Thanks for the positive reviews I've gotten, guys! It probably tickles the cockles of Melzart's heart. This chapter is pretty long, so it took me a while (days with family issues notwithstanding). This chapter I feel should have been split into maybe two or three or so. That way I would feel more accomplished. But the story is definitely revving up at this point, and in more ways than one.
Oh, thanks to Melzart for the shout-out on her profile, because that warmed the cockles of my heart! ^.^ It's nothing, really.
Apparences belongs to Melzart, and Yu-Gi-Oh! belongs to Kazuki Takahashi. I only have my French English knowledge, which isn't much.
Appearances
by Melzart
. . .
Chapter 3
The Bet
…
Kaiba ordered his subordinates to call him 'Kurami' if they ever found themselves in Naomi's presence, threatening them with express dismissal if they should dare betray him. But he got rid of them when he climbed the stairs that led to the balustrade. From there, he could watch the cars race around on the track below.
With a quick glance, he easily noticed the white-and-blue car giving its competitors a run for their money. He felt glad that she was doing so well.
Faster than the wind, Naomi demonstrated as much temerity as he himself was capable of. She won ground with her respect and admiration with the same speed that she disposed of her courtiers. Which wasn't anything to scoff at.
It was true that she represented a real challenge for him for as long as he remained interested in her. It was equally true that normally, it would have been a great delight to bend her to his will.
That thought, almost dirty, pulled an almost wicked smile from Kaiba, who was watching the race very closely.
For more than twenty minutes he patiently waited for Naomi to win, sometimes surprising himself with his worry over her ability to make a tight corner.
Yet she got out of them just as well as if it had been him doing it. That didn't fail to sting his pride.
Quietly he descended down to the pit stop, unable of keeping his eyes off her.
"Not bad!" he told her trivially, walking closer when she removed her helmet.
She jumped upon seeing him.
Grr… doesn't he have anything else to do?
"You found out how to speak?" she spat, without anything more than a glance and an allusion to the previous night.
Kaiba responded with a sarcastic smirk.
"I never lost anything."
"Really," she mocked generously.
She wasn't about to admit that her countenance had crumbled just by talking to him, something which went against all reason.
"What do you want? Make it snappy," she said, annoyed.
Dangerous question, Naomi.
He had refrained from wincing from the last thought that had passed through his mind. But she declined and stared at him defiantly, uncertain of the signs he was giving off.
…Is she afraid of me?
He didn't know if he was happy or offended about the fact she feared him.
"Quite simply," he said, not allowing himself to feel rebuffed, "I think you're doing pretty well out there."
Her eyebrows raised.
What is he up to…?
"What if we had a little race… between friends?" he asked, completely serious.
Since when do you have friends, Kaiba? The kind you don't buy?
A smirk found itself on Naomi's lips, to her annoyance.
How could he afford to challenge her like this? Not only wasn't he satisfied with showing up everywhere she went, he wanted to beat her out at her own game, too?
How arrogant. He's so detestable.
She looked at him disgustedly, as if he were too 'chic' to dirty himself, when a mad desire to laugh in his face came to mind. Even though she stayed conscious that it wasn't good to underestimate…
…She changed her mind at the last second.
"What if we made a bet?" she dared him.
A curious smile came to his lips; he was pleased she had fallen for his trap so easily.
"I'll make it," he said, trying not to laugh like a maniac.
Naomi, as if she regretted what she had said, interrupted him.
"Fine," she breathed. "If I win, you get out of my life."
"And if I win?" he dared her.
She sighed then, almost laughing, mocking him.
Too much confidence, my dear Naomi. You don't know who you're dealing with.
But she turned on her heels, apparently not giving him any credibility.
"What if I win?" Kaiba repeated with insistence.
He was demanding his side of the deal.
But she didn't turn back around.
"I want an entire evening with you!" he shouted after her, clearly.
This froze Naomi in her tracks, and she turned ever so slightly around. He could glimpse her face, and it was smothered in sarcasm.
"You can always dream," she said back, too sure of herself.
"Except there's only one step between dreams and reality," he said, glancing away.
If she had looked hard enough, she would have probably run away – his eyes were filled with a fierce determination, almost sickening.
You'll learn to know me, Naomi. You'll see.
. . .
Probably a poor little rich guy with nothing else to do but to try and impress women with his money…
But what if he were more than that? Was it possible that she was only seeing the surface? The only thing she wanted to see?
He's bluffing.
If that's true, he'll go home with his tail between his legs. Fine. His pride's a bit much, but he'll get over it.
