Atem shifted uncomfortably in the backseat of the company car as Isono drove him from the airport to the Kaiba mansion. He had expected Kaiba to be in the car waiting for him but the tall brunette was nowhere to be found.

He checked his phone for the time and let out an exhausted sigh. It was almost 8am. Normally, Kaiba would be awake by now so Atem found it strange that his ex-boyfriend wouldn't be in the car.

Atem was snapped out of his thoughts when the towncar made a familiar turn onto a private road. He gazed out of the window, watching the alabaster colossus that is the Kaiba Mansion slowly appear in front of the vehicle.

His heart fluttered nervously in his chest as the car came to a halt and Isono stepped out to open Atem's door. He gingerly got out of the car and gave Isono a curt nod, "Thank you."

Isono bowed, "Kaiba-sama is inside and the front door is unlocked. He should be in the kitchen." He said gruffly, "I have errands to run. Good day, Master Ahknankhanen." He said, shutting the passenger door and getting into the driver's side.

Atem took a deep breath as the town car sped off. He walked past the fountain and rolled his eyes when he walked between the Blue Eyes White Dragon statues that were on either side of the small staircase that led up to the double doors.

Those are new… Atem thought to himself, opening one of the doors and letting himself inside. He shut and locked the front doors behind him. He gazed around the foyer, feeling out of place in the luxurious home.

Just keep moving. You used to live here and it never bothered you. He thought, confidently walking into the kitchen. The home had changed but it still used to be his home. He stopped in his tracks when he saw a young woman calmly making breakfast at the gas stove.

Atem furrowed his brow and gripped the strap on his duffle bag. The young woman was wearing one of Kaiba's dress shirts. Atem growled internally when he realized that she was wearing the dress shirt that Atem had purchased for Kaiba years ago. It was a gift for their anniversary. It was a gift and this girl was wearing it as a trophy.

This was a one night stand. Nothing more.

He cleared his throat and the woman yelped and turned around. He felt bile rise up in his throat when he saw that the woman was Arab, just like him. She had beautiful, long brown curly hair and eyes like amber. The dark blue oversized dress shirt was open and underneath she was wearing a very thin lace bralette and a matching lace panty.

Atem became incredibly confused when he gazed at her face. She was young. Very young.

He knew that Kaiba had taken to using women for casual sex after their break up but they were normally the same age as the blue eyed CEO. Which was, at least in their mid to late thirties.

The woman buttoned the shirt to cover herself and smiled warmly, "Good morning. You must be Atem." She said, her voice was smooth and calm.

Atem glared at the young woman, forgetting his manners, "Who the hell are you?"

The young woman blinked and frowned. She continued to cook as Atem rounded the kitchen island threateningly.

Atem crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes even more, "He won't be happy that you're still hanging around. You should go."

The young woman chuckled and turned off the burner, "I'd say he's ecstatic that I'm around." She said, smirking cheekily at Atem.

Atem scoffed, "I didn't know that he had taken up babysitting. How old are you?" He questioned, watching the young woman take out three plates from a nearby cabinet.

He thought it was strange that the young woman knew where everything was. He wondered how long this has been going on.

"I'm eighteen." She said simply.

Atem's jaw dropped. He opened his mouth to speak but stopped himself when Kaiba sauntered into the kitchen, shirtless.

Kaiba gave Atem a handsome smile, "I'm glad you made it safely." He walked over to the young woman and wrapped his arm around her waist. He kissed the top of her head, "I see you've met Salem."

Atem was speechless. Was this really happening? He couldn't help but notice the size difference between this strange girl and Kaiba.

"Salem? This...little girl is-" Atem started but caught Kaiba's glare.

Kaiba gazed down at the much smaller woman, "Do you mind giving Atem and I some privacy, Salem?"

Salem raked a slender finger down Kaiba's chiseled abdomen and licked her lips, "Maybe I should just go? I know how much you love my shakshuka. You can have my portion and I'll just see you when I see you…" She pushed away from Kaiba coldly and turned to gaze at Atem, "I'm sorry If my being here has made you uncomfortable, Atem."

Atem's eyes widened as Kaiba pulled the young woman closer. What was this? Was she being purposefully distant?

"You're not going anywhere." Kaiba purred, grabbing the young woman by her hips. He whispered in her ear and she smiled devilishly.

Atem was seething. This woman knew exactly how to manipulate Kaiba.

"Okay, Seto. I'll stay." She said sweetly. She brushed past Atem, disappearing into the manor.

Atem shook his head and glared at Kaiba, "What the fuck is going on, Kaiba. That girl is half your age." He said, not caring that he was lecturing Kaiba and he had only been in Japan for an hour.

Kaiba rolled his eyes, "I missed you too, Atem." He said, plating the breakfast.

