Adult-FanFiction.org : Yu-Gi-OH

Love, Lies and Lipstick	By : lostintheheartland Category: Yu-Gi-Oh > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 5850 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh or it's characters. I do not make any profit from this story. I do own my own characters and the work therein.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Title: LOVE, LIPSTICK, and LIES
Author: Maggiemay with tons of help
Muse: Mofaf1
Betas: Mofaf1, Wicabeth, Lorrainellt, Puppys_Seahorse
Pairing: Oh Kami don’t ask. Way too convoluted. Seto/Jou primarily.
Rating: Definitely Mature. NC-17
Spoilers: End Of Series
Disclaimer: I don’t own YGO or make any money from this fic.
Warnings: CROSS DRESSING, HET (sort of), OC’s, INCEST (NOT OUR BISHIES), MINOR CHARACTER DEATH (Not OUR BISHIES).
Extra special notice: This story is complete and posted in it's entirety on the yahoo group Little Dragon. I am re-posting this story here at the request of a friend.
Summary: Seto needs a new Administrative Liason. As a publicity stunt Kaiba Corp holds a kind of The Apprentice meets Joe Millionaire contest. Jou wants that job. With the help of a fairy god ‘Auntie’ with a tarnished halo, he enters the contest. This is that tale.
****

Seto sighed and blew out a puff of smoke on the cigarette he’d just lit. Somehow it didn’t surprise him that she’d found this place. He didn’t believe in fate or destiny, but he did believe in taking advantage of an opportunity.

“Wait. Come back up here, I am tired of the gossip down there, but I’d like to speak to you.” When she seemed to hesitate he added “Please.” He could see her reluctance as she stepped back on to the balcony.

“Yes Kaiba-sama, what can I do for you.” Her voice was cool and polite as she stepped away from him and looked down to the party below.

“Turn and look at me. I want to see your face when I talk to you.”

Startled, Joie spun around and lifted her gaze to meet Seto’s intent eyes. “That’s better. I want you to do something for me.”

“Sir?”

He took a deep drag of his cigarette. “I want you to drop out of the candidacy.”

“What...but...I...”

“You will most likely win and I will be forced by the publicity to hire you. I don’t want you to be my liaison.”

“I...Kaiba-sama what have I done to...”

“You haven’t done anything. It’s what you are.” Sighing he brought the cigarette to his lips and pulled it deep, almost enjoying the sting on his lungs. He only smoked about once a month and then usually only for affectation. He’d lit one up on impulse just now because he’d wanted the kick the nicotine would give him. “My...my...” He hesitated on the choice of words, and then continued, “My lover is blond, and golden eyed, about your height and build. Until I saw you at the restaurant I had only ever felt a chemical reaction and attraction for that person. When I see you, every time I see you, I am reminded of my lover and I physically react as if you were the same person.”

“We are not animals. It doesn’t...” But she broke off as the tall brunet stroked his hand lightly down her throat, toying briefly with the dangling satin straps, to caress her shoulder. Her breath caught and heartbeat quickened as she shivered and gooseflesh rose across her body.

“Not animals no. But you respond to me with the same intensity.” Blue eyes bore into her golden. She knew he was seeing her yielding pleasure at his touch. “I won’t take a risk on losing who I have. You are an intelligent, attractive woman. I can tell by the look in your eyes you know physical pleasure. You’ve told me you are homosexual. Do I remind you of your lover?”

“Yes.” Joie could barely force the word out. She was in an agony of indecision. She wanted to rip off the mask and at the same time she wanted to hide away. “But I...I’d never cheat.”

“Neither would I, but I’m not willing to take the chance that propinquity and hormones won’t someday cause problems. My lover is very intuitive and can see things that are normally hidden. Katsuya must never doubt that he is my first choice in everything. My body may respond to yours but my preference will always be Katsuya. I want to spare us discomfort and our lovers’ pain. So I ask you to please, drop your candidacy.” His voice hardened “Before I drop it for you.”

Joie swallowed hard. She’d never expected or prepared for this. She didn’t have a clue how to respond so she went with the truth. “I...Kaiba-sama, I...I applied with the determination to make it as far as I could to prove to my lover that I’m worth more than what h...she...has always said. I need to prove that I am worthy of notice. I promised my aunt that if I made it to the top three I would step down. I will keep that promise. Please let me continue until then.”

He assessed the blonde’s pleading eyes for a moment. His heart melted with that look as much as he was sure it would melt with Jounouchi’s. “Do you give me your word that you will resign your candidacy?” He stubbed out the cigarette on the balcony rail and dropped the butt in his pocket.

“I promise you I will.” Honesty and determination made her voice firm and her gaze steady.

“Then you may continue. However, if you break your word, I will hire you simply for the pleasure of firing you.”

“I understand. Thank you Kaiba-sama.” She bowed low as he brushed past her, going down the steps. He paused three steps down. “Return to the party Kawai-san, you need to get your ‘secrets’ if you are going to advance.”

