Chapter Fourteen

Delia froze as she took in the person standing opposite of her. It wasn't Hara; of course not. First of all, that person was a he, not a she, a very annoyed "he" whose grayish eyes were narrowed in speculation and suspicion. It gave her a jolt to see that he had her eyes. Not only that, he did look like Hara and herself, except he was the male version of her and her sister.

He was very tall, probably six three or four, and lanky in build, with wide shoulders, narrow waist and long legs. He had the same dark tan as Zaid, as someone who spent all his time under the sun. His midnight black hair was streaked with light brown and reached the collar of his shirt, curling a little at the end. Unlike others present, he didn't slick it back with gel and just let it run wildly by itself.

Tall, dark, and dangerous, he filled all those qualification perfectly. Yet…

"Welcome." The sound of the woman's voice brought her attention back to the present. The woman who spoke had a warm face that was just slowly getting over from shock. Her gray hair was mixed with black and pulled back into a small bun.

His mother, probably.

"Hi, this is a surprise," Delia said, yet she didn't mean to be rude as she snuck another look at the mysterious man, who continued to stare at her unabashedly.

"Mrs. Atkins, Mr. Atkins, how are you?" Zaid appeared behind her, looking handsome and even like a businessman in his black suit.

"Hello, Zaid. We're good as ever. And who is this?" Mr. Atkins, who was over six feet himself, stood beside his wife and shook Zaid's hand before looking at Delia.

Delia hadn't even noticed him before now, which made her feel really silly. After all, he was probably a man who enjoyed power and attention, but she just hadn't paid any attention.

"This is Miss Delia Yasune," Zaid introduced. They moved aside to let other guests pass through. Some just said a single greeting and headed in, but Delia saw the speculative looks some people gave her and Mr. Atkins's son.

"Miss Delia Yasune, so you're one of Drake's daughters," Mr. Atkins said with a smile.

"Yes, I'm Delia, his youngest daughter. Have you met my father before, Mr. Atkins?"

"Yes, several years ago, in Europe. And this is my son, Anthony." Another shock. Anthony, Tony, they were the same name. Her thoughts took a sharp turn. Yet, it didn't seem possible. But Tony was "kidnapped"; it didn't mean he was dead. Maybe he really got adopted… but… God, she was really confused.

"Are you OK, Delia? You don't look too well," Marik commented.

Delia gave him a weak smile. To be honest, she was feeling a little dizzy. "I'll just go sit down for a while. Excuse me." She smiled politely at everyone and made her way inside. After finding a small alcove, she sat down and took several deep breaths until her vision was normal again.

She didn't move from her spot even when everything began, meaning that Mr. Atkins gave his speech. Instead, she closed her eyes and continued to try to stay calm. Every time she thought about Tony, she thought she was going to faint. So what if the guy looked like her and was called Anthony? It didn't mean that he was her brother. Heck, the Atkins was a really respectful family. They wouldn't adopt a kidnapped boy, especially when that boy was two-years-old instead of an infant.

Unwittingly, the memories returned, of when her selfishness led to Tony's kidnapping. She recalled Tony's cries, and her own hatred toward him since he had all the attention. It hadn't hurt at that time, but what came afterwards hurt. All those hard words thrown toward her by her mother, the looks of disappointment from her father. How many times had she wondered about why they didn't love her? Just how many? It was as if she wasn't their child, but just another person they needed to take care of.

She wanted to curl up and cry again. She hadn't thought about it for some time now, ever since she regained her memories, but now, seeing that familiar face and of the possibilities, they all came back at once. The tears came before she could stop them, and she was glad that she chose such a dark spot to hide in. She simply leaned back and let the tears come, knowing that there was no way of stopping it.

And almost jumped out of her skin when someone brushed them away.

When her eyes shot open, she met her own eyes. Disoriented, she thought it was Hara until she remembered where she was.

"Why are you crying?" Anthony asked softly, studying her and her tear-stained face.

"Who's crying?" She wiped away the tears, careful of her mascara. Luckily, the alcove was too dark for anyone to see her makeup clearly. When Anthony sat down beside her, she sort of panicked, and asked with irritation, "Shouldn't you be mingling?"

"I am mingling. You're a guest," he said pointedly as he handed her a glass of lemonade.

"Not wine?" Instead of hers, she indicated to his glass, which held lemonade as well.

"I'm not old enough yet, not that that matters. I just don't feel like wine tonight."

"How old are you?" she asked just to check, though she wasn't sure she really wanted the answer.

"Eighteen."

Delia's knuckles turned white as she gripped the glass tightly. It was either that or drop it. Can it actually be true? Can he really be Tony? She shook her head, unaware that she'd done so.

"Something wrong?"

"No, nothing. You can go now."

His brow arched in amusement. "Kind of rude, aren't you?"

She matched his expression. "What kind of host tells that to his guest?" Then she sighed and apologized, "And I'm sorry if I did sound rude. I just really want to be alone."

"If you want to be alone, why did you come?"

"Well, gee, I wonder, would meeting someone that could be my twin counts?" she asked dryly.

