The Dragon's Wife Chapter 13
Hong Kong, China. Tuesday, 11:27 a.m.
The old man walked into a spacious conference room, his curved back rolling his shoulders forward and down. Just outside the large series of windows shines the emblem of his company's title RM & Co. Reed's Military and Company. The leading force of military production in Asia and Eastern Russia. By supplying war products to countries like South Korea, China, Japan, and Russia, Reed's Military & Co. is often rated one of the top businesses in the world, with its current owner and President Mr. Wei raking in a handsome net worth of $ 15.3 billion.
As he entered, he hobbled passed an impressive 19th century table carved ornately with Chinese decorations. Flanking the large cherry table are seated men and women of high order. They all bear the stern faces typical of their class and remain silent until the bent man situates himself at the table's head. Once he was made comfortable, he let out a long restrained sigh.
"It seems that she is going to return to us. It is a pity that she will not be coming in the way she used to." He said quite strongly despite his frail appearance.
"Make the necessary preparations our Lordship has instructed for her. Do not reveal a word to Mr. Kaiba's associates about this."
With firm nods, the quiet guests stood and bowed.
-Kaiba Estate— Three days Prior
With the ear-cuff safely hidden in her room, Olivia, for the time being, had shut away that painful memory of her past and went about her new path as Mrs. Seto Kaiba. Living as if the parcel had never arrived, she enjoyed the beauty that was the Kaiba Estate and sent much time with her brother-in-law Mokuba. The boy was a charm and was eager and curious. Olivia delighted in learning from him as much as he from her and the two became very close friends.
Whenever the boy would go to her room to show her some new discovery he had made in school or a new combo for his latest game, she always made certain that the ear-cuff was out of sight. The last thing she wanted was to draw unwanted attention to it and she had a sneaking inkling that Mokuba would go on to tell his big brother of what he found.
Mokuba would never do such a thing maliciously, mind you. It would simply be the dreaded result of a young boy's innocence and of wanting to share that with his sibling. That was the absolute last thing she wanted; for Seto to find out. He wouldn't understand anyway.
So in keeping with the English phrase "keep calm and carry on," Olivia did just that. She still whizzed around Domino in her Ferrari F12Berlinetta and assumed her many disguises whilst on her outings. Since her marriage to Seto, Olivia loved going out into the general public more than ever. Donning new clothes and wigs only became more sport to her and she spent hours among them completely invisible.
She was grateful that she had the unique ability to do this as well as the money to support these pseudonyms. Shortly after her phone conversation, she checked her bank account and breathed a pleased sigh when she saw the usual amount. As per agreement, Olivia had received her monthly payment of $41,600,000. She smiled to herself when she recalled the surprise Seto displayed when he prattled off how much her car was worth. Affording a $300,000 Ferrari was no worse than buying milk to her. What Seto didn't know was the amount she gave to charities and organizations, like the American Cancer Society, ASPCA, and others. All of these donations were never made by her however. No, but by her aliases. This way, the money could not be traced back to the same person. Olivia was a highly secretive person, and especially with her fortune.
She deliberately chose not to divulge this info to Seto that day in his office. And she hoped that it would never come up again. Because with that topic came with it the interesting fact that there was hardly any civil information on her. As far as many records showed, Olivia did not exist.
How she managed to pull that off was confidential—confidential enough that even government officials were in on the secret.
Whenever she thought on her accomplishments, Olivia had to smile. She was proud of herself and her ability to provide for others. Seto would positively die if he knew just how much she possessed. But the CEO would be dumb to that. However, regardless of what she hid from him, Olivia and Seto grew closer. Well, closer by their standards. She listened to his rants on work and business matters and at times offered her advice. Seto would vent to her in his study over drinks of coffee or scotch and the two of them spent hours conversing.
The blue-eyed CEO, she was beginning to understand, was not all stone and ice. In fact, he was very endearing to his brother giving him whatever he wanted. Seto was also giving with her. Many nights he would talk with her on various things; travel, science, history, etc. They had much in common each discovered and they indulged in likewise activities.
