My name was Germaine Shaw. I'd just graduated from college, and my plain résumé made my job-seeking journey challenging. I'd lost the only job I'd managed to get after the internship ended because I'd turned down my superior's attempts to harass me sexually.The difficulties faced in my job search got me down. I stayed at home all day, demotivated and depressed.One day, while doom-scrolling, a new game caught my eye. "This is a romance game where you have all the freedom you need. Meet your destined half in the virtual world—set yourself free and release your pent-up desires!"Judging from the tagline, I couldn't help thinking the game wasn't a proper one. However, as soon as that thought formed, my rebellious side acted up.Since childhood, Mom and Dad had kept me on a tight leash. Despite already graduating from college, I'd yet to experience being in a relationship or dating anyone.For whatever reason, I downloaded the game. When I entered the game after the download was comp
It was dark in the living room, and Mason's eyes gleamed as he looked at me. His gaze was filled with so much desire that he was almost oozing it.He lifted my hand and peppered my knuckles with soft kisses. His action was almost worshipful. His breathing grew heavy, and I heard him ask, "Can I kiss you, angel?"I flushed, and my heart raced. My blood coursed through my veins, making my eardrums hurt with how much it was rushing. I tensed, which showed my nervousness.Mason continued smiling as he looked at me. Then, he pressed his ear to my chest. He tapped a finger lightly on my chest, making me feel like I was burning where our skin met. I couldn't help trembling from the sensation. "Is your heart beating so quickly because of me, angel?"I parted my lips, but my throat was too dry for me to make a sound. Suddenly, one of Mom and Dad's lectures popped into my mind. Their words reverberated in my ears—they wanted me to be obedient and to keep myself chaste.Mason didn't stop t
When I woke up the following morning, I felt the other side of the bed—it was cold. Mason had long since left.This got me down a little. I wondered whether he'd only confessed his feelings to me in the heat of the moment because of the charged atmosphere. Had he woken up and realized the age gap between us was too huge?I couldn't hide my dejection as I lay back down in bed. My vision became blurry—I felt like I was going to cry.Just then, the lock on the door clattered. I got up to see what was happening when I ran into Mason, who turned the corner with a bouquet of roses.He looked flustered as he hurriedly hid the flowers behind him. Then, looking a little upset, he said, "I'm sorry for waking you up, angel. I wanted to give you a surprise."I cocked my head and smiled at him while glancing at the flowers. The bouquet was so huge that he couldn't even hide it.He continued, "You shouldn't have been the first to bring up the subject—I should've been the one giving you a prope
On this day, Mason was a little late to pick me up after work. I waited for him outside the building, feeling like someone was secretly watching me. I didn't know why, but I felt an intense uneasiness. I looked around, feeling a little anxious as I waited for him.I finally saw his figure after a long while. He held a huge bouquet and waved at me from a distance, signaling that I wait for him there. I relaxed and started heading in his direction. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a masked man move with me. I panicked and quickened my pace to leave the company and the security guard's line of sight.When Mason and I were close to each other, I suddenly heard him yell. He threw the bouquet aside as he dashed toward me. I was in his arms before I realized what was happening. Then, I smelled blood in the air, my heart still racing from the sudden turn of events.Mason had blocked a dagger with his right hand to protect me. At the same time, he kicked the attacker to the gro
I remained at the hospital to care for Mason as he recuperated. Since being injured, he grew more practiced at using my love for him to get his way. He insisted on having me feed him every meal. If I disagreed, he would whine about his hand hurting and say that I didn't love him.I had no choice but to go along with him. Whenever I gave in, he would smile cheekily. It was adorable.…As the end of the year approached, Mason and I had to return to our respective homes. Our relationship turned into a long-distance one.Mom and Dad had always been strict with me—it was boring playing by the rules while stuck at home. All I could do was secretly have video calls with Mason at night once Mom and Dad had gone to sleep. It was the only way to alleviate my longing for him.On New Year's Eve, the fireworks went off like crazy. I had an early dinner and ducked into my room. For the first time ever, I took the initiative to give Mason a video call.He smiled so widely his eyes crinkled, a
On this day, Mason was a little late to pick me up after work. I waited for him outside the building, feeling like someone was secretly watching me. I didn't know why, but I felt an intense uneasiness. I looked around, feeling a little anxious as I waited for him.I finally saw his figure after a long while. He held a huge bouquet and waved at me from a distance, signaling that I wait for him there. I relaxed and started heading in his direction. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a masked man move with me. I panicked and quickened my pace to leave the company and the security guard's line of sight.When Mason and I were close to each other, I suddenly heard him yell. He threw the bouquet aside as he dashed toward me. I was in his arms before I realized what was happening. Then, I smelled blood in the air, my heart still racing from the sudden turn of events.Mason had blocked a dagger with his right hand to protect me. At the same time, he kicked the attacker to the gro
When I woke up the following morning, I felt the other side of the bed—it was cold. Mason had long since left.This got me down a little. I wondered whether he'd only confessed his feelings to me in the heat of the moment because of the charged atmosphere. Had he woken up and realized the age gap between us was too huge?I couldn't hide my dejection as I lay back down in bed. My vision became blurry—I felt like I was going to cry.Just then, the lock on the door clattered. I got up to see what was happening when I ran into Mason, who turned the corner with a bouquet of roses.He looked flustered as he hurriedly hid the flowers behind him. Then, looking a little upset, he said, "I'm sorry for waking you up, angel. I wanted to give you a surprise."I cocked my head and smiled at him while glancing at the flowers. The bouquet was so huge that he couldn't even hide it.He continued, "You shouldn't have been the first to bring up the subject—I should've been the one giving you a prope
It was dark in the living room, and Mason's eyes gleamed as he looked at me. His gaze was filled with so much desire that he was almost oozing it.He lifted my hand and peppered my knuckles with soft kisses. His action was almost worshipful. His breathing grew heavy, and I heard him ask, "Can I kiss you, angel?"I flushed, and my heart raced. My blood coursed through my veins, making my eardrums hurt with how much it was rushing. I tensed, which showed my nervousness.Mason continued smiling as he looked at me. Then, he pressed his ear to my chest. He tapped a finger lightly on my chest, making me feel like I was burning where our skin met. I couldn't help trembling from the sensation. "Is your heart beating so quickly because of me, angel?"I parted my lips, but my throat was too dry for me to make a sound. Suddenly, one of Mom and Dad's lectures popped into my mind. Their words reverberated in my ears—they wanted me to be obedient and to keep myself chaste.Mason didn't stop t
My name was Germaine Shaw. I'd just graduated from college, and my plain résumé made my job-seeking journey challenging. I'd lost the only job I'd managed to get after the internship ended because I'd turned down my superior's attempts to harass me sexually.The difficulties faced in my job search got me down. I stayed at home all day, demotivated and depressed.One day, while doom-scrolling, a new game caught my eye. "This is a romance game where you have all the freedom you need. Meet your destined half in the virtual world—set yourself free and release your pent-up desires!"Judging from the tagline, I couldn't help thinking the game wasn't a proper one. However, as soon as that thought formed, my rebellious side acted up.Since childhood, Mom and Dad had kept me on a tight leash. Despite already graduating from college, I'd yet to experience being in a relationship or dating anyone.For whatever reason, I downloaded the game. When I entered the game after the download was comp