A few days after Kaiba's weekly visit, Atem started to notice Salem's distant behavior.
Before, Salem would always make their meals and eat with Atem. Even if Atem was feeling particularly moody and would push Salem's buttons, she would always keep him company while he ate.
Lately, he's been waking up to food he would have to heat up in the microwave and eat alone.
It was morning now, and Atem took the opportunity to walk around the large estate, looking for any sign of the curly haired politician.
He checked her room.
Empty.
The guest rooms.
Empty.
He knew she wasn't in the basement because Salem stays out of Atem's space while he's resting.
He clicked his tongue and crossed his arms as he walked through the living room and down another hallway.
"Huh?" He whispered to himself as he came upon a room he had never seen before.
It was decorated like one of his "playrooms" in ancient Egypt. Purple and red curtains hanging from the walls, a beautiful large persian rug in the middle of the room. On top of the rug were floor pillows that surrounded a low table.
At the back of the room, there was a full bar completely stocked with every liquor and glassware imaginable. He was about to step inside the room when he felt a strong hand hook around his arm and pull him back into the hallway.
He yelped as he fell back against the wall, making eye contact with Jackson, Salem's bodyguard.
"What do you think you're doing?" He asked, shutting the door to the lounge.
Atem scoffed and adjusted his black button down shirt,
"I was looking for Salem. I'm sick of eating premade food alone in the kitchen." He said, crossing his arms.
Jackson raised an eyebrow,
"Lady Sala would like to be left alone. You're consistently rude and have yet to apologize for your behavior. She has no obligation to keep you company or make you fresh food. What was it you said to her last week? She's just your caretaker?" He said, blocking the door to the lounge with his large body.
"I can't apologize if you won't let me talk to her." Atem said with a loud sigh.
He didn't like having Jackson to be the one to help him with his lessons, and he especially didn't like feeling so alone in a house so big.
Jackson glared at Atem and flipped his blonde bangs out of his face.
"You are to eat your breakfast and wait in Lady Sala's study for your first lesson of the day. You will not demand her company or go looking for her, do you understand?" Jackson spat, getting fed up with Atem's kingly behavior.
Atem stood his ground and looked into the guard's dark blue eyes.
"I'm not afraid of you, peasant." He said through clenched teeth.
"You little-"
Atem heard movement on the other side of door and ran passed Jackson and into the lounge, shutting and locking the door behind him.
He put his back up against the door and looked around the large room, spotting Salem's feet hanging off of a large red chaise lounge.
He walked closer to the couch, hearing small sniffles coming from the plush piece of furniture. He rounded the couch and saw Salem sprawled out across the cushions. Her white and gold kaftan was sheer and flowing, tangled around her legs from her tossing and turning.
She was clutching a large piece of black fabric with white trim in her hands. Her face was buried in it as she cried softly.
Atem stood there awkwardly, not knowing how to get Salem's attention without seeming insensitive. He looked next to the couch and on the accent table, sat an open bottle of wine and a half full glass.
Yikes.
He studied Salem's form carefully. Her body was easily seen through the sheer fabric. Her curves were enticing and she smelled of roses. Her curly mane was wild and unkempt, the curls cascading every which way down to her waist and to her hips.
He reached his hand out toward her hair, hoping to get her attention. He patted her head softly, running his hand back and forth on her soft locks.
He felt her freeze beneath his touch. He heard her whisper something unintelligible.
"What?" He asked, not knowing how to comfort the mess of a woman in front of him.
Salem lifted her face from the piece of fabric, revealing her big honey colored eyes, the whites of her eyes red from crying and exhaustion.
"Don't touch me." She breathed between sobs.
Atem took his hand away and sighed,
"Salem, I wanted to apologize to you and-"
"Please leave me alone...I'm not in a state to hear from you right now.." She said pressing the fabric to her nose and inhaling deeply.
Atem sat next to Salem and stared at the floor. He studied the piece of fabric in her hands and raised an eyebrow,
"What are you holding?"
Salem sighed and rolled her eyes,
"It's none of your business. You have lessons soon, eat and go to the study." She said scooting herself away from Atem.
"Salem, please. I want to be better and I can't do that without you. Yugi's wedding is in a couple of months and-"
"Atem please...I want to be alone…" She whimpered, pulling the large piece of fabric over her head.
Atem growled and put his hands on his hips.
