Seto's POV
My eyes slowly open of their own accord before the alarm went off and focus on the young woman sleeping next to me. Her dark brown hair spilling across the pillow was an amazing contrast to the white fabric, reaching out with two fingers I gently brush some hair away from her cheek trailing my fingers along her skin to her soft warm lips.
"What have I gotten myself into?" I whisper softly to the empty room being careful not to wake Lily.
Something that if you let it would make you very happy? My annoying inner voice perks up.
I have to much going right now to start a serious relationship now. All my time and energy is focused on the company, dueling and Mokuba it wouldn't be fair to her. I start arguing back with the voice in my head.
But you've found the time and energy to hire private investigators and to do everything that you can to find out everything about her. Why don't you just admit to yourself that you're just afraid that you might get hurt if you let yourself fall in love with her?
She herself has said that she doesn't want to get into something serious right now. That she might never be ready for that sort of commitment.
In all honestly I think she's even more scared of something....Maybe you and she have the same fears.
Quietly slipping out of bed so as to not wake up Lily I head to the bathroom to take my morning shower. Pausing by the alarm clock I turn it off so it doesn't wake her up, looking back at the bed I can't help but smile at what I see. Upon my leaving the bed Lily had rolled over into my spot and was holding onto my pillow with a sleepy, sexy and contented smile on her face. I force myself to look away from her and continue on my way to the shower. A few minutes later as I was standing under that hot relaxing needle fine spray of the water the persistently annoying inner voice starts speaking again.
You slept better last night than you have in ages
I do have to admit that it was more than a little bit enjoyable waking up next to her
Enjoyable? The voice questions.
I can't help but smirk to myself as I begin to wash my hair, Maybe a little bit more than just enjoyable.
Something that you could get used to?
Maybe, I could....Just maybe I could I answer as visions of ways I could wake Lily up start going though my head.
*a short while later*
Making my way downstairs after getting dressed I pause for a moment and take a deep breath letting the scent of fresh brewed coffee fill my lungs. I had been quite disappointed when I had come out of the bathroom and found that Lily had gotten up and left my room while I had been in the shower. When I had seen my empty bed with the rumpled sheets and blankets that acute disappointment that had filled my stomach had been a unpleasant experience, I hadn't felt anything like that for a long time and I didn't like it one bit. I had to get a better control over the situation, after all Lily was the one who had said that this summer would be nothing more than that....Just a brief summer together. There could be nothing more between the two of us ever.
Why? My inner voice chose that moment to perk up again.
"I don't know but I am sure as hell going to find out." I unthinkingly reply out loud as I entered the dining room.
"What was that, Seto?" My brother asks from his place at the table.
"Nothing, Mokuba." I answer walking over to him and affectionately ruffling his hair, "Happy Birthday."
"Thanks, Seto." He grins up at me, "Lily's in the kitchen making breakfast."
"Well, she said she was going to didn't she?"
"Yeah, Lily is really good about keeping her word. Oh, she wanted to know what you wanted to eat so I told her I'd send you into the kitchen when you came down."
"Thanks, Mokuba. I'll head in there now." I reply heading over to the kitchen doorway I pause when I hear Lily's voice speaking with someone on the phone.
"Honestly, I think you should leave things up to me. I know why I'm doing....believe it or not I'm a big girl who can take care of herself."
I hear dishes being moved around as she listens to the response of whomever she was talking too.
"What do the two of you hope to accomplish by going to LA? It's not like Jean-Paul is going to hand Eve over to either of you."
Quietly slipping into the kitchen I lean against the doorway and watch Lily cutting up some fruit as she continued to speak, "She's my sister and Jean-Paul made it more than clear to me the other night that the fact Eve and I are sisters means absolutely nothing to him."
Seeing her tense up I fight the urge to go up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist. I fold my arms over my chest and continue to watch her.
