Yuki's POVThe cold water ran down my skin in thin, biting rivulets.I stayed under the spray until my fingers curled, washing over every inch of me as if I could wash away the night.Duck breast. Cherry glaze. That gilded garnish. Lavender champagne fragrance still clung to me even after the good scrubbing.God, it was embarrassing.My eyes were still on fire, but at least it was not as bad now.My dress was ruined. My pride was shattered.I stood there for a minute, just letting the water just numb me out.I wasn't even angry anymore — just… tired.When I finally emerged, wrapping myself in my enormous towel, Suzu was waiting by the door.Her little three-legged self wagging furiously, tail flapping like she didn't even know the world could be cruel.She whimpered, nuzzling at my leg, trying to lift my spirits, those black shiny eyes full of the purest kind of love.I clenched a smile. "Hey, baby."I bent down to pick her up, burying my face in her warm fur.But even she couldn't fi
Creeds pov "Yuyu?"My voice came out, rougher than I intended.I felt a quick motion along my side — a turn, as though she were retreating, or hiding out.This was murdering me.I breathed in and spoke a word, quietly, as though each of my words was ripping something away."Sorry. I'm. so sorry, Yuyu. I shouldn't have let that occur. I should have defended you. You didn't have to endure that — not from Zara, not from that restaurant, not from me. I don't care what anyone else thinks. you're important to me. I don't even recall when it occurred, or how, but somewhere along the way, you. you invaded my brain. And tonight made me realize just how much."I swallowed."You didn't deserve any of it. And I hate that I'm part of the reason you're hurting. I'll fix it, I swear. Whatever it takes… I'll make this right."The silence lingered, broken only by the far-off thrum of the city outside and Suzu's breathing by the door.Then her voice — tiny, exhausted, but so heartbreakingly gentle."I
Zara's POVI didn't sleep. Not for one second. The darkness in my room was heavy, suffocating — but not as heavy as the memories eating away at my brain."Get off of me… please…"My voice had broken like delicate glass, but he didn't care. He never did.His weight pinned me to the bed, harder, heavier, more merciless.You've been playing with me, sunflower. You have no notion how much I've wanted you," he whispered, his hot, sour breath on my skin, his face buried in the hollow of my neck, snuffling like some animal ready to strike at its prey.Fear had lanced my body in waves so acute they burned like needles."Please—"And then the sound — the hard, wet rip of my panties.His hard, rough hands pried my thighs open."Just the way I like 'em… small and tight."I woke up with a jerk, sweat beading on my body, my breathing ragged.God.I hated how easily it still sucked me under. I hated how easily the past still held me in thrall.But what hurt more tonight… was him.Creed.He defended
Zara's POVI heard the quiet sound of a door opening — soft, deliberate — and it snapped me out of my vicious cycle.3:00 AM.My heart jumped up into my throat."Mom?"Silence.The door groaned open and in walked a dark shadow, wide shoulders, filling my doorway like some kind of dream-creature.My gasp got stuck in my throat.Oh my God."Don't freak out, it's just me."That voice.Zed?"What the hell—" I gaped, shock slicing the room like a knife. "How did you even get through security? How did you. why are you here?"**He stood there, still, an odd softness in his eyes that had no business being there. The scent of him drifted into the room — like old books, warm skin, and something sweet, something heavy and male that lingered."I knew you weren't okay," he shrugged. "My clients don't just walk away from a job halfway through. That's not your style."Of course.Of course that was it.The money."I'll send your bloody payment once the sun rises. Now, beat it, Zed."But my voice trem
Yuki’s POVIt was past 4AM.The sky was starting to soften, the faintest shade of grey creeping in through the curtains, hinting at morning. Creed lay fast asleep beside me, his breathing slow, his face peaceful in a way it rarely ever was.I stayed still, watching him… replaying the memories of last night in my head.He'd wanted to touch me — really touch me — but I'd told him it was too early. That he still needed to take me on a good second date. He'd laughed, kissed me some more, and we'd slept like that, tangled in the sheets.Okay… maybe I woke him up once or twice. Maybe I gave him another taste of my world-famous Yuyu Roman cream-sucking abilities — but who's counting?Now, though… it was too risky.The world was getting light, and anything brighter than this…my secret wouldn't make it through.And we both had to work today."Creed… wake up."I nudged him lightly. Nothing."Creed."A little harder. He grunted and rolled over."Five more minutes, angel."Ugh — cute, but no."N
Zara's POVIt was already 3:30pmI had overheard my mum knocking a few hours earlier, saying she was off to work. I hadn't responded. I didn't get up. I just lay in the bed like some kind of lifeless object, watching shadows creep on the walls. My only friend was the heavy lump in my chest.Zed had left about thirty minutes earlier, informing me he was going to get snacks, something stupid he claimed I "had to try." He was crazy.And for getting myself tangled with him like this I was a lunatic.Because here I was — smearing my class, my name, my damned childhood, messing with someone like him.We did not have sex.I kissed him.And kissed him again.Then. like some pitiful, isolated idiot, I paid him an additional five thousand just to hold me.Hold me.God, how pathetic. Made me sick to my stomach.A light knock on the window shattered my cycle of self-loathing. I turned my head slowly, and there he was once again. Zed.Back already.I rolled my eyes but pulled myself upright, my ni
