Chapter Five

It's Her Birthday

A/N: And Seto makes an appearance again :)

Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh! does not belong to me. I only own Lizette and other OCs. Any chapter image I used has been found through Google, and I take no credit for it. Everything Yu-Gi-Oh! related rightfully belongs to Kazuki Takahashi.

~ oOo ~

SETO

It had officially been one week since I hired Ms. Kawasaki. And this last week, I discovered two aspects of my new assistant.

1) She is an extremely hard worker. I wouldn't go so far as to call her a perfectionist, but she knew how a job should be done the first time it was requested. She's thorough and has excelled more than my previous assistants this last week. And that says a lot.

2) She has the time management skills of a hawk. She's efficient with her time and does not dawdle. Whatever work needs to be done, she seems to understand how much time should be spent on one assignment or project. She is always early to work, so she is punctual nearly every day.

During the interview last week, I was impressed, and Ms. Kawasaki has only enhanced that aspect.

I was locked behind my desk but found myself occasionally glancing out the bay windows. At the end of June, it was a surprisingly cloudy day, with several light showers that tried to clear any lingering summer dust from the air. I had been slacking my work for the past hour as I struggled to develop a sense of motivation. It had been a rough week, and it was only Wednesday. I wanted nothing more than to go home and have a day to relax, pick up a controller, and lose myself in my video games.

Sighing, I glanced back at my computer, hearing the annoying ding that signified I had received yet another annoying email. Quickly, I checked who they were from, rolling my eyes and seeing the unimportance of either one. Deleting them, I moved my mouse toward the documents I had been reading through. We are currently in the process of sealing a deal with Takechi Enterprises. Despite the disaster my last assistant had caused, the company was willing to review our terms and conditions before moving forward with the deal. And I had to thank Ms. Kawasaki.

Because of her thoroughness, she has been able to review, edit, and appropriately send the necessary documents to the Takechi team. She has even settled several calls that my Public Relations team would have handled, and she did this all single-handedly.

I couldn't stop repeating the same phrase: I was impressed.

There was a sudden knock on my door. "Mr. Kaiba, I have some documents for you." It was my assistant. She promptly entered when I unlocked the door with the button underneath my desk.

As she closed the door, I had to sit there and admire the woman before me. She was an enigma because I hadn't quite figured her out. My last assistants quickly placed words above their names, but Ms. Kawasaki differed. I couldn't remember that difference; I knew it was there. And it was irritating the hell out of me.

Something my brother said the week prior popped into my mind. "I told you she was pretty!" He had said it so surely as if it was a fact.

But was my younger brother wrong?

Even I had to admit that Ms. Kawasaki had an ethereal presence. Her layered, shoulder-length white hair was abstract, and I wondered if the color was purposeful. Did she slave over trying to perfect that color with dye? And why a silver-white? She had the most gorgeous blue eyes I had ever seen, so deep and pure that other males could probably lose their souls. She had several freckles lingering across her nose and plump pink lips. Not only that, but she wasn't a stick figure; she had curves in her tall frame, which I noticed from the beginning. She was, as Mokuba said, pretty.

No, I could hear my mind argue. She's fucking beautiful.

I groaned, realizing the words that had filtered through my mind. What inappropriate nonsense cycling through my mental state. Why would I be thinking of my assistant in such a way? Why would I think of Ms. Kawasaki like that?

Besides, it's not like that a road I should be driving as it was dangerous territory. I should refrain from thinking such thoughts. No. I may admit that she's beautiful, but that's as far as my thoughts shall extend.

But I must ask about her white hair.

Ms. Kawasaki stepped forward and handed me a small stack of documents. "I scanned each one, placing them in their correct folders with the edits we spoke of. Each has been emailed to its recipients. Now, we're just waiting on the returned signatures."

"Thank you," I said. "This is exactly what we needed." Scanning my eyes across each document, I filtered away this new information and calculated the time it would take to receive the latest additions. Reaching for my cup, I moved to inhale a drink when I realized I had long since been out of coffee.

Ms. Kawasaki must've registered my facade. "Oh, would you like a new cup, sir?"

I lifted my head at her and nodded. "I would appreciate that, thank you."

She took the mug from my hands. "Anything, Mr. Kaiba! I'll be right back." And then she was gone just as quickly as she had arrived.

The room suddenly felt empty.