There was a downside to Seto though and that was their lack of intimacy. Sure Olivia gave Seto kisses on the cheek, and gentile touches but their relationship rarely exceeded that. By far, their wedding kiss was the most passionate gesture both had experienced. Seto himself was very conservative and that combined with Olivia's damaging past made for an awkward private relationship. And due to the amount of work Seto dealt with and the fact that Olivia urged him to do what was important, their marriage had yet to be consummated. Of course that was not made public! Heaven forbid it! But she knew that sooner or later, Seto would want to fulfill his husbandly duties, for after all Seto Kaiba was a man, and she spent hours trying to figure out the right circumstance.
All of this she pondered while lazily sipping her café con leche. The day was going to be a beautiful one, with clear skies and cool breezes. Olivia sat languidly abutting the terrace table. The house maids and butlers had already started setting up for breakfast arraying the different foods in a buffet. Not one for eating in the morning, Olivia read the paper and occasionally prodded at her plate of fruit and eggs.
Looking over the rises and falls of the stock market, she didn't bother to acknowledge the arrival of her husband. Olivia knew that once he sat down, Seto would want to read the paper as well so she quickly scanned the rest of the page before tossing it to his side of the table.
"Morning Mary Sunshine," she said while ate her eggs.
"Morning." Was Seto's gruff reply.
He was not a cheery riser on his off days and it often took at least an hour before he was civil enough to hold a conversation without snapping.
Pulling his chair out the CEO sat down with his breakfast of eggs, toast and sausage and reached for the daily news. They ate and drank in silence, at least until Mokuba bounded through the terrace doors and heaped food onto his own plate. Olivia smiled warmly at her brother-in-law and proceeded to talk to him about school and his friends. The boy, who had grown to love his sister-in-law almost as much as his brother, happily told Olivia of his achievements and outings.
When sufficient time had passed, Seto was awake enough to finally speak. His food half eaten and his black coffee full, the young CEO closed the paper with a rustling of pages and chucked it into the nearby waste basket.
"Our stocks are rising." He said sipping his coffee.
Olivia politely excused herself from Mokuba and nodded to her husband. "That's good. Better than falling."
Seto snorted. "Indeed it is. By the way there is something I need to tell you."
Olivia and Mokuba tilted their heads. "Oh?"
Seto, still holding his mug close to his chin, continued. "I'm leaving for China in three days. I would like for you to come with me."
Olivia watched with calm eyes as the steam from Seto's cup swayed as he spoke. Laying her left hand flat on the tabletop, she sighed as the wrought iron warmed her fingers. The large blue diamond shone majestically in its white gold setting and giving a small grin, she glanced over at him.
"China huh? That's pretty extravagant. Although, I doubt that Seto Kaiba is inviting me on a pleasure trip. No. It's more than that...this sounds like a business trip." Her grin widened and she knew she had hit the nail on the head. Still she pestered. "Well? Am I right?"
Seto stared steadily back at his coy, smirking wife. There were times when he found her utterly desirable, and then there were times when he found her to be most irksome. This was one of those times.
"It's a ridiculous endeavor. I don't know why they are insisting on it."
Olivia motioned her brows up and down. "Sounds like there's some bad blood."
The CEO took another sip of coffee. "There has been tension for years. They still resent the fact that I changed the company to manufacture games instead of war machines. Back then, my company and theirs did millions of dollars' worth of joint investments. Since the changes I've made, they have been coming at me for what they believe to be 'lost money.'"
Olivia nodded her head scholastically as if Seto was a student giving the correct answers.
"So, what is this company called?" She asked reaching for a piece of melon.
"Reed's Military & Co."
Olivia nearly dropped the slice of fruit and went noticeably still. "Reed's Military & Co.? you mean the corporation that supplies military products to Asia and parts of Russia? That's a huge deal Seto. Their yearly earnings last year were outstanding. To the tune of $ 15.3 billion."
