Tale of Two Hearts

Chapter Fourteen

Seto dropped his bag and coat at the floor, closing the door behind him. Restaurant reservation, check. Now to ask for her company this evening. He took the stairs two at a time. "Sophia?" He called. He knocked on her door, but heard no reply. He heard a soft humming from down the hallway. Following the noise, he realised she must still be in the bath. About to knock on the door, he noticed it was ajar. Pushing it slowly with the palm of his hand, he saw the second door was also open. He could just about see the edge of the bath and her right shoulder, attached to the flawless neck she had. Her hair was in a high bun, and she was leaning against the bath, humming to herself.

"Sophia?" He said softly, just to make sure she wasn't startled. She didn't turn, just stopped humming and said: "Seto? Come in, I'm covered!" He walked through the main bathroom, entering the end room. Shutting the door behind him, he realised how peaceful the room really was. It was quiet, and the red really helped to relax him. He made a mental note to use the room more often. He pulled up the small armchair and sat next to her. "Why are you home already?"she asked, her eyes closed. But Seto's mind was elsewhere. The bubbles were thick and luxurious, and he could only see the skin on her chest just above her collarbone, and one of her knees peeking out. How could something so perfect and even exist on a human being? He switched his glance to her neck. She laid with her head to the side, exposing the soft skin of her throat.
"You look tense. Do you need... a neck rub or something?" Sophia rotated her head until she was half looking up at him. Did he mean... HE would rub her neck if she asked? Seto Kaiba would rub her neck? Sophia giggled to herself, picturing him in full work gear, stood up straight, giving her the most rigid neck rub to date.
"No, it's fine, honestly." she said, but she heard rustling behind her, and saw out of the corner of her eye that he had remove his jacket, folding it neatly and laying at across the chair.
"You're my fiancee. Gotta make sure you aren't tense. What would the tabloids say?" he laughed, unbuttoning and pushing his sleeves up. It was strange. She had only seen him in casual clothes a few times, and when she had he was still the epitome of charisma and power, the most demanding presence in a room. Not this nicer, softer, far more approachable man who was kneeling behind her. He put his hands on her shoulders, and rubbed the muscles surrounding her spine with his thumbs. It felt strange to say the least. Seto Kaiba, rubbing her back. If you had told her three months ago she'd have someone like Seto Kaiba pretending to be her fiance, on his knees rubbing her shoulders while she took a luxurious bubble bath, she'd have laughed. That she left Italy, Carlos, her Nonni, and started dancing again... she'd have called you a fool. But here she was, she thought as she stared at the engagement ring on her finger.
"Mmmm." she sighed, closing her eyes and leaning into his touch.
"Feel better?" he asked after five minutes.
"Yeah. a little. Thank you, Seto." she smiled, her eyes still closed.
"Good. Sophia, I was going to ask you something." he said quietly, not wanting to break the calm atmosphere.
"Go ahead." she said simply, opening her eyes and turning slightly to look at him.

For the first time in a very long time, Seto felt his face flush. He hadn't felt himself blush in several years, few things embarrassed him. Asking near strangers to come away on a boat trip with him? Fine. Having every private aspect of your life being splashed across news articles? Great, not even a little flush. False accusations, public propositions from male and female parties, and the most recently, a messy breakup ending in him paying an ex pro basketball player a check for damage to his car were all normal, day to day things for him. But asking his pseudo-fiancee on a date? Brought more colour to his face than cardio.
"Are you okay, Seto? Is it too hot in here?" she asked in a concerned voice.
"Yeah, just a little." her unbuttoned his top button, loosening his tie.
"I was just wondering whether you had plans for tonight?"
"Plans? No. It's a Monday and I have no friends." she laughed. "Well... aside from you. Why? What do you have in mind?"
"Would you like to go to Luigi's?" He was looking at this feet, waiting for her response.
"Yeah! That'd be awesome!" Seto looked back at her, and was greeted by a grin.
"We've not hung out together in a while."
"Okay. I'll... I'll let you get on with your bath."