Warning: This chapter contains violence (I know you guys will read it anyway...)

Wilted Flowers

It's been three years since we first met, and I'm glad that the details aren't as clear as they used to be. All those embarrassing moments of my lowest self begging him, vulnerable as I was, appealing for his love that may have never been there.

It used to hurt me, every time I saw his name anywhere on the street, or heard it. I cut ties with all my friends, even the ones who didn't have contact with him.

And today, I don't know why I'm here, although I am well aware that it is the wedding of one of the people who are dear to me.

I'm a woman now, unlike the naive girl I had been before. And so, if he ever appeared in front of me, I'm sure I can handle it.

Just then, my phone rang, and I saw that it was the team manager. I sighed, wondering what work he wanted from me during my vacation.

"Mogami-san." His deep velvety voice said.

"Hizuri-san, I hope you remember that I am on leave with your permission. Surely, work can wait after I return, right?"

"You wound me with your harsh words, Mogami-san, I'm not in the office right now."

"Then we have no reason to converse."

"You never told me that you owned a stunningly black dress like that, and you could do your hair like that, Mogami-san." his voice had softened, as he spoke.

My body ran cold, and my heart stopped when I turned my head around, searching for a blonde head, with my phone still pressed to my ear.

"I'm flattered that you are trying to locate me, but all you need to do is look behind you."

I turned my head, frowning as my eyes met his, and my heart skipped a beat at his smirk.

He was one hell of a handsome man, but I wasn't charmed by him one bit.

He came closer, one hand in his pocket and another holding a glass of champagne. He looked breathtaking, by the looks of every woman ogling him like candy.

"Hizuri-san, I didn't know you were in this party, in this small town, on this day of small gathering," I said pointedly. It's true, it was weird for a team manager of a huge company to come to Kyoto only to attend a wedding.

"You wound me, Mogami-san, Kyoto is the place I visit whenever I have holidays. I thought you paid attention whenever I was asked about it." He took his hand and put it over his chest, grinning slightly.

I scoffed, sipping my juice, wishing he would leave me alone as I had been for the past few hours.

"I see. Well then, I'll be taking my leave. Please enjoy your stay here, Hizuri-san. And excuse me."

I took a step away from him and walked towards the corridor to escape him before he tried to flirt with me like he did in the office. I had no idea why he did that, was it to mock me? I wasn't slim like those women, or have great skin or a beautiful face that would stop cars or cause accidents.

"...Kyoko? Is that you?"

My heart stopped, and I paused in my steps as I gripped the glass, wondering God, why, why did I have to stumble upon this guy's path.

I turned my head, and met his eyes with a steely gaze, "Yes?"

I just realised that I'd almost walked past him.

Almost.

"Wow, it really is you...You've changed."

I gave him a dry smile, "Of course, its been three years since."

Since you broke my heart and trampled all over me.

He chuckled nervously, looking at me still. I was wishing I'd stayed with Hizuri-san instead of wandering into this deranged man.

"Can we...can we talk for a second, Kyoko?"

I wondered what he wanted to say now. While all those years ago, I'd spent nights and days dying for a word from him, he'd never given me even as much as a glance.

"I'm sorry, I'm afraid I've got no time to spare."

He opened his mouth to protest, when I flashed him a charming smile and held my glass, "I wish you have a good time, Fuwa-san."

I turned around and walked away before he started another drama.

However, I'm glad it went well. Why hadn't I seen it before? He might've been the most handsome man—prince of my dreams three years ago, but he was a scumbag through and through. I could see it now, that insincere gaze, and the way he stared at me. Maybe ye got bored of the women of this small town and thought I was a fresh stock.

How shameless.

But maybe it wouldn't be so bad as I'd thought before. He didn't make me nervous anymore, nor does my heart skip a beat anymore.

I guess I am moving on, finally.

"Where were hiding all these gems, Mogami-san?"

