Chapter 8:

Olivia arrived for the second time at the Kaiba estate one week after the visit to the jewelry shop. Seto had called the previous evening, inviting her for luncheon.

"We need to put the final touches on things," he said to her in a gruff tone.

Alfred escorted her to a spacious veranda where the blue eyed CEO waited. Sitting at a large exterior table, Seto busily read through faxes he received earlier pertaining to his company. His stocks were doing well, and his output was skyrocketing.

The afternoon sun was soaked in by his chestnut hair, dark business shirt and pants. Again, the top buttons were undone, giving Olivia views of the column of his neck. Alfred pulled out the single seat and pushed it back as Olivia sat down. Bowing slightly, the butler left to inform the footman it was time to serve.

Olivia pushed back her sunglasses and waited quietly while Seto finished his priorities. With a finished sigh, Seto looked up at her.

"We need to talk about the wedding plans. The press is going crazy over what happened last week with that fool Wheeler and his geek friends. And now they all think my company is going down."

Olivia tilted her head, her chocolate hair shifting across her back. "But that's not true. Have you remedied that tidbit yet?"

"I have, but you know drama. It sells. Now they're calling you the Dragon's Wife." The CEO looked over as the first footman set two crystal glasses of water down.

"The Dragon's Wife?" Olivia said curiously.

"It's a trite reference to my Blue Eyes White Dragon cards."

"Like the Duel Monster game?" Olivia said.

"Yes."

She angled her head to the side. "I suppose I can see it. Since your eyes are blue and your fiery personality."

Seto glanced up and saw the servers step onto the veranda.

"I hope you like Moroccan food." Seto said without care.

Olivia smiled. "I do actually. I'm surprised though."

"Why?"

"Well, I expected French or Italian." Olivia said lightly.

The blue eyed president gave her a look. "Because I look like I only eat French or Italian food?"

Olivia rested her chin in her left palm. "Quite frankly yes. But Moroccan food is a real treat. I haven't had any since last I was there."

Seto slightly leaned forward. "Is that where you're from?"

The familiarity of the question startled him and he had no time to backpedal out of it.

"Unfortunately no. I'm not Moroccan. Though people have guessed that." She chuckled and placed her napkin on her lap.

Footman carrying trays of steaming, spicy food filed onto the veranda. The scents of spices; saffron, cinnamon, cumin, ginger and others wafted from the plates of delicious looking chicken and lamb. Seto had arraigned for the lunch to be served in the traditional Moroccan fashion, with hot and cold salads first, followed by the meats.

Olivia delicately took a little cold salad, watching as Seto did the same. They ate in relative silence. Once that was finished, the main course of chicken and lam was presented. Olivia took chicken, whereas Seto preferred lamb coated in a thick brown sauce.

"This is excellent Mr. Kaiba, your chef is highly skilled." Olivia said between bites.

Seto chewed quietly.

"You know, typically, Moroccan food is eaten with the hands," Olivia stated gingerly picking up a piece of succulent chicken with her thumb and index finger.

Seto stopped chewing and watched as she ate the piece using her fingers. The CEO was momentarily mystified at her impropriety.

"Oh don't look at me like that Mr. Kaiba, surly you've seen a woman eat with her hands before," Olivia joked licking the tips of her fingers.

"Yes…not the one I plan on marrying however."

Olivia humorously grinned. "Oh, come now Mr. Kaiba, it's not barbaric to try the customary ways. You try it."

"I most certainly will not." Seto said biting on his fork.

"If that's how you feel." She said and ate another piece of chicken.

The CEO stared at her. Her defiance in front of his footman irritated him, but he did not correct her. Why? For what purpose? She would eat it that way no matter what he said. As long as he ate with a knife and fork was all he cared about.

When they finished, mint tea was served. Olivia sipped it carefully, for it was steaming in the white porcelain cup. Seto took the opportunity to clear his throat and explain what he planned for the ceremony.

"The wedding will take place on July 20th at 10a.m. The service will be quick, we'll exchange rings and be done by 11:30. Afterword we will return here and have a small reception. You will greet my business colleagues and be introduced as my wife. From there,-"

"Wait. Have I no say in this?" Olivia asked coolly.

"Like what?" Seto answered.

"Firstly, I should like to make clear that I do not appreciate being rushed. If this wedding is going to happen, I want to enjoy it to the fullest. That means: 1. The church will be filled to capacity. I don't care by who. 2. We go through the ceremony at the regular pace. 3. The reception will allow for any and all who want to attend, with the exceptions of those whom you detest of course. 4. There will be no photographers outside of the wedding photographer there. I do not want to be on stage all day and night."

Seto listened. "You're making it seem like we're in love with each other."

"The media needs to see that. Especially since that girl remarked on your company. If you seem disinterested, then that will prove what she said was true and that you're only in this for my money."

They were quiet. Olivia leaned back in her chair, her amber pools fixed on her fiancé. She though on the night of the jewelry shop. She thought on how she felt while showering; the inner-turmoil she faced more and more with this man. He tested her and challenged her. But that stone-that stone meant much more. She cursed that beautiful blue stone. She cursed the man who bought it for her. She cursed why she looked at it in the first place.

"Why did you request marriage for your reward that day?" She asked suddenly, her thoughts coming through in her voice.

Seto remained quiet.

"No, don't do that. Tell me. Of the three things you asked, why marriage?"

He still said nothing. He only grew more perturbed.

"You don't know me. You don't know anything about me except for the fact that my name is Olivia. And even that I'm not sure how you managed to find. And, well, now you know that I've been to Morocco. But that's all. You are not foolish Mr. Kaiba. You are a powerful businessman, so what was the reason? You do nothing without gain. Unless you really are after my money. Or my car, or whatever it is you seek in that lonely office of yours. So tell me, Mr. Kaiba because I grow tired of figuring it out... What is this?"

