Disclaimer: Just own the words, not the folks.
. Vestal Virgins
I flop into my desk chair, mentally exhausted.
Since my father's trip to America to meet with potential clients two weeks ago, it seems everything that could go wrong has gone wrong.
The same three servers crashed twice each over a four day period last week, necessitating their being re-built from the ground up. As most of the staff in that area had no concept how to do it, the task fell to me. Out of a five day period, I probably slept a total of two. But it was worth it as the servers are now twice as efficient as before, though now I'm stuck with hiring new staff.
Friday night, while I was here buried with the server re-build, one of the maids pushed another down the front stairs, breaking her collar bone. They'd been at each other's throats almost since they first arrived, but I thought I'd quelled the problem when I reminded them that they could both find other jobs if they didn't want to follow my orders.
The injured one, a girl about 19, required surgery and an inserted pin. The doctors said she could never work as a domestic again. And since she was injured on Kaiba property, we have to pay for her medical bills and care until she is able to find gainful employment. Given how lazy she'd been working for my father, I doubt that day will ever come.
The one who pushed the girl I fired immediately. That's probably been the easiest thing I've had happen this last few weeks.
Tuesday morning the shower head in my bathroom fell off as I turned it on to set my water temperature, dousing me with scalding hot water. Luckily, I'd been able to move quickly since my ribs had healed or I'd have had second and third degree burns all over instead of just a scalding on my left hand.
Wednesday morning, the Board came to me threatening to quit because I bought out a gaming company, Schroeder Corp. in Germany. They didn't think it 'suited our image' as a weapons manufacturer to deal with 'children's things'. At first I informed them that Kaiba Corp.'s name wouldn't be on any of the products being sold, which 'didn't matter because our clients could still find out'. However, once I pointed out the profit to be made and the lining they'd get in their own pockets, they quieted down.
Yesterday went by without complication, but last night was another story. One of my more familiar nightmares woke me at around 2:45 in the morning; my father beating Atem and me unable to stop it. Though I haven't heard from my Yoshi in months, my feelings haven't changed. I miss him terribly. I would go to his house, but I'm sure my father is having me followed somehow and I can't risk his safety.
Sometimes I drive by the school, just to remember and maybe catch a glimpse of him, but I never do. I'm not even sure he went back to that school for his senior year, or even if his family still lives here.
Before he flew back to Singapore, Valon told me that he'd seen Atem at his house when he drove by one day, but that was over two months ago.
I can't thank Valon enough for all his support. He's done so much for me that I couldn't repay, most of it unasked. Like when he found out that my father apparently told the truth about what happened that night.
Or at least his version of it.
There were no mysterious muggers or phantom car crashes. Instead, we fought because 'I attacked him while out of my mind with grief and rage over losing the love of my life'. I suppose there was some truth in that. After all, it seems I have lost him.
After the nightmare woke me last night, I couldn't get back to sleep and stayed awake fighting off my panic and the overwhelming urge to go to Atem's house and make sure he was all right.
Today, I held a four hour emergency board meeting because some of our weapons were used in a siege in a small American town and the government wants to sue Kaiba Corp. for several 'wrongful deaths', among other things, since some of those killed were Federal Agents. The meeting amounted to three and a half hours of screaming and thirty minutes of progress.
The end of this week can't come fast enough. I definitely won't be here tomorrow.
I buzz my secretary for some aspirin and water and my schedule for the afternoon. She comes in a few moments later with the water and aspirin for my splitting headache and tells me I only have one more appointment for the day at 2:45pm, Mr. Umeta. Thank the gods.
Mr. Umeta, from Egypt, is interested in purchasing several thousand rocket-launchers as well as some of our more...specialized equipment. He'd been trying to get in to see me for weeks. Though I want to blow him off again, I figure it would probably be bad for business.
After two cups of strong coffee, I'm more that ready to conduct business.
Promptly at 2:45pm, my secretary escorts Mr. Umeta into my office.
"I understand you would like to purchase some of our weapons, Mr. Umeta," I begin, bowing politely and offering a chair in front of my desk. He bows and sits, never looking up, nor removing his hat and dark glasses. Great; I knew this day couldn't end well, not after the last two weeks. I sit behind my desk and take in the other's appearance, a slim figure in a well made black suit whose body language gives away nothing. This will be like pulling teeth. Well, I'd best get started. Business is business.