Creed's POVThe office was practically empty when I came onto her floor. Lights were off everywhere, a handful of cleaning staff moving about, and some low-key chatter in the far corner.Her office door was open, the quiet humming leaking out.There she was.Yuyu Roman.Half bent over, stuffing her things into that ridiculous pink bag with bunny pins on it.Her hair was loose tonight, spilling down her shoulder as she struggled to close the bag."Departing without a farewell?" I remarked from the doorway.She jumped up with a gasp, eyes wide. "Holy shit, you nearly gave me a heart attack!"Then she smiled, cheeks slightly flushed. "You can't creep up on a lady like that, boss man. Thought you were some office ghost."I smiled. "If I was a ghost, you'd be the first I'd haunt.""Wow. That's really. kind of sweet in an creepy kind of way," she laughed, grabbing her phone.The rest of the work team had dispersed — the whole floor felt strangely quiet without her whirlwind personality hang
Yuki's povThe sharp smack of my resume hitting the floor echoed like a gunshot in the room. My eyes darted to the crumpled paper lying there, a small but loud reminder of how this day had already gone to shit.I stood there, mouth slightly open, staring at the manager like she’d just cursed my ancestors. What the actual hell?“I’m sorry,” she said, though her tone suggested she wasn’t sorry at all. She crossed her arms, her nails clicking against her sleeve like a countdown to my dismissal. “We’re not hiring.”I blinked, thrown off. “Not hiring?” I echoed, incredulous. “I saw the vacancy notice. Like… this vacancy notice.” I held up my phone, scrolling to the job listing I’d literally applied for two days ago.She didn’t even glance at it. “Well, the position’s been filled.”What? No. No, that didn’t make sense. I’d prepped for this interview for days. I’d ironed my pink blazer to perfection, styled my hair like I was meeting the love of my life, and walked into this cold, soulless o
Creed's POVThe office was practically empty when I came onto her floor. Lights were off everywhere, a handful of cleaning staff moving about, and some low-key chatter in the far corner.Her office door was open, the quiet humming leaking out.There she was.Yuyu Roman.Half bent over, stuffing her things into that ridiculous pink bag with bunny pins on it.Her hair was loose tonight, spilling down her shoulder as she struggled to close the bag."Departing without a farewell?" I remarked from the doorway.She jumped up with a gasp, eyes wide. "Holy shit, you nearly gave me a heart attack!"Then she smiled, cheeks slightly flushed. "You can't creep up on a lady like that, boss man. Thought you were some office ghost."I smiled. "If I was a ghost, you'd be the first I'd haunt.""Wow. That's really. kind of sweet in an creepy kind of way," she laughed, grabbing her phone.The rest of the work team had dispersed — the whole floor felt strangely quiet without her whirlwind personality hang
Zara's POVIt was already 3:30pmI had overheard my mum knocking a few hours earlier, saying she was off to work. I hadn't responded. I didn't get up. I just lay in the bed like some kind of lifeless object, watching shadows creep on the walls. My only friend was the heavy lump in my chest.Zed had left about thirty minutes earlier, informing me he was going to get snacks, something stupid he claimed I "had to try." He was crazy.And for getting myself tangled with him like this I was a lunatic.Because here I was — smearing my class, my name, my damned childhood, messing with someone like him.We did not have sex.I kissed him.And kissed him again.Then. like some pitiful, isolated idiot, I paid him an additional five thousand just to hold me.Hold me.God, how pathetic. Made me sick to my stomach.A light knock on the window shattered my cycle of self-loathing. I turned my head slowly, and there he was once again. Zed.Back already.I rolled my eyes but pulled myself upright, my ni
Yuki’s POVIt was past 4AM.The sky was starting to soften, the faintest shade of grey creeping in through the curtains, hinting at morning. Creed lay fast asleep beside me, his breathing slow, his face peaceful in a way it rarely ever was.I stayed still, watching him… replaying the memories of last night in my head.He'd wanted to touch me — really touch me — but I'd told him it was too early. That he still needed to take me on a good second date. He'd laughed, kissed me some more, and we'd slept like that, tangled in the sheets.Okay… maybe I woke him up once or twice. Maybe I gave him another taste of my world-famous Yuyu Roman cream-sucking abilities — but who's counting?Now, though… it was too risky.The world was getting light, and anything brighter than this…my secret wouldn't make it through.And we both had to work today."Creed… wake up."I nudged him lightly. Nothing."Creed."A little harder. He grunted and rolled over."Five more minutes, angel."Ugh — cute, but no."N
