Chapter 1:

Bringing his mug to his lips, Seto sipped on the lukewarm liquid. Somewhere in the last few hours he'd let it cool off. Though it didn't quite taste as good, he still needed it to get through the rest of the evening. He could feel his eyes drooping, his computer screen growing fuzzy. His stomach rumbled in protest of his insistence on not eating since 7:00am.

He didn't have the time to think of anything other than recouping his losses in stock. Bought out and nearly bankrupted. His company at an all time low. He had his work cut out for him if he intended on rebranding Kaiba Corporation. The worst part lay ahead. Publicity – his least favorite part of the job. He once had a flair for broadcasting himself across the media, but in recent years accepted that that had brought him more enemies than needed.

His stomach growled again. Leaning back in his chair and pulling out his cellphone, he texted Mokuba to order whatever he wanted for dinner. All he asked is to get him something sent up to the office.

Turning around in his chair, he looked out over his proudest work, his life's work so to speak. Kaiba Land. Egotistical? Of course. But in name only. He felt a sense of accomplishment at the myriads of children dragging parents along. And a sense of intrigue at the bright minds that were able to unlock the secret areas in the park. Memories he didn't have in his childhood. Suppose it served to replace those experiences.

"Mr. Kaiba?"

He spun back around, relieved to see his Chief Financial Officer. Not because he wanted to discuss the state of his company, but because in his hands was a sandwich.

"Your brother thought a beef tenderloin sandwich would be just the thing…"

Seto's mouth had already begun watering. "He's not wrong."

Fujita Hideki. The only man Seto trusted more than himself. A man who had been by his side through every attempt to overthrow his company. He'd done majority of the damage control when their stocks were suddenly bought up.

"Have you considered my proposals on publicity arrangements for Kaiba Land?" Hideki asked.

Seto chewed as quickly as he could, but he'd taken a rather large bite from his sandwich. Mouth half full, he replied. "Hosting a tournament most intrigued me… How quickly can we invite the top duelists in the world?"

"Well, Sir…" Hideki tried to hide his grin. "…I may be one step ahead of you."

"After all these years, I'd be disappointed if you weren't."

"We have sixteen confirmed. I can broaden the field if you think it necessary…?"

"Not at the moment." Seto set his half-eaten sandwich down. "I'll need you to check in about local orphanages in the area. Give them the best seating in the Kaiba Dome free of charge."

He couldn't help himself. If anyone wanted to know if he had a heart, there was proof. If they were hoping for anything else, then they'd be disappointed.

"Of course, Sir."

Seto glanced to his left where Mokuba had brought him a bunch of brochures. Places Seto owed him a trip to once his company had recovered a bit. And as an apology for yet another life-threatening experience. Sifting through them, his brow furrowed at a small poster folded at the bottom. He tugged it out, ignorant to Hideki's continued suggestions about how to bring people to his tournament.

He unfolded the paper and choked. Coughing a few times until his throat cleared. Eyes wide as his face.

He thought he'd rid himself of her memory. Buried it as deep as the pharaohs of old. It came rushing back like waves crashing over his head, pushing him further underwater.

"Is Britannia Gilders available?"

"I beg your pardon, Sir?" Hideki muttered.

"Is Britannia Gilders available?" It took everything in him to get his heart to settle as he said her name a second time. "She's the top female popstar in the United States right now. If she were to perform before the semifinal and final matches-"

"But you would have to pay her at least half for the revenue she'll produce," Hideki interrupted.

"I'll bundle a ticket to see her with an all access pass to Kaiba Land." He scribbled on his notepad. "Those will be more expensive…so we can cover ourselves there. She'll get fifty percent of just her ticket while we get the other fifty plus the extra for the Kaiba Land pass."

"Are you sure that's our best option…?"

Seto glared at him, tapping his pen impatiently. "It's what I want to do, so yes."

"Given the circumstances, are you even sure she'd agree to it?"

"Speak plainly, Hideki." Seto slouched back in his chair. "Tell me why you don't want me to hire her."

"If you insist, Sir." Hideki cleared his throat. "I can't imagine she'd want to see you again. You did break up with her after spending three months buying her expensive things, pretending to be her boyfriend, and taking her virginity."

"I appreciate you not pulling your punches."

Seto sighed, glancing over his shoulder to where the sun had started to set. All things accounted for, he sounded as awful as he expected. He doubted she'd forgiven him after three years. Even with the world eating out of her hand while she sat atop the singles charts.

He had nightmares of her crying when he told her he wasn't interested in a long-distance relationship. It had been a fun, few months while she toured Japan, but that's all it would be to him. He had a business to invest in, tournaments to organize, an image to regain in the dueling world.

Those blue eyes welling up, her bottom lip quivering. All hope of him telling her they'd make it work…shattered. Standing on the roof of Kaiba Corp, her personal jet waiting. Her whole body began to convulse as she broke down. Hugging herself. Yelling about why he wouldn't hold her. Why he acted like he loved her. Why he convinced her to give herself to him.

He didn't answer her. Just told her that over time she wouldn't remember such a meaningless fling. Her success would be a bandage for it. And that she'd better not keep her pilot waiting any longer.

"I need the phone number of her manager," Seto said at last.

Hideki nodded his head. "Will there be anything else?"

"Yes. Reservations at an expensive restaurant in town."

"Any preference on cuisine?"

"French."

"And what time?"

"7:45pm."

"As you wish-"

"One more thing." Seto slightly enjoyed the annoyed glance Hideki failed to hide. "Make sure they have a bottle of Gerard Bertrand Clos du Temple Rosè."

Hideki left the room without another word, but Seto could tell he'd upset him with his demands. Not that it mattered necessarily, but he was sure his CFO wouldn't refrain from snide remarks about this decision.

He probably deserved it. Hideki put up with his gallivanting around with Britannia Gilders for an entire summer. Put up with Seto's desire to spend endless amounts of money on her. Not that his company was hurt by his frivolity, Hideki just claimed that people were starting to question their CEO's decision-making.

Seto knew she'd want an apology. Not that he intended to give one. It wasn't a wrong decision. At twenty-one with both their careers taking off. Why risk security in life for a whimsical romance? Surely, she had she see that!

Even though that wasn't exactly what he told her.

With another failed attempt to dethrone Yugi…the thought that he'd misjudged what was important crept into his mind. He could have been engaged by now! Planning some elaborate wedding. Showing off the Harry Winston on her finger. Posing on the cover of every world magazine.

He admitted he enjoyed parading around Domino with such a gorgeous woman on his arm. It was what was expected of someone like him – and he lived up to that.

Shutting on his laptop, he decided he'd had enough for the day. Distracted and nostalgic, he left the office to find his brother. Figured it wouldn't hurt to put a movie on and take his mind off things.