Blue-Eyed Beauty

by DragonGoddess629

Seto Kaiba expected perfection, while Lizette Kawasaki just wanted a job. Her life is turned upside down when she becomes the CEO's assistant. Everything starts professionally but soon escalates into something more. How long will it take for these two to realize that they were meant to be? Something that's been in the works for almost five thousand years.

7. Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

The Hostile Call

A/N: This ended up being longer than expected. Please enjoy!

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

I could only stand and stare at my assistant. Her expressions ranged from fear to confusion, back to fear, and finally, realization. I could see why her face had reflected such emotions. When I first saw her helping my brother instead of doing her work, my first instinct was to fire her all because she wasn't doing her damn job. I don't tolerate people who waste their work time to do what they see fit.

But then Mokuba defended her, pleading that I understand why she wasn't working.

Besides that, what caught me off guard was that Ms. Kawasaki stood there and accepted her soon-to-be fate. She didn't fight, didn't push back against my authority. She accepted what I was about to say and wanted to face the consequences of her actions head-on. I glanced down at the worksheet in my hand.

I couldn't believe that she had been able to help Mokuba with his math homework. For the last year, my brother has struggled with math, and no matter how I or his teacher explained the lessons, he could not grasp the material - until today. If what he said was correct and that he completed most of the worksheet, then…then, I had to acknowledge the brilliance of my assistant. She had worked with him not more than an hour, and yet, he had been able to finish his homework in that hour.

Would I ever be unimpressed with this woman?

Crossing my arms, I waited patiently for my assistant to answer. Yes, she was already my employee, but if she could boost Mokuba's math ability to the same as his classmates, if not more, I would pay this woman to do so.

"Mr. Kaiba? I-I don't understand. I already work for you."

I watched the woman closely as she watched me. Her slightly widened eyes were careful to understand the position she was now in. Stepping forward, I placed the worksheet on her desk and leaned against the wood. "Let me rephrase my statement: would you mind tutoring Mokuba on Saturdays? If you say yes, I will pay you an additional fee to compensate for your time."

Her mouth then fell slightly before she promptly closed it. Crossing her arms, she held her chin as she fell into a deep thought. She was quiet momentarily, only glancing up when she was ready to speak. "Your offer is…appreciated. But how would I be able to help? I'm not majoring in math, I don't think - "

I grasped the worksheet again and held it up. "I don't think you understand, Ms. Kawasaki. If what Mokuba said is true, and he finished the rest of this assignment independently, he answered all the questions correctly. His process and answers are all correct."

She took the paper from my hand and zoomed her gaze across the answers. Understanding crossed her face as she lowered the paper to the desk. "I…I wasn't even paying attention to the answers. I was going to go over the sheet with him once he was done, but then you caught our attention, and I was never given the chance." She stole a peak again. "But you're right. This entire sheet has no incorrect answers. It's flawless."

"And that's all because of you, Ms. Kawasaki." Stepping forward until we were a breath's space apart, she stared up, our height difference suddenly mind-blowing. It wasn't just the height difference. It was everything about this woman. Her hair, eyes' depth, and pose she held daily. I was utterly entranced, and I don't think she knew.

Good. We need to keep it that way.

Swallowing, I added, "Consider my offer. I wasn't kidding when I said I would pay you. I know you are an extremely busy woman outside of the office with your school work, and asking you to help would take time away from your studies, so I am offering financial compensation. Think about it and - "

"I'll do it."

I blinked. She answered, just like that? Staring for several seconds, I asked, "You'll do it?"

She nodded, a soft smile forming on her face. "The money sounds nice, I won't lie. But how can I refuse if you feel confident I can help Mokuba? Your brother is smart, Mr. Kaiba and I want nothing more than to see him succeed. He's…" She giggled behind a hand. "He's a cutie; he's grown on me."

The tightness in my chest loosened. Exhaling deeply, I hung my head slightly, amazed at this woman. Since joining my company, she has shown resilience, patience, and determination. I was more than thankful she was the person I hired. No one can even compare the amount of perfection she gave to her job, including some individuals who had been with my company from the start.

"I thank you, Ms. Kawasaki. I, too, want nothing more than to see my brother succeed. And with your help, I think he has that chance."

She giggled again. "You make it sound like he's a lost cause."

I bit my lip from chuckling alongside her. "When it comes to his math skills, it is." We fell silent, only staring at each other. I took this moment to grasp who my assistant indeed was.

She'd been my employee for almost three months and was coming to the end of her probationary period. The fact that she had made it this long unscathed was incredible. My past assistants were reluctant to work as they feared me and their assignments. They were too anxious to take the necessary steps to do their job. Not Ms. Kawasaki. She bravely stepped into the unknown and sought answers no one would give her. She never gave up. She's pushed through and has shown me time and time again that she was meant to work for me.

Her eyes blinked, and I was suddenly lost.

Has time frozen? How long have we been staring at each other? Had her…eyes always been that majestic, that…blue? What about the minimal amount of freckles that danced across her nose? Were they always there, and I hadn't noticed them? And let's not forget her white hair. That feature of hers was something I had never seen before on another woman, and I wanted to ask from the moment she stepped into my office.

I swallowed thickly. The tie around my neck unexpectedly felt too tight, and I fought against using my fingers to loosen it. What the hell was happening to me? And why could I not glance away from this woman?

For some reason, I didn't like it. I didn't like the way my chest fluttered whenever she was near. Did I need to see the doctor? I was too young to have any conditions with my heart, but…Considering I knew nothing about the medical history of my parents, I could have inherited anything from them.

"…Mr. Kaiba?"

Blinking, I was brought back to this moment. Blankly, I glanced at the woman before me as she reached to place a gentle hand on my arm. It was just like a few weeks ago when our hands touched. The same electrifying fire coursed from her fingers through my clothing, burning my skin. But it didn't hurt as she removed her hand. I suddenly craved more.

With a slight shake of my head, I returned to the present. "I apologize, Ms. Kawasaki. I must've…zoned out for a second there."

