Parental Discretion Advised

Chapter 42

Letting Go

She stood there and stared at the ring on the dresser. She had purposely not worn it when she was over at Seto's place, but she knew it was time. She didn't want to ruin his holiday, so she kept it a secret. But with New Years literally upon them, she felt she had to do it. She had to tell him and the ring would be the perfect opportunity to do it. She slipped it on and went to the dining room for breakfast.

Things started off like always. Mokuba was practically bouncing out of his seat while he told Anna some unbelievable story and Seto tried to mask his amusement behind a newspaper. He finished the business section and handed it to Anna. He was so accustomed to it that he didn't even ask her if she wanted it, he just handed it over. Anna graciously took the paper and immediately began marking it with a pen, noting her best stock picks. That being the main reason he read it first before giving it over to her, he didn't want to read between her scribbles. It had been a long time ritual. At this point neither of them needed the money she produced from the venture, but they both enjoyed the hunt. Seto took a quick glance at the newspaper to see what she was writing. That's when he saw the ring. He quickly looked away, hoping that she didn't see him looking at it. He hid behind another section of the newspaper as he determined what to say. He wasn't a fool; he knew what a ring on the fourth finger of the left hand meant. She had been dating this mysterious man for a while. And it was the holidays, a time when people were more encouraged to make preposterous claims of love. He should have thought it out more. He should have said something nice, but he didn't. Instead he acted like his heart felt, angry.

"That ring is tacky!" He scowled. "It doesn't befit you."

"It was a gift, and I rather like it." Anna said in a calm tone, she didn't want to flare the already heated situation.

"Someone should have had more sense that to give you such a tasteless gift."

"Okay, so it isn't real, but it was a heart felt gesture."

"It is cheap and ugly and it belittles you. Take it off."

"Just for that I won't, not ever." Anna never was one to back down when threatened.

"You'll take it off eventually."

"Oh really? When will that be?"

"When you get married."

That made Anna take a step back. "What do you know about that?"

"It is illogical to believe that someone like you won't get married." Seto spoke in a harsh tone and as he continued to speak his voice got louder until it was almost a yell. "You may taunt and tease, but all you're really looking for is someone you can control. And when you do find him he will be a weak minded, sniveling little boy who will live off of your wealth and ambition."

His observations cut her straight to the bone and Anna had to struggle to hold back her tears. "Why would you say that?"

"Because you're the kind of person that would marry for love when love isn't logical." Seto huffed and went back to hiding behind his newspaper.

Silence followed. He was waiting to hear something, anything, but there was nothing. He was certain she would strike back or punch him, or at least cry, but still nothing. Finally a sound. The sound of her chair scooting backwards across the floor. Then the movement of air as she walked around the table. Then most devastating of all the sound of the front door slamming shut. He peaked around the newspaper only to be met by the angry eyes of Mokuba.

"What was that!" Mokuba scolded. "You better catch her and apologize!"

"I have nothing to apologize for."

"You were being a jerk and I wouldn't blame her if she never came back."

The idea of Anna never coming back scared him. He didn't think he had been that mean, but perhaps he had. He got up out of his seat intending to follow her, but it was too late she was already in the elevator and heading downstairs. He picked up the phone and made a call.

Anna quickly wiped away the tears that were flowing down her face. She was trying to make herself look presentable for when the she entered the lobby. She had enough trouble already this morning without people staring at her tear-swelled eyes. 'Why did he have to do that?' She asked herself. 'Why couldn't he just say 'congratulations' or 'I'm so happy for you'? Who am I kidding? I knew he wouldn't be happy. But why did he have to be so cruel?' Anna braced herself as the elevator doors opened.

When they did two security officers immediately confronted her. "Please come with us Miss." She knew he wouldn't let her get away that easily.

They halted her exit long enough for Seto to make it downstairs. Without a word he grabbed her by the upper arm and dragged her into one of the security rooms. It was the only private place within reach. He slammed the door shut and still gripping her arm yelled, "What's wrong with you?"

Anna turned her face away from him. She didn't want to speak to him, let alone look at him when he was like this.

He didn't wait for her to answer; instead he continued his onslaught. "You can't just walk away like that. I won't let you." Seto took a deep breath before he continued, this time with a calmer tone. "Don't you understand, this is where you belong? Not out there, not with him. You're not like them. You belong with me."

"I don't belong to you." Anna said in a low voice, but loud enough that he could hear her.

"I didn't say that!" Seto's voice got louder again.

"Then let go of me."

"I will when you come to your senses. You may think you know what's best, but you don't."

