Chapter 1: Opening Image
I sighed, typing away at his computer. My manager - Yumi - was away. She was in some meeting or something...
My name is Ombre Sayaw Kibutsuji. I'm an orphan who's suffering with insanity... Least I think I am.
I've been working part-time as an assistant for Ankoku's company, "Eclipse Entertainment." It's a sleek, minimalist space, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offer panoramic views of the bustling city. The polished mahogany desk sits in the center of the room, a symbol of the CEO's power and prestige. Ankoku, the man himself, is a tall, muscular figure with a deep voice, pale skin, and piercing black eyes. He's a force to be reckoned with, and not just because of his physique. He's rich, famous, and he's got a reputation for being determined. I've seen him in action, and it's... intimidating.
I don't like rich people. I think they're scary.
They have all the power and all the money, and they think they can just buy their way out of any problem. But Ankoku... he's different. He's not just a rich guy. He's a model, an actor, a CEO. He's a public figure, and he's got a reputation for being... intense.
I was sitting at my desk, trying to ignore the hum of the city outside, when I felt his gaze on me. I looked up, and there he was, standing by the window, his reflection staring back at me. He was wearing a red turtle neck sweater, black jeans, and a bunch of gold necklaces around his neck.
He looked over at me, before stepping over.
Oh no. I slowly moved down, wanting to hide.
Ankoku owned everything here. I didn't want to ruin something in front of him.
I was just trying to be discreet. But Ankoku was already halfway across the room, his eyes fixed on me.
"Ombre," he said, his voice a deep rumble that seemed to fill the entire office. "What are you doing?"
I froze, my hand still hovering over the stack of papers. I looked up at him, my purple and red eyes meeting his black ones. "I-I was just... organizing," I stammered, trying to sound casual.
He raised an eyebrow, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Organizing, huh? You know, I've seen you 'organize' before. It usually involves a lot of...
chaos," he said, his smirk growing into a full-blown grin. He leaned against the desk, his eyes scanning the mess I'd made. "I've seen you create more order out of chaos than anyone I know."
I felt my cheeks flush at the compliment. I hated being touched, but I didn't mind when Ankoku was near. There was something about him that made me feel... safe. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. "Well, you know, I'm just trying to keep things tidy," I said, my voice a little too high-pitched.
Ankoku chuckled, a sound that was surprisingly warm and inviting. "Tidy, huh? Y'know, I've heard rumors you bring a gun to work with you."
I freak out, panicking, "No! It's not... It's just a toy... A gift! It was a gift- It's not real- Oh, please tel me I'm not in trouble..." I stammered, my hands fluttering nervously. "I mean, it's just a... a toy gun. It's not like I'm planning to shoot anyone or anything. I just... I like to have it around. For... for protection."
Ankoku's eyes narrowed slightly, his smirk fading as he studied me. "Protection, huh? From what, Ombre? You're not exactly in a dangerous line of work."
I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my white jacket. "Well, you never know. I mean, I've heard stories about... about people who get hurt in this business. And I... don't want to get touched?"
"Haphephobia? Or do you have-"
"Hyperesthesia... But it's not pain, just like... sensitive." I cut him off, my voice barely a whisper. "I don't like being touched. It's... it's too much. I can't handle it."
Ankoku's expression softened, his eyes filled with a mix of concern and understanding. "I see," he said, his voice gentle. "But Ombre, you know you can trust me, right? I would never hurt you."
I looked up at him, my eyes meeting his. "I know," I said, my voice steady. "But it's not just you. It's... everyone. I can't control it. I can't."
Ankoku nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I understand," he said. "But you can always tell people not to touch you, no need to bring a toy gun to scare people. Or spread false rumors that could hurt your reputation." Ankoku's voice was firm, but his eyes held a warmth that belied his stern words. "I won't have you putting yourself in danger, Ombre."
I felt a lump form in my throat at his concern. No one had ever cared about me like this before. It was both comforting and overwhelming. "I... I know," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I don't want to be hurt. Again."
