Okay, so I got too keen and my fingers wouldn't stop typing. But I really have to go and pack my suitcase now. Enjoy, enjoy. I love you all for reading! Thank you!

Ciphertext – Chapter 17: In Safe Hands

Eun-ji arrived at the address Zen had given her. It had been pretty easy to locate and only a fifteen-minute walk away from Rika's apartment. Google Maps was a life-saver at times like these. Ensuring that her hood and sunglasses were aptly covering her face, she approached the front door and pressed the buzzer. There were a few seconds of silence until she heard the clunking of someone picking up the intercom receiver.

"Who is it?" came Zen's voice.

"It's me. I don't think anyone followed me."

"Oh, that's a relief. Sorry if I sounded a bit harsh just now. I get suspicious whenever anyone presses that buzzer. Those journalists are so meddling. I'm glad you made it. Can you let yourself in? The door should be unlocked."

"Ok. I'm coming in." Eun-ji pulled down on the door handle slowly, easing her way into the hall.

Zen raced down the stairs, eager to finally meet this mysterious girl who had made her presence felt over the past few days. As he reached the last step, he saw her.

"Emily … "

Eun-ji just stood there, a little uncomfortable about suddenly being in another man's home, especially one who was becoming so popular among the musicals fangirls. She knew he possessed an unearthly attractiveness, but she didn't expect him to be this smouldering hot, even in the simple striped top he was sporting.

Zen smiled warmly. "Well, you don't have to just stand there. Come in." He eyed her haphazardly constructed outfit. "I see you got dressed in a hurry this morning." He covered his mouth, trying his very best not to laugh at how ridiculous she looked.

"Oh …. Is something funny?" she said, a little perplexed by his reaction.

"No, no. I just …" he paused and took another look at her. "… your outfit is quite amusing. Those are Rika's clothes aren't they?"

Eun-ji did that thing where she cocked her head to the side. "How did you know that?"

"Because I remember her wearing these and thinking … they're just not right for you," he said. "Plus, you wouldn't have any of your own clothes with you. That wouldn't make sense."

"You're right … since I didn't expect to end up here."

Zen moved closer to her. "Well, I for one, am glad you did end up as an RFA member, however it happened." He removed her sunglasses and folded them up, placing them onto the small credenza near the entrance. "It's not sunny inside. You can take these off."

Eun-ji stared up at him. His cheeks were already tinged with red and his eyed widened as he noticed how sweet and innocent she looked.

"Are you alright? Do you have a fever?" she asked, completely misreading the atmosphere.

Zen flapped his hands around. "Uh no, I mean yes, I'm fine. Just … a bit hot."

"I'll take this hoodie off as well. It is pretty warm in here. Do you have the heating cranked up too high or something?" She removed the hoodie and folded it up into a neat shape, leaving it on the credenza with the sunglasses.

"Actually … the heating isn't on. This place is just naturally insulated."

"Well, I guess that you're so hot that you don't need heating, am I right?" Eun-ji chuckled, feeling a bit smug that she had made a fangirlish comment.

That wasn't what Zen needed to hear. It was true, of course. If it wasn't, he wouldn't spend so much of his free time posting selfies to his Twitter feed and getting uncountable likes and retweets. But why did she have to declare it in such a playful tone? It was cruel, considering how she felt about Luciel.

Zen faked a smile, trying to accommodate her as best he could. "Anyway. Can I get you something to drink?" he asked, leading her into the living room.

"Do you have any alcohol?" she asked.

Zen was taken aback by her request. "WHAT?"

"Anything alcoholic?" she repeated.

"No. I mean, I do have beer … but a lady shouldn't be drinking at this time of morning, it's bad for your skin and your health! Can't I just get you some tea or something?"

"I don't care about my skin right now! I'm just angry with Seven and feel like drinking." It came out far more directly than she had wanted it to. Seeing Zen's concerned expression, she sighed and rubbed her face to try and snap herself out of the funk. "I-I'm sorry … you're right. It's not the right thing to do. Tea will be fine. Thank you."

"Alright. Take a seat and I'll go and make you some. You can have a look at those magazines on the table if you like. They're mostly issues featuring my photo shoots or interviews, but there's also some other entertainment magazines … just in case you're fed up of my beautiful face already." He walked into the kitchen and left her to it.

Eun-ji studied the pile of publications he was referring to. She picked up a copy of the Korean version of GQ magazine that was at the top and started to flick through it. She reached the fifth page and saw a stunning double-page spread with an interview and a picture of Zen tied up and half-shirtless for some musical called "Promiscuous Jalapeno Topping". She ran her gaze over his perfectly-formed torso and the pitiful expression of torture on his face.

Wow … he really takes care of himself!

Zen returned a couple of minutes later with a tray of tea and some rice cakes, placing them down on the table.

"Here you go. Help yourself, and if you want more, just let me know."

"Thanks, Zen."

Noticing the magazine she was reading, Zen blushed and averted his eyes slightly. "Oh, I see you're reading the article about Promiscuous Jalapeno Topping? That musical was … an interesting experience, but it really moved my career forwards, so I always feel grateful for that opportunity."

Eun-ji couldn't resist giving him some stick. "Reading the article? I mean, I was actually just checking out this photo of you," she said, pointing to the image. "Do you like being tied up?"

Zen really didn't know what was going through this girl's mind, but decided it was best to give a vague response to that question. "Hmm … no, not really."

"No? It doesn't look like you're enjoying it in this musical either …" she observed. "Would you like to be tied up?"

Some very bad thoughts crossed Zen's mind and he mentally reprimanded himself, trying to distract himself from getting turned on.

"Tied up … by you?"

Eun-ji blushed. "No!" she said, in quite a loud voice. This made Zen jump. "I mean … no, that's … that's not what I meant."

"If it's you I guess I wouldn't mind it," he said, immediately regretting his decision to speak so rashly. His mind had switched to autopilot and the switch was breaking.

Oh shit, I said too much. Emily … don't take me seriously!

Eun-ji was too stunned to answer right away and just held the magazine open in the same place. "Really?"

"Oh, well … but that's not going to happen anyway, so just forget that I ever said it." He tried to laugh it off and poured some tea into a cup for her. He didn't want to give her more bait.

"Zen," said Eun-ji, in all seriousness. "Do you … want to try it?"

What is she on? What is she thinking? Why is she making me answer these questions? She only wanted to talk to me about the situation with Seven, so why … why does she want to torture both my body and my mind? I need to be sensible and draw a line here.

"Emily … I really think we should consider the consequences of letting those kinds of fantasies escape our imaginations."

Eun-ji didn't know what she was talking about either. It just came out, and she wasn't sure this would be the right decision. It could all be nothing more than a big, fat mistake to have even mentioned the idea.

A mistake. Just like last night had been. Or so Luciel seemed to believe.