Atem was beginning to get frustrated, he didn't see why she was so upset. It wasn't as if she didn't know this was going to happen when she brought him back.
"Why don't you talk this out with a friend? Is there someone you can call who can get you back to normal?" He asked grabbing her phone from the accent table.
"I don't have friends." Salem said flatly, still hidden underneath the black and white fabric.
Atem scoffed,
"That's preposterous. Even Kaiba has friends, even if that friend is brother. And me, I guess." He said inspecting the rose gold colored rectangle.
Salem became silent when Atem mentioned Kaiba. She curled up even more in the black fabric and sighed.
Atem looked at the lock screen of the phone and then at Salem's hands, which were peeking out from under the fabric.
Hmmm.
Kaiba yawned as he typed away at his computer. He sipped his coffee and sighed when a knock sounded at his office door.
"What." Kaiba growled. He hated being disturbed so early in the day.
The door opened and in came Mokuba, with Yugi close behind him.
"Goodmorning, Seto! You seem to be in a more sour mood than normal." Mokuba said, gesturing for Yugi to sit in one of the white chairs across from Kaiba desk.
Kaiba rolled his eyes as Mokuba took the other chair.
"We don't have anything scheduled, why are you here." He said, his tone short and clipped.
Mokuba chuckled and crossed his legs,
"Seto, what's going on? Are things between you and Salem going okay? She's been out of the press recently and her socials are silent."
"What does it matter?" Kaiba asked, ignoring Yugi's glare as he continued his work.
Mokuba frowned at his brother and adjusted his bow tie. He ran his fingers through his raven hair.
"It matters because your relationship with her has really turned things around for us. So much so that we'll need both of you for an upcoming interview. We need it for publicity." He said, nodding at Yugi.
Yugi sighed and crossed his arms,
"Did you receive my Save the Date, Kaiba-kun?" He asked, hating that the wedding has now become a spectacle for the press.
Kaiba stopped typing and nodded. He didn't need to divulge anything about Atem yet, he would wait until the pharaoh was ready to reenter society.
"Well the date was somehow leaked and now we're having trouble finding a venue. It was Mokuba's suggestion that Te'a and I use one of the many properties you own. Or even Salem's estate. Mokuba said it's extremely private." Yugi continued, fixing his tie.
"You had to disturb me at 11am on a weekday to ask me this? Mokuba, whatever you want to do is fine. Leave, I'm busy." Kaiba spat, resuming his work once more. He knew using Salem's property was out of the question, but he didn't think Mokuba would follow through.
"I'll put the interview on your calendar and I'll send Salem a text with the date. It would be nice if you two coordinated colors or something. Also, have dinner tonight, the public needs to see you two together." Mokuba said, him and Yugi standing to walk out of the office.
Mokuba and Yugi walked toward the door before Mokuba turned to speak again,
"Oh, and don't forget about the debate. We've timed it so that the interview is a week before the debate. With Salem by your side it makes you look less angry and more inclusive." He said with a chuckle.
Kaiba shot the two a finale glare before they left his office. As the door shut, his phone chimed.
Ugh.
"What now?" He grumbled to himself, pulling out his phone.
A message from Salem.
Strange.
Kaiba knew that Salem wasn't ready to speak on friendly terms just yet.
Oh.
He had forgotten that he changed her name back from her pet name in his phone.
Goddess: Come over.
Kaiba raised an eyebrow. This wasn't like her at all. Plus, she knew that he was working and couldn't drop everything for a visit.
Unless something was wrong with Atem.
…
….
Seto Kaiba: It's good to hear from you, but you know I'm at work, habipty.
Oh shit.
Maybe he shouldn't call her that anymore.
..
….
…
…..
What the hell?
Kaiba was confused. Normally Salem was quick to respond.
…
..
Goddess: This is Atem. Why are you still calling her that name? And what does "Tanin" mean? You're in her phone as that.
Kaiba was now doubly confused. Salem would never let Atem use her phone, it would be too easy for him to get in contact with Yugi.
And she still has him saved under his pet name too?
Seto Kaiba: Atem, give Salem back her phone right now.
…
…
Goddess: No.
…
Seto Kaiba: Atem, I'm too busy to deal with this right now. Return her phone. Now.
..
…..
…
…
Goddess: *middle finger emoji* Hey this thing is great. I want one of my own.
