Chapter 48

Paradise Lost

For the past three days Seto didn't sleep. He was pre-occupied with hunting down any incriminating evidence against Anna's uncle. He had to work fast; he didn't have much time before she would leave. And when that happened he would lose her. Lose her to distance, to her fiancee, maybe even death. He wasn't going to allow that to happen. He pinched his nose. He had been typing at his laptop so long it had given him a headache. He should take a break, but Anna was going to be there soon and he couldn't stop. He was so determined to finish his project that he nearly bit the head off of the person who knocked on his office door.

"What is it?" He said in a gruff tone.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, sir." Said Mrs. Wong as she cautiously poked her head in the door. "The labs just delivered these. I thought you might want them." She handed him the envelope and quickly departed. She knew what he had been working on, and she didn't blame him for being so rude to her. She liked Anna too, and if he could keep her in Japan, then Mrs. Wong was going to support him. That's why she interrupted him, she knew the package would distract him for a few minutes and perhaps revitalize him.

Mrs. Wong was right. Seto took one look at the envelope and knew that this was just the distraction he needed. He opened it and started flipping through the photographs. More pictures of Italy, just like Anna said they were. Most of these were taken around the house he rented. He recognized the gardens and the brickwork. She must have taken these pictures on the first day they were there. He swore to himself that if he could keep her he would take her back there every year. He might even buy that little villa, just so they would always have a home there. Continuing his trip down memory lane he came across photos he didn't recognize. Buildings and things that were foreign to him. 'Where was she when she took these?' And then pictures of people, one person he knew all too well. Anger swelled in him as he quickly danced through the pictures. He was in so many of them. 'He couldn't be...' Seto threw the photos down on the desk and dashed for the bottom drawer of his desk. He unlocked it and dug out the envelope at its base. Tearing the seal he dumped the contents out on the desk. He didn't even bother to read the report; he went straight for the photos. He felt his heart sink when he flipped them over and saw him again and again. His hatred consumed him and he crushed the photos in his fists. That's when Seto realized he had been used.

Anna walked into the room with a bright smile on her face. She was certain they were getting close to finding enough evidence to convict her uncle. And that would enable her to stay in Japan. She was in such a good mood; she couldn't have possibly known the storm she had just walked into.

"Hey, I got good news." Anna said in a light cheery voice. "My lawyer thinks he's convinced the pharmacist to testify. The only problem is he took orders from a middleman. He had no direct contact with my uncle. Kinda disappointing, but at least it's a start."

When she turned toward him he stretched out his hand and presented her with an envelope.

"What's this?" Anna asked.

"It's your photos. There are some interesting shots in there."

"Oh good." Even though she was weary of Seto's current demeanor, she took the envelope. She knew something was up, but she didn't know what. He hadn't had much sleep over the past couple of days. Perhaps he was just tired. Another smile sneaked across her face as she searched the pictures. Such good memories she found in them. But then...then she saw the other photos. Her heart skipped a beat. She had forgotten about those pictures. She dropped the photos save one. She gasped but quickly covered her mouth trying to hide her shock. She knew he had seen it. Now he knew the truth.

"Please don't ask me about this." Anna begged as she continued to stare at the photo.

Seto stood up abruptly and yelled, "It's that damn Yugi Mouto, how can I not ask!"

"It's not what it looks like."

"It looks like I've been had, that's what it looks like!" Seto's voice got louder with each word. "What is this, some kind of game? Do you think it's funny?"

"You don't understand."

"Oh, I understand treachery; I'm an expert at it!"

"Shut up! Just shut up!" Anna was finally able to do something she never did before, she yelled back at him. "You have no idea what it's like to be forced to marry someone!"

"Forced?" That one word put Seto in his place. His voice lowered and stopped his ranting to listen to her.

"It's an arranged marriage. My father did it when I was little. I don't have a choice."

Seto stood there in complete awe. He had never suspected such a thing.