I hope I haven't fallen into a trap. I'm afraid of that. It's whatever he wants...
If you lose?
I don't respond?
Like that would happen.
She tried to convince herself, deeply, of her impression. But her instincts told her that she was warping reality, and that she was completely wrong. Too many things left on her on her toes. She hated paying up.
He won't have me that easily. Yeah! I'll show him what I've got.
. . .
Kaiba was smiling quite oddly, sitting in the backseat of his limousine as he looked out the window.
'Happy' wasn't quite the right word to explain the joy he felt at having caught her in his little trap. Moreover, he was glad, in the most honest of ways.
This is for your own good, Naomi.
Her good? Be honest, Kaiba. You never do something for nothing. It's just for your own unique satisfaction.
Who cares. I want her and I'll have her.
You egotistical… you really don't think about anyone other than yourself, do you? And she… have you ever asked yourself what she wants? What's best for her?
You really think you're what she wants the most?
His smiled dimmed at that, and something quite unpleasant wrenched at his heart: a doubt.
He sighed heavily.
I mean her no harm.
If you say –
I will not harm her.
Are you sure?
He shook himself slightly, more than inconvenienced by the difficult struggle against his own conscience – a phenomenon that happened only very rarely.
Think. You don't believe that…
The limousine stopped at the doors of KaibaCorp.
Go to hell!
. . .
Ugh. He'll never let go of me.
Naomi was very annoyed to see Kaiba in the back of the room.
Apparently he never got tired of coming to hear her sing every night.
What exactly does he want from me?
Oh, like that'll go over well. I won't even talk to him.
She soon finished her supply of songs.
But she barely had time to open her mouth before he came down upon her, with a disconcerting calm and a predatory look.
"When?"
She started.
He's so sure of himself. It's fascinating.
Kaiba leaned slowly towards her.
When will you be mine, Naomi? What day? What time?
"Our race?" he asked, curbing in further desires to close the distance between them.
She seemed to come out of a sudden stupor.
The bet… he tricked me. I knew it.
Kaiba was amused by her seemingly lost attitude.
But it was clear that he would never leave the room without a further rendez-vous, with or without a challenge.
"Tomorrow evening, same place?" he murmured again, accompanying his words with the smile of a conqueror.
So sure of himself… how insolent! He behaves exactly as if he already won… ugh! I hate that!
Naomi felt goosebumps rocket up her spine.
It's him who's… what's happening to me? Get rid of them… I have to-
"Well?" Kaiba interrupted, fighting despite himself, trying his best to keep himself standing at his full height.
He was definitely, truly attracted, like a bee to honey.
A wave of panic suddenly swept through Naomi. Her body had been stiff for quite a while already, as if she had realized she were facing a formidable adversary. But she kept playing the proud girl.
"Tomorrow, four-o-clock. Same place."
Kaiba couldn't help a smile of triumph from erupting forth.
"And if you're even a minute late, the bet's off." She dared to pretend as if she were mistress of the situation.
She's trying to make the rules… interesting, Kaiba thought, becoming more and more amused. So be it.
But he stopped smiling, at the same time his face came within two inches of her own so assertively it forced Naomi to turn her head away to avoid contact.
"I'll be there."
I'm already impatient.
"Sleep tight," he breathed, almost inaudibly.
Quietly, he went for the exit.
She's resisting me. But not for much longer.
Again and again, his presence trailed interminably behind him like a puff of powder in the air, and it fell on Naomi, who relaxed with his departure.
He's playing with me. I hate that!
What worried her now was how aware she was of the devastating influence he was having on her: it's hard to repel a magnet, especially when the force attracts you.
He's too dangerous. It'll be better when he's out of my life. Definitely.
She should no longer underestimate him. Even absent, he held an almost superhuman influence.
. . .
"You're really in a good mood, big brother… did you sign a contract?" asked Mokuba, bent over his plate.
"A competition," said Kaiba, the smile never having left him since the previous evening at the sole thought of having an entire night alone with Naomi.
"Woah! What type?"
"Auto racing."
Mokuba whistled, impressed.
"Who are you up against?"
Kaiba couldn't stop the delight from illuminating his face.
"A… woman."
Mokuba rolled his eyes, sympathetic to his future defeat. He didn't really need to know his brother to know he didn't engage lightly in these kinds of fights against him.
"What're the stakes?" he asked, still aware that Kaiba rarely did things without a reward waiting for him at the end.
But the smile, almost ephemeral, that came back to his brothers lips forced to him to only imagine.
