I smiled the moment my feet stepped out of airport grounds to the city of Tokyo. We were actually to go to Kyoto but we decided to stop in Tokyo then take a train to Kyoto after spending a day or two here.
“Wow.” I said as Ben smiled before he wrapped his hand around mine.
“I’m honestly impressed.” Ben commented as we stared at all the citizens and tourists who would wake in and out of streets, corners and roads with fancy gadgets and AI simulations. Totally different from the US and it made fifteen hours of discomfort in a flying container of metal.
“I’m so exhausted. Why don’t we take quick nap before heading out?” Ben asked as we approached a taxi.
“We’re only spending a night here before we go to Kyoto; there are a lot of tourist sites I want to go to.” I whined as Ben chuckled.
“Honey, we have five days to spend in Japan, we will make time for everything. I’m sure your internal clock is itching to rest then adjust.” Ben expl
039 Japan sure had a lot of temples for island people and Azrael who was the only Asian I knew didn’t exactly have anything to link him to his mother’s side of his family even though it was right he bears her last name as the alpha of the family. It made me wonder if it was possible to go to Osaka which was Azrael’s hometown to explore but I brushed off that thought. This trip was for me and Ben not Azrael so I shouldn’t think of him at all. We were so lost with touring Tokyo, we kept on pushing our arrival date to Kyoto today. It was fun though I felt bad a little because I left most of the packing to Ben since it was the only thing I couldn’t do and he insisted on the million-dollar treatment. “I want to go to a spa.” I said when looking at the tour manual the hotel we lodged in gave to the guests. “A spa?” Ben asked as he unpacked our things that needed out of the box. “My birthday is tomorrow so a spa cleansing i
040 I was in a café enjoying my milkshake as I looked at the people that were happy. I was born on the fifth of May in Germany and I was celebrating my twenty seventh birthday alone while my husband was in an airplane heading home. I suddenly regret not joining for that party. “I still have Todo’s email, maybe I could invite him out for Karaoke.” I said as I scrolled down my phone. I was about to text Todo when I saw someone I least expected to see. Azrael was buying a drink as well before he turned back and froze when he saw me. I broke eye contact with him but then reconsidered it and waved at him. It was awkward and he looked around before he realized it was at him and waved back. We were both quiet sitting opposite each other before I pulled my hair back. “It’s been a long time.” I said as Azrael nodded. “How are you doing?” Azrael asked as I shifted in my chair. “I’m good. What about you?” “Same.” We were
041 We arrived at a traditional inn and the moment one of the staff saw Azrael; she ran towards him and smiled at him. They were talking incredibly fast and it wasn’t like I could understand but how she acted when Azrael looked at me gave me a clue on what they were talking about. She bowed at me before she blushed with a satisfied look. “We should take a bath.” Azrael said as I stared at the elderly woman. “What were you guys talking about?” I asked and Azrael blushed. He didn’t say anything and it only piqued my interest more as I followed Azrael. “What did you guys talk about?” I insisted before Azrael paused. “It’s nothing important. We should hit the Onsen.” Azrael replied before he pushed aside a sliding door. We entered inside before Azrael closed the door behind him. The room was neat, dry and spacious with baskets stacked in rows. I was honestly expecting a lot of people here but it wasn’t that time or hour w
042 Leslie I opened my eyes slowly, blinking multiple times before I recognised the heat I was sensing. I tried to move but I felt an arm around my waist that obstructed my movement. I looked up to recognize who it was before I saw Azrael. He was sleeping with his mouth slightly open and his chest heaving gently while he snored softly. This was the first time hearing him snore whenever he slept off even though it was gentle. I looked to the left and I was shocked when I saw the yukata, we were wearing last night scattered on the ground with bottles of the sake we drank last night before I touched my lips. It dawned on me what I had done last night with Azrael and I was the one who initiated it. I quietly got off Azrael, careful so I wouldn’t wake him up before I picked my yukata up and put it on. My legs felt a little weak but it had enough strength to take me to anywhere since my body didn’t hurt. I opened t
043 Azrael I just arrived home from the airport with a frown on my face. I’ve been struggling to reach Leslie since he texted that he arrived in the US. It was frustrating especially since I couldn’t rid this anxiety and panic that was eating my flesh. Reina had mentioned that Leslie mentioned he wouldn’t be resuming work immediately and that made me overall suspicious. Leslie loved his job more than anyone could comprehend especially since he was given fresh talents to help while still working with me to produce a book that would rival my unadulterated books. “We’re here sir.” The driver said as he stopped in front of my apartment. I came down from the car, pulling down the face mask and exhaling before I took off the cap then ruffled my hair. My private building suddenly felt bigger and it made me contemplate getting another apartment somewhere smaller with neighbours who just minded their goddamned busines
044 Leslie I opened my eyes and looked down to Ben who was hugging my stomach as he breathed exhaustedly. His grip around me was weak and he was deeply asleep that I didn’t struggle to sneak out of bed like I’ve been attempting to for a while. I climbed down from the bed, covering him with the blanket before I picked up his shirt that was tossed on the floor and buttoned up. Cold, sticky fluid slipped past my legs and my face curled in disgust as I picked my own shirt from a few days ago to clean away his semen. I stood up and softly groaned in pain from the sores and the marks Ben handed to me. I had grown accustomed to the pain from Ben’s hard hand on me and I was afraid of that… Afraid of adjusting to a life of abuse. I looked at Ben who was quietly sleeping before I slipped out of the room. It’s been hard to get breathing space from Ben ever since Azrael came to see me and I was worried about him because just like Ben, h
045 Isaac The memories that haunt my dreams were happy memories of a smile and the voice of my birth mother singing me to sleep. I couldn’t remember his face but I knew he was an omega like me except white like the soft rain that melted after winter. In those vague memories, my mother and I were happy before that happiness was replaced with screams and crying that turned into nightmare. I was adopted into a family, small, warm with desperate couples longing for children but I never felt loved especially after Ben was born. I have a good relationship with my parents especially my father who dotes on me but I never felt I belonged so I always searched for my mother even till today. I was misdiagnosed when I was younger with dyslexia after failing multiple exams and due to the problem, I didn’t start school in time because my parents focused on therapy before they decided to give up and send me to school. It was in midd
046 Leslie Ben returned home as I folded laundries, ignoring the fact he was back since he kept me hostage in my own home. “I’m home.” Ben said as he walked into the living room where I was folding laundry. I ignored and proceeded with my work before he knelt down beside me and stretched his hand towards mine. I retracted mine before he could touch me before I held it securely and created some distance between us. “Sorry I didn’t mean to scare you, I just wanted to help you.” Ben apologized as I stared wearily at him. “Now that your face has healed,” Ben said as I touched my face. “Let’s go out for dinner. Just the two of us, I also got you a gift.” Ben dropped a few bags and two boxes in front of me before he pushed it towards me. “What’s that?” I asked. “I picked out some clothes I thought would look good on you, we haven’t gone out on any date in a while.” Ben said as I pushed back the gift