"I tried to tell you, Seto. I tried so many times, but I was afraid. I was afraid that you would never speak to me again." Tears started welling her eyes now. "So I kept it a secret because I didn't want to lose you."

Seto leaned on his desk and dipped his head low, he wasn't sure if he should be upset or disgusted.

"My father was only looking out for me. He wanted to give me a good name. He did what he thought was right. And I have to obey his wishes... I never meant to hurt you Seto. I never meant for any of this to happen."

She glanced over at him. He wouldn't even look at her.

"Please say something. I can't bare your silence."

After a few seconds Seto spoke. "Do you love him?"

Anna was surprised and she didn't know exactly how to answer. "I tried, but I don't."

"You don't love him, yet you're going to marry him."

"I have to marry him or else I don't inherit. I'll get nothing."

"That can't be what you want."

"That's the way it's been arranged."

"But is that what you want?" Seto asked again as he came out from behind the safety of his desk.

"It doesn't make any difference."

"Anna, what do you want?" Seto came closer to her every time he asked it.

"Don't ask me that."

"Tell me what you want."

"It doesn't matter." Anna tried not to look at him. She knew she would break down if she did. But with every step he got closer until he was directly in front of her.

"Yes it does. Now...what do you want?" He asked it slowly and deliberately.

A single tear marked her face and her voice cracked as she spoke. "It doesn't matter what I want, because what I want I can't have." She looked up at him this time and she was immediately caught by his ocean blue eyes.

Seto placed his hand on the side of her face. Never had his touch been so gentle or loving. "Yes you can."

He imagined this moment many times. He had come up with hundreds of scenarios in his head on how this would play out. But when it actually happened, it was completely different from what he expected. He wasn't sure what exactly she would do, but he at least expected her to react. Instead as he pressed his lips against hers he only got a cold reception. She stood there stiff as a board and her lips unwavering. Even though he presented her with all his soul, she would not kiss him back. He removed his lips and closed his eyes in shame. That was his sign. She had made her decision. He bowed his head and took a step away.

Anna began to shake. First just a tremor, but in a few seconds it resembled that of a volcano about to explode. And when it erupted what poured out was all the pent up emotions she had, everything she was trying so hard to suppress.

"Seto!"

Just as he turned back she grabbed him by the lapel of his jacket and pulled them together. This was the kiss he wanted. This is what he imagined so many times. The passion, the vibrancy of it. It was amazing, like this was always meant to be. He wrapped his arms around her and drew her in as close has he could. And when they both felt like they could no longer breath or perhaps that their hearts would burst, he started trailing kisses along her cheek. He could taste the salty tears that found their way down her face. He explored her cheek for only a moment before returning to her red kiss-swollen lips. When they parted again their breath was heavy. They took a minute and lingered in that spot, with their lips barely touching. Anna closed her eyes and leaned her head on his shoulder. She seemed as though she was exhausted. Seto found contentment in planting kisses on her forehead or any other piece of exposed skin he could find. And that's when her tears starting flowing again.

"Anna?" He whispered softly to her.

"This is what I want." Anna said breathlessly. "I want you."

"Then take it. I'll give it to you."

"I'm so sorry. This is all my fault."

"No, you have nothing to be sorry for."

"I shouldn't have done this to you. I shouldn't have come here so much. But you made me happy. I felt like I was home."

"This is your home, Anna." He kissed her forehead again, savoring every touch. "Say you'll stay with me. Tell me you'll never leave."

"I can't." She said as she pushed herself an arms length away from him. She still held onto his jacket, she had never let go. "I can't see you anymore."

As soon as she released her grip on his jacket he grabbed a hold of her hand. "Why?"

"I can't come here...I can't look at you knowing how I feel. It hurts too much."

"Don't run away." Seto said as he tried pulling her back to him.

