Chapter Two



Tea closed the door behind her and kicked off her heels. Falling face first onto the bed, she groaned. What a stressful day! She was able to pull a kid out of the way of a speeding car, but she didn't have enough guts to go into Kaiba Corp. for one interview. Life sucked.

Rolling onto her back, she stared at the crumbling paint on the ceiling above her. She was staying in a motel, about eight thousand yen a week. She was stuck here until she finds a job and manages to afford a better place. Tea sighed, that possibility had just went down the drain.

Her hand skimmed over the night stand until it touched on what she was looking for. Her friends' happy faces smiled down on her. Her fingers traced over Yugi's shy smile, Joey's goofy expression and a relaxed Tristan leaning on his motorcycle. Her fingers travelled further, into the middle of the photograph where she stood with her fingers spread in a wide V, and a triumphant smile.

The picture was taken just prior to her trip to Tokyo. She had made the decision to spread her wings and go for what she wanted. Tea looked at herself, she had been so full of confidence back then. She never envisioned life to be so hard away from home.

Her friends though hesitant at first had in the end supported her decision. They fully anticipated her to succeed in Tokyo. Tea groaned again. How was she ever going to tell them that she failed? Her eyes watered when she looked at Yugi smiling expectantly at her.



~Flash back



"I hope you succeed, Tea." Yugi was smiling, but his eyes were full of sadness. He handed Tea her luggage. "But we are going to miss you."

"And when ya become rich an' famous, don't forget us little guys."

"Joey." Tea swatted playfully at her blond friend. "How can I possibly forget any of you?You are all puzzles to my life. Without you, I won't be complete."

"We're holding you to those words." Tristan added.

"You bet."

"Group hug!" Joey yelled.

Tea couldn't help laughing when she was bombarded with arms. "I'm sure gonna miss you guys too."

"It's only a train ride away, so please come back often, Tea." Yugi handed her a present.

Tea blinked in surprise. "For me?"

"From all of us."

Tea felt her eyes getting misty. She pulled at the pink ribbons at the top, the wrapping fell to the side, revealing the figure of a ballerina twirling in the wind.

"Oh Yugi..."

The train whistle sounded and people began filling into their seats. "Oh Yugi.... I ..."

"Tea..." Yugi took her hand in his. "Please remember we're always here for you."

Tea nodded, she couldn't open her mouth for fear that she would start crying.

"In our eyes, Tea, you can never fail."

"You guys..."



~End flash back





Dropping the picture, Tea bolted off the bed. Her hands were urgent as she rummaged through her luggage. Her fingers brushed the smooth surface of glass and she slowly brought the figurine out of her bag.

Winding the key to the side, she watched as the ballerina twirled in front of her. Closing her eyes, she absorbed the soft melody that floated in the air.

She couldn't give up; Yugi and the others believed in her. She couldn't disappoint them. Lifting the figurine to the light, she watched as beams reflected off the dancer, and filled the room with radiance.

She was going back to Kaiba Corp. tomorrow. For her friends, she was going to try one more time.



~*~



Mokuba peeked out from beneath his bangs up at his brother. He sighed. He was in the exact situation he was in yesterday. Sitting in Seto's chair, while Seto lectured him on the safety procedures of crossing a street.

"Big brother, I'm sorry."

Seto looked down at Mokuba's apologetic face, and he turned away. "I..." Seto raked a hand through his hair in frustration. He had always had a hard time expressing his emotions, even to his brother. "I am just worried about you, Mokuba."

The hand that had been choking Mokuba's heart, loosened. Knowing his brother cared, meant the world to him. For the first time since yesterday, Mokuba smiled. "I won't do it again, Seto."

Seto looked at the expression on Mokuba's face and a sense of guilt began to manifest itself inside of him. He did not deserve a brother like Mokuba. Mokuba deserved someone better. "Good." Seto turned away almost desperately. Work was the only escape from the real world for him. When he worked, he did not feel. "Now, I got things to do."

Mokuba's expression fell. "But Seto...you said you'd take me to the skate park today."

"I know Mokuba. But I need to finish all these interviews. Once I find the right secretary, I promise I'll go with you."

Hiding his disappointment, Mokuba smiled weakly. "You promise?"

"Promise."

As Mokuba left Seto's office, he thought, Seto had never broken a promise to him. He hoped his brother did not start now.



~*~



Running a hand down her dress, Tea entered Kaiba Corp. Taking in a deep breath, she walked up to the receptionist.

"May I help you?" The redhead behind the counter asked politely.

"Yes. My name is Tea Gardner," Tea swallowed. "I'm here to apply for the secretary position."

