Author's note: And here's chapter two. I'm not gonna bothering writing a description here...since I am getting weaker by the minute. Just read and enjoy...
Disclaimer: I own this story and my character Isana Hainsworth. I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh in any way, shape, or form. Please R&R...oh, and please no flames. I'm sick enough as it is.
All Roses Have Their Thorns
Chapter 2
After seeing Isana Hainsworth nearly every day of the holidays so far, Siegfried had had enough. He was virtually going insane from the amount of times she showed her dislike for him. He couldn't even concentrate on work anymore. Leon and she were very good friends and spent time outside the castle and in. But Siegfried couldn't take it anymore. For what felt like the hundredth visit, Siegfried needed a break. Leon seemed to notice as well.
"Siegfried, maybe you should come with me and Isana today. We're going to the fair."
"Please, Leon. I don't have time for silly things like that."
"But—"
"Ignore him, Leon. We'll go have fun by ourselves," Isana snarled. She turned, taking Leon's hand in her own.
Siegfried frowned but smirked suddenly. "On second thought, I would love to join you," he said, inwardly congratulating himself when he saw the furious look on Isana's face. The ride to the fair wasn't pleasant, at least not for Siegfried and Isana. They would nod and smile excitedly to whatever Leon said, but deep down, they were screaming and throwing fits of rage at being in close proximity to each other.
The fair had many games and rides to try and Leon was eager to try them all if he could. He took Isana and his brother by the hands and dragged them towards the large Ferris Wheel. "How much to ride?" Isana asked the ride operator politely.
"Two euros for each rider."
She started to dig in her pockets for some money, but Leon stopped her. "Siegfried can pay for it," he said.
But the look on Siegfried's face clearly said that he would not pay for it. Himself and Leon, sure, but NOT her. However, because he was in a public place and people were waiting, he had to give in. He took out his wallet and handed the operator the money.
"Let's go!" Leon said happily. Isana sat on his left while Siegfried sat on his right. "I love this ride!"
Why did I agree to come here? Siegfried sighed. Not wanting to spoil his brother's good time, he restrained himself against throwing an insult at the blonde. She infuriated him for reasons he didn't even know. He could tell she'd rather be anywhere but near him at the present time. He had satisfaction that he was the one causing her misfortune, however. She was fun to annoy, more so than Seto Kaiba.
"Siegfried?" Leon's voice interrupted his thoughts. He blinked and saw that both his brother and Isana were staring at him. His brother looked concerned while Isana simply looked irritated and bored. "Do you think we can ride one of the camels after this?"
Siegfried made a face. "Why would you want to ride one of those smelly creatures?"
"Well...I've never ridden one before. I want to know what it's like. Please, big brother?"
It took all his will-power just to stare into Leon's innocent brown eyes. How had the boy gotten so good at pleading with him? With a resigned sigh, he dug in his pockets and fished out some cash. "Here. Have fun."
Leon smiled brightly. "Thanks, Siegfried!" He hugged his brother tightly, surprising both Siegfried and Isana. "You'll be coming with me, right Isana?" he asked after.
"Um...sure. I'd like that." She cast a weary look at the pink-haired teen. Once the ride was over, Isana and Leon hurriedly made their way towards the camel rides. Siegfried sauntered off on his own. There was nothing truly of interest to him at the fair. It was for children to enjoy. He stared blankly ahead of himself, his thoughts drifting around in his head.
Suddenly, he could hear yelling coming from where Isana and Leon had just gone. He turned and saw a large group of people forming where the camel rides were. Curious, he started to make his way over there. He pushed his way forward and saw to his astonishment that Isana was facing off against a man in his early 20s who looked ready for a fight. She was standing over Leon, who was on the ground with a small bruise on his cheek. Siegfried's eyes widened. What the hell had happened? He had only been away from them for a few minutes!
"I told you before, sweetheart, go out with me and I won't have to hurt your pretty face!" the man sneered in an accent that told Siegfried he was American. He looked at Isana's face to see what she was going to do, but his eyes widened. It was as though she hadn't heard the man. Could she not understand English?
"Isana!" Siegfried called suddenly. She turned to face him.
"What do you want?" she growled.
"That man is American!"
"I figured that much."
"You can't understand what he's saying, can you?"
Her face fell slightly. "No...my English is horrible."
"What happened?"
"You ask that now?"
"Tell me."
She sighed. "This jerk cut in line for the camel rides, so Leon said something to him. The guy shoved him to the ground and that's when I decided to fight him."
"You realize he wants to take you out on a date, don't you? That's what he said earlier."
Isana's eyes widened. "You're joking..." She shook her head. "Whatever. He lays on a hand on me, I'll break it."
Siegfried hadn't thought she would be skilled in fighting. Most girls he knew were much too prim and proper for something like that. Even he found fighting repulsive. Settling matters with fists did nothing for him. But the fire in her eyes was what made him want to see the outcome. Would the American best her?
"Ready, doll?" the American taunted. He raised his fists as she did. "Here I come!" He rushed forward, preparing to knock her out. However, Isana easily dodged him and was able to kick him in his gut. He doubled over. "Clever," he wheezed with a grin. "But no girl does that to me and gets away with it!" Isana was able to avoid most of the hits thrown at her. The man was able to hit her left arm on his sixth try though. "That's more like it. Man, I didn't think German girls were so tough."
