Path towards Depression
Chapter Fifteen: Equivocating Intentions
The place was exquisite, rich with beauty with a clean atmosphere. The streets were clean, lined with flowers and clean cut grass that were in tip-top shape. Sociality wasn't bad either. The only thing that was dampening this beautiful atmosphere was a hunk of burned down, boarded up with broken windows building, if you can even call it a building. Serenity gaped at the site in front of her, closing her eyes and then opening it again.
Nope, didn't work...the filthy sight was still there.
Serenity looked at the strained papers in her hand, the one Joey left behind for a present, reading the address again. 'Tokyo 106-5432, 6 Domino, 5-12 ...' (1) Yes, it was unfortunately correct. She looked up at the hunk of junk again, seeing one thing legible there and that was the imprinting of the address number, 12.
"Um..." Mai muttered, grabbing the bewildered girl's shoulder to calm her down.
"Eh..." Serenity helplessly muttered. "W-What is this?"
"Your inheritance" Mai replied dryly, receiving a glare from the befuddled redhead. She recoiled and instead smiled nervously. "Well...at least you can renovate it with your own style instead of someone else's style"
"I was planning to renovate it, maybe get the paint redone or add tables and chairs...not redoing the whole thing!" Serenity screeched. Bystanders looked at the two warily before moving along to do their business.
"Well now you can add an essence of Serenity to the whole thing!" Mai encouraged, trying desperately to cheer her up.
"With what money?" Serenity bitterly remarked. She leaned against her car (she had it towed to a gas station in the morning) and sighed heavily.
"Cheer up hun'" Mai persisted as she hugged Serenity. "This place, even if run down, must have cost a lot, seeing the area around here"
Serenity sighed and stood straight, looking at the run down dump once more. A smile came over her. "You're right Mai. And I guess it wouldn't hurt to renovate this place with my own touch, and a hint of yours of course" Serenity looked at Mai, smiling widely. "And it doesn't mean I have to start right now. I mean I can't, don't have my license yet"
"Right! And by the time you graduate and get your license you'll have enough money to do all that what with working for Kaiba and everything to get your business really starting!" Mai encouraged.
"Right!" Serenity cheered, a determined look on her face. Both looked at each other simultaneously and giggled fits of laughter before calming down and returning to the car.
"So...where to now?" Serenity questioned. Mai thought to herself, unsure.
They hadn't been this carefree since...well since before the incident. Both were acting casual, determined not to let Joey's death act as a barrier between enjoying life. This was accomplished with Joey continuously appearing in their dreams, providing closure and relief, even if it was surreal.
Mai still sat silent, staring at the outside mirror to her side. She gaped at the tired, wearied reflection. Serenity glanced at Mai, seeing the same exhausted expression.
"Do you want to go to a spa?" Serenity suggested, knowing it would something Mai liked.
Mai's eyes widened for awhile, the thought of getting a manicure and a pedicure, facials, and basically a day of complete bliss, something she hasn't had for awhile ever since Joey's death. She didn't feel beautiful anymore so why look beautiful? She didn't have anyone anymore to look beautiful for.
"No thanks" she uttered.
Serenity's eyebrows quirked up. "What? Mai Valentine Wheeler giving up the chance to have a day of, quote, perfection, end quote" Serenity taunted. Mai smirked softly.
"Yeah..."
The car came to a halt because of a red light. Serenity took this chance to look at Mai, studying her tired features again. "Mai...can I be brutally honest with you?"
Mai now stared at her. "Go for it"
"You look...you look like..." she paused, trying to come up with a clever expression. "like...like a dog thats been in the mud!" Serenity declared, frowning. In her mind, she was kicking herself for saying such a lame statement.
Mai smirked. "Is that the best you can do?" she taunted, flicking her dirty blond hair. "Hun, you look like a deadbeat clown with those bags under your eyes"
Serenity looked at the mirror, inwardly groaning at Mai's fact. It was true, her eyes were adorned with purple hue and weariness and her hair was messily tied up in one big pony-tail. She looked like mess; she hadn't ever bothered to pretty herself up except for that one time, the party. Serenity leaned back against her seat, musing. The car from behind whipped her back to reality, waking her up with a loud, arrogant honk. Hastily she drove forward.
"What happened to us Mai?" Serenity asked. "We've let the bad things thats happened to us both be plastered on ourselves" Mai stayed silent.
Finally after awhile, Mai spoke. "Let's go then"
Kaiba Mansion...Noon...
Kaiba stared at the screen in front of him boringly, shutting the laptop off moments later. There was nothing to do. There was no work. He purposely sat himself down in order to find work. Sighing he stood up, drowned with ennui and boredom. He walked out of the richly decorated room of expensive furniture and walked himself towards the kitchen, knowing where to find amusement. He smirked.
