AN: Yay, it was about time for an update, but I was focused on my other progressing story Shady Origins, because I had a quite good flow. So if you like check it out, you can find it on my Story List.

In the last chapter there was the first test duel of Marik and the Winged Dragon of Ra and Carter got his ass kicked. However, enjoy the new chapter and I'd appreciate it if you take a little moment and leave a review :-)

Kisses & now, happy reading!

CHAPTER X
The Conference - Part I

My hand was trembling when I was about to knock on Marik's room's door, but I hesitated. I took a deep breath - I had no idea what kind of mood he was in after that escapade of a duel with Carter. Of course he did win the duel, but I guessed that he didn't expect the Winged Dragon of Ra to cause such a huge damage. Besides that I didn't know what to think of that unlucky outcome of the game and Marik's missing empathy for Carter. I was pissed for sure and anxious at the same time because I didn't know where Marik's plans in finding the god cards would lead us. What if this duel was just the beginning of more trouble?

Knock Knock.

A little moment of silence went by before I got an answer. "Come in." I heard him murmur in the room, slight annoyance playing in the undertone of his voice. I opened the door and stepped in, clicking the door shut behind me again silently.

"Hey." I said, biting my bottom lip nervously. Marik sat by his desk and stared down at the Winged Dragon of Ra. He propped up his head up with his right arm on the desk, his thinking face put on. His sandy blonde bangs hung into his face like a golden veil as he gazed down. Beside him stood a mug with steaming liquid in it; I was pretty sure it was his favourite black tea. He didn't really made a move when I entered the room, he just looked at me for a second from the corner of his eyes.

"Hey." He then greeted quite emotionless, just lifting his left hand slightly as a gesture. I got used to it that he didn't show any emotions or empathy when things didn't go according to his plans. Failing wasn't his style and accepting setbacks wasn't part of his character either. Although I actually wasn't sure if he took the incidence with Carter as a setback or just as a collateral damage. Marik became heartless over the last couple of years since his initiation wiped away almost every joy from his soul.

I drew closer to him on cautious heels and nibbled on my bottom lip. "Are you alright?" I asked softly.

With a sudden movement he slapped the mug off of his desk with the back of his hand. I cringed, my eyes widened in scare when the mug shattered into pieces and the hot liquid left a mess on the marble floor. I took a step back just in case that this would get ugly.

"DO I LOOK ALRIGHT!?" Marik spat in a loud voice and turned around on his chair to face me with his burning lavender eyes.

"S-sorry, I just…" I stuttered and my hands formed into fists beside my hips, my shoulders tensed up defensively. A growl left his throat. He was pissed to the maximum. "No…" I answered then.

"Exactly. So why do you ask then?" Marik snarled, pronouncing every word with sharpness. "The Winged Dragon of Ra's power got out of my control. I didn't expect it's attack to have such a massive impact and it's pissing me off that I, as the heir of the ancient egyptian secrets, wasn't able to control Ra as I should be." He explained angrily and looked back to the god card resting on his desk.

With those words spoken I felt the anger rising up in my throat. Over the years since that fateful day of his initiation I knew he changed a lot and his good side was barely to be seen these days. But in this moment I became furious because of my lack of understanding for his reaction. Carter became hurt and right now he possibly suffered an unbearable pain while his severe burns got treated. And Marik didn't even bat an eye how he was right now. All that mattered to him was that things didn't turn out like he expected it. It was that usual 'out of his control' issue. I didn't care about what Carter had said earlier. It didn't matter at all if he had treated me in-respectful or talked back at Marik. No one deserved to get hurt like that.

My palms formed into fists and they started to tremble a bit before I spoke up in a louder tone. "What in Ra's sake is wrong with you!? You almost killed him with that stupid card and all you care about is that it didn't work out the way you've planned!? When did you get so careless, Marik!? Do you even care about anyone else than yourself!?"

His gaze snapped back at me after my outburst and he looked up at me with his eyes widened in surprise. I never contradicted him before like that. Long time ago I promised him to support him wherever his heart may lead him, but at this time I didn't know where we were going to end up.

We stared at each other with intensity without saying a word. I bit my bottom lip nervously. I knew that I was walking on thin ice… very thin ice, but I couldn't hold it back. And still I didn't know if I should regret what I just said.

Before Marik was able to say or yell anything at me I turned on heel and left, then I shut his room's door with a loud bang and stormed into my room right beside his. I slumped onto my queen size bed and literally stared the ceiling to death. How could he be so reckless? In this moment I wasn't sure if I really knew him at all.

