134A/N: okay sorry about the wait… I'm a lazy asshole and that's all I can say…kill me now. OH yeah, I now have a live journal account. I'm happy. And I'm eating kettle corn. I love that stuff. And listening to Evanescence. How much better could it get? Well, if Bakura were here…
TkMacintosh – As long as it doesn't have nuts…candy…good…
Starinthenight – you better continue too! I'm still waiting for more of your story! From what I've read, and you've told me, it's really good!
Seto's Only Love – hm..i think Serenity might disagree with your username…lol I don't even know what a wife beater is…I had to ask surf bout that one!
Sango – Hey you're right! I didn't notice that…shows what a good editor I am! Ah well…hey is it Sango as in from InuYasha? I love that show…
Purple-dragon-123 – thank you! and I found the cutest pic of them kissing…but I lost it when stupid neopets froze my other account…oh well
Dreamer of Dragons – Thank you for adding me and I like your username. I love dragons. Have you ever read the book Eragon? Cause it's this really good dragon book…I'm a bit of a bookworm…and mangaworm…
Svakee2000 – woah don't die on me! Here's the next chapter!
Dreammistress Jade – yay! What kind of stamp? Does it have Bakura on it? Okay, I'll take it then!
Also thanks for reviewing: Rosegoddess874, Seto Kaiba's Babe, and of course vaporeon13204.
Forbidden Temptations
Tea's New Job
The next day Serenity had to go to school, and actually focus on something other than the Kaibas. Or, one particular Kaiba. Seto Kaiba. Naturally, he was all she could think about. Besides the guilt she had for Joey. She really couldn't go on lying to her brother. But now that the volunteer hours were up, that wouldn't be a problem. She wished that all her problems end like that.
She endured all her classes with her head inches from the desk, wishing it was a soft fluffy pillow. After what seemed an eternity, lunch finally came and since it was a nice day, she took her lunch outside. She looked around for Joey, thinking she could catch up with him and talk. She spotted him sitting with everyone else at a large table under a tree.
"Hi guys!" she waved. Nearly everyone waved frantically back and Serenity laughed.
Joey came up to her. "Hey sis, how's it goin'?" He asked.
"Not so great." Serenity said truthfully, sitting down with her lunch.
"Why?" he asked, worried.
"Oh, nothing, just the usual school…" She said, covering up for her slip of tongue. She began eating, avoiding Tristan looking up every five seconds at her. It was bothering her.
"I hear ya I had so many tests…" Joey complained, stuffing his face at the same time.
"JOEY!" Everyone ducked for cover as pieces of ham sandwich flew all over the place.
"Oops." Joey said, wiping his mouth. Everyone came out from under the table, looking around to make sure it was safe.
At this point, Tea walked up. "Hey guys!" She said with enthusiasm to see her friends.
"Hello Tea." Serenity said as Tea sat down next to her. Tea smiled brightly and began eating her lunch.
When everyone had gone to their next classes, Serenity began to clear the table. She still had fifteen minutes before her next class. "They're such slobs." She said to herself, picking up Joey's lunch bag that had been strewn on the ground.
"I agree." Tea said. Serenity had forgotten that Tea had a little free time now as well. Tea helped her clean up, cringing when she had to pick up their mess.
Serenity noticed something about Tea. She was quiet. That was definitely not usual. "Hey Tea, is everything okay? You seem kind of distracted." Serenity said, voicing her concerns.
"Oh! I'm just worried about this new job I got. I start today and I'm really nervous." Tea said, sitting down on the now clean bench.
"Really! Congratulations where is the job?" Serenity asked, relieved that it wasn't something more serious.
"Kaiba Corp. I'm going to be working as a part-time secretary there. I figure I can earn some money to save up for dance school!" Tea said, thrusting her fist in the air.
It took a second for the words to register in Serenity's mind. "Kaiba Corp?" She managed to squeak out when she had recovered from the initial shock.
"Yeah! I'm getting paid much more than anywhere else!" Tea said happily.
"So you're working at the business headquarters?" Serenity asked casually.
"Yes!" Tea said.
Serenity nodded. It's no big deal; Kaiba Corp is a major company. A lot of people work there. Serenity assured herself.
"I'm happy for you." She said, standing up. "I gotta go now, but good luck!" Serenity said.