I cursed under my breath and raised my head, giving him an annoyed and a really tight smile. I really hadn't expected seeing Hizuri-san so early in the morning, why was he at this small gathering of close friends? I chose a heartline maroon sundress since there perverts like Fuwa weren't coming and I was comfortable around my friends.

"And I wonder why my boss is following me around."

"Maybe it's because you're too beautiful to let go."

"Please, how many women have swooned over this sentence?"

"If only I'd used it on them, maybe."

"Haa! I don't believe that you haven't used this line on any other woman before."

He stepped closer, as I dared him with my sharp stare, as if it didn't affect him at all. He was so close, I could smell his cologne. I stepped further away from him.

"There isn't any other woman more deserving of that compliment than you, Mogami Kyoko."

My heart skipped a beat, and I'm sure I was blushing. But I rolled my eyes, trying to show that his sexy deep voice didn't just get to me, and that look in his eyes didn't make me swoon.

"Right, a man like you admiring a woman like me. That's flattering to a fault, but I refuse to believe that you're drawn to me."

"And why is that?"

"Because I'm filled secrets you'd rather never known."

"So now you're flirting around men, huh."

I jerked my head at the person who I least expected to see right now. I searched for Chika, my friend who just got married yesterday. But she wasn't around.

I cursed.

"Why are you here?"

"I'm Yamura's best friend."

I sighed tiredly, rubbing my temple. Suddenly I felt a large hand on my shoulder and I froze. It was Hizuri-san's colonge, and I looked at him sharply as he looked at Fuwa with a friendly smile.

"I didn't know you were friends with my cousin. But please don't insult my fiancée, she is an honest, beautiful and the most amazing woman I've ever met. I hope you remember that."

Fuwa stepped back, a look of disbelief painted on his face. I once thought he was the most handsome man, but now I see how ugly he was. That disbelieving laugh, and the way he looked at me as if beckoning me to deny it.

"And even if I went around, I doubt it's any of your business, Shotaro. I hope this is our last meeting."

I started walking away, and felt Hizuri-san taking careful steps when he called my name.

"Does he know about those scars? About your father?"

My heart ran cold, and the colour on my face drained. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, taking faster steps away from the crowd in garden. I needed to get away from here, before I broke down into tears.

I wanted to be alone, but this tall huge man was right on my heel, and I had no energy to shake him off, or argue with him.

And right on clock, my phone rang. I knew who it was even before I saw the caller ID. I needed to find somewhere quiet to talk, I can't open the can of worms in front of my boss, and I wasn't in the least interested in divulging my life story to a person who wasn't a part of my private life.

"Excuse me for a moment," I said pointedly, hoping this pushy man stepped away to give me some privacy.

Taking a deep breath, I answered the call, "Hello, dad."

"Hello, my daughter, How are you?"

He was in a good mood, I guess. "I'm well, and you?"

"Haha, the same I'd been before you went. So, how's the marriage, are you enjoying it?"

I smiled a little, "It's been boring, as you know how I am during marriages."

"I know. So are you busy right now?"

"Not really, what's up?"

"Can you tell your mother to talk to the security in her apartment? Apparently, there's someone asking for me, I suppose they've seen your profile online."

"Dad...are you looking for a husband for me?"

"Of course I am, you're twenty-two, and still unmarried. I can't have you roaming around with men as you are."

I sighed tiredly, "Dad, I don't roam around with men, I don't have the time."

"Do you expect me to believe that, Kyoko?"

I shut my mouth, not daring to argue.

"I also know that you've been talking to guys over there, I don't want a pregnant unmarried woman in my house so control yourself."

I grit my teeth, holding my emotions in.

"Yes, dad."

"Remember Kyoko, I'm your father, and you are living in my house, under my control. So don't cross the limit, do you get that?"

I felt something triggering in my head, but I know, that if I respond anything untoward to him right now, I'm going to punished later.

I cannot even begin to imagine how horrible it could be.