….
..
Seto Kaiba: You should be in your lesson right now. Give her back her phone.
…
….
…
Goddess: I don't like learning from that asshole, Jackson. She's a better teacher but she's been avoiding me. I went to find her and she was crying into a black tunic of some kind.
Kaiba paused.
What?
He realized that Salem must be taking the break up pretty hard but he didn't know it would hurt her feelings when he returned the two piece kaftan that she gave him as a gift.
He sighed and composed another message.
Seto Kaiba: I'll be there in 20 minutes. You better be in your lesson when I get there.
..
…
….
Goddess: *eggplant emoji* *splash* *splash* *splash* ←- What does that mean? I looked at your old texts with Salem and that was all over the place. Also, you suck at talking dirty, you nerd.
…
…
…..
Goddess: Yeah hurry because she's a mess. She said she didn't have any friends and I don't think that's true.
Kaiba stared at his phone and thought to himself.
Huh.
He thought back to the time he spent with Salem. The only person he could think of that might have been a friend to Salem was Anansi…
And he..
"Oh shit she really doesn't have anyone.." Kaiba whispered to himself, grabbing his keys and walking out of his office.
Atem was sitting in Salem's study barely paying attention to Jackson's lecture. He was having more fun on Salem's phone but Jackson had found a key and was able to forcibly take Atem upstairs.
He sighed and took absent minded notes on his laptop. His gaze wandered to his perfect clear coat on his nails.
He realized that Salem was going over expectations when it came to dealing with him and it was jarring to Atem when she started to distance herself…
"Why would she keep trying with you? You were mean to her and told her every day that Kaiba was going to choose you over her. And then when he did, you expected her to just continue to look you in the eye every day?"
Atem shook the thoughts from his head as he heard the doorbell ring throughout the large estate.
"I'll get it!" Atem yelled, needing any excuse to escape Jackson's monotone lecture. He ran downstairs, through the open living room to the front door.
He threw the door open excitedly and wrapped his arms around Kaiba's muscular frame.
"Atem! Jesus, at least wait until I get inside." Kaiba said as he was pulled into the foyer.
Atem smiled up at Kaiba,
"I'm happy you're here!" Atem was practically screaming.
Kaiba chuckled and gently pulled Atem off of his waist.
"I'm glad to see you too, Atem but I don't have a lot of time and you have a lesson right now. I'll talk to Salem but for now, please finish your lesson with Jackson." Kaiba bargained, hoping to have enough time with Salem to convince her to be Atem's sole tutor once more.
Atem backed away with a huff and turned on his heel,
"She's in the lounge." He said running back up the stairs.
Kaiba sighed and adjusted his tie. He walked down the hallway until he came upon the door to the lounge.
It was wide open, the floor pillows in the same position they were in almost half a year ago when he and Salem had their first date. He looked around, hearing light snoring coming from somewhere in the room.
As he approached a red chaise lounge, he saw Salem's elegant feet hanging off the end of the couch.
He clicked his tongue as he leaned over the couch, seeing her fast asleep, wrapped up in his black kaftan with the white trim.
He looked over at the accent table to see an empty bottle of wine and an equally empty wine glass.
"Geez, it's not even noon yet."
He rounded the couch and scooped her up in his arms.
She sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck, nuzzling her nose into his strong chest.
Kaiba watched her eyes flutter open and look at his chest, trying to process where she was.
"Goodmorning, habipty." Kaiba whispered, chuckling lightly.
Salem gasped and tried to get out of Kaiba's arms,
"Tanin, what are you doing here? It's-"
"Too early for you to be drinking an entire bottle of wine on your own and wallowing in your own sorrow?" Kaiba interrupted, placing her on her feet.
Salem rubbed her eyes and straightened out her kaftan. She looked up at Kaiba and smirked at him beautifully,
"Shut up."
Kaiba rolled his eyes and took the black kaftan off of the couch and threw it over his shoulder.
"I didn't think it would hurt your feelings if I returned this gift. I thought you may have wanted it back...you know. After everything."
Salem crossed her arms and kept her gaze on the floor,
"That was a gift to you. You returning it meant you didn't treasure it."
Kaiba scoffed,
"Of course I treasure it. But-" He pulled her into a hug and squeezed her tightly.
