Chapter 3

Feelings

The fun of yesterday vanished just as fast as it had arrived I came to realize from where I was sitting in the limousine being driven back home with Kaiba beside me. A tug pulled at my heartstrings, causing me to stroke my hand up and down the silky red pants I will probably need to give back.

I caught Kaiba watching me from in the corner of my eye. He seemed conflicted for a moment before sighing. "Keep the clothes. You seem attached to them."

All pained emotions left me as I beamed, jolting upright. "R-Really?"

Kaiba nodded his head. I relaxed back against the seat. "Thank you, Kaiba."

"It's fine. Keep the drawstring bag too. If you ever visit again, bring it with you to dispose of any dirty clothes."

Those words alone really made me wonder if I would go back to his mansion. I know I wouldn't hesitate to visit again but what I questioned is if Kaiba would want me to come back?

The limousine turned a corner that nudged my backpack and drawstring bag up against my leg. I peered through the window and noticed my rental house. With style, the driver parked along the kerb.

"Is this… Goodbye?" I murmured, frozen in my seat. Kaiba blinked at me, tilting his head to the side.

"It's daytime. Don't you want to do some extra sleeping to rest up for tonight?"

"I already slept at your place." I replied while fiddling with the strings of my red pants. "What I'm trying to say is that… I really enjoyed this. Uhm… Spending time with you."

"So, you want to spend more time with me?" Kaiba asked, his blue eyes roaming with curiosity. I slowly nodded my head. He smiled, glancing out of the window. "I hope your rental house is clean since I don't like mess."

"It's very clean. I'm quite organised."

"Good," he took a deep breath and opened the limousine door, waiting for me to follow him. I collected all my things and went out too. "I'll call you to be picked up when needed. Be near your phone." Kaiba ordered his driver. I watched the fear make the male submissively nod. Without another word, Kaiba closed the limousine door and started walking towards my temporary house.

Excitedly, I jogged towards Kaiba, shakily yanking out my keychain from in my backpack pocket. A red eyes black dragon keyring pendent decorated it. Every key I owned was a different colour. For the front door, it was a navy-blue key.

"You love dragons just as much as I do." Kaiba said while analysing the pendent that dangled while I inserted the key. I blushed, coughing awkwardly.

"Wait until you see inside." I murmured and twisted the key, unlocking the door. Carefully, I took the key out and pushed open the door.

Multiple blue eyes white dragon and red eyes black dragon paintings coated the walls. Some had both dragons snuggled up together or nuzzling each other. We entered inside of my house, and I shut the door, locking it. I carried my bags into the laundry and dropped them down, giving Kaiba some space to look around. I knew nothing in my house would be of value for Kaiba to steal anyways.

I planned on going to my bedroom to get changed but I couldn't help but notice Kaiba staring at one painting in particular. It was of both dragons breathing fire, blue and red, up at the sky which created the word, "Love" bolded in rainbow colours. I blushed, pretending I didn't notice as I walked past him which was stopped when his fingers latched onto my arm.

"Explain this painting and who the artist is."

I flinched. Was he mad?

"W-Why?" I asked, holding back the tears as I peered over my shoulder, examining his expression which seemed curious.

"Because it's beautiful and I want to buy this painting too."

I coughed, tugging his hand off me as I stumbled backwards. "K-Kaiba… I made that painting."

His blue eyes seemed to soften. "You made this?"

"Yes," I whispered, lowering my head. Kaiba ruffled my hair, causing me to pause, confused.

"Do you think you could make another one? For me. I really think that it's special."

I finally lifted my gaze, staring into his blue eyes that looked hopeful. Without even thinking, I nodded my head. Kaiba smiled, bringing his attention back to the painting I made.

"I'm going to go get changed so that I can wash these clothes too." I voiced quietly. Kaiba hummed, giving me permission to leave. I arrived at my bedroom and shut the door, pressing my head against it for a moment. Everything felt fuzzy for a few seconds, so I took a deep breath.

"That actually just happened." I said to myself and pulled away from the door. "Wow."

