Chapter 57:
Seto's Wrath
Ana walked into the large ballroom, escorted by Hoyhi. He led her over to two women. One woman was elegant and had Hoyhi's green eyes and hair. She seemed almost fairy like in her long green flowy gown. The other was not so subtle. She was wearing a deep crimson dress that hugged her curves, boosted her large (obviously fake) bust up high and was wearing smoky makeup that made her look younger than she was. Ana's smiled twitched for only a second before her mind went calm.
"Mother," Hoyhi called out to the fairy like lady.
Hoyhi Ella, a woman who originally lived in England until she met Hoyhi's father, fell in love, and moved to Japan. Their romance was whirlwind and after six months of marriage she got pregnant with Hoyhi.
"Ah, Jordan. There you are." Ella smiled at her son's arrival. She turned to Ana and her eyes lit up. "Sakurai-san! It's so good to see you."
Ana smiled genuinely at the lady. She'd always liked Ella. She was a very kindhearted woman. Too bad that kindness is part of the issue.
"It's a pleasure to see you again." Ana bowed gracefully to her.
"Oh, you probably haven't met. This is Okamoto Sakado. She's staying with us for a time." Ella introduced the woman.
Ana smiled at Okamoto. "Hello."
"This is Sakurai Ana, the youngest daughter of the renowned Sakurai family." Ella introduced Ana.
Okamoto had been looking Ana up and down until Ella introduced her. "Oh? Yes, I've heard of them. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Ha. She was debating on how to treat me until she heard my family name.
"I was surprised when I'd heard you'd be attending. What brings you to Domino City?" Ella asked, not at all noticing how Okamoto had just sized Ana up.
Perfect.
Ana kept smiling. Smiles can be battle armor, too. "I was in town for the tournament yesterday."
"Oh, the one held at Kaiba Land. I didn't know you were into dueling," Ella commented harmlessly.
"I'm not. I was there to cheer on my boyfriend," Ana said and paused, letting the info sink in. Ella looked excited, but Okamoto didn't seem to care at all.
When Ella looked to Okamoto, she feigned interest. "Young love is so nice."
Ana could feel her skin crawling. Ella looked at her guest with worried eyes. I wonder what Ella thinks the story is? Ella turned back to her, smiling.
Hoyhi finally spoke up, grinning. "Ah, that's right. Kiaba-san's tournament was yesterday. If he was in town, why didn't we send him an invitation, too?"
Nice. Perfect conversation steering. Ella looked rather taken aback by her son's question. His mother put a hand on her cheek and glanced at her friend. Okamoto's eyes flashed with excitement for but a moment. Then she quickly changed her demeanor to one of concern.
Okamoto answered the question, "That would have been awkward. The boy's rather obsessed with me."
So, that's the specific rumor that she told the Hoyhi's. I wonder if she fueled the dating one behind the scenes? Ana had to hand it to Hoyhi. He's set it up perfectly. Now it was time for Ana to attack.
"Obsessed? Who?" Ana played innocent and kept smiling.
Okamoto seemed very willing to tell her."Kaiba Seto. It would have been very awkward if he came. He would have looked at me all night and made me extremely uncomfortable."
Ella sighed and looked like she was about to change the subject. Ana interjected before she could. Her eyes narrowed slightly at Okamoto.
"What gives you the impression he's obsessed with you?" Ana's mouth twitched slightly, but she kept smiling.
Okamoto's eye twitched, but she smiled at Ana, nonetheless. "He drove my husband to bankruptcy, forcing him to flee the country in a very elaborate plot to get my attention all to himself."
There was a nasty taste in Ana's mouth. She turned to Ella, barely managing to keep her composure. "Hoyhi-sama, you keep rather interesting company."
Ana could feel Okamoto's eyes narrow at her.
Ella looked rather taken aback. "W-what?"
"Well, I find it interesting that your guest is claiming that Kaiba Seto is obsessed with her when he has a girlfriend," Ana offered this information in a casual tone.
Ella and Okamoto looked rather surprised.