He chuckled and suddenly didn't seem as forbidding as he had been at the front door. "Come on. Dance with me."

"Dance?" she asked, aghast. Couples were slow-dancing on the dance floor to the live orchestral music. "I don't dance."

"Really? I thought anyone with your upbringing could at least dance."

"I was only thinking of your well-being," she retorted. "If you still want to be able to walk afterwards, I suggest that we don't dance."

"If you mean you're going to step all over my feet, I don't mind."

"You're brave, I'll give you that." She smiled, then recalled her ruined makeup. "Wait, where's the lady's room?"

"Over there." She followed the direction he pointed in and saw the sign.

"Thanks. I'll be right back."

Once she was in the lady's room, Delia saw that her eye makeup was completely ruined. There was nothing to do but wash it off, which she did. After she figured that she looked presentable, she left, to find Anthony waiting for her exactly where she left him.

"You made it in record time."

"Thanks," she grinned and took his offered hand, allowing him to lead her to the dance floor.

"Are we friends?" Delia asked him somewhat suspiciously as they swayed to the music.

He took his time thinking about it. Delia was about to give up when his eyes lit up with mischief. "Hmm, we met less than two hours ago, but we could be twins. I like your style, and you came out of the lady's room in less than five minutes. Yeah, I think we're friends."

"Good, then I think it's safe to tell you I'm not a lady, at least not the kind everyone here expects me to be."

"I thought as much," he said with a boyish grin.

"How insulting!" She gave a fake pout.

"No, it's just no true lady would move from Japan or US to Egypt with the mind of working on an archeological dig, especially if her father is funding the dig."

Delia's eyes narrowed as she said, "If you want to know something about the dig, just ask. I don't like politics, and you have to know that I don't know a thing about it. Zaid wouldn't tell me anything." Saying that, they made a turn and she stepped on his foot.

"Was that deliberate?" he asked with a wince.

"Of course not. I warned you, didn't I? Besides, if I did do it on purpose, you'd be hopping one foot right now."

"Really?"

"Really," she assured. "Want me to give it a try?"

"No thanks. I'll pass. Some things just aren't worth it."

"Excuse me, but do you mind if I steal her now?" Marik tapped Anthony as they passed by him.

"No, of course not. You're a lifesaver," Anthony said the second sentence while giving her a wink. Then he passed her hand to Marik in a slick move and took Marik's partner's hand in the same way. "Enjoy your night, Miss Yasune."

"I will." Delia's lips curved up in a genuine smile as she watched Anthony and his new partner move away.

"You're looking better already," Marik commented as they moved around the floor.

"Yeah. It just shocked me at the beginning, I guess, seeing someone other than Hara that looked like my twin," she replied with a shrug.

"I'm sorry. I would've warned you, but this is my first time meeting him too."

"It's all right." She paused. Something Marik just said reminded her of something. "Wait, you mentioned that Anthony has a Masters in Archeology already, right? But he's only eighteen."

"Well, he's a genius. I heard that he could've gotten his PH.D. already, but he didn't want to go through the trouble of getting it."

A genius too? Everything was too coincidental. Was fate playing another trick on her? If Anthony was really her brother, what was the point of finding him now? After she'd remembered everything? Should she make sure, but that would just open old wounds again. Her parents had already stopped trying to track down Tony for a long time now, so should she still dig into Anthony's background?

Delia couldn't sleep that night. She couldn't stop thinking about Anthony. What should she do about him? It wouldn't hurt just to check, would it? No one else had to know about it. If he really was her brother, she would be the only one to know. She would just be happy that Tony was safe and had found a home where he'd grown up happy with everything he needed.

The next morning, as soon as possible, she called Seto. Come on. Pick up. It would probably be seven or eight in LA, so hopefully Seto was already back from work.

"Hello, Kaiba residence," someone other than Seto answered the phone.

"Hi, this is Delia Yasune. Is Seto available?"

"I'm sorry, Miss Yasune. Mr. Kaiba isn't home yet. Would you like to leave a message?"

"Yes, would you tell him to—"

"Delia?" Seto suddenly cut her off in the middle of her sentence.

"Seto? I thought you aren't back yet."

"I actually just walked in the door. Is there something you need?"

She wondered why he sounded so curt, but that was just Seto for you, always straight to business, so she did the same. "Seto, do you know of the Atkins?"

"Yeah, but they mainly deal in Europe and northern Africa. What's up? Did you meet them?"

"I did. They threw a charity ball last night, and I went. Their son, Anthony," she hesitated, "he looked exactly like me."

There was a moment of silence. Then Seto spoke, "You think he's your brother?"

Once again, straight to the point. "I don't know. Could you check it for me?"

"Check it?" He sounded puzzled.

"Yes. Can't you find some records about Anthony? About whether he's adopted or not? I just want to make sure."

"So let me get this straight, you want me to hack into the system to do a background check on Anthony Atkins."

"Bingo!"

There was another pause. "Delia, if he is your brother, what will you do?"