Seto was taken aback by her amount of knowledge of the rival business.
"How do you know that?"
"Seto, anyone who's worth anything knows of Reed's Military & Co. That Mr. Wei is quite the war mogul." Olivia quickly replied.
"Yes…yes he is." Seto eyed his wife.
He did not want to feel anything strange about this, but something was amiss. The way she prattled off the information so easily raised a flag in his mind.
"Olivia, would you please come with me for a moment. Mokuba, you stay here and finish your breakfast."
"K. Oh and brother, I don't want to go with you this time. I have too much school work to do."
"Very well. I will instruct Alfred about your curfew."
With a loud groan from his brother, Seto rose and with Olivia in tow, returned to his room.
As Seto dressed, Olivia waited patiently until he was finished. Donning a simple polo and pants, Seto watched himself in his wardrobe mirror. Even if they were casual Seto was a perfectionist down to the last button. Olivia had to chuckle inside. He was taking such effort to make sure his shirt looked right that he failed to think of how the back rested. Slightly off center, Olivia went over and gave the crooked fabric a few quick smacks.
"There. All better." She said.
Seto muttered a thanks but fell short when he felt his wife's arms wrap around his chest. Resting her head along his spine, Olivia impressed her bold move by standing close to his motionless form. Olivia let out a calm breath. She hardly ever embraced her husband like this and was unsure of what possessed her to do so.
Being that she had always been a loner and that she had her room away from his, holding him so intimately was new to her. Rarely given to such impulsive actions, Olivia was startled. The last man she held like this…her thoughts flashed back to the ear-cuff and she tightened her grip.
Since that dreadful day ten years ago, Olivia's emotions had been swept up into a complexity that only another who had known the purest and deepest form of love, and to have lost that love, could know. Since his death, Olivia had found it difficult to let her heart be seen by another. His loss shook her tremendously and she sealed her affections away in a cold, iron box.
What made her suddenly embrace Seto she did not rightly know, but in receiving the ear-cuff her perceptions on displaying affection towards her husband were changing. The ear-cuff symbolized what can happen when a love goes unstated—Olivia, in her way and through living with Seto, was slowly realizing that.
Seto himself was unsure of how to react to his wife. Like her he was reserved with his romantic feelings but for completely different reasons. After living in an orphanage, surviving an abusive foster father, taking over and managing a multi-national corporation, and going through high-school, Seto Kaiba had no time for romance. Quick romps maybe, but no attachments. In meeting Olivia and becoming her husband, his ideas on love were changing. The love he felt for Mokuba was clearly different from what he felt for her. True that he found her tiresome at times, but she was also kind and caring. With Mokuba she adored as if he were her own blood. Seto saw their blossoming bond and knew that he had made the right choice in marrying her.
And, like Olivia, there was an aspect about their marriage that bothered him. In fact he hated it. Their lack of intimacy romantically disturbed him and he spent many hours thinking of ways to breech that gap. Seto had always wanted a loving family, which had been ripped away when his parents died during his youth. So when Olivia's arms tightened around him, Seto relished in their warmth and gently covered her hands with his own.
Turning his head to glimpse her behind him, Seto, in a soft voice asked:
"Does this mean you're going with me?"
The subtle movement of her head against his back made his heart ache and he rotated in her embrace. Facing her, Seto let his hands come to her waist. However in the process, Olivia had lowered her arms to her sides much to Seto's disappointment.
She may have retracted but she did not go to move away from him—a sign Seto took with comfort. Olivia couldn't help but see herself in his cobalt eyes. Being so close to him reminded her of her love from a decade ago and she struggled to push aside the pain. The way she felt in those yesteryears was not unlike what she was feeling now. The thoughts of that both alarmed and gladdened her. Two emotions that she kept hidden behind that cocky grin of hers.
"Yes. I think my going will help fix your little spitting match."