“Yes, Kaiba-sama. I will let you enter before I descend. It’s best we don’t enter too closely together. There has been an accusation made already.”

“I heard about it. All right. But the more time you waste up here the less time you will have to gather your information. Good night.”

Joie sighed, enjoying the lingering scents of tobacco, cologne, and Kaiba. Normally she couldn’t stand cigarettes and it shocked her to see one in the brunet’s hand, but as she inhaled the mingled scents she couldn’t help but wonder what it would taste like to kiss a smoky Seto.

She realized her thoughts and laughed ruefully. “I have got it bad.” She sighed as she walked down to the bench she could see a several meters away. “But there is nothing new in that I suppose.” She mumbled to herself and sank down, grateful to be off her feet for a moment. Heels weren’t the most comfortable shoes.

Curiously she looked around. The balcony railing was clear, heavy glass in front of the bench, offering a view of the entire ballroom. Beside her, on the arm of the bench was a panel of what appeared to be tiny LED mood lights. Several glowed blue-white while many others remained dark. “Hmmm have to tell Kaiba he’s got a lot of lights out.” She thought with a stifled laugh. Even as she watched another light flickered and died. Smiling she turned back to look at the dance floor. She wanted to cheer when she saw Sora-chan dancing on the arm of a young man. As they whirled around, Joie’s smile died. Sora-chan’s partner was familiar...very. One of Chou-san’s twin sons. If he was there then his father was too. Gian had warned her to be very careful of him and avoid him if possible.

Even as she watched, Sora was half-led, half-dragged off the floor and over to where a cluster of men gathered. In just a moment Sora, her dance partner, and Chou-san had moved away from the group. After a few moments of intense conversation where Sora repeatedly shook her head and tried to move away, her parents came to rescue her. More intense conversation and the entire group left the ball room. Joie found that her vantage gave her an excellent view down the corridor of small rooms off the ball room. As they entered one of the rooms she noticed a blue LED flicked on. Realization struck her. The LED’s represented occupied rooms. Hesitantly she touched the newly lit LED. A soft murmur of voices came from the panel. “Tien-san, please, we didn’t mean to upset you.” Chou-san’s voice was soft in obvious apology. “We simply want to speak with Kawai-san. It is vitally important that I contact her.”

Sora’s voice trembled slightly “I told your son that she helped me then vanished like a fairy godmother. I don’t know where she is.”

“But surely she said something? I must find her. I cut short our vacation and came all this way simply to do so.”

Sora’s mother interrupted “We are not responsible for your actions. If she wanted to see you she would have. My daughter told you the truth. Kawai-chan helped her with her dress and then disappeared. She said nothing of where she was going. The last we saw here was in the chef’s quarters. She told us to go have fun.”

“But she had to have said something. She...”

The elder Tien, Sora’s father, Joie presumed, said harshly “If my wife and daughter say she did not, then she did not. I know your family, Chou...bankers to the Yakuza. Your way is to threaten and bully. I will not let you do this to my family. We are under the protection of Pegasus and Kaiba. I will report you to them if you do not leave us in peace.”

“There is no need for this hostility. I was simply trying to find the niece of an old friend so I may contact that friend. Please accept my apologies for upsetting you. I should have known how you would perceive my intent. I assure you that your family is in no danger. The death of my father freed me from the obligations of that life. I sold the bank to some of his associates and am now a simple stock trader. I own several stocks in Kaiba Corporation and a minor position on the board.”

“I see.” The other man’s ire seemed to have faded. “I apologize for any insult. But the fact remains, my wife, and daughter do not know where Kawai-san is.”

“Then I thank them, and you, for your time.” There was a rustle of clothing and the sounds of footsteps. The door closed softly and the little LED flickered out.

A wide smirk, perfectly Jounouchi Katsuya split Joie’s face. If Kaiba had been watching he would have known in a heartbeat exactly why he responded to the blonde ‘Kawai-san.’ With new eyes she assessed the lights. She might have a chance tomorrow after all. She took a small notebook and pencil from her evening bag, took a deep breath, and pushed the first button.

The party had ended, the last lingering guest shown the door, when Joie tucked her almost full notebook and worn pencil into her purse. She was amazed, amused, horrified, titillated and every other emotion under the sun to have heard exactly what went on behind those closed doors. Trysts, double deals, business alliances, propositions, arguments, and financial discussions had filled her notebook. She’d learned Pegasus and Croquet was a couple, a very vigorous and loud sexual couple. That they planned to retire to a tropical paradise after turning over I.I. to Kaiba Corp. Matashi and Peaches were flirtatious and deeply in love, and also deeply sexual. She’d also learned that Kaiba knew about their cross dressing, supported it. Tien didn’t simply work for I.I. He was the head technology designer and considered the man with the vision to follow. A genius in his own right and second to none in his cutting edge laser design. The list of secrets she discovered was huge and she knew that she would be one of the top finishers. Confidently she stood and prepared to go to her room. Idly she wondered if she could find it.

