Chapter 49:

Seto's Choice

Seto glared at his phone after he had hung up on Ana. "I'm not jealous."

He set his phone down and furiously rubbed his eyes. After their date, Seto had gone straight home and researched kissing techniques. It pissed him off that he'd sucked at it the first time. By the morning he had a new "game plan" and had messaged Ana to see when he could take her out, but she shot him down in two seconds flat to go hang out with her friend.

"I'm not jealous!" He shouted at the bookcase. I'm just frustrated that I spent an all-nighter researching and planning only to not even get to try anything. Seto stood up from his coffee table and went over to his bed. He'd worked all day after doing an all-nighter. Falling face first onto the bed, he let one leg dangle over the side. Why do I feel so tired? I've done many all-nighters before. Oh, right. I guess I've gotten used to a more normal sleep schedule thanks to that obnoxious girl. He flipped over onto his back and sighed. His eyes drooped. Ugh, I need to plan what we're doing tomorrow. I should look up ideas she would like…

Seto jolted awake as his usual alarm went off. He picked up his phone and groaned. Crap, I didn't plan anything. He pinched the bridge of his nose and debated on if he had time to research something.

"Screw it!" Seto stood up and grabbed his phone. He made a call. "Inu-san, send my car and driver to the apartment."

"Which car, sir?"

"The fancy one. Also, make these reservations with in the next thirty minutes." Seto gave him a list and Inu listened quietly."

"Alright, sir… Can I just ask one thing?"

"What?"

"Does Sakurai-san want to do all that? Based on your previous dates those things seemed—"

Seto didn't even question how Inu knew about his previous dates. It was Inu's job to know what Seto liked and did, for the most part.

"No, I doubt it. We're doing what I want today. Just book them." Seto growled.

"Got it. Will do, sir." Inu hung up and Seto finished getting ready. He strolled outside after he had a quick breakfast and hopped into a long black limousine, then told the driver to take him to Sakurai's house. When they arrived, Seto got out and when up to the door. He didn't have to ring it. She must have heard or seen him pull up. She came out of the house in a faded t-shirt and jean shorts. When her eyes fell on the limo, she stopped in her tracks.

"Um, Amin-chan. What's going on?"

"You'll find out, so just shut up and get in the car." Her eyes narrowed at him, and he realized he'd been too much of an ass. "Please?"

She frowned. "That's a little better, but the next time you order me to do something in that way I'm going to throw you to the ground."

Seto sighed and just held open the door for her as she got into the limo. He followed her, then tapped on the glass in between them and the driver. The driver took off.

"Amin-chan, what are we doing today?" Ana looked uncomfortable as she looked around at the shiny black interior and the pretty crystal wear that was sitting on a small bar area with a fridge below it.

"I think I've done what you wanted plenty. We're doing what I want today." Seto didn't give her any more than that.

She seemed nervous. "I guess that's fair… Are we going to some duel tournament?"

"Huh?" Seto's eye twitched. "Not everything I enjoy is about dueling. Also, the only tournaments around here are for amateurs. I don't go to those."

"Great. So, what are we doing?" Ana asked again.

"Shopping first." Seto crossed his arms, and legs as he relaxed into the leather seat.

Ana tensed up and looked nervous. "Where are we…"

The limo stopped before she could ask, and the driver opened the door for them. The older man with graying hair helped Ana out, and then Seto followed. He'd let them off at a store that screamed "rich people" with its tall glass windows displaying couture dress and men's tuxedos. The fancy gold lettering that read La' hans at the top was visible for a full block down the street. Ana visibly tensed up and almost took a step back. Seto reached over, putting his arm around her shoulder, and propelled her toward the front door before opening it for her. She hesitated before going in. Seto followed. If the outside screamed rich, then the inside screamed extravagant. The marble walls and floor gleamed brightly, and the cases of clothing and jewelry sparkled like gems.

A woman in a white suit with her hair tied up in a bun came over to them. She looked back and forth between them, then smiled before bowing to them. "Welcome back Kaiba-sama, what are you looking for today?"

There was a reason he liked this place. Whenever he visited places like this, and they didn't know who he was, they'd treat him like some child that walked in off the street. Those places went out of business very quickly. This chain, however, had a policy of not judging the customer. He spent so much money at this chain a year that all employees across all stores knew who he was.

He pointed to the top of Ana's head. "Dress her up."

Ana looked up at Seto, horrified. "Ami-Kaiba-san, I don't think that's—"

"Where we're going today you have to wear formal clothes." Seto stopped her.

"Then why didn't you tell me that last night? I could have worn one of my dresses." Ana was looking around at the store uncomfortably.

Seto smirked at her. "I didn't decide until this morning. As I said, find something that suits her."