"Did you get that or not, Kyoko?" his voice sharpened and I felt chills.

"Y-yes Dad, I get it."

"Well, then enjoy yourself and stay happy, okay?" his voice returned back to the cheerful tone, and I relaxed a little as I said my goodbyes and hung up.

"That's toxic, Mogami-san."

I froze, not daring to lift my eyes. Why was he still here? Hadn't I asked him to give me some privacy?

"I thought I'd asked you to leave me alone, Hizuri-san, why were you eavesdropping on me?"

"I just couldn't help hear it, in the beginning I was reminded of my father, so I stood reminiscing, but after sometime it got gloomy and I couldn't help hearing and seeing your face."

I heard his footsteps as I refused to see the expression on his face.

Suddenly, I was enveloped in his embrace and I froze in shock. For a few seconds I couldn't wrap my head around, as we stood in the open garden, away from the crowd.

"Hizuri-san...what do you think you are doing?"

"I'm comforting you."

"I don't need your comfort," I said, pushing him away from me. I stared at him straight in the eyes, "I'm perfectly fine, and I can handle a little disadvantage perfectly."

I couldn't believe him, was he pitying me? I absolutely hate it when people think I am an object for pitying. It pierces my already battered respect.

After a somewhat peaceful week, I returned back to work, praying to God that the team manager hadn't returned before me, because I wasn't really in the mood to see his face after that incident in the garden.

It had been four days since I'd seen his face, and I was terribly relieved. Him, and also that scumbag, who hadn't dared show his face to me. If he had, I would have made sure to kick him where the sun didn't shine.

"Mogami-san, the chairman wants to see you," My colleague said. I gave him a brief nod before locking my computer and taking my phone with me on the way to the main cabin.

I was bracing myself when I opened the door and saw tropical birds over the place with a tiger printed carpet and forest coloured walls.

I guess this week's theme was tropical rain forest...?

"Er...Sir you called for me?"

The dark haired man looked up at me and grinned, but for some reason I was getting chills, as his dark eyes sparkled. The Hawaiian shirt and bright green Bermuda shorts were bringing his eyes out for sure. And they gleamed evilly.

"Mogami-san!! Come in! Come in! Oh, Ruto, please take Annabelle with you, will you? She's making alot of noise no matter how many times I tell her to keep it down. Oh, Peter please don't protest, she's gonna be back in a few hours!"

To me, all the birds were similar, and although Ruto was able to distinguish the singing bird from others, I was able to identify 'Peter' from the crowd, and I smiled.

It was definitely amusing...or Lory Takarada was making it sound like that...

"So, I was just telling our little Kuo—"

"I'm not little, Boss." My eyes snapped to the man sitting bored and a bit irritated, on one of the sofas, sipping what looked like alcohol to me. His first button was open, and his hair was messy, as if he'd spent hours running his fingers through them.

"Right. So I was saying, my beloved go—"

"Just get to the point already," he groaned, covering his eyes muttering something under his breath.

I smiled, it was the first time I'd seen Hizuri-san so frustrated and haphazard, it was kind of cute.

"I decided to send you guys on a business trip!"

It took me five seconds to process his information, yet I failed to express my surprise. "My family won't approve of this, and I remember you agreeing to my terms when I first came to the company, Sir on the condition that I'd work extra."

"It will be for three days, and two nights—"

"I refuse."

Hizuri-san pulled his hands away from his face and stared at me in shock, while Takarada-san kept talking about the meetings and the days.

"Sir, I refuse to go."

He waved his hand dismissively, "Yeah I know, I've already spoken to your family, they agreed to make do without you for sometime, I've got the recordings right here."

I swallowed, uncomfortable with Hizuri-san's gaze and his intent concentration as the recording started to play.

"Am I talking to Mogami-san, father of Kyoko Mogami?"

"Yes, who is this?"

