Chapter 13

It was Monday morning, and that meant the start of a new week. Joey was walking sadly through the halls of Domino High, and despite that he had gotten new fans ever since his duel against Kaiba, he wasn't feeling enthusiastic. Joey walked into the classroom and approached Yugi and the others with a sad, puppy dog look.

Tristan couldn't help teasing him and asked, "What's wrong, Joey? Shouldn't you be on cloud nine? Everyone's talking about you and-"

Joey gave Tristan a look and replied, "I don't care about that."

Yugi looked at Joey with some concern and asked, "What happened? Don't you usually wait for Alex?"

As Kaiba was sitting nearby, he heard the others talking and couldn't help paying attention as Alex was mentioned.

Joey sighed and replied, "That's just it. Alex called earlier and said that she's not coming in today. Something about needing to catch up on her homework for her home high school."

Yugi looked thoughtful and replied, "I see. Alex is on an exchange program, so that would make sense that she has to keep up with her work. But you can see her after school, right?"

Joey cheered up a bit and replied, "Yeah, that's right. Alex told me to drop by after school and to bring over the homework she's gonna miss out on today."

Tea replied, "I'd better take notes then. Your notes are questionable at best, Joey."

Joey looked a bit annoyed and replied, "Hey!"

The homeroom teacher then entered the classroom, and having overheard the conversation about Alex, he coughed and said,

"Yes, Ms. Lawrence is on a very special program. She's allowed to take days off here as long as she keeps up with her grades. As of now, she's at the top of the class, so it's more than ok."

Joey smirked and turned to where Kaiba had been sitting, about to make some snide comment. However, Kaiba was nowhere to be found, and Joey said,

"I could've sworn that I just saw moneybags."

Meanwhile, Alex was relaxing in her apartment, wearing only a loose fitting T-shirt and a pair of jean shorts and her hair was down. She was sitting on the couch and had just taken out a tablet. She looked thoughtful and said,

"Ok, time to get to work."

She put her right thumb on a certain spot on the tablet, which activated it. She then switched it to her agent mission screen. Carefully, she looked at the notes she had taken, specifically on the timeline and how things had gotten so messed up. Nodding, she said to herself,

"There's a lot to figure out."

She thought to herself,

I would consult with Cas, but I shouldn't rely on her too much. Besides, I'm sure all she'd say is to get close to Kaiba and then eliminate him.

She shook her head and then went back to looking at her tablet. She said,

"There are a couple of different timeline theories, but for now, we're going with the singular timeline one since certain summoning types make sense with that."

She sighed sadly to herself, seeing how much of Kaiba's actions in the future end up messing future events. She muttered,

"There's that disaster with New Domino City, and Yusei ends up losing his parents, just because Kaiba ends up being too stubborn to listen to Dr. Fudo and cancel that project. Geez."

Alex continued to examine the timeline and look further into Kaiba's future actions and their consequences. She shook her head and said,

"I don't know if there's any redeeming qualities in him."

However, as she said that, she remembered her conversation with Mokuba the other day.

He's a really good person, but he's very awkward. It doesn't help that our stepfather messed him up lots.

"Would Kaiba have become a completely different person if he hadn't been raised the way he was? Could Mokuba actually be right?"

Alex sighed to herself, thinking. Alex then thought,

I'd like to believe that Kaiba is a good person, and he has done things that prove he has potential. But…

Suddenly remembering something, Alex started to cry and continued,

He's the reason Andy is gone. I wouldn't be doing all this if Kaiba hadn't put things in motion to take my brother away from me.

Unable to control her tears, Alex quickly put her tablet to the side and let her tears flow freely. She was glad that she decided to take the day off. Although Joey would come by later, Alex would be composed enough by then so that no one would know how she was feeling now. As she was allowing her emotions to take hold of her, there was a knock at the door. Startled, Alex wondered who it was, knowing that her neighbors knew that she usually had school around this time. Quickly, she got a few tissues and wiped away her tears although she didn't approach the door. She figured that it was probably some random salesperson or such and that person would go away once they thought that no one was inside.

However, there was another knock at the door after a couple of minutes of silence, followed by a voice.

"I know you're in there, Ms. Lawrence. Don't make me resort to breaking in."

