Persuasion

A Chapter by Minyonka

"You know, Kaiba, Halloween's coming up," I said, lazily playing with my hair.

Darren and I were in his office while Kaiba worked. My brother was sitting still in one of the chairs, obviously hoping for another vision to come.

"What's your point," Kaiba asked.

"A little birdie told me he hasn't had a decent Halloween in a long time and that you've been way too engrossed in your work lately."

Kaiba looked up from his work, a slight glare in his eyes.

"What did he say?"

"Technically, he didn't say anything."

"Scarlett, don't tell me you-" Darren started.

"It wasn't intentional, I promise. I was helping him and our hands brushed. That's what I got in the course of a second or two," I explained.

I looked over at Darren to see him put his hand on his head.

"You should be more careful," he whispered so quietly that Kaiba couldn't have possibly heard him.

"And what do you suggest," the CEO asked.

"Take him to a party or something. I'm sure you can think of some way to spend time with your little brother. The company's not going to fall to the ground if you take the night off next Friday," I suggested.

"What are you trying to pull," Darren asked, still in a low murmur.

"Nothing out of the ordinary," I answered just as quietly.

I directed my attention towards Kaiba and spoke at a normal volume.

"I hear there's going to be a pretty cool party just down the road. You and Mokuba should go. Darren and I were planning to," I said.

"Say what now?"

"Play along," I hissed inaudibly.

"That's right. Scarlett was talking with me about it today. There's going to be a Halloween party next Friday. I'm sure Mokuba would love to go," Darren said, backing me up.

Kaiba glanced over at him before speaking.

"And what makes you say that with such certainty," he asked.

"Mokuba is a fifteen-year-old boy. I doubt hanging out inside a company building all day is his idea of fun."

"Come on, Kaiba. Aside from a few duels, you've had your nose in you work for the past two months I've been here. Live a little," I added.

"If I agree to go, will you leave me alone ot finish my work," Kaiba asked.

"Sure."

"Fine. Now get out of my office."

I stood up with a smile and Darren and I left the room.

"I think I'm growing on him," I said cheerfully.

"And he on you," Darren answered with a smug smile.

I gave him a look of confusion.

"Excuse me."

"Scarlett, why did you insist Kaiba get out of the office?"

"Because he needs some excitement in his life. Besides, Mokuba's been feeling left out."

"Whatever you say," Darren mumbled while walking away.

I stared after him for a moment.

"Just what is that supposed to mean," I demanded, running after him.

I tackled my brother to the ground, causing a loud crack to echo through the hall. We both stared at each other, panic in our eyes. The door to Kaiba's office opened and the CED stepped into the hallway.

"What happened out here," he asked.

"Nothing," Darren and I answered in unison.

He and I both stood up and hurried down the stairs. It wasn't until we were in our apartment that I started to really panic.

"Now he's going to be even more suspicious. Darren, what do we do," I asked frantically.

"Calm down. You don't know what he's thinking... yet," my brother answered, a smile forming on his lips.

I knew that look.

"What's your idea?"

"Touch him to find out what he thinks."

"Do you honestly think it'll be as simple as that?"

"Knowing our luck, probably not. You'll just have to find a way to be inconspicuous about it."

"Yeah, that'll be easy," I muttered. "Darren, he knows I can read his mind if I touch him and vice versa.

"It's the best thing we have," my brother answered.