The CEO was at a loss for words. She had called him out. The woman he wanted that night at the party, and again in front of the media, was asking him why.

He would be a fool if he told her the truth; that he wanted her. But what he didn't realize was that in his refusal to admit the truth, he was only making the situation more desperate for him. The roller-coaster of emotion he felt zipped through him. But he derailed it for the time being and came back harsh and biting.

"You are a sneaky one. You almost had me admit that my reasons were affection based. Can't you see when a deal has been made? Or, no I'm sorry. If that were true, you would be in business and not me. I have my reasons, and they will be unknown to you. So understand this, the wedding is on July 20, according to what I specified. If you have a problem with that, then back out."

Olivia's eyes widened, and then narrowed dangerously. If he wanted to play that game, then so could she.

"Don't make me laugh Mr. Kaiba. You know, I'm not so desperate to fabricate a fangirl love story between us. Keep those expectations with that Sylvia woman. In fact, since she actually attempted suicide over you, why are you not flocking over to her side instead of biting at my ankles? I think you found me attractive that night. I think you though I would fold before you like a Renaissance triptych at your feet. And when I would not, you being the man you are, clung to the only thing you could think of. You saw me as a lost conquest and you cannot live with that. So, you proposed marriage in order for you not to lose face and dignity. I was to be another feather in your cap. So until you can speak to me like an adult and not a spoiled child, this will be the last time you snap at me."

Seto fumed.

"And especially after I defended you in front of the press. As far as I'm concerned, you don't deserve me."

Rising from her seat, Olivia came around to stand over him. Seto was astounded. She assumed the very stance he often took with inferiors. Once again, he had mistaken her for past women. The CEO realized that he was wrong and did something he never thought he would do; he sat there and let her finish.

"Do you have anything to say?"

Seto inhaled to calm himself. Before he answered, she interjected again.

"And, cut the stony, distant act. I'm tired of hearing it. I never get a straight answer from you. But you will give me an explanation."

There was a long pause between them. Olivia waited for him to answer.

Knowing he had been bested, Seto swallowed his pride and slowly stood. He made sure to not bump into her and looked into her eyes. This going back and forth needed to end, and he was going to be the one to do just that.

"You've made your point. I admit that, through this, I've been wrong in treating you as if you were one of my employees. Yes, I was surprised when you were different from other women. And I thought that in time you would throw yourself at me. I would sleep with you, and then dump you like all the others. But instead, I asked you to be my fiancée. That is what we are. That is what this is."

The whole time he never left her gaze. Olivia, in the time she knew him, saw for the first time sincerity. Seto softened his voice and continued. He resisted the odd feelings he got, because there was only one other he spoke to like this.

"I understand your frustration. I admit that I was wrong in behaving that way. This whole thing is my responsibility."

Olivia, despite herself, felt a warm sensation rising in her neck. When he wasn't acting like the world famous CEO, Seto was actually charming.

"Wow, that was a change of heart. I never expected you to say that." She said.

Seto shrugged. "I may be cold but I'm not completely without feeling."

Olivia laughed and brushed a hand through her hair, avoiding her sunglasses. "I stand corrected on that."

Seto motioned for her to sit once again, now that things had been smoothed over.

"If you wish, the alterations you made for the wedding will happen. I just need time to inform the planners and staff."

"Thank you, Mr. Kaiba," Olivia said more at ease with him. "I admit to being rash as well. My outburst was very unprofessional."

"I thought that this wasn't a business deal anymore?" Seto jested.

Olivia smiled broadly at the little joke and Seto's attempt at humorous sarcasm. "Quite right."

"That reminds me," he dug into his shirt pocket and pulled out a velvet case. "This arrived yesterday morning."

Olivia eyed the ring box. Inside was that gorgeous stone.

"How does it look?" She asked.

"I don't know. I haven't opened it. I figured since it's your ring, you should open it in front of me."

Her heart beat faster as he placed the box before her. Trying not to shake, Olivia lifted the lid. The perfect blue diamond winked at her in the sunlight. The facets shone in a myriad of color. Nestled in its setting of white gold surrounded by pave (pa-vey) diamonds, the ring was something fantastic. Breathlessly, Olivia removed it from the box and studied it.

"Does it fit?" Seto asked watching her lovely face.

"Let me see," she slipped the heavy ring onto her finger. It fit. In fact it melded to her finger like a second skin.

She held her hand out, mesmerized as it glittered. A blush rose to her cheeks. It was outstanding and it was hers. This $11.5 million dollar ring was hers. The thought of it nearly made her lightheaded.

"Thank you Mr. Kaiba, this is something I shall cherish dearly," She said in honesty.

The feelings that came with the ring filled her. Only a man who held deep, brutal affection would buy this. And as Olivia stared helplessly at the stone, the more she realized that perhaps Seto did have affection for her.

"Mr. Kaiba, I-,"

"Seto."

"What?" She said turning towards him.

"Call me Seto. The days of addressing me as 'Mr. Kaiba' are over now. That ring signifies this."

Seto hoped she would comply. He had never heard her call him by his name unless it was for formalities sake.

"Thank you Seto." The blush lingered on her face.

A quiet, peaceful air passed between them and for the first time since they met, they both felt an eagerness and a desire to stay in each other's presence.

"It seems that now all we need is a ring bearer," Olivia joked.

"I have someone in mind for that." Seto responded.

"Oh? Who?"

From deep within the mansion, a youthful voice echoed. It was excited and decidedly boyish. What he announced next made Olivia's eyes go wide.

"Big brother! I'm back from my trip!"