I had to admit that Ms. Kawasaki distributed some character into the building. I had heard the rumors and wagers about how long she would last. This was my company, and I heard all the rumors, even if Roland provided them. Still, I had smirked that she had money wagers against her to see how long she would last before I fired her, just like the others. But she was starting to surprise everyone. The new rumor I heard is that she was too sweet as she said 'hi' to everyone she greeted in the morning and all with a smile.

My lips grinned as I chuckled. I found these trifles across my employees fitting, and I took some humor in enjoying them as I watched from above.

As she entered, Ms. Kawasaki knocked once more, bringing a hot, steaming cup of coffee. She placed it on my coaster and smiled. "There you go, just as you like." She stared at me, seemingly questioning what was next. "Before I begin my next task, was there anything specific you wanted me to work on?"

"Not at this moment, no. Keep your eyes open for those returned documents. Once we have those signatures, we need them submitted to the correct department."

"Understood. Then I'll be at my desk if you need anything, Mr. Kaiba." And, once more, she was gone.

She sure was a strange one. My previous assistants seemed to fear completing any work given, whereas Ms. Kawasaki jumped head first, eager to begin working and complete all assigned tasks.

Well, if she's to get back to work, then so must I.

With another heavy sigh, I set to work on the documents before me. Though Ms. Kawasaki had been handling most of the work revolving around this deal with Takechi Enterprises, there were still several parts of the project that I partook in as I didn't want others to potentially fuck up this deal. So, I set myself to scan each document, correcting errors and adding personal notes about information that needed to be changed or aspects of the correspondence that should be altered.

It wasn't until I could feel my stomach grumble that I glanced at the clock. My eyes widened slightly, noticing that I was already past one. Leaning back into my chair, I thrust my palms into my eyes, rubbing the sockets to try and relieve some pressure. My stomach growled again, heavier this time, demanding some sustenance. Glancing at my work, I decided that a break was overdue. Locking my computer, I exited my office, deciding I deserved a chance to eat rather than skip lunch, as usual. However, upon entering the area outside my office doors, I froze.

Ms. Kawasaki stood before her desk, a small bouquet flushed against her face as she inhaled its scent deeply. I watched the scene as silently as I could, mesmerized by the flicker of the afternoon sun through the windows dancing across her skin. She was smiling, an expression I imprinted into my memory.

Wait, why do I care that she's smiling?

The woman must have seen me from the corner of her eyes as her interest moved from the flowers to me. That smile now pointed in my direction. "Ah! Mr. Kaiba! What brings you out here? Is there anything I can do for you?"

I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. "Not at this moment, no. Where's the flowers come from?"

"These?" She glanced down at the mixed bouquet of summer flowers in light pastel colors. "My best friend sent them as a birthday present."

"A birthday present?" I tilted my head.

She beamed and giggled, a light blush flushed across her cheeks. "Mhm. Today's my birthday!" She set the flowers down on the edge of her desk and claimed her chair, fingers moving across her keyboard. Moving forward, I watched as she checked her email before moving to the internet, glancing at some folders before peering upward at me. "Are you sure there isn't anything I can help you with?" Her birthday?

It was her birthday?

A pang gnawed at the inside of my stomach, a sense of guilt suddenly washing over me.

Why should I care? I don't pretend to know the birthdays of my other employees, so why should I care about this one who has only been here for a week?

Despite that last thought, I found myself saying. "Oh, I had no idea. Happy Birthday." The grin she gave in return stretched from ear to ear, leaving me a blushing mess on the inside. How could a woman exude such beautifulness?

"T-Thank you, Mr. Kaiba! Truly!"

Tapping my knuckle against her desk, I found myself thinking. And just like before, the words were out of my mouth before I had finished processing what I wanted to say. "I need you to come with me." And then, I moved to the elevator before waiting for an answer.

"O-oh?" She glanced at her computer and then back to me. "Well, ok, but where are we going?" Reaching into her desk, she grabbed her purse and quickly moved by my side just as the elevator doors opened.

"You'll see." Entering my code into the elevator system, we were transported down the entire length of the KaibaCorp building toward the parking garage - more specifically, the secluded section where I kept my car at all times, just in case I didn't want to be catered to by a limo.

I could feel Ms. Kawasaki staring at me from the corner of her eyelashes. "May I ask what this is about?"

"I figured lunch would be a decent distraction. I rarely give myself a break to eat, and I figured you hadn't taken yours either."

