*Revised Version* 05/28/03
A/N: Sorry, I know it's been a long time, and I apologize, but I do have a life outside of Fanfiction, and unfortunately, it is very very busy at the moment.
Alright. I was unhappy with my last update, hence the rewrite. This is totally different from the last one: different situation, different characters, and twice the length. I hope that compensates somewhat for my delay. I thought there's a lot more possibilities from this version than from the last one. Tell me what you think.
Before I forget, I want to thank Atlantis for beta-ing this chapter. I fully recommend her fics to all the Seto/Tea fans out there. Go check her out after you read this.
Also, Sm-Candy deserves an honourable mention for her numerous emails and encouragement. Merci beaucoup ma ami. ^_^
And without further ado, here's the *new* chapter four.
Chapter Four
If someone had told her a week ago that she'd be wining and dining with the rich and powerful at Gozaburo's sixtieth anniversary gala, she would never have believed them. But here she was; outside the Palais de Royale, a mansion once owned by a French aristocrat who settled in Japan in the early nineteen hundreds.
"Thank you," Tea smiled shyly as the valet helped her out of the black stretch limo. He bowed and handed her hand back to her companion's.
"Tea."
Gozaburo's voice brought Tea's gaze up to his. The meticulous look in his eyes was expectant and demanding.
"I'm ready."
Gozaburo tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and with a demeanor and grace that belied his age, he led Tea down the carpeted courtyard and into the hotel.
Tea felt as if she had entered a gate into another world. The world of high society, where appearance was all that mattered. Fifty pairs of eyes instantly turned towards her, following her as she made her descent down the winding staircase, flickering from Tea's figure to the man beside her.
The roof of the ballroom was shaped like a dome, with a glorious diamond chandelier centred in the middle. Crystalline beads dripped down its side like tears. Its clear surface reflected the ballroom scene below it. Tea lifted her eyes to the chandelier above. She was there. In a world that shimmered and gleamed. A world that could be so easily shattered.
Leaves tinted in white gold were painted on the ceiling, starting in the centre they spread to the many pillars situated around the room. The French door leading to the garden was closed, but the curtain was open, and the moon provided a beautiful backdrop for the orchestra that was stationed there.
Tea couldn't help the breath of wonderment that escaped her lips.
"Darling, there you are," the smooth velvety voice brought Tea's admiration to a halt. Putting on her practiced smile, Tea secretly studied the woman in front of them. Dressed in a revealing red Versace dress, blond hair coiled atop her head in an elaborate coiffeur, in one hand she held a cigarette, and in the other was a glass of Champagne. "For a moment there, I thought you weren't going to show for your own celebration."
"Ah, my dear, Lola," Gozaburo took the champagne from her and handed it to Tea. Leaning down, he brought the woman's hand to his lips. "Stunning as always."
"Oh flattery will get you everywhere." Lola threw her head back and laughed. The diamonds in her hair and the ruby around her throat sparkled brilliantly, dazzling anyone that happened to be looking her way. Lola wiggled her finger and took the champagne back from Tea. "Now, who is this pretty young thing?"
Putting a hand on her back, Gozaburo chuckled. "Tea, this is Lola Marcelli, her husband owns the Marcelli chain department store. This is Tea Gardner, daughter of an old friend."
"Friend, eh?" Lola lifted one perfectly plucked eyebrow.
Gozaburo regarded her with amusement as Lola took a slow drag of her cigarette. "Gozaburo, darling, guess who's here tonight?" But before they had a chance to utter a word, Lola motioned for them to come closer. With great pleasure, she let the smoke escape between her full red lips. "Seto Kaiba."
~*~
Within a shadowed corner of the room, Seto had seen her enter. How could anyone not? The white satiny dress hung down her shoulders, and hugged her figure like a second skin. As she moved, the slit in her dress rode teasingly higher on her thigh, giving a tantalizing glimpse of long, finely toned legs; legs that would drive any man wild. Seto's gaze travelled up the length of Tea Gardner. And then to the man next to her. At that instant, Gozaburo turned his head and their gazes collided. Seto raised his cup mockingly in salute. The old man certainly knew how to make an entrance.