"It's alright. As long as you're alright." She smiled.

God, that smile is going to be the death of me.

"Well then, it looks like you'll be working for me double-time," I stated, as she had just agreed.

"It would appear so. I…I'm still surprised you've asked this of me."

I waved my hand to scoff at her statement. "I'll contact HR, and they'll draft a contract to review the terms and your pay. How does that sound?"

She tilted her head and continued to smile. "More than I can appreciate."

"Be proud of what you can accomplish, Ms. Kawasaki," I said. Taking this chance, I was the one who placed my hand on her shoulder - and there it was again. The same jolt of remembrance that I could not remember. She must have sensed the same feeling as she quickly cast her eyes to my hand and then back up to mine. But I removed my hand just as quickly and could feel my face fall. "Your worth to this company has proven invaluable in more ways than I think you realize."

Her eyes widened at that. A soft, pink hue coated her cheeks, leaving my insides burning. I desired to reach out and cup those cheeks, wanting nothing more than to bring her close. "T-thank you, Mr. Kaiba!" She exclaimed with happiness in her voice. "Um, when…when would you like this contract to start?"

Immediate with my answer, I asked, "Is there any way you could start tomorrow? Mokuba has a test next week, and I want him to be prepared."

"Tomorrow? Hmm, let me…" Sitting at her desk, she pulled a small planner from her bag and scoured through its pages. "Let's see…I have a prior engagement tomorrow morning, but I should be back home around nine-thirty, maybe ten. Would eleven be ok?"

I quickly nodded. "I'll have my driver drop him off at your residence then. And I'll have HR double on the contract so we can get that signed before you leave." Turning toward my office doors, I took one step forward before I turned back around. There was something I wanted to give her, but I decided it would be best to wait until later. Instead, I called out to her. "Ms. Kawasaki?"

Putting her planner away, she glanced upward. "Yes, Mr. Kaiba?"

"T-thank you," I quietly and quickly said before I meandered back into my office, back into my seclusion, where her presence would not surround me.

Closing the door, I leaned against it to catch my breath. I was losing all sense of understanding when I was around Ms. Kawasaki.

I can not tell exactly what it is, but everything suddenly disappears whenever she's around. My constant worry about Mokuba, my fear of losing the company, and the memories of my stepfather go POOF and vanish. Ms. Kawasaki - Lizette - is an enigma I must unravel to perceive what she is doing to me and why this is happening.

Clenching my dress shirt, I breathed deeply. Whatever is happening, I will prevail; I must prevail. This will not consume me or allow me to forget the most important person in my life - Mokuba. I only have the time and strength to focus on my brother and no one else. No other person is as important, nor will they ever be.

But I want her to be by my side.

Shaking my head swiftly, I banished such thoughts. There's no way such thoughts have plagued my mind, nor will they stay there. Taking a deep breath, I focused on what needed me most - my work. Claiming my desk chair, I immersed myself in my computer, loading numerous files and documents while answering all my emails to clear my mind. For the most part, it worked, but that voice was still in the back of my mind, screaming to speak with my assistant again.

Picking up the phone, I quickly dialed Chi in Human Resources and spent several minutes detailing the new contract they needed to create. One aspect about Chi that I appreciated was that she could be told facts one time and then remember them from here on out. She was the perfect person in her department and rightfully belonged as the head of Human Resources. She claimed the document could be finalized within the hour. As we closed our conversation, I spent the next several minutes breathing, still unable to calm down from before.

And then I was standing. Stepping across the room, I reached for my locked cabinet, which stored the liquor I rarely drank, even on my worst days. Grabbing the small glass and my bottle of brandy, I poured a decent amount and swallowed nearly half in one gulp. Taking the glass, I moved across the room to stare out the bay windows that overlooked the downtown district of Domino City. The district was relatively large, and I could see far off into the distance of the expansive city.

I don't know how long I stood there, but it was enough that I had drained my glass. When my phone rang, I focused on the device before slowly moving to my desk. Picking up the receiver, I said, "Kaiba."

"Sir," it was Chi. "The document has been completed as requested. Would you like me to bring it to you?"

"Yes, straight away."

"Of course, I'll be right there."

For the sake of the situation, I poured another glass, albeit with a smaller amount, and drank the dark liquid in one swallow. Putting the glass away, I relocked the cabinet just as there was a knock on my door. "Enter," was all I said.

Chi stepped through, handing me the several-page document as requested. "Here is everything you need, sir. If any revisions need to be made, please call me."

Quickly, I scanned each document. I trusted Chi but was still compelled to examine every document crossing my path. As the CEO of a multi-billion yen company, one should never be too careful. For the most part, I didn't see anything that needed to be changed, and I stated so. "This is what I needed. Thank you, Chi."

She smiled. "Anytime, sir. All you need to do is ask. Will that be all?"

"Yes. And ask Ms. Kawasaki to see me when she has a moment."

"Yes, sir."

She left, the door barely closing, meaning I could hear them speaking just outside. One of them must've said something as they both chuckled only moments before there was another knock on my door. As she slowly opened the door, Ms. Kawasaki's voice appeared from the other side. "You wanted to see me. Mr. Kaiba?"

"I did." I gestured toward the see before my desk. "Have a seat, and we'll be able to go over the document."

Having mostly memorized the document, I laid it before my assistant as she picked it up, reading it for herself. "This is the contract I was speaking of earlier. This document details how you will work separately for me outside the KaibaCorporation. It states that you and Mokuba will meet at least twice a month, every other Saturday. If more Saturdays are needed, your pay will be doubled for the day that was added."

Her eyes widened again as she followed along. "Isn't that…a bit much? Do I deserve such a contract for something like this?"

Sitting, I watched the emotions flick off the woman's face. "I take my brother's education seriously, Ms. Kawasaki."

"I never said you didn't, Mr. Kaiba. Isn't this…are you sure I deserve this?"