China: Hong Kong
Upon their arrival, Seto and Olivia were greeted by hoards of journalists and paparazzi. Even though they were forbidden from entering onto the tarmac, they still managed to slip past security. These actions were met with harsh repercussions. However, a few did go unhindered and they raced after the two socialites. Growling stern instructions, Seto ushered his wife into the waiting limo and relaxed behind the safety of the tinted windows.
The drive to the hotel was relatively quiet, with both passengers watching the scenery blur by. Olivia did not want to let on to Seto that she was on edge about being back. Instead she tapped her fingers to a tune she had heard years ago. It was a soothing melody and it just calmed her enough not to fidget. Her mind, though, raced with questions, plots, and play outs of events.
Inside her heart pounded with the strength of a gong, ringing in her ears distractingly. The limo pulled up to the doors of the Hotel Kilin, a posh establishment with a repute for putting up celebrities. Seto and Olivia exited the limo and headed to their room. With the sliding of the key card, the two entered the pristine and luxurious penthouse suite. The view of the contemporarily appointed lodging was spectacular overlooking the city of Hong Kong and the South China Sea. The area of Kowloon and the Pearl River were also visible. Looking towards the financial district, neatly settled between the Bank of China and the Hong Kong/ Shanghai Bank resided Reed's Military & Co. the place where Seto was required to be in less than three hours.
Olivia stared stonily at the large, imposing weapons building and tensed her neck. It was right there. The company she had left behind ten years ago; along with him. It hadn't changed in all this time with its neo-gothic embellishments and medieval English windows. She knew what she was getting herself into when she agreed to go with Seto but the ferocity with which her past was racing towards her nearly choked her and she quickly set out to "see the sights."
With determined hands she pinned her chocolate locks back and hid her amber eyes with her shades. Seto saw her assuming another of her disguises and it still amazed him how different she could appear using a few simple techniques. Yet he thought her disguising her appearance so quickly in their trip slightly odd and questioned her lightly so as not to cause any unwarranted suspicions. His ever astute mind, though, pulled the file from three days past to her strange behavior concerning Reed's Military & Co.
Assuring Seto that she would be fine amidst the heavy crowded streets, Olivia coolly left. Once in the hotel lobby, she hailed a cab from the front desk and slinked in. Telling the driver to take her to Reed's, Olivia watched as the popping tourist hubs dwindled to hurried businessmen in costly suits. Adrenaline pumped and took over as the cab stopped at its destination. Quickly paying the driver her fee, Olivia got out as would any normal civilian and made her way to the front desk. The inside of Reed's was decorated in both traditional and modern styles. The heavy mahogany furniture mixed with sleek glass and metal stairs and doors, all of which Olivia gave passing glances. Her focus was on the diligently working receptionist with her hair neatly pulled back and freshly pressed uniform.
"Hello. I'm looking for Mr. Wei." Olivia said.
The woman behind the counter scanned the suspicious foreign woman and with pursed lips answered:
"Do you have an appointment? Mr. Wei is a very busy man."
Olivia flashed teeth in her grin and clicked her tongue. "I understand. However, tell him that Miss Messina is here to see him and he'll drop what he's doing."
Not one minute after the receptionist, whose name was Mae, called the Reed's CEO did he send for Olivia. She rode the glass elevators to the top offices, removing her shades and undoing her hair. In here there was no need for disguises; it would be just rude. Mr. Wei and Olivia went back years and years. An old family friend, her parents used to tell her. Well, whatever he was Mr. Wei had always been a part of her life growing up. Many times she would visit Hong Kong with her mother and father and see Mr. Wei at his family mansion.
Mr. Wei acted like a grandfather to her, giving her gifts and affection. And it was true that the elderly man loved her like one of his own—heaven knew she spent enough time on his estate during the summer months. Those were great years. Olivia, through Mr. Wei's generosity, saw all of China and its treasures. She learned how to speak Mandarin and Cantonese and even tried taking up the ehru (which did not turn out as expected.) Nevertheless Olivia adored her visits with Mr. Wei and his family—especially when they involved him.