"I treasure you more. Salem, I know this is difficult-"
Salem sighed and pushed Kaiba away. She sat down on the chaise and crossed her legs, in deep thought.
She breathed in through her nose and let it out slowly, trying to find the words she didn't have after their last passionate time together.
"That's just it, Seto… It's more than that for me. You, er, you.."
Kaiba sat next to her and put a comforting hand on her thigh,
"I, what?" He asked.
Salem gazed into Kaiba's cerulean eyes, her honey orbs brimming with tears,
"You, I...I'm in love...with you…"
Atem cleared his throat from the door frame, his arms crows and eyes narrowed.
This.
This is what he gets for trying to help this woman feel better.
He didn't like the whenever his back was turned, she would sink her claws into Kaiba and try and make him hers again.
Why did this situation have to be so complicated?
Kaiba turned to see Atem glaring at them and sighed,
"You should be upstairs learning, Atem." He said, his hand still on Salem's thigh.
Atem walked into the lounge and sat between them on the couch.
"And you should be at work." The pharaoh said, running a hand up Kaiba's thigh and giving the tall brunette a haughty stare.
"Yet, here we are…" Atem finished, his hands landing on Kaiba's belt.
"Um, should I explain why this is inappropriate?" Kaiba said grasping Atem's wrist and pulling it away from his buckle.
Salem chuckled in spite of herself,
"Atem is 5,000 years old, he's perfectly legal." She said standing up and walking over to the bar.
Kaiba laughed lightly as Atem's face grew red with anger. He pulled on one of Atem's blonde locks and smirked at the pharaoh,
"It'll be fun when we go to the doctor and he asks where we got a sixteen year old Egyptian boy." He tucked the strand of blonde hair behind Atem's ear and tugged on the angry pharaoh's ear lobe.
"Stop it." Atem said shortly.
Salem walked back from the bar struggling to carry three full glasses.
Kaiba stood and took two of the highball glasses from her hand, planting a chaste kiss on her forehead.
Atem glared at Kaiba as the larger male handed him the tall glass full of bubbling scentless liquid.
"You shouldn't still be treating her like that." Atem said, growling as he snatched the glass from Kaiba.
Salem rolled her eyes and sipped from her glass, lounging on a floor pillow at Kaiba's feet.
"How should he treat me then, Atem?" She asked seriously, interlacing her fingers and resting her chin on them.
Kaiba raised an eyebrow and looked at Salem, he stared at her round rear, the lacy blue thong showing through the sheer white fabric.
A stray thought entered his brain as he turned to look at Atem, who was looking dashing in his black button down shirt and dark wash jeans.
He would love to see Atem and Salem in his large bed, faces flushed and eyes half lidded. He shuddered at the thought of Atem and Salem running their tongues up and down his shaft, their beautiful eyes gazing up at him…
"I just think he shouldn't be calling you that name and touching you like that." Atem spoke, pulling Kaiba out of his thoughts.
Kaiba sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.
Great.
Now he was turned on and realized he wanted to take Atem and Salem upstairs and have his way with both of the exotic beauties in front of him.
"Atem, habipty means darling. I tried to call you that after you crossed over and you spit in my face and told me to stop being so familiar." Salem said, moving her tangled curls to one of her shoulders.
Kaiba blinked.
What.
Did Salem just say Atem spit in her face?
"Yes, yes I did spit in your face. You deserved it." Atem sighed turning his nose up to the air.
"Ahahaha. Okay then. How about you come back at me with that attitude when your balls drop little boy." Salem said sipping her sparkling water.
Kaiba's eyes grew wide as he let out a loud laugh, earning a growl from Atem. He covered his mouth as he continued laughing, almost spilling his water.
"That's funny, especially coming from a drunken whore who opened her legs to first man who paid her any attention. " Atem spat, throwing his drink in Salem's face.
Kaiba stood up and grabbed Atem's arm,
"Enough! I came here because you said you wanted Salem to be your tutor, but I see no reason to convince her to do something like that. Especially if this is how you speak to her and treat her when I'm not around." He scolded, pulling Atem to his feet.
He let go of Atem's arm and turned to Salem who was now up and near the bar, drying her face and hair with a tea towel.
He walked up to Salem and cupped her cheek,
"Are you alright?" He asked, snaking an arm around her waist and pulling her close. He looked into her honey eyes and felt the guilt wash over him.
This woman was in love with him.