"You're unbelievable, Kaiba. She is too young. Y-You don't even like women anyway. You just use them and throw them away. Why would you toy with a teenage girl like that?" Atem slammed his bag down, knowing that he was going to have to find a different place to stay this evening.

"I'm not toying with anyone. She's legally an adult and she's an heiress." Kaiba explained, taking a pitcher out of the fridge with a mysterious dark red liquid inside.

Atem gazed at the liquid and raked his gaze up Kaiba's torso and to his bare chest. He had forgotten how much Kaiba's body affected him. He shook the less than innocent thoughts from his head and glared at Kaiba, "An heiress?"

Kaiba rolled his eyes as he took out two clean wine glasses, "It means she's going to inherit a vast fortune and is the future CEO for her parents company-"

"I know what an heiress is, Kaiba. My question is why are you suddenly interested in one? You already have a vast fortune." Atem argued, disgusted by Kaiba's explanation.

Kaiba poured the liquid into the glasses and smirked, "You sound jealous, Atem. Are you hoping that you and I will get back together?" He teased, pushing a glass toward Atem.

"You doing shit like this is one of the many reasons we broke up. I can't stay here." Atem growled, securing his bag over his shoulder.

He stormed out of the kitchen and into the foyer. He tried his best to calm himself down as he took out his phone. He didn't know where else to go besides…the Game Shop. He knew he very well couldn't show up unexpectedly after his and Yugi's last encounter. It was too early.

"Atem?" He heard a soft voice behind him.

He turned around, his face inches from an incredibly beautiful, smooth brown face. He took a step back from Salem and glared at her, "What? I'm trying to leave."

"You should stay. I'd love to get to know you." She said sweetly, twirling a wet curl in her finger. She had just gotten out of this shower and had dawned an oversized navy blue satin robe. She stepped closer to Atem, fluttering her lashes flirtatiously.

Atem gazed at the young woman before him and sighed, "Listen, he's just going to use you so just do what's best and leave." He didn't want to have to explain the inner workings of a complicated man to a teenager but he would do it if it meant that an innocent person wouldn't get hurt.

She tilted her head and smiled evilly, exposing two rows and perfectly straightened white teeth, "Bold of you to assume he's the one in charge."

Atem felt bile rise in his throat and his chest become tight, "Wh-what did you say?" He stuttered as he gazed at her in confusion. Who exactly was taking advantage of who?

"Did you try the sangria? Seto-sama and I made it a couple days ago, it should be perfect now." She said, sensing that Kaiba had entered the foyer.

Kaiba walked up to the two smaller people before him and raised an eyebrow, "Is everything okay?"

Atem couldn't tell if Kaiba was asking him or if he was asking Salem. He supposed that he looked like more of a threat to the small woman, even though they were both about the same height.

"I'm leaving. I'll meet you at the game shop for the chess tournament later today." Atem grumbled, adjusting the strap of his bag. It was beginning to dig into his shoulder and he just wanted a bath and some food.

"Nonsense." Salem said, grabbing Atem's elbow, sinking her neutral painted nails into his skin.

Ow! What the fuck! She's strong! Atem thought in panic, frozen.

"You're exhausted and Isono-san isn't back yet." She slipped Atem's bag off of his shoulder and onto hers, "At least get changed and have some breakfast." She said sweetly, "I'll take this to the guest room."

Before Atem could protest, Salem disappeared up the large staircase. He gazed blankly at the marble tile and then up at Kaiba, "I'll eat and shower but I'm going to stay elsewhere until we can get this whole thing with Mokuba figured out."

Kaiba ran his fingers through his chestnut hair, "You know… things aren't serious between her and I…" He looked into Atem's ruby eyes and sighed, "I want you to be comfortable and if her not coming to the tournament would make you more comfortable... "

Atem narrowed his eyes at his ex-lover, "I don't care what you do. We aren't together anymore." He looked into the direction of the staircase, "Just watch out...something isn't right with her…"

Kaiba rolled his eyes, "Whatever, Atem. Why don't you go to the game shop right now? I'm sure Yugi could use some help setting up. After the tournament, you and I can video chat with Mokuba" He said, crossing his arms over his chest defensively.

Atem pursed his lips and glared, "Maybe I will!" He turned on his heel and stormed out of the mansion. The large iron gate opened as he approached it and the reality of his situation hit him like a semi-truck.

Great.

He remembered the way to the game shop from the Kaiba Mansion so proceeded to walk in the direction of Yugi's home. He sighed, not knowing what he was going to say to Yugi when they met. It would have to be something good.

Yeah. He would need the perfect excuse.

'Shit." He thought harshly, this encounter was going to be tense.


Sorry it's been a while! I took a brief hiatus due to a death in my family and needed some time to grieve. I hope you enjoyed reading and as always, comment/review, leave kudos, and leave likes to show your support!

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