally here." He said and he shook Seto's hand.
"Hello Mr. Aoki." Seto greeted him. "Sorry I'm late."
"Nonsense, my boy." Mr. Aoki said dismissively. "It's fine."
"Mr. Aoki, may I present to you my fiancée, Téa Gardner." Seto said placing his arm around Téa.
"Oh, of course," Mr. Aoki told him. "Ms. Gardner, it's a pleasure to meet you." He took Téa's hand and kissed the top of it.
"Pleasure to meet you too, Mr. Aoki." Téa replied smiling.
Mr. Aoki smiled. "You're very lucky Seto. She is a beautiful young lady."
"Thank you sir." Seto replied.
"Now my young friends go on and mingle." Mr. Aoki told them. "We'll finalize our business deal later, Seto."
Seto nodded. "Of course." Seto took Téa's hand and led her to a table. He pulled out the chair for her to sit down and when she was seated he sat down in a chair right beside her.
"He's seems nice." Téa commented to Seto.
"Yeah, he's a jolly old man." Seto replied. A waiter neared them and Seto grabbed two glasses of wine. He set one down in front of Téa and he took a drink of the one he got for himself.
Téa stared at the glass but she didn't make a move to touch it. She suddenly had this weird feeling in the pit of her stomach like something was wrong. Something was terribly wrong. She glanced around the room and she saw an open doorway that led to the outside of the ballroom. She stood abruptly and headed for the doorway.
Seto grabbed her hand suddenly. "Téa, are you all right?" He asked slightly concerned.
Téa shook her head. "No, I just need some fresh air." She told him. "I feel sick."
"All right." Seto told her, letting her hand go. "Don't be long."
He watched as she hurriedly walked out of the ballroom and out a side door that seemed to lead outside.
Téa stood outside in the cool night air catching her breath. She had this sinking feeling that something terrible was happening. She didn't tell Seto that because she didn't want to worry him with her silly notions. Tonight was his night and it shouldn't be ruined by a weird feeling of hers. She jumped when the sound of her cell phone ringer sounded from her purse. She quickly reached into her purse with a feeling of apprehension and she turned on her phone.
"Hello." She said into the receiver. She stood quietly as she heard the person on the phone. It wasn't typical for Téa to stay silent when she was on her cell phone, but the words she was hearing on the line took her by surprise. "He collapsed, vomiting blood." She repeated the words absently. "I'm on my way." She said urgently shutting off her phone.
"Where are you going?" She turned around to see Seto standing outside beside her.
"Sorry Seto, but I have to go." She told him urgently. She tried to walk past him and he grabbed her again.
"What's the big emergency?" He asked her.
"It's Yugi." She told him.
"Yugi?" He said angry. "You said there was nothing going on between you and Motou and now you're rushing off to him!" He continued in his angry tone. "You know how important tonight is for me!"
"Seto I'm sorry. I really am, but I have to go." She told him.
"Why Téa?" He told her "Why? Is he more important then me? Your fiancé?"
"Tonight he is," Téa told him, losing her cool. "Because he's dying!" She yelled at him.
He opened his mouth in shock and he quickly closed it. He wasn't expecting those words to come out of her mouth. He stood there shell shocked as she took his hand. "Why didn't you tell me he was sick?" Seto said absently.
"Because it wasn't your business." She told him. She pressed something into his hand and then she stalked past him. When she was gone Seto unclenched his hand and he saw glinting in the moonlight the engagement ring he had given her.
Sorceress of Midnight Skies: Another chapter complete and only one left to go! I know you guys are going to kill me because of the way it ended, but please don't. Everything will work out for the best, well except for Yugi. ;_; Poor Yugi! On a plus side, the chapter was long, right? So please review and don't kill me! If you kill me then I can't upload the last chapter and I know you don't want the story to end like this, or do you? LOL!! So until I see you again, have a great weekend and stay safe! Bye! ^_^
Preview of the next chapter: Can't tis secret! ;_; Sowwie!