She sighed. "Honestly, I don't know. I don't plan on doing anything. I just want to know if he really is Tony. You know we all thought Tony is dead after not finding him all those years."

"I'll do it, but—"she could almost see wheels in his head turning—"what do I get?"

His question stunned her. She never thought she'd have to pay him for this. "What do you want?" she snapped, suddenly angry.

"I want you." His words made her pause. "I want to see you, hold you, kiss you, and make love to you."

"I…" she stammered, flustered. It would be so much easier if he had only asked for money. Finally, she mumbled, "you should've said that before I left."

"Come back to me, Delia."

"No." With great effort, she pulled herself out of the magic his words had woven around her. "I have to do this, Seto. I'll see you when the dig is over." Whenever that is. "Good night."

"Have a nice day, Delia."

Once she hung up, Delia just sat there, thinking. She shouldn't have called Seto. Wasn't the whole point of coming to Egypt to find her independence? Yet, she was still depending on him in every way that counted.

Why couldn't she just be stronger?

Before she could sink into a pit of despair over her own helplessness, someone knocked on the door. It must be either Zaid or Marik, coming to pick her up for work. She scrambled out of bed and rifled through her suitcase, trying to find some clothes.

Who knows? Maybe this day will get better.

Delia was amazed at the activities around her. Everyone was doing more than one thing at once. Even though there were no more than thirty people around, the entire place sounded like a bizarre, with everyone shouting to be heard above everyone else. She felt a headache coming from just looking at the scene.

They really don't need me here.

"Why are you just standing there?" Zaid appeared behind her and gave her a jolt.

"Don't scare me like that." She glared at him. He was dressed comfortably in work clothes, meaning shirt and pants and boots that all looked as old as he was.

"Get to work. You're not here to just stand around."

"Gee, I would love to work, if someone told me what to do," she mumbled.

"Get a shovel and go to where Marik is. He'll tell you what to do," Zaid said and pointed to her right. Marik was working with a bunch of other men, digging at what seemed to be a statue of some sort.

She headed to the building where the equipments were stored and took out a small shovel that she could use and then crossed to where Marik was working.

"Hey, Zaid assigned me with you."

"Really?" Marik looked up and wiped his face, which was streaked with dirt. "That's great. We're digging up this statue of—"

"Anubis," she finished for him, surprising both him and herself.

Marik grinned. "Seems like you know something after all."

"Of course. I'm not stupid. Don't tell me you agree with Zaid."

"No, I wouldn't dare." But he still had that grin on his face.

She rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

"Anyway, you're right. It's a statue of Anubis, the God of Embalming. We think this temple might be one they used to honor the dead. Over there," she looked to where Marik pointed, where Zaid was working with other men. "They're digging up a statue as well. It's the statue of Osiris, the God of the Dead."

"How interesting," she said sarcastically. A temple to honor the dead. Just great.

"Let's get started then."

She stretched and picked up her shovel. However, when she moved closer to the statue, the air shimmered around her and her vision clouded. Yet, nothing happened and it was over when she blinked again. She shook her head. It must be the heat getting to me.

Delia started digging along with the rest of the men after Marik introduced her. Most of the men just grunted without saying anything. She was careful to keep her distance from the statue as she dug while listening to Marik's lecture about the project as they worked side by side.

"Marik, we found another one!"

Marik looked up at Zaid's shout. However, neither of them realized how close they were until his head rammed into hers.

"Ouch!" They yelled in unison.

Delia took a step back and tripped over her own shovel. "Damn it!" she cursed as her hand automatically went up to find something to steady herself, and that something turned out to be the head of the Anubis statue.

Instantly, a strong gust of wind came out of nowhere and sent the sand flying. Everyone covered their eyes in reflex. For a moment, Delia couldn't hear anything but the wind howling in her ears. Her heart hammered against her chest in fear. Is this a sandstorm? All of the sudden?

Then, the sand beneath them gave way. As she fell downward, without thinking, she opened her mouth to scream. Yet, before she could get a sound out, she chocked on the sand that filled her mouth. Yuck!

As quickly as it came, the wind stopped and all was suddenly quiet again. Delia found herself buried in loose sand and she hastily dug her way out of it. Around her, all the others were doing the same. She had a very scary image of zombies climbing out of the graves as the men around her popped up one by one.

"Delia, are you OK?" Marik asked while shaking and patting away the sand covering him.

"Yeah, I'm alive," she grumbled while doing the same thing, but her mouth still tasted like sand. She didn't even want to think where she would find sand later when she showered. "Was that a—"

She never finished her question as the awestruck look on everyone's face registered. Curious, she turned around and froze as she saw the temple standing majestically before her, the temple that was focus of the dig.

Except it was no longer buried in sand.

What? How?

A/N: Hehehe, we're getting to my favorite parts!!!! Honestly, I don't know where this story is going. I've just had scenes in my head playing out by themselves, so we'll see which one sticks out the most.

Thanks for the reviews! Oh, I know this chapter is kinda short, but the next one won't take as long. I've got half of it finished (since I like the next few scenes hehehe).

Please REVIEW!!!

Till Next time!