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Chapter 16 – Invitation

Walking out of the school, Tea let out a heavy sigh and smiled. It was Friday; two days of freedom from the school hallways and annoying teachers was waiting right around the corner. She only worked that night at the orphanage, so the rest of her weekend was free. Although it sounded nice now, she knew what would happen. By Saturday afternoon, she would be bored out of her mind and probably invite herself over to Yugi's house for some company. After all, her apartment did get pretty dull with nobody around, and there was only so much to do.

She turned the corner and began to walk down the sidewalk, letting the gentle breeze play with her brown hair, when she felt a hand touch her shoulder slightly. Turning around, she gasped in surprise and asked, "Se…Kaiba?"

"That's more like it," he remarked, crossing his arms over his chest and smirking. He was wearing a pair of black jeans and his traditional boots along with a green t-shirt and black necklace with a dragon emblem hanging from the string. He was also wearing his sunglasses, covering his deep, blue eyes. Lastly, a black post was set in his right ear. Somebody would have to do several double-takes to recognize it as the CEO of KaibaCorp.

"When did you change?" she asked, watching him take a few steps forward.

"Right after school ended. Now come on. I have to talk to you about something, and you are heading to the orphanage, aren't you?"

Eyeing him curiously, Tea slowly nodded her head and followed him down the sidewalk. "So…how is your head feeling?"

"Better," he answered curtly.

"Joey was so startled about the phone call. He kept asking me why I was at your house in the first place."

"And what was your reply?"

"I said I felt sorry about not being able to help you out and decided it would be right for him to apologize."

"Did he buy it?"

"Of course. What else would I have come over for? He doesn't know you work at the orphanage."

"Right. Well, that's good. Since he's so stupid, though, I guess he would buy that kind of lame excuse."

"Geez, you're being an asshole today."

"Why thank you."

Tea growled and rolled her eyes. "That wasn't meant to be a compliment."

"No, but it came out that way, so you'll have to deal with it."

"Look, I'm not in the mood for arguing today, so I—"

"And who said I was? Besides, like I said, I wanted to talk to you about something. I just found your remark amusing."

"I don't understand how you can find something like being called an asshole amusing."

"Maybe I don't want you to understand. Did that concept ever enter your mind?"

Sighing in frustration, Tea asked, "What did you want to talk to me about?"

An awkward silence fell over the two as they crossed the street, and she glanced over to see a frown had formed on Seto's face. Putting his hand on the back of his neck, he said, "Well…there's this party that I have to attend, being the CEO of a technology-based corporation. It's hosted by an engineer who has been designing all sorts of technological parts that many companies, including mine, use. He hosts an annual party to discuss new inventions with all the other CEO's and managers of other businesses, and since I'm one of his clients, I'm always invited. However…this year, for some reason or other, he wants it to be a big to-do. He's asking everyone to invite a personal friend, girlfriend, boyfriend…anybody, just to make it more spectacular. I think he wants the publicity from the party since I know his business has been going down slightly, but that's none of my concern. Mokuba would never want to go, and I know Jade hates those kinds of things, so I was wandering if….if you would come along."

Tea blinked several times at Seto, letting the information sink in. "Well, when is the party?"

"It's Sunday. I'm sorry this is kind of late, so if you have plans already, it's okay. He didn't send the invitations out until yesterday."

"This Sunday?"

"Like I said, if you're busy, it's fine," he stated, waving his hand slightly. "I don't want you to give up your weekend plans."

"No…no, I don't have anything going on this weekend," she stated, still shocked by his behavior. "But how fancy of an occasion is this going to be? I probably don't have anything in those standards."

"You won't have to worry about that. I'll be sure to buy you something nice to wear. But…are you saying that you'll go?" Tea was amazed at how difficult it was for her to say yes, so she slowly nodded her head. A small smile began to tug at Seto's lips, so he quickly turned his head and muttered, "Thanks a lot."

"It's no problem," she reassured him as the two crossed yet another street. "Like I said, I don't have any plans, so I would just get bored anyway."

"Whether it's out of boredom or not, I still appreciate it," he stated, his voice going back to its cold normalcy. "The party is at four and shouldn't be too late, but it takes an hour to his house. Why don't you come over around two? That would give you some time to get ready, and then we can head out from my place to the party. Don't worry about a ride; I'll take you home right afterwards." Smirking, he added, "I wouldn't want to be the reason you fall asleep in class on Monday."

Chuckling, Tea nodded her head and said, "That sounds good. Who all is going to be there?"

"Oh, you know, the usual group of rich snobs and fake women," he replied as he put his hands in his pants pockets. "I hate going to these conventions, but it's part of my job to make an appearance. Besides, I have to know what he's planning on releasing next so that I can keep up with production and what-not."

"Sounds like you really love these things."

"Ugh, I hate them. All they do is try to out-sneer one another. It's disgusting, really, but I guess complaining about it is pointless. I still have to go to it, so bitching about it isn't going to solve anything."

"Sometimes you act way too mature for your own age," Tea commented.

"It's the truth, nonetheless."

"Still, it's nice sometimes to just let go of frustration like that. I mean, too much complaining makes one a pain, but everyone complains a little bit."

"You mean like you complaining about my philosophy on life? No, that was pure annoyance."

"That wasn't what I meant," Tea countered, glaring at him slightly. Sighing, the two turned the corner and could see the orphanage in the distance. "This is sort of random, but I heard you were moving the orphanage to the northern part of town."

"Jade tell you that?"

"Yeah. Yesterday we heard a gunshot, and she made sure that everyone went inside and stayed there for the rest of the day."

"This area seems to only be getting worse," Seto remarked, looking around at the surrounding buildings. "I hate worrying about these kids all the time, so I figured if I moved them up to the northern section of Domino, they would be safer. They wouldn't have to worry so much about the mob attacking. No such thing has occurred yet, but I don't plan on waiting for it to happen."

"Did the Seto Kaiba just admit to worrying about little children?" Tea asked playfully, smiling up at the CEO. Instead of glaring down at her or insulting her as he usually did when she touched the subject, he opted to smirking playfully.

"I know, right?" he stated. "Who knows? Maybe I'll become this kind, golden-hearted individual after all?"

"And now he's telling jokes! The day just gets better and better!" She burst out laughing at this and noticed that he was doing his best to stifle his chuckling. "Oh come on, you can laugh, can't you?"

"I can, but…"

"Well then laugh!" she exclaimed, jumping in front of him. "Laughing makes you healthier, you know?"

"And why are you so worried about my health?"

"I'm not. I just want to hear you laugh."

"Bullshit."

Chuckling, she placed her hands on her hips and shook her head. "Fine, don't laugh. But I am amazed at you, Seto."

"What did I—"

"Okay, pal, you invited me to go to a party with you. I would think I could use your first name now. Besides, we're near the orphanage, so what does it matter?"

Sighing in defeat, Seto smirked and said, "Whatever. Maybe next time I'll invite an imaginary friend to the party instead of an annoying one."

Blinking in surprise, Tea let her hands fall limply to her side. "You…just said…"

"Come on, let's go," he ordered, covering the side of his face with a hand to hide the blush creeping up on his face. Quickly walking around her, he headed towards the orphanage, leaving her behind. Tea could only watch in awe as he entered the orphanage.

"An imaginary friend…instead of an annoying one…an annoying friend? Did he just call me…a friend?" Shaking her head, she ran to catch up with him only to see the children surrounding him in the area out front, Jade smiling at the scene.