"Well, you're correct that I hadn't. But then you had impeccable timing; I was just about to clock out. But lunch? I appreciate the gesture, thank you."

"No need for thanks. I know," I swallowed the sudden nervousness. Nervousness? What the hell was I feeling? "I know you said I didn't have to accommodate you for buying Mokuba's lunch that time, but I must."

"Mr. Kaiba," she flashed her long eyelashes in my direction. "I told you I didn't require anything!"

I stared down at her, a smirk playing on my lips. "Are you saying you don't want lunch?" As if on cue, her stomach gurgled, signifying her hunger. She glanced away sheepishly as if caught in the act. "I thought so."

The elevator dinged, and we had arrived. There were several cars here, depending on which I desired to take. I was driving my Ferrari Purosangue, which has an exclusive blank interior and exterior. I stood by the driver's seat, about to sit, when I caught Ms. Kawasaki staring.

She whistled. "Damn, what a car. Are you sure I'm allowed inside?"

My eyes rolled involuntarily. "I wouldn't have requested your company if I didn't think you could sit in my car." Once inside, I watched as she momentarily stalled, watching the door with a scrunched face, hand lingering near the door handle. When she didn't enter, I rolled down the window and said, "We don't have all day." I watched as she swallowed and tentatively sat down. Even from my position, I could sense her discomfort and was left to question why. Was she not used to cars that were this expensive? Was she not used to cars in general? I shrugged my shoulders, caring for nothing more than a meal to satisfy my unexpected hunger.

We exited the garage and rolled straight into downtown traffic, which wasn't excessive, considering it was right before the lunch rush. We maneuvered through the streets in silence as Ms. Kawasaki stared out the window, seeming to admire the view.

"Does something light seem adequate?"

She glanced at me. "Depends on what you're thinking as light."

"Sandwiches?"

"That's perfect for me."

"Then I know just the place." Making a U-turn, I changed our direction, heading to a quant cafe Mokuba and I frequented when we had time. We reached the small establishment within a few minutes. The location was in a corner lot, offering a bountiful view of the outside world, meaning customers could watch the world travel by as they ate. I was one of those customers, especially when I was alone.

Holding the door open, my assistant walked in and headed straight for the counter. Standing beside her, I didn't need to glance at the menu as I had already perfected my order. "Do you need a few minutes?"

"Oh, no. I'm actually thankful this is where you brought us. I've been here before; their food is delicious."

My eyebrow raised at that. Most people didn't know about this spot, so I considered it a hidden gem. The gentleman at the register garnered our attention, and Ms. Kawasaki quickly ordered. She was about to pull open her purse and pay when I stopped her, staring down at the woman. "I invited you; I'll pay." I could tell she wanted to argue, but the look across my face stopped her as she nodded. When I gave my order to the employee, we were told our order and searched for a quiet spot in the corner with drinks.

I could hear Mokuba's voice chastising me for already having three cups of coffee. To appease my absent brother, I ordered black tea and noticed Ms. Kawasaki had ordered water with lemon. This, for some reason, raised my eyebrow. Did she not order a drink because she didn't want me to pay for it? The idea caused me to roll my eyes.

We were quiet momentarily as I glanced around, enjoying the calm atmosphere of the restaurant. Mokuba and I discovered this tiny hole in the wall last year while searching for somewhere to eat. My brother immediately demanded that we return as he immensely enjoyed his meal, and I had to admit that it was delicious. We have thus frequented this place at least every other week.

"Are you getting enough sleep, Mr. Kaiba?"

My thoughts were interrupted by Ms. Kawasaki's voice. Turning my attention to her, I was surprised by such a question. Nodding, I said, "For the most part. Why do you ask?"

She smiled softly. "You just look so tired; I can see darkness underneath your eyes. As someone who runs a multi-billion dollar company, you should know the importance of sleep, especially on the brain."

I slightly scoffed at my assistant's curiosity - maybe because this was a new insight. My previous assistants never once asked about my well-being; instead, they cared for themselves while trying to survive their jobs. But here was Ms. Kawasaki, who had only been at the company for a week and was already asking me personal questions.

But then again, I had never invited my previous assistants to lunch, let alone for their birthdays. The idea surprised me to my core. Why had I done so? What compelled me to feel I needed to bring her along? I barely knew her, and she barely knew me.

Maybe that needs to change, especially if she's going to work closely with you, my brain mumbled.