He caressed her cheek and gave her a small smile.
Atem glared at the beautiful couple in front of him. He stomped over to them and separated them, putting each hand on Kaiba's chest and Salem's stomach.
"Kaiba! Stop touching her!" Atem growled, wrapping his arms around Kaiba's waist.
"Atem, you left your lesson early, disrespected Salem and threw your drink in her face. A drink she poured for you. You won't make progress if you keep biting the hand that feeds you." Kaiba said, trying his best to reason with the teenage king.
"It would be easier if you both didn't constantly make doe eyes at each other! I thought you brought me back because you wanted a life with me not-"
"Actually, Atem. I brought you back. And I brought you back because the lack of your existence in Seto's life as taking a huge toll in him. I won't deny that you're essential, but there's no reason why Seto can't still have me in his life and treat me tenderly." Salem interrupted, pulling her dress over her head, the wet fabric plopping to the floor as she threw it off.
Atem's breath caught in his throat as he stared at Salem's taute midsection. He gazed at her full chest through the white bralette. His eyes drifted down her body to her hips, the dark blue thong flattering against her skin.
His cheeks flushed and his body became hot, his grip on Kaiba's waist tightening significantly.
Kaiba gave Atem a confused look before realizing that the young king was looking Salem up and down hungrily.
Oh?
"Atem? Are you alright?" Kaiba asked teasingly, prying the pharaoh off of his waist.
Salem studied Atem carefully before chuckling and tossing her hair over her shoulder.
"See something you like, shaqiun?" She asked haughtily, sauntering over to Kaiba and Atem, both males clearly enticed by her half naked form.
Atem gulped and stepped back, not knowing how to handle these new urges.
Kaiba chuckled and grabbed Atem's arms,
"Salem, will you go put something on before his head explodes? I need to talk to Atem in private.." He said, leading the young pharaoh to the couch.
Salem nodded and picked up her wet clothing, feeling slightly better from human interaction, even if it did end with a drink in her face.
Kaiba gazed at her firm cheeks as she walked out of the lounge, laughing under his breath when he heard Jackson yell and drop dishes in the distance.
He brought his attention back to Atem and almost fell to the floor when he saw the smaller male rubbing himself through his pants.
He grabbed Atem's hand, trying to control the pharaoh's impulse but was met with a glare.
"Either let me do it or fuck me." Atem said through clenched teeth.
"You know we can't do that yet." Kaiba said with a sigh.
Atem growled in frustration and climbed on top of Kaiba. He was sick of waiting for Kaiba to make a move now that him and Salem were broken up.
"Why not?! We've done it before. I want you, Kaiba. Please, just-" He kissed Kaiba's lips passionately and tangled his fingers in the brunette's hair.
Kaiba moaned as Atem ground his hips down against Kaiba's, his erection prominent in his jeans. He broke the kiss and pushed the aroused pharaoh off of him.
He stood up and ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated.
"Atem, I was younger then. The age difference wasn't so great. Salem said that even though you're mind is older, you're body is still immature." Kaiba explained.
"Ha! Easy for her to say, with her body looking like that! And look at you, you look like you hunt your food and make weapons from rocks. Not everyone is built like that, you know. Some of us are just small." Atem said, red in the face.
Kaiba pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and pointer finger.
"That's not what I'm trying to say, Atem. Your reproductive system is also still immature. Meaning even though we've had sex in the spirit world, you physical body has yet to have that experience. I'm actually surprised you were able to get aroused. That's a good sign."
Atem flopped back on the sofa as he processed Kaiba's words. His erection had gone down but he was still frustrated.
So, his body was literally that of a sixteen year old.
So, that meant his was still going through puberty.
Oh.
That meant that he was technically a virgin.
Shit.
"You don't want to have sex with a virginal minor…" Atem thought out loud.
Kaiba crossed his arms and looked at Atem. He felt guilty for not explaining things sooner but he had hoped Atem would spend more time on his studies and not so much time being abusive toward Salem.
"You're technically not a minor. Sixteen is the age of consent here but Salem thought it would be a good idea to age you up. So your papers will say you're in your twenties. That treatment Salem is giving you is to speed up your hormones, that way you'll actually look like an adult." Kaiba explained more thoroughly.
Wait.
That's right. Yes, Salem was giving Atem hormones which would explain the bad behavior, lack of interest, and increase in sex drive.