Zara's POVI heard the quiet sound of a door opening — soft, deliberate — and it snapped me out of my vicious cycle.3:00 AM.My heart jumped up into my throat."Mom?"Silence.The door groaned open and in walked a dark shadow, wide shoulders, filling my doorway like some kind of dream-creature.My gasp got stuck in my throat.Oh my God."Don't freak out, it's just me."That voice.Zed?"What the hell—" I gaped, shock slicing the room like a knife. "How did you even get through security? How did you. why are you here?"**He stood there, still, an odd softness in his eyes that had no business being there. The scent of him drifted into the room — like old books, warm skin, and something sweet, something heavy and male that lingered."I knew you weren't okay," he shrugged. "My clients don't just walk away from a job halfway through. That's not your style."Of course.Of course that was it.The money."I'll send your bloody payment once the sun rises. Now, beat it, Zed."But my voice trem
Zara's POVI didn't sleep. Not for one second. The darkness in my room was heavy, suffocating — but not as heavy as the memories eating away at my brain."Get off of me… please…"My voice had broken like delicate glass, but he didn't care. He never did.His weight pinned me to the bed, harder, heavier, more merciless.You've been playing with me, sunflower. You have no notion how much I've wanted you," he whispered, his hot, sour breath on my skin, his face buried in the hollow of my neck, snuffling like some animal ready to strike at its prey.Fear had lanced my body in waves so acute they burned like needles."Please—"And then the sound — the hard, wet rip of my panties.His hard, rough hands pried my thighs open."Just the way I like 'em… small and tight."I woke up with a jerk, sweat beading on my body, my breathing ragged.God.I hated how easily it still sucked me under. I hated how easily the past still held me in thrall.But what hurt more tonight… was him.Creed.He defended
Creeds pov "Yuyu?"My voice came out, rougher than I intended.I felt a quick motion along my side — a turn, as though she were retreating, or hiding out.This was murdering me.I breathed in and spoke a word, quietly, as though each of my words was ripping something away."Sorry. I'm. so sorry, Yuyu. I shouldn't have let that occur. I should have defended you. You didn't have to endure that — not from Zara, not from that restaurant, not from me. I don't care what anyone else thinks. you're important to me. I don't even recall when it occurred, or how, but somewhere along the way, you. you invaded my brain. And tonight made me realize just how much."I swallowed."You didn't deserve any of it. And I hate that I'm part of the reason you're hurting. I'll fix it, I swear. Whatever it takes… I'll make this right."The silence lingered, broken only by the far-off thrum of the city outside and Suzu's breathing by the door.Then her voice — tiny, exhausted, but so heartbreakingly gentle."I
Yuki's POVThe cold water ran down my skin in thin, biting rivulets.I stayed under the spray until my fingers curled, washing over every inch of me as if I could wash away the night.Duck breast. Cherry glaze. That gilded garnish. Lavender champagne fragrance still clung to me even after the good scrubbing.God, it was embarrassing.My eyes were still on fire, but at least it was not as bad now.My dress was ruined. My pride was shattered.I stood there for a minute, just letting the water just numb me out.I wasn't even angry anymore — just… tired.When I finally emerged, wrapping myself in my enormous towel, Suzu was waiting by the door.Her little three-legged self wagging furiously, tail flapping like she didn't even know the world could be cruel.She whimpered, nuzzling at my leg, trying to lift my spirits, those black shiny eyes full of the purest kind of love.I clenched a smile. "Hey, baby."I bent down to pick her up, burying my face in her warm fur.But even she couldn't fi
Yuki's pov The world felt like it cracked open the moment Zara stormed in.Her heels clacked hard against the pristine marble floor, eyes blazing, chest heaving with wild rage.Heads turned. A hush fell over the entire restaurant. The soft classical music faded beneath the weight of her fury.“There you are, you homewrecker.”Her voice sliced through the air like a knife.I barely had time to blink before she was at our table.“Zara—” Creed stood, his hand rising in a pacifying gesture. “Calm down. This isn’t the place.”“Oh, it’s exactly the place,” she snapped, her voice a sharp, venomous thing. “It’s the perfect place to show this little fraud exactly who she’s messing with.”“Zara—” Creed’s voice was firmer now, but it didn’t matter.Because in one swift, vicious motion —she grabbed the entire plate of food and slammed it down all over me.The warmth of the seared duck breast, the sticky cherry reduction, the buttery smooth potatoes, and the gold-dusted garnish smashed against m
Zara's POVHis mouth was… firm.Softness encased in something desperate, something wild.His arms went around my waist as though I was the only thing propping him up, drawing me deeper into that pinched, gulping space between us.What was this?And worse — why did I like it?My fingers sank into his dirty shoulder-length hair, which was rougher than I'd intended, but his breath caught — a weak, gagged moan slipping out of him like a secret he didn't want to share.Then he released my lips, tracing the side of my neck with slow, soft licks of his tongue.Hold on.Hold on one damn minute.What the actual fuck was I doing?"Get off me!" I growled, pushing him away as if he'd scalded my skin.I glared at him, my chest heaving and falling, heat still pricking along my skin in the wake.His eyes sparkled — pleased, smug, infuriating."How dare you?" I spat.He had the nerve to laugh."Calm down. You kissed me."I stopped.My mouth dropped open, words elbowing for space, because he was right