"You do," I said firmly. "I would've paid any other tutor the same if it were different circumstances."

"I see." Glancing back down, she took a moment to read the contract. "Every other Saturday…transportation will be provided…lessons will take place at a location that best benefits Mokuba Kaiba. Take place?" She raised an eyebrow."Is that talking about my home?"

I nodded. "I'm perfectly fine with Mokuba being at your residence, but I'm taking the precaution that there might be times that you'll have to tutor him where we live."

She nodded this time. "Ok, that makes perfect sense." She read further. "Oh. 'I am not to disclose the address where Mr. Kaiba and Mokuba Kaiba reside,'" she read straight from the contract. She gave me a skeptical look. "Did this really have to be placed in there?"

"Can't be too careful, Ms. Kawasaki. I take my privacy just as seriously as my brother's education."

She shrugged. "I have no reason to out you, Mr. Kaiba. But I understand." Ms. Kawasaki spent the next few minutes reading through the document. She was a fast reader as she sped through the few pages before placing them on the desk. "Seems simple enough."

"It is. Remember: even though there is no connection to your job here at KaibaCorp, be mindful that I can termite your contract as Mokuba's tutor at any moment."

"It will not come to that. Have I proved you wrong thus far, Mr. Kaiba?"

"No, you haven't," I said quickly, too quickly. But it was true. In the weeks she had been here, Ms. Kawasaki had only proved her worth, not once disappointing me or the company. "Does everything seem fair and just?"

"From what I can tell, yes."

"Good. Now, time for your financial compensation. For every agreed session, I will pay you fifty thousand yen, and the pay will double on a day that hasn't been scheduled. Do you understand?"

She stared at me momentarily, almost like a deer caught in a bright headlight. "I mean…isn't that a bit much?"

I slightly gawked. "What? The fifty thousand? That's what I would've paid any other tutor, as I've said. What makes you so different?"

She said nothing for several seconds. Her mouth opened to speak, though she closed it before she could. The woman seemed lost in her head, leaving me to question her thoughts. Quiet another moment, she contemplated her words as I sat there patiently. Finally, she said, "If that is your offer, I accept, Mr. Kaiba."

Though it was barely there, I smiled at her answer. "You won't regret this, Ms. Kawasaki." Grabbing one of my pens, I handed it to her. "If you are comfortable with the terms and the pay, sign and date the last page." Flipping to the correct page, she followed my instructions.

Damn. Even her penmanship and cursive are perfect.

She handed me the document, and I followed suit, placing my signature beneath hers, making this document legal and binding. Dropping my pen, I held out my hand for her to accept. "Ms. Kawasaki, I appreciate the help you continue to give this company. Please work hard and give the same courtesy to my brother."

"I will not disappoint you, Mr. Kaiba. I just hope I can make a difference for your brother."

"I have no doubt that you will." We then shook hands.

And it was the same as before.

Our eyes locked instantly, both widening. I decided that maybe the last few times were a fluke. But this time? No. I knew we both felt the same sensation when our hands touched; it was too much of a coincidence for us not to realize something was happening.

I watched as Ms. Kawasaki's mouth fell. She slowly removed her hand and kept it firmly at her side. Eyeing my hand, she moved her gaze up to mine. "M-Mr. Kaiba?"

I returned to my computer without knowing how else to explain the situation. All I had to do was ignore the circumstance as nothing more than a simple fluke. Without sparing her a glance, I said, "Let's not worry about it, Ms. Kawasaki. I'll send these documents to HR, and we'll be in touch about tomorrow."

I could hear the disappointment in her voice. "…as you wish, Mr. Kaiba." She quickly removed herself from my office, not even sparing me a glimpse as she closed my office doors. The moment the doors were shut, I dropped my head.

"…fuck, I am an asshole."

~ oOo ~

LIZETTE

I felt it, and I knew he did, too.

I put Mr. Kaiba's encounter with me on the back burner. If he wanted to ignore that spark we both felt, I could also.

So, when I got home Friday night, I spent the last hours of the evening consuming slice after slice of pizza and playing my game. I ignored the stinging in my chest. I pushed aside the feeling of hurt and placed the minimal amount of anger I had into defeating shadows in Persona 5. Well, it worked. Because I was focused and only spent my time on my game, I was able to level up my characters, beat a Palace, and have a new character join my party. I was getting closer and closer to achieving the platinum trophy. I had already beaten the game once and was on my second play-through to try and receive everything possible.

But, alas, awesome nights such as this must end, and I soon entered the realm of sleep around midnight.

I awoke the following day prepared to start my Saturday. Despite not wanting to, I woke up as early as I could to start my homework before heading to my 'second job.' Soon, that came to an end as I was able to complete two assignments and write at least three pages for my thesis. Once that was out of the way, I put on my sneakers and stepped out to my car, dressed in leggings and a T-shirt, something comfortable that would make working easier.

I spent the next two hours volunteering, working hard, and earning smiles from those I passed by. I returned to my car and checked my phone at the end of my agreed shift. I had a message from Mr. Kaiba saying that Mokuba would be at my house within the hour. I didn't feel the message needed a reply, so I turned my car around and headed home. Once there, I quickly showered to wipe off the grime from my shift and sat at my desk, waiting until Mokuba was to arrive.

I must have lost track of time conducting my research as the doorbell suddenly rang, causing me to nearly fall out of my seat. I did not expect the sudden ding to enter my ears.

Opening the door stood Mokuba and Roland. Smiling in their direction, I said, "Welcome, you two!" I noticed Mokuba held his backpack and allowed him to sit in the living room. Glancing up at Mr. Kaiba's right-hand man, I also offered him a smile. "Seriously? It's the weekend. Don't you ever get a break?"

The giant man chuckled at that. "Occasionally," he replied. Pushing his sunglasses up the bridge of his nose, he offered, "It's not so bad. Mr. Kaiba compensates me exceptionally well for my time. It's a way of living, and I get to provide for my wife and daughter."