The woman smiled and bowed again before holding out her hand toward a separate room. "If you would follow me."

"Amin-Kaiba-san, I can't afford La' hans cloth—"

"Oh, and don't let her see the price of whatever she puts on. Also, do her makeup and style her hair." Seto interrupted Ana again before turning to her. "It's my day to pick what to do. This is part of what I want to do. So, go get changed."

There was panic in Ana's eyes. "The price."

"I could buy this entire store and it wouldn't put a dent in what I have. So, stop refusing and do it… Please." Seto felt his tongue burn, adding the please.

Ana sighed and seemed to give up. She went with the woman and a male employee came to take care of him. Seto dressed in a black tux, shoes to match, and a fancy gold watch.

"Would you like me to style your hair as well, Kaiba-sama?" The attendant asked and held up some pomade.

Seto opened his mouth to refuse, but then wondered how Ana would react if he changed up his style some. Seto agreed. The attendant styled it so that his bangs were slicked back and slightly sticking out to the side so they could see his face more. Seto finished first and went to wait in a fancy sitting room with a plush white couch.

The woman attendant came out first and held the door open. Seto stood up, but froze when Ana walked out. She was wearing a black full length halter dress that hugged her curves then flared out at the bottom. The dress sparkled like the night sky, and she was wearing full length matching black gloves that covered her arms up to her elbows. The stylist had made her hair wavey and had used a diamond flower pin to hold back her bangs. She was wearing a diamond necklace that matched the pin. Ana's makeup made her looked like some sort of otherworldly fairy. She was holding a black clutch and wearing sparkly black shoes that matched the dress. It was her eyes, though, that drew Seto's attention the most. The makeup subtly pulled his attention to her eyes.

He quickly snapped out of it. "Great, let's go."

Ana frowned, and the woman attendant raised an eyebrow before clearing her throat.

"Kaiba-sama, does this style suit your tastes?" The attendant asked while holding out a hand to Ana.

Seto paused and noticed the discontent on Ana's face. Oh… I'm supposed to say something nice here.

"It doesn't matter," he answered and for a moment a look of annoyance and disappointment flickered a crossed Ana's face. The attendant seemed to hold back a frown as well. "I don't have a particular style that I prefer. She looks beautiful in anything she wears."

Ana blushed, and the attendant had to hold back a smile. Seto went to the door and opened it for Ana.

"Let's go."

"Don't we need to pay?" Ana looked at the attendant.

"They put it on my account. We have reservations, so let's go." Seto wanted to leave. He didn't like the way the attendant smiled at the two of them.

"My clothes?" Ana asked.

The attendant bowed. "We gave them to the driver."

Ana frowned again, but sighed and went with Seto to the limo. He helped her in, since the dress she was wearing was kind of cumbersome. Seto climbed in after her and tapped the glass. The driver took off. Ana looked extremely uncomfortable.

"Does your family never go to places like that?" Seto raised an eyebrow. The Sakurai's wealth and connections rivaled his own. He found it hard to believe they never did extravagant things.

Ana pursed her lips before answering, "For special occasions, but since grandma set the president to live simply, we don't go to places like La' hans."

"I don't live simply." Seto stated.

Ana let out a small ha. "Yeah, I got that Amin-chan."

"I don't plan on ever living simply." Seto narrowed his eyes. Ana paused and looked thoughtful.

"I'll… try to keep that in mind." She looked down at the dress uncomfortably. "We are just renting these, right?"

"Huh? Rent?" Seto smirked at her.

Ana flinched and looked even more uncomfortable. "What are you going to do with all this when today's over?"

Ana gestured to the stuff she was wearing.

Seto's eye started twitching as he realized what she was saying. He put his hand over his eye. "Ana-chan, that dress is for you, and I'm not taking it back. You can't return it either. All sales at La' hans are final."

The color drained from her face, but he interrupted her before she could say a word.

"I told you, I don't live simply. If we're going to date, you're going to have to cave every now and then and let me buy you things. And before you say anything about paying me back, don't." Seto was feeling annoyed. "I wasn't expecting a thank you or anything. I honestly just felt like dressing you up and burning money today. Whether or not it makes you uncomfortable, try to accept it because I'm going to do stuff like this every now and then."

Ana didn't look completely comfortable, but she looked less concerned. She turned her head away and mumbled, "Alright. Thank you for the outfit. It's very pretty."

Seto was a little taken aback by her acceptance and noticed the tinge of pink in her cheeks. He quickly turned away and looked out the window. They were in the back of a soundproof limo, both dressed up. The sudden realization of the situation made him uncomfortable. Maybe I should have thought this through. He glanced at her quickly and found her looking out the other window. The light coming in from the window made the makeup around her eyes sparkle. Ugh, today's going to be frustrating.