He too frequented the Wei family home during the long, hot months of the Hong Kong summer. The first time Olivia laid eyes on him, she felt her heart skip. Tall and regal he was, with straight shoulders and a sturdy back. It had been one warm July day when Olivia, then aged fifteen, came upon him standing under the comforting shade of a large plum tree. The fragrant blossoms fluttered about him, landing softly around his feet.
Olivia closed her eyes and smiled. The scent of the flowers filled the air as she remained transfixed. He was beautiful. And so unusual. She had never seen such pale skin, nor long locks such as to pool on the cooling grass. Silver was its color and it shone like liquid mercury.
Olivia remembered the blush that danced across her cheeks when he noticed her. Those eyes! Such fascinating eyes! They were like ice crystals within his fair face, delicately hidden by sweeping silver bangs. Olivia felt her chest tighten and she knew then that she had fallen in love with this stranger. When he spoke, it was like music from paradise.
"You there, what are you doing?"
As he turned to regard her, she was better able to see his elegant white robes. A remarkable blue jewel decorated his chest, matching a smaller inlaid into an ear-cuff.
"Are you lost?" His voice rang through her like bells.
Olivia recalled how weakly she answered; fearing that he was a living dream and any loud noise might send him away.
"No. Just out for a walk." She came closer to the pale man and with each step grew more infatuated.
"What about you? What are you doing out here?" She asked coming to the cool shading.
The man saw the young woman and he too felt a leap in his heart. She was lovely and poised with intelligent golden eyes. She was the Messina's daughter, cared for by his master, Mr. Wei. The man had seen and watched the young woman from afar gallivanting with Mr. Wei's daughters.
The foreign girl stood with him beneath the looming branches, both of them quiet. He could surmise from her posture that she awaited his reply to her questions. He took note of the red tint to her youthful face, the wideness of her eyes. The way they sparkled intrigued him and he found himself unable to look away.
"I am just—enjoying the breeze. When the trees begin to blossom you can taste their fruit in the air."
Olivia smiled knowingly at him. "Yes. You are right. I can practically feel the plum in my hand."
The pale man's heart ached at her upturned mouth and gracefully bent at his waist to get nearer to her.
"What is your name?"
Olivia's cheeks pounded with her heartbeat. His sheer beauty swaddled her in an array of silver and blue. She looked into those crystals of ice and became mystified yet again; his pupils were like those of a cat. She did not find them frightening for they suited him perfectly and she continued:
"Olivia Messina. And you?"
The pale man rolled her name in his mind like honey. Reaching out a pale hand, the long fingers came to rest on his chest above the jewel. He gave her a smile then that would stay with her for the next ten years.
"I am the guardian of Mr. Wei. I am Yue."
The elevator doors slid open allowing for Olivia to step out into the waiting area abutting Mr. Wei's office. The place was devoid of employees, as per agreement. Olivia strode over to the large wooden doors that separated the two compartments and pulled on the brass handle.
Shutting the door behind her, Olivia found the withered old man seated in his leather wing chair overlooking the financial district. Mr. Wei, with his hunched back and thin hands still possessed the authority he held when she was a child. The air about him had not diminished with his body, it only got stronger. She waited for him to turn to her, as a sign of respect for him. The chair creaked as it turned on its wheeled base, the old man peering at her through his glasses. Immediately the man gave a grandfatherly smile and extended his feeble arms out to her.
"Ah! Olivia. It has been far too long, my dear."
Olivia let out tiny sobs of joy as she went to him. Wrapping her arms around him carefully, Olivia knelt beside him.
"Mr. Wei! How have you been?"
"I'm well my dear, very well. But what about you? I hear that I should address you as Mrs. Kaiba now. Is this true?"
Olivia chuckled and pulled back to wipe the small tears away. Holding up her ring for him to appraise, she nodded. "Yeah. It's true. Been married for a few months now if you can believe that."