"Oh." That was something I did not know. Then again, I barely knew Roland as it was. "You have a family? I had no idea."

Roland stole a quick peek at Mokuba inside. Pulling out his phone, he glanced at me, smirking evilly. "Want to see my daughter?"

A man who adored his daughter and wanted to share pictures? Count me in! "Oh, you better believe it!" I watched as he scrolled across possibly hundreds of photos. He landed on one of a baby swaddled in a bright pink blanket. I took the phone from his hands and cooed at the image before me. "Oh my, she is so adorable! What's her name? How old?"

The smile on Roland's face said it all. "Her name is Sakura, and she is shy of six months."

I whistled. "Damn. And Mr. Kaiba has you working on weekends?"

The man shrugged. "As I said, he appropriately compensates me for my time. Trust me, it's a lot of work, but Mr. Kaiba is also extremely considerate that my wife and I have a new baby at home."

I wasn't sure why, but that statement had me smiling. "I'm glad to hear that."

"And you, Ms. Kawasaki? Does the boss treat you well?"

Glaring at the man, I said, "Oh, please…I hear enough of my last name from Mr. Kaiba. Please, call me Lizette or Liz."

He seemed surprised at that. "Are…you sure?"

"It just feels too weird to be called by my last name constantly."

Nodding, the man offered a smile. "I get that. Then, please call me Roland."

"Ha! Now that I can do."

"Good." Glancing inside, Roland quickly checked in on the boy before asking, "Mokuba? You good?"

"I'm good, Roland! Thanks! See you soon!"

Chuckling, Roland took a step back, checking his watch. "Mr. Kaiba said to be back in about two hours. Is that what he mentioned to you?"

"He did. I'll let him know if Mokuba's ready to leave sooner."

"Sounds like a plan. Oh, and Ms…I mean, Liz?" I tilted my head. "Thank you. It might not seem like much, but I don't think you understand how much this means to Mr. Kaiba."

"O-oh?" That shocked me more than I thought it should.

"I know he won't say it aloud, but he appreciates you offering your time to help his brother."

That left me beaming. "He cares much for his brother, that is obvious. If he believes I can help, I will do what I can."

"Then I must offer my thanks as well." Nodding, he bid me a good afternoon and stepped back toward the limo parked on the street. With a shake of my head, I closed the door and watched as Mokuba silently watched me, a curious look on his face.

"Why were you and Roland talking about?"

"Noneya business," I stuck my tongue out at him. He giggled, but then I answered him somewhat truthfully. "He was showing me pictures of his little baby."

"Oh, you mean Sakura?" I nodded. "Yeah, she's kinda cute. He's brought her in before, so I've seen her. But…she's kinda small."

I stood beside the young boy. "I mean, you were that small at one point, too, Mokuba." He scrunched his face, causing me to laugh. Shaking my head, I said, "Alright, young man, I am instructed to help you with math and was told you have a test next week. What do we need to work on?" I grabbed his backpack and moved to the small dining table. I patted the seat next to me for Mokuba to join, and he did. Sitting next to each other, he grabbed materials he needed, including yesterday's worksheet and his assignments from earlier that week.

The boy handed me a small packet and said, "My teacher said we need to study this. She said that if I know this, I'll do well on the test on Monday."

Skimming through the worksheets, I quickly referenced the material to know what I would be tutoring him on. It only took me several minutes to remind myself of what he was being taught as I laid the papers before us. "This material doesn't seem so bad. Let's start with what you need help with the most. What are you struggling with?"

Mokuba momentarily glimpsed through the papers before landing on one specific worksheet with shapes and equations. "I kinda get fractions now because of your help, but this…I don't get this at all."

"Oh, that's not too bad. Hopefully, after today, you'll feel more confident with this. Let's start here with the review and go from there."

And so, we worked. Mokuba wasn't wrong when he said that he did not understand the equations for simple geometric shapes. He needed to calculate the area and volume of a circle, square, triangle, and rectangle. I don't even remember learning these equations at his age, but I must admit that the American educational system lags behind other countries, such as Japan. I firmly believe that America should design its educational system after Japan.

But I was patient. We did not even move on to the shapes until I was able to assess that Mokuba could identify which equations went to which shape. And, actually, it was relatively quick for Mokuba to tell me the difference between each. But then came the difficulty of applying those same equations to actual problems.

It was…a little rough at first. Mokuba was easily getting frustrated, and I could see the work was infuriating him. So, instead of continuing, we took a break. I offered him a small brownie from a fresh batch I made just last night. He ate the small bite with so much gusto that he immediately and politely requested another, which gave me an idea.

"If we can master each equation to the correct shape, I will give you a bite of the brownies after each one."

He weighed my statement and eyed me carefully. "You promise?"

"Of course," I said smugly. "These are brownies we're talking about. Why would I lie about something so delicious?" Mokuba seemed to agree completely.

Who knew that such a sweet reward would motivate Mokuba to work? He had been working up to this point regardless, but now he was proving he could and would master this section of his math in record time.

And so, when we found our rhythm, Mokuba and I kept working. He was an extremely diligent worker, and it was easy to see that he learned this trait from his elder brother. I was impressed with how he acted at his age, and as we talked, I realized that he had just turned ten back in July. I instantly felt terrible, as if I didn't know. Otherwise, I would have brought him a present. I expressed that thought, and all the boy did was smile as he kept working. But as I watched him work and study, something suddenly crossed my mind. Tentatively, I glanced at the boy.

"So, Mokuba…what do your parents think of their son owning a company like KaibaCorp? Especially considering how young he is."

He didn't even falter as he said, "Seto and I don't have any parents."

The pen in my hand fell to the table with a clang.

My mouth opened and closed several times, unsure what to say. So, I didn't say anything, not at first. Sensing my silence, Mokuba peered at me over his pencil. He went to speak, but I stopped him. "I'm sorry, Mokuba, I shouldn't have asked."

