By the time that 6.30 came around, Joey was only just getting dressed. He was going to be late for the 3rd time today, but it was hardly a problem if he kept that rich bastard waiting anyway. He picked out some jeans and casual shirt, ran his fingers through his hair a few times and set off. It wasn't a particularly long trip to the mansion, and it was easy to find. Hell, it was one of the biggest buildings in town.
When he arrived he muttered his name into the telecom at the gates before the huge gold bars opened up the enormous driveway. Joey shook his head and sighed, this was going to be a hell of a long night.
When arrived at the door, a tall thin man answered. His eyes looked heavy and tired and he spoke in a low, dragging voice.
'Mr Wheeler, I presume?'
'Ugh yeh, that's right…'
'The master is in his study, please, follow me.' The man closed the door and slowly began to walk down the halls. Joey followed closely, looking up at the décor that covered the ceiling and walls. Kaiba had money, and he seemed to enjoy spending it by redecorating the mansion to look like the Sistine Chapel. They arrived at the end of the corridor to a large wooden door with two roman statues either side. The man knocked twice on the door before opening it.
'Presenting Mr Wheeler.' Kaiba was sat at a desk, he nodded without looking up. 'You may enter.' Joey walked in, and the door was shut behind him. The room was silent. Eerily dark. There was a musty smell and low lighting. After standing at the door awkwardly for what felt like hours, Kaiba peered over the top of his glasses.
'Well?' he muttered. Joey cocked his head. 'Sit down then you stupid mutt.' Joey gave a low growl and walked across the room to the desk Kaiba was sitting at. The chair was tall and made of dark oak wood. There was a red velvet cushion, which reminded him of a throne. It was typical of Kaiba to want royal like surroundings, he did think he was king of everything.
'So, uh, where do we start?' Joey looked shiftily around the room. It felt uncomfortable, even more so than the usual conversations with Kaiba. The room was like something reminiscent of a horror film, where the eyes on paintings would watch you and the bookshelf would turn in the wall and lead to a secret laboratory.
'How much do you know about British poetry?'
'Not a lot. Poetry ain't really my thing.'
'Do you know any British poetry?'
'I don't think so.'
'Great. Fucking great. Well seen as it looks like I'll be doing most of the work, you can pick a section of history to look at poetry from.'
'Like what?'
'I don't know. Pick something you like, if that's even possible. Might make this stupid assignment easier.'
'I like guns n stuff. War games and all that crap.'
'Right, so we'll do war poetry. Should be easy enough.'
'They write poems about that shit?'
'Yes.' Joey thought about it for a moment.
'Who wrote that kinda stuff?'
'Mainly soldiers. Now, if you go to the book shelf by the curtains, 8th row up, there is a collection of book from the war eras in Britain. Look at a few books on poetry and bring a few back that might be of some use.' Joey repeated the instruction in his head several times as he walked to the bookcase by the curtain. Kaiba the fool had not pointed out which bookcase. Dick. Joey walked to the one on the left instinctively.
'Other bookcase, Mutt.' Kaiba shouted. Joey looked over and the rich bastard hadn't even turned around. Typical. He had been anticipating Joey's mistake.
'Sorry for browsing your highness.' Joey's eyes narrowed and he mentally burned the bookcase. He wouldn't turn to look at Kaiba, that bastard would probably have something wise to say. He eventually found the shelf and the books. He skimmed the titles and picked out one with 'poetry' written down the side.
The book was thin and greying with soldiers on the front. Most of the other books where leather bound and dusty, this one seemed a little more modern.
He carried it back over to the desk and Kaiba looked up to where Joey was stood. The brown eyed boy dropped the book on the desk, and Kaiba took it in his hands. He flicked through the first few pages and nodded to himself.
'This will do.' He muttered. He tossed the book back to Joey. 'Pick some poems out then. I'm going to let you do the easy part, I don't think your canine brain can handle writing anything. Hell, I bet you don't even know how to use a pen.' Something in Joey clicked. That bastard had gone too far this time.
'Now listen here you spoiled son of a bitch. Just cos I don't speak Latin or write music or whatever it don't mean I'm beneath you.'
'That's just the thing Wheeler. It does.'
'No, it don't. I am just as capable as you for anything. Sure I don't own some fancy company, and ya know what? I don't need to. I have friends which is something you don't. I might not have some private education but I have what really matters. Your goin' to die alone and miserable cos you're a bastard. You don't have a fucking nice bone in your body. Do the project yourself you ass, cos I'm done with you.' Joey stood up and marched to the door. He had had enough today. He had kept calm the entire day, and even though Kaiba had taken a cheap shot, he was tired and it had pushed him over the edge. He slammed the wooden door and left the blue eyed boy in the silence. The force of the slam swept a breeze through the room and the bumps prickled on Kaiba's skin. He stared at the door in amazement.
'Your goin' to die alone and miserable...' The words danced on Kaiba's mind, pressing into his brain, giving him a head ache. He rubbed at his temples and stood up. He wearily walked to the door and fell against it. Fumbling for the handle he let himself out.
'Edmond! Have my bath drawn. I want two pain killers, a cup of coffee and a classic novel. I'm going to bed early tonight. Make sure Mokuba knows this and is in before his 9.30 curfew. I want no disturbances. I would also like a hot chocolate next to my bed when I arrive and my blue silk pyjamas. The sheets warming, curtains drawn and phones off. Have the cook make some fresh marshmallows as well. You may all be dismissed when this has been done.'
'Yes sir.' Edmond bowed and walked off towards the stairs. It was an unusual order from the young master. The blonde delinquent must have said something to upset him, which could mean a lot of paper work the next day, especially if he was going to sue. Even if there where no legal problems, the young master always got his way, and a lot of compensation for his troubles. Seen as the young master had raised himself, Edmund decided it was only normal for him to be so protective over both Mokuba's and his own feelings.
Kaiba sank to the floor against the door. The mutt had actually got to him. Tomorrow, he would pay.