The old man lovingly patted her shoulder. "I can. It's good to see you so happy again."
Olivia swallowed the lump in her throat and chose to ignore what he had just said. While she was happy to see her old friend and caregiver, she also came on business of her own.
So, shaking aside the bittersweet feelings of reunion, she calmly asked: "I assume you know why I am here."
The man's face changed to that of a stern and wise business owner. Of course she had come for that reason. Since that day ten years ago, Olivia hadn't set foot on Hong Kong soil. Much to his distress. He had hoped that Olivia would overcome her sense of remorse and heal, but instead she chose to abandon any and all memory of his late guardian and fled to Europe. There was one thing she did not leave behind though, and that she instilled to his care; the ear-cuff. Setting his lips, Mr. Wei sat back in his chair and sighed. That piece of jewelry she insisted on keeping. Yet much to his wounded heart, Olivia wanted to keep it not as a loving reminder, but of bitter defense against future relations. To tell her that love does not last and that to never get so close again was her reasoning. She had sealed her heart and grew to coerce those she deemed in her way. It pained Mr. Wei tremendously to see a girl he had all but raised grieve over the one she loved. He knew how much it must destroy Yue watching her suffer so.
As a result Olivia wore disguises to hide from any who might want to enter her life. She moved from city to city, town to town, partaking of the finer things. Using her beauty and sharp wit, Olivia easily gained access to big wig parties and government meetings. This of course could not be done without significant help as it were. Financial help most of all. With millions at her disposal, Olivia could go anywhere, be anyone she wanted. Ten years of practice can turn one into a master at it, but that mastery has to have a superior. A force strong enough to rattle the cages and challenge positions. That challenge was Seto Kaiba.
Mr. Wei released another heavy sigh and faced the window to the city.
" Yes. I know why you've come back. You want me to stop interfering with Kaiba Corp's stocks and percent of income."
Olivia nodded. "Yes. Reed's Military & Co. has to end its futile demands. You will have to recover your lost finances elsewhere. "
She went to rise but was held fast by his grip.
"Right now I'm battling against being surprised, insulted and happy for you Olivia. I cannot deny my elation seeing you and the lovely woman you have become. Yet I cannot hide my insult that you have come all this way to discuss business. And I am also very happy. Happy that you have opened your heart again and found someone to love. Yue would be pleased."
He looked at her again and let her stand. Olivia never waved her eyes from him. Instantly, her steely reserve flared and her defense rose.
"You're wrong! Don't you dare bring him into this. I still mourn Yue's death the same as I always have. I am merely doing Seto a favor that's all."
"Ah~ but you see, there you are mistaken. Yes you will always pine for Yue, he was after all the one destined for you to fall in love with and vice versa. When Clow Reed gave me the funding to start this business he told me in a letter he had written that Yue would come to me upon his current master's passing. After Miss Kinomoto's funeral, just as Clow predicted, Yue came to dwell in my house. Clow Reed felt that it was important for his guardian to return to his homeland and I accepted my destiny. The day your parents brought you to my home I knew you were the one. The one Clow Reed foresaw his dear guardian falling in love with. He knew that it would end in heartache for the two of you. That Yue would succumb to the tests of time and fade away the same as Keroberos and leave you. Clow realized this and opted to allow me to support you in your grief. With this company I have done that. I have sent you to fine universities, paid for your clothes, houses, and other such things. What Clow left me with was intended for you. This whole unfolding of events was Clow's prediction for you.
It is no chance that Kaiba Corp and Reed's Military & Co. joined and I keep the charade going so as not to disrupt your fate. When I die and the company transfers into your name then you may do with it as you wish. But until then, I will not stop my dealings with your husband's company. It will remain business as usual.
And as for your doing him a favor, the time has arrived Olivia for you to stop running away from the past and see what your intentions truly are. You have come to me and behooved me to stop the rivalry between these two conglomerates—for the sake of your husband. Admit it my dear, you have fallen in love with him."
