Joy: Okay, here comes Ch. 9! Enjoy!


Katilli Takes Charge

Morning came quickly and Katilli announced that she was going to take Joy's place at work that day, so no one would get suspicious. Seto was quick to mention that her doing so would probably make everyone suspicious, but only got a glare from the spirit in response. Then the spirit headed out to see if she could take care of business, so to speak.

Needless to say, the poor Egyptian had her hands full. She didn't know the receptionist name at the front door, but she was able to wing it. She did know Anita, Joy's personal secretary whose office was right next to Joy's. Katilli had never come out while Joy was at work, so this was technically the first time she had been inside the girl's vast office.

It was huge! There was even a sitting area to the left, while Joy's large desk was located a bit in the center of the room, in front of a row of windows. Katilli went over and sat down on Joy's chair, quickly discovering that it was the kind that sort of turned from the middle. I think Joy called it a 'swivel' chair. Interesting... She spun around a few times, getting the feel of it, before turning her attention to the computer...or rather, computers. There were two of them. Why does she have two computers? Katilli asked herself. Maybe one is for important work and the other is for light work. How am I do know the difference? What if I use the wrong computer? That other one might not even be hers! Oh, Ra! This is already getting confusing!

After about ten minutes of heavy thought, Katilli decided to use the biggest of the two computers, just in case. Right, now Joy mentioned before losing her memory that she had this huge report to do and send to her father. She said it was written up and ready to be typed. Now...where could she have put it? The spirit looked around for a bit, finally finding the document in a desk drawer. Good. Here it is. Now to get to work.

The problem was the work had to be done on a computer. And Katilli knew about as much about computers as Seto knew about making new friends. Do not worry, Katilli, she told herself calmly. It is only a computer. How hard can it be?

It too over twenty minutes for Katilli to figure out that the little clicky thing next to the keyboard was used to open the programs. I should have paid more attention to Joy at work. Now...how do I open the writing program when I have no idea what it is called? Katilli sighed wearily. Here I go again. Completely clueless...

Another half an hour ticked by. Katilli was close to giving up at that point. This is the only program I have not opened yet. It had better be the one or I swear to Ra I will scream!

She clicked on it and up popped the writing program. "Thank Ra!" she yelled, leaping out of the chair happily.

A voice suddenly sounded in the room. "Miss Houyoku, are you all right?"

Katilli almost jumped out of her shoes. What in the world was that? "Um...oh! It is the phone!"

"Miss Houyoku?" There was a light knock on the door.

"Um...come in." The door opened to reveal Anita.

"Is everything okay, Miss Houyoku? I heard you cry out." She looked worried. Katilli smiled.

At least I know Joy is looked after at work, she thought. "Oh, yes. I am fine. I shouted because I..." She thought quickly. "I stubbed my toe. Yes. But it is fine now."

"Perhaps you should have a second opinion, Miss Houyoku." Anita and Katilli turned to see a raven-haired young man in a navy suite and green tie standing in the doorway. Anita stepped foward.

"Excuse me, sir. You are...?"

"Natasho Cho, at your service." The man bowed.

"Mr. Cho, do you have an appointment?" Anita asked.

"No, but I'm sure when Miss Houyoku hears my proposal, she will agree I don't need an appointment."

Katilli raised an eyebrow. Proposal? "Um...Anita, it is all right. I will talk to Mr. Cho."

"Very well, Miss Houyoku." Anita bowed to Joy and left the two.

"You know, when I walked in I knew you were a woman of great intelligence and you've proven me right."

Katilli tried to control her temper at this man's blatent flirting with who he thought to be her hikari. "Just what is it you wished to discuss, Mr. Cho?"

"Please," Cho said, stepping forward till he was standing directly in front of Joy's desk. "Call me Natasho."

"I actually prefer to stay on more formal grounds, Mr. Cho, until I hear what you have to say."

Cho studied her for a moment. "Very well. I see you are quite the strong-willed businesswoman, Miss Houyoku. One of the reasons I came here today. But the main reason is becuase I have a business proposition for you and your father. But mostly for you."

Business...proposition? "Go on."

"I am the CEO of Cho Interprises, a company with similar dealings as your father's business. I was tinkering with an idea that would be profitable to both companies here in Japan. Now I'm not talking about the entire of either company, just the part here in Japan. I would be benefitial for us all, I assure you. And I am sure you would enjoy it immensely. Just think of the profit possibilities, both business..." He paused, a smile finding its way to his face, "...and personal."

This guy is so delusional. "Mr. Cho. I do not think my father opened a branch here so he could combine it with other companies. And so far it has been quite successful all on it's own."

"Ah, but I think he will be a good deal pleased when he reads my full proposal. Please feel free to look it over yourself if you like." He handed Katilli a manilla envelope with some papers in it. Then he said, "Please do me the honor of seeing that your father gets that. I would like to talk to him more on this matter. And I would like to talk to you again as well." He pulls out a business card. "Both in and out of the office. And I thank you for your time."

Before Katilli could say anything, Cho took her hand and gave it a kiss. Katilli could almost see the lust in the businessman's eyes. Then he said goodbye and strolled out of the office. For a moment, Katilli could say nothing. Then she glared, anger taking the place of her surprise.

How dare he kiss me! I ought to find him and give him a nice trip to the Shadow Realm!

After the encounter, Katilli thought it would be a good idea to head home before the population of the Shadow Realm got bigger.

...Meanwhile...

"So whatever happened to the pillar?" Joy asked. She and Seto were in the kitchen, getting some lunch. Seto looked up from the book he was reading. It took him a moment to realize she was talking about the golden pillar that had sent them to ancient Egypt some time ago. Wait...he hadn't told her about that. He raised an eyebrow. Maybe her memories would all be returned soon.

"Hmm...I think Yugi's grandfather said it was in some museum somewhere in Egypt."

"Oh...okay. Could someone ever...activate it again?" Joy asked curiously.

Sorcerer?

That is a good question...It would have to be someone of great magical power. And one who knew the exact spell I used. It was not written in any magic book. They would also have to know how to do it and that it still existed.

"There is a slight possibility, but it isn't easy. I wouldn't worry about it." Seto reached over and grabbed his glass of tea, taking a drink.

"Besides," Joy said with a smile as she took a seat beside him. "I have you to protect me, Seto." She leaned over and kissed him lightly on the cheek. Seto blinked, raising his eyebrows at Joy. He was trying to think of something to say when Katilli came in.

"You're back early," Joy observed.

"Yes. Mostly because I needed to get out of there before I lost my mind. I do not know how you can stand that place, hikari."

Joy shrugged. "Well...I guess right now I don't either."


Joy: There you are! The next chapter is the last chapter of Three Small Words. Remember to review!