Hoyhi joined in. "You didn't know that, mother? He danced with her at our last party. He even glared at me for looking at her. I thought he might kill me if I talked with her for too long. It was super obvious he was head over hills for her. If he's obsessed with anyone, it's his girlfriend."
Ana's smile almost broke as she felt her ears grow warm. It was obvious? We weren't even dating then. Ella glanced at her friend and looked concerned.
Okamoto quickly rebutted his statement. "Well, apparently she must not be very enticing if he's infatuated with me. I'm assuming a young girl is rather clingy and must be very loose with her affections to keep his attention."
Ana's stomach bubbled as she turned to Okamoto. "You sure you don't want to take that statement back?"
"Why would I?" She openly glared at Ana. "I'm sure that's the only way a young girl with no substance can attract Kaiba Seto."
"I see. No substance?" Ana's smiled dropped, and she openly glared at Okamoto. "I am Kaiba Seto's girlfriend."
Ella gasped, and Okamoto's mouth dropped open. She quickly closed her mouth and looked to be preparing a comeback.
Ana didn't give her time. "And before you make even more of a fool of yourself and insist that our relationship is fleeting, you should know that my grandfather approved of us dating."
Ella's face paled. Ana didn't particularly like throwing her family's weight around, but if it was to protect someone, she would use everything in her power. The Hoyhi's guest had just insulted her and by extension her family. Hoyhi's smiled disappeared as well. His mother looked at him, panicking.
"Mother, you're much too kind," he said softly.
Okamoto's eyes shook, and her mouth was tight, but only for a moment. She recovered and smiled at Ana.
"If that is the case, where is your boyfriend at. Why did he not come with you?" Okamoto's tone dripped with venom.
"Why would I subject him to a woman thirty years his age that has a tendency to force herself on young boys?"
Their group went silent. The entire room had gone silent as they listened in on the conversation. Ella stared open-mouthed at Okamoto, but the vixen didn't even flinch.
Okamoto practically hissed at her. "That is a bunch of slander. You've insulted me beyond reason. Ella-san, are you really going to let her talk to me that way?"
Ella looked in-between Okamoto and Ana, obviously not sure what to do. Crap without proof, how do I… Chimon-kun. What now?
"No. That is an undoubtable truth, and it's time you got what you deserved."
They turned around as two men, one in his mid-twenties and another looking to be a bit older, walked up to their group. The older man had been the one to speak. He was wearing a brown suit that practically blended with his brown hair. The other man had long, flowing silver hair.
"Hello, Sakado." The older man addressed her without honorifics, but the way he said her name wasn't pleasant.
"Who are you?" Ella asked, looking at the men.
They both pulled out business cards and handed them to Ella.
The older man spoke. "My name is Sato Hiroshi. I run a large distribution center up north. This is my cousin, Sato Minata."
"What bring you…?" Ella trailed off when she saw how pale Okamoto looked.
"We're here to right a wrong. Your guest, Okamoto Sakado, is indeed a horrible woman. She snuck into both mine and my cousins' bedrooms when we were no older than thirteen…. We refused her advances. She took incriminating pictures while we were asleep and blackmailed us into giving her many things. Which we gave her because we didn't want our parents thinking the worst of us. There are many other victims as well." Sato stared Okamoto down. She seemed to shrink under his gaze. "Someone recently contacted us about what she was up to. Honestly, I didn't want to come. I thought it was just me, though. When my cousin told me she did the same thing to him and many others also revealed the pain that she's caused, I decided to come. Okamoto Sakado, you're a vile piece of filth."
Okamoto swallowed hard, but kept smiling. "More lies—"
Sato held up a phone to her, and her face paled when she saw the picture. He smirked. "Blackmail can be used both ways."
Sato signaled to someone, and a couple of officers who'd been off to the side walked over to her.
"Ana."
Ana felt a chill down her back when she heard the voice. She put back on her smile armor and turned to Seto. He was walking up to her, his signature white coat trailing behind him. He was not smiling. Okamoto broke away from the officers and tried to go toward Seto.
"See, I told you he was—"
Ana stuck out her foot and tripped the woman. She tumbled to Seto's feet. He looked down at her like she was nothing.