Olivia was dumbstruck. Her mind was a blank slate. It was all connected? Mr. Wei's revealing Clow Reed's prognostications, Yue's role in her life, her years of sadness, being Reed's recipient, and now her marriage to Seto. All of it nearly knocked her down. But it was Mr. Wei's statement claiming that she loved Seto on the same level as Yue that caused her to bristle. Painful tears suddenly formed behind her eyes as her conscious absorbed his meaning.
"I loved Yue, Mr. Wei. I'm not replacing him. No man will ever take his place," She said holding back the raging tears in her eyes.
The old man smiled sympathetically.
"You will never replace him my dear. But you must let your heart heal. Yue is honored and glad that you are happy with Mr. Kaiba. It is what he would want for you, his beloved."
"What Yue would want for me?" She mouthed as hot droplets rolled.
"This internal war you have waged with yourself is finally ceasing, Olivia. Your heart and soul knows what's best for you. Why else would you agree to come here if not out of concern for your husband's wellbeing? Loving Mr. Kaiba should not be shameful. Enjoy it Olivia. Because you do not know how long it may last. You should love wholeheartedly until then. Let yourself be free."
Olivia looked from the old man to the window several times trying to assimilate the present moment. She did not fully prepare for this. All she wanted was to get Mr. Wei to pull back from Seto, not thrust upon her this heap of emotion and self-objectification. Mr. Wei had said no to her intentions. She knew not to press him, the man was stubborn and capable. Instead all that was left to her was composure crumbling to her feet. Mr. Wei saw that it still was the topic of Yue that shook Olivia's core. He hated to do this to her, to get her to see what she had. But it was necessary.
"You have to go now my dear. It would be in poor taste if Mr. Kaiba caught you here. And it would bring unwanted tensions between you two."
Olivia kept silent. Her mind forbade her to speak. He was correct. Seto was going to be there shortly and she had to leave unseen. Seto. Seto Kaiba. Her husband. She both wanted to see him and run away. The man that tricked her into marriage, the man whom she kept in the dark about her past. Feeling her throat close Olivia hurriedly left the old man alone in his office.
Seto came through the door of the darkened room with tense shoulders and a scowl. It was 10:30 p.m. The meeting with Reed's went just as he thought: the same: no progress. Why bring him all the way to China if there was going to be no change in relations? Seto threw his jacket onto the room's sofa and set to undo his tie. The shiny fabric felt like a noose and he tore at it. Freeing himself of the persistent item, Seto's cobalt pools scanned the penthouse. No lights were on save those outside. The city of Hong Kong glittered like a giant Christmas tree. The sparkling spots of reds, blues, yellows, and whites shone into his suite but fell not upon his roommates' shadow. Getting the sense that no one was there, Seto cracked his neck. Where was Olivia? Surly she had returned by now. He called out.
"Olivia? You here?"
After a few seconds, a meek voice came from the darkness.
"Yes. Over here."
Not used to hearing such a hesitant tone from her, Seto forgot his earlier stressor and went over to a large chaise by the main window. There, curled into the cushion sat Olivia. Her legs pulled to her chest, the normally demonstrative woman in such a childlike position startled him and he sat next to her.
"What is it?" The protectiveness he displayed openly for his brother came through in his inquiry.
Olivia stared at her knees with her thoughts thousands of miles away. She heard Seto but did not acknowledge his presence. Her lack of attention struck Seto. He did not know what to do. Olivia was clearly not herself and the fact that she sat huddled against the chaise spoke volumes to Seto. The CEO watched his unresponsive wife, his worry rising.
"Olivia what happened?" He pressed.
She opened her mouth as if to speak but closed it when tears threatened to fall. Seto's sharp eyes honed in on those glistening eyes and he acted as the apprehensive husband.
"Olivia, tell me what's wrong. Did something happen to you? I told you to wait for me before you went out," Seto grew persistent to hide his fear that something might have happened to her.
