Kohari: Well, I'm sorry. To tell the truth, I haven't written a chapter in...about a month. Yeah. A month. They were already uploaded, and I just updated once a week. I'll try to get better about that. But-
Mokuba: Kohari...
Kohari: Alright, alright. I'm about to end it. Anyway, I'd like to advertise-
Mokuba: -warningly- Kohari...
Kohari: Shut up, Mokuba, I'm getting to it. Now-
Kaiba: -threateningly- What did you say to my brother?
Kohari: -surprised/scared- Eep! –gets quiet-
Kaiba: That's what I thought.
Chapter 15
It had been a few days since that night. Neither Téa nor Seto had said anything about it, especially to each other, and answered simply when asked how it had gone. But, as it usually happens when things are wanted kept secret, it had leaked out to the city. The first few days were torture for poor Téa. But eventually the teasing was silenced, and she suspected it had to do with Joey. At least the jocks weren't teasing her so much anymore.
Ms. Sigmon was very polite about the party/date thing. She was quite a lot nicer to her than a lot of the other workers. The workload wasn't so heavy as Téa thought it should've been for what she was getting paid. But she wasn't exactly complaining.
While Téa was busy in the lab doing a few errands and checking on some things for Kaiba, the phone rang at Ms. Michelle's desk. She put the speaker on hold, a large, evil grin on her face and wandered up to Kaiba's office. She cracked open the door and poked her head in. "Mr. Kaiba, you have a call on line 5."
"Tell them I'm busy," he responded without looking up from his keyboard, fingers rapidly dancing around on the keys.
"I think you may want to talk to them," she smirked meaningfully, then flipped her hair and closed the door quietly. Intrigued, he picked up the phone and pressed a button, tucking the receiver between his neck and collarbone so he could continue with his work.
"Make it quick. I'm quite busy."
"Kaiba, buddy, how's it going? That's no way to greet an old friend!" came the voice on the other end of the line. Seto immediately stopped typing. "You're a little quiet. Surprised to hear from me?"
"Yes, actually. What do you want?" our favorite CEO demanded.
"Look, I was coming into the neighborhood, and, hm, I wanted to say hi."
"That can't be it."
"We need to talk some business, partner. Think you could send someone to pick me up at the airport? Save me the trouble of having to hire a...(here he coughed)...rental?"
"What time?"
And so the arrangements were made. Kaiba resumed his normal routine, not sure he was all that eager for this...friend...to visit.
"Well, I think that's it, Téa," the foreman announced, dropping the last crate. She had stayed a little while longer to help with the moving of the shipments of something they were doing at the time. Classified, so she didn't know what. But it wasn't like she had anything else to do in Kaiba's office, right?
She didn't want to risk meeting Ms. Michelle on the way back (Who would? The girl's creepy. Oh, I forgot to describe her to you. I will later, 'kay?), so she took the back stairs. Silently, she snuck through the exit on the top floor and regained her composure. As she reached the office, something told her not to touch the doorknob. Hesitantly, she stared at it. What was wrong with her? This was ridiculous. Slowly, she closed her fingers around it and walked in.
As soon as she did, she knew why her instinct had told her to stay away. She fearfully shut the door, knowing she was trapping herself. Kaiba stood up, the guest in the chair in front of her desk doing so as well.
"I believe you've already met M. Marc Garcon, one of our close business partners," he introduced his guest. It was someone she didn't want to see right now and had been having nightmares over since their meeting. As he strolled over to her, she felt like he was undressing her with his eyes.
"Yes," Marc replied, taking her hand. "It's a pleasure to see you again, mademoiselle." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her fingertips. To her discontent, he released it a little more sluggishly than she would've hoped. There was a look of contempt in Kaiba's eyes, though none noticed. They were the only three in the room.
Marc turned back to Kaiba. "As to the proposal, what do you think, dear friend?"
"Proposal? I'm not sure I understand you, Garcon," Kaiba answered.
"What do you want for her?" Marc asked, referring to Téa, and she knew that his decision would decide her future. Sure, he didn't own her, but he was in charge of any transfer in the business she was involved in. Hey, there were advantages to reading contracts, even if the things you signed to weren't necessarily beneficial.
"For Gardner here?" Kaiba gestured to his assistant. Though he didn't show it, or any expression at all, he saw the scared look in her eyes. She was terrified to go with Marc to France.
"Of course. I've noticed that she's quite an asset. Never, in all my visits, have I seen Kaiba Corp. in such high and enthusiastic spirit. I'll pay any price for her transfer. Just name it."
Téa shook her head slightly, not enough for Marc to catch, but she hoped that Kaiba could glimpse it. She prayed that he would refuse, that he wouldn't let her fall into such evil-appearing hands. Kaiba appeared to debate this for a moment, and then answered.
"A tempting offer, Garcon," he started, and Téa felt that it was all over. He was letting her go. Her eyes fell to the floor. "But." At this word, she looked up. There was hope yet. "I decline."
Téa felt like celebrating, but kept it to herself. Marc on the other hand, looked simply outraged.
"Come! Surely she can't be that valuable. Just name your price, and I'll take her off your hands. It's obvious you don't want her around!"
"It's like you said, Garcon," Kaiba sneered as he sat back down, ignoring the hand that had been slapped upon his desk. "Never, in all my short time here, have I seen the moral of my employees so pleasing. Along with that boost, the work quality has also increased, and I truly believe that it is all thanks to Gardner here." Could she see a small smile? "I'm afraid with such talent on my hands, I cannot afford to give it up, Garcon."
"What do you think, mademoiselle?" Garcon addressed Téa, cupping her chin in his hand forcing her to look at him. "Wouldn't you rather come to where the opportunities and appreciation are a lot more...plentiful? Isn't that what you want?" She couldn't answer. She didn't need to.
"Garcon, you're distressing one of the most precious of my staff, and you've worn out your welcome. Please leave," Kaiba barked, maintaining a coolness where Téa would've cracked.
Marc glared at him in a way that clearly told him that their partnership was kaput. "Fine. But you will regret this," he threatened, walking out the office. In his eyes was a look that unmistakably said, "No one refuses Marc Garcon."
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Kohari: Ooooh. Scary.
Mokuba: What's gonna happen next?
Kohari: Can't tell you that. The readers are gonna have to review for you to find out.
Mokuba: Please review! I wanna find out what's gonna happen!
Kohari: CYL!