"Oh yeah, by the way, what're we gonna do tomorrow? Think of something?" he questioned again. "Where are we celebrating your birthday? With dinner? A movie?"
His birthday?
How could he have forgotten?
"Oh, Mokuba… the competition's tomorrow. I completely forgot."
"That's okay, we can do all that stuff later!" His little brother was still enthusiastic. If his predictions proved true, and he didn't doubt them, Kaiba knew that his schedule was quite full until late at night this coming October 25.
I doubt it.
"The afternoon. Is that okay? That's the only time I can do it. Unless you want to wait until the weekend."
Even though he hadn't been offensive, Mokuba found it against his custom for Seto to put off a day between brothers. This competition had to be really important in his eyes for him to move it.
"Fine, this weekend. Promise?"
Seto Kaiba had the best little brother in the world. Discrete, sensible. He had the wisdom and intelligence to never try to embarrass or ask too many questions. An ideal companion.
"Yes, I promise," he responded. "And we'll do what you want."
In all honesty the day of his birth wasn't that important to him and if it weren't for Mokuba, he never would have stressed over it.
. . .
"What the…?"
Naomi suddenly interrupted her own thoughts when she saw a strange car so light blue it was almost white show up on the track. Certainly it was a quite spectacular car, one that promised a challenge worthy of the best racers. But what astounded her most of all was that strange logo affixed to both sides of the vehicle: a mystical, legendary animal. Rare. A dragon. It was white.
Weird… I think a tiger would suit him better.
Oh well. Kurami was definitely the newcomer; she didn't doubt that for an instant.
Slowly, he came to a stop side by side with his rival, right at the starting line.
Kaiba looked her over rapidly, eager to glimpse a reaction that would cement his identity in Naomi's eyes.
As you can see… I'm right on time. I wouldn't miss this for the world.
He seemed to do that a lot lately, though he had hesitated before adding his true colors. If she were to recognize the dragon, maybe she would understand whom she was dealing with. The reaction never came, Naomi being too busy putting on her helmet. But she threw him a strong glance, emphasizing she would have to prove herself and that no longer would either one of them be the kind to back down.
I'll even give you a tiny head-start if you want, he thought, showing an almost sardonic grin.
Absolutely not. Keep dreaming, she seemed to respond, more determined than ever.
Then their gazes broke to fix on the horizon, both sharing the same concentration.
Of course, Kaiba wished to win this race at any cost and believed it. He wouldn't cheat to get there. However, at the very last second, a very odd thought broke through from amongst the others.
Be careful, Naomi.
He didn't consider this strange idea for very long, sweeping it away almost immediately as if it were stupid and out of place. Since when did he care for the safety of others besides himself and his brother?
Finally, the signal to go was given, and the two racecars squealed their tires with the same accelerative force, rushing away down the track at a torrid pace.
She took the lead with great agility.
You wanna play? Well, let's play, then.
The CEO's foot pressed harder on the accelerator; he knew his car sufficiently well to know the speed that it could reach. And it was quite far from the maximum.
Slightly further ahead, Naomi dared to glance quickly into her rearview mirror to notice him approaching dangerously. Upon seeing this she did the same, not permitting him to pass her by.
For several laps, both of them fought hard to surpass the other, Kaiba sticking close behind her. This was his strategy; because he was happy just to scare her shitless and push her to her outermost limits. It was a question of understanding further what this woman was made of.
He went to speed past her left-hand side, but she deliberately blocked him. A bit later, he tried her right. Nothing worked; she didn't want to seem to cede a single inch to him. No sign of nervousness. He sped up; she did the same.
There were now only two laps left to go (as they had had a twenty-lap match) and Kaiba finally managed to drag up to her sides, without fearing the tight corners that he had just benefited from.
I see. A daredevil, she told herself, not daring to breathe as if she might fear it would jeopardize her safety. He stayed on her left, bearing down.
That's when, with only one lap left, everything changed. One small lap.
Out of nowhere, perhaps a hundred or so meters directly in front of Kaiba, a man who had perhaps appeared from the bleachers found himself on the track. He saw the two cars heading straight for him.
"FUCK! What's he doing?" Kaiba yelled.
What in the… she thought simultaneously, totally helpless for the poor man and for the accident that now seemed inevitable.
Kaiba could either dodge around her, trying to slow down or stop his mad dash, thereby giving himself the win, which was certainly out of the question now, or he could even directly flatten Naomi's car now on his right, knocking her into the middle and gravely injure her if the car started to barrel roll. How could you avoid one of them?
The battle raged in his mind. Everything happened too quickly.