But he smiled? Why? "Don't worry! It doesn't really bother me anymore." My head tilted at that. He must've seen my face as he refocused his attention on the paper before him, already giving me an explanation. "Mom died giving birth to me, and our dad died a few years later in an accident."

"Oh, Mokuba…"

"Seto and I were sent to an orphanage because our relatives spent all our money and didn't want to care for us." I could feel my heart crumble, the pieces falling against my ribcage. And still, the boy continued to speak. Why wasn't I saying that he didn't have to tell me anything? I wasn't expecting an explanation, especially if it made him uncomfortable. "We were at the orphanage for a while…but then we were both adopted."

Gently, I laid my hand on his shoulder. "Mokuba…you don't have to tell me anymore."

Halting his writing, he peered at me with the most innocent violet eyes. "But I want to."

He wanted to? With me? Why me? "Are…are you sure? I just don't want you to hurt yourself if it brings up bad memories."

"I mean…" Mokuba took a moment to consider my words as he glanced into the distance. "I feel safe around you, Liz. And brother always said that if I want to tell someone something, I should feel comfortable doing so." This child needed a hug. Pulling the boy into my arms, I patted his head.

"Mokuba…" I said carefully. Pulling back, I asked, "Your adoptive father was Gozaburo Kaiba, right?"

He nodded slowly. "Yeah…but we don't talk about him." I didn't need to ask why. "Brother doesn't like to talk about him."

Oh. "Then we won't. We must respect your older brother's wishes, don't we?"

"Will…" His eyes widened slightly. "Will brother be upset that I mentioned him?"

"No, oh no, sweetie. I think he'd be proud that you feel comfortable telling me, but I think he'd also be proud knowing you didn't talk about a person he doesn't want to talk about."

The boy seemed to understand that. "You…you think?"

"I know." I ruffled his bushy black hair, causing the boy to giggle. Taking a moment, I stared at his sheet. The boy had been working nonstop for the past hour, and even though our agreement was one brownie every time he mastered an equation, Mokuba had yet to ask for another. Once he could explain one equation, he asked to move to the next without asking for his promised treat. I decided to change that. Standing, I entered the kitchen and popped the lid off my glass dish. "You know, I think a couple pieces of brownies are in order. What do you think, kiddo?"

His violet eyes stared at his paper before turning to me. "Have I earned one?"

I smiled softly at his innocence. "Sweetie, I think you've earned several." Piling several crudely cut pieces onto a paper towel, I handed Mokuba his as we ate silently. He consumed his quicker before I could finish one. I crumbled up the paper towel just as my phone began ringing. Checking the caller ID, I noticed it was his brother. Answering, I said, "Mr. Kaiba? Is it time for Mokuba to head home already?"

"Hello, Ms. Kawasaki. No, we did agree on two hours; I'm calling to check in. How is my brother?"

"He's perfect! He's been working extremely hard ever since he got here. I have no doubt Mokuba can get a high score on that test."

I could hear my boss sigh deeply across the phone. "That…eases my tension, thank you." He paused for several seconds. "I did have a reason for interrupting your session."

"And what would that be for?"

"Can you watch my brother for several hours after your session?"

I wasn't expecting that. "I mean…" Glancing at Mokuba, I saw he was already back to work on his sheet, even without my guidance. "I have no problem with that. Is there a reason why?"

I earned a different sigh in return. "Something urgent has occurred at the office, and I must go in for some time. I'm not comfortable leaving Mokuba alone just yet, and I've already sent Roland home." Chuckling slightly, I was about to speak when my boss continued. "Please, Ms. Kawasaki, I will pay you extra."

Wait…was Mr. Kaiba pleading with me? Removing myself from the table, I stepped toward the bedroom and lowered my voice. "Mr. Kaiba…of course, I will watch Mokuba for you, and I don't need the additional pay."

"Ms. Kawasaki, I don't think you under - hm?" He was caught off guard. "You just…? Oh. You will? Just like that?"

My eyebrow shot up in confusion. "Just like what? That I'll watch your brother? It's no trouble at all, Mr. Kaiba."

I could see the look on my boss's face. "Are you sure?"

I was nodding to no one. "I promise, Mr. Kaiba. And I'm being serious about the pay; I don't want anything extra."

"No, you will be financially compensated."

"…and if I say no to the money?"

"…you…would say no to the money?"

"I'm watching your brother for free after the hour is over. There will be no ifs, ands, or buts, Mr. Kaiba."

"Now, Ms. Kawasaki…"

"No, Mr. Kaiba. It doesn't work like that. I greatly appreciate your offer for additional pay, but you're in a sticky situation and need some extra help. I am offering my services in your time of need."

He sighed once more. But as he spoke, I could hear the minimal smile form on his lips. "I see you won't back down?"

That had me grinning. "I did tell you that I like challenges, Mr. Kaiba."

"Heh, that you did, Ms. Kawasaki." He fell silent for several seconds. "I will give you another call when I can leave the office. Would it be acceptable to ask you to feed him lunch and dinner if it comes to that?"

"No…I'm gonna let Mokuba starve."

The silence was eerie momentarily as Mr. Kaiba debated against the seriousness of my answer. "I know that was sarcasm. I'm just impressed you used that against me."

"You are speaking to the queen of sass, Mr. Kaiba."

"You are not like this on the clock, Ms. Kawasaki. What was changed between then and now?"

"Ha! You must remember that it is my weekend, Mr. Kaiba."

"…fair enough." He took a deep breath as I could hear voices in the background. "I must go. Thank you again, Ms. Kawasaki. I shall call you when Mokuba will be picked up."

Clutching the phone close to my ear, I held it tightly, not wanting to end the call with my boss. Why didn't I want to let go? Was I too embarrassed about the fact that I felt a spark? Even when we were just talking? "We'll be here having fun when you're done." My boss didn't reply, as the line ended without further words. Locking the device, I reclaimed my seat at the table to see Mokuba hard at work. Should I still have been surprised that he was a diligent worker, even at his age?

