Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh.

"talk"

'thoughts'

flashback

...

Tea entered the game shop with the biggest smile possible. The gang stared at her in surprise. Just a day ago, she had been more depressed then ever.

"Hey Tea, you seem in a happy mood." Yugi greeted her.

"Yeah, what's the deal?" Joey asked, scratching his head. Tea giggled and jumped on the couch.

"I got a job." She said in an excited voice.

"Wow, so fast. Congratulations Tea." Tristen said.

"Where will you be working?" Duke inquired.

"Kaiba Corp." Tea answered. The guys seemed genuinely shocked.

"You're working for Kaiba?" Yugi asked, not believing what he had just heard.

"Yeah." She nodded.

"He gave you the job?" Serenity asked, her heart beating rapidly.

"Not exactly. Mokuba convinced him to give me the job." Tea said. Serenity's face fell and she looked away.

"What exactly is your job?" Tristen asked in a suspicious tone.

"I am his secretary's assistant. You see, he gives a lot of work to his secretary and she can't handle it. So I'm going to help her with it." Tea explained.

"Kaiba doesn't seem like the person to keep someone who can't handle the work. He seems like the kind of person who'd fire her and get a new one." Duke said thoughtfully. Tristen nodded in agreement.

"Like I said, Mokuba convinced him. He was going to fire her but Mokuba stepped in and saved her job and got me one too. It pays really well and I have to work from 9 to 5 during this school break. When school starts, I guess we'll work out a new schedule." Tea said.

"That's nice Tea. Kaiba isn't so bad. I'm sure you'll have a great time and experience working at Kaiba Corp." yugi smiled assuringly and Tea smiled back.

"When do you start?" Serenity finally spoke again.

"Tomorrow." Tea replied and turned her attention back to Yugi and the guys.

"I have to go." Serenity suddenly said, getting up.

"Where are you going sis?" Joey asked, startled at her abrupt departure.

"I just remembered I have to do something back home. I'll see you guys later." She said and stepped out of the game shop.

Tea had gotten a job at Kaiba Corp. But Seto hated her. Then why did he give her the job so easily? Was there something going on between them? These thoughts ran through Serenity's head as she walked towards Kaiba Corp. Could Tea be doing all this to get Seto's attention? Did she like him? Of course she didn't. Or did she?

Maybe Tea was just jealous of her. Serenity had the hottest and the richest guy in Domino, and so it was natural for other girls to be jeolous of her. But she couldn't believe that her own friend was doing this to her. That was the only explanation that came to Serenity's mind. Tea was trying to steal her Seto away from her. She would have to talk to Seto and warn him. Seto loved her and would definitely listen to her. She'd convince him to fire Tea. That way, Tea's plan to get close to Seto and steal him would definitely fail.

A relieved smile appeared on Serenity's face. She was starting to dislike Tea, and since Seto already hated her, it wouldn't be a problem getting her fired. This was perfect. This way, everyone would be happy, her and Seto. And as for Tea, she could find another job easily.

Seto sat in his office, very pleased with the door in front of him. That door was to Tea's office, which was between his and his secretary's office. Seto had given his secretary an office a room away because he didn't want anyone bothering him. Besides, the room beside his had an inner door connecting the two rooms. Seto was sure his step-father, or whoever had used the office before him had used the door for more than just coordination, given the hidden location of the door. But now he was liking the idea greatly. The hidden door in the office connected his office to Tea's. That way, he'd be able to see her anytime he wanted. Just as he was admiring his genius, his phone rang. It was his secretary telling him that little Wheeler was here to see him. Normally, he didn't get bothering calls about people wanting to meet him if they didn't have an appointment. But he knew his secretary had informed him because of his association with Joey Wheeler. He instructed his secretary to let her through. He didn't want Serenity creating a scene or telling anyone she was dating him.

"Come in." He said after hearing a small knock. He positioned himself on his leather chair and waited for her to enter. Serenity's head peeked in, muct to his distaste.

"Hi." She said, a nervous smile on her face.

"Why are you here?" He said in a cold voice.

"I wanted to talk to you." She said, closing the door behind her and walking towards his desk.

"Hurry up. I don't have all day to listen to you. I'm busy."

"You gave Tea a job at Kaiba corp.?" She questioned, even though she already knew he answer. His eyebrows rose at her question.

"Yes." He replied, his mind trying to figure out why she was asking that. Tea must have told her friends and that's why Serenity knew as well. But then why ask him?