"So, you'd like to buy some weapons, Mr. Umeta," I try again.
"No," the figure responds calmly.
My mind starts working a mile a minute trying to figure out what's going on as the figure takes off the hat, revealing long, raven locks, then takes off the dark shades, placing them inside the hat.
"No, Mr. Kaiba, I don't want to buy any weapons."
It can't be...
Crimson eyes lift to mine.
"Yoshi," I whisper stunned.
He puts a finger to his lips, nodding toward the ever-present camera in the corner.
"But I would like to discuss your acquisition of Schroeder Corp.," he continues professionally.
Clamping down on the emotions threatening to overwhelm me, I cross my arms and lean back in my chair.
"What about it," I scowl.
"I have a proposal for its management and growth."
"Well, let's see it."
"I don't have it here. My partner, Mr. Katsuya, has put together a holographic presentation for your eyes only."
"How much do you want," I sneer, getting into my role as ruthless business man.
"One hundred percent of course."
"Don't be ridiculous," I scoff. "If what you have is worth my time, I might consider 10 percent."
"Eighty."
"You're insane."
"Alright, seventy."
"You've never negotiated anything before have you?"
"Sixty, then."
"How old are you? Do your parents know you're cutting class?"
"Thirty percent! And not one percent lower!" he yells standing, eyes fiery.
Why is he so upset? Was he negotiating for real?
"Twenty-five," I reply evenly, "and only if it's worth my time."
"It will be he whispers angrily," putting on his hat and glasses and heading quickly out of my office. I grab my trench for the day, one of the white ones, my laptop and briefcase and follow.
"I'm gone for the day, Minako," I call to my secretary as we head to the elevator. "And I'll be working from home tomorrow."
"Yes, Mr. Kaiba. Goodnight."
The ride in the elevator is punctuated by an angry silence and I'm at a loss. To have my Yoshi here with me, but angry at me is just too much. I turn away and slump against the wall farthest away, forcing my emotions under control.
I escort him to my limo and after he gives the driver our destination, I sit back to endure our ride to wherever, since I know the address he gave isn't his parent's house.
"It will take about 30 minutes to get there, Mr. Kaiba," he informs me.
"Hn."
"Mr. Kaiba," he pipes up after a few minutes, "would your driver be able to hear our conversation without the privacy partition?"
"Of course."
"I'm not comfortable discussing business when the walls have ears."
"Fine," I mumble, pressing the button to close the partition, resigned to whatever fate has in store for me with Atem.
As soon as it locks into place, he pounces on me.
"Gods, Seto! I've missed you so much!" he admits between kisses all over my face.
"Wh-what? I thought you were angry..."
"No! I just needed to be sure that anyone watching believed us."
"Atem," I whisper, cupping his face in my hands before kissing him passionately.
In moments, he's tossed away his hat and glasses and pinned me onto the narrow seat, his hips grinding into mine. As much as I want him, I know it can't happen here. If I still had my old driver, I'd have him ride around for a few hours, but the man operating this limo is in Gozaboro's employ, not mine.
I push him up and pull away from his insistent tongue kisses.
"No, Atem," I whisper. "Not here."
He regains control with some effort and sits up, straightening his suit and gathering his hat and glasses.
I stare at him, truly taken aback buy the lengths he went to just to see me.
"Will that wash out," I question quietly, indicating his hair.
"Not for a while."
"I can't believe you did that for me, Yoshi."
"I love you. I'd do anything for you."
I turn away, inexplicably guilty.
"We can't...This can't happen again, Yoshi. I'll drop you off wherever we're going and go home. I can't take the chance..." I trail off, unable to voice my fears. A sudden panic grips me. What if the limo's bugged?
"Seto..."
"No! I can't let anything happen to you, Yoshi!"
"Seto! Listen to me! I have a plan..."
"No! I have to keep you safe, Yoshi!"
He takes my hands and begins kissing lightly from wrist to finger tips, a gesture that has calmed me in the past and works perfectly now.
"Yoshi..."
"Shhh, Seto. Just trust me. It'll all work out."
I close my eyes and nod lightly, praying to whatever god who will listen that he's right.