As he worked, Mokuba suddenly asked, "Was that brother on the phone?"

"Yeah. He asked if you could stay here for a while longer. I guess something came up at the office that needs his attention." Cocking my head, I added, "Is that ok if you stay here?"

He nodded enthusiastically. "I really like it here! Your home is comfy!"

Giggling behind a hand, I smiled again. "Thanks, sweetie, that means a lot. But let's keep working hard. If we finish before your brother gets here, I have a surprise for you."

His pupils dilated. "A surprise? What kind of surprise?"

"It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you." We then grew quiet for some time. The boy was meticulous with his work, and I realized everything he wrote down was clean and neat and definitely more organized than I expected from a child his age. Stealing a peek at his paper, I realized he was almost done. "Hey, you're doing awesome, kiddo."

He suddenly stopped and glanced at me with the most curious look. "Kiddo?"

"Ah." I chuckled softly, sensing his confusion. "Sorry, Mokuba, it's just a nickname for young kids. I use it as a friendly term."

"Oh, that's ok! I actually kinda like it!" He beamed at me with a bright smile. This child was jut the sweetest thing in the world. He was precious and caring and kind and I just wanted to hug the snot out of him.

We spent the next hour working more, completing sheet after sheet from the small packet the teacher had given Mokuba. He did all the work after I had spent the beginning of our lesson instructing how each equation was used to which shape. Now, Mokuba was doing everything independently as I watched over his shoulder, ensuring he was completing each question correctly. And, for the most part, he was doing exceptionally well. Before I knew it, we came to the last page after finishing all the worksheets in the packet.

Staring at it, Mokuba said, "It's a mini-quiz."

Taking the paper from his hand, I checked to see what he was talking about. And just as he said, this was a mini quiz, assuming it was a way to test the students before taking the test on Monday. Glancing at him over the top of the paper, I smiled. "Well? You ready to test to see if you've learned anything?"

"I-I guess. But what if I still don't get all this stuff?"

I ruffled his hair. "Then we'll just have to work extra hard. Now, let's see what you can do!"

Giving him the space to concentrate, I moved from the table into the kitchen. Pouring us a glass of water, I walked to my couch and sat, patiently waiting for him to finish. Scrolling through random Instagram videos, I became lost in time and my surroundings, so I barely heard Mokuba call my name.

"Liz! I'm done!"

Tossing my phone aside, I sat at the table, grabbed his paper and a pen, and quietly began correcting his paper. However, I didn't need to make many corrections. Scoring the mini-quiz took no time, as Mokuba had accurately answered most of the questions. The paper fell to the table as I engulfed the boy in a monster hug. "You did fantastic, Mokuba!"

Taking hold of the quiz, his eyes widened as he saw very few marks indicating the ones he did not answer correctly. "You mean…if this were the test, I would have passed?" I quickly nodded as the boy's grin grew magically wide. He jumped up from the seat and started running around the living room, swinging the paper in the air as he hooted and hollered excitedly. "I did it! I did it!" I let the boy be for several moments before he stopped before me. "Hey, is there any way we can send a picture of this to brother?"

Asking him to grab my phone, I instantly opened my camera app and snapped a beautiful picture of the test. "I think that's an awesome idea. If your brother is as busy as he says, I think this will have him smiling." Inserting the photo into a new message, I added the caption, "He's doing awesome!"

Giving Mokuba the paper, he packed his bag and put away all his materials. "So…we finished. What's my surprise?"

"Hah! You're too cute, Mokuba." Heading toward the shelves beside my TV, I grabbed the appropriate game from its organized alphabetical order; I showed the case to Mokuba. "A little bird told me you're a fan of Minecraft. I thought you and I could create a brand-new world together. I think you've earned it." Watching the boy's face glint with happiness, I knew my surprise had done wonders. "I take that as a yes?"

He jumped up and down several times. "Yes, yes, yes! That sounds awesome!" Plopping on the couch, he claimed a seat as I appropriately grabbed a spare blue controller and handed that to Mokuba as I used my black controller to turn on my PlayStation 5. We watched the opening sequence as I revived my console from its sleep. When I could insert the game, I did and waited until I could click on the application. When the game was finally up and running, I grabbed the blanket from the back of the couch, wrapped myself in its warmth, and sat beside my tiny friend.

"I didn't know you played games, Liz."

"It's my favorite hobby. Been playing video games since I was really little; my collection of games and consoles is fairly massive."

His eyes focused on the gentle music that was distinctly Minecraft. "That's awesome. Brother and I are the same. We've been playing games for a while and sometimes play together."

Clicking the specific buttons to start a new world, I asked Mokuba's input on which settings we should incorporate. Once the game was loading and establishing the world we would dominate, I turned to the child. "It was Seto who told me that Minecraft is your favorite game. He also said that you guys have been playing the same world for a long time."

Mokuba smiled brightly. "I love playing with Seto. He's so patient with me, and I love our time together." But then his face fell. "We…don't get to spend that much time together. He's always busy with the company."

Nudging my shoulder against his frame, I said calmly, "Well…now that we're playing, you just hit me up if you ever want to play. I won't have much time because of work and school, but if I'm available, we can play…if that's something you would like."

"Something I would like? I would love that! Do you really mean it? You're not just saying it?"

"No, kiddo, I'm making a promise."

Our conversation ended as we lost ourselves in the vast world of Minecraft. Our world deposited my character and Mokuba's into a forest, and we soon decided we needed to accomplish the food, wool, beds, and a simple house first. We set our tasks as priorities.

The game consumed us. We were unstoppable as we worked through the game. We killed mobs of monsters, built a better house, crafted leather armor…the list was endless. We were gaining levels and living the life we wanted in this environment. At one point, I swore I heard the ringtone on my phone, but I was so consumed chatting with Mokuba that I didn't even glance at the screen.

I was exchanging our house's wooden blocks for smooth stone when the unexpected ring of my doorbell echoed across the living room. Leaving my character where it was, I moved toward the door and opened it, my head biting backward to find Mr. Kaiba standing in my doorway.