Tea also turned around, her brown curls falling softly against her shoulder. Their eyes met across the sea of heads, and the smile on her lips froze. Seto would have enjoyed the stunned look of surprise on her face if not for the next moment Gozaburo leaned down and whispered something into her ear. Jealousy that had nothing to do with their rivalling companies shot through Seto.
He watched as Gozaburo put his hand on Tea's waist and led her away. Leaning against the wall, Seto let the shadows consume him once again. He never backed down from a challenge.
With a smile plastered firmly on her face, Tea made her way carefully past the dancing couples to the window. A consistent stream of guests had been arriving over the past couple of hours, and despite the size of the ballroom, the place was beginning to get stuffy.
Pursing her lips, Tea scanned the room's occupants. The reason she was at this party tonight was because Gozaburo had agreed to introduce her to Philip Kenji, the top dance choreographer of the Tokyo Dance Company. If Tea managed to impress him tonight, she would be guaranteed a position in the audition the TDC. was holding next month.
Raising on tiptoes, Tea tried to spot the blond haired choreographer. But he was nowhere to be found. Neither was Gozaburo. Tea wasn't an idiot; Gozaburo had promised to help her, not because she was a "daughter of an old friend", rather he still needed her for something. Unfortunately, Tea had no idea what that something was, and Gozaburo did not seem inclined to tell her anytime soon.
"He is a fine specimen of a male, isn't he?"
"Excuse me?" Tea turned around to see Lola walking up to her, a glass of wine in each hand. Tea frowned, wasn't that woman ever without alcohol?
"Here you go, darling," Lola handed Tea a glass.
"No, I don't drink."
Lola shrugged, popping a cigarette in between her red lips, she flipped the lighter over to Tea, and waited as Tea lit her cigarette. Puffing out a cloud of smoke, she purred. "Help yourself, dear."
"No, I don't smoke."
Lola clucked her tongue in disapproval. "You don't drink, you don't smoke, what do you do?" Her eyes travelled to a distant point behind her, and she chuckled. "But I do have to applaud you for having a wonderful taste in men."
Tea sighed, that woman was more confusing than a puzzle box. "Who?"
Now it was Lola's turn to sigh. She pointed her cigarette past Tea's shoulder. "Do follow along, dear. The man you were staring at but a moment ago. Seto Kaiba."
Tea's mouth went dry. "No, I wasn't--"
"Then, you are about the only women in this room who isn't. He is as sexy as sin." Taking a sip of her champagne, Lola chuckled. "Don't look at me like that now. Just because I am married doesn't mean I can't enjoy a forbidden fruit once in a while."
Tea couldn't help it as her mouth fell open. At that moment, she wished she did know how to drink.
"Oh look, he's coming this way."
"What?" Tea's head whipped around. Though he wasn't the biggest man in the room, Seto Kaiba's physical presence could not be ignored. The crowd parted as he made his way slowly towards her.
"Bottoms up," Lola clinked her glass against Tea's.
"Oh crud," in a move that she'd later regret, Tea lifted her glass and downed it in one gulp.
~*~
"And I told him, you've got to be pulling my leg. Ten thousand yens? That's not even enough to pay for my wife's manicure...."
Seto swirled the wine in the glass, bemused as he listened to the conversation. The group of individuals he was talking to were obviously men with too much time and money, but not enough place to spend it.
"Excuse me," Seto handed the empty glass to a passing waiter.
"Kaiba. Wait..."
Without paying the old man any heed, Seto removed himself from the group. They'd kept him amused for the majority of the evening, but he was beginning to get bored. Instead, the image of a certain brunette had been flirting at the brink of his mind.
As if summoned by his thought, Seto spotted Tea Gardner standing casually beside the window. Her white satiny dress singling her out from the rest of the crowd. Seto watched as Tea practically guzzled down a glass of wine in one shot. He couldn't help lifting an eyebrow in amusement when Lola Marcelli winked at him from half way across the room.
"Seto, darling," Lola offered her hand in welcome. "We were just talking about you."
"Were you now?" He looked at Tea. A nice pink blush was forming on her cheeks.
