At This Moment

Seto x Serenity

By Charismatic Beauty and Falchionne

Chapter 6

Cold Summer Days

Serenity Wheeler looked up at the ceiling above her. In the darkness it looked like a black void and was doing little to help the girl relax. Despite the comforts she had received from the spa earlier that day, Serenity found herself unable to sleep. The blonde girl next to her was deep in slumber with miniscule snores sounding from her nostrils. Serenity looked at Mai, her close friend and brother's lover, and thought back to the time she had watched over her during the Battle City tournament. Mai looked completely different now, so full of life compared to that terrible coma. Tea was stretched out on the bed opposite them, her right side slightly hanging off the mattress. Even in her sleep, she looked beautiful and strong.

Tired of laying down, Serenity quietly stepped out of the bed. She walked softly towards the room's window and pealed back a small bit of the curtain. With the little light the girl looked once again at her friends. She noticed the small ring on Tea's left hand and thought about the engagement she had announced. It was interesting to think that her friend was going to get married, though it didn't take much effort for her to imagine Yugi and Tea as a married couple.

Serenity wondered what it would be like to be with a nice, caring man. She still wanted to get close to Kaiba, but worried that he would only bring pain. However, every time she saw him she felt a yearning to get closer.

The girl turned and looked out the window. The lights of Domino City were beautiful against the dark blue sky. She looked down at the streets below and saw some people on the sidewalks, most likely walking home from the bar. A group of young adults passed by, laughing and joking with each other. Just behind them a cute couple were holding hands and lightly swinging their arms. Serenity let out a little sigh and wondered if she too could have such a nice love.

For the next few weeks Seto Kaiba tried to spend his days working like usual, but he wasn't able to calm his thoughts. He was still irked by the ridiculous comments about him needing to marry, as if he was somehow incompetent without a girl at his side. When he walked by a woman at Kaiba Corp he thought of all the possible negative sides to her; if she looked at him too long she was surely lustful and if she completely avoided him she was surely a coward. The women, in turn, reminded him of that Wheeler girl he had seen around town and he began to think that she must be as terrible as his imagination would allow. He even started to get a bit paranoid as he walked in public, thinking every brunette could be that silly girl. He cursed himself every time such a thing happened but the occurrences did not lessen.

Mokuba noted Seto's behavior one day while the two were shopping at the mall. The younger brother watched him freeze for a second when a girl brushed past some shirts a few feet away. Seto glared at the girl for a second but calmed down when he saw her face. Though he decided not to ask any questions at that time, Mokuba wondered what had gotten into his older brother.

On the other hand, Serenity tried to simply live her life day to day. She had two jobs to focus on now that school was on break and she didn't want to add stress by worrying about unnecessary things. She did spot Kaiba a couple of times around town, but she thought it best to keep her distance for now.

Serenity found herself at a restaurant one night, happily chatting with Joey and Mai as they waited for their food. She had had a good day so far, and had even been able to talk with Mokuba when she saw him out with his friends. He was a high-spirited boy and always left her in a good mood.

"Ya, he's a good kid now," Joey spoke up after Serenity mentioned her encounter with the younger Kaiba, "Used to be a brat, though."

"He's always been well-mannered since I can remember," Mai pitched in.

"That reminds me," Joey looked at his sister, "Are you over that jackass Kaiba now?"

Mai jumped in as Serenity's face turned bright red, "Don't be so harsh, Joey."

"I'm just looking' out for my little sis," the boy defended.

"She's not a little girl anymore, she can handle herself."

"It doesn't matter how old she is, I just wanna make sure she's alright."

"Well you don't need to worry about the guys she's crushing on."

"What are you talking about? That's exactly what I gotta worry about!"

Mai rolled her eyes, "Don't be so overprotective."

"I ain't being overprotective, I'm making sure she's not involved with that rich asshole."

"Joey," Serenity said sharply, "Can you just let me make my own choices?"

He looked at her guiltily, "I'm sorry 'Ren, it's just that I don't want ya to get hurt is all."

Serenity gave him a gentle smile, "It's okay Joey." She was still feeling her good mood from the day and didn't want it to go away, "I need to go to the ladies' room, I'll be right back," she excused herself and walked away.

Mai looked at her boyfriend who was looking down at his hands. He reminded her of a puppy who had just been scolded so she put her hand on his shoulder. "She'll be okay."

A tall man stood near the restrooms, his cellphone held tightly in his hand as he spoke quietly but fiercely. Serenity saw a couple of girls whisper to each other as they passed by the man and wondered what was going on. Confused, Serenity looked directly at the man and gasped. Though he was turned away from her she was able to instantly recognize his structure and hair. Feeling a bit nervous she turned on her heels and decided to walk back to her table.

Kaiba turned around just as Serenity took her first step and immediately hung up the phone. Irritated enough with a situation that had come up at work, his frustration was quick to rise when he noticed that auburn hair. He was sure that she must have followed him again so he called out to her. "Wheeler!"

The girl pretended that she hadn't heard him and continued on, only to be caught as he grabbed her arm.

"Why do you keep following me?" he asked with that special iciness akin to his voice.

Serenity turned but wasn't ready to look him in the eye, "I-I wasn't following you. I was just having dinner with my brother and Mai…"

Before she could finish her explanation Kaiba cut in with a frown, "That mutt's here? I didn't realize this place let animals in."

"Don't talk that way about my brother!" she spoke up.

"I'll say what I want about a stupid mongrel," he retorted.

"Let me go!" Serenity tried to keep her voice down and pull away from the man's firm grip. She was unbelievably angry with Kaiba and his terrible comments.

"Stop barking," he tightened his hold, "and look at me when I'm talking to you."

A bit scared, Serenity forced herself to look him in the eyes. The sharp blue of his irises looked so cold to her right now.

Kaiba pulled her closer and leaned down to speak near her ear, "If you continue to follow me around, I'll get a restraining order against you." He stood tall again and looked down at her frowning face, "Or better yet, I'll call that pound on you and your mutt brother."

Serenity gritted her teeth.

"Your choice, Wheeler," he said as he let go of her arm and walked away, a flap of his trench coat enhancing his exit.