To his dismay, she still wasn't there. He frowned softly, almost in a pouting manner as he leaned against a counter next to the refrigirator, closing his eyes.
"She's not back" Mokuba stated from behind as he went over to the large refrigerator and took out a can of coke.
"What makes you think I'm waiting for her?" he curtly answered, deciding he too was thirsty. He grabbed a can of ice tea. Mokuba took a sip of his coke before grinning.
"Well why else would you be lounging around here?" he replied, using a taunting tone that Kaiba despised, especially coming from his little brother.
"Same reason you are...to get a drink" he sharply answered, taking a gulp. He stared at Mokuba, seeing him roll his dark violet eyes.
"It seems that Serenity has become...well...slightly lenient with you in that she didn't go to a total fit when you went to go pick her up..." Mokuba stated, remembering how Serenity just went straight upstairs to her room without a word or complaint. Secretly, Kaiba smiled triumphantly; little did innocent Mokuba know that the redhead had forgiven him, equivocating it with a kiss of hatred yet lust.
Mokuba didn't seem to notice his brothers sudden behavior. "Well when she does come back, you better not piss her off and make her slug you again"
Kaiba frowned at this. "For the last time, Mokuba, she didn't hit me. I hit the nightstand when I was sleeping" he defended with a growl. Mokuba laughed.
"Sure, blame it on the damning nightstand Seto!" he laughed away until it was halted when the front door closed shut. Kaiba quirked an eyebrow when he heard soft clicks of shoes hitting against the marble, coming towards them. He took a sip of his ice tea and cocked his head away from her direction.
"Afternoon Mokuba!" Serenity cheerily greeted as she pranced over to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of orange juice, pouring it in a glass. She hummed quietly as if no one was there but her and Mokuba. She took a sip. "Kaiba" she greeted blandly.
"Wheeler" Kaiba equally replied using the same tone, his back still to her.
"You look...different" Mokuba bluntly stated. This made Kaiba curious. Instead however, he decided to drink his curiosity away.
"Hmm? Well...I did spend a morning at a spa with Mai" she stretched her arms. "I feel so rejuvenated and fresh!"
Kaiba snorted quietly but Serenity heard him clearly, deciding to ignore him. She wouldn't let the mountain of problems that had to do with Kaiba get in the way of feeling so relaxed and carefree. No way would she just let this moment slip by her like that. She needed this break. Needing this feeling of rejuvenation. Her mind and body screamed for a day of cleansing and relaxation and she did just that, having no regrets. The only thing she'd regret later on was to let last nights little incident make new problems for her. Nope, she would be cool as a cucumber. And she wouldn't let Kaiba get to her in anyway possible.
"Well you look great too" Mokuba complimented. She grinned.
"I feel great Mokuba"
"Glad to know"
"Right. Well then, I better get started with lunch" She clasped her hands while Mokuba stared at her. He had never seen Serenity this happy, this content. She practically radiated happiness from her. He smiled; it was nice seeing her smile and be cheerful. She'd been grumpy and doleful every since the accident. "What would you like?" she asked.
"Anythings fine really" he replied.
"Pizza?"
"Sure"
"Vegetable?"
"Cool"
"Alright then"
"I'm gonna go now. Call me when its done" Mokuba left.
"Sure thing"
She walked pass Kaiba who was still leaning over the counter, staring away from her. Now her back was turned to him as she got out ingredients for her lunch.
"And what would you like?" she questioned, not bothering to look at him. Kaiba frowned, he wasn't liking this new sudden spontaneous change in attitude. 'This women...' First she was mad and huffing at him like a dragon and now she was all bright and cheery as a cherub! What mood swings!
"Salad will do" he took a sip of his drink.
She turned around and his eyes practically popped out as well as the drink in his mouth. There in front of him was no more a women of paleness with bulging eyes and purple bags under her eyes, with frayed, fiery hair to include...ohhhh noooooo...now stood before him a women with a peachy complexion with color in her cheeks, her astute hazel eyes emitting a gentle brightness, tamed, straightened, fiery red hair to finish the elegant posture and appearance. She hadn't look so pretty since the auction. The auction was the only time she prettified herself, but here, standing before him, she looked even better.
He gulped down his drink and coughed softly.
"What kind?"
"Caesar" he coughed out. He left the room quickly with Serenity shrugging at his sudden behavior.
"It is Kaiba after all" she muttered to herself.
Lunch...
"Pizza for you..." she set the pizza in front of Mokuba. "And your Caesar Salad" she stated blandly as she set the plate of greens down with a clunk. She sat herself down as well on the table next to Mokuba, setting her plate of food down.
"Who said you can join us?" Kaiba cockily asked. He wanted to humiliate her, just as she had done to him last night.