Lola chuckled. "Silly me, you must be dying to know who this dainty creature is? Well, let me introduce you. This is Tea Gardner," Lola lowered her voice to a whisper. "Daughter of a friend of your father's."
"We already--" Tea meant to tell Lola they already knew each other, instead Seto took her hand in his and brought it to his lips.
"Miss Gardner, it's a pleasure to meet you." His eyes gleamed dangerously in the light as he brushed his lips softly over the back of her hand. Small sparks shot through Tea's arm at the contact and Tea snapped her head up to look at him. What she saw made her mouth go dry. Blue eyes as bottomless as the sea held her gaze as he slowly raised his head from her hand.
"Ah hum," Lola coughed. "Well, excuse me, I think you young people can carry on the introductions without me."
Lola's words snapped Tea out of her trance. "Lola, wait..."but she had already disappeared into the crowd.
"Miss Gardner, it's been a long time," Seto looked down at Tea Gardner. She really was beautiful.
"Not long enough," Tea muttered underneath her breath.
Seto frowned. Unfortunately she had to open her mouth and destroy the effect. Seto took a look around the room before returning his gaze back to Tea. "Care to dance, Miss Gardner?"
Of all the things she'd expected him to say, that was not one of them. Tea stood dumbfounded when Seto Kaiba took her in his arms and led her towards the dance floor. Her heart rammed painfully against her chest when Tea felt his fingers slide from her shoulder to the small of her back. She froze like a statue when he suddenly leaned in close. His lips mere inches from her face, he whispered, "Relax, Miss Gardner. I'm not going to eat you."
Giving a huff of indignation, Tea mentally forced herself to relax. There was no way in hell she'd let Seto Kaiba know how much his close proximity was affecting her. For a man as rigid and unyielding as a building, Seto Kaiba was surprisingly light on his feet.
The soft, light piece the orchestra was playing ended, and the sharp blast of a trumpet filled the room. The music took a sharp turn from classical to thirty's jazz. Its tempo was hard and fast. Seto's grip on her hand tightened, and Tea couldn't help the startled gasp that escaped her lips when he suddenly spun her out of his arms. Strange faces, expensive wine, and gleaming chandeliers reeled around her, merging into a distorted and grotesque image that never ended. Suddenly everything stopped. Tea's gaze travelled down her arm to linger on their interlocked fingers. Then she was spinning back the way she came. Spinning into a strong pair of arms, and a wide, solid chest. Spinning into a world that felt warm and safe.
They stood in the middle of the dance floor while the world passed them by. With her pulse still racing, Tea dared not look up at Seto Kaiba.
"Why are you here?"
Taking a steadying breath, Tea finally raised her head.
Seto stared down at her, but instead of a calm sea blue, his eyes were dark and stormy. Tea felt a shiver course through her being. She tried to take a step back, but the hands encircling her waist only tightened.
"You don't belong in a place like this."
Tea's eyes narrowed, and she tried to pull away again. It was of no avail. His grip was like an iron clasp: strong, unyielding and securing Tea to his side.
"Why?" Lifting her chin defiantly, Tea's eyes narrowed. "Because you said so?"
"Yes."
The simple answer was like a cold slap against her face. Tea felt heat spread through her cheeks from embarrassment. To a man like Seto Kaiba, she would never be good enough to be a part of this world.
"You don't know anything about me, Seto Kaiba," because she couldn't move out of his arms, Tea opted for poking him in the chest. "So don't you tell me where I don't or do belong." Every word was punctuated with a jab of her fingers.
A muscle in the side of his jaw ticked almost imperceptibly. His fingers came up and wrapped themselves around her wrist. "Do you have any idea what these people are like?" His voice was low and rough. "Do you actually think they believe you're a daughter of a friend of Gozaburo's?"
"I am a daughter of a friend--"
"Do you think they believe that?"
"I..." Tea clenched her mouth shut, and looked away. She could tell a few people around them were beginning to stare. With great effort, Tea turned back to look at Seto Kaiba. "Yes. Yes, I do." The words sounded forced even to her own ears.
Seto glared down at her. Tea glared back.
"May I cut in?"