Ankoku's expression softened, and he reached out, his hand hovering near my shoulder. I tensed, my heart pounding in my chest. But he didn't touch me. Instead, he let his hand fall to his side, his eyes never leaving mine. "Don't worry. I won't let anyone get hurt, especially you, in my office." He took out a fat wad of cash from his pocket and handed it to me, "Here, you look like you need a coffee."
I stared at him, "T-the... All that for coffee!?" I exclaimed, astonished, "There's... There's no way... That's not..." I stammered, my eyes wide as I stared at the thick stack of bills in my hand. It was more money than I'd ever seen in my life.
Ankoku chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "It's not just for coffee, Ombre. It's for you. To help you feel better, to help you relax. You've been working hard, and you deserve a reward." "But... but I can't just take your money," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's too much."
Ankoku's expression softened, and he reached out, his hand hovering near my shoulder again. But he didn't touch me, "It's not a lot. I have more anyways. You just seem tired and underpaid. Assistants are the ones who deserve the most money, y'know... The ones who deal with idiots all day. I couldn't image what it's like, dealing with people you wanna meet me." Ankoku's voice was gentle, but there was a hint of steel in his eyes. "You deserve better, Ombre. You deserve to be treated with respect and kindness. And if anyone ever makes you feel otherwise, you come to me. I'll handle it."
I nodded, my eyes fixed on the stack of cash in my hand. It was a lot of money, more than I'd ever seen in my life. And it was a lot of responsibility. I looked up at Ankoku, my eyes meeting his. "Thank you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I don't know what to say."
Ankoku smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You're welcome. There's a coffee shop around the corner, buy whatever. I'll let your manager know I put you on break. Kay?"
I nodded, moaning quietly when Ankoku patted my head. "Eep! Sorry for making that sound, I'm just-"
"Sensitive, yeah..." I mumbled, my cheeks flushing at the unexpected contact. Ankoku chuckled, his hand falling away from my head. "Sorry, I forgot," he said, his voice softening. "I'll try to remember next time."
I nodded, my fingers still clutching the stack of cash. "It's okay," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I need some time to adjust. It's been a long day."
Ankoku nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. "Of course," he said. "Take your time. And don't worry about the money.
It's just a small token of my appreciation for all the hard work you've been putting in. I know it's not easy dealing with some of the... eccentric personalities around here," Ankoku said, a hint of amusement in his voice. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes scanning the papers strewn across my desk. "So, what are you working on today?"
I looked down at the mess, my fingers still clutching the stack of cash. "I was trying to organize these contracts," I said, my voice hesitant. "But I keep getting distracted by... other things." I gestured vaguely to the window, where the cityscape stretched out before us. "I need to pay my rent or I'm getting evicted... I don't know if I can find another if that happens..." I mumbled, my eyes fixed on the stack of cash in my hand. I didn't want to worry Ankoku with my problems, but I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over me. I didn't know what I would do if I got evicted. I didn't have any family, no one to turn to for help. I was on my own, and the thought of being homeless was terrifying.
Ankoku's expression softened, and he leaned forward in his chair, his eyes never leaving mine. "Ombre, look at me," he said, his voice gentle but firm. I looked up, my eyes meeting his.
He was studying me intently, his expression serious. "Ombre," he said, his voice low and steady. "You're not alone. You have me. And I promise you, I won't let anything happen to you. Not while you're working for me."
I felt a lump form in my throat at his words. No one had ever said anything like that to me before. "But... but what if I can't pay my rent?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "What if I get evicted?"
Ankoku's expression softened, and he reached out, his hand hovering near mine. "You'll be okay, just watch." He winked at me, "I heard you're birthday is soon."
"Uhm, what's a birthday?" I asked, my eyes widening in confusion. I'd never celebrated a birthday before. I'd never had anyone to celebrate with.
Ankoku chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You know, the day you were born? The day you became a part of this world? It's a big deal, Ombre. People usually celebrate it with cake and candles and presents."