He won't… no! If he doesn't stop, he'll kill him, there's no doubt! she thought again, more anxious over Kaiba's actions, on whom depended the events to come.
So the poor hopeless man ran away from the middle of the track, trying to shield himself, thinking he still had time. He only miscalculated the speed of the approaching vehicles.
Kaiba finally had the clear shot in front of him, with no more obstacles in his path. But Naomi wasn't so lucky; she was too late to avoid the man in front of her.
In a fraction of a second she had to make a very serious decision. As she couldn't stop in time, she went full throttle to her left to avoid him, directly in front of Kaiba.
Grr! No! Don't… do… that! He restrained himself from screaming in anger as he watched what Naomi was doing.
With a twist of the wheel, her car ended up sideways in front of Kaiba's, but began flipping upside-down in a multitude of barrel rolls until it solidly hit the bleacher wall after sliding on its roof, ending its journey.
The man was saved, narrowly avoiding her.
Though they had passed the finish line, Kaiba was far from satisfied; he braked sharply, deeply disturbed by what he had seen.
Naomi!
In what state would he find her in now? This was definitely unexpected.
As soon as his car reached a stop, he clambered out at full speed, but stopped upon seeing the help that had already reached Naomi's car.
Kaiba took only a fraction of a second to stare at the intruder in the center of the track, finding him crumpled on the ground and rolled into a ball. Luckily for him, he couldn't see all the anger and contempt with which he was being addressed.
. . .
She was unconscious when they took her out of the wreckage.
Then her eyes opened on everyone who had circled around her in worry. She remembered everything, then.
With a movement, they took away her helmet; blood soaked her forehead, which had been sliced open upon impact.
She risked her life for a nobody. Grr… a nobody…
Kaiba held his breath, still enraged and more worried that he would let it show. Her forehead didn't leave his line of sight.
Wounded…
"Naomi! Naomi! Do you hear me, Naomi?" cried one of the mechanics who didn't dare to touch her out of fear of aggravating a potential wound.
Totally numb, it was she who was worrying the most.
"He's okay?... He's not hurt? The man?" she murmured, trying to take control of her thoughts.
Kaiba's heart stopped beating on the spot.
What? She's not even thinking about herself.
"Yes, yes, don't worry," responded the mechanic. "You. Tell me what's wrong. Does it hurt anywhere? Just wait, help's on its way, don't move."
"No! I'm fine… I'm fine," she said, seizing the arms of the two men surrounding her. She seemed as if she wanted to get up before a dizzy spell nailed her to the ground.
"Careful! Don't move, okay?"
Kaiba came to intervene and keep her motionless on the roadway, and he believed he would have done so if there weren't already enough people around her. It was more a violent, tormenting grief. That little dangerous game could have cost her her life. And he secretly hated himself for it.
So it was that when their eyes met, he couldn't avoid catching a glimpse of her real concern. He hastened to turn away.
He didn't slow down… didn't even try to stop… what was he thinking of? Winning?
Courageously, she took the arms outstretched towards her, and painfully stood despite everyone's disapproval and despite the fact she could fall on her derriere due to the lack of equilibrium.
She was intact, certainly shaken by shock, but she stood on her own two feet even though there was some soreness here and there. Nothing serious. Nothing but bruising, probably.
Kaiba couldn't stop staring at her bloodied forehead as he stepped slowly back towards his car, choosing to sit on the hood without a word. But he had been judged. And he could feel it in the pit of his stomach. It was by Naomi's sole glare, turned almost glacial and contemptuous. Or maybe it was just terror that gnawed at him.
Suddenly, she rejected the hands and arms of those surrounding her, trying to prove she was perfectly capable of doing this alone.
The small half-smile of the admiring Kaiba managed to anger her, even though she discovered the sincerity that was usually lacking from his facial expressions.
She kept on walking, barely moving yet walking with dignity, head held high. She was furious.
"He is a public danger. I don't see anyone else," she repeated, trying to keep herself from screaming.
But her eyes deviated again towards the seated man whom, since the end of the race, hadn't moved a muscle, probably also in a state of shock.
Grrr…. she's worrying about that nobody again.
Kaiba was also angry. Against this guy, not Naomi, who seemed to pity the miserable man.
However, when she couldn't see him, he surprised himself by sighing by the sight of such kindness, normally exasperating to his detached eye.
Mechanically, she grew cold and whipped around to stare at him.
"What's your problem?" she asked him, voice replete with disgust.
Totally unmoved despite the remark which whipped at his blood, Kaiba resumed his haughty air.