As she smoothed her dress a single light flickered on the board. Automatically she touched it. Seto’s deep voice instantly sounded. “Thank you for coming.”

“You’re welcome Kaiba.” Pegasus’ unmistakable voice replied. Then Mokuba’s voice asked, “We are all here. What did you need Seto?”

“Peaches, Pegasus, Croquet. Did you stay away from her like I asked?”

“Yes. It was exhausting though. I swear that girl has the tenacity of a bloodhound. Isn’t that right Croquet?”

“Yes.” Pegasus’ lover was a man of few words...unless he was screwing Pegasus. Joie knew this for a fact.

Peaches laughed “Yes. I kept Matashi on the dance floor until I thought my feet would fall off then we hid out in conference room two.” Hid out? Joie wanted to laugh. Is that what it’s called these days?

“I just don’t get it Seto. If you have a plan to be with Jou permanently why did you set her up to fail? Why would it matter if she won?”

There was a long silence, then Seto, his voice low, admitted, “Because even though I am positive of who I want to be with and my preferences she attracts me physically. I’ve only experienced one other like it, my attraction to Jou. I don’t want her around me at all. She reminds me of him too much and I believe it may cause problems in the future. I don’t want those issues.”

“But Seto, now that you and Jou ...uh...got together...she shouldn’t be an issue.”

“That’s what I thought too. But I saw her tonight and all I could think of was how beautiful she looked. No matter how I tried to convince myself otherwise, I kept seeing Jou in her. I couldn’t stop my reaction. If it were simply my reaction I don’t believe it would be an issue, however, I spoke to her privately. She admits to the same problem and that I remind her of her lover. It is a bad situation made worse. I asked her to leave the competition. I have no grounds to disqualify her. She begged to continue, it seems she started it as a means of proving herself worth notice to her lover. I agreed to let her try. But I’m glad you followed my wishes and avoided her. Now she will have tried...and failed.”

“I...all right Seto. If that is what you want.” Mokuba sounded uncertain and a little worried.

“It is.” The CEO’s voice lightened suddenly. “Peaches, Matashi, do you think you could teach Jou to cross-dress? He looks enough like Kawai-san that people will think I am dating her and that will help with the plan I am working on. I know he is rough and will be a challenge to teach but if we are seen as a hetero couple, and then transition him into male in the public eye it would go a long way to the public accepting us. Not a sudden change, but gradual and subtle. Like in a dressy pantsuit and makeup, then just the pantsuit, do you get the idea?”

“Yes...but...it how...Will Jou accept that?” Mokuba worried his lip slightly.

“I don’t know. But I will ask as soon as this Executive Liaison issue is sorted out. It needs to pick up pace though. That worthless woman who is working for me now has taken to disconnecting my calls.”

“Dis...Kaiba are you sure?” Pegasus sounded disturbed.

“Yes. I watched a recording of her disconnecting a call between me and Jou a few weeks ago. If I’d known she had disconnected it at the time it would have saved a lot of time and trouble.”

“Really? Croquet, my love, do you feel up to assuming secretarial duties? It seems he is in need of an immediate replacement.”

“I was getting bored all day waiting for you. I’d be honored Kaiba-sama.”

“Hnnn...” The brunet was obviously thinking about it seriously. “All right. Since the ink on the contracts is drying and we are only waiting for the holidays to launch our new line then it won’t hurt. My office eight-thirty tomorrow morning.”

“Yes sir.” Croquet actually sounded a bit testy. “If I have to be up that early I need to sleep. Goodnight everyone.”

Pegasus laughed softly “And that is my cue. Goodnight.”

Peaches waited for the door to close. “Seto...about teaching Jou...”

“He can learn. He’s not stupid.”

“No, he’s not, but the question is, does he want to learn?”

“He will. Once I explain that it will only be for a little while. Let me explain my plans.” Joie listened for almost five hours, first in shock, then outrage, and later admiration as she realized exactly what Seto was going to try to do so they can be together. It was the biggest bluff and sleight of hand trick that she’d ever heard of, and it hinged on one thing. Kawai Joie couldn’t succeed in securing the position as Executive Liaison. She had to disappear from public view so Jounouchi could take her place. With a cordial ‘see you in a few hours’ Seto dismissed the meeting. The light blinked off with the closing of the door,

Another light flickered just as Joie started to leave. She hesitated only for a moment then touched it. The sound of humming and the splash of water spilled around her. “Good morning” A cheerful voice called. Another, deeper voice, one she recognized as her chef friend replied “Yes, beautiful. The cleaning crews did an excellent job as usual. Are the maids here yet? Kawai-san’s bags got left in my room by accident. I am sure she passed an uncomfortable night.”

The cheerful voice tut-tutted. “Poor girl. I will run them up to her room as soon as I’m done here.”

Joie recognized an opportunity when she saw one. Hiking her skirts above her knees she dashed to the kitchen. “Excuse me please.” She gasped from the doorway.