Kaiba breathed deeply and sat next to Atem.
"It makes sense why you're so angry. You're going through puberty, it's only natural your emotions are all over the place." He said, trying to comfort Atem.
Atem sat up and sighed,
"Once I'm done with treatment then?" He asked, tired of waiting to spend a romantic night with Kaiba.
Kaiba nodded,
"Yes. Of course. You should be done by the wedding, but until then, please watch your tone. Salem is a major part of my life now and-"
"I understand. But I don't like how you two interact." Atem argued.
"Atem. Salem and I are close, and in the next month or so she and I are going to have to be seen together. The public still thinks we're together and will need to believe that until after the election."
"What?!" Salem exclaimed, walking into the lounge.
"What are you talking about, Tanin?" She asked, now dressed in a tight white long sleeved off the shoulder dress.
Kaiba stood and took Salem's hands in his. He knew this was going to take some convincing but it needed to happen or his whole plan would fall apart.
"Mokuba scheduled us for an interview under the pretenses that we're still together." He started.
"And you told him you broke up with me, mish kida?"
Kaiba gazed into her eyes and shook his head,
"No, no I didn't. He's suspicious of us and if I had said anything about-"
"Tanin, you don't get to continue to use me like this." She said, walking away from him and to the bar at the back of the room, pouring herself another sparkling water.
"It's not that, Salem. Please.." He pleaded.
Atem scoffed and rolled his eyes,
"Why would she say no to you after she just confessed her love? You never even answered her so she's going to jump at this chance to help you hoping that you'll say you love her too." He said standing up and storming out of the room.
Atem couldn't be in that room anymore. He knew he had been awful to Salem, but what Kaiba was doing was much worse.
That woman loved him and he was taking advantage.
"Are you any better? You knew she would bring you back at the cost of her relationship, solely based on the fact that she was and still is in love with Kaiba."
He slowed his pace down to the basement, exhausted from the interaction, but feeling the overwhelming need to stay up and alert.
He sighed and laid in his bed, wondering how the three of them were going to to make things work between them.
Even he could tell that Kaiba still had feelings for Salem, even though Kaiba had no intention of continuing his relationship with her.
Atem turned onto his shoulder and looked at all of the computers and lab equipment.
He hated this room.
He felt like an experiment that was meant to be studied,
He sighed again and sat up, knowing that it was most likely time for lunch.
As he wandered back into the kitchen, he noticed that Salem and Kaiba had moved their conversation to the living room.
Kaiba was giving Salem the most sensual looks while they spoke in English, trying his best to seduce the curly haired politician into agreeing to dinner and the interview.
With any luck he could talk her into dinner that evening. He grabbed her hand and carressed the skin with his thumb, tracing small circles on the back of her hand.
"Please do this for me, Goddess. You know I still care about you…" Kaiba purred, knowing Atem was watching his every move.
Salem sighed and gently pulled her hand away.
"Why is any of this necessary? The media doesn't care if we're dating and Mokuba should know the truth about everything, including Atem. Why is it such an issue? It'll be good for Atem to have emotional support besides you." She reasoned, her long mane now pulled up into a messy bun, loose curls cascading down her bare shoulders.
Atem tried to listen to their conversation but he still couldn't make out any words he recognized besides his name and Mokuba's. He opened the door to the fridge and sighed, not knowing what to do with any of the food inside.
"Salem, it's only until the election and then-"
"I feel like I've heard this before, Tanin...You said the same kind of thing when I was helping you bring him back." She interrupted, nodding her head toward the fridge.
Kaiba narrowed his eyes and smirked at Salem,
"I'm serious, Goddess. About what I said earlier, come to dinner tonight and we can spend some extra time in the Kaiba mansion. I'd like to pick your brain on what it means to be a leader and we can-"
"Connect as fellow creators?" She said, crossing her legs gracefully and glaring at the tall brunette, her emotional walls back where they belong.
Up.
Kaiba sighed and looked toward Atem, who was still struggling to eavesdrop behind the fridge door. He wasn't getting anywhere with this approach and he could see Salem's hard exterior. The exterior he had spent months breaking through, was slowly returning.
"What do I have to do to get you to agree?" Kaiba asked, leveling with her.
"Nothing." She said shortly, standing up and walking into the kitchen.