She resisted him. She couldn't go back into his arms, if she did she wouldn't be able to let go. "I can't stay. I'm engaged"

"How could you even consider marrying him? After all of this."

"I don't have a choice, it's a condition of my father's will."

"Screw the will! Your father may have thought this was the best course of action for you, but he was wrong. If he were here today, he would know it's true."

"If I don't I lose everything."

"If you don't marry, what's the worse that would happen? You'd lose millions of dollars? So what? I have money, Anna. If you want it, you can have all of it. It would be a small price to pay."

"It's not the money; it's never been the money."

"Then what? What is so damn important that you're willing to sacrifice your happiness?"

"You don't get it!" Anna said between sobs. "You've got Mokuba. A living breathing reminder of your parents. All I have is a stupid piece of paper that says my parents loved me. And in it, that paper holds all their hopes and dreams of what I might become. If I toss that away, then I have no right to call myself their daughter. It's all I have and I'm not giving it up."

"Then give me time." Seto still would not let go of her hand. "I'll find a way for you to keep everything. You won't have to marry him."

Anna closed her eyes and let the last few tears flow. When she opened them again she took a step closer to him and placed her hand on his cheek. This encouraged Seto to loosen his grip on her hand. "You are my match. I've been waiting for you all my life." Her deep brown eyes begged him to listen. "But I have to do this. I hope you can understand."

Seto shook his head. "I'd do anything for you."

"Then let go."

She slowly slid her hand out of his shaking grip. She hated to do it. The look on his face nearly broke her heart. She turned her head away first, then her body. She reached into her collar and pulled out the string and the card shaped key at its end. Removing it from her neck she presented it to him, but he wouldn't take it.

"No, keep it. In case you ever need to come home."

She caressed the key in her hand then walked toward the door. He didn't try and stop her, not physically. But mentally he was screaming. Begging her to stay. Willing her to turn around. He held his breath as she paused in the doorway. She pivoted her head to the side, still not able to look at him.

"The worst part is...Anna spoke in a voice just above a whisper. "I think my father would have liked you."

And with that she walked out of his life forever.

Halfway down the hall she met Mokuba, whose happy demeanor couldn't make her feel any better.

"Anna?" Her red sad eyes were obvious to him. "What's the matter?"

Without any explanation she hugged him. "Take care of him. He needs you." She quickly broke the embrace and walked on. Leaving Mokuba with more questions than he had answers. When she entered the elevator Mokuba bolted for Seto's office.

When Mokuba burst through the door he found his brother leaning against his desk, palms flat against it's top. His face had an expression of pain.

"Seto, what happened? Why did Anna leave like that?"

The question only added fuel to the flame, and he exploded. With large sweeps of his arms he pushed items off of his desk. His laptop, paperwork, even office supplies, none were immune to his wrath. And what didn't move easily he picked up and threw. He started by throwing them at the glass window behind his desk. That was sufficient to crack it. Then swinging around he started throwing things to the far side of the room, managing to hit the wall and the small table that held his chess set. When his fit was over he collapsed onto floor. As he stared at the floor a small oblong object rolled into his view. It was the white queen from his chess set. Anna's color. She always played white, and he black. She was the light to his dark. He reached out and plucked the piece from it's spot on the carpet. He clutched it and pressed it against his forehead.

"She's gone."

Author's note: Well, there it is. We all knew it had to happen sometime. And now you know why I left it for the end. If you're a little confused why Anna would still side with Yugi, then just wait. The next chapter explains her logic behind it. Oh, and good news everyone! I decided to split the last chapter into two chapters, so you'll get another tantalizing episode before it's all over. And if anyone wants to talk to me about anything related to my story, or using bits of my story for other tales, just e-mail me. It's in my profile. I don't mind when people use parts of my stuff. Heck, I'm probably unintentionally plagiarizing someone else's work anyway. But give me a buzz. I'd like to know what you're working on. So? What's going to happen next? Wouldn't you like to know? evil grin