Chapter 1: The Businessman and the Cheerleader

Posted: 8/04/09

ISF: This is copy and pasted from my profile. Skip for those who aren't interested.

MAJOR EPIC DRAMA STORY, LOL

You see, four years ago, I had begun to talk to a girl named Andi-chan on Fanfiction, who had a fic called "How Would you like your TEA, Mr. Kaiba?" I left, admittedly, scathing reviews on it due to her poor writing, and after a short argument by email, we forgave one another and she asked me if I wanted to beta it. Having never been a beta before, I didn't understand that beta readers merely fixed typos and reworked sentences that were grammatically messed up and things of the sort. So I pretty much revamped the whole story. I spent hours rewriting the whole damned story, and did so for nine chapters and two months. After becoming stressed out due to my schedule, I told her, point-blank that I couldn't take it anymore. So, naturally... she posts the next chapter of her story, basically bashing me for bailing out on her and being unreliable. I ignored it, however, and still reviewed her stories... but a part of me resented her.

I forgot about the story for some time, until a few days ago out of curiosity I looked it up. I realize now that nearly all of the writing for the first nine chapters was basically mine. And I really feel like should be entitled to posting the first chapters under my name, because I was not acknowledged at ALL for my work on the story, not even as a beta writer. It may seem petty to some, but, as I'm sure many of you fellow writers feel as well, nothing hurts quite as much as working so hard at something only to receive no credit for it. So I will, after some slight editing and revising, be reposting the nine chapters that I wrote. Hell, I might even take the story in a different direction at that.

That aside, I will gladly give credit where it is due and acknowledge that the plot is rather loosely based on Andi-chan's original version of "How Would You Like Your TEA, Mr. Kaiba?", which is unfortunately not available on Fanfiction due to her uploading my chapters in their places. Any chapter after Chapter 9 is all hers. And that is where the similarity ends. May the story begin!

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o o o o o

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Dance.

That one word defines a lot.. Well...a lot about me, that is. I am a dancer. Or rather, was a dancer.

Until the day that my dreams were shattered.

I danced my heart and soul out for the audition. I paid all of the expenses while hanging onto the false dream that I would get into the world famous school for dancing, Juilliard.

Even after all of that hard work that I had put into it, the only comment I received was, "Miss Gardner, you have potential, just not enough to reach the expectations of this school. Try again when you are more experienced."

Each word was like a needle piercing my heart again and again. I had nothing left to do and was in a state of depression for quite some time. I applied for many jobs, but it seemed that the only talent that I had was dancing.

Tea closed her diary and sighed. It was 8:30 am and she had to start another day of job interviews. She was being interviewed to become some little boy's regular babysitter (probably some snotty, over-privileged rich boy), and a personal maid. But the bonus to the job was that she was able to live with her employer until she resigned or was fired.

She slipped out of her nightgown and put on a plain pink blouse and a rather short white skirt, then pulled her hair in a ponytail. Her hair had grown a lot in the last few years and now reached her mid back. She turned off the light and slipped on pink high heels, then locked her door and walked out of her apartment.

Though it was very windy outside, she assumed that she didn't need a jacket. How very wrong she was...

o o o o o

Seto Kaiba was sitting in his obviously expensive limousine, being driven to the New York City headquarters of Kaiba Corporations. Despite the usually cold, emotionless facade on his face, it was clear that he was far from happy. His brother's babysitter, one of his many rabid fan-girls, had attempted to weasel information about Seto from Mokuba. The memory made him sigh in frustration. He rubbed his forehead, clearly aggravated. How many had he gone through in the last month that had done nearly the same thing? One of his personal maids had also been leaking information to one of his rival companies. She was punished severely, of course. What else would one expect from him? But regardless, Seto had lost two of his employees in one day. And that was not a good thing.

He turned his head and looked out the window absentmindedly, and was surprised at what he saw. There, wandering the town, in nothing but a blouse and skirt, was Tea Gardner.

Kaiba was standing on the ledge of Pegasus's tower. Yugi was staring at him, lost for words.

"If you attack again, you'll take my life in the next round. I'm willing to die in a duel," Kaiba said flatly, gazing at Yugi, who still had nothing to say. He continued.