Salem brushed passed Atem, startling the young pharaoh. She nudged him out of the fridge and took out whole grain bread, mayonnaise, cheese slices, lettuce, and deli meat.
She began assembling two sandwiches, her expression hard and serious.
"Nothing?" Kaiba said standing up and walking up the the kitchen island, eyeing Atem.
The pharaoh was watching Salem like hawk. He noticed a visible shift in Salem's demeanor. He wondered what they were talking about that would make her go from an emotional wreck to the cold woman in front of him.
Salem assembled the first sandwich and cut it into two triangles. She placed the two triangles on a plate and slid it in front of Atem.
"Yes. Nothing. Because my answer is no." She said flatly, putting on hand on her hip as Atem began to eat his sandwich in earnest.
Kaiba clicked his tongue and crossed his arms as Salem plated the other two triangles. She slid the plate in front of Kaiba.
"Enjoy your lunch, Gentlemen." She said in Japanese, turning to go upstairs.
"Salem, wait. Reconsider." Kaiba demanded. He wouldn't know how to explain things to Mokuba without involving Atem.
Salem paused, her back still turned to Kaiba.
"Sorry, Mr. Kaiba. I don't date men who are spoken for." With that, she waltzed up the stairs and disappeared down the hall, the sound of the door to the study shutting loudly behind her.
Kaiba pursed his lips and sighed, sitting next to Atem at the kitchen island. He rubbed at his temples and took out his phone.
Two missed calls.
Both from Mokuba.
"Shit." He cursed, knowing that the returning the phone call would be a pain.
Atem raised an eyebrow at the brown haired CEO,
"This good. Now we can at least move on." He said, finishing his food.
"It's not that. I still need her-"
"Kaiba, may I ask you something?" Atem interjected.
Kaiba blinked and nodded.
"I know you aren't one to waste your time on, for lack of a better word, nonsense." Atem started.
"You're correct." Kaiba answered, taking a bite of one of his triangles.
"Then, why...erm, how did you get into this relationship? All in all she is a remarkable woman but it just not like you…" Atem trailed off, realizing Kaiba must have had an ulterior motive from the start.
"Actually nevermind…" Atem said, suddenly feeling as if he couldn't speak freely.
Kaiba rolled his eyes and stood,
"You and Salem are driving me insane. I have to head back to work but I'll see you soon." He said cupping Atem's cheek, using his thumb to caress Atem's jawline.
Atem's cheeks tinged a shade of red as Kaiba kissed his forehead. He knew if he asked for more, Kaiba would say no. But, he couldn't help but be attracted to the tall blue eyed man in front of him.
After Kaiba left, Atem though it best to look for Salem. Maybe he could convince her to let him move into one of the rooms upstairs.
That might help his mood.
As he was about to knock on her door, she opened it, startling Atem.
"I apologize. I was hoping to speak to you." Atem said, trying to remain level headed to avoid another argument.
Salem gave Atem a blank stare and walked passed the pharaoh, ignoring him as he followed her back down the stairs. She had added a pair of white pumps to match her white dress, her hair was now down, the tendrils flowing down her back.
"I won't be ignored, Salem." Atem said, hot on her tail as she walked into the foyer.
"Atem, I have to go. I have a short meeting. Jackson will look after you while I'm gone but feel free to take the day and rest." She said formally, grabbing her keys from the entryway table.
Atem furrowed his brow and growled. He grabbed her arm and pulled her, causing her gasp in pain.
"Shit! Atem that's my bad shoulder! Let go of me!" She yelled, yanking her arm out of Atem's grasp.
As she rubbed at her shoulder, Atem saw her emotional barrier fall for a brief moment. Her eyes were sad as she finally looked into Atem's crimson pools.
His heat pounded in his chest at seeing a moment of true emotional distress in Salem's eyes.
Kaiba had broken this woman's heart.
"I'll talk to you when I return." She sighed, walking out of the foyer and outside, shutting the door behind her.
Atem stood there, alone.
He understood now.
This woman wasn't his enemy.
Mokuba waited patiently at his private booth. He adjusted his bow tie and ran his fingers through his dark hair.
He didn't like interfering in his brothers business, but he was sick of Kaiba giving him the runaround.
He put on his most dazzling smile as the waitress lead Salem, dressed in white and looking absolutely stunning, to his booth.
He stood as the waitress excused herself.