"Thank you! You made me feel so much better! And as long as I have my friends standing by me, we can do anything! Right, Serenity? Serenity?" Tea looked around, but Serenity had hastily made her escape before Tea could go into another friendship speech. Tea shrugged and started walking towards the building.
The next night, Serenity was studying for a biology test when the phone rang. She didn't feel like moving her comfortable position, so she let it go. Joey was sleeping, and nothing would wake him up. Let them take a message. She thought, turning back to the large textbook.
"Hi it's Joey and Serenity. Leave a message and we'll call you back soon. Thanks!"The message said aloud. BEEEEEP!
She stopped flipping throught pages for a moment to see who it was. "Hello, this is-" Serenity dove for the phone when she heard whose voice it was. She was afraid that Joey would have heard, even though she knew that wasn't possible.
"Hello?" She said tentatively, hoping and not hoping that it was who she thought it was.
"Wheeler? I just wanted to let you know that Mokuba has been doing much better in school." Kaiba said.
"I-" Serenity began, but was cut off as Kaiba continued talking.
"And I do NOT think it is a good idea to cut off his tutoring right now, when he is at a critical stage, and at the last couple months of the school year." Kaiba continued. "You will resume teaching him this Saturday and continue as previously scheduled." He commanded.
"Well, I finished my community service hours already." Serenity said in a small voice.
"So? Oh you want to get paid." Kaiba said coldly.
"No it's just -"
"Fine, I would be glad to pay you. You have helped Mokuba a great deal already." Kaiba said.
"You really don't have to." Serenity said, though her mind said, yes, yes Joey and I could use could use the money!
Kaiba ignored her and said, "Fine. I will have someone pick you up at nine o'clock on Saturday."
"That's really alright." Serenity started to protest, but he had already hung up.
She sighed and flopped back on her bed. No use trying to go back to studying now. That was odd. He acted like he didn't even kiss me at all. It probably didn't even mean anything to him. Serenity thought, though an inner part of her asked, then why did he do it? She agonized in her thoughts for a while before she angrily turned off the light and fell asleep.
On Friday, some interesting news came from Tea. Once again, it was their fifteen minutes of free time, and Tea was talking excitedly about her job. "I've been switched to working at the Kaiba mansion as Seto Kaiba's personal secretary!" She said happily.
"What?" Serenity blurted out.
"Aren't you happy for me?" Tea said, pouting a little.
"No, no I was just – how did that happen?" Serenity asked.
"Apparently the last one quit and no one else would take her place!" Tea continued. "And even though I hate Kaiba, I'll give him one thing. He sure is hot. And he might like me." Tea said, laughing.
It took all the self-control Serenity had to keep her face straight. She felt odd. Was it jealousy? No, why would I be jealous of Tea? She tried to tell herself. Because she gets to work alongside Seto every afternoon. She countered. Seto can't really like her, can he?
"Serenity?" Tea waved her hand in front of Serenity's face.
"Oh, sorry. I was just thinking." Serenity said.
"About…?" Tea said.
"Nothing." Serenity answered, sighing. "I gotta run." She said, pulling herself up off the bench and walking away.
Needless to say, the rest of the day didn't go very well. She was too caught up in her own thoughts that she failed to notice what was going on around her, and more than once a teacher caught her doing so. She was so relieved when the final bell rang that she rushed out of her desk, not even hearing Tristan calling her name.
When Tristan met up with the rest of the gang, he asked them, "Hey, do you think Serenity has been acting a little strange lately?"
"You're just jealous because she likes me and not you." Duke said nonchalantly, while flipping his hair. Bad thing to say.
"YOU!" Tristan growled, lunging at him. Joey pulled him back, and Duke did not even look up.
"Ah yes, the way I see it, Serenity is completely taken with me." Duke said calmly.
Tristan glared at Duke. "You're going to get it…" he muttered.
"Everyone calm down!" Tea said, stepping in. "Friends shouldn't fight!" she said.
"SHUT UP TEA!" Tristan glared at her.
Tea backed away, looking hurt.
"Maybe we can jis talk dis out k?" Joey said.
"Fine." Tristan crossed his arms. "All I'm sayin' is that Serenity hasn't been acting like herself lately. Has anyone else noticed?" He said.
Everyone looked at around at each other. Mai spoke up. "She's just preoccupied, give her some space." She said. "Not everyone wants to hang out with a bunch of dopes like you." She laughed.
"I'm serious." Tristan said.