"Well, well…you do live," he commented dryly. But I felt that the tone wasn't explicitly directed toward me for some reason. Glancing at my clock, I noticed that it was nearing six. Had the time passed by that quickly? Where had it gone? It just disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"Yes, we're alive," I answered.

Placing his hands into his pants pocket, my boss relaxed his composure as he stared into my eyes. "I called several times that I was done. I'm…" He looked inside toward my living room and saw the game on the TV. "Ah. So that's why you ignored my calls."

Stepping aside, I allowed my boss entry. He walked in with his head swiveling, probably analyzing my tiny house. "I'm sorry, Mr. Kaiba. It was not my intention to do so. Mokuba and I, well…" I pointed at the screen and added, "We…were a little preoccupied."

That earned a chuckle from the male. "I can see that." Stepping behind Mokuba, he placed his hands on his brother's shoulders. Even I noticed that Mokuba hadn't acknowledged his brother's presence. "Mokuba? Earth to Mokuba…"

The boy peered upward, his smile the widest I'd seen all day. "Brother! You're here!" Dropping the controller on the couch, he ran around the furniture and embraced his brother tightly. "How come you didn't call?"

That earned an incredulous look from my boss as I pretended not to have noticed. "Never mind that. I see you've been busy; are you having fun?"

"Soooo much fun! Seto, you won't believe everything we've been able to do!" Grabbing the controller, he spent several minutes showing his brother all the tasks we had completed, displaying the mansion we were in the process of building, our crops, and all the materials we had gathered. As they talked, I watched from the side. Occasionally, Seto glanced down at his brother and smiled, but being the loving brother, he also watched what Mokuba was showing him.

My heart thumped once, and as I kept watching, my heart thumped again, painfully this time.

But my boss must've sensed my staring as he turned toward me, raising an eyebrow. My cheeks turned pink as I approached the table to grab Mokuba's backpack. "Did you see the picture we sent you earlier?"

Seto stepped toward me and grabbed his brother's bag. "I did. He was able to do that all on his own?"

"Yes, sir. I was on the couch the entire time so he could focus. Here, I'll prove it to you. Hey, Mokuba," I called out to the child. He quickly glanced at me before returning his attention to the TV. "What shape does the equation "a equals pie 'r' squared go to?"

The boy barely thought for a second before answering, "A circle. Specifically to find the area of a circle." I stared proudly at Mr. Kaiba, who whistled.

"Damn," he whispered, just loud enough for me to hear. His eyes peered into mine as he said, "You two must've worked hard today."

"We did. But I can't take all the credit. You need to understand that Mokuba is extremely smart." I turned toward the kitchen and grabbed the pan of brownies. "That, and a little incentive also helped."

He stared into the pan. "Brownies?" I nodded. "May I?"

"Of course!" I cut him a slice, placed it on a napkin, and handed it over; he swallowed the bite whole and covered his mouth as he chewed.

Nodding, he uttered, "Mm, that's good."

"Heh, can't go wrong with box brownies."

"Liz! Look what I just found!" Our attention turned toward the TV as we saw Mokuba was now mining and was surrounded by a giant pool of lava; next to it were several blocks of diamonds. "Our first diamond patch!"

"Even better is that you found it all by yourself! Make sure you're using your iron pickaxe."

"…I know!"

Stepping back behind his brother, Mr. Kaiba patted his brother's shoulders. "Mokuba, it's time to go. Whatever items you have, store them away for safekeeping."

"But…!" Rotating until he was sitting on his knees, the boy pouted, giving his older brother the best pair of puppy dog eyes. "Please…? Just a little bit longer?"

But his brother shook his head. "Not this time, Mokuba. We've borrowed enough of Ms. Kawasaki's time."

Mokuba knew not to request anything else as he slowly accepted his fate. "Fine, I'll stop."

Walking behind him, I added, "Remember my promise, Mokuba. We can play together if I ever have time and you want to play." Then I glanced at my boss. "As long as your older brother is ok with that."

The smile I earned was gorgeous. "I don't mind. As long as it doesn't conflict with your studies, I know you're busy with your thesis." It was then a low grumbling sound entered my ears. It lasted only seconds, but I knew what it was. Smiling up at Mr. Kaiba, he glanced away, a hint of pink painted on his cheeks. He knew what I wanted to ask and responded before I could say anything. "Pardon me. I…I haven't eaten today."

My eyes rolled at that. Crossing my arms, I glared at the man. "Seriously? Even after the talk we just had yesterday?"

He copied my movement. "That conversation was about when we're at work. May I remind you that it is now the weekend, Ms. Kawasaki?"

Having stored all his gear and items in his specific chest, Mokuba was now watching our interaction. "But Liz is right, Seto! You must always remember to eat!"

It was Mr. Kaiba's turn to roll his eyes. "Mokuba…"

The boy was quiet as a smirk suddenly formed on his face. "I got an idea! Why don't we invite Liz out to eat?!"

"O-oh?" I watched the brothers. I was surprised Mr. Kaiba hadn't immediately brushed off his younger brother's idea. Quite the opposite. It seemed he was considering it.

Facing me, Mr. Kaiba spoke. "It's not a bad idea. You denied my request to financially compensate you for watching my brother, and it is dinner time." Stepping forward into my personal space, the man lowered his voice. "Would you consider joining us for dinner tonight?"

Stuck in the moment, all I could do was remember to focus on my breathing. My boss was closer than I expected. Up close, I could soak in the depth of his eyes. They were similar to mine, but they were darker, their depths having experienced a pain I couldn't comprehend. But I could see it. There was a barrier the man was keeping around himself.

And I wanted to break it.

I found myself smiling, agreeing to the idea. "I think dinner sounds quite nice. I'll consider that your payment."

"Good." Peeking at his brother, he said, "Where to, Mokuba? I want your suggestion, considering how well you did today."