"Salem! It's so good to see you! It's been a while since you and I have been able to share a meal!" He said excitedly, pulling Salem into a strong hug.
She smiled weakly and pulled away,
"Good afternoon, Mokuba. I'm glad you texted me." She said sitting down.
"Of course, of course. Seto said he saw you earlier today…" Mokuba said sitting across from her, hoping to segue into talking Salem into the interview.
Salem chuckled,
"Yes, he came by to ask me to dinner tonight. I'm afraid I had to decline. It's just that-"
"Alright, Salem cut the shit. What's going on between you and my brother?" Mokuba asked sipping from his tea.
Salem's eyes widened.
"Excuse me?"
"He's been weird. I'm guessing those little plans you had to bring Atem back didn't go through? He didn't like that did he?" Mokuba mocked, his low voice rumbling in his chest.
Salem blinked, not knowing how she should handle the conversation. She thought it may be best to tell the truth.
Not all of it.
But most of it.
She cleared her throat and swallowed thickly,
"Your brother broke up with me a week and a half ago." She stated.
Mokuba scoffed and shook his head, grumbling to himself. He took out his phone and began texting wildly.
"I'm sorry that you'll have to cancel the interview. I didn't know-"
"Ha! Cancelling? You're doing that interview." Mokuba said threateningly.
Salem furrowed her brow,
"I don't think you understand-"
"Oh Salem. I understand perfectly. I understand that you love my brother." Mokuba said lowly, his purple grey eyes bearing into Salem's.
Salem shifted uncomfortably and cleared her throat again, feeling tears well up in the corners of her eyes.
"Oh, shh shh, it's alright." Mokuba said putting his hand on top of hers, trying to comfort her. He still needed this woman, no, the company needed this woman. She's become too important.
"I can't say whether or not he returns your feelings but I can say that I've never seen him bond with someone so quickly. Salem, I need you to do this for him. His candidacy depends on your presence...And you know…" Mokuba trailed off as he felt her soft skin.
"He'll be forever grateful. So grateful that he may rethink his decision to end your relationship. If he wins this election, he'll need a pretty little wife by his side. I must say you like amazing in all white...Wouldn't you love to be in all white standing next to my brother in his wedding tuxedo?" Mokuba finished, caressing Salem's empty ring finger.
Mokuba studied Salem carefully, watching the rise and fall of her chest as she thought out her answer.
His heart broke as a single tear fell from one of Salem's eyes and as she pulled her hand away.
"You're brother is never going to be with me in that way. I know that, and so do you. But, regardless of all that, I'll do the dinner and the interview. If my presence is really that important, I'll do it." She said, wiping the tear from her cheek.
Mokuba suddenly felt very guilty for trying to manipulate Salem into doing his company's bidding. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Listen, Salem. I'm sorry for all of this, I really am. I just, ah, we need this to happen." He said finishing his tea.
Salem breathed out through her nose and stood up,
"Is that all you called me out for, I do have other things to do today." She said shortly, smoothing out her tight dress.
Mokuba looked at her, staring at her body hungrily. He would never try anything, but he couldn't understand why Kaiba would end things with such a beautiful specimen. He smiled up at her and licked his lips,
"That would be all. Oh, and there's no reason for Seto to know of this meeting. It's best if he believes you had a change of heart." He said leaning back into his seat.
Salem scoffed and turned on her heel, leaving the restaurant.
Mokuba watched her walk out of the restaurant and into her car. He composed a text message to his company's PR rep,
Mokuba Kaiba: Dinner is happening tonight. Make sure there's media where ever they go.
There.
Handled.
He had handled it.
And all because Kaiba wouldn't.
He knew that Kaiba wouldn't marry any of the randoms in those portfolios but if he wins the election, marriage is the only way to guarantee a continued rise in Kaiba Corp stocks.
Yes.
This was the only way.
Well we're in the second act of this story! Let me know what you think Salem should do.
Do you think Kaiba is despicable for trying to manipulate Salem? What about Mokuba?
Where does Atem fall in all of this?
Would love to hear what you guys think, as we're starting to get into the nitty gritty of this portion of the story!
Also, next weekend is my birthday weekend so I will not be updating either stories. Feel free to browse my tumblr, as I'll still be posting memes and if you request it, birthday pictures (of my food and stuff not of my face, sry)
Anyway, thank you for reading!