A month passed since the Ushio incident. The school bell rung signaling the end of the day. All the students at Domino high rushed out madly, looking forwards for the weekend, some making plans to get together other just enjoy it at home, Kiara, Joey and Yugi would spend the weekend hanging out either in the arcades, mall or movie theaters it became a ritual with the trio. Kiara went to her shoe locker while Yugi and Joey caught up with her.
"Kiara wanna walk home with us?" Joey asked, "We can stop by at that pizza place ya like!"
"Sorry, I can't," Kiara said searching for her white cellphone using it for business calls only. "I have to be home to get ready."
"Ready for what?" Yugi asked tilting his head.
"Tonight is when I reveal the new makeup Spring collection," Kiara said while texting. "I have to give a speech about it and unveil it."
"That's great!" Yugi said smiling. Joey nodded.
"A lot of famous people are coming to take a look at it and tomorrow is when it'll be online and at the stores, some of the proceeds of this collection will be donated to needy kids." Kiara said "I've been planning it for months...so I won't be able to see you guys until Monday."
"What?!" Joey and Yugi exclaimed
"Running a company aint easy huh?" Joey said rubbing his chin. "I don't know how you and that rich boy do it."
"Rich boy?" Kiara repeated.
"Seto Kaiba." Yugi said
"S...Seto?" Kiara said her eyes widening in disbelief. They couldn't be talking about the same Seto...that she befriended years ago, could they?
"Kaiba," Yugi repeated. "He's the international Duel Monsters champion and he goes to this school too, he's in all of our classes. He's pretty wealthy and owns a company that produces games."
"You haven't met him?" Joey asked
"I met his father when I was younger but i haven't met the son. I didn't know he was in all of our classes..now that I think about it maybe the days that I'm not in class he's there." Kiara said thinking out loud.
"Well, I hope ya don't see him," Joey said already annoyed at talking about Kaiba. "He's got that attitude acting as if he's all high and mighty."
"Um...guys as much as I love talking to you two, I have to go now." Kiara said apologetically, her driver arrived, The boys nodded. "I promise next weekend we'll hang out." As she got inside the car, waving goodbye to her friends.
Kiara let out a sigh taking out her laptop reviewing the guest list her parents had changed it a few days ago updating on who is going and who declined, Her blue eyes stopped dead in her tracks seeing one name that was added days ago.
"He's on the list... I wonder if he is the same Seto.." Kiara whispered she decided to do some research then and there, typing in his name she found a number of articles of Kaiba, with what she found she couldn't help but smile The Seto that she befriended long ago is the same one that Yugi and Joey said.
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News Reporter - "Now tonight will be of excitement and anticipation! Sasaki corporation will unveil its new spring make up collection."
Mokuba let out a yawn resting on the leather couch, his hand went towards the remote about to change the channel. News reports are common to watch with his older brother but seeing that it changed to the beauty segment wasn't at all interesting, he was about to press a button until he heard his older brother.
"Leave it there." His brother said across his work desk.
Mokuba tilted his head and groaned tossing the remote to the other side of the couch, sure his older brother prefers watching the news to know what's going on and all..especially if it involves his company but why can't he just skip this one segment? Why would his older brother want to know about makeup?
The person organizing the event is the young heiress Kiara Sasaki age sixteen. The reporter said showing a picture of Kiara with a white rose hair clip.
"Kiara?!" Mokuba mumbled, frantically searching for the remote to increase the volume. "Wow...is that really her?" He stared at the picture seeing that familiar pale blue hair and bright blue eyes. "It is her!"
Seto was busy typing away on his laptop concentrating on his next plan, however, the moment he heard that name, his attention was immediately torn away from his work. He silently watched on not moving from where he was. He had heard of her success in the past two years occasionally reading about her in the newspapers, just reading of how she's doing somehow gave the young CEO an odd sense of peace.
'The young heiress is making quite the name for herself in the makeup world, making her first collection at the age of fourteen from there she has been creating numerous products that are gaining popularity. Who knows we might even see the heiress with a hot date, there have been rumors of her being with a blonde young man, we're all wondering if he's escorting her to the event.'