"I don't have one. He wasn't in the right place at the right time," he breathed slowly. "Your head is bleeding. I think you should see a doctor without the slightest delay."
"What?" she shrieked, wiping her head with her sleeve without paying him any more mind.
She exploded.
"We are talking about a human being over here!" she hissed aggressively between her teeth.
Kaiba could understand her anger, seeing as he probably seemed inhumane. But he persistently kept that indifferent allure even though something, strangely resembling guilt, hadn't stopped blossoming inside of him.
"He was more scared than he was hurt," he said, without compassion.
However as he understood that the unlucky guy's fate was still ardently worrying Naomi, his voice grew softer, ever so briefly.
"He's fine… Naomi."
She gasped, turning her head around furiously to shoot him another look, but this time was as much surprised as simply shocked. It was the first time he had called her by her first name. And he had done it with such softness she stayed unarmed, even oddly reassured.
"What is more," he murmured, "it would have bothered me to waste that appointment tonight."
He's so… cold… but when he says my name… it's…
She didn't let him out of her outraged, glowering gaze, barely managing to keep a tingling feeling from stretching over her flesh.
Still, Kaiba preferred to play peacock.
"I won. I get my prize."
It didn't matter how.
A prize? Is that all I am? He's so… impossible.
She stayed motionless, insulted, not knowing what to think of this obdurate man or his alleged victory, which he claimed without apparent remorse. Nothing seemed to be able to touch his sensibilities, if he even had any.
Kaiba looked at her, stopping himself from turning away. Why would he ever pity the miserable guy's luck? Wasn't the final result all that was important? He won, without cheating. Harshly, perhaps. And even at the expense of some guy's safety who had no business being on the track, Naomi was ready to sacrifice herself for him, which he bitterly lamented. Almost as much as he admired her for it.
But he had still won.
Quietly, he rose off the hood of his car, then stared at her coldly.
"Six-thirty. I'll send a car. Don't be late."
Is that an order? she thought, freezing in place and suddenly feeling nauseous.
A strange weight knotted in Kaiba's stomach; any more and he would have had to admit that he was wrong if he hadn't hurried to leave at that precise moment. Indirectly, he profited from one of his weaknesses though he had forbidden himself from doing so: he didn't have anything to be proud of. But he was aware that it was the only way of getting to her.
And leaving this occasion pass him by was out of the question.
Of course, he could feel Naomi's glare burning into the back of his head; she had to hate him at least as much as she feared him. This wounded him, deeply. He didn't understand why. But he continued to lie to himself, preferring to come off as pitiless as he was with everyone else. And go around acting as if nothing had happened.
. . .
He's a monster! I don't see anyone else.
Naomi was no longer angry, shaking her head belittlingly as if she still hadn't come completely to.
The man was still in a state of shock. He had to have seen his life flash before his eyes in those few seconds. She was dismayed for him.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, three men appeared beside them, dressed like nurses.
"Excuse us, miss," said one of them. "Come with us, please."
"What?" she said loudly, as another of them ran towards the victim.
"Mr. Ka-…. Kurami asked us to ensure that both of you were doing alright."
Kurami…? He… ?
"We have to check your wound, miss. Don't worry about him, we'll take good care of him," he finished as he checked Naomi's forehead to assure that it was no longer of any risk.
She stayed stunned, thoughts directed at Kaiba.
So now he has a heart? Ha! He probably bought that, too.
"I'm fine," she said, pushing away the nurse's hand. "Don't worry about me."
But he insisted.
"But we had orders, miss. And it would be more prudent if- "
"I'll have nothing to do with him. I repeat, I am fine," she cut him off dryly before turning to care for the unfortunate man once again.
At the top of the bleachers, Kaiba was completely out of sight and was looking at her for a long moment, annoyed by how her compassion for the man never seemed to pucker out. For a fraction of a second he would have given anything to be in the poor man's place, so she could care for him with the same altruism. Or more.
So was it really a weakness to know how to pity the luck of the common man?
He isn't like you and me, Naomi. He isn't like us…
Us?
Still, he took at least some consolation from the incident. The only consolation he had been hoping for all week. Naomi was all his. At least, that evening. And everything worked out just fine, because it was his birthday.
…
He's too dangerous… he doesn't think about anyone but himself. He'd do anything to win. No matter what.
Naomi swallowed hard, less than an hour and a half later.
Kaiba suddenly terrified her.
But he still took time to send for help.
Are you trying to console yourself? Open your eyes. That guy isn't like the others and you know that. He's dangerous. Do you hear me? Dangerous!