“Kawai-san!” The chef looked horribly guilty and upset as he saw she was still in the evening gown and looked as if she hadn’t slept all night. “I am so sorry. The maid forgot and I was so weary, I didn’t notice until this morning that your bags had been left.”

“It’s all right. I...I dozed off on the balcony enjoying the quiet. There is no need for apology. But I have one more favor to ask.”

“Say no more. Of course you may use my quarters again. It is the least I can do considering you spent the night sleeping on a hard bench because of my thoughtlessness.”

“Thank you so much. I will grab a shower and then come back and help you with breakfast if you like.”

“No, no. It is all prepared. I simply have to present it. Go and take a long shower. It is almost six-thirty now. Breakfast starts at seven thirty and your meeting starts at nine. Go on and take all the time you need.”

“If you’re sure, then thank you again.” Gratefully she moved down the hall.

“I am sure Kawai-san.” He turned back to arranging melon into decorative bowls.

As she undressed she realized she’d lost one of her earrings. For a moment she was tempted to go searching, but in the end she decided not to. She’g probably lost it in the ballroom and would likely never find it. After long, long, long shower made Joie wonder if Kaiba had unlimited amounts of hot water, the weariness that had begun to drag her down faded. She knew strong coffee and food would give her the energy she needed. Unhurriedly she lotioned, powdered, tucked, and dressed then packed her bag. The growl of her stomach and a check of the clock said it was time for food. She shouldered her bags and decided to take them to her car before she ate. She trusted the chef, but not anyone else. In retrospect she was glad her bags had been left downstairs. She wouldn’t have put it past some of the remaining candidates to have gone through them.

She entered the dining room and saw the lavish breakfast buffet and elegantly draped tables. Most of the candidates were already eating. “Kawai-san!” Matsu-san called, signaling her over. “Here’s your place.” That’s when she noticed the small printed cards beside each setting.

“Thank you.” She smiled and moved to her chair. “So self-service breakfast?”

“No. A server will come.” The older woman leaned forward and asked softly “Where were you last night? Our room mate noticed you didn’t come in at all.”

“Believe it or not I fell asleep on a bench and dozed there all night. The chef still had my bags so I just borrowed his room again this morning.”

“I believe you but she has been telling everyone that you spent the night with someone else.”

“Who...” A server Joie vaguely recognized from last night smiled contritely and said loud enough for the entire table to hear “I am sorry Kawai-san. I forgot to move your bags back to your room. Minua-sensei says because of my carelessness you had to sleep on a bench to preserve your modesty.”

“It’s fine. Truthfully I fell asleep on the bench and didn’t know until this morning that you’d forgotten my bags. I’m just glad Minua-sinsei’s room was empty so I could dress this morning without bothering my room mates.”

“You are so kind to say that. Especially after you helped us in the kitchen yesterday and had to hurry to the party. What can I get you for breakfast; I’m sure you are hungry.”

“Melon please, and perhaps some toast with preserves? And green tea.”

“That is not enough.” The maid looked concerned. “I know you helped the crying girl and gave her a plate of food. Please Kawai-san; let me give you a healthy breakfast.”

Joie pretended to hesitate, biting her lip, then smiled gently and nodded. “All right then, I will eat whatever you bring me. And thank you.”

The young woman dashed off and Joie glanced back at Matsu-san. “Looks like I’ll eat hearty.”

A hard, masculine voice snapped, “That was certainly well timed. Almost too well. Are we expected to believe it?”

Joie looked at the candidate across the table from her. “Excuse me?”

“We’ve heard all about how you didn’t go to your room last night and how your bags disappeared. Tell me if I searched where would I find them now? In a servant’s room or perhaps stashed under some guest’s bed?”

Joie gasped slightly and shook her head. “I...I spent the night on a bench and didn’t move until after sunrise.”

“Right, just like you didn’t spend the night in Kaiba’s bed at the hotel.” The man sneered. “Well we will see how many secrets you discovered whoring yourself out to a servant.”

“I...I didn’t. I’m not...” Joie sputtered. She wanted to jump up and beat the hell out of the man but knew it would not be acceptable for her. “I really...”

“Will Kaiba want you after he finds out you fucked his cook?” The man taunted recklessly.

Joie flinched and tried to stay calm. She counted to ten backwards and forwards as the man continued his harangue. He remembered that Mokuba had stopped a tirade like this once before and prayed that he would come again. When that didn’t work she gritted her teeth and said coldly “Stop.” It was a struggle to maintain Joie’s feminine tones. “I didn’t do any of that. I...” Suddenly she realized what was going on. “I won’t let you drag me through the mud to make up for your shortcomings. You didn’t find anything did you? And now you are trying to make me look bad to hide your failure. I can’t prove I fell asleep on a bench unless Kaiba-sama has the upper balcony under surveillance. But if he does I’m sure that if you take your accusations to him he will verify it, or perhaps Matashi-san or Aishira-san.”