"And if I were you, I'd push my enemy over personally, without hesitation."

Yugi seemed to be having an argument inside himself. The his gang of friends waited in suspense. Finally, it seemed as if Yugi forced himself to cry, "Celtic Guardian, attack!"

The monster raced forward, its sword raised...

"Yugi! Please stop!"

The scream shot through the air like a bullet. Tea was running towards Yugi.

"Yugi, please! This isn't right!"

Yugi stopped the attack. The Celtic Guardian slowed down to a halt, then retreated back to its spot on the board. Yugi fell to his knees.

"Blue Eyes, attack Yugi's Celtic Guardian with White Lightning!" Seto roared. The Blue Eyes reared its head, and sent a devastating bolt of lightning over to his enemy, obliterating it completely. Yugi's head was down, but Kaiba knew that he was crying. Seto smirked.

Yugi's friends ran to his aid. Just like them, Seto thought with a sneer. Just as he was about to leave, however, Tea stopped him.

"Yugi has friends. Yugi has US! But what do you have at the end of the day, Seto Kaiba? Tell me! Tell me!"

"I have what I need!" he snapped, walking off, trench coat flapping behind him.

"Yes...if I do remember clearly, that is the girl that saved my life...not that I asked her to."

He saw her shivering.

"Hm...my suspicions are confirmed. That girl is insane. It's below freezing out there and she is promenading around town in a miniskirt and blouse—not that I care," he assured himself. "I mean, if she dies, that's one less of Yugi's annoying gaggle of friends to worry about."

But it's eleven degrees out there.

'Huh? Who's that?'

Your conscience. Go help Gardner, she'll freeze to death if you don't!

'Who cares?'

He and his inner self battled, but the more reasonable side won, much to his fury.

"Driver, stay here." Kaiba ordered.

"But Mr. Kaiba, it's below freezing-"

"It's talking back to your employers like that that gets you fired," he interrupted icily, getting out of the limo and slamming the door.

Tea shivered again. Maybe she did need her jacket after all. Too late now' she thought miserably. She kept on walking. "Ugh, at this rate I'll be an icicle by the time I get to my interview!"

"Next time, think about what you wear before you leave the house," the icy words cut through the already frozen air like a scalpel.

Tea turned around to see...

"Seto Kaiba! What are you doing here?" she demanded, receiving nothing but his signature smirk.

"Last time I checked, I was in the land of the free. Or do you not know your geography?" She ignored his scathing remark.

"If you'll excuse me, I have an interview to go to," she snapped. Kaiba's smirk grew wider.

"Hm. Looks like the cheerleader finally parted with her pom-poms, huh? I guess Yugi finally fired you and found somebody easier on the eyes."

Tea felt her anger boiling the blood in her veins. "Shut the hell up! My life is none of your business. But...if you must know..." she had a faraway look in her eyes as she continued. "I applied for Juilliard, but I didn't get accepted, so I'm looking for a job." Why am I telling Kaiba this? I must be crazy.

Kaiba raised an eyebrow. He didn't expect an answer like that. In fact, he almost felt sorry for her...

WHAT? What the hell is wrong with me today? He intentionally deepened his smirk to disguise his self-shock.

"Never apply for a job without a back-up plan, idiot."

Tea was about to snap back, but felt something warm being placed on her shoulders. The KC symbol expertly stitched on its front was conspicuous. Turning around to acknowledge him, she saw the door of his limo slamming shut.

"That man..." she said to herself, shaking her head. "I will never understand him. One minute he's insulting me, the next helping me out..."

o o o o o

"My babysitter better not be an old lady!" Mokuba huffed, stirring a cup of hot cocoa to its doom. Seto sighed at his brother's immaturity. They were sitting in a booth at Starbucks. The air was warm and smelled like cappuccinos, and, surprisingly, the place was nearly empty.

"And if they are...?" he teased. Mokuba gave him an evil glare.

"I'll never let you forget it."

Shaking his head at his younger sibling's gall, Seto checked his watch. Tch. They're late. They should know that tardiness does not look good on job interviews. I sincerely hope it's a girl. God forbid that I get a male nanny like last time...

Just thinking of that horrible memory made him shudder slightly.