"If you speak or try to touch me, then I'll do more than burn down your house this time." Ana had never heard so much bloodlust in his voice before. The woman seemed stunned. She didn't seriously believe her own lies. Did she? Seto stepped around her as the cops retrieved her and handcuffed her. They started reading her, her rights. The two accusers looked at Seto with admiration, but he didn't look their way. His eyes were on Ana only. He's way too calm.
He held out his hand to her. "It's time to go."
Ana turned to Ella and bowed to her. "Thank you for your hospitality. It was quite productive. Next time please consult with your son about your guests. You're much too kindhearted."
Ella just nodded in a daze, and Hoyhi smiled at his mother sadly. Ana turned back around and took Seto's hand. He escorted her out of the mansion to a fancy black car and calmly opened the door for her. Ana got in the car and waited. Seto closed her door and walked around to the other side. While he was circling the car, Ana checked her phone that she'd put in a small white clutch she'd been carrying. There were two messages from Chimon.
Your delivery is soon.
Ana assumed he meant the guys who'd showed up.
The second one was in all caps. RUN. YOUR BOYFRIEND KNOWS YOUR LOCATION. ABBORT ABBORT.
It's a little late for that. Seto slid into the driver's seat, buckled up, and took off. Frick' I've really messed up. He wasn't supposed to find out. Why is he so quiet?
Ana glanced over at him and shivered. His eyes were narrowed, and he was gripping the steering wheel so tightly that she could see the whites of his knuckles. He was livid. Ana looked back down at her phone and fiddled with the lock screen. It was then she realized how fast they were going. She looked up and watched as Seto dodged around other cars. She didn't recognize where they were. Crap. He's really pissed.
"Amin-chan–"
"I'm not the asshole right now. Be quiet or I might wreck." He growled this phrase. Ana would have normally teased him or snapped back, but this time, she decided to shut up.
He's really mad. She bit her lip forcing herself to hold back tears. Is he going to break up with me? Seto eventually pulled the car into a parking garage. She looked up at Kaiba tower as they pulled in. He parked in a spot designated for him. They sat there in silence. She didn't look at him, but she could hear his heavy, angry breathing.
"Ana." His tone was hard and set.
She gulped, then slowly looked up at him. He was glaring at her in the harshest manner she'd ever seen from him. Her hands grew icy, and her stomach clenched.
He took a breath then shouted very loudly, "What the hell were you thinking?"
Despite feeling like she was the one at fault, she didn't appreciate being yelled at. "I was trying to–"
"That was a rhetorical question! Why did you go off grid? Why did you make yourself vulnerable to another kidnapping?"
She was taken aback by this sudden questioning. "I was ok. Chimon-kun was watching me and I did answer your call."
His eyes burned with rage. "How was I supposed to know if that was you, or something that hacker who was hiding your presence made up? You disappeared! Do you not understand that my heart stopped when you didn't get off your flight as intended?"
"You were tracking me that far?"
"Of course! I was supposed to make sure you got home safe, but you vanished. And then when I tried to track you, I got blocked. Do you not understand how much I was freaking out that someone took you again?" He finished his rant, panting as he looked at her wildly.
Ana looked down at her lap, feeling guilty. "Are you going to break up with me?"
"What?! I just had an hours long hacking battle to find you. You really think I did that just to break up with you?" Seto growled.
"Well..." Ana looked out the window. "If you were mad enough."
She turned around when she heard the pounding sounds. Seto was hitting his fists against the steering wheel. He looked at her and glared.
"You can't do this again. You can't go off grid."
Ana frowned at him. "I have my own will. I will do this it I find it necessary."
This just infuriated him more and resulted in him pounding on the steering wheel and even kicking his foot angrily into the peddle. Ana's mouth tightened. She really hadn't meant to make him this upset or worried.
Seto calmed down and placed his forehead on the steering wheel.
"Seto–"
"Maybe I should just lock you up." He mumbled, but it was just loud enough she heard his statement.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa." Ana quickly crossed her arms in an X. "I'm not sure what weird yandere flag event I just triggered, but that is not ok. If you ever lock me up, I'll hate you."
Seto looked at her from around his arm. He looked tired. "I was mostly joking."
