Apologies for the shortness of this chapter. I had trouble coming up with ideas (along with real life things), but the next chapter should be longer since a certain event should happen. ^^

Chapter 24

A few days passed since Alex's dance lesson, and now it was Saturday. Tea sent Alex a text message that the gang was all meeting up at a pizza place for lunch, so once it was time, Alex left her apartment.

After about 15 minutes of walking, Alex arrived and there, she saw almost everyone. She waved happily and said,

"Hey, guys."

Tea smiled and replied, "Hey, Alex. Glad you were able to make it."

Tristan nodded and added, "Yeah, it's been too long."

Alex replied, "It feels like forever since we've all just hung out." She looked around and then asked,

"Where's Joey?"

Yugi replied, "He'll be here soon. He's running a little late, but he definitely wouldn't miss out on this."

Duke added, "Let's go in and order. Food will take a while anyway, and we know Joey definitely wouldn't pass that up."

Everyone, including Alex, laughed, and they all went inside to do just that.

Several minutes later, Joey arrived and waved hi to everyone. He saw Alex as well and smiling at her, he said,

"Hey."

Alex smiled back and replied, "Hey, Joey."

The atmosphere was relaxed, almost as though there had been no recent drama. However, Alex knew that wasn't the case, and she resolved to mend her relationship with Joey. Although she didn't have any romantic feelings for him, she still wanted him around as a friend and hoped that Joey would understand.

Soon after, food and drinks arrived, and everyone just ate and talked. Alex was happy, just getting to relax and catch up on what she had missed while having been busy with work and such.

After lunch, they decided to see a movie although there was a bit of a disagreement over what they wanted to watch. However, after some negotiating, everyone agreed to watch an action movie with plenty of car chases and explosions.

As they walked towards the movie theater, Alex and Joey lagged a little behind the others. Tea had arranged it intentionally in order to give the two of them a chance to talk. Joey turned to Alex and said,

"I'm glad you're here. I've missed you."

Alex smiled and replied, "Me, too. I'm sorry I've been so busy lately."

Joey shook his head and replied, "Nah, I understand. Work is important to you."

Alex nodded and replied, "That's true, but I should make time for you guys, too. Tea reminded me of that. Everything has just been happening so fast. I barely have time to breathe."

Joey looked concerned and asked, "You're not working too hard, are ya?"

Alex shook her head and replied, "Nothing that I can't handle. You know how strong I am."

Joey smiled and replied, "You are." He paused and then added, "Listen, Alex. I'm sorry that I was so pushy before – about us, I mean."

Alex replied, "It's ok. I understand why, and if I distanced myself from you, I'm truly sorry. It felt so awkward after what happened, and I needed time. I don't know if I'm ready to try again, but I want us to remain friends."

Joey laughed awkwardly and replied, "So I'm being friendzoned, huh?"

Alex smiled apologetically and replied, "I guess. You are a great guy, Joey, and really, any girl would be lucky to be with you. I just don't know if that's me. I'm the one having issues, so please don't feel bad."

Joey nodded and replied, "That won't be easy, but I do want us to be friends. It's better than nothing. But there's something I have to ask ya. But you might take it the wrong way."

Alex replied, "Go ahead and ask away. I'll tell you if you're pushing it."

Joey laughed and then said, "Alex, are you and Kaiba a thing now?"

Although Alex was caught a little off-guard by Joey's question, she expected that he would ask at some point. She looked at Joey and replied,

"If you're asking whether we're a couple, then the answer is no. I don't dislike him, though, but I know what he's like, so I'm being careful. I promise."

Joey nodded and replied, "That's good. You're a smart gal, Alex, so I know you won't fall for Kaiba."

Suddenly, Tristan called out, "Hey, you two. Hurry up. We have to get tickets before the movie starts."

Alex and Joey looked at Tristan and realized that they were almost at the movie theater. Joey grinned and said,

"We should hurry. We don't want to keep the others waiting."

Alex laughed and replied, "That's true."

As Alex and Joey hurried to catch up to the others, Alex thought about what just happened. She was happy that things were ok between her and Joey again. However, she couldn't help but wonder if she was falling for Kaiba. This topic kept being brought up and although Alex continued to dismiss the idea, she couldn't help feeling something for him. But what that feeling was, Alex had no idea. She needed time to herself to think things over, but for now, she decided to enjoy the rest of the day with Joey and the others.