I shook my head, my eyes fixed on the stack of cash in my hand. "Ah... My family never..." My eyes flashed with sadness for a moment, "They didn't like me much..." I was hinting how I was abused as a kid, "So... Well, I don't know what any of that means." I looked up at Ankoku, my eyes filled with confusion and a hint of sadness. "I've never had a birthday before. My family... they didn't really care about me." I hesitated, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my white jacket. "They were abusive. They didn't like me much." I said it quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. I didn't want to talk about it, but I felt like I owed him the truth.
Ankoku's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as he studied me. "Abusive? Ombre, why didn't you tell me?" His voice was low and dangerous, a growl that seemed to vibrate through the air.
"Ah..." I looked away, "You're the boss, you're not around much..." I mumbled, my eyes fixed on the stack of cash in my hand.
"It's not a big deal. It's just... it's just something I've never experienced before. I don't know what to do with it." I looked up at Ankoku, my eyes filled with a mix of confusion and sadness. "I don't know how to celebrate a birthday. I don't know what to do." "Well, we can figure that out together," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "But for now, let's get you that coffee. And maybe some food. You look like you could use a break." Ankoku stood up from his chair, towering over me. "Come on, let's go get that coffee. You must be hungry."
I looked up at him, my eyes wide with surprise. "You... you want to go with me?" I asked hesitantly.
Ankoku raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, I can't let you go alone, can I? Not with all that money you're carrying around. Besides, I could use a break too."
I nodded, standing up from my chair and grabbing my backpack. "Okay," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Wait for me." Ankoku said, following me out the building.
I heard the loud noises outside and quickly covered my ears.
I didn't like loud noises. They made me anxious, and I didn't want to have a panic attack in front of Ankoku. He was already looking at me with concern, his black eyes filled with worry.
"Ombre, are you okay?" he asked, his deep voice cutting through the noise. I nodded, trying to hide my discomfort. "Yeah, I'm fine," I said, my voice a little too high-pitched. "Just... just not a fan of loud noises."
Gently, Ankoku pressed his hands on my ears, "Let me do it for you." His warm hands were surprisingly gentle, and I felt a sense of calm wash over me as he blocked out the noise. I looked up at him, my eyes meeting his black ones. "Thank you," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "No problem," he said, his voice soft. "Now, let's get you that coffee."
We walked down the bustling street, the city noise still filtering through Ankoku's hands. I felt a sense of security, knowing he was there with me. He was tall and muscular, his presence commanding attention.
Soon, we made it to a calmer area and Ankoku was able to take his hands off my ears.
"S-sorry about that," I said, chuckling to lighten the mood, "I just... My ears... it's just trauma." I shrugged, trying to brush off the incident. "It's no big deal."
Ankoku's expression softened, and he gave me a small smile. "It is a big deal, Ombre. But I'm glad you're okay. Now, let's get that coffee."
We stepped into the coffee shop, the warm aroma of coffee beans and pastries filling the air. The place was bustling with people, but Ankoku seemed to command the space, his presence drawing attention. We ordered our drinks - a black coffee for him and a caramel macchiato for me - and found a quiet table by the window.
As we sat down, Ankoku's eyes scanned the room, taking in every detail.
He seemed to be on high alert, his body language tense and ready for action. I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease wash over me as I watched him.
"What's wrong?" "You seem... tense."
Ankoku looked at me, his expression softening slightly. "It's nothing," he said, his voice low and steady. "Just... old habits. I'm always on guard, especially in public places."
I nodded, understanding his need for caution. After all, he was a public figure, and there were always people who wanted to cause trouble. "I get it," I said, my voice gentle. "What do you want?" I asked him, my eyes landing on the menu. "Anything you want to try?"
"Hmmm," He eyed at the menu.
"I'll have the blueberry muffin and a large coffee." He handed the menu back to the waitress and turned to me.
"Ombre, you've been working hard. You should take some time off. You need to rest."
I looked at him, surprised. "But... but what will I do? I don't have any hobbies or anything."
