Earlier the next day, around six o'clock in the morning, Seto Kaiba sat in his office, still hanging over his computer while trying to complete a report for his company. It wasn't as easy it seemed. It needed to be at least five pages long, not double-spaced. The report was to consist mainly of important details about Kaiba Corp., how smoothly the company was being run and if there were any problems that needed to be addressed
In all honesty, he really didn't want to be wasting his day away doing a stupid report. He could be doing something more enjoyable…like spending quality time with his brother. After all, ever since Joey came, Seto hadn't got around to doing much of anything with Mokuba. In fact, he was almost always busy with work or visiting Joey. As much as Seto hated to admit it, Joey seemed to be growing on him…and he seemed to be developing feelings for the blonde-haired puppy. Yet every time those thoughts crossed his mind he would always try and push them away. He was the CEO of a multi-national corporation and he didn't have time to waste on such pitiful things. Love was not one of his biggest concerns and he didn't plan on making it one…no matter what the circumstances were…
Meanwhile, in the other room, Joey had been sleeping for going on two or three hours now and did not show any signs of wanting to wake up any time soon. Ever since Yugi left the day before, his insides started to twist and turn and he felt as though he was going to be sick. Yugi was one of his best friends and he never did want him to leave, even though he acted as though he was going to be fine. In reality, he wasn't going to be okay. With the feeling of being sick and Seto now ignoring him since yesterday, his whole world seemed to be turning upside down. Mokuba and Brianna were the only ones that stopped by every so often during the day and he was thankful for that. At least they still acknowledged his presence…unlike Seto… Why was he ignoring him? What was the big deal? What did it take to come and see him at least once at day? He would be happy with just that. But no, he had to go and ignore his guest… Geez, what a nice host…
Back with Seto, he had finally given up on writing his report. He managed to get four pages written up before he decided that he was going to take a break. Maybe he would visit Joey for a little while. Wait, what was he saying? Visit Joey? Why would he even want to do that? Was there something wrong with him? Were his gut feelings true? Was he actually falling in love with the blonde? No, that couldn't be it. Seto Kaiba never fell in love, especially with one of his greatest rivals. Although, he did have a girlfriend a while back but they broke up after a year. He didn't like the fact that she was getting too clingy and didn't want to go anywhere without him. He hated those kinds of relationships. He enjoyed spending time with her, but not every second of every day. He wanted his space and she never gave it to him. So, as a result, he had to end the relationship. She wasn't too pleased, but ended up taking it better than he thought. She moved on with her life and eventually ended up getting another boyfriend, one that enjoyed spending as much with her as she did with him. Seto scoffed at that but seemed rather happy, if you want to call it that, with her decision. At least she found someone with the same interest as her. He, on the other hand, was a completely different story. He had no interest whatsoever about getting another girlfriend/boyfriend. He didn't have the time nor did he need the stress. Enduring a relationship while running a company was not easy. Doing it once was enough for him; he wasn't about to try a second time. People were just going to have to accept the fact that he wasn't looking to commit himself to anyone at the moment. So many of the girls at school had their eyes on him, yet he always seemed to ignore them and continue on his way. He hated some of the looks they gave him, as if they believed in love at first sight. What idiot would believe in that nonsense? No one with any sanity, that's for sure.
He then got up from his desk and treaded slowly over towards the open doorway. He still didn't know why he was doing this but for some odd reason, he couldn't stop himself. So without contemplating any further, he stepped out into the hall and walked down to Joey's room at the far end. When he stepped through the doorway, he looked at the blonde who was sleeping rather peacefully with the blankets pulled up to his neck. Seto smiled, yet he did not know why. He couldn't explain it but whenever he saw Joey it made him blush and he often felt awkwardly comfortable.
Noticing that the blonde was constantly tossing and turning, he figured that he would awaken from his slumber at any minute. The brunette decided to wait until that time arose and took a seat at the end of the bed. It was then that Joey's eyes started to flutter open. For a moment, he didn't realize who was in his room until his vision came into clear focus.
"Kaiba?" he questioned aloud as he sat up slowly and carefully while rubbing his sleep-filled eyes. "What are you doing here?" If there was one person Joey never expected to see when he first woke up, it was Seto Kaiba.
"What do you mean, 'What are you doing here?' Is it illegal to check up on my own guest?" Seto replied with a sarcastic sneer. Joey simply narrowed his eyes and glared directly into his rival's deep, cerulean orbs. As he did so, he felt a strange emotion pulsate through his entire body. What was it? It was something he couldn't explain, that was for sure. But why was he feeling this way in the first place? Was it possible that he had feelings for Seto? No, that wasn't it. That couldn't be it. They were rivals and that was the way it was going to stay, no matter what his heart told him.
"No…" Joey spoke softly. "It's just a little shocking, seeing your own rival sitting at the edge of your bed when you first wake up…"
"Well sorry, next time I won't bother coming to check up on how you're feeling…" Kaiba stated sarcastically as he raised an eyebrow.
Joey inwardly sighed. "Whatever. I honestly don't care if you come in here or not, just please, next time, make sure I'm awake." The blonde smirked as Seto returned the emotional gesture. Although, the minute they both realized that they were staring into each other's eyes and actually smiling, they turned their heads away to hide the obvious fact that they were indeed blushing.
"Well, I better get going. I still have a report to finish and I don't know how long it's going to take…" Seto stated, changing the subject.
"Yah and I suppose I better get some more rest. After all, I'm still a little sore from, well, you know…"
"Yes, which is why you better take advantage of this time. You don't know when or even if your father is going to strike again so you'll just have to be ready. But rest assured, if he does set foot on my property, he'll be escorted directly to the police by my own hands."
Joey managed to smile once more. "Thanks…Seto…" The brunette looked at him strangely as if wondering what had caused the blonde to call him by his first name. No one ever called him Seto except for Mokuba, which, of course, made sense, seeing as how he was his little brother…but Joey? His arch-rival, the one with whom he constantly fought with, was actually calling him by his first name, like he was part of his small family or something. Then again, the CEO didn't blame Joey for wanting to be a part of his and Mokuba's life. After all, when he had lived with his father, what did have to look forward to at the end of the day? Nothing. Oh wow, a handful of beatings; that's always nice to come home to, especially when you don't deserve any of it. In a way, he kind of felt sorry for Joey because he had endured the same thing with his stepfather, Gozaburo Kaiba. Everyday he would receive numerous beatings for some things that he didn't even do. So, in a sense, both he and Joey were connected. They both had had horrible pasts and only wished to live the life of a normal teenager. Maybe his gut feelings weren't wrong after all; maybe he really did have secret feelings for Joey and he just didn't want to admit it. As much as he wanted to rid his mind of that thought, he couldn't. No matter how hard he tried, it just wouldn't leave. It was almost like his mind was forcing him to admit his feelings to the blonde. But he couldn't possibly do that. What would Joey think? For that matter, what would everyone else think if they found out that the world famous Seto Kaiba was dating Joey Wheeler? His life would be ruined and there would be no turning back… What was he to do?
"Well, I'll… I'll talk to you later…" he stuttered as he stood up from the bed and walked over to the doorway. He looked back, only to see Joey fast asleep again. He smirked. He did always look cute when he's sleeping… With that, he headed back down the hall to his own room.