"Idiot! I should have you and your entire team fired!"

Kaiba slammed down the phone receiver on his desk and groaned in frustration. Mokuba had just entered Kaiba's office at Kaiba Corp and witnessed the end of the exchange. Looking worried, Mokuba asked,

"Seto, what happened?"

Kaiba looked at Mokuba and replied, "Those idiots over in publicity don't have a freakin' clue what they're doing."

Mokuba looked confused and replied, "What do you mean?"

Kaiba replied, "That dumb woman set me up on a date with a supermodel. Of all people!"

Mokuba replied, "For the charity ball?"

Kaiba replied, "What else?"

Mokuba paused for a moment to think things over and then said, "You've never had a problem with being set up on dates in the past."

Kaiba took a breath and replied, "I didn't give a damn before. But it's different now. They should have consulted me before doing this behind my back."

Mokuba replied, "Why is this bothering you, Seto?"

Before Kaiba could reply, though, Mokuba came to a realization and asked, "Is this about Alex?"

Kaiba nodded and calming down a bit, he replied, "Yes. I was going to ask Alex to be my date. And if she said yes, then I would have asked her…"

He trailed off, prompting Mokuba to ask,

"What would you have asked her?"

Kaiba mumbled something so quietly that Mokuba couldn't make it out. Mokuba asked, "What?"

Kaiba replied, "To be my girlfriend."

Mokuba widened his eyes and replied, "You really like Alex, don't you?"

Kaiba sighed and replied, "I thought it was obvious by now. I want things to get serious. But those idiots ruined everything."

Mokuba replied, "I can see why you're upset. But can't you explain it to Alex? Tell her that you don't have a choice."

Kaiba shook his head and replied, "I can't. She wouldn't understand. She'd assume I can change these things. But there's only so much I can control."

Mokuba nodded and replied, "I know. So what are you going to do?"

Kaiba sighed and replied, "I'll have to show up with this 'date', and Mokuba, you can be Alex's date. Just make sure Alex doesn't see her."

Mokuba frowned and replied, "That's a really bad idea, Seto. You should just tell Alex what happened. She'll understand."

Kaiba replied, "She won't. At best, she'll use this as an excuse not to go. At worst, she'll go back to Wheeler."

Mokuba replied, "But didn't you say that Alex wasn't interested in going on another date with Joey?"

Kaiba replied, "Yeah, but everything I've built up to now will be ruined. She'll put her guard back up, and I'll lose her."

Mokuba looked at Kaiba for a few moments and then replied, "You're scared."

There were very few times when Mokuba saw Kaiba scared, and this was one of those moments. Kaiba sighed and replied,

"Maybe. I think she's finally accepted me, but all of it will come crashing down."

Mokuba pinched the bridge of his nose and replied, "I understand why you feel that way, Seto. But I really think you should explain this to Alex and maybe even tell her that you like her. She's an understanding person."

Kaiba replied, "Around you, yes, and maybe around others. But something tells me that wouldn't be the case with me."

Mokuba sighed and replied, "You really should have more faith in her. But you still want to go along with this plan?"

Kaiba nodded and replied, "It'll work. As long as they don't see each other, it'll be fine. I'll never understand why publicity thinks I need supermodels or actresses as dates."

Mokuba raised an eyebrow and replied, "Probably for public image? But you should have a long discussion with them after the event, so they don't do anything like this again."

Kaiba replied, "It's on my list of things to do."

Mokuba replied, "I'll go along with your plan. But Seto, if Alex figures it out, then promise me you'll explain things to her and try to trust her."

Kaiba muttered, "It's not like I'd have much of a choice. But I'll tell her."

Mokuba was satisfied with Kaiba's reply and nodding, he replied, "Good. I'll go now, but try to calm down."

Kaiba nodded, and Mokuba left his office, albeit reluctantly. As Mokuba took the elevator to go downstairs and leave the building, he couldn't help having his reservations. Although he agreed to go along with Kaiba's plan, Mokuba really felt that Kaiba should just tell Alex and finally confess his feelings to her. However, he knew his brother well, knowing that Kaiba could be stubborn.

Shaking his head, Mokuba had Roland drive him back to the mansion.