"And what of you?" I turned the table back at her. "With school, are you getting enough sleep that you need?"

"I am," she answered with a nod. "It can be difficult, but it's easier during the summer. Despite taking summer courses, I'm not as busy as I'll be during the fall."

"And you said you graduate in the spring?"

She nodded enthusiastically. "As long as everything goes according to plan, then yes. I am super excited to be almost done with school. I love learning, but school can be annoying at times. I'm ready to put that chapter behind me to start working."

That surprised me. I could understand loving school, but wanting to work? Most people these days oppose the idea of doing nothing but working. Suddenly, I was curious. "How long do you plan on working for my company?" I sipped my drink.

"As long as you'll have me," she stated earnestly. "Honestly, I'm very thankful you hired me. Not only had I been searching for a job for a while, but I've also had my eyes on working for KaibaCorp for some time. I admire the direction you've put your company through. And the fact that you're a part of the gaming industry makes things all the better."

My eyes shot open. "Oh? Why a gaming company?"

"Because I'm a gamer."

I was honestly intrigued. She did not look like someone who played games. "You're a gamer," I stated. "You play board games, or…?"

"Occasionally, yes, but no, I play video games."

I suddenly wanted to ask this woman a million questions. I had met female gamers in the past and knew they existed, but I had never had one this close to whom I could converse. A million questions circled my brain, but I had to halt as our food arrived.

Ms. Kawasaki clapped her hands and closed her eyes. "Itadakimasu," she mumbled to herself. Following her example, we both began eating. As usual, my meal was delicious: a simple ham sandwich with egg and a salad on the side. Ms. Kawasaki had something similar, but I believed her sandwich was turkey with potato salad on the side.

We had taken a few bites when I cleared my mouth. "I am intrigued," I admitted. I would have never guessed you were a gamer."

"It's been a passionate hobby of mine for as long as I can remember. The first game I ever played was Super Mario Bros on the NES. My dad and I would stay up super late each night trying to beat the game. My experience grew from there, where I dabbled with different consoles and genres."

"What's your favorite?"

"Genre?" She asked for clarification; I nodded. "RPG, for sure. Platform can be fun, depending on the game. First-person shooters are awesome, again, depending on the game, because there are some questionable ones out there. I dabble in almost all genres, but it varies. RPG, for sure, is my all-time favorite. That and JRPGs." She took a moment to eat her meal. "Yours?"

"I'm the same." I took a bite as well. "I dabble in anything I can. I find no genre unpleasant, but if I have to pick one, rhythm and fighting are ones I tend to stay away from."

"Same!" Ms. Kawasaki exclaimed excitedly. "They're alright, I guess. But fighting games are not my style. But again, it depends. Dragon Ball Z Kakarot was awesome!"

I found myself offering a small smile.

Despite inviting Ms. Kawasaki for lunch, I assumed any conversation would be forced as she was my employee and I was the boss. But no. This conversation was turning into something unexpected but preferable. Even though I was the CEO, there weren't many individuals I could hold a person-to-person conversation with about my favorite games.

Here, with my new assistant, I felt free.

And for some reason, I found myself craving more from this woman.

I couldn't tell what it was, but I wanted to know more about her. I needed to understand who this woman was.

~ oOo ~

LIZETTE

I had thought this lunch with my boss would be awkward. But here we were, discussing our favorite games - something completely unexpected - and I was enjoying myself.

I should've guessed that my boss would be interested in some gaming, considering the type of company he had created. But here he sat with the same hobby as myself. Mr. Kaiba admitted that he was intrigued. Admittedly, I was too.

"So, what would you say your favorite game is?"

The thought of such a question was pleasing, considering there were many games I have collected over the years. Many of these are for which I have played and beaten and earned the platinum trophy. Holding my chin, I thought in earnest. I had an automatic answer, but I still considered my answer to the question. "My favorite series of all time is Final Fantasy. Ten specifically is top-notch and will always be my favorite, but right beneath that would be seven and twelve. I love those games. They are spectacular with an awesome soundtrack, beautiful graphics, an amazing cast of voice actors, and just…" I blew a chef's kiss. "They're just perfection."

I could see a smile form against his lips. "Heh, maybe I shouldn't have asked."

"I could talk for hours about these games, and that's not even talking about the stories or the characters." I shook my head, realizing I was displaying my hobby's nerdy side. So I turned the table back to my boss. "What about you? I feel there have been many games you have played. There must be one you can call your favorite?"