"Why?"

"You don't seem too happy with it. Why is that?" Seto countered with a question of his own. Her face went pale for a moment. She wasn't prepared for this. She thought he would be angry at Tea and would readily agree to fire her.

"I… I… I am happy. But are you happy that she works here?"

'Of course I am. I have been waiting for this day for so long.' He thought as his heart flipped at the mere thought, but he kept a straight face.

"Why does it matter to you?" He asked another question, instead of answering her, yet again. Silence filled the room for a while, before she spoke.

"Why did you give her the job?" He knew she was avoiding answering him just as he was avoiding her questions.

"Mokuba convinced me." Seto answered causally. That's what he had told Tea and Mokuba to tell the rest of the gang.

"If you don't want her here, you can fire her. I'll take care of Joey and the others." Serenity offered. Seto rolled his eyes. He understood her. She was feeling threatened by Tea being close to him. How pathetic.

"No. I think I'll keep her." He smirked at her shocked and hurt face and continued. "She has good qualifications and would be of help."

Her face fell at his response. It was obvious he wasn't going to fire her. So what should she do? An idea sprang in her head.

"I want to work here too." Her words didn't surprise him much. He knew she had been unprepared for his response, and was now desperately trying to do something about her insecurities.

"And what can you do here?" He asked. She stuttered in response. She had never worked anywhere before and had no idea what to do or how to answer.

"I… I can… I…" She pondered her brain for anything but nothing came. His cold intimidating gaze didn't make anything easier either.

"You don't have any work experience." He said. "You don't have any job related skills. Hell, you don't even have the guts to talk to someone. What good can you be to Kaiba Corp.?" He finished with a mocking smile. Tears threatened to fall from her eyes at his harsh words. How could he say that to her after all she had done for him?

"Since you're about to breakdown in tears, I'd say we're done our "talk." So if you'll excuse me, I have important matters to attend to." With that, he dismissed her. She slowly walked out of the office.

He treated her like dirt off the street. He was constantly insulting her, mocking her, ignoring her, and hurting her. But still, she didn't want to leave him. Why? Because she couldn't afford to. She had never been popular among her schoolmates and didn't have a lot of friends. That's why when Joey offered her to come and stay with him and his friends, she had readily agreed, already quite happy with the amount of affection showered by Duke and Tristen.

But things hadn't gone as she had imagined. After Battle City, Duke went back to being himself. He flirted with every girl he thought was pretty and that did include Tea, who had grown into a beautiful girl. This had somewhat displeased Serenity, as she once had been the sole recepient of Duke's affections. Tristen, too, had been less persistent in his quest to win her heart. Yugi had never had paid any special attention to her, and it remained the same. Joey, also, had stopped being so watchful and protective of her. Most of the time, he was busy with his friends and didn't notice her at all.

Mai had been in touch with the gang and occasionally talked to Serenity as well. But Serenity felt like she was a nobody again. She missed the overwhelming attention she had received during Battle City. Being with Seto Kaiba, the hottest, most wanted man in Domino made her feel important. The very idea made her feel special about herself. And the reactions of Joey and the other were pleasing as well. Not to mention Mai was calling a lot, and asking about her "love" life with Kaiba. Of course, Serenity made up everything, but still, it felt good. And when she thought about finally going public with their relationship, it brought her such pleasure and joy. She could not even imagine how everyone would be jealous of her and want to be her. No, she could not afford to let her relationship with Kaiba end. She was willing to do anything to stay together with him.

"Hurry up guys. I don't want to be late." Tea said impatiently to Yugi and the others as they hurried to get their shoes.

"Where are you going?" Serenity asked as she entered the Game shop.

"There is a dance competition at the arcade and I'm participating in it. Didn't Joey tell you?" Tea said. Serenity shook her head.

"Must have slipped my mind." Joey sheepishly replied. Both girls glared at him.

"Let's go. We're ready." Duke said and they all walked outside.

"Aren't you coming Serenity?" Tea asked Serenity who seemed to be in deep thought.

"No, sorry. I have other plans. Good luck though." Serenity said and began walking towards Kaiba mansion. She knew Seto had a day off today. Maybe she could spend some time with him and try to get closer to him.

She entered the mansion and tried to find him. He was standing under the stairs, in the living room, dressed in casual clothes. He seemed to be waiting for someone.

"Hi." She called from behind him. He turned around to see her but then turned away.