Ankoku chuckled, "Well, you could start with something simple like reading or painting. Or maybe even cooking. You never know what you might enjoy. Now, what do you want?" He asked me.
I looked at the menu, my eyes scanning the options. I wasn't really hungry, but I didn't want to seem rude. "I don't know," I admitted, my voice soft. "I'm not really a food person. I usually just eat whatever's convenient." "Convenient, huh? Like what, vending machine snacks?" He teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
I felt my cheeks flush at the mention of my favorite snacks. "Well... yeah," I said, my voice hesitant. "I mean, they're easy to find and they taste good."
Ankoku chuckled, his eyes softening. "Here, my favorite is a caramel macchiato."
"Ohhh," I realized what I wanted, "I want a caramel macchiato with ice cream, cookie dough, mint and vanilla, extra sugar topped with gummy bears, sugar, whipped cream, and sprinkles." I said excitedly.
Ankoku's eyes widened in surprise, "Wow, that sounds like a lot of sugar and calories." He chuckled.
"Yeah, but it's so good," I said eagerly.
Ankoku shook his head, smiling. "Alright, you got it. I'll get it for you."
I watched as he walked up to the counter and placed our orders. The waitress behind the counter seemed to be flustered by his presence, her cheeks flushed as she took his order.
When he returned to the table, he handed me my drink.
It was a monstrosity of a coffee cup, overflowing with whipped cream and gummy bears.
"Wow," I breathed, my voice barely above a whisper. "This is... this is amazing." "I thought you might like it," he said, his voice soft. "Now, eat up. You need your energy."
I took a sip of my drink, the sweetness of the caramel and the mint hitting my taste buds in a delicious explosion. It was perfect. I looked up at Ankoku, my eyes filled with gratitude.
"This is... this is the best thing I've ever tasted." "I'm glad you like it," he said.
I nodded, taking another sip of my drink. As I did, I noticed Ankoku watching me intently, his black eyes studying me with a curious expression. "What?" I asked, my voice hesitant. "Did I get something on my face?" I wiped at my mouth self-consciously.
Ankoku shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips.
"No, you didn't get anything on your face," he said, his voice gentle. "I was just... admiring you."
I felt my cheeks flush at his words, my eyes widening in surprise. "Admiring me?" "Why?" "Because you're... unique," he said, his voice low and steady. "You're not like anyone else I've ever met."
I looked down at my hands, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my white jacket. "I'm not unique," I said, my voice hesitant. "I'm just... me."
"Yeah, and... No one can be you." Ankoku seemed to be flirting.
It was a strange feeling for me. I wasn't used to it. But it felt... nice. Like someone was actually interested in me for who I was. Not for my scars or my past or anything else. Just me. "For everything." "You're welcome," he said. "Now, finish your drink. We have some work to do." As I did, I noticed Ankoku's eyes flicking to the window behind me.
His expression grew serious, and he leaned forward in his seat, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "Ombre, we need to talk about something."
I looked up from my drink, my heart pounding in my chest. The sudden change in his demeanor had me on edge.
Ankoku hesitated for a moment before speaking, his eyes never leaving mine. "It's about your mask."
I felt a cold shiver run down my spine at the mention of my mask. It was a topic I tried to avoid at all costs. "What about it?" I asked, my voice tight. My mask was something that hid my face... My face is what I thought was the ugliest part of me.
It was a constant reminder of my past, of the abuse I'd suffered at the hands of my family. I didn't want anyone to see it, to pity me or worse, to look at me with disgust.
Ankoku seemed to sense my discomfort, his expression softening. "I know it's a sensitive topic," he said, his voice gentle. "But I think it's time you considered... not wearing it."
I felt a jolt of surprise at his words. Not wear my mask? The thought was almost unbearable. "B... but..." I clutched the table, knuckles turning white. "What do you mean?" "I can't... I can't go without it. People will see... they'll see my face." My heart pounded in my chest, my breath coming in short gasps. The thought of being seen without my mask was enough to send me into a panic.