Grr… what's wrong with him? What exactly does he want from me?
She was going to spend her evening with him. Reluctantly.
There was no question that she gave him the satisfaction of showing off her weak points. It would be a big mistake to give him even a single glance, however small. She felt Kaiba was sufficiently strategic to not give her the opportunity.
A simple evening. Then, presto, it would all be over.
Roland opened the limousine door, bowing very respectfully towards her.
Naomi had finally opted for the classic look, without exaggeration; she was wearing a little black dress that was tight enough to hint at her magnificent legs. At the top of her chest a large V-shaped neckline dominated her shoulders. And as always, her makeup was sparse.
All the better if he liked it. She saw in all of this an ideal occasion to make him bitterly regret chasing her down.
. . .
She's… definitely more dangerous than I am.
Kaiba could not take his eyes off of Naomi's alluring shadow as soon as she walked through the door. Moreover, a strong feeling of jealousy came over him, as he wasn't the only one to profit from her charms – the entire staff had their eyes on her, as well.
He rose from the table at her approach, very politely and with a reflex he barely even recognized, betraying his enchantment with her.
"Right on time," he whispered, pulling back her chair.
She responded with a smile so thin it seemed to turn the rest of her face into ice.
Does she know the effect she has on me? I don't believe so… no.
Visibly, she had kept the same shocked demeanor that he had left her with. Kaiba understood that her thoughts weren't always directed towards him.
Although he took a great feeling of annoyance from it, he preferred to forget it all for the moment, to reassure her in that same oh-so-futile way.
"He's very good. And he will be followed for as long as he feels the need," he admitted, hoping to relight the fire of her magnificent face.
She barely looked at him. But Kaiba recognized that she was grateful.
"Thanks," she murmured, turning her attention to the remainder of the empty room.
There's nobody here… except us in this restaurant.
"I don't like crowds," he told her, as if answering a question she didn't dare ask.
"What?" she asked, coming out of her thoughts.
"I didn't want a crowd tonight," he repeated.
That wasn't an excuse for how alone they were in the restaurant.
"So… you reserved the entire place?" she teased him, trying to get Kaiba to see his egocentrism.
But he was not going to lie, or find it uncomfortable.
"Exactly."
Naomi's indifferent attitude chilled Kaiba.
He sighed in frustration.
"What if we signed a truce?" he asked, not half-joking.
"I only obeyed orders," she replied frostily. "I didn't ask to be here!"
Kaiba fidgeted, taking the insult hard.
I forbid you from hating me, Naomi.
A short silence came between them.
"I would have avoided it, somehow," he said, trying to break ice and yet not really knowing how to do it.
She seemed to not be paying much attention.
"I am many things, I'll admit that," he revealed. "But I am no murderer."
Naomi suddenly realized that she had judged him maybe a little too severely because of her distrust, which had become instinctive over the years. Of course she knew he could be lying to her. She couldn't bring herself to believe, though, an entirely malicious being inhabited this man's soul.
"Something to drink?" he asked, as if preventing her from drawing out her thoughts too far.
Fine… make a small effort, at least… he doesn't have to be that mean.
But don't lower your guard. Just be nice. That'll be enough. Besides, it's just one evening… it isn't important.
As it looked like she had just finished examining her conscience, Kaiba was pleasantly surprised to find a small smile come to Naomi's lips.
"Just a coffee."
I don't drink either, Naomi. What's wrong with me? I don't have to unveil myself. She's acting for herself, not for me.
"What do you do in life, Mr. Kurami?" she asked, with a voice that had become as pleasant as her face.
Finally the anger seemed to have left her.
"I work… with virtual game systems," he admitted, not exactly lying.
He wasn't going to tell her he dominated the world market by himself alone and that thousands of people depended on his own good will.
"That's popular, here in Japan," she said again, her tone not betraying the slightest surprise.
Kaiba couldn't hold back another smile, almost embarrassedly.
"Yes. It's a very…. lucrative business."
Could she even see the enormous dollar signs that were sitting in front of her eyes?
"Doubtless," she said, shaking her head.
Apparently Naomi wasn't really interested in the financial realm, because she then turned her head to examine the dust that was on the table.
"You're not from here, I gather?" asked Kaiba, much more interested in her than in himself.
Are you kidding? He guessed that on his own?
"My accent?"
"No, you don't have one. It's surprising," he responded, fascinated. "How many languages do you speak?"
"Five," she admitted.
Brilliant.
Kaiba managed to notice a live spark in her eyes denoting her very large interest in the topic.
"Which ones?"