"Hurry up Mokuba or we'll be late." He called out. Serenity's heartbeat increased dramatically. Where was he going?

"Are you going somewhere?" She asked timidly. Without turning, he replied.

"Of course. What does it look like?"

"Can I know where?" She asked.

"Arcade." He answered as Mokuba's head appeared on top of the stairs.

"Wh… why?" Her heart fluttered as she asked.

"There is some dance competition and Gardner is in it. Mokuba wants to see it and I'm going with him. Why aren't you there?" Seto asked suspiciously.

"I thought… maybe we could… spend some time together." She shyly said. He scoffed.

"You can forget about it. I'm going with Mokuba." Seto coldly replied. By that time, Mokuba joined them. He didn't even spare serenity a glance and turned towards his brother.

"Come on Seto. We're already late." He said, dragging Seto with him out the door. Serenity followed them, not wanting to leave 'her' Seto alone with Tea.

Tea had creamed every challenger that came to the DDR stage against her. Her amazing talent had gotten the attention of everyone in the arcade. A huge crowd had formed around the stage and everyone had left their games and was watching her.

"Okay, anyone else want to try?" Tea dared the crowd. A girl finally stepped forward. Tea smirked in Seto-like manner and started dancing. All of her friends were in the crowd, cheering her on. Yugi, Joey, Tristen, Duke and Bakura, but where was he? She glanced around the crowd one more time and finally caught his blue eyes, watching her with admiration and awe. He was there for her.

Seto had been staring at Tea's dancing form. She was perfect in every way. He noticed the people around him were all gaping at her. Guys were staring at her wide eyes, desire and want in their gazes. This made him jealous but at the same time, he felt proud and happy. They wanted her but they couldn't have her. She already belonged to him and him only.

Tea beat the girl easily as the crowd broke into applause. Tea was about to challenge another person, when the owner of the arcade appeared. He stood on the stage and started to speak.

"I hope you've enjoyed the competition. We had a lot of talented competitors, but in the end, we have our winner. I'm sure you all agree with me when I say that Tea is our undisputed dancing queen." More cheers erupted as he handed Tea a silver trophy with a small glass figure of a ballerina on top. Tea accepted the trophy and held it high in air for everyone to see. It seemed like everyone was cheering for her, except three people; Seto, who was smirking, Serenity, who was frowning, and a man, who watched her with interest from behind tinted glasses.

"Wow tTa, you were awesome." Joey said as she approached them.

"Congratulations." Yugi said with a wide smile.

"I knew you could do it." Tristen said.

"I never doubted you, not even for a second." Duke said as he hugged her gently, which, of course, caused Seto to burn in jealousy.

"Thanks guys." She said. Her eyes met with Seto, who started walking away.

"Guys, I want to use the bathroom. I'll be right back. Okay?" She quickly said, handing her trophy to Yugi and walked towards the bathroom. But instead of going there, she sneaked out of the back door.

As she expected, Seto stood there, leaning against the wall, waiting for her. She walked up to him and placed her hands on his shoulders. He held her small waist in his large hands and pulled her towards him.

"So, what did you think?" She asked him. A thoughtful look appeared on his face.

"Hmm, you weren't good." Her face fell, but he continued. "You were great. I'm impressed." She smiled in relief and joy.

"So, where is my gift?" She asked mischievously.

"Gift?" He didn't know he was supposed to bring one.

"Yeah, where is it?" She demanded, enjoying his panicked reaction.

"I… I didn't bring one." He admitted.

"Yes you did." She said and slowly kissed him. When she pulled back, she was grinning.

"That is my gift." She said. A smirk formed on seto's lips.

"If that's what you want, then you're in luck cause I have an endless supply of it." With that, he crushed his lips against hers, kissing her passionately. Their make out session was interrupted by a voice.

"Aww, look at the two love birds. You two really do make a cute couple." Seto and Tea pulled back immediately.

"Who are you?" Seto demanded, tightening his hold on Tea protectively. His eyes scanned the alley for the source of voice, but found that the person was well hidden in shadows.

"Don't you remember me? I at least expected you to remember me Tea. Don't you?" His sinister laugh filled the alley. Tea's eyes widened with realization.

"You're..." She gasped as the person revealed himself from the shadows. "Bandit Keith."

...

Bet you didn't expect Keith. Any way, what did you think of the chapter? I know it took me really long to update and I apologize for it, but I was very busy.

Please review. Thanks.