Disclaimer – I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

*Rated T for Teen

Summary: Fresh out of culinary school, Joey is immediately hired due to his reputation as a fine and skilled chef. However, he doesn't know who his boss is until it's too late.

Chapter 1 – Appetizer

"What do ya mean I got hired?" Joey asked, staring blankly at his culinary instructor.

"I don't want to see a talent like yours wasted, so I spread the word that there was a skillful individual in need of work and you were hired almost immediately," answered the man, beaming brightly at him.

"Ya can't just go around and talk about people like that! What if it's some creepy serial killer dude?"

"I highly doubt that," the blond's instructor deadpanned. "And believe me, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. You're going to become the personal chef of prestigious young man and live at his estate. If you stick with this for at least a year, your resume will be through the roof! You'd be able to get a job anywhere at that point."

Joey sighed, contemplating on his situation. The guy had a point. He'd been lucky enough to earn a scholarship to go to culinary school and he'd blown everyone away with his cooking. But now that he'd graduated, he'd originally had nowhere to go or work. So maybe—just maybe—this was the fresh start he needed.

"Okay," said Joey, nodding diligently. "I'll do it."

Standing outside of the culinary school with everything he owned—which wasn't much—the blond waited for his supposed ride to show up. He still didn't know who he was working for, but he hoped that whoever it was, that they'd just leave him alone to cook in peace.

And if cooking was all he was doing…what the hell was he supposed to spend the rest of his time doing on an estate? What would he actually be allowed to do?

Suddenly, a black limo pulled up alongside the curb. It stopped and a driver soon stepped out.

"Mr. Wheeler, I presume?" inquired the driver.

"Uh, yeah?"

Joey watched, dumbfounded, as the driver came to his side and opened the door for him, beckoning him to get inside the limo. But he didn't move.

"I'll take care of your bags, sir. Please, have a seat inside."

Abandoning his bags on the sidewalk, the blond slipped inside the limo, jumping when the door slammed shut as soon as he made it inside. Peering through the tinted windows, he watched as the driver delicately placed his bags in the trunk and proceeded toward the front, where he slid into the driver's seat. A few seconds later, they were off.

Taking in his new surroundings, Joey gawked at the leather interior, still awed by the fact that he was riding in a limo. As he leaned back, making himself a bit more comfortable, he crossed his arms behind his head. His thoughts drifted to wherever he might be going. Would it still be in Domino? Would he have to stay at the estate all the time? Would he even have days off or vacation time?

The blond hadn't realized how long he'd been thinking these things until the limo started slowly down. Returning his attention to outside the tinted glass once more, he felt his blood run cold. They'd stopped in front of a large gate…with two giant letters on them…two familiar giant letters on them.

KC

The gates opened. And the limo pulled up to a large estate, but not just any large estate. It was the fucking Kaiba Mansion!

No. Nononononononono! I can't work for Kaiba! I'm not gonna work for that fuckin' bastard! Joey screamed in his mind. He started yanking on the door handle, eager to jump out of the moving vehicle and run for it. But the door was locked.

"Fuck," he mumbled under his breath. There was no way in hell he was going to work for Kaiba. He could just imagine it already. Being called Mutt every two seconds, being sneered and glared at with everything he did, having his food called dog slop. There was just no way he'd put up with this! He wouldn't even give it a chance!

Then again…what other option did he have at the moment? It wasn't like he had a load of jobs lined up. Perhaps he'd just have to grin and bear it for now until he found something else.

When the limo finally stopped, the driver let him out. And Joey was all too glad to be free from the confines of Kaiba's limo.

"Your bags will be sent up to your room in a bit. Just head on up to the front. The young master will be there to greet you," stated the driver.

Joey steeled himself for the worst. Swallowing with great difficulty, the blond reached the front doors of the mansion. He was about to knock when said doors immediately flung open and a small mass came hurdling toward him.

"You're here! I can't believe you're finally here!"

"Mokuba?"

The young Kaiba pulled away and stared up at Joey. "Yep! Were you expecting Seto instead?"

"Uh, kinda. Do ya have any idea why he hired me? Cuz I just don't get it."

Laughter soon filled the blond's ears as the thirteen-year-old boy tried to get himself under control. "Seto didn't hire you, Joey. I did. I got tired of trying to cook and failing all the time, so I decided to finally hire us a chef. It was just by chance that I came across you. And you were highly recommended, too."

"Let me get this straight. You're the one who hired me?" Joey asked, trying to put two and two together.

"Yeah."

"Does your brother know?"

Mokuba fidgeted. "He knows I hired a personal chef."

Then it dawned on him. Kaiba…didn't…know…

"YA MEAN HE DOESN'T KNOW I'M HERE?"

Blue Cheese Baguette Spread

8 ounces of low-fat cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup (2 ounces) Blue cheese, crumbled
3 tablespoons walnuts, coarsely chopped, toasted
1 tablespoon fresh chives, snipped
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Baguette bread, sliced 1/4-inch thick

Mix the first 7 ingredients together and spread on bread slices or place the mixture in a small bowl as a dip for the bread or baked bagel chips. Garnish with more chives, walnuts, and serve.

Can be made ahead of time and refrigerated.

End Chapter