As if on cue, the door to Starbucks opened. revealing (to Mokuba's relief) a young applicant. A very familiar young applicant, in fact...

"Tea?" Mokuba said incredulously. Seto, in the middle of swallowing a mouthful of coffee, saw her and had to do his best not to spray it out of his nose.

"Gardner?" Seto did NOT want her to be here at this present moment in time.

Don't tell me she's applying for the job! Wait... his horror was replaced with mild amusement. I may be able to have some fun with this...

"What are you doing here Gardner?" he demanded coldly. Tea stared at him, surprised.

Last time I checked, Kaiba, I was in the land of the free. Or do you not know your geography?"

Déjà vu.

"Let me rephrase the question for your convenience, then. What the hell is your reason for being here?" he asked, voice as cold as a winter tundra.

"I already told you earlier. But in order for you to comprehend, guess I have to say it again. I have an interview today with someone. Something about being a babysitter."

"Well...it just so happens that I have to interview somebody today..." Kaiba smirked, malice glinting in his eyes. Tea looked confusedly, then quickly grasped the meaning of that statement. Her face was nearly chalk white in a matter of moments.

"You mean...that you're...but...how...?"

But in her head, she was saying, Guess I should have paid attention to the initials in the corner of the flyer...oops.

"Yes. So, it seems that I have to interview you today, much to my dislike," Kaiba replied disdainfully. Biting her tongue to refrain from saying words not meant for an eleven year-old currently present to hear, Tea plopped in the seat across from the pert blue-eyed man. Tea realized now that the chances of getting this job were lower than getting struck by lightning...after getting maimed by a shark...twice.

"So tell me, what are your talents, Miss Gardner...if any?" he finished with slight laugh.

"Cooking, dancing, watching kids, cleaning, if you can call that a talent, singing, and computer programming," she responded robotically. Seto raised an eyebrow at the last one. He was sure that she meant to mock him, but he did not take the bait.

"Hm."

The waiter arrived, carrying a pitcher of newly brewed, black coffee.

"Here is your coffee refill, Mister Kaiba sir," she said in a high, breathy voice. "Would you like anything, miss?"

"Well, I guess a Shirley Temple, two slices of strawberry cheesecake, two pieces of chocolate swirl, a hamburger with a side of fries, and a small lemon ice cream, please," she turned towards Mokuba. "Anything for you?"

The boy gaped at her. "I thought that you were ordering for the both of us!"

She sighed. "Ok, another Shirley Temple for the young man," she replied to the rather bedazzled waiter. "I'll share with Mokuba."

Seto was, needless to say, shocked that all of that food could possibly fit in one person's body. All of the girls that he had interviewed in the past were obsessed with counting calories and with what they ate. She didn't seem to care. As an added bonus, Mokuba seemed to have a history with her. After all, she was the one that saved him at Battle City...

Apparently, Seto was so amazed, he didn't realize that Tea was pouring cream and sugar in his coffee until she handed it back to him cheerfully.

"Here, drink up!" she said brightly to him, receiving only a stony glare for her reward.

"Thank you for ruining my coffee, Gardner. I drink black." But in spite of that, he took the cup and drank a long gulp. Though not wanting to admit it, he didn't mind it this way. It was much less bitter than the usual way he drank it.

The waitress came back with their orders, albeit with quite a bit of difficulty.

"Let's see...a Shirley Temple for the young Mister Kaiba and Miss, two slices of strawberry cheesecake, two pieces of chocolate swirl, a hamburger with a side of fries, and a small lemon ice cream," she said, looking rather proud of herself for remembering all of the order. She looked at Seto. "Would you like anything, Mr. Kaiba?"

"..." He wasn't really hungry.

"That's ok! He'll share with me," Tea told the waiter, who walked away, extremely envious of the girl that would share lunch with her heart's desire.

"How did you know that I didn't want anything, Gardner?" Kaiba asked her. She glared at him fiercely.

"Because you should have said something, and I didn't want to be rude!" she exclaimed. "Here Mokuba, you can have one of my pieces of cheesecake."

"But I..." Seto was near apoplectic with rage.

"Well, If you want something to eat you can call the waitress back or share with us! Choose one," she snapped angrily. This wasn't about getting the job anymore. This was a battle, and she was going to win.