Serenity stared at him blankly. She opened her mouth to respond but Mokuba quickly intervened.
"I did Seto. You don't mind do you?" Mokuba asked, narrowing his eyes on him as if daring the elder brother to challenge his question.
"Yes I do. You don't see any other of the other help sitting with us and eating do you?" Kaiba replied.
"Well because they're not invited. I invited Serenity" Mokuba rebuked. Why wouldn't his pain in the ass brother just leave the poor girl alone!?
"Poodles aren't allowed on the table" Kaiba remarked, softly smirking. He waited for the expected crease on her forehead but it never came. Instead she stood up calmly.
"I've got to go anyway Mokuba. I've got stuff to do" she stated cooly. "Excuse me"
Kaiba stared at her, trailing his eyes on her until she was out of sight. Where was the hotheaded, female dragon he was used to?
Evening...
Serenity wiped her brows as the rush of steam dispersed itself throughout the room. The smell and taste of Italian food was in the air. She inhaled the wondrous aroma before settling down again. Serving the food into appropriate plates, she carefully took the plates and set them down on the dinner table.
"Hmmm...what smells so good?" Mokuba questioned as he took in the delightful smell. Kaiba trudged behind him.
"Italian" Serenity replied as she served the last of the food; soup.
"Looks good" Mokuba replied as he rubbed his hands together eagerly. "I'm gonna go sit" he left the room.
Serenity returned her eyes to the counter and to the soup in front of her. Steadily, she held the unwieldy soup, walking carefully towards the room with the dinner table. Unbeknown to her, a damp rag lay in her path.
"Watch out!" Kaiba warned but instead she turned her head in confusion and walked right into the towel...and slipped.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" She screamed in pain as she felt the hot soup seep through her shirt, drenching her stomach and her lower arms. She stood there still for awhile, shock overwhelming her, tears streaming down her face. In an instant, she felt a cold substance underneath her shirt, pressed against her stomach and arms. She willed her eyes to open and saw Kaiba around her, pressing a cold, long towel against her. He was glaring at her.
"You idiot! Why weren't you looking? Stupid!" He yelled in frustration. Serenity looked at him bleakly and cried, whimpering at the pain and his sudden shouts.
"What's going on?" Mokuba rushed in and bent down to her level. "What happened?"
Kaiba started the story, detailing it with Serenity's idiotic behavior (in his eyes). Serenity's crying was to a minimum now, lowered down to uncontrollable sniffling.
"Ouch" she whispered.
"Get up" Kaiba ordered, roughly yet gently at the same time. She wouldn't move; she couldn't. He grunted as he lifted her, Serenity gasping at the unexpected behavior and the sudden rush of even more excruciating pain.
"We'll put on some medicine" Mokuba mitigated, following his elder brother up the stairs. He sighed wearily.
Kaiba had entered her room and sat her down on the bed while Mokuba was off rummaging through a medicine cabinet in one of the hallway closets, looking for a particular spray.
Kaiba was on the phone with a doctor while Serenity was hissing at the burning pain. It wouldn't seem to go away, even with the cold towel. Her eyes were red and tears constantly leaked, no matter how hard she tried to contain them. She was glaring at nothing in particular, gritting her teeth. She hated this. She hated this picture very much. Vulnerability, susceptibility, a crybaby, came to mind vividly. She closed her eyes.
Mokuba entered the room hurriedly just as Kaiba snapped his phone shut. "Here Seto" Mokuba handed him a spray can.
Serenity opened her eyes and looked curiously at the can. "What is that?" she asked shakily.
"It'll soothe the pain; you just have to spray it on the area burned. It won't really heal you, but it'll help soothe the pain to a minimum" Serenity nodded; anything that would relieve her of this horrible pain.
Kaiba shook the can several times. He then sat down next to her and lifted her shirt halfway, Serenity gasping. Kaiba's eyes widened at the ghastly burn.
"Ouch..." Mokuba exclaimed as he studied the horrific burn.
"I actually feel sorry for you" Kaiba provoked as he sprayed the white foam on her stomach, spreading it around her stomach with his long fingers. Serenity's face flushed the whole time but her red hair acted as a veil, shielding the blatant embarrassment. "Arms" he ordered.
She obeyed silently. He did the same procedure again: spraying then spreading carefully.
"Just stay like that for a couple minutes" Kaiba ordered. She nodded stiffly.
A knock resonated throughout the bedroom. Mokuba went over and answered it, a housemaid standing there acutely. "The doctor is here now, Sir"
"Well send him up!" Kaiba yelled. He glared that the women who shifted uneasily but remained standing sharp and acute.
"I'll go get him" Mokuba grudgingly stated. He left the room and closed the door behind him. Kaiba calmed himself down before turning towards her again. Her eyes were half-lidded, giving of the feeling she was sleepy.