Ankoku reached out, his hand covering mine. His touch was warm and surprisingly comforting. "Hey, it's okay," he said, his voice low and steady. "I'm not saying you have to do it right now. But I think it's something you should consider. You're beautiful, Ombre. And I lo-" He blushed, stopping before he said too much, "You should just consider it." He looked at me with concern in his eyes.
I looked down at our hands, his large one covering mine. It was warm and comforting, but it also made me feel trapped. I pulled my hand away, breaking the contact. I can't," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I can't just... just take it off. People will see... they'll see me for who I really am."
Ankoku leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "And who is that?" he asked softly.
I looked up at him, my eyes filled with a mix of fear and sadness. "You don't understand," I said, my voice trembling. "I'm hideous, ugly, a freak, a monster....
" My voice trailed off, my eyes fixed on the table, unable to meet Ankoku's gaze.
He was silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, he reached out and gently tilted my chin up with his finger, forcing me to look at him. "Ombre," he said, his voice firm yet gentle. "You are not a monster. You are not hideous or ugly. You are beautiful, inside and out."
I felt a lump form in my throat at his words, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. "But... but you haven't seen my face," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Once you see me you'll... you'll leave too... Just like her..."
Gently, Ankoku asked, "Who's her, Ombre?"
"M-my... my ex-girlfriend...." I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "She... she left me because of my face. She couldn't handle it. She said I was... disgusting." I looked away, unable to meet Ankoku's gaze. The memory of her words still stung, even after all this time. "Ombre," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "You are not disgusting. And anyone who says that is a fool."
I looked up at him, my eyes filled with a mix of confusion and sadness. "But... but it's true," I said, my voice hesitant. "I am... ugly... and stupid, and hideous and horrible and ugly.. I'm a freak... I'm... I don't... I deserve to die... I..."
Ankoku sighed, before typing something on his phone.
"W.. what are you doing?" I asked, wiping my watery eyes.
"Don't worry," He gave me a warm smile, "It's nothing you need to worry about." He put his phone away and looked at me, his expression softening. "Ombre, listen to me. You are not ugly. You are not hideous or disgusting or any of those things you said. You are beautiful, inside and out. And anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar."
I looked at him, my eyes filled with confusion and doubt. "But... but how can you say that? You haven't even seen my face."
Ankoku reached out, his hand cupping my cheek gently. "I don't need to see your face to know that you're beautiful, Ombre. I see it in your eyes, in your smile, in the way you care for others." By the way he looked at me, he was trying to hide the fact that he must've... No, he couldn't have...
I looked at him with disbelief, only for him to sigh.
"I've... I've called a therapist for you." Ankoku's voice was gentle yet firm, his thumb brushing away a stray tear from my cheek.
I blinked, taken aback. "A therapist? But I can't afford—"
"Money isn't an issue here, Ombre." He cut me off, his gaze steady. "I want you to talk to someone about what you're feeling. About your past, your insecurities. It might help you see things differently."
I looked away, my heart pounding in my chest. The thought of talking to a stranger about my past, about my fears and insecurities, was terrifying. "I don't know if I can do that," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
The thought of opening up to someone about my past, about the abuse I'd suffered at the hands of my family, was overwhelming. It was a part of me that I'd kept hidden for so long, buried deep inside where no one could see it. And now, the idea of digging it up and exposing it to the world was almost unbearable.
Ankoku's expression softened, and he reached out, his hand covering mine. His touch was warm and comforting, and I felt a sense of calm wash over me as he squeezed my hand gently. "You don't have to do it if you don't want to," he said, his voice low and steady. "But I think it might help you.
And I'm here for you, Ombre. No matter what." Ankoku's voice was gentle yet firm, his eyes never leaving mine. "I can't just... just talk about it. It's too painful."
Ankoku nodded understandingly, his expression softening. "I know it's hard," he said. "But sometimes, talking about it can make it easier to bear. And you don't have to do it alone.