Unfortunately, she wasn't fooled, and immediately shut the door on any further comments.
"Is this a test?"
Grr… missed it.
"I'm curious."
Curiosity can be quite a bad problem, she thought, camouflaging her small grimace.
In line with her thoughts, and quite oddly, Kaiba retorted:
"But curiosity is the basis for all intelligence."
It was Naomi's turn to fidget. So much so that she asked herself whether Kaiba could read her thoughts.
"Do you dance?" asked Kaiba, taking her hand.
"No. I only dance at work."
Visibly, she didn't want to seem to stand and accompany him.
I don't like dancing, Naomi. But to hold you in my arms…. that's enough, Kaiba!
Once more, Kaiba insisted as he rose. Which caused Naomi to be drawn towards him.
She smells good… and she's so… desirable…
Kaiba didn't realize that he had softly nestled against her. No more so than Naomi, who didn't push him away but whose body began to furiously tremble. Pleasant shivers shook her, hammering as they went, leaving themselves in Kaiba's plain sight.
She felt as if she would faint.
A very sweet grin came to Kaiba's lips, who was dying to passionately kiss her. Nothing would have stopped him, if there hadn't been spectators.
Say something. Anything.
Naomi shifted slightly.
"Five!" she nearly shouted, breaking the silence.
Kaiba flinched, brutally wrenched from his thoughts.
"What?"
"I said I speak French, English, Spanish, German and Japanese."
Still drunken with his fantasies, he listened politely, without interrupting.
"And… I can also understand Russian, Italian, Greek, and Cantonese," she added, looking quite vexed.
Their eyes met then, and she devoured by the will to unite their lips.
It suddenly didn't matter if they were in the middle of a 'crowd' or not.
I want him to kiss me so badly… it's insane…
Kaiba leaned in dangerously close to her face, equally pushed by the desire to taste.
If I kissed you? What would that do?
Troubled and having difficulty hiding her lack of ease in breathing normally, Naomi broke the gaze by turning her head.
What's happening to me? I'm losing myself.
Kaiba showed none of the disappointment that rocked him when she detached herself to return to her seat. To him, of course, it was only postponed. But it truly seemed as if she were trying to avoid it.
But he knew it now, just as he had always felt it deep inside. She shared the same attraction for him, although it was against her will.
The question was now nothing more than 'How much longer will she resist'?
Isn't that what he always wanted?
. . .
Naomi, upon sitting, did something that shocked and angered Kaiba: she took a small package out of her purse, and put a cigarette to her mouth.
Is she doing that on purpose?
"I don't smoke," he said, as if he were trying to stop her from performing the action herself.
Her eyebrows jumped slightly, daring to confront him as she lit the thing.
"Really?"
A perfect indifference found itself in the tone of her voice.
Yeah, she's doing this on purpose.
She wasn't going to go without. There was even more of a reason to do so if Kaiba disliked it.
He was having trouble repressing his intention to order her to go away. He didn't even try to avoid the cigarette smoke that she was deliberately aiming over his head. Yet a strong desire to preach to her wouldn't leave his mind at this point.
"So," she said, more provocatively. "Let's speak about you, Mr. Kurami."
She had felt his irritation and though she wasn't normally a naturally unpleasant person, in fact someone who was generally very attentive to assure she didn't displease anyone, she cunningly hoped that his interest in her would crash and burn upon seeing the cigarette. Anything to get rid of him.
It was just that Kaiba couldn't be more impressed by her acting skills.
This won't fly, Naomi, he told himself, frowning.
"What's there to say?" he answered, braving her glare.
It seemed to her he was seeking conversation.
"I'm not married."
Naomi sighed mockingly between two puffs of smoke. It was a kind of phrase she regularly heard from the occasional businessman who attempted to seduce her.
"Oh? I suspected that."
Kaiba became interested in what she meant.
"It's what they all say."
Run-of-the-mill…
Both her diction and her tone smacked into Kaiba. How could she dare compare him to all of those scoundrels?
I am Kaiba! Ring any bells? KAIBA!
But again, he showed none of the insult from what she had just done.
On the contrary, strongly interested, he tilted towards her, as if it were of the utmost importance that she measure the full scope of his judgment.
"I'm not like the others, Naomi."
She knew that. His words didn't make any sense to her, being as they were totally unjustified. Everything in his attitude clearly showed he wasn't joking around.
She repented of her freely-escaped accusation. But she continued to ignore his insistence, turning her eyes to the server who had just come to their table.
"Really?"
I hate when you do that, Naomi.
