The next few weeks were crazy busy.
From ordering resources contracting, testing building and financial organisation; it was manic but successful.
Kaiba Land had reached a point it was ready for Beta testing.
And what better way than to hold a tournament to celebrate!
But this time neither Kaiba or Ana would be taking part in the event due to extensive additional work.
But that didn't matter as business was flourishing.
It was rare, but Kaiba and Anastasia were alone on the top floor of the Kaiba Land office.
Kaiba was working at his computer and Ana was at a table reading through some documentation.
She then sighed and leaned back in her chair.
"Gosh I'm tired" she yawned and stretched.
"It has been hard work, but by the end of the week our Beta testers and duellists will be here, then they tournament can begin" Kaiba responded.
"I know, I'm quite excited" she beamed.
There was a brief moment of silence between them.
"How would you feel about a celebratory dinner?" he asked her, calmly.
Ana was surprised and taken back by what had come out of his mouth.
"Um, sure, sounds lovely" she shyly responded.
"Great, we'll go out of the park to the town, best we leave and get ready now then" he responded.
Ana sweetly smiled and began absentmindedly fiddling with her hair, she quickly snapped out of her thought and gathered up the papers. She placed them in a folder then into a cabinet.
"I'll meet you downstairs in 30minutes?" she asked.
Kaiba simply nodded.
Ana left the room and went down a floor to the private living quarters.
Quickly she had a shower and did her hair and makeup; before slipping into a classic little black dress, with silver jewellery and red heels.
It never occurred to her how much effort she was putting into looking nice that evening.
Ana didn't realise how much she wanted to make an impression on Kaiba, despite how unlikely anything would come out of this.
"Miss Starline?" called Roland from outside her door.
"Come in" she responded while adjusting her hair.
"Mr Kaiba is ready and waiting" he informed her.
"Oh dear, I'm running late" she grabbed her coat, shawl and phone and followed Roland down to the car.
Once outside, Ana saw Kaiba in a stunning white suit, light blue shirt and blue tie- well he was quite handsome to say the least.
Ana's eyes fluttered, and her heart rate rose.
"Miss Starline" Roland said and opened the limo door.
"Thank you"
Kaiba allowed Ana to get in first and sat down beside her.
"You look handsome in that suit" Ana complimented him.
"Thanks, you look nice too" he responded.
Not that it was, but, that feeling of a first date seemed to be lingered between them.
"So did you finish the signing off on legals?" Ana asked trying to break the silence.
"Yeah, I did, they said it'll be processed tonight and signed off tomorrow. It'll be ready for the tournament"
"All the invitations have been sent out I hope..." she started.
"Mokuba's handled it"
"Then it's certainly done, where is he anyway, didn't he want to come?" Ana asked.
"He said he was tired, and it was too late to go out"
"Hmm that's surprising, kids love any excuse to stay up late, but I suppose Mokuba isn't a kid" she giggled and smiled.
She then turned to Kaiba and saw him smirking.
"He's a good kid and works hard- I appreciate his help, but I wish he would try and have a life" he commented.
"Well, it appears to be his own choice, he seems to do what he wants to do. He's a lot like you in that respect" Ana added.
Kaiba turned to Ana and smiled.
"I guess he is"
The two young adults had a lot on their shoulders and maintained a professional relationship, but after years of that type of connection, it's pleasant to see that the wall between them slowly breaking.
The car came to a stop as they arrived at an Italian ristorante, the door opened and Kaiba stepped out, Ana shuffled along but stopped as she saw Kaiba's hand extended towards her.
She looked up at him and smiled before accepting, his hands were soft and warm as he wrapped his fingers around her hand.
He helped her out and gazed at her briefly before releasing his hand.
"Shall we?" he said.
Ana nodded and the walked side by side to the door.
"Welcome Mr Kaiba, we have a private room in the back" said the waiter.
He then grabbed two menus and motioned for Kaiba and Ana to follow.
"Private room?" Ana questioned.
"I enjoy a little privacy while I eat, do you know how many times people try and mob you when you're trying to eat?"