My boss first said, "There are quite a few." He tilted his head to the side, and I could see the gears turning in his eyes. "I agree that the Final Fantasy series is captivating, and ten is an excellent choice. The Legend of Zelda series is brilliant, especially Wind Waker and Twilight Princess."

My eyes widened. This was another series of mine that was close to my heart. "Not Ocarina of Time?"

He nodded. "That's a definite classic; I didn't feel I had to mention it." He rubbed a thumb along his chin.

My eyes watched that thumb closely as I moved my attention along the length of my boss' face. He was indeed handsome, with perfectly brown hair and captivating blue eyes. I closed my eyes, needing a moment to breathe. These were the thoughts I'd had over the past week that I have been trying to banish. A mysterious aura surrounded my boss, and I wanted nothing more than to uncover what type of person Mr. Kaiba was. He was an enigma who kept to himself mostly but was brilliant at what he did. It was as if he was meant to be the CEO of this company.

"I will say that Kingdom Hearts is somewhat childish but does have its merit. Elder Scrolls is another classic, Devil May Cry is good, and Diablo can be repetitive but enjoyable. There are many more I'm not even mentioning, but…" He grabbed his chin now, seemingly in thought. He was quiet for a moment before answering, a glint in his eyes: "Honestly? I'd have to say Minecraft?"

I was surprised at that. "Minecraft? Really? I think that's awesome!"

Mr. Kaiba's face softened as if he was unsure how I would receive his answer. "You think? Most people would disagree, saying it's overrated."

I waved a hand. "And it might be to some. But there's something Minecraft has created over the past decade that hasn't been done before. It's a game where you can literally build anything you wish; there is a storyline if you look closely, and it's massive with so much to explore. For a sandbox survival game, it is a classic, but it still has its moments, even today. It's something I play when I need an escape."

He nodded. "That's the same for me. Mokuba…" He glanced away momentarily before turning his sight back to me. "Mokuba is too young for certain games, so I am picky about what he plays. But Minecraft is something we can do together. When there's time, we'll sit in front of the TV and play for hours."

His words made me smile. The thought of my boss sitting with his brother and playing a childlike game was heartwarming. "Do you still play?"

"We just played over the weekend."

"All this talk makes me want to go back and play my old world; it's been a while. Or I might start a new one. The possibilities are endless."

"Is there anything you're playing currently? Or are you too busy with school?"

"I am busy, but I make time. Playing video games…" I thought for a second, trying to discern how to phrase my following statement. "Video games mean a lot to me, and playing helps my mental health. So I always try to make room, even if it's for an hour. But right now? I'm replaying Person 5, trying to earn the platinum trophy."

"Impressive. Are you big on earning trophies?"

"Um, yes and no? I'll play a game regardless of the trophies, but I will admit that if there are, it's a slight incentive to play because it's a small goal I have to help me keep playing." My face fell as I groaned. "But some trophies are hard! There was a trophy in Final Fantasy 12 that took me hours to complete! I mean - "

A phone suddenly buzzed, and I quickly glanced at mine, thinking I had a call, only to see my boss glance at his as he placed the device against his ear. "Kaiba," he said in a gruff voice.

I had to keep my back straight because of the chills sent down my spine.

He listened intently as I sipped my water, enjoying its lemony taste. He was quiet for a moment. "I understand. They were sent over this morning, no? Oh, you've already returned them? And they're signed. Perfect. My assistant is currently at lunch, but I'll have her send the next requirements when she returns. The next documents will be sent by the end of the day. Would you…?" Mr. Kaiba's face scrunched, and I was left to consider whether he was talking to the CEO of Takechi Enterprises.

Apparently, Ms. Rourke, the previous assistant, royally screwed KaibaCorp in this deal with Takechi Enterprises. I didn't know the entire story, nor was I willing to ask, as it wasn't my place. But her mistake was almost enough to end this deal between the two companies. But that was where I stepped in. I offered to call and speak to the head of the department that fell into this deal. We had a lengthy conversation where I requested a second chance, stating that I, with Mr. Kaiba's approval, would oversee this transaction and ensure the appropriate documents were sent and everything would be finalized on time.

Needless to say, they relented, and this deal has been moving extremely fast over the past week. I had to guess that the deal would close within the next few weeks when the two companies would start working together on their following product.