"A date?" Mokuba said "Kiara with a date?"
'A...date?' He thought.
Seto stood up and paced towards the television. He shook in anger as he furiously grabbed the remote and turned it off. Mokuba sat there speechless, wide-eyed at his older brother's action, he never saw him like that before usually he would brush it off and continued as if nothing happened, Seto walked back to his desk he didn't know what came over him something so minor shouldn't rile him up like that yet it did.
"Seto?" Mokuba said tilting his head.
"What?" He said trying to regain his composure as he continued to type.
"Aren't we invited to that event?" Mokuba spoke up. Kaiba stopped in mid typing, he glanced at the event book and his younger brother is right.
Usually, he would skip it but something in him told him to go, just this once. His thoughts went to Kiara when they were younger before Gozaburo adopted him and Mokuba, back then everything was different they smiled, laughed had fun playing games even helped with the young girls garden. He rapidly shook his head, knowing that his thoughts were getting him sidetracked.
'That's all in the past! ' Seto thought clenching his fist. 'No need to go back.'
"Big brother?" Mokuba said softly. "Are we going? You know it might be a good move for us too, think about it."
Kaiba took a moment glancing at his computer, he already finished the paperwork. Hearing his younger brother's request to see her.
"Fine...once we get there we'll stay for an hour." Seto said
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"I don't know what to wear…"Kiara said to herself staring at the clothes in the hanger. She was still in her bathrobe. " I need to make a good impression...and the outfit should match the theme of the collection. " Her hands moved the clothes until she stopped seeing something in between the hangers..it was a new dress with a note.
'I bought this for your big day, I know you'll do your best! Whatever happens, I'm proud of you!
Mom.'
Kiara smiled at the note, staring at a chiffon V neck knee-length dress in a pretty Mosaic blue color. She put on the dress, added a simple silver pendant and matching earrings, white wedges, lightly curled her hair, and added her signature white rose hair clip. She went to her vanity opening a drawer that had her makeup, Kiara wears makeup only for formal events or for pictures to advertise the company's make up line, her normal casual wear is usually lipgloss of any color and eyeliner of her own products. She put on a nude pink lipstick and using liquid eyeliner to accentuate her eyes.
Kiara smiled looking at the mirror, She loved the end result. She headed downstairs to her event.
The venue of the event was large, elegant tables with the centerpieces having small bouquets of different flowers that reminded people of spring. Kiara looked through her bag seeing the cue cards in case if she stumbled on somethings during her speech, while her parents greeted the guest coming in. After staying calm she walked around the sleek wooden floors to greet the guests some she recognized from the fashion industry and other famous celebrities.
She then began to wander around to see if everything is going just as she wanted. A young waiter walked by and offered the heiress a glass of champagne. She declined it since he probably didn't know that she's underage and that she did not want to be tipsy during her speech.
Feeling peckish Kiara reached for a little dessert puff a type of amuse bouche on a table nearby and popping it in Her mouth. 'Yum!' she thought as she reached for another.
She felt her phone vibrate, recognizing the number that it was Joey, taking it out her phone reading the text.
'Hey, just leavin ya a message! Good luck at...i forgot. what it was...anyway go knock em dead!'
Kiara let out a giggle, she typed.
'Thanks, I'll tell you and Yugi how it went after school at the pizza place.'
"Alright... I should go to the stage now." Kiara muttered to herself.
After thinking it over for awhile Kaiba decided to go by the suggestions of his younger brother. Since it's a formal event he opted for a white suit with a light blue shirt and tie, his younger brother chose a classic black and white suit, Seto checked his Rolex seeing the time half-past seven, he hated being late for anything but this particular event made him second guess himself something he never has done before, he's always been confident and sure of himself over any decision.
The limousine made a stop as the Kaiba brothers stepped out, Camera flashed them knowing that the next day it'll be in the papers, they entered the venue.
"The place looks nice." Mokuba spoke up seeing the elegant decor.
