Chapter two:

Contempt

Much unlike the night before, the weather was clear and sunny, not a cloud in the sky.

Tea drummed her fingers on the checking counter as she waited for the cashier to cash her things. She fished in her purse and found some lose bills at the bottom. The young woman looked at her as if she was from another planet -planet pathetic. Tea had so much on her mind she didn't even have the strength to give a damn. She took the small bag from the counter and handed her money to the woman. She walked out of the supermarket glad to have the sun hit her face. All she needed to do now was to get a cab and head back to her apartment to make a few phone calls. She started walking toward the street wishing that she had a car. Just then she caught a glimpse of a familiar face walking into a fancy looking building next to the supermarket. Was that Kaiba? It couldn't be. She didn't see him since that last Dueling championship back home.

She shrugged off the thought as she spotted a cab heading her way. Before she could make another step however she heard someone calling her name. It sounded like a kid. Confused, she spun around in the direction of the voice the strong wind whipping her hair over her eyes as she did.

As she parted the lose strands away her suspicions were soon made very clear.

"Mokuba?"

Mokuba was running toward her with an over zealous smile on his face. He was so different to his jerk of a brother- practical opposite. She was glad that it was him she ran into and not Seto.

"Tea it's really you!"

By the way he sounded you would think that she was a celebrity.

Tea greeted him with a warm smile. She was glad to see someone from back home.

"Hey Mokuba Long time no see"

"Likewise"

"What are you doing around here?"

"Oh, my brother has some business to take care of, you know Seto"

"Still the workaholic I see."

Mokuba sighed helplessly as he looked up at Tea. She was still taller than he was but he had grown a bit from the last time she saw him.

"So you live here in the city now?"

"Yep I have an apartment not too far from here"

Mentioning her apartment seemed to open the depression floodgates again. She could very well end up having to move back in with her uncle if she didn't find a job soon. Although being homeless sounded more appealing. She and her uncle didn't have the best of relationships.

"Wow that's so awesome."

Tea smiled. She enjoyed talking to Mokuba; his warm smile seemed to take her mind off of all her frustrations.

"So do you work here in the city too?"

Tea clenched her bag of groceries more tightly as the thought of her former boss slipped right back into her mind.

"Well actually I'm kind of searching for one right now."

Mokuba looked like he had been handed a blessing from heaven- not quite the kind of response she was expecting.

"Are you serious?"

Tea couldn't help but be amused as well as surprised by his words. He actually sounded sort of glad that she was job hunting.

She giggled a little before she spoke deciding that he was just a kid.

"Hey that's not funny Mokuba. It's not easy being unemployed."

"No I don't mean it like that Tea, it's just that Seto has needed a Secretary for some time now but he hadn't found the time to put out a vacancy add."

Tea felt nervous all of a sudden. The thought of working for Kaiba was like being sentenced to a torture chamber. The idea was so absurd it was even laughable.

"I hope you're not suggesting that I fill that vacancy"

"Well, you said that you were looking for a job right?"

"…Well yeah but…"

"So my brothers vacancy would be perfect for you, it's not like you two are strangers or anything"

"Mokuba, Kaiba and I don't exactly get along very well-in fact the only person that he seems to get along with is you."

Mokuba smiled; clearly amused at her flustered excuses. He was more than aware of his brother's effect on people.

"Yea I know Seto can be a little strict sometimes but I'm sure you two will get along just fine-all you need to do is do whatever he says and it's smooth sailing."

Tea considered what he was saying seriously for a moment. She knew she was backed into a corner and she didn't have a lot of options.

If only it was someone else and not the king of jerks. She honestly didn't know what to do, she needed the job but the thought of being around Seto Kaiba all day was enough to make anyone bolt; at least anyone who wasn't a member of his 'fan club' that is.

Tea sighed as she stared down at Mokuba's innocent face. She was just about ready to reply when a familiar voice rudely pierced its way between them.

"Well, well, if it isn't Tea Gardner."