"Mostly? Meaning you were sort of serious!" Ana was panicking a little. "What are you planning on doing? Throwing me in your basement and collaring me?"
She paused and immediately felt bad about the collar comment. He didn't even bat an eye at the comment.
Instead, he said, "I was thinking a harness. Also, my basement has a theater in it with a snack bar. I could force you to watch duel monster tournaments on loop."
"Oh yeah, a snack bar makes everything better, even confinement." She rolled her eyes. Ana was still focused on defusing a potential yandere situation. "Seto, promise me you will never try to lock me up."
He looked forward and ticked his tongue against his teeth.
"Seto."
"Fine."
"Fine, what?" She pushed.
"I promise."
"Promise what?"
He glared at her out of the corner of his eye. "I promise never to lock you up… If—"
"There should be no if's in this situation." Ana huffed.
He turned to her and leaned over into her personal space. She froze. "I promise not to lock you up if you promise not to go AWAL on me like that again."
Ana paused to think about what to say next. "If I had told you I was going to deal with Okamoto myself, what would you have done?"
He leaned back away from her. His eyes narrowed. "I would have told you to buzz off and that I can handle it. Which I did tell you that. Do you believe I'm not capable of handling that type of situation myself?"
"I know you're capable of it, but I also know you were going to proceed with caution because she was hiding in high society." Ana crossed her arms and looked at her lap.
"Yes, but I still was going to take care of it."
"Well, it wasn't fast enough for me. She pissed me off. I have connections in high society, so I knew I could get it done faster." Ana didn't look up as an uncomfortable silence fell over the car. She cleared her throat. "My family also functions in high society. I would have had to deal with hearing all the rumors while waiting for you to deal with it. I didn't want to have to listen to that shit. You're my boyfriend."
Ana blushed when she realized the possessiveness of her last statement. She heard Seto sigh, and she glanced up at him. He was mulling something over before he looked at her. His rage was now gone.
"Alright."
Ana looked at him, shocked. "Did you just concede?"
"In what way does it look like I conceded? I just said alright because I found your argument logical. However, this can't happen again." He looked conflicted. "Let's make a compromise. Next time tell me and discuss it with me before plowing ahead with some rushed plan. We can plan whoever's demise together. Also, no more going AWAL."
"Did you just say we can plan someone's demise together?" Ana laughed. "That's so romantic."
Seto narrowed his eyes at her. "It also means that I'm going to butt into your stalkers too."
Ana shrugged. "I've already accepted that you plan on butting into a lot of my business. You're kind of nosy and possessive."
"You're mine," Seto said flatly. "Did I not make that clear?"
Ana felt her face grow warm at his sudden declaration. "I don't think you've said it that out right before."
"Well, you said I was yours, so I figured it was fair." Seto unbuckled his seat belt and got out of the car. He came around and opened the car door for her, holding out his hand.
Ana looked at him perplexed, but took his hand and got out. "What are we doing?"
"I was so hyper focused about hacking your little guards' systems then rushing to get you that I left a few things in the office." Seto made his way to an elevator and opened it with a key card.
Ana followed and frowned. "I could just wait in the car."
"No."
She realized, based on his tone and the way he crossed his arms, that their conversation wasn't quite done. Getting into the elevator, she glanced up at him. "Um, Amin-chan… I'm sorry."
"For which part? Lying, running away, or faking evidence with something personal I told you about?" Seto's tone wasn't as harsh as before.
Ana choked on her own air. "You found that? I… wasn't going to use it unless I really had to, but I guess that's not a great reason."
Seto closed his eyes, his brow furrowed as they rode the elevator in silence. He opened his eyes and admitted, "It was actually a well faked recording. I only gave you vague details, but what you had her say in the recording was pretty accurate."
"You're praising it? Are you not mad anymore?" She asked hopefully.
"I'm still mad."
She sighed and kept quiet the rest of the ride up. The elevator finally dinged at the top level and Seto got out. Ana followed him to his office. It was dark in the hall and in the office when he opened the door. She took a glance around at the couch, flat screen tv, and his desk that was near floor to ceiling windows.