Taking a moment to think, the boy scrunched his face. Just seconds later, a light bulb appeared above his head, nice and bright. "I think teppanyaki sounds amazing!"

The first response Mr. Kaiba gave to his brother was a soft smile. "It has been some time since we've had that." Peering at me, he questioned my opinion. "Do you find that acceptable?"

"Of course! I agree with Mokuba; teppanyaki sounds amazing right now!" Glimpsing down at my outfit, I cringed. "Um…just give me a moment to change, alright?" Mr. Kaiba nodded as I swiftly moved toward my bedroom, shutting the door softly behind me. I had been wearing leggings and a fitted T-shirt all day.

"Oh my god…" I just realized the outfit my boss had seen me again. How could I look such a way before him and not know it until after the fact?!

Squeezing my eyes, I breathed, embarrassed at that fact. And then I thought of what he wore. Mr. Kaiba always wore a suit or a casual version of a suit nearly every day at the office. Today was different. He wore a dark pair of jeans, a light-colored button-up shirt, and a light blazer. All together, he was breathtaking. I squeezed my eyes shut again.

I have to stop! I have to stop these thoughts!

Realizing I was wasting time, I quickly found a pair of dark jeans, a graphic T-shirt, and a jacket. Placing my feet in some sandals, I exited my bedroom and saw that Mokuba was waiting for me to save the game. Before saving, I ensured all our items were secured, saved the game, and placed the console into rest mode. Facing both males, I asked, "I'm ready."

Just as we moved toward the door, my phone started to ring. I saw the caller ID, and my blood turned to ice so fast that I froze in my spot. Taking a quick breath to seem calm, I glanced at my boss and said, "Can I take this real quick?"

"We'll be in the car." I waited until they closed the door to swipe 'answer' on the screen. Slowly placing the phone against my ear, I paused for one second before speaking. "Hello?"

"Ah, it's about time you answered."

I swallowed. My stomach dropped, and sweat pooled on my palms as my breathing quickened. The familiar twinge of fear at the back of my skull appeared, consuming my being as I slowly sat down in a chair. I gripped the phone tightly, wondering why this man was calling me. "Uncle Shiro…to…what do I owe the pleasure of your call?"

"Cut the pleasantries, Lizette." The audacity of this man. "A little bird told me you acquired a new job some time ago. When were you going to share such joyous news with your uncle?"

"It's just a job," I found myself saying. "I didn't think it was that big a deal that required me to explain it to you."

"I find it interesting that you say that because your payments have been relatively low for the last several months."

My body shrank into itself. I knew he was calling to talk about that. "I apologize, uncle. I was out of work for some time. I…may have paid you small amounts, but I was keeping up with my payments." Stay calm, stay calm.

"Be that as it may," my uncle began. "That was not part of our agreement. Your payments have been made on time since we started this deal, and I commend you for that. However, not paying the full amount only constitutes problems on our end. You understand, yes?" I chose not to reply; my uncle didn't find that acceptable. "I am bothered by your actions, Lizette Kawasaki. I knew you were always a capable young woman, but these past weeks have made me rethink that. How disappointing."

Voice rising, I tried voicing my thoughts. "Uncle Shiro, I can explain…!"

"I don't want an explanation!" He exploded, the rage in his voice venomous enough that I pulled the phone away from my ear. "I don't give a fuck about you not working; that's your fault! But you are to pay me the exact amount we stated at the beginning, and you will pay me for what you have missed!" Clearing his throat, he then continued. "Our initial agreed payment was two hundred thousand yen. Considering you are now working directly underneath Seto Kaiba at KaibaCorp, I believe increasing your monthly payment is a necessary move. So, I think we double the initial amount to four hundred thousand."

I stood to my feet so fast that the chair behind me fell to the ground with a clang. The fucking audacity…! "You…you can't do that! Uncle Shiro, please reconsider!"

"SILENCE!" My mouth fell. Uncle Shiro was someone you did not want to cross, and I had been on the negative side of conversations with this man before to understand that that was something you did not want to do. "I expect your increased payments on time every single month, do you understand? If we are to have this conversation again, I'm not afraid to incorporate legal matters into this situation. Remember, it's YOUR fault they're gone, Lizette Kawasaki."

I choked.

Breath caught in my throat, I dropped to the ground, my legs having given out on me.

"I will take your silence as acceptance. I appreciate the call, Lizette. As always, it's a pleasure speaking with you, my lovely niece." And then the call ended.

I didn't recognize the phone dropping from through my fingers. Four…four hundred thousand yen…? Was the man fucking crazy, or…? How was I supposed to pay that? My savings have already dwindled due to the months I was unemployed. At this point, I'll go bankrupt before I even graduate in May!

Facing turning toward the door, I quickly stood and picked up my phone just as Mr. Kaiba appeared. If he noticed the state of my expression, he didn't comment. "Everything alright? We've been waiting on you."

Moving strands of hair away from my face, I answered, "I'm sorry. My friend called, and I did my best to end the call, but she's a talker." Being as discreet as I could, I breathed deeply. "We ready? I dunno about you, but I'm starving!"

Making my way through the door, Mr. Kaiba gripped my wrist, halting me in the doorway. There was the already familiar zap of energy from his touch, but this time, I ignored it. I was confused, having to tilt my head backward to stare in my boss's eyes.

"You seem…distraught. What was the call about?"

Think! Think of something quick, Lizette!

"Oh, my friend is going through a nasty breakup, and I just feel bad about it, that's all." Though it was all, I still slightly lifted my lips. "It's nothing to worry about, I promise…but thank you for asking."

He didn't reply, only moving out so I could shut and lock the door. Once in his costly car, Mokuba began conversing about our game as Mr. Kaiba drove us toward our dinner destination. Though he accepted my answer, I could feel his gaze as I peered out the window. The conversation repeated in my mind again and again. The way my uncle spoke, his threats, the new agreement…it was too much.

I'm fucked.

~ oOo ~

I'm so excited to explore their journey,

DragonGoddess 629