"Ow..." she muttered absently. She closed her eyes.
"You'll be fine"
"Ow..." she muttered again.
"The doctor's here"
"Ow..."
Kaiba growled, annoyed. "Be grateful you aren't dead" he gritted out.
Her eyes reopened slowly, absorbing the information. She sighed heavily.
Mokuba entered the room with a female doctor beside him. She strode over to Serenity side, immediately without question, inspecting the burns.
"Hmm...its not a severe burn, but not a minor one either. You did good with the cold towel and the spray Mr. Kaiba" she complimented.
Kaiba grunted in return but the doctor continued, ignoring him. "When you explained to me over the phone what happened Mr. Kaiba, I brought a gel that'll help her" She took out a tube and handed it over to Serenity. "Apply this once everyday sweetheart. You'll also need bandages; change them everyday too after removing the old bandages and applying the gel. Anything else sweetie?" the doctor stated swiftly as she brought Serenity to a sitting position, rubbing the gel on her carefully.
"Will this scar?" Serenity asked timidly.
"For the first couple of weeks, yes, but it'll go away soon after" She took out a roll of white bandages from a large case, wrapping them around Serenity's burns with great care.
"How soon?"
"Maybe 3 weeks, a month even. It depends"
Serenity groaned dismissively and soon sighed. "Thank you doctor"
"Sure thing" She stood up, announcing her leave.
"I'll show you out and take care of the bill doc'" Mokuba left the room with the doctor, closing the door.
Serenity sighed as she carefully laid herself back down again, closing her eyes. The whole ordeal was enough to exhaust her both mentally and physically and deprive her of any appetite. Metal exhaustion came from the shock of it all, as well as Kaiba's sudden reaction to the situation. He handled it professionally (excluding the time he yelled at her) without a complaint. In those moments, it seemed like he actually cared for her. This was enough to keep her awake, even if her eyes were closed.
"Does it hurt?" he asked quietly, almost not wanting to ask. He sat where her short legs met, leaning on an arm. She reopened her eyes.
"No...its down to a minimum now" she mumbled in reply. He was gazing at her immensely, as if checking for something to go wrong and awry.
"Are you hungry?"
"No"
"Then you should change" He stood up and went over to her dresser and searched for her pajamas.
"Hey don't go looking through there" she sat up.
"Then where are they?"
Serenity growled. "Top right drawer" she muttered bitterly. He took them out and flung then at her feet. "Thank you" she replied sarcastically. He stood there, as if awaiting her to change, in front of him.
"Leave!" she practically barked at him. He obeyed silently and left, and returned when she said it was alright to come back inside.
"Kaiba...come here" she enjoined. He looked at her suspiciously before walking forth and sitting down next to her.
"What?" he asked gruffly.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Even though we went through a lot of bickering and crap together, specifically you creating the crap..." she paused, as if debating with herself whether to say it or not. Did he deserve it? In this circumstance, yes. "Thank you"
"Is that all?" He replied coolly.
She looked at him amazed, almost ready to get into a fit with him. Here she was thanking him and all he could do was arrogantly reply 'is that all' as if she were a waste of his time. If that were true, however, why would he stick around and make sure she was alright and safe?
Serenity mentally gasped.
He was playing with her, even when she was in need! Here she thought, he was doing good deeds by taking care of her and seeing to it that her well being was taken care of but in reality, he was doing this to confuse her, mislead her, with his sudden act of kindness and generosity towards her. Yes, yes, that was it, she repeated in her mind.
She frowned. "You're a sick, twisted person"
Kaiba arched an eyebrow, feigning confusion. She glared at him, her eyes yelling at him, telling him you can't get me with that.
He shrugged in responce. "At least I'm not a klutz"
She folded her arms gently, almost in a pouting like manner. "Yeah well...I still owe you thanks, even IF you did it for your own sadistic intentions" she rolled over to her side carefully, her back to him. She didn't want to see him anymore. "Good night" she bitterly remarked.
He leaned towards her ear, making sure she could feel his breath against her. Her sudden goosebumps across her skin confirmed that. "Good night..." he whispered seductively against her, following with a succinct throaty chuckle as he brushed his lips against her ear. She was about to retaliate when his weight suddenly disappeared from the bed. Smoothly, the covers were on top of her, tucked in. The light was turned off and the door was snapped shut.
She was alone in the dark while her greatest annoyance receded into his own bedroom.
(1) – How the Japanese address system works. Thought it'd be fun to try.
I hope you liked this chapter. I'm supposed to be studying for my English midterm that has to do with vocab, but...come on! Who the hell wants to review and study more than 180 words? So instead, I've incorporated some of them in here to help me study. xD I'm such a nerd! Please review and deluge (thats one! xD) me with your opinions!