"I'm the CEO of LME, the company where she is working at, I needed your consent regarding a businesstrip for three days. We promise to provide all the necessary services and of course, we take great responsibility of our employees to maintain their satisfaction and of course to make sure..."

I heard his barritone voice narrate the terms and conditions of the company to my father, who in the recording hadn't said a word until Takarada-san finished talking.

There was a pause for a moment, and what I heard couldn't be true, "Alright, I give my consent, send me the paperwork."

This was unbelievable, the man sitting at home couldn't have possibly agreed. There was a catch I'm sure. Or maybe that man wasn't my father.

"I'm sure you hired someone, for voice phishing I'm sure."

He didn't say a word, but passed the phone to me, and my eyes betrayed my shock as I confirmed it as my father's number.

"I'm home!"

The lights were off, and there was no sound of the heater in the living room. Maybe he'd gone out to meet his friends. That thought stabbed my heart, thinking how he so freely went out.

Flipping the switch, I took my shoes off and placed them on the rack, hanging the keys and taking off my overcoat. I was tired, from overthinking, overworking and facing Takarada-san. I wonder if I was weak.

The stairs never felt so taller than today, I could feel my muscles contract with every step and the joints sliding against each other. Really, was I growing weaker by each day? It can be possible, I wasn't really having food.

"Why are you late, Kyoko."

I almost jumped when I heard his voice, it gave me chills. I looked up in the dark room, his brown eyes shining as if they were eclipsed by bright light, and I wondered yet again for the millionth time, what possessed him to agree in the first place.

He stood up from his rocking chair, there was one in my room, and one in the living room. He liked to keep an eye on me, and it was difficult if we were on different floors without a relaxing place with a good view.

"Your boss had given me a call, I wonder how he'd get my number."

I mustered up my courage, trying my best to calm my racing heart, "I'd submitted it as alternative number on my resume."

"Really? I have a hard time believing that," he said in a disbelieving tone, taking slow steps towards me.

I swallowed, feeling the panic rise inside, "Yes, I did tell you after coming. A-and I-d even sent you a picture," my voice was shaking slightly, I'm sure he'd noticed it too. Because he was giving me a contemptous look.

"Kyoko, why do you have prove to me about it? I don't want to see it."

It was coming, I knew it.

"So he said that you'll be travelling with a lot of people, and that I didn't need to travel along with you."

"Y-yes, th-that's exactly right," I stammered, although I didn't remember hearing this part of the conversation from the audio.

"And he also said that they'll not be able to provide me with the facilities because they're limited only to the employee."

I gulped as I reached the wall, and he stopped a few feet away.

"How did you seduce him? Was it with that body?"

I shook my head vigorously, "Of course not! Dad —!"

"I knew it was bad idea to send you for work, I should've known you would get over confident over my one mistake."

He took another step, glaring openly at me now and I knew it was coming very soon.

"I shouldn't have sent you to that wedding. I thought I should give you your rights but you exploited them, overstepping the boundaries."

"D-dad, I-I really didn't do anything—"

"Shut up!" He slapped me across the face.

Then he grabbed his favourite weapon: the worn out whip and I cowered pleading with my shaky voice as he slashed it over my hands as I held them out.

"You ungrateful girl! I cannot believe just how low you can stoop, I should brand you so you can remember it for the rest of your life! I should lock you up inside!"

The first slice felt so sharp, I yelped loudly, sure that the neighbours heard us, but they were used to it. It was against my back, and I was sure that the blouse was torn from the impact. I couldn't breathe, I felt suffocated. I should've refused vehemently when I had the chance, I should have forced Takarada-san to cancel, but he knew nothing about my father. He only thought that I was a daughter of an overprotective father.

He kept whipping me, and I closed my eyes, my skin getting used to the feeling of the whip as he slammed it throughout the night.

"Are you alright?"

I looked up, a hand outstretched and Hizuri-san's concerned gaze peering into mine. I gave him a brief nod, not bothering to answer. I'd spent the rest of the night crying after he got tired and left me in my room and didn't get a wink of sleep. I was bound to look disheveled.