His voice deepened when she continued to ignore him. The CEO began to think the worst. Was she assaulted? Followed by a street gang? He was unnerved by her and wanted the truth.
"Tell me what's the matter?"
Olivia heard him. She could not tell him why she was behaving in such a way. How could that story help their marriage? It would most likely break it if Seto discovered his wife's tie to his enemy. She thought of Yue again. Yue wanted her to find peace. At least that's what Mr. Wei told her.
She felt Yue's presence inside urging her to go to Seto. But was that the right thing? Over the hours she had given her situation a lot of thought, over and over in her mind the events of her life played out. Was Mr. Wei correct? Did she love Seto as she loved Yue? Had the cobalt eyed CEO, the blue dragon that was Seto Kaiba, gotten under her iron shield? She touched the ring on her finger. The diamond was smooth and cool. She thought of the ear-cuff and its rounded sapphire. How alike they were, how they pertained to her life.
Yue had given her life brightness and serenity back then. Just as Seto was attempting to do now. It was not fair to keep Seto at a distance. It was cold and unkind. But it was her only protection from undergoing that same pain. Conflicting storms raged and Olivia let out a shudder. Seto didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around her and pull her close.
It was instinctive of him to do so. She was his wife, what else was the reason? She needed his help whether she wanted it or not. Seto kept his warm hands on her and Olivia sighed for she had abnegated the touch of another man. Seto felt her body give way and quietly spoke.
"Tell me what it is."
That little demand, the way he uttered it made Olivia see exactly what Mr. Wei intended. Seto cared for her and she did him. Here it came crashing down. Her icy walls shattered allowing for her imprisoned heart to pump freely its honest heat. Mr. Wei was right; she had mourned Yue's death long enough. It was time to move on.
Olivia shifted in his arms causing Seto's curiosity to rise.
"Olivia?"
She said nothing, but leaned in and kissed him. Seto's eyes widened at her, his thoughts racing with questions. Bringing her hands up to cup his face, Olivia maneuvered her position to settle on his lap. Seto was too frozen to stop her, just let her guide him back against the chaise. She never pulled back from him to which Seto complied. Figuring that questions can come later, the CEO seized the chance to finally be with his wife. For whatever reason Olivia changed, Seto responded with eagerness.
The two of them wrapped themselves in each other's arms, urgently needing to take this next step. The ripping of clothes together with heavy breaths infiltrated their penthouse suite. Seto tore at her blouse, covering any expanse of skin with his mouth. Olivia threw her head back and gave him total access to do as he pleased. With her expressions of pleasure, she cast away the burdens of her past. If it was what Yue wanted for her, then why place more pain through disappointment? She followed Seto's lead and went after his dress shirt. Buttons flew into the black void of their 'living room' becoming lost in the plush rug. His chest was muscled and lean and it lay upon hers. The CEO ran his hands over her unabashedly. They trailed over her shoulders, chest and hips. Locking themselves in another kiss, both succeeded in removing all articles of fabric. Their lovemaking was heated and passionate. A tribute to months of unconsummation, latent desire, and emotional revival. Olivia held him tightly to her with her legs and arms, she refused to let him go. Seto worked above her with limited abandon for it was not his wish to hurt her.
Olivia moaned and mewled into his ears, urging him on. The CEO moved his hips against her skillfully and pointedly. Grunts and gasps emerged from the depths of his throat. Her fingers through his chestnut hair only cajoled those sounds of ecstasy from him. Olivia and Seto spent the remainder of the night ensnared together in lust. Several times light tears were shed, which were gently wiped away. Seto slept contentedly with his wife beside him.
The following days of their stay were filled with intense sessions of lovemaking and last minute business ordeals. Olivia and Seto had grown closer, giving each other kisses and tender caresses. Seto decided to wait to ask why she had a shift in her emotions, the reason was not important really. All that mattered was that barriers were gone. On their last day in Hong Kong, Seto and Olivia spent one last time together.
The limo came and took them to their plane. They boarded with Olivia never looking behind her.