Siegfried clenched his fists. This scum needed to know his place. He was in a foreign country and shouldn't have been picking a fight with a native. Without caring, he stepped in front of the two, his eyes narrowed to their fullest.
"Hey, pinky, outta the way!" the man growled. "I ain't finished yet!"
"I assure you, Herr American, you are finished."
"Says you!"
"Leave zis place before I have to resort myself to your animal brutality."
"What'd you say!" The man lunged at him with his fist, but Siegfried side-stepped him and was behind him in an instant. "The hell—?"
"I vorned you." Siegfried brought his fist up and smirked as it connected with the other man's face. The American was thrown to the ground, a large bruise forming. Siegfried flexed his hand after the impact and glared down at the man. "Now leave, before I decide to call ze police." The man, still holding his face, stood and ran. The crowd began to slowly disperse. Siegfried smiled to himself as he turned to face Isana and Leon. "How are you both?"
Isana avoided his eyes. "It's just a small scratch. I'll be fine. You...really didn't have to do that, you know."
"He was annoying," he shrugged. He bent down to examine his brother's injury. "Does it hurt, Leon?"
"A little," he replied. "I'll be fine though."
"That's good." He stood back up and placed a hand on Isana's shoulder. "Thank you for defending my brother."
Her eyes widened at the sincerity in his voice. He truly looked thankful. "You're welcome," she mumbled.
The rest of the day went by smoothly after, and, on recommendation from Siegfried, Isana was to take English lessons with Leon so that in the future, if she ever ran into another English-speaking individual, she would be able to understand and respond to them. The summer months didn't go by fast enough for either Isana or Siegfried. They were constantly seeing more and more of each other than they wanted, simply because Leon insisted they become friends. But his efforts were in vain. Despite the civil attitude they had had at the fair, the two teenagers refused to be in a room alone together.
"Brother, why can't you give Isana a chance?" Leon asked on the final day of summer vacation. "She's really nice."
Siegfried looked up from the work he was doing and frowned. "Whether she's nice or not doesn't interest me, Leon. She's a nuisance."
"But she's helped me."
"And I thanked her for that. Wasn't that enough gratitude?"
"You can't say one good thing about her?"
"Not off the top of my head, no."
Leon scowled. "You can't even admit that she's pretty?"
Siegfried blinked and smirked. "Her? Pretty? Don't make me laugh."
"You're in denial, Siegfried. I think you like her."
His brother's face reddened slightly. "I would never like her, Leon. We're too different."
"So? Opposites attract." His brother's words bothered him for the rest of the day. Leon was smart in many different fields, so he might understand things Siegfried wouldn't. But that still didn't mean he knew anything about romance. When school started up again, he saw Isana less and less. He had heard from Leon that she attended a very well-known boarding school, meant only for the wealthiest families in Germany. But because he and Leon were quite possibly THE richest family in Germany, they had their own private tutors.
Isana made frequent visits as often as she could. She and Siegfried never spoke if they could avoid it. The months went by quickly and soon, both of the teenagers were adults and still on bad terms. Isana was being pressed to find a job and because her family knew she knew the von Schroeders, they literally forced her to apply for a job with them. Appalled, the blonde grudgingly drove to Schroeder Corp with the application tucked away in her purse. She would have to confront Siegfried sooner or later. At the age of 21, she wasn't big into compromising, but if it needed to be done, she would do it.
Seeing the receptionist in the lobby, which was full of different types of flowers and plants, Isana hurriedly made her way towards her. "Hallo," she greeted. "I'm here for an interview with Herr von Schroeder."
"You have an appointment?" the receptionist asked, a frown on her face.
"Yes."
"All right. Herr von Schroeder is on the top floor, last door at the end of the hall on the right. Good day."
"Thank you."
Isana took the elevator and waited patiently for it to reach the top floor. She pulled out her application again, just to check it over to see if she had made any mistakes. Seeing that there weren't any, she smiled and held it tightly in her hand. The elevator opened and she stepped out, walking the long hall until she reached the last door on the right. She knocked softly, until she heard a voice mumble, "Come in." She opened the door and saw Siegfried sitting at his desk. He looked up and nearly dropped all the papers he had been holding. "Y-You..."
"It's been a while...Herr von Schroeder," she said.
"What's with the formality?"
"I've...come to apply for a job here."
"Here?" His eyebrows knitted together as he reached for the application she was holding. He read it through and stared at her. "Why here?"
"My parents insisted."
"Even as an adult, they run your life?"
She tensed up. "It would seem so."
"Well you're in luck. My secretary was just let go recently so that slot is open. Would you be up for the job?"
"As your secretary?"
"Yes. That means you take all incoming calls and patch them through to me if they are worth answering. You also will schedule meetings with other companies and important people. Not difficult, is it?"
"If you're prepared to hand over such a responsibility to me, then I accept, sir."
"Good, you start tomorrow morning. Be in here no later than eight o'clock."
"Thank you."
"Oh, and Isana?"
"It's Miss Hainsworth, sir. We shouldn't be on a first name basis, if I'm going to be working for you. Don't you agree?
He smirked. "Of course, Miss Hainsworth. As I was about to say, the years have been good to you."
"The same could be said about you, sir," she answered stiffly, avoiding his piercing gaze. "May I leave?"
He nodded and watched her close the door behind her. Work just got interesting, he thought slyly.
Author's note: Well isn't Siegfried just the sly devil...I like writing him. Okay, I'm done for now. I'm way too sick to continue typing.