Being the first one to break their staring match, Tea turned her head towards the origin of the voice. A man in his late thirties stood just behind them. His blond hair looked almost orange in the light. He extended his hand out to Tea, and asked again. "May I cut in?"
Tea nodded slowly. "Yes."
"No."
Tea sighed in defeat and turned back to glare at Seto. But before she uttered a word, the man behind her took a step forward, almost as if he was preparing to force himself between the two of them.
"I believe the lady said yes."
Seto lifted an eyebrow. He looked bored. "I believe I said no."
The man flushed, his face worked like a fish as his mouth opened, closed, opened and finally closed again.
Closing her eyes, Tea whispered, "Let go, Kaiba....please?"
To Tea's surprise, Seto only hesitated for a moment before his hands dropped from her side, and he took a step back.
"You're just an unsuspecting lamb in the middle of a pack of wolves," the muscle in Seto's jaw flexed again. The look in his eyes was as frigid as a blast of wind from Antarctica. "Gozaburo isn't as harmless as he seems. If you know what's good for you, you'll stay away from him."
Avoiding eye contact, Tea took the hand her blonde companion offered. "Thank you for the advice, Mr. Kaiba. I'd be sure to keep it in mind."
Seto watched as Tea Gardner's figure disappeared into the crowd. He shook his head and turned. Gozaburo stood on the balcony directly above him. The old man lifted his glass in a toast.
Seto's eyes narrowed. "Bastard."
~*~
"What was that about?"
Tea shook her head, as she let the blonde man lead her away from the dancing couples. "It's nothing."
He grabbed two flutes of wine from a passing waiter and handed her a glass. "Are you sure?"
Tea smiled weakly. "I suppose I should thank you for saving me from Seto Kaiba, Mr...."
He chuckled, and took her hand in his. "I guess I should have introduced myself first. Kenji. Philip Kenji."
Tea almost choked on her wine. "The Philip Kenji?"
"The one and only."
"Wow, Mr. Kenji," Tea's eyes were as wide as saucers. All thought of Seto Kaiba vanished from her mind. "I am a big fan. I just love your work. Your choreography for swan lake last season was just breathtaking. Oh my gosh, I'm babbling aren't I? I'm Tea Gard-"
"Tea Gardner," Kenji laughed. "I know."
Tea sputtered. "You know? How could you know?"
His thumb was massaging her hand in slow circles. "Gozaburo told me a lot about you, Tea."
"He has?" Kenji's hand moved up her arm and paused on her left shoulder.
"Yes. A friend he said," Kenji looked at her as if to verify this fact.
"Daughter of a friend," Tea nodded.
"Who is looking for a place in the TDC?"
"It's been a dream of mine since I was a little girl."
Kenji smiled again. "You're awfully young, Tea."
Tea shook her head. "Being a dancer has always been my dream. I've worked really hard, and if given the chance, I promise I won't disappoint."
Kenji hesitated then nodded his head in approval. He removed his hand from her shoulder and took out a business card from his dinner jacket. "Here's how you can contact me, Tea."
Tea's hand was literally trembling with excitement as she took the card from him. She couldn't believe it, her dream was so very close. Her eyebrows drew together in a frown when she looked down at the card. "That's not your office at the TDC, is it?"
"Of course not, silly," Kenji laughed again, the look in his eyes caused Tea to take a step backwards. Alarm bells were signalling in Tea's mind as his hand moved slowly from her shoulder and down her back. "It's my home address and number."
"Home address and number?"
"Of course," Kenji took a step towards her. Tea took another step back.
Kenji frowned. "Is everything alright?"
Do you have any idea what these people are like? Do you actually think they believe that you're a daughter of a friend of Gozaburo's?
I am a daughter of a friend.
Do you think they believe that?
Tea shook her head in disbelieve as her argument with Seto floated to the forefront of her mind. These people....did they all think of her like that? They couldn't...
"Tea?"
Tea looked into the eyes of Philip Kenji. For the first time, she realized that he wasn't looking at her with respect, but as if she was a fresh piece of meat he couldn't wait to get his hands on.
Taking an unprovoked step backwards, Tea blinked furiously. "I..."
"Tea?" Tea shrank away from his touch.
Ignoring the stunned look on Kenji's face, Tea turned and fled.