Thankfully, he wasn't up in the morning, or else it would've been another round of torture.

I wonder why hadn't I ran away.

Stepping away from him, I walked towards the Uber at the entrance which was driving us to the airport. I was so thankful that Hizuri-san hadn't insisted on driving me to the airport, and he hadn't come directly to my house to pick up. Or else my father would've found another reason to make it hell for me.

But I guess there's more to come, I'm sure his informers would've already told him that there weren't many employees, just me and a man from my office.

I want to die. I want to choke myself to death, I don't want to live this life, I'm tired of it. I can't do this anymore.

Should I drown myself...?

Or should I find a gun overseas and shoot myself?

Should I walk in front of a speeding truck? Or jump off the building? Maybe drinking poison? Which would be easier? I can't handle a knife, maybe —

"Kyoko!"

I blinked my eyes, reminded that I was still in the office.

In the hallway.

There was a car at the entrance.

Warm hands on my shoulder and a large familiar chest.

"Kyoko, wake up!"

I looked up at him, frowning, "Step away. I need to walk."

"You've been standing there for ten minutes, Mogami-san, staring blankly, are you seriously alright?"

I moved his hands away, "Yes. Yes I am."

I forced my way to the entrance, walking faster as I felt his smoldering gaze at the back of my head. I felt panic rising in my chest, but I didn't want him to know, I didn't.

As soon as I sat down, I felt my phone vibrate.

Hizuri-san, being the playboy that he is, he sat beside me instead of taking the shot gun seat beside the driver.

"Hello?"

"Good morning, Kyoko, are you in the car now?"

"Yes, dad, I'm in the Uber. I'll text you once I reach the airport."

"Good. Did you have breakfast? I should've been up to get some from outside while you got ready."

"No, its fine, I ate some snacks from the convenient store, I left some breakfast for you in the kitchen."

"Yes, I saw them. Anyway, enjoy yourself, have a good time and be careful of those people. Don't trust them, okay?"

I couldn't even bring myself to smile. My heart didn't warm up, and I was used to it anyway. I knew my heart died few months ago, when just started working here.

"Of course dad, take care, you too. Okay then, bye."

"Alright."

He hung up the call, and I didn't bother looking at Hizuri-san, I knew he'd been listening to everything.

"Tell me, why do you have to take permission to go on a business trip? You're an adult now."

"..."

"Mogami-san, I don't know what you are going through, but you should talk about it to someone you can trust. If there's anything I can help you with, you can tell me."

I snapped at him, glaring at him, "Hizuri-san, I don't know why a team manager such as yourself is so concerned about me. But please stop bothering me and interfering into my business. I don't trust you."

"Then who do you trust?"

"Anyone but you."

"Really?"

I made the mistake of looking into his eyes, his dark green eyes bore into mine, and I couldn't look away.

"You don't trust anyone."

I didn't respond to that, but his gaze softened and he reached his hand out, holding mine even though I tried to jerk it away.

"You can trust me, and I promise that I'll do anything to be there for you."

He gave my hand an gentle squeeze.

"Anything."

Releasing my hand from his grip, he settled on his side while I tried my best not to regret taking the same cab with him.

He took care of everything, just like my father does every time we travel and even went as far as making sure that we got the business class seats no matter how hard I protested. I was worn out from feeling angry at him.

"Mogami-san...please, listen to me."

I turned my head, my annoyance clear on my face. "What is it, Hizuri-san?"

"I'm sorry for invading your privacy. But I really want us to be friends."

"You do realise you're my superior, right? Just because you insisted that everyone on your team not call you Sir, doesn't mean I will want to be friends with you."

"No, I genuinely want us to become friends."

"Are you asking me to be your coffee buddy, or something like that?"

"...if you want to. Otherwise I'm just fine with spending time, talking idly, cracking jokes or just enjoying each other's company in silence."

