Chapter Three: Meeting the Crew (1,175 Words)

Alistair stood before Kaiba Corp's main building and reveled in how gigantic it was. She didn't realize just how powerful Kaiba's company was until that very moment. Even when she craned her head all the way back, she still couldn't see the top towers. She tried her best not to be intimidated by the hulking frame of gleaming metal that she stood before.

After she had parked her car down in the parking garage, she found her way towards the front doors. A few loyal employees stood behind her, and she could feel their beady eyes on her back. They were probably more nervous than a mouse staring down a crouched cat in a shadowed, dark alley. She knew they were waiting for her move. She rolled her blue eyes in annoyance before stepping into the main lobby of the building. Justine had just joined them.

Numerous couches were placed against walls with aesthetically appealing tables to the front of sides. Newly grouted cream-coloured tiles lined the floor and only added to the fanciness of the place. She wouldn't have expected any less from Kaiba, the rich bastard. A few receptionists sat chatting behind a large desk. The one to the far right gave Alistair her full attention while the other two became silent, obviously wanting to listen in on their conversation.

"Hello, ma'am," the receptionist greeted with a kind smile. Her nametag read Oshcara. "How can I help you?" Her chestnut hair sat in a stylish bob around her soft face.

"Good morning, Oshcara" Alistair replied, hoping she pronounced it correctly, as she slipped a glance at her watch to check the time. It was seven o'clock exactly. "I'm Alistair Dernier from Dernier Corporation. Mr. Kaiba said to be here at seven."

"Ah, I see," Oshcara replied. Confusion clouded her chocolate brown eyes, but she typed away on her computer nonetheless. The other two receptionists began mumbling, but Alistair could hear the conversation quite clearly.

"Alistair Dernier?"

"Ain't that the big company that was going under?"

"I don't know. Why would Seto have ties with her?"

"I bet they're sleeping together."

At the anger and tone in the one girl's voice, her eyes narrowed in their direction. They either didn't notice or didn't care. She'd bet on the latter, however. Why were they speaking on such familiar terms? Alistair knew for a fact that Kaiba never slept with any of his employees and surely didn't make friends with them. She would be sure to bring this topic to his ears at the appropriate time. No doubt he'd be quite furious, and she had to hold back a chuckle from the thought.

"Ah, here we go," Oshcara finally said after a couple minutes. Her eyes skimmed the screen reading whatever that was on it. "Yes, Mr. Kaiba is currently in a meeting, but I can call down the Department Heads to get your staff integrated with our own."

"That would be lovely," Alistair replied, earning her a sideways glance from Justine. She shrugged her off. "At what time would Mr. Kaiba be done with this meeting?"

"Ten o'clock at least, twelve at most?" Oshcara offered. It seemed she really didn't know. Alistair raised an eyebrow. "The Board of Directors had some serious matters to discuss with Mr. Kaiba as far as I understood, so it might take all day." She covered her mistake of not knowing with that statement and shrugged slightly.

"Brilliant," Alistair bit out bitterly. Her patience was quickly burning out. "Still, if I can get my staff integrated today that would be great."

"Consider it done, Mrs. Dernier," Oshcara replied with another smile.

"Oh, I'm not married," Alistair said, sneaking a peek at her silver and blue ring. Why did everyone think the ring was a signal of marriage? Then the elevator door dinged open, and a group of people, both men and women, stepped out and advanced towards her and her staff. Then, she met Kaiba Corporation's Department Heads.

The first one to introduce himself was a tall young man with chestnut brown hair that came to a point above his forehead. His green eyes seemed to shine under the fluorescent lights. His name was Tristan Taylor, and he was the Head of Internal Affairs. He dressed in a green polo shirt with pressed khaki slacks. His black shoes were shined to perfection.

A blond came up next, and introduced himself as Joey Wheeler, Head of the International Department. He dealt with everything and anything international. He was dressed in a simple brown t-shirt and blue jeans with sneakers. His voice was faintly accented, Brooklyn if she wasn't mistaken, and he wore a huge smile.

A short girl with shoulder-length brown hair held her hand out to be shook which Alistair did quickly. She wore a yellow blouse with a knee-length skirt. Black shoes hid the end of her skin tone appropriate panty hoes. She was Téa Gardner, Head of Public Affairs.

Next, a lightly tanned man swaggered his way up to her. "Duke Devlin, Head of the Gaming Department," he said as he took her hand and gave her knuckles a quick kiss. He had a rather flamboyant attitude. He wore a pair of dice in his ears and calf-high black boots. Skinny black jeans were complemented nicely by a brick red t-shirt with a game logo on it that Alistair didn't recognize.

After she shook hands with another couple people, she gave her staff leave to join the Department Heads in the elevator. They nodded their heads at her before the door closed, and the beep sounded, signaling they were climbing the many floors the building had.

"That was most of them," Oshcara said softly. She stared at the elevator doors quietly, as if wishing one of the men would return. "The other two are brothers that are basically Mr. Kaiba's left and right hands." She finally returned her attention back to Alistair and Justine, who stood beside her quietly watching and listening. "Yuugi and Yami Motou should be attending the meeting with Mr. Kaiba at the moment."

The names rang a bell in Alistair's head, but she didn't know from where. "Probably a newscast," she thought. "Well, I'm sure that I'll meet them both soon enough," Alistair offered to the conversation.

"Yes," was Oshcara's only reply. She sat awkwardly behind her computer.

Alistair suddenly pitied the poor girl. She didn't know what to do with them since her boss was in a meeting. "Justine and I are going out for breakfast," Alistair said, giving the girl a breather. "Do send me a message if Mr. Kaiba get out of the meeting before we return."

Oshcara looked relieved, so it seemed Alistair's assumption was correct. "Yes, ma'am."

"Please, Miss Alistair will do fine."