"It's not bad." Seto said
Kaiba's eyes traveled around the room the decor is tasteful a reminiscent of spring, he saw what looked like a large mural painting of a clear blue sky and a grassy field of flowers of all sorts of colors. His blue eyes moved across the room but the person that he's looking for isn't there. A waiter offered the CEO champagne which he took the glass.
"I don't see Kiara anywhere." Mokuba spoke up looking at his brother sipping the fizzy drink.
"Don't forget we had an event similar when I showed the prototype of the holographic system. " Seto said placing the empty glass down. "She's probably overseeing things so that it would go out smoothly."
Mokuba nodded his head agreeing at his older brother's answer. The young Kaiba couldn't help but notice at his brother's demeanor, Seto would always refuse alcohol at any event and would only have a glass or two at the end of new year's or of a successful business deal.
To Mokuba's surprise, the lights in the room began to dim and brightened around a single lectern in the middle of the room.
'Deep breaths Kiara...you've done this a few times already..' The blue-haired girl gave herself a little pep talk. 'You've done everything for this collection to be perfect! You are proud of it and want everyone to see it, have it, to create wonderful art!'
"Kiara? Are you ready?" Her mother asked.
"Yes!" Kiara said
"Then go ahead." She said with a bright smile.
Kiara walked to the podium her eyes looked at the crowd all seemingly eager for the reveal, the young girl recognize everyone that was on the list..her blue eyes stopped at him...that familiar chocolate brown hair and blue eyes.
"Seto?" She whispered their eyes met and locked.
Sure she knew he was on the guest list but she never expected him to come to this event! She had sent him emails of the previous collections but why did he decide to come to this one?
Seto stared at the blue-haired girl. The crowd silenced all waiting in anticipation for her to speak.
"Good evening Everyone," Kiara spoke up. "I trust you all are having a great time here..as you all know this new collection i worked so hard on, I've improved the formula, even more, it's more pigmented and not tested on animals, doesn't have carmine in it either making it cruelty free and vegan." The girl spoke up seeing the women in the crowd nodding. Kiara picked up an eyeshadow pallet in the shape of a rectangle opening it up.. "It includes different eighteenth shades of pinks, nudes, and a few blues and lilacs. When you want a more professional look or a dramatic look or even a fun casual look...it even has the mini palette of it too, so that you can take it with you when you travel."
After the speech ended along with her demonstrating the products, he saw her mingle with the other guests. It wasn't long until Mokuba went to her.
"Congrats!" Mokuba spoke up grinning at Kiara.
Kiara blinked a few times. "Mokuba?" She slowly said he nodded, her smile went wide and hugged the young preteen tightly. "You've grown!"
"You too!" Mokuba said, "My big brother is here with me." Tilting his head to the side.
Kiara looked at the direction and saw him before she could go to him she felt a tap on her shoulder.
"Excuse me Miss, these are for you." A waiter said holding a lavender rose bouquet. " The gentlemen that left instructed me to give it to you."
"Oh...um..thank you," Kiara said it caught her off guard accepting the bouquet and note when the waiter left. She opened the note.
My Delicate Rose,
Congratulations on your collection, Please accept these as a token of my affection. We will meet very soon.
Kiara smiled at the person's gesture, but token of affection? She thought raising an eyebrow. Who could that be?
Seto couldn't help but feel bothered by the sight of her receiving flowers, he shouldn't be bothered by something so minor any person receives flowers at any occasion...yet the more he looked at her smiling at those flowers made him think what if it was that guy she's seeing? That made his blood boil in anger, wait...why is he angry? He shouldn't be angry at this. She has a right to live her life just like how he has a right to live his life yet...Seto bit his bottom lip memories of them seeping in again, he felt warmth inside when seeing her, He didn't know what was wrong with him..he felt that he wasn't in control and he hated it.
"Seto?" A soft voice made him lose his train of thought, he stared at the bright blue eyes...there she was the young girl he met years ago, now grown to a young woman.
"Kiara." Seto manages to say. He crossed his arms.
"It is you." Kiara smiled softly, wanting to hug him but refrain it, she saw something rather different from him.
"The presentation wasn't bad." Kaiba said he glanced at his Rolex seeing the time the hour is almost up.