The following days were… let's call it complicated. I just left my quarters if it was required and I asked Odion to bring my meals to my room. Thankfully he understood why I tried to steer clear of Marik for a while because of what I dared to say. In the evenings we mostly enjoyed our dinner with each other in my room and talked a lot. I felt lonely and somehow I ended up with telling Odion about what happened between Marik and me on the rooftop a few days ago. But all he said was that he knew it would happen anyways; for him it was simply a matter of time.

Every once in a while I checked for Carter and how he was doing after the accident with the Winged Dragon Of Ra during their duel. His injuries would heal eventually, but one half of his face would be scarred and blemished for the rest of his life. Also one his of eyes will be blind forever. I felt so sorry for him. He lost so much for literally nothing but a game.

I really didn't want to run into Marik more than needed and have another argument with him. All we shared were a few awkward looks. During organisation meetings we didn't talk at all. And so we went from hugs, kisses and sharing a bed for a night back to ignoring each other.

In the nights I often sat on my bed for what felt like an eternity with my back leant to the wall that separated my room from Marik's. I knew that his bed stood on the exact opposite direction of the wall. I didn't know why I sat there in silence for hours, maybe I was hoping to hear anything from the other side. I missed him and I craved for him… and I asked myself what he might be doing on the other side. Was he also thinking of me or was his plan everything that was on his mind?

Was he mad at me? Maybe.

I wondered how long it would take us to get back to normal as my fingertips stroked over the cold stone wall that was between us.

xx

About two weeks or so had passed by. I got used to it, but that night we shared didn't get out of my head. It was about noon and I laid on my bed with a book in my hands. It was a novel about a girl who fell in love with a vampire. However, it wasn't at all the best book I've ever read, but there was nothing more exciting to do for me.

A gentle knock on my door jolted me out if my concentration. "Yes. Come in." I said a little louder and put the book away. Odion entered my quarters with a soft smile on his face. I expected he was brining lunch for both of us, but instead of that he held a huge cloths bag in his hands. I arched a curious brow at him when he hung it onto my closet.

"What's that?" I asked in confusion.

Odion let out a little sigh before turning back to me. "Master Marik told me to give it to you. He also wanted me to tell you that he expects you to wear this in the evening."

I frowned in disbelief. "Uhm… okay? And?"

"Master Marik wants you to be ready at 6pm." Odion answered wryly.

"Oh…" I sighed as I realised that I had to face Marik today… whatever was in that cloths bag made my flesh crawl. "Anything else?"

Odion shook his head slowly. "He just told me that all you need is in there and that lunch is going to be skipped today. If you need anything let me know. I'm in the card archive and get the latest purchases ready for shipping before I get myself ready later."

Something was going on and I just had no idea what exactly…yet. After Odion shut the door behind him I stood up from my bed and investigated the cloths bag with my arms crossed in front if my chest. 'What in Ra's sake is he planning there…?' I thought to myself and then decided to open it.

Slowly I opened the zip of the bag and when I saw what was in there I was lost for words. It was an evening gown made from pitch black tulle and satin. It had a deep v-neck and was decorated with fine golden lines from the waist downwards. It looked like a golden, sparkling waterfall in the darkest night. My fingers ran over the material as I admired every detail of it. I then found the tag and my eyes almost fell out of my head as I read 'Roberto Cavalli' on it. This wonderful piece must have cost a fortune. But where the hell were we going in the evening where Marik wants me to wear a gown like that? The royal wedding?

Suddenly a grey envelope that was attached to the tag caught my eye. I arched a brow and opened it with caution. There was nothing than a card with a few lines written on in it. I would recognise this handwriting in a hundred years. It wasn't typical for a boy of his age. His handwriting was elegant and had almost a royal character.

Dear Jesara,

I hope the dress is to your liking. Prepare yourself for a luxurious gala dinner. I will pick you up at 6pm. I'm looking forward to spend a unforgettable evening with you.

M.

A gala dinner? Today? A smile rose on my lips as I read the lines on the card. It was his was to say 'sorry'. Marik had never been good at apologising for anything. I still couldn't believe how breathtaking that dress was. But I had the awkward suspicion that this gala dinner wasn't just for fun.

xx

I was ready by half past 5pm. My dark ebony hair was styled into a messy up-do with a few loose hair strands on each side of my face that I had elegantly curled in place. I only put on a bit of mascara and a deep red shade of matte lipstick. I was impressed how much older and mature I looked by only using makeup and a few styling tricks.