Alex groaned to herself and thought,

Can't I ever have just one day?

Shaking her head, she did her best to wipe away the rest of her tears although her eyes were still somewhat red. Then she quickly cleaned up, deactivated her tablet and put it away in a safe hiding spot where no one would find it. Once she was done, she calmly walked over to the door and opened it. Right outside, there was Kaiba although he was wearing his Battle City outfit rather than his school uniform. Alex took a deep breath and asked,

"Shouldn't you be in class?"

Kaiba smirked and replied, "I'd ask you the same thing except that I heard from the mutt. Although I think you just wanted to take the day off."

Alex rolled her eyes and simply replied, "I was getting some work done before you interrupted, and I still have some to finish, so I'd appreciate it if you'd leave and let me get to it."

However, Kaiba didn't heed Alex's words, letting himself inside and closing the door. He looked closely at Alex's face and immediately knew something was off. His face softening a bit, he asked,

"What happened?"

Alex replied, "What makes you think anything happened?"

Kaiba replied, "You've been crying, and don't deny it."

Alex immediately replied, "Just bad allergies. It happens."

Kaiba narrowed his eyes and replied, "If you really don't want to tell me, that's fine, but don't assume that I'm stupid."

Alex replied, "It's none of your business."

Then she added to herself,

And it's nothing you're willing to fix.

Although Kaiba couldn't read Alex's thoughts, he suspected that she was holding something vital from him. Rather than call her out on it, though, he entered the living room and took a seat on the sofa. Alex commented,

"I didn't say you could stay. I'm not really in the mood for company."

Kaiba replied, "Since you won't tell me what's wrong, I'll stay as long as I want. Don't mind me."

Alex was about to tell him off when she suddenly had a crazy thought.

Maybe this is my chance to find out. I hope Mokuba's right.

Alex took a seat in an armchair and looking at Kaiba, she said,

"Since you're here, do you mind indulging me? I'd like to run a hypothetical scenario with you, and you are the most intelligent person after me."

Alex smirked a bit, and Kaiba couldn't help scowling although he had to inwardly admit that Alex was right. He replied,

"If you think my input would have any merit."

Alex took a deep breath and said, "Ok. Now imagine that it's several years in the future from now. You're still running Kaiba Corp, of course, and someone in your company is in charge of a huge project that will, if it succeeds, greatly increase nuclear energy for the city. Now, let's just say that this person has stumbled upon a major obstacle and advises that the project be canceled. If it isn't, millions of people are going to die due to a great disaster. However, you've invested tons of money in this project. Would you cancel the project or let it continue forward?"

Of course, the hypothetical situation Alex had just placed before Kaiba actually ends up happening in the future. However, if there was even a slim chance that this disaster could be averted, Alex was willing to bend a few rules about not revealing future events.

Kaiba raised an eyebrow upon hearing this hypothetical scenario, wondering where Alex was going with this. Alex was looking at him and said,

"Take your time with your reply and really think about it."

Kaiba scoffed and replied, "I don't need to think about it. Of course, I'd still let the project go forward."

Alex replied, "Even at the cost of millions of lives? Or would those lives be worth nothing to you?"

Kaiba replied, "If I were involved in such a project, I wouldn't pull out of it after having invested tons of money in it. I'd rather fire the person in charge and put someone who'd see it through. Because that person might very well be wrong."

Alex was saddened to hear Kaiba's response although she had been prepared to hear it. However, she did her best to mask her feelings with a neutral expression. Nodding, she replied,

"I see. Thank you for indulging me. That's all."

Alex got up from the armchair, walking away from Kaiba and heading towards her room. However, she suddenly felt Kaiba grab her left wrist, and he asked,

"It was just a hypothetical situation, wasn't it?"

Alex nodded although she didn't dare to look at him. She didn't want her true emotions to break free and she calmly replied,

"Yes, of course. Now, if you would let go of me, please. I won't chase you out of here, but I wish to be alone for a while."

Kaiba let go of her wrist, and Alex immediately took off towards her room, locking the door behind her. She dived into bed, face first, and muffled her cries with her pillow. She thought,

I wanted to hope, but yeah. I will have to eliminate him.