I'll be here with you every step of the way," Ankoku said, his voice steady and reassuring. "But for now, let's get back to work. We have a lot to do before the end of the day."
I nodded, taking a deep breath to steady myself. "Okay," I said, my voice still shaky but determined. "Let's get to work."
As we walked back to the office, Ankoku's hand never left mine. It was a small gesture, but it meant the world to me. It was a reminder that I wasn't alone, that I had someone in my corner.
Someone who cared about me, who wanted to help me. It was a feeling I wasn't used to, but one that I was quickly growing to cherish. Someone who cared about me, who wanted to help me. It was a feeling I wasn't used to, but one that I was quickly growing to cherish.
We walked in silence for a while, the sound of our footsteps echoing through the bustling streets.
The city was a symphony of noise, a constant hum of life that seemed to pulse through the air. Ankoku's hand was still wrapped around mine, his grip firm yet gentle, a reminder of his presence and support.
As we approached the office building, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease wash over me. The thought of going back to work after our conversation was daunting. I wasn't sure if I could face the day with the weight of my past pressing down on me.
Ankoku seemed to sense my discomfort, his grip tightening slightly as he looked down at me. "You okay?" he asked, his voice low and steady.
I nodded, trying to force a smile.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. The truth was, I wasn't fine. I was a mess of emotions, a tangled web of fear and anxiety and doubt. But I didn't want to burden Ankoku with it. He had enough on his plate already.
As we stepped into the elevator, Ankoku's hand slipped from mine, and I felt a pang of loss at the sudden absence of his touch. The elevator doors closed with a soft whoosh, and we were left in silence, the only sound the hum of the machinery as we ascended.
Ankoku's eyes were fixed on the numbers above the door, his expression thoughtful.
I couldn't help but steal glances at him, my eyes tracing the sharp lines of his jaw, the way his red turtle neck sweater clung to his muscular frame. He was a commanding presence, even in silence, and I found myself drawn to him, like a moth to a flame.
The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open, revealing the bustling office floor. Ankoku stepped out, and I followed, my eyes scanning the room as we made our way to our desks. The office was a flurry of activity, phones ringing, and people rushing back and forth, but Ankoku seemed to move through it all with ease, his presence commanding attention and respect.
I made it to my desk and watched as Ankoku waved goodbye.
"I have to go to my office. Y'know, since I'm the CEO." Ankoku's voice was casual, but there was an edge to it that made me sit up straighter in my chair. "I have to make sure everything runs smoothly."
He walked over to his desk, his tall frame casting a shadow over me. I watched as he sat down, his eyes scanning the papers on his desk. He seemed distracted, his mind already focused on the tasks ahead.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Ankoku," I began, my voice hesitant. I don't want to talk about it right now. I need some time to process everything."
He looked up at me, his black eyes meeting mine. "Of course, I'll be in my office if you need anything at all." Ankoku's voice was gentle, his eyes softening as he looked at me. "Take your time, Ombre. I'm not going anywhere."
I nodded, grateful for his understanding.
Ankoku stood up from his desk, his tall frame towering over me. "Now, let's get to work," he said, his voice firm yet gentle. "We have a lot to do today."
I nodded, turning my attention to the stack of papers on my desk. As I worked, I could feel Ankoku's eyes on me, his gaze steady and reassuring. It was a comforting presence, one that I found myself growing accustomed to.
As I worked, I could feel my anxiety beginning to ebb away, replaced by a sense of calm and focus. The stack of papers on my desk seemed less daunting, the tasks at hand less overwhelming.
I was in the middle of filling out a particularly complex form when I heard a sharp knock at the door. I looked up, my eyes meeting Ankoku's as he stepped into the office, his tall frame filling the doorway.
"Hey," he said, his voice casual yet commanding. "I need to step out for a bit. Can you hold down the fort here?"
I nodded, pushing my chair back from my desk. "Of course," I said, my voice steady.
Once Ankoku was gone, someone hugged me from behind.
It was Cyn... my... My girlfriend.