He growled. "Fine, have it your way!" Kaiba grabbed his spoon and dug into the lemon ice cream. Coincidentally, Tea was digging her spoon into the ice cream at the same time. Their hands touched. As if she were burned, Tea snapped her hand back and pushed the bowl over to Kaiba. Her hair covered her face just enough to hide flushed cheeks.

After they were done with their meal, Seto took out his black American Express card and paid. Tea got up to leave, but Kaiba grabbed her hand, giving her another reason to blush.

"Where are you going, you imbecile? You haven't even heard what I have decided." Tea gave a tired sigh at this.

"I know...I know I'm not the person you're looking for, since I'm Yugi's friend. You don't want anything to do with me."

"Actually, Gardner you're hired." Kaiba said curtly. "You will come home with us now and I will send someone to your house to get your belongings. Your job starts at 6:00 am sharp every morning."

"Whoo-hoo!" Mokuba cheered, jumping up and nearly upsetting a glass of water. Tea, however, was a bit more surprised. He surprises me every day, but that's Seto Kaiba for you...

"Thank you very much, Kaiba," she exclaimed, giving a 10,000-watt smile that caused a great many cars outside to swerve, tires squealing.

...What the hell did I just do? Seto thought in dismay.

o o o o o

Tea sat on her bed. Her room was painted a plain white, but her bed was a four poster queen-size with cream-colored silk sheets. Her room was conveniently placed next to Mokuba's room for easy access to him, had a TV and computer on either side of her, and even had its own bathroom connected to it as well. The movers had taken all of her material possessions from her apartment and brought them to the mansion. She had played with Mokuba for a while, but now was waiting for him to finish his bath. There was a knock on her door followed by a muffled "TEA! I'm done." Sighing, she opened her door and went into Mokuba's room, finding him sitting cross-legged on his bed, donning green pajamas and his hair still damp.

"Well, I guess it's time for you to go to bed," she said to him.

"I don't think I can sleep," he replied, staring at her. She sat on the end of his bed.

"Want me to read you a bedtime story?" she playfully teased. Mokuba's nose wrinkled at that.

"No way! I'm not some kind of baby!"

"Alright alright, I won't read you a story. Do you want me to sing to you then?" she asked him. Mokuba thought about it, then shrugged.

"Well, I guess that's much better than a bedtime story." Tea scooted closer to him, and started humming a song softly, then singing the words. Her voice was like a gentle wind blowing through a forest. It was untrained, but very pleasant nonetheless.

Mokuba was asleep by the time that she was done singing. She tucked the bangs falling over his face and sweetly smiled at his deep slumber.

"You have an rather endearing voice, you know."

Shocked, Tea jumped up, then realized that she may have awoken Mokuba with her sudden movement. The boy stirred, but turned over, still dreaming sweetly. Turning, Tea saw the familiar smirk of Seto Kaiba. Tea tiptoed out, followed by him. After safely making it out without disturbing Mokuba, she turned around and faced the CEO.

"Wow...the Seto Kaiba giving me a compliment? The world really is changing every day."

It wasn't very often that he gave compliments. And those who were lucky enough to receive them just said thank you. Kaiba stared at her, not pleased, yet not exactly angry.

'Gardner is a fool. But I suppose that now I have to teach her to pick her battles more wisely.

Smirking, he took a step towards her.

"I'm assuming that you know you are going to be like a nanny to Mokuba, helping him study, cleaning up anything that the rest of the house staff have missed, and the like," he said to her, swiftly placing his cold mask on once again. She nodded dumbly, obviously not knowing where this conversation was going.

"Yes...." Kaiba continued silkily, clearly enjoying the moment. "Then I'm trusting that you also know that you are also appointed as my personal maid, correct?"

"...YOUR WHAT?"

Oh, crap. She had forgotten all about that.

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o o o o o

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ISF: And that's the end of the first, newly revised chapter. I did not change very much, aside from certain descriptions and fixing misspellings and the like, not wanting to alter it too much for remembrance's sake. Take note that my style of writing in this is not as refined as in my most recent works. This was written four years ago. But if any of you have any complaints, please let me know and I'll gladly listen. Thank you for reading, and please review!

FIN