"Would you like a Zoom meeting?" I glanced up at Mr. Kaiba just as he spared me the same look. Pulling out my phone, I glanced through his calendar, turning the device toward him to show the availabilities he had later that afternoon or tomorrow. Taking in this information, he considered what to say. "How would tomorrow morning sound? That would give you and your team enough time to go over the next set of documents before the meeting. Of course…yes…yes. Ok, very good. I will have my assistant send over the invite." And then he hung up the call.

Before he even placed the phone on the table, I had already created the event on his calendar. "Is this meeting with Mr. Takechi or with Ms. Yoori?"

"Both, actually," he stated. "Make sure to set the event twenty minutes before nine."

"Alright, you have a meeting with Mr. Takechi and Ms. Yoori set for eight-forty. As soon as we're back at the office, I will create the Zoom link and send it over asap."

I typed the necessary information into my phone and placed it off to the side, only to find Mr. Kaiba, arms crossed, staring at me incredulously. "How…" He seemed confused about what to say. "How is it you already know what to do after only being with my company for a week?"

His statement took me aback. Was that admiration in his voice? Annoyance? I couldn't tell. I fumbled with my words and tried saying, "I-I don't know, to be honest. A lot of the work you have me complete is something I did with my previous employer."

Mr. Kaiba seemed content with my answer. "Well, whatever the reason, just know you're doing an excellent job despite it only being a week."

Did…did he just compliment me? As he said, it had already been a week, and Mr. Kaiba offered a compliment. Oh, I was going to roll in this for some time.

Mr. Kaiba checked the time before pushing his chair back. "We need to head back. Mr. Takechi returned the necessary documents, so I need you to send over the next stage to further the process."

"Of course, sir," I said, pushing my chair in.

We exited the restaurant and went straight into the afternoon traffic. We were shoulder to shoulder as we returned to Mr. Kaiba's car in the lot behind the building. Stepping inside, he quickly exited the lot, heading toward KaibaCorp. I glanced in his direction to find my boss lost in thought. He seemed to lose himself that way most days, but then again, I couldn't comprehend being the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company at such a young age. That fact alone was impressive.

We were almost back when I found myself speaking. "Thank you, Mr. Kaiba."

He quickly glanced my way before turning his attention back to the road. "What for?"

"For lunch," I said. You said you wanted to repay my kindness to your brother and could've done roughly anything. Instead, you opted to take me to eat. That's something I appreciate so…thank you." I turned my head toward the window, hoping and praying that my boss couldn't see the redness coating my cheeks.

"…you're welcome." Mr. Kaiba's voice was so soft I questioned whether I even heard me speak. If he had, he probably intentionally spoke softly, so I pretended as if I didn't hear him, just in case.

It was then we neared the building. Parking in the garage underneath, we entered the elevator as he entered the correct code, moving us back toward our offices at the top of the building. With the ding, we exited, sharing a look and a nod as he entered his office while I sat at my desk.

For the rest of the workday, I organized the next stage of documents, scanned, emailed, and created materials for the meeting the following day. There were times I needed Mr. Kaiba's approval. Each time, I had to question why I was excited to see him again despite spending an entire lunch with the man. The moment I was before the door, my heart sped, an irregular beat rampaging against my ribs. But the moment that office door opened, and I spotted the CEO sitting behind his desk, my heart stopped, and I was left in awe, admiring the man he was as the afternoon light glinted off his form.

I kept myself busy, and when thirty minutes were left until I was to go, I began ending my day. My checklist consisted of checking my email one last time, finalizing any necessary materials for the next day, itemizing Mr. Kaiba's calendar, and closing any last-minute tasks I had been working on throughout the day.

My eyes lifted at the sound of an elevator when Chi walked out, holding a small bouquet. Her eyes smiled when she spotted me behind my desk as I stood to greet her. "I'm glad I caught you!"

I carefully eyed the flowers in her hand. "Was there something you need?"

She shook her head. "No, I need nothing from you but these…" She lifted the bouquet for me to see in all its glory. "These are for you." She handed them to me as I held them close, inspecting each flower. It was smaller than the one I received from Emiko, consisting of sunflowers and different colored daisies. Lifting them to my nose, I smelled the scent and was floored by how fresh the bouquet seemed.

"These are so beautiful! Who are they from?"