"Apparently a lot" she responded.
It was a closed off 4 poster booth with curtains around it.
"Wow" Ana blankly said.
"Anything to drink?" asked the waiter as he handed them the menus.
"Bottled water, cold" Kaiba responded.
"Yes Sir" he responded and left.
Ana was looking around at the décor absentmindedly before returning her attention to Kaiba.
"I remember you said you don't drink alcohol" he said.
"Oh yeah, I just don't like it, the smell alone makes me sick"
Kaiba chuckled and adjusted his tie.
"I don't either, need to set and example for Mokuba" he added.
Ana smiled once more and began to flick through her phone.
"Hope you're not bored" he sarcastically remarked.
"Don't be silly, I'm not only helping you Seto Kaiba; I have a company of my own to maintain"
"Catching up with emails?" he asked her.
"No, texting my lover" she said and glanced up from her phone.
Kaiba's expression was instant shock.
"What?!" he exclaimed.
"Yeah, he keeps sending me topless photos"
At this point he was mortified.
"Um, Ana I- "
"Oh my God, I'm just joking" she burst into laughter.
"What- I..." Kaiba's expression softened and he smiled and laughed.
In fact, they both did, together.
"I can't believe I fell for that" he chuckled.
"Oh why, I could have one for all you know" Ana responded.
"I doubt it"
"Oh really, why?" she asked.
"Because you don't have time, you're as busy as me. If anything, we spend more time with each other than any other member of the opposite sex" he calmly explained
Ana paused for a moment to think.
"Oh bloody hell, you're right, that's depressing" she joked.
Kaiba chuckled and smiled, causing Ana's cheeks to flush a little.
Small talk and harmless cheap shots were fired between them in between eating. It was surprisingly pleasant; the longest time the young tycoons spent talking about everything and anything but work.
When they were done, they made their way to the front.
"I've got this-"
"Actually I do" Ana interrupted and tapped her card, she had paid for the dinner.
As they walked out, Kaiba seemed a little annoyed.
"You didn't have to do that, you're a guest really speaking"
"Don't be so old fashioned, consider it a small thanks for using my company in your project" she defended.
Kaiba sighed in defeat.
"Fine, but I suppose it is an honour to work for me- "
"With you, Mr Kaiba, I work with you" she corrected him and pointed a finger at him while smiling.
Kaiba smiled back and slightly bowed his head.
"You're right"
"Mr Kaiba, Miss Starline" said Roland who had appeared with the limo.
Same as earlier Kaiba smiled and let Ana in first then sat beside her.
The journey home was quiet, not many words were exchanged, after arriving at Kaiba Land HQ; Kaiba again helped Ana out the car.
Swiftly Roland took it away leaving them alone.
"Do you want to walk around the park, we could walk off this food" Seto suggested.
"Yeah, good idea, besides I ate a whole pizza" she giggled.
"I was surprised to see you eat so much, is that normal?"
Ana scoffed and nudged Kaiba.
"As a natter of fact it is, I like my food thank you very much" she proudly said.
Kaiba chuckled once more and ran his fingers through his hair.
Ana walked ahead a bit, and jumped onto a raised platform she then hung herself by her right arm on a lit lamppost.
"How big do you think Duel Monsters will be one day, it's a growing game- almost enough to be considered a sport" Ana asked.
"However big it gets, the first words in everyone's head should be Kaiba Corp"
"I admired that. But I do have something I want to ask you Seto" Ana said.
"Oh really, and what would that be?"
"Well, I know you've been thinking this too, and I don't think you would disagree" she continued and stood in front of Kaiba.
Kaiba began to feel nervous and his eyes began shifting.
"What does this involve?" he asked, unsure.
"Well, I was hoping we can go into the Blue Eyes Stadium and Duel"
"Oh- yes, of course- do you- "
"I bring it everywhere" Ana interrupted Kaiba mid-sentence then reached slightly up her dress to a holder and pulled out her deck.
"Let's do it" she whispered and winked.