"You're right I probably would win if I took him to court but it would be a long drawn custody battle and I don't have the type of resources available to me that I once did. I might be stubborn as all hell Duke, but even I know when I'm fighting a losing battle." A pause indicates that she was listening to Devlins response, turning around she see's me and smiles a faintly strained smile while mouth the word. I'll be done in a few minutes. I simply nod and watch her turn her back to me as she returns to cutting up some fruit.
"No, I won't ask him and there's really nothing that he could do about it anyway. Listen, Duke, I gotta go now and take care of a few things."
I lean against the table and cross my arms over my chest patiently waiting for Lily to get off the phone. I had to admit that I was more than a little intrigued by what I could hear from Lily's end of the discussion, who did Devlin, want her to ask fo help?
"I love you too, Devlin and I'll talk to you soon." She said as she hung up and turned to face me, "You don't seem like the teddy bear pancake type so I made strawberry crepes and fruit salad for the two of us for breakfast."
Never one to mince words or beat around the bush I bluntly say, "Ask who what?"
"Excuse me?"
"On the phone with Devlin just now you said you won't ask him for help and that you doubted there was much he could do anyway."
"No one you need to worry about Kaiba." She answered turning around to finish up making breakfast, "Just another one of Duke's hair-brained ideas."
Moving up behind her I place my hands on her shoulders and gently turn her around to face me, watching her nervously bite her bottom lip I fight the intense urge to lean down and kiss her, "Ask who what, Lily?"
Sighing softly her grey eyes meet mine, the uncertainty in them clear to anyone who would just take the time to look, "Duke, suggested that I ask you for help in going up against Jean-Paul to get Evie back."
"Devlin, suggested that you ask me for help?" I ask her slightly amused by the suggestion. "I must say I'm surprised that he suggested it considering how he feels about me."
"I know it's silly but it's just...." She trails off and turns back towards the counter.
Letting my hands slid from her shoulders and down her arms I wrap them around her waist as I place my chin on the top of her head, "Just what?"
Letting her body rest against mine she quietly answers, "Duke, saw what my upbringing was like first hand and would always try and help me at particularly bad times."
"Is Jean-Paul abusive to your sister?" I ask dreading the answer.
"No, that would ruin his plans for the future, he wouldn't do anything to jeopardize his turning her against me." She answers before turning around to face me, she slips her arms around my neck and leans up softly kissing my lips, "And a good morning to you, Mr. Kaiba."
Letting her get away with changing the subject for now I tighten my arms around her as I return the light kiss, "You were gone when I got out of the shower."
"I didn't think it would be a good idea to risk Mokuba seeing me leave your room so I snuck out a little early."
Kissing her again I savor the feel of her lips against mine before I release my hold on her, "What time are we leaving today?"
"I was hoping to leave around 10 or so." She starts biting her bottom lip again as she starts to think, "Will that work for you?"
An idea comes to me as I watch her, I knew that Lily wasn't going to ask for my help but perhaps there was something that I could do. "I have a few phone calls to make after breakfast but 10 sounds like a good time to me."
"I swear you'd work in your sleep if you could, Kaiba."
"Do you need help taking anything out to the dining room?" I ask quickly changing the subject.
"Nah, I have everything under control. Why don't you head out and spend some time with your brother."
Reaching around behind her I grab a piece of fruit from the bowl and pop it into my mouth before turning around, taking a quick moment to smirk over my shoulder as I head for the kitchen door I comment, "Don't be too long."
"Maybe I will be, maybe I won't be." She answers mischievously giving me a look that made me wish we were already at this cabin of hers, "Remember, Kaiba I don't jump when you snap your fingers."
Shaking my head to myself I head back into the dining room and stop for a moment to pour myself a cup of coffee at the sideboard before joining my brother at the table. Picking up the newspaper that was at my place setting I turn to the business section and begin to read it.
"You talk to Lily?" Mokuba asks me looking up from the book he was reading.
Looking at him over the top of the page I answer, "Yes, I did. She wants to leave around 10 o'clock, are you ready to go?"