"Thanks." Kiara said softly. "I've read in the magazine that you've made and presented that hologram system to Pegasus,congrats on it."
"Yep! That's just the first step!" Mokuba boasted. "Big brother has all sorts of things planned out in the next few months."
Kaiba nodded at Mokuba's comment, Kiara stared at the older brother. 'Something is a little off about him….he's...different.' She thought. 'The look in his eyes is different.'
"So where's your date?" Mokuba asked
"Date?" Kiara repeated. "I don't have a date."
"You don't?" He asked
"Why would i have a date?" Kiara asked "I'm not seeing anyone."
Wait….then what's with those flowers? Kiara explained that the flowers was just a gift and told then the rumors of her dating someone was false. Kaiba felt oddly relieved at the news.
"These flowers are pretty...i still prefer white roses." Kiara said glancing at Seto, she hopes that he would say something about it, or even reminisce of the promise they made when they were children, sadly he hasn't said anything, he kept his eyes on his wrist as if he already wants to leave.
Seto looked at his watch and saw that the hour was up. "Mokuba, we have to go now." Seto announced.
"As much as i would love to stay and talk some more." Mokuba said smiling.
"Ah...wait." Kiara spoke up stopping the Kaiba brothers in their tracks, she went to her purse taking out a pen and paper, scribbling something down handing it to Mokuba. "It's my cell number, if you ever want to call or text me."
The young Kaiba grinned, The girl turned to Seto. "I'll see you at school?" She asked
"What?" Seto said
Kiara tilted her head. "We go to the same school, we even have the same classes together." She said
"I haven't seen you at school." Seto said
"You're not the only one running a company." Kiara said "If it wasn't for my friends telling me about you, i wouldn't have known….If you'd like i can bring you the work you missed."
Before he could answer , a camera man intervened, irritating Kaiba.
"Excuse me , may I please have a photo?" He asked.
"Oh..okay." Kiara said taking a few steps away holding the bouquet in her hands, fixing her posture and smiled waiting for the camera man, he took a few pictures of the young heiress. Mokuba glanced at his brother who had a vague look in his eyes, Then the young Kaiba had an idea popped in his head grinning.
"Hey! Why not a picture of Seto and Kiara?" Mokuba chimed in.
'Wait what?' Kiara thought she looked at Seto who seemed to be caught off guard by his brothers suggestion. Knowing that they already have to go.
"Yes, that would be great!" he said. "That is if I have your permission?"
"I...i'm fine with the picture." Kiara said a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
Already feeling irritated at the sudden interruption.
"Let's make this quick!" Kaiba snapped, taking a few steps forward as he stood next to her.
Kiara leaned closer to Kaiba, holding the flowers making it a nice prop in the pictures. She smiled as the camera flashed a few times, Kiara noticed that Seto gave a neutral expression, the same look she saw in the previous articles about him.
'It wouldn't hurt to smile…' She thought.
She looked up at him, she noticed that he seemed to be calmer in comparison to how he was before.
"You two can get a little closer." The camera guy encouraged them, Kiara leaned closer to Kaiba.
Then suddenly out of nowhere, Kaiba did something and it shocked her. A small gasp escaped her lips as she felt his arm fasten around her waist. He was pulling her closer to him. Now she was standing right next to him, they were touching and her head was resting on his chest. She felt herself heat up at the sudden close contact with him. She could feel her heart beating faster, Kaiba couldn't help but smirk seeing her reaction.
"I think that's enough." The man said, feeling quite content with a number of photos he took. "Thank you!"
Kaiba stared at the girl below him, She looked up staring at his sapphire eyes. He then felt it again that odd warm sensation making him feel off, he immediately pulled away from her wanting to leave to shake away this emotion caused by her presence.
"Mokuba let's go." Kaiba said walking away.
Mokuba frowned and looked at Kiara. "Bye Kiara!" He said
Kiara waved watching them go. The young heiress let out a sigh placing her hand on her chest, biting her bottom lip trying hard not to frown or show any type of sadness.
'I guess you forgot our promise…' Kiara thought. 'I was hoping you wouldn't…'