“Don’t think I won’t ask.” The man growled and stared daggers at her.

“And when you are proven to be what you are will you admit you were wrong?” Matsu-san chimed in, her eyes glinting coldly.

That ended the conversation. Joie was relieved when her breakfast arrived. For once she didn’t try to eat a delicate portion. She ate every mouthful with apparent pleasure, thanking the maid for each new dish. Just as Joie reached bursting point Matsu-san stood and said softly “We need to go, the meeting starts an a few minutes.” A teasing light entered her eyes. “Do you need a crane to lift you?”

“No I’m good.” Golden eyes twinkled “But these heels may buckle under the added weight.”

“You should have worn flats.”

Giving the maid a dazzling smile Joie bowed and thanked her for the wonderful meal, half of which wasn’t a selection offered on the buffet. The maid bowed in return and said in a carrying voice “Gambatte, Kawai-san, we are all hoping for you. We want you to come back and show us how to make cucumber trees.”

Matsu-san chuckled and said in a voice that carried into the hall. “Cucumber trees?”

“I made the cucumber snakes at the dinner last night, as well as the carrot curls. I wanted to make trees as well.” Joie laughed softly. “I like to make decorative vegetables.”

“You’ll have to show me sometime. My flowers always look like they should be...” Matsu-san halted abruptly as they walked into the dead silent meeting room.”

**********

Matashi-san, dark circles under his eyes and a perpetual snarl, snapped. “Ladies, please take your seats. There is folder containing several sheets of paper in front of your chairs. We ask that you write down all of the data you gathered that you feel is pertinent that Kaiba-sama should know. When you are done you will pass your files up to me. Kaiba-sama, Kaiba-san, Aishira-san and I will listen to you all give oral reports. You will have five minutes to relay the information. You have sixteen minutes to make your notes.”

Joie pulled out her notebook and began to transcribe her notes furiously. She filled six of her sheets of paper when she heard the soft ding of a timer. With a sigh she slid her sheets back into the folder and carefully printed her name on it before passing it to the front.

The Kaiba brothers and Aishira stepped into the room and greeted them politely. The folders were shuffled and split between them. Mokuba called the first name and opened the folder.

Joie only listened to the oral reports with half an ear. She took the opportunity to study Seto from beneath demurely lowered lashes. He looked tired and bored were her first assessments. As the reports droned on impatience and disgust were added. Not that anything beyond tiredness showed on his face, and then only visible to a very discerning eye. Joie had spent years studying every nuance of Kiaba Seto and had learned to pick up on the subtle shadowing and deepening of the hollows around the electric blue eyes that signaled lack of sleep.

His boredom showed in his absolute stillness and rigid posture. Only someone fighting powerful urges to fidget could possibly hold that still. It was something Joie had picked up on years ago. The more boring a class or lesson got the more rigid and still Kaiba got. She was so used to it that it felt like Kaiba was shrieking his boredom to the entire room

The impatience Joie recognized by the faint narrowing at the corner of the vaguely hollowed blue eyes. Not a so much a narrowing but a drawing of the skin in an imperceptible tightening of muscles. At first Joie had thought it was anger, but through the years she’d learned to recognize the difference.

Disgust was something else, it was a minute change in the angle of the stiffly held head, a slight, very slight upward tilt, as if the brunet had smelled something bad and was rigidly controlling his response to wrinkle his nose.

As she saw the varying reactions she began to listen to what the other candidates were saying. The tells were strongest for the people who gave blow-by-blow accounts of the evening, relating everything from clothes to gossip overheard. The people who simply stood and relayed a few pertinent details garnered the least tells. As Joie considered that fact she replayed the instructions in her mind. It was all she could do to stay in her chair as she realized the trap that lay in the instructions. With almost gleeful anticipation she waited for her name to be called.

Matashi-san picked up the final folder and called “Kawai Joie.”

There was a stir around the table. The blond had been the last one writing and had filled the most sheets of paper and now she was the last one called. She cleared her throat slightly and said softly. “Please close the file Matashi-san. You will not need it. Upon reflection of what I wrote there, I find that none of it is pertinent to Kaiba-sama. There is nothing in it that he does not already know or does not need to know as it does not directly relate to Kaiba Corp or its functioning.” Smiling demurely she sat down and stole a quick glance at Seto. A look Joie had only seen a few times crossed the normally immobile features - surprise. Joie had managed to surprise Kaiba Seto and everyone else in the room.

Matashi was reading the contents of the file. Not only did they detail the super secret takeover of Industrial Illusions, it named him and Aishira as lovers and cross dressers. It listed several trysts, meetings, and secret deals that would have blown the lid off Kaiba Corporation. The final damning entry was Seto’s own plan to make Jounouchi acceptable as his lover.

“Thank you, all. If you will excuse us for a moment we will make our decisions and be right back.” The four executives filed out.

Seto was cursing, Mokuba was staring at him in shock, and Matashi had pulled Aishira aside to show him Kawai-san’s folder.