Chi shrugged. "I happened to be at the front desk when the deliverer arrived, stating that this was a rushed order and begged that it be delivered before we were to close. So, I offered to bring them up here for you."

"Thank you! I appreciate you bringing them up here." I placed the same glass jar beside my other bouquet. "Now I two to keep me company during the day."

"Is there some special occasion?"

"Oh!" I turned and smiled. "It's my birthday," I said.

"Is it? Well, happy birthday, Liz!" She leaned forward and hugged me, to which I returned. "How old does that make you now?"

"Twenty," I said with a slight blush.

"That's right. Damn. I forgot how much younger you are than me."

"Oh, come now. You can't be that much older than me!"

She stared at me incredulously. "How old do you think I am?"

Tilting my head, I inquired about her physical appearance, giving her a once-over. "Honestly? I think you're around thirty, maybe thirty-one."

Her mouth fell open. "I'm forty-two."

My eyes widened. "Shut up, no you're not!"

"I swear on my license!" She smirked, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. I appreciate you considering I was younger, but you enjoy being twenty. You have much you're striving for and will reach wherever you plan."

"As long as I can have your younger looks by the time I'm forty, I'll be happy."

She scoffed and waved a hand. "Geez, you are adorable!" There was a soft ding from her watch as she glanced at the Tony screen. "Ah, shit. Sorry, I have to take care of this before I leave. Enjoy your evening, Liz, and happy birthday! Go enjoy your night!" I waved as she left through the elevator she had just come from.

Sitting at my desk, I pulled down my newest bouquet, quickly took a picture of both, and sent both to Emiko.

LIZ: Here's your beautiful bouquet and a surprised second one I received :)

EMIKO: Oh, those are beautiful! Who sent you the 2nd one?

LIZ: I'm not sure. Wait there's a card give me a sec

Opening the tiny card, I was surprised to find it said 'Happy Birthday.' Inside was a generic printed message that said, 'Hope your day is something you deserve.' But what caught my attention was the name beneath the inked message: from Mr. Kaiba and Mokuba.

The card nearly dropped from my hands before I steadied them. Had I read this correctly? My eyes found my boss's and his brother's printed names, which confirmed that I had read the words correctly the first time.

Oh my, I thought. He…he just found out today was my birthday, and he sent me flowers? Not only that, but he treated me to lunch as well.

I found myself holding the card close to my chest. The gesture was lovely, and I found a stray tear in the corner of my eye. I couldn't believe the kindness that had been given to me today. Standing before I told myself to stop, I knocked on my boss' door, card in hand. The door unlocked as Mr. Kaiba said, "Enter."

I closed the door behind me and quickly approached Mr. Kaiba's desk, watching as he continuously typed on his computer. He used several stent moments to finish his task before glancing at me. "Yes, Ms. Kawasaki?" I held up the card, surprised that his eyes widened even just a fraction.

"Chi just brought these up for me. I came to say thank you. I greatly appreciate the beautiful flowers you have given me."

He immediately cast his eyes away to the computer screen, playing with his mouse. "It was Mokuba's idea. He said you deserved something nice and begged me to send him flowers." He fell silent before quickly adding, "Don't overthink it."

"Oh, I'm not. But the fact is you did something nice for me on my birthday, which I won't forget any time soon. So…" She bowed slightly. "Thank you."

"It was Mokuba's idea, remember that."

His response was so adorable that I chuckled. "That might be true, but it took an adult to pay for the order." He cast his eyes at me through his peripheral. It may have been Mokuba's idea, but remember," I opened the card so he could see. Your name is on here, too." I gave him one last smile as I moved toward the doors. Stopping, I then said, "Mr. Kaiba? Have a wonderful night." I stepped through the doors, ready for the evening to end so I could head to dinner with Emiko.

"Happy birthday, Ms. Kawasaki."

I would never know whether my boss meant for those words to be kept to himself or for me to hear. However, I did hear him, and I couldn't contain the smile that stretched across my face. Grabbing my phone, I replied to Emiko with an answer.

LIZ: There's a card but it's blank. Who knows? I might have a secret admirer

EMIKO: Could it be someone from work?

I stared at my phone, considering whether to admit the truth or keep it a secret. Even though I had told my best friend everything, this was a secret I wanted to keep to myself for some time.

LIZ: I guess I'll never know :)

~ oOo ~

I don't understand how I wrote this in one sitting. Comments? Suggestions? Let me know :)

DragonGoddess629