"So was I." Mai returned. "I don't know about you, but I'm gonna get going." She said, picking up her purse. "I'll see you goons later." She said, strolling off to her car.
And that was all that was said on the subject. But Joey began thinking more of his sister, and if she really was changing as much as Tristan believed she was. It wasn't until Duke suggested that they go out for pizza that his mind drifted elsewhere. To the topic of food.
Saturday came and Serenity pulled on a pair of jean shorts and a light blue t-shirt under a jean jacket. It took her forever to make this decision, as she knew she would be seeing Kaiba again. She put on a little makeup, but not too much, as that wasn't her style. She put on a little lip-gloss and went into Joey's room. "Joey? I'm leaving!" She said, to all that could be seen of him. His head.
"Where are you going this time?" Joey asked blearily.
"I have to study with some people." Serenity said. "I might be out for a while." She said, trying to lie as little as possible.
"K. I'm going out with Mai later, so I'll see ya." He said, turning over and burying his face in the pillow again.
Serenity tiptoed out of the apartment to find a sleek black limo waiting for her. She sighed. Ah well, it was better than walking. Or having to catch a ride with Duke again. She got into the back, and noticed that it was the same old guy who had driven her home after Seto kissed her. He was grinning away at her thru the rear view mirror. Serenity stared out the window. What was up with him?
Ten minutes later they pulled up in front of the Kaiba mansion. Serenity stepped out of the limo. The old guy grinned a toothy grin at her before driving away. Serenity once again wondered if he had too much coffee that morning. She shrugged and walked up to the door, and knocked. A maid answered. Serenity tried to tell herself not to be disappointed that it wasn't Seto.
"Mokuba has requested to study in his room today." The maid said, pointing to a hallway.
"So I just follow that hall to Mokuba's room?" Serenity clarified.
"Yes." The maid said, walking away.
'Friendly.' Serenity thought sarcastically. She started walking up the stairs and down the hallway to Mokuba's room. She turned a corner, and saw… 'Tea?' Serenity gasped. Tea was walking in Serenity's direction. Serenity panicked. 'What am I gonna do?' She thought frantically. Then she spotted a door, further down the hall, from where she had just walked past. It looked small, like a closet. Serenity ran and jerked it open. She literally fell into the closet, landing on something soft. Serenity reached her hand out to see what it was.
"That would be my face." A deep voice said quietly.
Serenity gasped. "What-who-?" Serenity blurted out, before a hand covered her mouth.
"Quiet! Do you want her to find me?"
"Kaiba…?" Serenity guessed.
"Nice observation, now will you please keep your voice down, I'd appreciate it." Kaiba said.
"Who are you hiding from?" Serenity asked.
"That monster out there! I never knew someone to be so annoying." Kaiba said, in a disgusted voice.
Serenity guessed that he was talking about Tea. Then she realized that she was still sitting in his lap. She blushed, and was thankful that it was dark in the closet. She blushed again. "Uh, Kaiba?" she said, trying to move.
Kaiba didn't make any move. "Stop!" he commanded. "If you move she'll get suspicious and come over here! She's already looking for me. Just stay put." He hissed.
Serenity sighed and tried to stay as still as possible. Now that she was trying, it was ten times harder. "Is she gone yet?" she said impatiently.
Kaiba didn't say anything.
"Sorry. I'll be quiet." Serenity said, and found a position that agreed with her. Only after a few minutes did she realize that she was leaning her head on his chest. She tensed and became aware that Kaiba was absently stroking her hair. She didn't know what to do. On the outside, she seemed to be calm, but her mind was going crazy.
Footsteps walked by, and a voice whined, "Seto? Where are you?" Then the footsteps died away, but still they remained in the same position, both not wanting to break the moment.
After what seemed an eternity, Serenity finally said quietly, "Um…I think she's gone."
Kaiba nodded, got up and opened the door. With that, Serenity fell off his lap onto the floor. "Oof." She said, not to gracefully. Light flooded into the small closet, and Serenity sat there, blinking.
Kaiba looked down at her. He smirked, and covered his mouth with his hand.
"What are you doing?" Serenity asked. "HEY! Are you laughing at me?" She demanded.
Kaiba was shaking, trying to contain himself. He couldn't lose his cool.
"Just laugh." Serenity said, shaking her head. "Or you'll explode."
This seemed even funnier to Kaiba. He let out a deep laugh.