He nods, "Lily and I both packed last night when we go in from your office. What about you, Seto?"
"I have some phone calls I have to make after breakfast but when I'm done with them I'll pack." I reply turning my eyes back to the stock market page.
"That's what I like to hear, people cooperating with me." Lily remarks coming out of the kitchen with an amused tone in her voice. Placing a plate and glass in front of my brother she smiles at him, "I doubt that they are as good as your moms but I hope you like them."
I glance sharply up at both Lily and my brother, "Our mother's?"
"I told Lily that I remember our mother making pancakes like this sometimes and asked her to make them today." Mokuba quickly answers.
"I see." I comment coolly going back to my newspaper.
After a few minutes of silence Lily softly says, "My mom used to make my brother soccer ball waffles."
"How did she do that?" My brother asks.
"She'd make round waffles and arrange blackberries on them so they'd look like little soccer balls." She answers sounding somewhat wistful.
My brother looks up at her and asks curiously, "Did she do anything special like that for you?"
"Ruby slipper pancakes."
Leaning back in my chair I look at her in amusement, "Ruby slipper pancakes?"
Shrugging her shoulders in a way that seemed like she was also shrugging off her memories, "When I was a kid I was majorly obsessed with the Wizard of Oz. The movie, the books, really anything involving it I went nuts over."
Smirking at her I can't help but ask, "How does one make ruby slipper pancakes?"
Smiling back at me she simply answers, "High-heeled shoe shaped pancakes with sliced strawberries on top. Now, if you'll excuse me I'm going to go grab the rest of our breakfast."
*About an hour later*
Lingering over another cup of coffee I watch Lily and Mokuba go through the new brushes that she had given him for his birthday.
"These will go perfectly in that box you gave me the other day." He comments placing one brush down and picking up another one to study it closely.
"That was the point of it being part one of your gifts." She lightly teases him as she attempts to smooth down his hair in a gesture of affection.
"Part one?" I ask placing my cup on the table.
"The other day at your office Lily gave me a polished cherry wood brush box with my initials on it." My little brother explains to me.
"Sounds very generous of, Miss. Tao." I comment looking over at Lily who simply smiled back at me.
"When it comes to encouraging Mokuba's talent nothings to good." She comments taking a sip of coffee.
"Excuse me, Lily?" The housekeeper interrupts as she enters the room.
Putting down her cup Lily answers, "Yes, Anna?"
"You have a guest. Should I show him into the drawing room?"
"If it's alright with Mr. Kaiba you can show him in here." She looks at me, "So you mind?"
I shake my head, "I have some phone calls I have to make anyway so you won't be bothering me."
"Very good, sir." The housekeeper replies before disappearing out of the dining room only to reappear a moment later with a tall light brown haired man in tow.
"Peter!" Lily jumps up out of her chair and rushes over to give him a hug and a kiss on the cheek, "What are you doing here?"
"Jase, wanted me to drop these off before you left for the cabin today." He answers returning her show of affection and handing her a small spindle of CDS.
Turning back around to face me as I stand up Lily grins slightly as she introduces us,"Peter, this is Seto Kaiba and his brother Moukba."
"To what do we owe the honor of this visit?" I ask after my brother had greeted him.
"Lily and I are friends, Mr. Kaiba and I was asked to drop something off for her to look at before she left." Leaning down he gives Lily another kiss on the cheek, "I believe that Jase said those disks would help level the playing field so to speak."
"Level the playing filed? What does he mean by that?" She asks before some sort of realization dawns on her, "He didn't!"
"You know him as well as I do, Pet. Now, if you'll excuse me I really must go." Turning his gaze back to me, "It was a pleasure to meet you and your brother, Mr. Kaiba. I hope you all have fun on your trip."
"I'm sure we will." She responds while she watches him leave the room. Taking a look from the CDs in her hand and then to me and Mokuba she softly comments, "I've got some last minute packing I have to do. Mokuba, if you need my help with anything I'll be in my room, ok?"