The dress fitted just perfectly. The deep v-neck and the tight fit around my waist made my quite tiny breasts look like about double the size. Although I knew that it was a gala dinner I was afraid to be overdressed. The soft tulle with its golden details looked like out of this world. To finish it off I out on a bit of my favourite perfume, which was a quite dark and mysterious scent and also out on little diamond earrings.

At exactly 6pm there were three cautious knocks in my door. I took in a deep breath to calm my nerves a bit. It was the first time in about two weeks that we talk to each other and I was nervous. Would it be awkward to be around him after my little outburst or will this evening make things better between us? I didn't know yet, but I would find out soon.

"Come in." I said loud enough and the opening door revealed two striking lavender irises, which locked with mine intensively. He wore a pitch black suit with a slim fit cut and a deep lilac bow tie, such as fine patent-leather shoes. His sandy blonde long hair and his sparkling golden triangular earrings were a striking contrast to his fine attire. I bit on my bottom lip nervously as I saw how stunning he was looking tonight, but tried not to ruin my lipstick.

"Hi." I greeted him shyly.

Marik made took a step in and his eyes scanned me from the top down to my toes.. "Hi. Are you ready to go?" He asked casually.

I nodded at him and forced a smile. "Sure."

A black SUV was already waiting for us in front of our headquarter and the sun was already about to set. Odion was already sitting in the drivers seat, also dressed in a black suit with a black bow tie.

I lifted my dress a bit to save it from sand and dirt when Marik and I walked side by side to the waiting car. Marik grabbed for the door handle, but didn't open the back door for me immediately. He glanced down at me, his jaw tensed and his eyes held that icy expression everyone feared. But I sensed something else in him. Unease? I blinked at him, waiting for him to say anything or do anything.

After a brief moment he leant down to me, cheek on cheek and whispered into my ear.. "You look amazing." With that my face blushed into a bright shade of read and my heart started to race.

"T-Thank you." I mumbled back nervously. "You picked an outstanding dress…"

With his index finger he stroked one of my hair strands out of my face, his fingertip ran gently over my cheek. "A dress just looks as good as the girl who wears it." With that he opened the backdoor of the SUV and mentioned for me to hop in. His words made my flesh crawl in a pleasant way.

"Where are we going?" I asked eventually when I realised we were driving in the direction of Cairo.

Odion remained silent during the whole ride, just once in a while he looked back at us through the rear view mirror. "Marriott Hotel Cairo." Marik said dryly and looked at me from the corner of his eyes. I arched a brow at him.

"There's a release gala of Industrial Illusions. Pegasus and all important people and big players in the world of Duel Monsters will be there. Investors, partners and…" Marik paused for a second as his jaw tensed up again. "…also mx sister."

"Ishizu?" I asked in utter surprise. It's been so long that I saw her the last time. My heart skipped a beat when he mentioned her name and I tried my best to hold back a smile from ear to ear. Marik nodded at me.

"It's the perfect opportunity to get to more informations about the other two god cards and their whereabouts." He explained firmly. And then reality hit me hard. This whole evening and this wonderful dress weren't his way to say sorry. He just needed me to come with him and act as his 'decoration' to remain unobtrusive. I could also be a part of his 'plan' for this evening. Of course he had a plan. Marik won't ever do anything without a 'plan'.

I pursed my lips in annoyance and stared out of the window for the rest of the ride.

We stopped in front of the Marriott Hotel in downtown Cairo and for off the car. Marik was gentle enough to help me to climb out. Although the dress was overwhelming it wasn't practical at all. A young egyptian boy, dressed in a fine uniform, approached us and Odion handed over our car key for valet parking. He then drive off.

People in fine dresses and suits walked into the building. There were also a lot of press photographers and media people in front of the entrance, waiting and hoping to get a shot of the most important people of the evening like Pegasus. A few women gave me awkward stares when they walked by and scanned me from the bottom to the top. I felt uncomfortable within a second, but also a bit like Cinderella at the same time.

Marik offered me his arm to slip my arm through. "Shall we?" He gave me one of his charming smiles and I accepted his offer. Again my cheeks blushed.

Side by side, arm in arm we walked in and I was nervous about how this evening would end up. But besides that I couldn't wait for one single thing… To see Ishizu again.

AN: Hope you enjoyed it :3 Please take a minute and leave a review / feedback if you like. Until next time!