“I can’t believe she did that. I was sure she was going to read us a bible. Damn it. And she is right. Everything at the party was information I knew or didn’t care about.” Seto’s shoulders slumped. “She advances.”

Mokuba, disturbed by his brother’s attitude, comforted. “She doesn’t have to Seto. We can dismiss her. She didn’t gather the information requested so she failed.”

Matashi looked up at them, his face dead white. “Actually she did discover that and much more. Let me read this to you.”

By the time he’d finished everyone in the room was pale. “She...she had to have listened at the bench.” Mokuba gasped. “But how did she get up there? It is kept locked.”

“I let her.” Seto admitted softly. “I needed a break and went up there for a quick breather from the gossip. I had been there about fifteen minutes when she came up the stairs. We had our talk and I left her there. I told her to return to the ballroom because she still needed to gather her information. I underestimated her ingenuity. She found what she needed without returning and she thwarted my attempt to get rid of her. Damn her she even details that.”

“So...now what?” Aishira asked softly.

“So now she advances just as she should. Not only did she follow the instructions, but she could have embarrassed us all and chose not to. She displayed common sense, dignity, and loyalty in the face of what must have been overwhelming temptation. She must be furious about my attempt to disqualify her.”

Mokuba, Matashi and Aishira shared a look. That would be one of the more minor infractions that would piss Jou off but Seto didn’t know this was Jou. But they did, and the blond’s self-control impressed them.

“All right so she advances to the top fifteen. Get ready to fake panic everyone.” He picked up the house phone and dialed the kitchen. “Ten minutes until show time.” He told the chef and disconnected.

Briskly they strode into the room. Everyone looked up expectantly. Mokuba flipped through the files reading names. When he reached the fourteenth he said simply “Thank you for participating, your checks will be mailed to you.”

The man who’d verbally assaulted Joie earlier growled low and challenged, “My report was clear and concise; I acquired my targeted information and several others, more than several of your chosen put together. Why am being dismissed?”

Mokuba started to answer, but his brother beat him to it. “Because you spoiled breakfast for several people. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Nothing happens in my home that I don’t know about – nothing, and that includes a tired woman dozing on a bench in an upper balcony.” With eyes like ice he ordered, “Get out now before you are carried out. My guards tend to be...zealous in their duties.”

As the red-faced man passed Joie’s chair he slammed hard into the back, trying to crush the delicate looking young woman against the wooden table. She must have expected something because before she didn’t move an inch thanks to the bracing of her hands against the edge of the table. Then in a move faster than a blink she spun her chair around, pushing the man off balance and slammed her joined hands forward in a hard jab, nailing the bastard in the nuts. With a choked whimper he fell to the ground gripping his crushed balls in agony. Defiantly Joie stood and stared at the four executives. Aishira murmured in a voice laced with laughter and approval. “Make a note on Kawai-san’s chart that she can also work as a bodyguard.”

“Yeah.” Mokuba seconded. “And make a note never to try to get aggressive with her. She’s a real ball-buster.” In the chuckles that followed the crying man was dragged away.

As the chuckles died down Mokuba nodded to the group. “Congratulations for making it to the top fifteen. There will be one more test to get to the top ten. After that my brother, Kaiba Seto will begin his own set of tests. He will tell about them himself after the next screening step. You will enjoy this I think. You all will be hostesses at an international cocktail party tonight. It will follow a day long meeting, but you all won’t have to be at that meeting. You will go home and get the clothes you need to show our foreign visitors how well dressed and truly international we are.” Just then the house phone rang. Impatiently the young executive answered. “Kaiba.” He listened for a few minutes then snarled angrily “So call another caterer.” Another minute of listening then a growl. “I don’t care...put him on the line.” A soft reply then Mokuba exploded “What do you mean they are gone. What...who ordered that? ME? I...oh...all right.”

The black-haired teen sighed and hung up the phone. Reluctantly he turned to his older brother. “Seto that was Croquet. It seems our catering company had to cancel on us. Something to do with the health department and bad sushi.”

“So get another caterer.” Seto’s voice was clipped as he stood by the window and watched as the still writhing man was dragged to a waiting security vehicle.

“Seto, there are none available. None. Croquet has called every three and four star caterer and restaurants he can find.”

“Three star? I may have to fire him.” Only Joie and the three executives in the room caught the humor in that. Croquet was not a true Kaiba Corp employee.

“Hnnn...then have the chefs cook here. That’s why we employ them.”

“Seto, I gave them the next two days off because they worked as much as sixteen hours in the past twenty-four. They deserve a break.”

“Hmmm... Well then let them prepare and serve.” The CEO gestured to the fifteen women seated around the table. “It will be a test of their ability to handle unexpected situations. They can cook, serve, and hostess. I don’t care who does what.” Having made his decision he turned and strode from the room.