"Lots of men pretend to… actually," she said again, sincerity marking her voice this time. "They seem to want to drool over me as if I were some sort of- "
Naomi cut herself off suddenly, glaring at Kaiba, who had been attentively listening.
"Not important," she finished icily.
But it's important to me, Naomi.
"I suppose they didn't know how to resist all of the charm," he stated calmly.
What about you? Can you do it, maybe? Admit it, you're wrong, Kaiba. She's better than you thought.
"So… it's all just a question of appearances?"
"Only for some people," he responded, as if he were defending himself.
. . .
But what was there to say, to add, when all you wanted was right at your fingertips and there was nothing to do but pick?
Neither one of them managed to learn anything about the other one using their words, which had grown futile. They were barely enjoying their meals, as they were instead nourishing themselves on the sole presence of the second individual.
She refused to personally disclose herself, though Kaiba tried numerous times to make her talk. She clung to using small responses tailor-made to politely dodge his questions. Kaiba, meanwhile, wasn't trying to say anything more than necessary anyway, because he was already held under the secrecy of his true identity.
However, he still couldn't believe just how much he could want this woman; what drove him there; what could actually result in its wake.
The hours passed, ever so quickly, with the two of them contemplating to themselves in partial silence.
Rain was pounding the streets when their feet struck the pavement in front of the entrance to the restaurant.
With a gesture, Kaiba called Roland, who then ran towards them sporting an umbrella. Kaiba protected Naomi from becoming wet, holding her against him gallantly until they reached the limousine.
Now what? he asked himself as he held his gaze through to what lay beyond the window, trying to not fixate upon Naomi, who was seated before him.
You can't let her leave like this without at least having tried. Wait. Tried what?
The two of them scrutinized the other one every now and then, moved by the same noiseless and attractive force. But neither one dared break the silence.
In several more minutes, it'll all be over. Be brave, Naomi. Then you-
You what?
He's so… invite him over.
No.
You're dying to. What's to stop you?
Be quiet.
Not even a goodbye kiss?
Grr…
Naomi whipped her head around towards the window that Kaiba was staring out of. Suddenly, she saw him quickly avert his eyes.
Apparently, he had been looking at her when she wasn't noticing.
We get there, and... Kaiba thought, torn between the irresistible wish to furiously embrace her and the duty to let her go right between his fingers.
Naomi didn't seem to want to lengthen her evening. He didn't want, either, to seem obsessive by insisting she stay.
Besides, it had never been his intention to get her in bed as his dessert. It simply wasn't his style. It never had been.
Try at least to kiss her.
No. Not unless that's what she wants, too.
But you know she wants you.
Perhaps. But I'd like her to come to me.
You're dreaming.
Besides, what does 'I'd like' mean? You take and you demand. You don't normally ask so many questions.
The car stopped in front of the hotel.
Finally! I need to get out of here.
Naomi made herself seem almost impatient to leave the vehicle; but she was fighting between inviting him inside or to send him packing forever.
It's so bizarre… how is it that he hasn't tried to kiss me? He's acting like he doesn't care at all. But… it's so weird.
Well, all the better, then. This way you don't have to dump him. It's not any worse. Besides, there's no way he liked the evening you made him undergo. He had to have been expecting a tad more cooperation, I'd imagine.
She was about to clamber out the door when a hand, placing itself on her wrist, stopped her in her tracks.
"Don't go, Naomi. Stay for a bit."
She stopped, not risking looking at Kaiba, who had just released her arm.
"Sleep well," he murmured.
Sleep well! You idiot! Pull her inside, make love to her there on the seat, at least, take her by force if you want!
Kaiba's conscience gave him a blow in the pit of his stomach.
No. That's not 'me'. I'd never abase myself to something like that.
"Good night," she replied, placing her foot on the sidewalk, Roland still accompanying her with the umbrella up to the entryway.
He didn't even try, she thought, as though it were worthy of some terrible regret.
For a very short instant, she would have loved to feel the softness of his lips on her mouth… or her body.
Better stay here. You even told yourself: he's too dangerous. Especially for you.
Kaiba waited a few minutes before ordering his chauffeur to leave. Secretly, he hoped to see her come back towards the limousine and invite him up to her bedroom. But she didn't look back once.
WARNING: According to the original author, CHAPTER FOUR is very dangerous. In her words, it has a "certain violence" (if you can guess that from the first three chapters), and she wishes to WARN you before reading: "If you can't take the sight of naked bodies, stop reading! Or avoid Chapter 4 - Everything is Relative! Thank you for your cooperation."