Runaway by Le Petit Chaperon Rouge
I'd like to thank: RiterAnonymous (and yes, I want that cookie!), Goldenstar, StarWolf4, RoseGoddess874, Crystal-shards213, pArDoN mE, Darkhope, BPrincess for reviewing.
Chapter 17: First days are the hardest
When Serenity was finally alone in her room, she carefully folded the note open and read what it said. It had a number, that was all. Would that be Kaiba's number? She blushed at the though of it. Quietly she sneaked out of her room, and picked up the cordless/wireless (you get point, ne?) phone and sneaked back. She dialed the number, and while listening to the monotone bleeps before the phone was answered, she flipped through her sketch book. Most images where messy and had spots from dried up tears on them. Looking at them made Serenity sad. She slammed the book close and decided to throw it away later. She wanted to forget that period of her life as soon a possible.
Finally, a connection. She could hear the phone being picked up on the other side of the line.
"Hello, KaibaCorp personnel department, this is Kyoko speaking. How can I help you?" A cheery voice said. Oh well, Kaiba giving his number to a girl was thought a little too romantic..
"Uhm.. My name is Serenity Wh-…"
"Serenity? As in Serenity Wheeler?" the girl interrupted.
"Yes…"
"Just a moment, I'll put you through."
And as Kyoko finished, an annoying melody blared through the horn into Serenity's ear. Soon it ended and male voice asked:
"Serenity Wheeler?"
"Yeah.. that's me.."
"Mr. Kaiba left instructions about you…"
The man, who happened to be the head of the personnel department told her to come the next day to the KaibaCorp main building, there she would be instructed further.
(next day!)
Serenity got up early, because she didn't want to make a bad impression by coming late. She didn't want to attract attention by dressing really fancy, so she picked something stylish, yet casual. A pair of dark jeans, a simple top, a jeans jacket matching her pants en some sneakers did the trick. Most of the clothes she had came from Mai's collection. Yes, Mai had regular clothes too, she just never wore them.
Cautiously looking around, Serenity sneaked out of the apartment. Her lazy brother was still fast asleep around this time.
(later at KaibaCorp)
Serenity walked to the counter where a middle aged woman was reading something on the computer while drinking steaming coffee out of a colorful mug. The blue-ish light from the monitor softly radiated on her friendly looking face and reflected on her thin rimmed glasses.
"Excuse me?" Serenity asked shyly.
"Yes? Can I help you?"
"uhm…I'm Serenity Wheeler and…"
"Right. Follow me please."
A bit stunned Serenity followed the fragile lady to the elevator. They went to the 6th floor.
When the elevator doors opened, the lady told Serenity to take the door at the end of the hall. And with that the elevator doors closed, and Serenity was alone. A bit unsure Serenity walked to the door and knocked. Immediately the door opened.
"Serenity Wheeler?" the man who opened the door asked. Serenity didn't even had the time to answer, because she was pulled right in. Serenity felt pretty confused, because everybody she met in the building seemed to know where she had to go, and what the exact purpose was of her being there, but nobody seemed to bother to tell her.
"Welcome, welcome" the man greeted her. "sit down, please" Serenity obeyed and sat down on the chair at the desk. The man sat down on his own chair.
"How rude of me, I haven't introduced myself. I am Howard." He said smiling. He was an older man, probably in his early forties. Through his night black hair, soft grey streaks started to appear. His grey eyes looked tired and worn, but still held a certain spark of youthful energy.
"you probably wonder what you are doing here" he continued and Serenity nodded. "to be perfectly honest with you, I don't know either. I don't think anyone knows except for Mr. Kaiba." He said with a sudden seriousness. "All he said was that you had to work here"
"aha…and.. what is it exactly what I'm going to do?"
"well, you'll be doing promotional work with a team of a few other girls." He pulled out a package of the size of a large cereal box from beneath the table and handed it over to Serenity.
"this contains all the information about the product you're going to promote and all the other necessary things you might need."
Serenity took the package, and stared at it, confused. She blinked a few times.
"I there something wrong?" Howard asked concerned.
"It's.. just…it's going all so quick….I'm just completely confused…" Serenity said blankly.
"Well…If Mr. Kaiba wants something he'll get.. his way."
With that, he led Serenity to the exit. When Serenity stood outside she looked at the in brown paper packed package. She shook her head, sighing softly. After that she hurried home, hoping she could hide the package before anyone would notice. Especially Joey. Because somewhere, she had the feeling he wouldn't like it all that she was going to work for KaibaCorp.
