Chapter 5

End

Bit by bit, I started to awaken from my sleeping state. The blankets were wrapped around me, and my mess of dirty-blonde hair was laying against the pillow. I made a little purr, nuzzling my face into the comfort surrounding me.

Yesterday after that customer, I was unable to even stand properly without wincing from the throbbing of my insides. Sex encounters costed more than lap dances, so I made up what I would've missed out on if I stayed.

A chiming echo resounded in the rental house. I groggily groaned and pulled myself out of bed, dragging the throw over blanket with me. When I unlocked the door, I was surprised to see Kaiba holding a bouquet of flowers, his smile resembling pure happiness after he noticed me.

Kaiba handed me the flowers which I clutched tightly and stared down at, blushing furiously. Why was he here?

"I just wanted to drop these off to make sure you have a good start to your day." Kaiba smoothly voiced, his tone sending ripples of emotions scattering through me. I giggled.

"Thank you, Kaiba."

"You're welcome, Joey."

For a moment our gazes never departed. I stared into his blue eyes as he did with my golden ones. I could feel every heartbeat pulsing in my chest. This tension was thick but admirable. We would've stared at each other for ages if it weren't for Kaiba's phone that started ringing. I watched him sigh and tug it out of his jeans' pocket. He stared at the caller ID and then brought his attention back to me.

"Are you busy in a couple of hours?"

His blue eyes were so focused on me that it was easy to forget his phone was still ringing. I shook my head, humming. "No, I'm not busy. Today I'll be finishing off your requested painting."

"Are you okay with me coming over?"

I smiled. "Of course."

Kaiba nodded after hearing my response. He waved goodbye to me and finally started walking down the steps with his phone pressed to his ear. He entered inside of his limousine that was parked on the kerb. Silently I watched the limousine drive off down the road.

I couldn't help but sigh like I was in love and hold onto the bouquet of flowers from around the tied end. Calmly I went back inside, the blanket draped over my shoulders. I locked the door and smelled the flowers as I walked into the loungeroom.

I finally relaxed on the sofa and spent a moment just smiling while enjoying the pleasant aroma coming off the flowers. I didn't know Kaiba was such a romantic.

Eventually, I got up and placed the flowers in a vase after delaying it for so long. I went and did my morning routine and showered. After I had done the basics, I had something to eat and drink, my phone on mute sprawled out on the table off to the side. The canvas I've been working on was in front of me, gentle strokes of the brush I used covering the white patches with colour. It was super relaxing to watch; time ticking by.

I wasn't sure how long I was leaning forward, adjusting myself to different angles to get a better view while painting. At first it was a perfect silence, and then my thoughts started to revolve around Kaiba. I couldn't help but blush.

Abruptly, they stopped, and I proceeded to paint. Everything was calm up until I started to feel sad, applying the finishing touches to the canvas. I do want to be something with Kaiba, but I can't afford to risk slacking off and not working. I want to be independent.

I avoided thinking about the subject any longer. Once the canvas was complete, I cleaned up the table and washed my hands with soap, removing any paint I got on myself. I knew Kaiba would be here soon, so I turned my phone off mute and plopped myself onto the couch, setting up Call of Duty II.

With ease I grabbed my blue PS3 remote controller and held it firmly. As I heard the game music come on, I took a deep breath.

Maybe my life isn't as organised as I thought.

It was amazing how many matches I played of zombies. I almost didn't hear the doorbell until I paused the game and heard the fading chime.

I swallowed thickly and made my way to the front door, unlocking it after putting a smile on my face to greet Kaiba.

He must've noticed my stiff posture since he frowned, looking into my eyes.

"What's wrong?"

I clicked my tongue. "I'm not exactly sure. I've just been thinking about some stuff."

He hummed. "May I come in?"

I nodded my head and stepped inside, shutting the door, and locking it once Kaiba was inside too. He followed me into the loungeroom, and I slouched back into the sofa, staring at the carpet.

"Want to talk about what's bothering you?"

Gosh, his voice is like velvet. I shook my head.

"Joey," he cooed, his hand reaching down to my knee and stroking it. I hummed, enjoying the touch.

"Your painting is finished and is on the table." I said instead, nodding my head into the direction. Kaiba poked my knee.

"Thank you," he took a deep breath. "But let's talk. You're clearly upset."

Sincerely, I turned my head and looked into his eyes. The colour alone had me feeling warm and heat rushing to my cheeks. I bit down on my bottom lip and blinked, surprising myself when my vision blurred with tears.

"K-Kaiba, I—"

"Joey, please tell me what's wrong."

I placed my hands in my lap and sighed. "I like you. A lot. I want to have a relationship with you b-but I don't even know if you date. You announced yourself as asexual, so I haven't really thought I stood a chance, nevermind the fact I'm tied down to my job in order to be independent."

A sly chuckle echoed, and I froze up. "I knew you had feelings for me. You were so obvious in high school. Honestly, Joey. I came out as asexual so that nobody would have expectations for me to date. All along though, I've thought about you."

Sniffling, I wiped my tears with the sleeve of my white hoodie. "R-Really?"

Despite my vision still being a bit blurry, I saw Kaiba smile. "Yes, Joey. I do have a suggestion about your working situation. How about you postpone your job and retire. You can live under my care and if we don't work out, then you can leave and go back to being independent. In the meantime, I'm sure you could do commissions as an artist since you're so skilled."

I stared down at my light-blue pants and hummed. "You would do that for me?"

Gently, Kaiba's fingers hooked beneath my chin, turning my attention back over to him. "I did say I want you to be safe."

I smiled. "Yes, you did say that."

He leaned in close, whispering into my ear, "and I meant it."

I shivered, gazing up at him once he retracted himself back into his composed position.

"Call your boss now and tell him that you're thinking about retiring and are wondering if he will hold your position as an elite if you choose to go back one day."

I wanted to debate so badly, and yet I instead bit down on my tongue and nodded my head. Kaiba will look after me. I'm sure we can work out.

The phone call went smoothly. I expected that since my boss was quite calm and probably found Kaiba picking me up suspicious. Kaiba cuddled me afterwards and I melted in his embrace, closing my eyes, and feeling safe at last.

In that moment, I didn't realize my life was about to get so much better. During that following week, Kaiba opened his suitcase up from on the bed and there rested a red eyes black dragon plushie. I gasped, eagerly clutching onto it and humming, smiling to myself.

Without even expecting it, I looked into Kaiba's eyes and at the same time, in a smooth rhythm I climbed onto his lap and placed my hand on his shoulder, kissing him gently on the lips as he grabbed my hips and deepened it.

That was when I knew that dreams come true, and in life even when things look bad at the start, eventually everything gets better. You just have to keep being determined to be the best you there can be.