"Good. Now you can stop laughing at me." Serenity said, pulling herself up. "What did I do anyway?"
Kaiba had regained control of himself. "The look on your face. It was hilarious."
Serenity didn't know what to say to that. "Um…I should probably get to Mokuba…" she said, although she didn't want to leave, not now when he was acting so…different.
Kaiba nodded. "Come to my office afterwards to get paid." He said, his attitude completely changing, before he turned and walked down the hall.
Serenity sighed, watching his retreating back. She had screwed up again. She walked down the hall to Mokuba's room, but she couldn't help thinking of the look on Kaiba's face when he was laughing, or the feel of his fingers in her hair.
After another couple hours spent laboring over Mokuba's studies, Serenity decided he had done well, and left to go to Kaiba's office. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice the footsteps behind her.
"OHMYGOSH! SERENITY!" Tea's dreaded voice screamed.
Serenity stopped, not wanting to turn around. Tea ran up behind her. "What are YOU doing here?" she said accusingly.
"Um…." Serenity said. 'Why not tell the truth?' She thought. 'It would be better than lying. That always makes things worse.'
"I'm tutoring Mokuba. For community service." She said. "Please don't tell. I don't want Joey to know." Serenity pleaded.
"Of course! That's what friends are for!" Tea said happily. "I have to go find Seto." She said, walking in the direction of Kaiba's office.
"Tea?" Serenity said. "I think I saw him down a hall back that way." She pointed from the direction she had come.
"Thanks." Tea walked off down the hall.
Serenity let out the breath she had been holding throughout their entire conversation. That was way too close.
She met no one else on the rest of her walk to Kaiba's office. She knocked on the door. "Hello?" she said.
"What?" Kaiba yelled, and opened the door. "Oh." He said. "Come in." he said, holding the door open.
Serenity walked in a little bit, and stood, rocking slightly on her heels.
Kaiba shuffled thru some papers on his desk, and handed Serenity an envelope.
"Um…thanks." She said, taking it and turning around to leave.
"I'll drive you." He said.
"That's alright. You have work." Serenity laughed.
"I can't work. That monster is still lurking, trying to find me." He said seriously.
Serenity stifled a giggle with her hand. Kaiba looked at her and walked out the door. Serenity followed, and they walked in silence until they came to his incredible storeroom of cars. Without thinking, Serenity walked over to the motorcycle helmet and took it off the shelf.
"I thought you didn't like motorcycles." Kaiba asked.
"What?" Serenity looked down at the helmet in her hand. "Oh, well…I might have changed my mind." She said, shrugging.
Kaiba didn't say anything, but took his helmet from the shelf as well. "Hold on." He said, as they both mounted the bike, and he took off, roaring down the front driveway.
From a window in the Kaiba mansion, Tea looked up at the noise. She glimpsed Kaiba and….who was that with him? Could that be…Serenity? "No," Tea laughed aloud. "She hates Kaiba. I think."
Serenity held tight to Kaiba, and noticed that he had a distinct smell. Not a disgusting smell, actually the complete opposite. He smelled like a mixture of expensive cologne and coffee. It sounds like a strange mix, but on Kaiba, it was perfect.
After about ten minutes the exhilarating rush of the wind was over as Kaiba pulled to a stop in front of Serenity and Joey's apartment. Serenity got off and took off her helmet, handing it to Kaiba.
"Why are you giving that to me?" Kaiba demanded.
"Uh…it's your helmet." Serenity said.
"You want me to carry that on a motorcycle." Kaiba said.
"Well I can't take it!" Serenity said, raising her voice. "What will Joey think?"
"The mutt?" Kaiba said.
"He's not a mutt!" Serenity yelled, glaring at Kaiba.
"He's the filthiest mutt I've ever seen." Kaiba stated.
Serenity grabbed his jacket and shook him. "He's not a mutt and you better not call him that again! He's my brother and you should respect him! Or else I'll quit tutoring Mokuba and I can tell you that you'll have a hard time finding someone who'll do it!" she yelled in his face, before releasing him and stomping off into her apartment. A few seconds into the building, she realized she was still holding his helmet. She marched back outside, shoved it at him, and marched back inside.
A/N: I hope you didn't mind the small bit of Tea bashing. I couldn't resist. Plus, it went with the story. So how bout clicking that little itsy bitsy button over there that says review! thanks!