It's all a sham

"Everything he ever did to you, it was all a sham. A scheme to make you look unreliable," Sei explains while we sit together on the couch in the GOM lounge.

"But why? Why would he target me?" I ask as I press my back against his chest. His arms are wrapped securely around me and he nuzzles his nose against my temple.

"Because you are a soft target. He knew that you would never report him because he knew how much you needed your job. In the end it became a game to him, one where he pushed your boundaries further and further until he finally reached physical abuse. I have witnesses who state clearly that he manhandled you violently the day you and I first met," he says gently.

"How did you figure that all out in just a few hours?" I ask in awe.

"Oh, I didn't figure it all out last night. I am ashamed to admit this but I have been paying your neighbours to spy on you," my gasp interrupts him. "I am sorry, that was wrong. It breached your privacy and I had no right to do that. I cannot even bring myself to try and justify my reasons because I basically just wanted to know everything about you that I could without scaring you off," his words get softer and softer towards the end.

I turn my head to find his cheeks the same colour as his hair and I struggle to restrain my giggle. "If you really wanted to know something that badly, you could have just asked me instead of wasting money like that," I whisper to him.

His head snaps up. "But it wasn't a waste though. If I hadn't paid them for information, they would never have reported HIM and his- 'activities' to me" he states with a sniff.

I can feel myself reflecting the look of disgust on his face, and I feel sick again.

"Hey, it is over now, okay? You do not have to worry about it anymore, you are safe. I will not let something like this happen to you again, I promise. Hey, look at me, Kouki, just look at me," he murmurs.

I turn my head to look at him again. His arms tighten around me. He leans forward and our foreheads bump against each other gently. His eyes drill holes into my soul.

"Is it okay if I kiss you?" he asks softly and rubs his nose against mine.

I gulp in surprise and give a quick nod. My stomach muscles coil into a rock, but this time it's due to excitement and anticipation.

He leans closer still and I close my eyes. His soft lips brush mine and I shudder.

"I TOLD YOU THEY WERE GOING TO KISS!"

We snap apart as the room is filled with cheers and laughter.

My face feels like it's on fire, but Sei won't let me go.

A/N
Harassment is a big issue, so if it is happening to you it is better to contact the authorities before it gets out of hand.