"By the way, who's the little prick that was blocking your location." Seto growled as he packed up his laptop from his desk.
"Chimon-kun."
Seto's eyes narrowed at her. "Why are you on a first name basis with him?"
Ana could sense danger coming. "I've known him for years, though I've never met him in person. Also, leave him alone. He was just doing his job. My family employs him. Plus, if you mess with him, you'll be kicked out of your apartment since he's Mizuki-Oneechan's son."
Seto looked away and glowered. He really had been planning on messing with Chimon-kun. I hope my warning stopped that. They were quiet for a minute while standing in the dark office.
"Why did you choose that outfit?" Seto asked, breaking the silence.
"Because... you liked me in it." Ana mumbled under her breath.
She couldn't see his reaction very well in the dark. Feeling uncomfortable with the silence, she walked over to the window and looked out. Domino City lit up the night below. It was a rather breath-taking scene. Ana stared at the city and looked for Kaiba's mansion. They were too high up for her to really see much other than the lights.
Seto had come to stand next to her. He was tapping his finger on his arm. "Nope. I'm still mad."
Ana sighed. "I promise I will do my best to not go off grid and give you a heart attack again. Unless it's some sort of family emergency, then you can deal with it."
"I never said I had a heart attack."
"You said your heart stopped."
Seto looked down at her, his eyes narrowing. "I guess I said that. How are you going to make it up to me for that?"
"What? I already said sorry." Ana looked up at him and frowned.
"Yeah, but I'm still mad." While he said this, she found his tone rather playful, and she could just make out the smile on his lips from the city lights.
"What do you want?" She wondered where this was going.
"Let me kiss you." His request was so out of left field that Ana took a moment to register what he asked.
"That's random. I don't mind you kissing me in the first place. If kissing you eases your temper, then I should do things to piss you off more often." Ana couldn't help but tease him.
His tone went flat. "I should have been more specific. Let me stick my tongue in your mouth."
Ana's heart skipped a beat, and her face grew warm. "Why did you have to say it that way? Just say French kiss!"
"Oh, is that what it's called?" He asked innocently. "Then let me French kiss you."
She huffed and hesitated. It wasn't that she didn't want to not try it, but it was a sudden request.
"Ok..." She agreed. Much to her surprise, he took her face in his hands and leaned down. He paused right before her mouth.
"Ana, you kind of have to open your mouth." Seto raised an eyebrow.
She realized her lips had been locked tightly. After relaxing her mouth, he continued. It was very strange having his tongue slip into her mouth. It was also painful. She pulled back quickly while shoving him away. A string of spit pulled from their mouths as she pushed him away.
"Seto, you were choking me with how far you just shoved your tongue in." Ana complained and wiped away the spit.
"Oh," was all he said before trying again.
This time, he barely stuck his tongue in. She wasn't sure how she felt about it as his tongue probed hers. It wasn't unpleasant, but it was also kind of sloppy and wet. He finally pulled back and looked at her thoughtfully.
"Better?" He asked.
"Yeah," she said, still trying to decide if she liked French kissing or not. She'd probably have to try it again some other time to decide. "Are you not mad anymore?"
"I'm not mad." She could hear the playfulness in his voice.
"Great, then can you take me to my hotel?"
"Did you tell your family you'd be staying at a hotel?" He asked, sounding annoyed.
"No."
"Then I'll take you to get your stuff, but you're staying at my house."
She sighed but didn't argue. He packed up his briefcase and started heading to the door.
"We can watch duel tournaments in the basement." He sounded serious.
"What? Why would you subject me to that torture? I thought you weren't mad anymore." Ana snapped at him.
He turned around. She could just make out his annoying, triumphant grin. "I'm not."
Ana rolled her eyes. I sure did pick a pain in the ass as my boyfriend.
Author's Note: Hey everyone! That wraps up the Domino City Tournament arc. There is still more left for Ana and Seto's high school days, though. So, stay tuned. I do have a quick announcement. This week I'm going to be working overtime (not my choice) and I have to work six days this week plus full days shifts next week. There is a big CEO visit coming, so I don't have a choice. I will still try and get the episode ready for next week, but I might be late by a couple days. Thanks for understand!