I paused, thinking about it. Was I allowed to?

"You don't have to do anything that you don't want," he said, his voice making me feel safe.

For the first time.

"Don't expect me to hang out with you all the time, or after work hours."

"Of course," he said, grinning so widely, I thought I'd be blinded by his bright light.

"Okay, so let's play something. What do you suggest?"

"Um, I don't know, I've forgotten idle games."

"What about tic tac?"

"I don't play such silly games," I said, feeling how foolish it would look.

He shook his head while smiling and took out his pen from his pocket. For the first time, I noticed what he was wearing and was surprised that he was in his casual clothes. That navy blue t shirt loosely defined his upper body, and his hair was not covered in gel either. I was surprised to see him look so normal.

"Here, I've started first."

I knew the tricks to win, but it seemed like he knew them too.

For half an hour, we kept wrestling, but neither of us won. "Shall we play another game?"

"I was just gonna say the same thing," he said, flipping the filled page over.

He drew horizontal lines on the page, with a picture of a man hanging by a stick on it. It was kind of funny, seeing such a clumsy drawing of hangman drawn by large and elegant fingers that I'd only seen writing and signing paperwork.

I hid a smile, but he saw it anyway and smiled back sheepishly. "I guess I don't seem perfect anymore, huh."

I shrugged, guessing the words.

And each time I lost, he had the audacity to snicker, making me feel frustrated.

"Why don't you choose uncomplicated words?"

"Because that would be boring"

"So you want to show your reading skills off?"

"Of course, if thats what it takes to win." He replied smugly not even in the least guilty about it.

For another few minutes, we kept arguing about it, until I saw a waitress interrupt us with some light snacks and coffee. I expected her to flirt with him, since that's what I used to read in books, but she was a professional.

I suppose she read those books too and decided to be different from them.

The hours of not sleeping was getting to me, and I felt drowsy. It'd been more than twenty hours, probably thirty since I last slept at all. I suppose I can...sleep...till we...lan...ded...

"Kyoko-chan?"

I could hear that voice, but I didn't want to respond, so I pretended to be deep asleep.

"Come on, we have landed now. You can sleep after we've reached the hotel."

I forced my eyes to open, and the moment my eyes felt the light enter inside, I could feel a sharp pain in my head, my limbs felt heavy and I couldn't bring my body to obey me.

Pushing my hand on the armres, I stood up, but my head spun and I felt my legs giving away and my mind went blank again.

"How much did he pay you for that body?"

"So when did you start running behind rich men? Did you meet your mother?"

"He's your father, he has the right to know about what you're doing."

"Women who are under my control can stay, I don't need people who don't follow my rules to stay in this house."

"Kyoko, your father may get angry, but he loves you. He buys you whatever you ask, letting you go college."

"Didn't I tell you not to write anything like this?! Why are you going against my wishes? Don't get caught in that slut's Trap!"

"Again, I thought you were better than this, why are getting brainwashed by that woman?"

"When are you going to learn?"

"Kyoko, why doesn't he understand me? Why is he indirectly cursing me while hitting you?"

I felt something on my lips, wet and soft and it felt so foreign, I had never felt something like this...what was moving?

My eyes snapped open, and I found myself lying on the bed, with a pair of lips firmly placed on mine, moving as gently, slowly and warmly as possible, but I couldn't understand anything, the tingling reverberating throughout my body, I felt hot in places I'd forgotten I'd ever feel again.

I pushed the suffocating body over me away from me and gasped for air, horrified at the realisation that I was kissed without consent.

I glared at the person, shocked to see Hizuri-san staring back at me intently, as if there was nothing around us, and he was going to continue what he'd been doing a few seconds ago.

"What the hell do you think you were doing?" I yelled, wiping my lips vigorously, angry and still stunned.

"Waking you up."

"Did you think you were some prince in Sleeping Beauty?! How could you take advantage of me like that?!"

