Her first month at KC flew by with no real issues, she didn't speak with Mr. Kaiba much, but Mokuba was constantly by her side. She had come to see him as a big brother, who looked after her. The two were almost always together, working, having lunch or dinner. "Hey Chess, I have a date tonight, so I'm going to sneak out a little early. You gonna be ok with Seto?" Mokuba asked as he sat across from her desk eating his pasta.

"I will be fine," she replied as she took a bite of her salad. "I mean what is he going to do, sell me to the circus?" They both laughed. "Seriously, I have a ton of respect for your brother, I will be fine working with him alone. So where are you taking Rebecca?"

"I have a reservation at a very upscale restaurant downtown, then maybe some dancing, or maybe a trip to her place for the night." He winked. "I really like her, hopefully this will go well."

"I hope it all works out for you tonight." She laughed.

"Me too," he smiled.

The afternoon passed quickly and after Mokuba left just the pair remained. They worked in silence, each fully aware that the other was there, but not speaking. To Chessy, it was a welcome change to work in the quiet. Gathering her final files for approval she walked over to her boss. "Mr. Kaiba, I have some things that need your signature." He made a motion for her to come around to his side. Standing beside him it hit her how good he smelled. Cheesy blushed, she needed to get it together. He was her boss. "It's just these pages here," she said softly, laying the papers on his desk. As he picked up the pen to sign the papers her personal cell phone rang.

SETO

She looked and smelled delicious. He was so glad when her phone started ringing because it pulled him back to himself.

She walked over to her office to answer it. "Hello? Oh hey Joey." He gripped his pen tighter, almost snapping it in half. The mutt?! He had her number! The dog said something and she laughed. "No, I'm not doing anything tonight." Then there was a pause "hey Joey, look I'm flattered, but I am absolutely not interested in seeing anyone right now." She sounded sad. "Thank you for the invite though." He smirked, she knew she was too good for that mutt. She walked back shaking her head. He watched as she ran a hand through her hair. "Where were we?"

He smirked at her, "your reports look fine." He grabbed his pen and signed the reports barely looking at them. He handed them back to her and their hand touched briefly sending sparks through him. "Any plans for the weekend?" He asked, leaning back in his chair. He watched her for a minute as the shock washed over her face. He had never attempted small talk with her.

"Big plans" she replied "all involving pizza, ice cream, pajamas, and junk tv. What about you?"

"Probably working all weekend" he shrugged. "That's what I do every weekend."

"Wow, the glamorous life of a billionaire playboy CEO." She teased. "But seriously, that doesn't sound healthy in the least. When do you have fun or relax?" He just looked at her. "Seriously? You don't do anything but work? You need to relax before you put yourself into an early grave." She thought for a minute "I know! Why don't we go out tonight and let loose? Go have dinner, maybe some dancing? My treat."

He looked at her "you want to take your 'billionaire playboy CEO' boss out on a date?" He smirked as she turned red.

"Not a date and not if he's going to be a jerk about it" she teased. "But seriously, you can't work yourself to death. You have got to take time to smell the roses."

He stared at her for a few moments almost in awe. He was a multi-billionaire and here was his employee offering to take him to dinner to show him a good time. Was his life really that dull, that an employee had to show him how to have a good time? "What would we do?" He asked standing and walking to where she stood.

"We could go dancing," she said as he towered over her, "Domino has a ton of clubs that have dancing. We could see a movie, the possibilities are endless. The point of tonight is to show you that work is not everything. You have got to let go every now and then." She put her hands on her hips. "Even a control freak like you."

"Ok", he answered, "but I am paying, if this hits the tabloids I will not have them say that Seto Kaiba let someone else pay his way." He looked down at her and saw a shocked look in her eyes. "Everything ok Francesca?"

"I forgot about the tabloids." She breathed. "I can't be seen in public with you." she whispered. "I can't, if I am he will find me. If he finds me he'll kill me." She was pacing the room back and forth muttering to herself. Her face took on a panicked look, her eyes wild.

Stepping forward he grabbed her. "Francesca, what is wrong with you?" Her eyes were filled with fear and tears.

"I can't let him find me, I can't." She wasn't making sense.

"Francesca," he shook her gently, but he wasn't getting through to her "Francesca, Francesca, tell me what is wrong." She kept repeating those words over and over. "Chessy, look at me. You are safe, no one can hurt you. Not while I'm here." She looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears. "Who will find you? Who are you afraid of?"

"Macon" she answered simply before collapsing. She fainted against him.