The women around the table glanced at one another then back at Mokuba. Matashi and Aishira were nodding in agreement. “All right then. Let me show you where the kitchen is. The menu for tonight is up to you all and hopefully you will do your best. Matashi-san will monitor the kitchen, Aishira-san will monitor the decorations and preparation, and the hostesses will be assessed by all of us attending.”

The kitchen was spotless, not even a crumb was left to show the massive effort that had been put forth the previous night. To Joie it seemed empty and a little sad without the bustling chefs and cooks. To distract herself she pulled out her notebook, ripped out the used pages and asked “How many guests? Do we have a bartender or will we be expected to mix and serve drinks? Do the local markets hold accounts or will we need money to purchase any supplies we may need? Is it simply drinks and appetizers or will there be a meal involved? If so is it buffet style, western, or traditional Japanese.”

“There will be perhaps twenty guests in total plus yourselves. We have two bartenders hired independently of the catering firm. All of the local markets have accounts but you must bring a card.” Mokuba walked to one of the spotless cabinets, opened the drawer, and pulled out a silvery-white card with a magnetic strip on one side and the Kaiba Corp logo on the other. “I will leave it in Kawai-san’s hands as she seems to have assumed the role of leader. The food will be appetizers, no meal, and they will be served by...” he hesitated a moment then smiled “Hostesses.” He bowed, inwardly smirking at the expressions of dismay on several of the faces. “I will see you all later.” And he made a hasty retreat.

Matashi and Aishira could feel the panic building in the air. Several of the women looked like they were going to either cry or scream. They didn’t want to be around for either one. “We will leave it to you all.” And they too beat a hasty retreat.

Joie glanced around, assessing the women she was going to be working with. Judging by the panicked and almost tearful looks of most of them it was going to be a long day. “Okay ladies, I suggest you call your husbands, friends, or whoever and tell them what clothes you need for tonight and tomorrow. I’m going to call my Aunt Gian and do the same.”

Gian answered on the second ring. “Moshi Moshi.”

“Auntie,” Joie breathed softly, tears welling up for some odd reason.

“Joie! Are you all right? Did you not make it?”

Dabbing her tears Joie struggled for control. “Yes, yes I made it. I just...I need a favor...but more...I just needed to hear your voice. Somehow you seem so far away.”

Gian heard the emotional need in his dear friend’s voice. “It’s all right Joie, I’m right here for you. Tell me what you need.”

“We...I made it to the next round but there was a snafu with the caterers and now we fifteen are responsible for cooking, serving and acting as hostess to this party. I need more formal clothes for hostess duties and something to wear tomorrow. Could you...”

“Say no more. I’ll be there in about two hours. Do any of the other candidates need me to pick up their bags? No point in a caravan of cars when one or two will do.”

“Hang on, I’ll ask.” She moved the phone away from her ear and called “Does anyone need to have their luggage brought out? My Aunt is coming from mid-town Domino and has a rather large car.”

Five of the women looked at her as if she were a godsend. She hastily rattled off Gian’s cell phone number. “Okay text her with your addresses.” She picked up the phone again “Aunt Gian you should get five or six texts in a few minutes.”

“All right. I will be here packing for the next hour so they can text me any time in that window. I’ll get on the road after that. Depending on traffic and distance to their luggage it will take me another two to three hours.”

“That’s fine. I’ll see you then Auntie Gian.” A lump nearly clogged her throat. “I love you, you know that?”

“Yes, I know. What’s not to love? Now get to work.” The line disconnected, but not before Joie heard a teary giggle from the other end.

Joie waited patiently for everyone to finish their phone calls. “Okay everyone, we have to put together a cocktail party worthy of Kaiba Corporation. The guests will be international so we need variety. How many of you here have cooked professionally?”

Nobody raised their hands. “Okay well that’s me then. I worked for two years at Chez Figaro. I worked my way up from vegetable washer to decorative cook. I am by no means a chef but I’ve worked under a few. I can do anything decorative with fruits and vegetables. I can make Hawaiian Flowers and do fruit and cheese trays that are second to none. Vegetables again are no problem. Flowers, snakes, curls, on a crudités tray will work fine. There will be less than forty-five guests so we will need six to eight dishes with approximately eighty pieces of each. Besides the fruit, cheese and crudités we will need three hot and three cold dishes. Who here can cook a specialty dish, a hors d’oeuvre?

Matsu-san stepped forward. “I can make chocolate stuffed strawberries and California roll sushi in all types. It doesn’t take long and looks very nice.”

“Good that is two colds.”

One woman sighed and grumbled “My ex-husband used to entertain a lot. He insisted on Beluga Caviar. I can make Canapé’s in my sleep. I can also do a meatball, cranberry pinot dish.” As an after thought she added, “My name is Toshi in case you didn’t catch it earlier.”

“Thank you Toshi-san.” Joie smiled. “It sounds wonderful. Thank you.”

“I’m not much of a cook.” an average woman of about Joie’s age admitted as she stepped forward. “But I can wash and peel vegetables. I’m Nyoko.”