With that final thought, Alex felt tired and decided to take a nap.

About an hour later, Alex woke up to a hand softly caressing her left cheek. She smiled softly, but upon opening her eyes and seeing who was kneeling in front of her, she frowned and immediately scooted away. Glaring at Kaiba, Alex asked,

"How did you get in here? You know how to pick locks now?"

Kaiba replied, "I do, but to be fair, I knocked on your door and called out your name several times before resorting to that. I thought something might have happened to you, but I see that you only fell asleep."

Alex replied, "I was a little tired, so I thought it couldn't hurt to take a nap. Besides, hasn't anyone ever told you it's rude to barge into a lady's room?"

Kaiba muttered, "If you were a lady, yeah."

Alex looked like she was about to murder Kaiba and quickly got out of bed, standing up. She pointed at him and angrily replied, "Out now. I've been patient, but no more."

Even Kaiba couldn't ignore how angry Alex was at him although he suspected the insult had very little to do with it. He sighed and replied,

"I'm sorry. That was uncalled for."

Alex replied, "Fine. I accept your apology, but I still want you out."

Alex felt her stomach grumble a bit, reminding her that she only had coffee today. She added, "And unless you want to taste my horrible cooking, you really should leave. I haven't eaten today, and my stomach has just reminded me."

Kaiba replied, "Your cooking isn't horrible."

Alex was caught off guard and replied, "What?"

Kaiba replied, "I had those cookies you made the other day. They're really good. Mokuba ate a lot of them, but I did eat a few."

Alex felt some of her anger deflate and replied, "I see. I'm surprised you're only mentioning it now. I figured that since you didn't say anything before, you must have really hated them."

Kaiba replied, "I'd like more."

Alex replied, "What?"

Kaiba sighed and replied, "More cookies. Well, Mokuba and I would like more, if it isn't too much trouble."

Alex nodded and replied, "Um, sure. I guess."

She took a breath to calm herself and then asked, "So I guess you want to stay and have lunch?"

Kaiba replied, "Perhaps some other time, but we're going out."

Alex replied, "Huh? What are you talking about?"

Kaiba replied, "I made lunch reservations for us, so we're going out. I indulged you earlier, so indulge me now."

As Alex was pretty hungry, she sighed and replied, "Fine, as long as it isn't a date or a kidnapping."

Kaiba replied, "Where did you get the idea of this being a kidnapping?"

Alex replied, "With you, anything's possible."

Kaiba replied, "I won't deny that, but fine. It isn't a date or a kidnapping. Just us having lunch."

Alex was satisfied and replied, "Ok. Then give me five minutes to change clothes and look decent. Now, out of my room and just wait in the living room."

Kaiba left Alex's room, returning to the living room and taking a seat. Meanwhile, Alex quickly washed her face in the bathroom, eliminating any remaining traces of tears. Then she returned to her room and took out a beautiful, elegant cobalt blue dress with short sleeves, with the dress itself just going down to her knees. She put it on and then some nylons as well. She adjusted her bracelet and necklace and fixed her hair, brushing it softly so that it fell down to her shoulders. Then she put on just a bit of makeup to give her face a natural look. As she looked at herself in a full-length mirror to make sure she looked acceptable, she thought,

This isn't a date. Yet, it looks like I'm getting ready for one.

Alex sighed to herself and then left her room, approaching Kaiba. She looked at him and said,

"I'm done. Hopefully, I look acceptable."

Kaiba muttered, "Stunning."

Alex looked confused and replied, "What?"

Kaiba coughed and replied, "It's acceptable. Let's go."

Alex nodded, grabbing her purse and a jacket to match with her dress. Then she put on a pair of low heeled blue shoes and followed Kaiba out of the apartment, after making sure to lock the door.

Outside, she saw Kaiba's ferrari, having guessed that Kaiba might have driven here. She got in after Kaiba opened the door for her and then they took off. Alex took out a pair of dark tinted sunglasses from her purse and put them on. Kaiba glanced at her and asked,

"Ashamed to be seen with me?"

Alex replied, "More like the sun's really bright today and I don't want to get blinded. And perhaps I'd like to keep a low profile while I'm at it."