Shaking my head, I finally realized what I came in here to do and went inside of my walk-in-closet, opening the drawers to the cabinet. I collected some red boxers with a grey band, dark green jeans, a light green hoodie, and white socks with a green underneath.

I sighed, removing my clothes, and getting changed into the newer ones. I showered and brushed my teeth at Kaiba's house already. The clothes I wore didn't stink or anything, I just liked changing clothes every day instead of every two days.

Spraying some deodorant on myself, I did a little spin, glancing at myself in the mirror in my bedroom. I hummed, going to my bedside table, and grabbing mango lip balm that I applied onto my lips while looking at myself in the mirror.

Feeling happy with how I look, I grabbed my tied-up reusable washing basket and unzipped it, tossing all my dirty clothes inside. A knock on my door echoed, and I blinked.

"Are you alright, Joey?"

Leaving my laundry basket for a moment, I opened my bedroom door and gazed into Kaiba's eyes. "I'm okay. I was just coming out right now."

Kaiba nodded and walked off. I retrieved my basket and carried it all the way to the laundry. I was surprised when I heard Kaiba clear his throat from in the doorway behind me.

"What's on your mind?" I asked and continued to take out my laundry and put it all into the washing machine. Kaiba hummed.

"Even though you're busy doing laundry, I'm actually quite comfortable in your presence."

I smiled. "I'm glad you feel that way."

A few seconds of silence went by.

"Do you ever get mistreated at the club?"

I paused, gazing into Kaiba's eyes from where I was crouched down. "Sometimes I do."

"And you still put up with it for the money?"

I licked my lips. "Yeah."

"You know you shouldn't have to deal with that, right?"

I tossed in the last few clothes, shutting the door, and putting in the chemicals where the slot is located. I turned the switch onto my chosen setting, which was Mix, a choice that will most likely keep all the colours safe from changing. Pressing start, I finally stood up and brushed past Kaiba, whispering "I know."

Kaiba followed me to the bathroom, watching me wash my hands with soap. His presence seemed strict and overwhelming.

"I worry about you, Joey."

Silently, I dried my hands on the hand towel.

"I have no choice but to be a stripper, Kaiba." I said, voice dripping with precaution. "It's the only way I'm ensured I will receive money without relying on anybody else."

"Do you enjoy it?"

I shrugged. "I don't mind flirting with several males as long as I'm respected."

Planning to drop the conversation, I walked past Kaiba and went to the loungeroom, sitting on the sofa. Kaiba remained standing in front of me, disapproval being expressed by his tense jawline.

"What about love? Have you ever felt that before?"

I shook my head, grabbing a pillow and clutching it to my chest.

"Do you want to feel loved?" Kaiba asked, his voice sterner. I sighed.

"Of course, I do, Kaiba. I can't quit my job though. I refuse to let anybody else support me with expenses for daily life."

"Speaking of money, I still got to pay you for what you would've made yesterday."

Kaiba didn't give me the time to object since he had already neatly placed the money onto the couch beside me. I stared at the green notes, a panging in my chest making me feel soft.

"Y-You didn't have to give me money. I would've just worked a longer shift."

A heartbeat of silence went past.

"I want you to be safe."

I smiled and brushed my finger across the dark green jeans I wore. "Thank you," I whispered, struggling to make myself look into Kaiba's eyes.

Abruptly, Kaiba messed up my hair and chuckled. "You're welcome, Joey."

Laughter escaped me, and I felt something spark inside of me. I blushed furiously and finally met his gaze, blue and gold eyes clashing. My breath hitched in my throat.

"I'm probably going to go now," he informed, staring at the clock hung up on the wall. "You need to rest, and I need to do more paperwork."

Anything I felt a second ago washed out. That happy smiled disappeared, leaving just a frown. I blinked, staring into his eyes. I knew I wanted to argue, but without even having the energy in me to do so, I nodded my head.

"Let's talk sometime soon." Kaiba murmured, and I stuttered over my own words, watching him leave my house and gently shut the door behind him.

It was in that moment I started crying because I couldn't understand what I was feeling.