She was a powerful woman, rich and possessive, especially of me. She wore a black dress and a dark blue bow, her eyes scanning the room with a sharp intensity.
"Cyn," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, surprised by her sudden appearance. "What are you doing here?"
She released me, her hands lingering on my shoulders for a moment before she stepped back. In a creepily kind voice, she said, "Onbure-san, mata aete ureshīdesu." (I'm glad to see you again.) Her eyes were cold and calculating as she looked me over from head to toe.
I swallowed hard, trying to hide my discomfort. "Cyn, what are you doing here?" I repeated, my voice shaking slightly.
She smiled, her eyes never leaving mine. "I came to see you, of course. I heard you were working here now." She gestured to the office around us. "It's quite impressive, isn't it?"
I nodded, my eyes darting to the door, hoping Ankoku would return soon. "Yes, it is," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "But what are you doing here?"
"Watashi wa tada mōichido watashi no kawaii pato~ūti ni aitakatta dakedesu." (I just wanted to see my cutie patootie again.) " Cyn's voice was sweet and innocent, but her eyes held a cold, calculating gleam. She walked around me, her heels clicking on the polished floor as she inspected the office. "This place is quite nice," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "But it's not you, is it?"
I felt a shiver run down my spine at her words, my heart pounding in my chest. "Cyn, what do you want?"
She turned to face me, her eyes narrowing as she studied me. "I want you," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "Koko no shachō to issho ni iru tokoro o mita ndesuga… anata ga watashi no mono datte shiranai nodesu ka? (I saw you with the CEO of this place... Don't you know that you're mine?) Her voice was like ice, chilling me to the bone. I took a step back, my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to put some distance between us.
"Cyn, please," I begged, my voice shaking. "You can't just show up here like this. What if Ankoku sees you?"
She laughed, a cold, bitter sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Ankoku? You mean that pretty boy who thinks he can own you? He's just a man, Ombre. He can't protect you from me."
I shook my head, my eyes wide with fear. "Cyn, please. I don't want any trouble. Just... leave."
Cyn growled in a playful way, before pulling me into another embrace, "一度もない. (Never.)" Her voice was a low purr in my ear, her breath hot on my neck as she held me tightly. I could feel her body pressed against mine, her curves fitting perfectly against me. It was a familiar feeling, one that I had once craved, but now it only made me feel trapped.
"Cyn, please," I begged, my voice shaking as I tried to push her away. "You're scaring me."
She laughed again, her grip tightening as she refused to let me go. "Scaring you? Oh, Ombre, you know I would never hurt you. I love you."
I shook my head, tears welling up in my eyes. "You're hurting... m-me..."
Cyn started to pet my head, cooing at me, "Ā, daijōbu yo, Odori-san. Anata wa kitto daijōbudayo... (Aw, it's okay, little bird. You are going to be okay...)" Cyn's voice was soft, almost soothing, but there was an undercurrent of steel that made me shiver.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself as I spoke. I can't do this right now. I have work to do."
She pouted, her lower lip sticking out in a way that would have been cute if it wasn't for the cold gleam in her eyes. "But I want to spend time with you, Ombre. I've missed you so much."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I know, Cyn. But I can't just drop everything and leave."
Cyn grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at her, "Ā, onburu-chan sutoresu tamatteru yo ne? Shinpaishinaidekudasai... Sore wa watashi ga kaiketsu shimasu. (Aa, you're stressed, aren't you, Ombre-chan? Don't worry... I'll make it go away.)"
She pulled out a syringe from her bag, before injecting me with it.
I felt a wave of calm wash over me, my limbs growing heavy as I slumped against her.
"Cyn, what did you do?" I slurred, my words slow and sluggish.
She smiled, her eyes cold and calculating. "Just a little something to help you relax, Ombre. You're too tense lately."
I felt my eyes growing heavy, my vision blurring as I struggled to stay awake. "Cyn... you can't... do this... not here..."
She shushed me, her hand stroking my hair as she held me close. "Hush now, Ombre. You need to rest."
THat's when everything went black.