"Here you go, Miss Gardner," the red head handed Tea a pen and application form. "Mr. Kaiba is personally holding the interviews today. Please fill in the form then proceed to his office on the twentieth floor."

"Thank you." Tea smiled and headed for the elevator. As the door slid shut in front of her, Tea wondered whether the Mr. Kaiba the receptionist mentioned was the same boy she met yesterday.

The elevator reached the top floor, and Tea stepped out. She was greeted by another receptionist. "Ma'am may I help you?"

"Yes," Tea handed her the form.

"This way, please," The blonde led Tea to another room. "Mr. Kaiba will be with you in a minute."

The door across from her opened and out came the boy she met yesterday.

His eyes widened in surprise. "You're the lady that saved me."

Tea brushed at an imaginary piece of lint. Could he be her possible new boss? "How are you feeling?"

"A lot better, thanks." He smiled, but Tea can tell it was only out of politeness. "You work here?"

"No." Tea pointed to the direction the blond receptionist had exited. "Actually I am applying for the secretary job."

"Oh really?" His eyes grew even wider, but this time it was not out of surprise. Tea could practically see the wheels turning in his head. "By the way, I am Mokuba."

Tea warily accepted the hand she was offered. This was not an average child. Behind that messy mop of hair, lied an intelligent and cunning mind. "Tea Gardner."

If Mokuba learned one thing from Seto during the time he had spent at Kaiba Corp., it was to take the chances fate offered you. "Did you say, you're applying for the secretary job?" At Tea's nod, Mokuba's lip broke into a smile. "Great."

"Wha..."

Mokuba took her hand and pulled her towards the door. "You see, my brother's been trying very hard to find the right secretary."

"Your brother?

"Yup. Seto Kaiba. CEO of Kaiba Corp." Mokuba said with unmistakable pride.

Seto Kaiba? Brother? But Gozaburo only said he adopted a son.

Before Tea could react, she was standing in the middle of a spacious office, with Mokuba by her side, and a very surprised six feet tall brunette behind the expensive mahogany desk.

Seto scowled in annoyance. "Mokuba, what's going on? I thought I told you I had work to do."

"I know, but I've found the answer to all your problems."

Seto lifted an eyebrow at the girl beside his brother. "Are you serious?"

Tea stiffened. She felt as if she had been striped naked, presented for examination, and found lacking.

"Excuse me?" Tea said between set teeth.

"Big brother, just listen to me," Mokuba stepped in front of the girl. "Tea was the one that saved me yesterday."

Seto slowly pushed himself off his chair. "Tea, was it?"

"Miss Gardner, if you please."

Seto's other eyebrow lifted. "Well, miss Gardner. I am grateful that you saved my brother, but I hope you understand that does not provide enough justification for me to hire you."

"Big brother, Tea never meant it that way."

Tea felt the anger simmering just beneath the surface. If she wasn't in the presence of a child, she'd give the pompous jerk a piece of her mind.

"Well what exactly, Miss Gardner, did you mean?" It was in his nature to be a jerk, but Seto was not sure why he was being especially harsh on the brunette in front of him. She did not do anything to wrong him, in fact she was Mokuba's saviour. Maybe, it was because anger brought colour to her cheeks and fire to her eyes. It only enhanced her beauty.

The thought came out of no where, causing Seto to scowl in response.

"Now Miss Gardner."

Tea marched directly in front of Seto. "That's enough out of you, Mr. Kaiba. Do you enjoy putting people down?"

"As a matter of fact. I do."

Tea wanted to smack the cocky grin off of his face. Instead she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and counted to ten.

"It was a pleasure meeting you Mokuba. But I can't possibly say the same for your brother." Tea said dryly. "Good bye."

"Tea wait," Mokuba flinched when the door slammed shut. He turned and was more than confused at the satisfied look on his brother's face. "That was mean, Seto."

Seto shrugged. "It's business."

Mokuba shook his head and walked out the door.

Lowering himself slowly to his chair, Seto pressed the intercom button on his desk.

"Sarah, can you send in Tea Gardner's application forms."

Sarah's voice crackled over the intercom. "Right away, Mr. Kaiba."

Leaning back in his chair, Seto smiled. Tea Gardner had just made his day.



TBC...









A/N:



Fantasizer, thanks for the review and in response to your question, Gozaburo owns another company. More detail will be given in later chapters, as his intent becomes clearer...I hope that clears up any confusion you are having.



Tjay Motou, you are everywhere! J/k. Thanks for the review(s) tho. And thanks to everyone else that reviewed. I'm so glad you guys are enjoying the fic so far. ^_^