Kaiba replied, "We won't get attention where we're going."

Alex's curiosity was piqued by Kaiba's statement although she didn't press on it. So she just decided to look at her surroundings and noticed that they were heading towards the outskirts of Domino City. She asked,

"Where are we going exactly? This restaurant isn't in the city?"

Kaiba replied, "You would be correct. I know the last thing you want is unwanted attention, so I know of this place just outside of Domino City. The staff there know how to keep quiet, and the place is never crowded."

Alex nodded, deciding not to say anything more. Kaiba continued to drive until they were in the countryside, and he drove up a hill until there was an elegant-looking building within view. Alex looked at the words printed on the front of the building and immediately recognized it as a French restaurant. Although she was mildly impressed, Alex was mostly thinking about how Kaiba was flaunting his wealth when she would have been more than happy getting a cheeseburger. She thought,

Then again, I wouldn't dress like this to have cheeseburgers.

Kaiba drove up the road to the building and stopped the car in front of it. A valet waiting outside opened the passenger door and said,

"Welcome."

He reached out a hand, which Alex happily accepted as she got out of the car. Kaiba got out as well and handing the keys to the valet, he said,

"Park it in the best spot."

The valet nodded and replied, "Of course, and welcome back, Mister Kaiba."

He then got in the car and drove it to the parking lot.

Meanwhile, Kaiba approached Alex's side and offered his arm to her. Alex commented,

"I thought this wasn't a date."

Kaiba replied, "It's not, but it'd be rude of me not to offer you my arm."

Alex rolled her eyes but held onto Kaiba's arm, figuring that there was no point in putting up an argument over a trifling matter. The two of them entered the restaurant, and the maitre d welcomed them, putting them at the best table and handing them menus after the two of them were seated. Alex looked out the window and commented,

"It is a beautiful view."

Kaiba replied, "I suppose."

While Alex looked out the window, Kaiba kept his gaze on her, admiring how beautiful and serene she seemed when it had only been earlier that she was upset. He thought,

I want to know more. I want her to let me in.

Alex turned her eyes back towards her menu when she noticed that Kaiba was staring at her. She asked,

"What's up? Do I have something on my face?"

Kaiba quickly snapped out of his thoughts and replied, "You look perfect."

Alex looked confused and replied, "Ok, if you say so."

She shook her head and turned to read the menu, figuring out what she wanted to order. The entire menu was in French, and Kaiba couldn't help thinking that Alex wouldn't be able to read the menu.

A few minutes later, a young waiter came by, placing glasses of water on the table and asking if they were ready to order. Kaiba closed his menu and gave his order to the waiter. He then smirked at Alex and said,

"I can order for you if you want. Maybe I should do that."

Alex rolled her eyes and turning to the waiter, she started to speak to him in fluent French. The waiter couldn't help but be impressed, and the two of them had some sort of conversation for a couple of minutes. Alex smiled sweetly at the waiter and then gave her order. The waiter nodded and jotted it down, but before he left, he asked Alex a personal question, to which Alex only blushed and replied. The waiter then smiled and left, after having taking the menus.

Alex then turned back to Kaiba, who looked like he was about to explode. Pretending to be confused, she asked,

"What? Did you assume I'd be ignorant in French?"

Kaiba replied, "That's not it. I can accept you being able to speak multiple languages, but you were flirting with the waiter."

Alex shrugged and replied, "So what if I was? We did both agree that this isn't a date, and it's not like I'm exclusive to anyone. Don't tell me you were jealous just now."

Kaiba scoffed and replied, "I don't get jealous."

Alex replied, "Ok then."

Kaiba added, "But why settle for scum when you can have the best?"

Alex replied, "Excuse me?"

Kaiba stared at Alex and replied, "I don't get you. You have everything going for you. Yet, you seem more than happy being with someone like Wheeler or that waiter. Why?"

Alex sighed and replied, "If you really need to ask, then you obviously don't understand women. Ok, I take that back. Some women are superficial, just like you pointed out. But I'd like to think I'm not like that. I'd tell you my reasons, but I think it's better that you figure it out for yourself. It really isn't that difficult."

