Love and Rivalry

Chapter 21

It was 6 am. The gang now stood outside a modest size house, with black shutters and a white picket fence. Aria could feel the exhaustion creep up behind her eyelids but she forced her eyes to stay alert. She needed to finish this now. With the USB stick handed off, then she would be done with Kaiba Corp for good. Done with Kaiba.

A lump formed in her throat at the thought of never seeing Seto again, but Aria knew it was for the best. If he didn't trust her now, then he never would.

"Are you sure about this Aria?" Joey asked. "I mean, doesn't this guy like, hate your guts?"

"I'm with Joey on this one Ari," Téa said, "How do you know he's not just going to slam the door in your face?"

"I don't," Aria said with a shrug. "But he is the one person who knows of my innocence. Langley knowingly lied to Kaiba about my alibi. He knows that I was with him when the virus first invaded the system."

"Uh, isn't that all the more reason not to go to this guy?" Tristan asked skeptically.

Aria knew it was a huge gamble going to Hubert Langley with Pegasus's files, but he had proven himself to be loyal to Kaiba, even if he did lie to him about Aria's alibi. The point was that she trusted Langley enough to get these files to Kaiba and that was all that mattered.

"Wish me luck," was all Aria said then started up the front path towards the door. She assumed Langley would be up at this hour but then again, it probably didn't matter as Riku might now be aware that his invaluable files were no longer in his possession.

Stepping up onto the porch, Aria approached the door and gave three firm knocks. Just in case he was still asleep. Aria started to fidget as she waited for Langley to answer the door. Now that she had to face her old supervisor again, she started to feel nervous at how he would receive her. But she didn't end up having time to reflect as she could hear the door being unlocked.

Aria inwardly braced herself, ready to make Langley listen before he could slam the door back in her face.

But it wasn't Langley who opened the door. A woman in a black pantsuit with pale blonde hair stood in the entryway. "Yes, may I help you?" she asked with a small smile.

Aria blinked a few times, her mouth suddenly feeling dry. She wasn't expecting anyone else to be here. Langley couldn't be married, could he? Did sexist men have wives? Apparently so.

"Hi," Aria began when she had finally found her voice, "My name is Aria Ito, I...work for Mr. Langley at Kaiba Corp. Sorry for bothering you so early, but is Mr. Langley available? I need to discuss with him an important work matter."

The woman's smile slightly faltered and gave Aria a quizzical look. Aria fidgeted under her gaze. She was sure her appearance was slightly more than disheveled. After getting just a few hours sleep on Téa's shoulder at the cafe, Aria had attempted to tidy herself in the restroom with little success.

"I'll just check to see if he's available," the woman said, closing the door, leaving Aria standing awkwardly on the front porch. Her nerves came back tenfold at the thought that Langley might refuse to come to the door. Who could she possibly go to next? Who could she trust? As far as she knew, Tenzin was still at Kaiba Corp. He needed to be caught before he disappeared for good.

Lost in her thoughts, Aria was startled when the front door was flung open more forcefully, revealing a harried looking Hubert Langley. Aria was caught off guard by Mr. Langley's attire. Gone was the crisp white shirt and gray slacks. Instead he wore a pale green bathrobe that was tied at the waist, and half-slippers to match.

"I didn't believe my wife when she told me who was at the door," Langley said, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "You're not here to try and get your job back are you?"