Author's note: Wow...you guys like the fic! Yay! I'm still sick (blech), but I decided to post chapter 3. It's really short, but kinda funny and to the point. Once again, thanks to those who reviewed. It means a lot.
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 3
Working for Siegfried von Schroeder was hell. Plain and simple. Isana wasn't sure how she managed to put up with the man. He enjoyed annoying her while he assigned her new paperwork and appointments to schedule. It wasn't fair. Why her? The phone rang on her desk, and instantly, her hand was on it and pressing it against her ear.
"Good day, this is Isana Hainsworth of Schroeder Corp. How may I help you?"
"You're getting better at that," was the reply from none other than Siegfried.
She grit her teeth. "Any particular reason you're interrupting my work again, sir?"
"Perhaps I like to hear the sound of your voice."
Isana glared at the phone in her hand and slammed it down. "Did you like that sound, sir?" she sneered.
"Um...Isana...what are you doing?" She looked up and saw her good friend Leon standing over her desk, one eyebrow raised. He had grown into a handsome young man. His freckles weren't as pronounced anymore, and his hair was shoulder length and in a ponytail.
"Ah, Leon, um...nothing. Just...you know...heh..."
"Was my brother bothering you again?" he sighed. "I've told him to stop."
"It's fine."
He frowned. "It isn't. You're my friend and he should treat you with respect. You're not an insect."
Isana wanted to jump up and hug him. But because of that teenage boy factor, he'd be way too embarrassed if she did that. "Thanks, Leon. I appreciate that."
He smiled back at her. "No problem. It's what friends are for."
Suddenly, the door to Siegfried's office opened and he stepped out, his face screwed up in anger. "That little stunt wasn't amusing, Miss Hainsworth," he hissed.
She stood her ground. "And neither was yours. You've been doing it since I've been working here. I'm sick and tired of it."
"I am the owner of this company. I have a right to do what I wish."
"If that right includes pestering your employees until they wish they were being skewered alive, then I suggest you hand the company over to Leon."
Leon blushed slightly at this, but kept a stoic face on. Siegfried's eyes widened. "You think just because we are familiar with each other that you can treat me like this?"
"Don't sound so offended, Siegfried."
"Guys," Leon said warningly, seeing other employees staring at them.
"I am your boss, Isana! Address me as such!"
"I won't, you pompous asshole!"
"Guys."
"Oh? I am an asshole now?"
"A pompous one!"
"GUYS!"
"WHAT!" Both adults turned towards Leon, their faces red from screaming at one another.
"You're both acting like immature children!" Leon snapped. "Brother, please go back to your office and leave Isana alone. Isana, sit down and try to calm yourself." Blinking, the two did as they were told. Placing his index finger on the bridge of his nose, Leon sighed. "I don't how I put up with you two."
"Look, I'm sorry about all that. He just makes me so mad."
"Believe me, I know the feeling. I've lived with him for 18 years."
"Gah. You have my sympathy." They chuckled at the joke. "Hey...Leon...I've been thinking. I've worked at Schroeder Corp for a good few months and in that time, I've learned a lot about the business world. I really would like to try and find a job somewhere else. Somewhere...other than Germany."
"In America?"
"No...I'm not ready for America yet. I was thinking more along the lines of Japan."
"Japan?"
"Yeah. I've been there twice and they're a lot more advanced then Germany."
"If that's what you want."
"The thing is...I wanted to apply for a job at Kaiba Corp." Leon's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Yeah, I know. But the pay looks good there...and I would get tons of experience."
"Siegfried would be angry."
"Does it look like I care, Leon?"
He forced a smile on his face. "Well...if it's what you want...then I won't stop you."
"Thanks. I was planning on quitting today anyway. My flight leaves later tonight."
"You were already prepared for this?" he said wide eyes.
She shrugged. "I figured I can do what I want, since it's my life."
"Are you going to tell my brother that you're leaving?"
"Of course not. I'll let him freak out when I don't show up tomorrow."
Leon wanted to wish her luck, but the knowledge that his brother was no doubt going to have a fit tomorrow lingered in his mind. Siegfried wasn't very forgiving, especially when it came to Isana.
"Where is that girl?" Siegfried bellowed early the next morning. Perhaps she slept in...but that's still no excuse! I've told her to be here on time! He hurriedly dialed the number for the receptionist on the bottom floor. "Miss Heim, has Miss Hainsworth come into the lobby yet?"
"No, sir."
"I see. Thank you." He slammed the phone down. "Dammit! Where the hell is she?"
His office door opened cautiously as Leon stepped inside. "Hallo, brother."
"Oh...Leon...look, I can't talk right now. Your friend seems to have decided to play hooky. But rest assured, I will find her and drag her here if I have to."
"Um...about that. Isana is...not at home."
"Then where is she?"
"Right now? Most likely 30,000 feet in the air."
Siegfried just stared at him. "She's taken up parachuting now?"
Leon sighed. "No, Siegfried. She's on an airplane to Japan!"
"What? Why? Why wasn't I told this until now!"
"Because...she didn't want you to know. She's quit. She said she was planning to work at Kaiba Corp."
Siegfried felt his heart pounding furiously against his ribcage. She had left...without even telling him. Did she hate him that much? He grabbed his coat without saying a word.
"Brother, where are you going?" Leon called.
"To catch the next flight to Japan!" was the angry reply.
Author's note: Siegfried...you silly, silly man. Please R&R. Thanks!