“Thank you Nyoko-san, that is wonderful. We will need everyone working hard.” Joie looked around expectantly. “We need two or three more dishes.”

“I’m Shika. I can make Grilled prosciutto wrapped shrimp. It is a hot dish. I can also make roasted olives with lavender and truffle oil. It is a cold dish.”

“Perfect. Are there any more?” She looked around one more time. A tentative woman lifted her hand. “I...I only make one thing really well but my family loves it. I’m Tori, and I make crostini with roast beef and Arugula with an olive and red pepper relish.”

“And that makes it perfect. Thank you very much for volunteering. Okay I don’t need to look up my recipes, do any of you?”

All of the ‘cooks’ shook their heads. This was going to be easier than she’d thought. “Okay then, let’s check the pantry and refrigerator. All of you make a list of what you need. Remember, eighty pieces each. If you are not sure guess on the high side. We don’t want to embarrass Kaiba Corp by running out.”

Two women stepped forward. “I’m Aya and she’s Yuuka. We...neither of us can cook more than cereal but we can clean up and do running if you need it.”

A tall woman looked sighed and waved her hand. “I’m Ai, and I can lay the trays.” She glanced at another woman on her right. “Well?”

“I wanted to relax, but I guess not. I’m Saiki, and I will do whatever you like. I can polish the silver?”

“That’s exactly what we needed. Thank you so much.” She glanced at the other five women. “All right, while we are getting the lists of what we need and going shopping you all put your heads together for decorations. If you need inspiration look around, look to the gardens. Fresh flowers always brighten a room. Colored lights can add a glow. And traditional décor such as folding screens and wall scrolls seem to entrance international guests.” Smiling she waved them away and turned to the pantry.

Twenty minutes later they were going over their lists. Thankfully the Kaiba’s servants stocked the pantry very well. Only a handful of items were needed. On impulse Joie decided to ask if the local grocery store would deliver them. The grocer was delighted to help Kaiba-sama. His son would deliver the requested items within the hour. He would scan the card when he arrived.

Without thinking Joie cracked her knuckles and popped her neck. “Okay team let’s get cooking.”

Matsu-san looked at her oddly then giggled and cracked her own knuckles. “Yeah, let’s go!”

Tori laughed outright and moved to turn the radio on. She fiddled with the dial and bright, modern rock music filled the room. She turned it up. “Lets rock and roll.”

Laughter, chatter, music, and wonderful smells began to waft from the kitchen. The delivery boy was greeted with cheerful banter and warmth as he carried in their order. He later told his mother and father that he had never seen such a sight at the Kaiba Manor. Women laughing and cooking, working hard together, moving in what looked to be a dance. And the one leading the dance was a bright and beautiful blonde woman whose smile made him sigh, and earned him a cuff from his mother for dreaming impossible things.

**********

Seto closed his laptop and stretched the kinks out of his back. A tantalizing aroma drifting in from the kitchen reminded him that he hadn’t had lunch at all and very little breakfast. He followed his nose to the kitchen. As he neared the heavenly scents became ambrosial and the sound of popular music reached his ears. Frowning he walked quickly through the door only to come to a halt. Matashi, Aishira, Mokuba, Pegasus, and Croquet stood beside a counter with several small dishes in front of them. At one counter, painstakingly decorating classic petit fours was a woman Seto recognized from when he’d first seen Kawai Joie – her aunt.

It was obvious by the number of empty plates that his executives, brother, and guests had been eating for quite a while. Turning he surveyed the candidates. They froze as his cold gaze touched them. Some were in the middle of cutting, some were decorating platters, and some were standing quietly watching him with apprehensive eyes. Only one figure still moved to the beat. Joie whirled up to him swaying to the music. When he opened his mouth to demand what was going on she popped something in his mouth. Automatically he chewed. The flavor burst over his taste buds and reminded his stomach that it was empty. Instead of saying anything he took the small tray of food from Joie and said clearly “Thank you for lunch.” And exited as quickly as he had come. Behind him Joie called “Your welcome Kaiba-sama, come again.”

There was a nervous titter, then more laughter, and the sound of cutting, chopping, and talking resumed. A grin tugged the corner of Seto’s lips as he remembered the way she’d stopped him from putting his foot in his mouth and disrupting her working flow. It reminded him of something Jou had done in a similar situation. Of course the circumstances had been entirely different. Seto had been trying to instruct his lover on how to give head when Jou, in an amazing show of agility, had stopped his words by spinning around and pressing his own cock deep into Seto’s mouth while taking Seto’s deep into his throat. It had been the perfect sixty-nine. His smile widened and his body tightened as more memories of that night flooded him. The first time may have been unsatisfying, but after being convinced by his seduction Jou had thrown himself into lovemaking enthusiastically. He’d wanted to try everything and Seto hadn’t told him no. Seated in his office, he popped another delicious bite into his mouth and let the memories of Jou take him away. For once he wasn’t annoyed that the blonde woman reminded him of Jou.

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Maggiemay

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Love, Lies and Lipstick