Sneaking back into the house was successful. Joey was in the kitchen, singing. (don't ask). Closing the door to her room, she threw herself on the bed and started to unpack the package.
It contained a blue and white sleeveless mini dress, a pair of high heeled shoes, the left one was blue and the right one white, matching the dress. Further there were a few letters and a little book init.
The one thing that caught her eye was a snow white envelope with her name written on it with a blue pen. The letters matched each other perfectly, as if they were printed on the paper.
Curiously she opened the envelope and took the letter out.
She read:
Serenity Wheeler, (strange way to start a letter, don't you think? Kind of senseless…)
I highly suggest you put utmost effort to this job I have given you, for most people would die for such an opportunity. Another reason, even more important, for you not to blow this job is that you are deeply in my depth, and I have no intention of letting you go before it's repaid to the last yen.
Yours sincerely,
Seto Kaiba
Serenity read the letter a few times over , taken aback by it's rudeness. She didn't seem to have a choice but to work for him. Anyway, it was going to take her forever to repay that 3 million. Oh well, she might as well try on her working outfit. As she tried it on, she noticed it was truly skin tight and short. With the heels with it, there was only was way to describe the whole lot: skanky.
She looked at herself in the mirror, and shivered at the thought she had to be dressed like that in public. She looked through the book about the product. It was a new sort of Gameboy thingy, that came with the new possibility to play online to play Duel monsters with people at the other side of the world. It was specially designed to attach to the newest duel disk that just came on the market, obviously a KaibaCorp product too. Serenity read everything about the "Intercontinental Duel Device" a.k.a. IDD. She tried to learn as much of the information as possible by heart. After changing back to her normal clothes she his the whole lot under her bed, hoping nobody would find it.
She walked into the kitchen where Joey was eating his breakfast.
"morning sis" he greeted her.
"good morning Joey" she said smiling while pouring some cereals in a bowl. "don't you have to go to work today?"
"Nah, I having a day off"
"really? Do you have plans for today?"
"Yeah…I'm going shopping with Mai." he said with a serious face. Serenity giggled. "oh well, I'd better get ready. See ya sis!"
Serenity smiled. Mai and Joey were such a funny couple. She was this sophisticated upper class girl, and he was this sloppy backstreet punk. Always quarreling about nothing, yet deeply in love.
Mai and Joey went shopping, well, more like Mai was trying on things and spending money while Joey was absently tagging along. Around three a clock they sat down in a café for a drink.
"You don't seem to enjoy yourself.." Mai said
"I enjoy myself looking at you" he said smiling. Mai blushed. They stopped by the arcade to have some fun, actually, Joey had convinced Mai to go.
"Joey…" Mai tried.
"oh c'mon! it'll be fun!" he said. "I went shopping with you, now you come play some games with me!"
Mai sighed. "Okay, you win…"
They played countless games, and both had the time of their life. Mai got a lot attention form the opposite sex while playing those motor race games where you sit on a motor model. You don't see a beautiful girl in a short skirt on a motor everyday. Joey wasn't too happy about all those guys gawking over Mai, and so weren't their girlfriends, but he enjoyed the view of Mai beautiful long slender legs too.
Around Dinner time they returned home, were Serenity welcomed them happily. She had already cooked dinner and they all enjoyed their meal. Serenity went to bed early, because she said she was worn out. Joey wondered what could have worn Serenity out that much, since she had been home all day.
But he had a bit more important matters on his mind now, like Mai. They spend a romantic night together on the sofa watching sappy love movies.
The next morning, Serenity dressed into her costume and applied some light make up. She pulled out a long coat out of the closet to cover her up. She grabbed her purse, and on her way she was.
She arrived nicely on time, and looked around for a bit if she could spot some of her colleagues. They all stood on the lawn that led to the entrance of the main KaibaCorp building. Behind them was a sale spot, where the IDD was sold by two men.
She quickly found them, it was a group of three girls chatting in their matching outfits. Serenity took of her coat and approached the girls. The first one to notice her was a jumpy blonde.
"heeeyyy! You must be the new one!" she yelled. Immediately the other girls turned around to face Serenity, who felt a little awkward.
"um… hi. I'm Serenity" she introduced herself a bit uncertain.
"And I'm Kaori! Nice to meet you!" the energetic blonde said while shaking Serenity's hand wildly.
"I'm Michiko" A beautiful tall girl introduced herself. She had long red hair, that hung likes flames down her back, and the deepest green eyes Serenity had ever seen. The third girl had short brown hair and dark eyes. She introduced herself as Aneko. She was a very calm and reserved person, and radiated something motherly.