Kaiba thought about Alex's words but still couldn't figure out the mystery. He had a feeling, though, that if he knew what Alex found attractive in a guy, he could finally win her over. However, he wondered why he wanted her so badly. Was it to take her away from Joey, or was there something about Alex that he couldn't deny to himself? He just knew that there was something about her that would make him better.

Alex coughed and asked, "You ok? You've been quiet for way too long, but perhaps I'll toss an olive branch and help you out a bit. Basically, unlike a lot of superficial females out there, I can't be bought with money or threatened. I've toughened myself to be a survivor. But I suppose that's why guys in general aren't attracted to me. They get threatened by strong, independent women."

Kaiba replied, "Then they're idiots."

Alex was surprised and replied, "What?"

Kaiba replied, "Guys who think like that are idiots. I'd want a strong, independent woman by my side, someone who isn't afraid to stand up to me and has no hesitation in questioning me. Now, that doesn't mean I'll bend over to do what she wants, but I can admire those qualities."

Alex replied, "I am surprised to hear that. I'll admit it. But just because you said that, it doesn't mean I'm open to the possibility of dating you."

Kaiba scowled and replied, "Why would I want to date you? You may be a strong, independent woman, but you're too much of a pain and you hang out with those dweebs. And you're not even the least bit attractive."

Kaiba could have punched himself after saying those latter words. There was a bit of hurt on Alex's face although it disappeared quickly. It wasn't like she cared about Kaiba liking her, but she hated hearing that she was unattractive. They were words she was all too used to hearing in the past from guys. She quickly got up, took her purse and said,

"If my company is so unappealing, then I shall take my leave. Good day to you, Mr. Kaiba."

She began to walk away, intending to call for a taxi to take her back to the city when Kaiba grabbed her arm. He pulled her towards him and whispered,

"I didn't mean that."

Alex felt her cheeks heat up but doing her best to stay calm, she said, "I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific. What part of your reply didn't you mean?"

Kaiba replied, "You're extremely attractive. I can see why Wheeler likes you. I just think you can do better."

Alex turned around until she was facing Kaiba. Unlike her, she gently asked,

"What do you mean? Who do you think is better for me than Joey?"

Kaiba was about to reply when the waiter approached them, pushing a cart with their order. He looked at them and asked if everything was ok. Alex quickly smiled at the waiter and replied,

"Yes, all is well."

She quickly took her seat, as did Kaiba. The waiter quickly placed the dishes on the table and then took his leave. However, neither Alex nor Kaiba were eager to eat. While Alex wondered what Kaiba was about to say, Kaiba couldn't believe that he was about to open up to Alex, to let her in on his feelings.

The silence grew between them. Figuring that one of them needed to break it, Alex finally said,

"I suppose we should eat. No point in letting good food go to waste."

Alex smiled gently, and it seemed to break Kaiba out of the mood he was in. He nodded, and the two of them ate although neither of them resumed their earlier conversation.

After they were finished, the waiter came by, asking if they wanted any dessert or such. However, neither was in the mood, so the waiter simply dropped off the bill, which Kaiba took care of. Then time quickly flew by as Kaiba and Alex were in his car, heading back to the city. There was a weird silence between them again, and feeling a little uncomfortable, Alex said,

"We can forget that ever happened, if you want. I mean, that talk we had. I don't want things to get weird between us."

Kaiba replied, "Things between us have never been normal, but that's what I like about it. We don't have to forget what happened, but we should put it on hold for now."

Alex nodded and replied, "Yes, I agree."

Inwardly, she was glad that they had come to an agreement. Alex felt sure that she didn't want an answer to her question for now, afraid of the answer.

The two of them made their way back to the city and then right outside Alex's apartment building. Alex turned to Kaiba and said,

"Thanks for lunch and the ride back. I guess you're going to Kaiba Corp. Please say hi to Mokuba for me, and I'll see you tomorrow. I'll be back in school."

Kaiba smirked and replied, "You better or I'll be dropping by again."

Alex laughed a bit and replied, "Yup, I'll definitely be in school tomorrow."

She got out of the car and walked into the building, heading upstairs to her apartment to change clothes and wait for Joey.

Meanwhile, Kaiba drove off towards Kaiba Corp, thinking about all that had happened earlier.