Tea reluctantly turned around to face the annoyingly arrogant Seto Kaiba who was standing right behind her. Tea's breath caught in her throat as the sight of him took her by surprise. Was it even remotely possible for someone to look so unbelievably hot? Obviously for him it was possible. He was wearing a sharp blue business suit and holding a black leather briefcase in his hand. She noticed that his shirt was unbuttoned at the neck -A dangerously sexy look for him. His chestnut brown hair contrasted perfectly with his ocean blue eyes sending her heart into a double summersault.

Tea could have slapped herself for reacting so favorably to the way he looked. Luckily she wasn't one to let the inner workings of her mind to show on the outside. The last thing she needed right now was for Kaiba to think that she was attracted to him. Lord knows his ego was big enough.

"Why Seto Kaiba what a pleasure."

Tea made no attempt to hide her sarcasm and was not at all surprised when the smirk on his face didn't fade. She knew him long enough to know that words had no effect on him.

"What are you doing here Gardner? Last time I saw you, you were cheering your boyfriend on at the Battle City tournament"

"For your information I live around here."

"So you and the twerp have a place together? How sweet"

Tea felt a sharp pain knife through her heart as she thought of Yami.

"Well actually no, I have a single apartment."

"You mean you actually live on your own, Humph impressive Gardner But isn't that a little dangerous."

"What do you care?"

"Actually I don't"

"Well that's to be expected I doubt there's anything but ice in your veins"

Mokuba, noticing the conversation heading downhill, decided to intervene.

"Um, Seto, Tea was just telling me that she needed a job and…"

Tea could have sunk into the ground.

"Uh Mokuba…"she tried to cut Mokuba off before he suggested anything but Kaiba was too quick for her.

"A job? What's this Gardner using my poor little brother as a way to get a position in my company? And I thought you were a straight arrow."

Tea looked at Kaiba with a disgusted look on her face.

"That's not what I was doing you jerk"

"Now, now there's no need to resort to name calling."

Tea's frustration was rising again. How in the world was he able to get under her skin the way he did without even making a damn effort?

There was no way that she was going to take that vacancy, not even for Mokuba. Being around Kaiba too often couldn't be too good for your health. At least not for hers.

Sighing Tea switched her attention back to Mokuba, completely ignoring Kaiba.

"Look I'll see you around Mokuba, I have to go- I'm sure you'll find someone with a strong enough stomach to fill that vacancy."

"What's the matter Gardner afraid of working for me?"

He was trying to bait her but it wasn't going to work. She had had enough of his arrogance for one day.

"Bye Mokuba."

Tea didn't even bother to answer Kaiba. She only gave him a cold stare and started heading in the opposite direction. Mokuba knew when Tea was Serious and he could tell that she was dead serious about not wanting to work for his brother.

Kaiba scuffed as he watched Tea turn away feeling annoyed and a bit surprised. Not surprised at her reaction but surprised that he actually felt some semblance of concern for her. For some reason he didn't like the idea of Tea being all alone in a big city with no place to turn too for a job. What the heck was going on inside his head? It must be the heat.

Without a moments hesitation he started heading back toward the limo deciding it was best to just forget about the matter all together. Mokuba however was still staring at Tea, a worried expression written on his face.

"Mokuba, come on lets go." Kaiba was already checking his watch and walking briskly toward the limo when Mokuba caught up with him.

"Seto, don't you think you should try to convince her to take the job?"

Kaiba continued walking without so much as glancing at his brother.

"Why? It's not my problem, besides she'd annoy the heck out of me"

"Come on big brother, please, it wouldn't be right not to help her and you know she'd be perfect for the job anyway."

Kaiba finally looked down at his brother as they stood beside the limo. Mokuba was staring up at him with those all too familiar puppy dog eyes. Kaiba sighed heavily, knowing all too well that sooner or later he would cave.

"Please Seto, at least try to convince her"

Kaiba looked back in Tea's direction; she was just about to get into the back seat of a cab. He sighed again as he watched her get in and close the door.

"Fine, I'll try to convince her, but the minute she starts to annoy me she's gone got it."

Mokuba beamed as he looked up at his brother, a smile spreading over his face.

"Thanks big brother."

Kaiba rolled his eyes as they got into the limo a sinking feeling creeping into his stomach.