"I'm not a child, you can't tell me what to do."

"Yes you are!" Seto grabbed her by both arms and tightened his grip. "For all your posturing you're just a scared little girl who's alone in the dark. And all you want is someone to give you the love you never got from your uncle, from those boarding schools, even your parents. And trust me, this guy, he can't give it to you. Nothing fills that kind of void. Nothing."

Anna was fighting back the tears, but she knew one more harsh word and the gates would open. "How would you know?"

"I know because I'm the same!" Seto lowered his tone again. "We're cut from the same cloth, you and I. We were both cut more deeply than any doctor could cure. And we're still hurting. All I know is that when you're around it doesn't hurt anymore. I feel like I can breath. That's why you can't leave. That's why I gave you the key. I want you to stay."

Anna squirmed in his hands trying to free herself. She couldn't hear this, she wouldn't hear it. "Let go of me."

"Why must you always be so damn irritating?" Seto squeezed even harder on her arms to keep her still. "I'm trying to tell you something and it's not easy for me."

"Please, let me go."

"Stop fighting and listen to what I'm saying."

"Seto, you're hurting me."

Seto's mind went blank. Everything that he was going to say flew away. All he could think of now was what she had just said. He was hurting her. He looked at his hands; he didn't realize how tight he was squeezing her. He saw the look of pain in her face as she wiggled and pulled under his grip. He did the only thing he could do, he let go. As soon as she was free Anna bolted for the door. And just like that she was gone.

Seto stared down at his hands. 'What have I done?'

Yugi ran as fast as his short legs could carry him. Anna called and she was hysterical. She wanted him to come over immediately. He didn't know what was going on, she wouldn't explain, all he knew was that she needed him. He was nearly out of breath as he got to the door of her apartment. He was sure the people he almost ran over in the stairway would forgive him even if he didn't have time to stop and apologize. He knocked, but there was no answer. He turned the doorknob and found the door unlocked, so he walked in.

"Anna?" He said warily as he looked around the room. He found her sitting on the couch with a pillow pressed to her chest, staring out into space. She didn't seem to respond as Yugi sat down next to her. "Are you okay?"

"I've had a very bad day."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

He reached his hand over and touched her arm. "I'm here for you, Anna."

All of her resistance faded and she collapsed into his arms, holding onto him as if she were afraid he would disappear. "Just hold me."

Yugi did just that. He wrapped his arms around her and didn't let go. They went on for a long time like that. Neither one speaking. Anna listened to the sound of his beating heart. At first it was quick and erratic, but eventually it slowed to a steady rhythm. Then she felt an even more calming sensation as he began stroking her hair. She knew by the way his arms grew stronger and the gesture he was making that it was Pharaoh. She didn't want to think about how he came to control Yugi's body, she didn't really care. He was a welcome sight.

"Do you think I'm a child?" Anna asked as she kept her head buried in his chest.

"No, you're not a child." Pharaoh said in a soothing voice. "You're a beautiful and sensual woman."

Anna looked up and into his shining purple eyes. "Do you love me?"

With a nod and smile he answered.

"Prove it."

Yugi leaned down and kissed her. Anna threw herself into the kiss. She didn't know what she was trying to find, but it had to be there. She began tugging on his jacket trying to peel it off of him. He helped her and it went flying to the ground. Pharaoh's hands wandered up the back of her shirt while he nibbled on her neck. Not wanting to waste time she pulled the shirt over her head and tossed it to the floor. With only her bra between them Yugi gently laid her back on the couch. He placed himself on top of her and she wrapped her legs around him. They reconnected in a kiss as he cupped one of her breasts in his hand. Her moan of pleasure made him more anxious to explore the area. So he trailed kisses down her neck, past her necklace and onto her chest where he was presented with something he didn't expect. He traced a line down her chest with his finger. Anna thought it was a playful seduction until his finger hooked the string around her neck. He pulled it to reveal the tiny card like pendant at its end. As soon as she saw what he was doing she grabbed the pendant and tore it from his grasp. Pharaoh let out a frustrating sigh and sat up, Anna followed by scooting to the far end of the couch.

"I know what that is." Pharaoh huffed. "It's a key. What's it a key to Anna?"

Anna couldn't look at him; she just clutched the card like pendant.

"To his house? His bed?"

"How dare you!" Anna yelled as she stood up and walked to opposite end of the room. She had to get some distance between them. "I have never cheated on Yugi, except with you. And now I see that maybe that was a mistake too!"

"We're not cheating, Yugi understands. He's happy for us."