He took a deep breath, picked himself up from the floor and stared at me less intensely.

"You were asleep for three days straight, and for the first time, you were murmuring something and I had a difficult time waking you up."

I panicked, I knew it was showing on my face as I tried to get up and search for my phone.

"What are you doing? You haven't recovered yet! At least wait for a minute until I get the doctor!"

"No! I've got to see my phone right now, I have to!"

"If you don't calm down, I'll kiss you again."

I stopped struggling, glaring at him as he sighed tiredly. "Please, just for a moment. Okay? Promise me that you won't move from here until I'm back."

I turned my head away defiantly, I don't wanna make a promise I can't keep, and I certainly don't want to deal with this overbearing man.

He left the room, giving me a final look as he left and returned as quickly as he'd gone, discussing something with the doctor.

The doctor looked at me and smiled, "Mogami-san, how do you feel right now?"

Hizuri-san slipped out and I felt relieved, because I didn't want to talk in front of him.

"I feel better than I did before, but I don't feel any pain on my back...?"

"I asked a nurse to apply some ointment on your back, however I need to ask you," she said, taking a seat beside me while taking my vitals, "How have they come about? Is it the man outside?"

I shook my head, giving her an awkward smile, "No, its not. He is my boss from office and we happened to be on a business trip here."

"I see. But if you need to share anything, or feel like you want someone to reach out, here's my number."

She smiled in satisfaction as my vitals were all normal, but she explained that she'd taken a blood sample and I was malnutritioned.

Before she left, she called out to me, "By the way, that man was going crazy when he brought you to the hospital and insisted that you were looked into only by a female doctor..."

I frowned, wondering why she'd told me. But I felt warm inside, touched that he considered the fact that I might be uncomfortable being touched by another man.

Maybe he wasn't all that bad as I've been thinking, but again, Sho and my dad seemed like that too. For a few minutes, I got into contemplating, until the door opened again, and Hizuri-san entered the room looking less disheveled than before.

"How are you feeling?"

I didn't know how to answer that question. "Fine, I guess."

Running his hand through his hair, he sat down beside me, looking at me earnestly.

"Kyoko, I know it's not my place to intrude, but if you ever want to share I'm here."

I didn't say anything, I could only realise just how handsome he was.

"Where's my phone?"

"Ah, its in the hotel room, I brought you straight here after you collapsed and asked one of my friends to drop our luggage off at the hotel booked for us."

"I need to call my father," I replied, my heart beating faster than ever, realising just how deep in trouble I'm going to be after I get home. This was supposed to be a three day trip, but it extended and now I am terrified of informing dad.

There was a dark look In Hizuri-san's eyes, and I shivered, the cold look was much more terrifying than my father's.

"Your father tried to manipulate through the systems, and talk to boss, but Boss himself isn't reachable. He called me too, but I didn't pickup, and there's a text message waiting for me from him."

My hands and feet grew colder, I was dead, I knew that. I should just die right now.

"Kyoko, I know I just said that it's not my place to intrude, but I can't. What are those scars on your body? Heck, why do you have them?"

I was shaking, already feeling the terror of facing the devil, and here a person, almost a stranger to me is asking me questions like these that I wished no one would ever find out.

Suddenly, I felt myself getting enveloped in the calming scent of sandalwood and Hizuri-san.

No, Kuon.

He didn't feel like a team manager to me. He felt safe.

"Don't worry, I promise I won't ever let anyone hurt you in any way."

I closed my eyes and revelled in his arms, keeping all those questions aside. For now, it is enough.

Author's Note:

Hey guys! Why is it that my mind comes up with brilliant ideas only and only in the exam season? I definitely need to find out...

I'm back with another story. Actually, this was supposed to be a one shot, but I cannot write more as you know...exams...

Anyway, let me know what you guys think, and if I should continue or let this be just a glimpse of what it could have developed into.

Thank you so much for all the reviews, I really love you all 3