~*~
Her mind was so fuzzy. As if her head was submerged underwater, everything around her seemed to waver in front of her eyes. Pushing the French doors open, Tea gasped for a breath of fresh air. She had always thought of herself as a strong female. One who knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid of striving for it. But now, she wasn't so sure.
Closing her eyes, she stumbled down the few steps of the terrace to the garden. The noise from the party trailed after her, relentless in their pursuit. Pressing the heel of her palm against her temple, Tea willed the headache to stop.
Slumping over the railing, Tea lowered her gaze to the empty glass in her hand.
"You've been putting those away pretty nicely."
The voice was quiet, cocky, and definitely male. Without turning around, Tea knew who it was. "Are you here to gloat, Seto Kaiba? If you are, I'm really not in the mood for it." Her voice was quiet and soft, lacking the characteristic spunk Seto had come to expect every time they conversed.
Seto eyed the brunette's hunched form warily. He had been out on the terrace when the French door had burst open and out came Tea Gardner. She had stumbled past him without knowing it. Seto had meant to ignore her, but then he had seen the pained expression on her face, and against his better judgement, Seto had followed her down the stairs and into the garden.
"To gloat over what, Miss Gardner?"
Tea's head snapped up, shining pools of moonlight gathered in her sapphire eyes. Her lips trembled slightly, before she turned away. Her curls fell across her face and veiled her expression. "Don't act like you don't know. Everyone knows."
This was hardly the same Tea he had spoken to but half an hour ago. Because he was curious, Seto asked. "Know what?"
Tea spun around, and immediately regretted it. Bright lights exploded in her mind, causing her to hiss in surprise.
"The hell," Seto took a step forward, afraid she would topple over.
Tea blinked a couple of times, hoping to get rid of the double image of Seto Kaiba that suddenly appeared in her line of vision.
"You're drunk," he took another step closer.
"No, I'm not," Tea took a step back, eying him warily.
"You shouldn't drink if you don't know how."
Offended by his accusation, possibly because he was right, because he had to be always right, Tea glared up at him. "For all you know, Seto Kaiba, I could have been harboring a secret life as a barfly."
His eyelids drooped, as he gave her the once over, his gaze pausing at her mouth. "I don't think so."
Tea wasn't a naive school girl, even with the wine clouding her mind, she'd recognized that look in his blue eyes. A look she knew all too well. Anger and hurt surged through her. Because she couldn't understand why she felt hurt, Tea focussed all her thoughts on anger. She took a wobbly step towards him. "Why are you men all so disgusting?"
Seto frowned. He was accustomed to being called many names, but there was usually a reason behind it all. He truly became offended when people labelled him as disgusting without reason. Surprising himself, and Tea, Seto took a step forward and grasped her elbow in his hand. "I think you should go home before you fall flat on your face, Miss Gardner."
Oh no, he wasn't going to get off that easily. "I'm not a stupid boy toy that you men can toss around, you know." At Seto's scowl, Tea continued. "I have feelings, and wants, and dre-" to Tea's chagrin, her voice broke. "Dreams."
"All I've ever wanted to do was dance," tears were beginning to gather in her eyes, and no matter how many times she blinked, they kept coming back; until everything she saw so clearly but a minute ago were blurry and distorted. "I didn't think that was too much to ask for, was it? I wasn't out to hurt anyone, and all I wanted was a chance. One chance..."
An uncomfortable silence settled in between them. When she felt the tears spill over her lids and down her cheek, Tea let her gaze fall to the floor. Then she felt his fingers under her jaw: Firm, yet gentle, he lifted her chin, forcing her to look up. Through her tears, Tea could make out Seto's eyes. It was a deep rich blue. And it was so clear.
"I don't think you're a boy toy."
Tea sniffled.
"And I'm not disgusting."
Tea couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "You're a jerk," she hiccuped.
Seto's voice was soft, "I can live with that," his hand on her elbow tightened, and he pulled her forward. "Come on, let's get out of this place. Your breath reeks of alcohol."
Because she was so tired, Tea let that comment slide. She closed her eyes, and couldn't resist leaning back against him as he led her through the garden, and away from the party.
TBC...