"I don't even want to know how you two figured out the visitation rights! So what's going to happen? Do you get me every other night, or maybe just on weekends!"

"This isn't about us, is it?"

Anna's tears were flowing freely now.

"Is it your uncle again?" Pharaoh asked. When he didn't get a reaction he knew what the real answer was. "Kaiba?"

Anna paced back and forth.

"Did he hurt you?"

"He didn't mean to."

Pharaoh sighed. "I tried to warn you."

"I...I tried to tell him." Anna spoke through the sobs. "He just blew up...and he said...he was so mean."

Pharaoh deciphered through the partial sentences what happened. She had told him she was engaged and he lost his temper. Obviously he didn't want her get married. He probably wanted her for himself and he wasn't willing to let go. So he abused her trying to frighten her into staying.

"He was angry. The news must have come as a big shock." Yugi reassured her. "Give him some time to cool off. Once he calms down everything will be back to normal. If your friendship means anything to him, he'll make amends."

That wasn't what Anna thought he would say. He didn't critisize or complain. And he didn't insist that Anna stop seeing Seto. That confused Anna. But what she didn't know was that Pharaoh and Yugi learned last time that Seto was always going to be a part of her life and they couldn't tear them apart without killing her. They had to let her make her own decisions and mistakes. But this new found generosity wasn't totally magnanimous, they still hated the fact that Kaiba would always come between them and Anna.

Anna plopped down on the chair. She was lost in her mind. "How did my life get so screwed up?"

Yugi picked up her shirt off the floor and walking over to the chair, presented it to her. "I don't know what you're looking for Anna. But you're not going to find it in bed."

Anna took the shirt and wiped the tears away with her hands. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry." Pharaoh got down on his knees beside the chair. "I don't want you to be sorry. I want you to be happy. I'd do anything to see you smile."

"Do you really think he'll come back to me?"

"I'm sure he will." Pharaoh had to fight back the anger swelling in him. He was spilling his heart out to her and all she could think about was him. But it did produce a small smile on her face. He had to prove what he said was true. He'd do anything to make her smile, even if it meant Kaiba. "Why don't you get yourself together and I'll take you out to lunch. We can go to that restaurant you like, maybe take a walk, just the two of us."

"You can't afford that restaurant I like." Anna said in a playful snicker.

"You're worth it."

Yugi reached out and took Anna's hand as they walked down the street together. Yugi had a different touch than Pharaoh. She could sense that long before she ever physically touched Yugi's other self. Anna was still trying to figure out what they had worked out together. She went to lunch with Pharaoh but after she came back from the bathroom it was Yugi. They must have some plan as to how they were sharing their time with her, but they hadn't informed her. She was already regretting what she said back at the apartment about visitation rights. It was rude of her to say and she didn't mean it. She was just frustrated.

"I'm sorry about what I said earlier. I was just so upset." Anna tried to apologize but it apparently didn't matter to Yugi.

"Put it out of your mind, I know you didn't mean it."

"I really do enjoy spending time with you both. I'm just not sure how we're going to work this out."

"Don't worry, we've got a plan. We'll give it a shot and see what happens."

Yugi could see that she was still very distant. He wasn't even sure she heard him.

"Would it help if you told me what happened?" Yugi knew the only way to reach her was to enter her world.

"Talking about it won't make it go away." Anna said plainly as her eyes fell to the ground. Just when Yugi thought he was going to get the silent treatment again she spoke. "He can be so infuriating sometimes."

"He can be a little hot headed, I guess it's his nature."

The pair stopped at the street corner waiting for the light to change. "He acted like he owned me."

Yugi didn't like the sound of that. "He's used to getting what he wants, and it looks like he finally found something he couldn't buy with his money or control with his power."

"I've never cared for any of that. I'm his friend because I like who he is. Sure he's rough around the edges, but deep down he's a great guy. That's why I don't understand why he was so cruel to me."

The light changed and they proceeded to cross the street.

"Maybe he's scared."

"What does he have to be afraid of?"

"Losing you. Getting married is a big thing; maybe he's afraid that you won't be his friend anymore. You are his only one."

Anna looked over at him. He had a point. Her marriage would change things between them, and they had both gotten very cozy in their relationship as it was. She was about to say something when she was distracted by the screeching of wheels. She glanced toward the noise and saw the car coming. She gave Yugi a hard push, the only reaction she could muster. Yugi went flying face first onto the opposing sidewalk. He heard a 'thud' as he hit the ground and then a muffled scream. Yugi panicked and flipped around. He didn't see the impact, but he saw the results.

"Anna!"