Without even looking up from the brushes he was studying he answers, "Ok, Lily."
"Oh and Kaiba?" She says giving me her full attention, "Don't hold us up by working all morning and forgetting to pack."
Slightly annoyed by her sudden change in behavior I curtly nod at her as she leaves the room.
"That was weird." My brother comments as he puts down the brush and stands up.
"How so?" I ask taking a few steps away from the table.
"Last night she said she was done packing."
"Perhaps she remembered a few more things that she wanted to take with her." I reply thinking that was a little odd myself.
"Maybe. I'm gonna go play that new game you got me for a while, ok Seto?"
"That'll be fine, Mokuba. I'm going to go make my calls before I start packing."
"Ok, Seto." My brother calls over his shoulder as he leaves the dining room.
Leaving the dining room myself I head to my office and I can't help but wonder what could be on those CDS that would cause Lily's sudden change of attitude.
*Sometime Later*
It had taken the better part of an hour and a half but I had finally finished all my phone calls.
and was heading upstairs to my room to pack. Opening my door I was quite surprised to see Lily sitting nerously on my bed with her hands folded in her lap and the spindle of CDs at her side. Stepping into the room I close the door behind me, "And to what do I owe this surprise visit?"
Picking up the spindle she stands and walks over to me, "First off just let me say that I had no idea that Jase was going to do anything like and that if I had any knowledge of this whatsoever I would have done my damndest to talk him out of this crazy idea."
"What are you rambling on about, Tao?"
"These." She comments softly holding the disks out to me.
Taking them from her I look down and am surprised to see my own name neatly printed on them with a list of dates next to it. "I suppose this is what your friend meant by leveling the playing field?"
Touching my arm lightly her eyes full of gentle apology she sighs softly, "I'm sorry, Seto. I really am, in fact I've already called Jason and gave him hell for this stunt. He had absolutely no right to do this."
Pulling my arm away from her touch slightly, I ask, "Did you read any of this?"
She was quiet for a moment before answering me, "I read past of the first file before I closed it.."
"How much did you read?"
"Only about your parents accident. I didn't feel right reading about what happened to you and Mokuba like that, I figured if either of you wanted me to know any of that you would have told me yourselves."
I look at her and can't help but be slightly amused by the look of concern in her eyes as I hand the CDs back to her, "I can see why your Uncle thinks you would be unsuited for running a major corporation."
Her look turns from concern to confusion as she holds the discs, "Why is that?"
"Because even when presented with the means to do damage to your opponent you can't help but do the honorable thing."
"Don't put me in with Mother Teresa just yet, Kaiba. I can be quite ruthless when I need to be."
"You don't have a ruthless bone in you, Tao."
"You'd be quite surprised at what I'm capable of when someone I love is threatened." She answers looking at me with a frank expression on her face.
Leaning close enough for my breath to caress her ear I softly whisper, "And just what do you think you're capable of, Tao?"
Turning her head so that her lips are only mere inches from mine, when she speaks I can smell the mix of mint and coffee on her breath, "Let's just say I wouldn't let anyone get in my way of protecting those I care for. I can be quite the ruthless bitch when I need to be."
"I have a very hard time believing that, Lily." I whisper back before letting my lips settle onto her in the softest and briefest of kisses. Feeling her smile against my lips for a moment before she pulls away I fight the urge to reach out and pull her closer to continue our kiss.
Walking over to my door she pauses with her hand on the knob and looks over her shoulder at me, "Lets just say that I could give Maximilian Pegasus a run for his money in the ruthless department if I had too, Kaiba. Mokuba and I will meet you at the car in an hour."
"Alright, Tao." I answer watching her open the door and leave the room. Lilith Tao, was beginning to intrigue me more and more each day, this was going to be one hell of a week I thought to myself as I started to pack; A hell of a week indeed.