"Okay! Let's get this thing going!" Kaori shouted. Aneko gave Serenity a pile of folders.
"here, you can hand these out to the by passers." she explained. "let the drawing attention of people to Kaori and Michiko, well take care of the rest."
"Okay, everybody ready?" Michiko asked. Everybody nodded. "let's do this!"
The next moment the air was filled with flyers that Kaori and Michiko had thrown up in the air.
"Attention, attention!" Kaori yelled. "today KaibaCorp proudly presents: the IDD!"
That certainly got peoples attention. A small crowd gathered around them, listening to Michiko explaining about the product in an highly seductive voice. In the meantime Aneko and Serenity were giving out flyers.
Children were looking at the IDD that Michiko was flashing before their eyes with those : I-must-have-that looks. The male teens were doing the same, but they were rather looking at Michiko.
Suddenly Kaori pulled Serenity to the front and whispered in her ear: look, all those guys looking at you. C'mon, use your charms to convince them to buy a IDD!"
Serenity gulped, and wanted to object, but it was too late.
"Gentlemen! This is my friend Serenity!" she said smiling. "be nice to her!" and she hopped off.
"hello beautiful" one of the guys said smiling slyly. Serenity blushed, and looked around and saw Kaori having another group of men convinced. Okay, Seren, you can do this. She told herself.
"So…you play duel monsters, huh?" she asked.
"yeah!"
"Of course!" they all yelled. Right….think Seren.
"So you're good at it?" she said flashing them a smile. Again everybody yelled thing like "of course" and "sure".
"And of course you would like to prove to the world that you're the best, right?" Now she was catching the flow of it.
"well, here's your chance! Challenge the world with this device: the IDD!"
At that moment Kaori came back throwing flyers in the air.
"Prove the world you're the best!"
"that was great!" Aneko told Serenity. "Challenge the world…"she sighed. "that's a great line, we should use that way more."
"it's beginners luck" Michiko said coldly. "She has still a lot to learn."
The afternoon went by quickly. Aneko had pulled out the newest model duel disk from somewhere and demonstrated a duel with the promotion team in the US. The graphics were truly spectacular and watching was almost a good as playing. The people were awed.
Around 5 o'clock, work was over. Serenity was just about to leave, when a bodyguard walked up to her.
"Mr. Kaiba wishes to see you" he said in a monotone voice. "please follow me"
the girls looked surprised. Why would Kaiba want to see Serenity? Serenity sighed and waved at the girls before following the bodyguard into the building.
On the top floor was Kaiba's office. Though Serenity had been here before, she had never seen it. She was awed by the beautiful view, but she didn't get the time to look properly, because the bodyguard pushed her into Kaiba's office.
"So you enjoyed your first day?" A cold voice asked.
Serenity pulled her coat closer around herself and nodded. After a short silence Serenity bowed deeply and said:
" I thank you form the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for me, Mr. Kaiba"
" this sort of creeping attitude won't get you anywhere." Kaiba said coldly. "just make sure you do your job properly, and you might make a promotion."
Serenity was taken aback a bit by his cold attitude, she hadn't expected him to be that cold.
" I will keep 50 percentof your salary, to pay of your depth." Serenity was lucky that KaibaCorp employees made good money, so even with 50 percent off she made reasonable money. She nodded that she understood.
"So how is you costume?" he asked slightly narrowing his eyes as he leaned back into his leather chair.
Serenity swallowed.
"It's ok…"she said uncertainly.
"Why don't you show it to me?"
Serenity blushed a bit when she let the coat slip of her shoulders. She already felt uncomfortable wearing it, but now Kaiba was staring at her like that she felt even worse. Blushing worse and worse she looked down, avoiding his gaze. He was staring at her…just staring. The costume fitted her perfectly. The tight dress showed of every curve on her body perfectly. Kaiba could feel his temperature rise. He saw dozens of girls in this costume, but not one looked so perfect init as she did. A long silence followed. Finally Serenity looked up, and could have sworn that she saw a blush on Kaiba's face.
" You are dismissed" was all her said, before he spun his chair and back was facing her. Slowly putting her coat back on Serenity walked out and bid Kaiba a good evening. The moment she closed the door behind her, she felt how insanely her heart was beating. She put her hand on her chest en sighed.
"It's been a long day"
A/N: Please RnR! Oh! Wait! I have a question: do you think I should raise the rating? Let me know!