-Haruka POV-
Now, today is the day. The day I'll put a stop to everything, Claude's threats are going to end today. Here I am, in front of Claude's mansion. Of course Ray is here with me.
The grand estate loomed before us, bathed in golden light. The lavish display of power was nothing new, but tonight, it felt suffocating. Ray and I stepped through the entrance, escorted by two of Claude's men.
Inside, Claude sat comfortably on one of the ornate couches, swirling a glass of wine in his hand. His smirk widened as he looked at me, then at Ray.
"Haruka Charles Auclair." He drawled, amusement lacing in his tone. "I take it you've come to accept my offer?"
I let out a soft chuckle, but it wasn't one of agreement. "Not quite."
Claude raised an eyebrow. "Oh. Then, why are you here?"
I pulled out the small USB drive from my pocket and tossed it onto the table between us.
Claude's smirk faltered for a fraction of a second before he let out an amused chuckle. "Oh? And what might that be?"
I leaned forward, lowering my voice just to make sure he knew I wasn't playing. "You've been careless, Claude."
His expression didn't change, but I could see the way his grip tightened slightly around the glass.
Ray stepped forward, placing a neatly folded piece of paper on top of the USB. "Inside that drive are financial records, offshore accounts, and my personal favourite, proof of bribery and coercion. Everything we need to ruin you."
Claude's smirk disappeared entirely.
I didn't let up. "One word from me, and this information goes straight to the press. The so-called perfect son of the president? Finished. And let's not forget about your father. Imagine how the world would react if they knew just how deep his corruption runs." I said that with a sharp gaze.
Claude finally set his glass down, his eyes dark and unreadable. "You have a lot of nerve, Mr. Auclair."
I smiled. "I learnt from the best."
The room fell into a suffocating silence. Claude studied me for what felt like an eternity before exhaling a quiet laugh. It wasn't amused, it was something else. Something more calculating.
"You're playing a dangerous game," he said, voice steady but laced with warning. "And you don't even realise it yet."
I didn't blink. "I know exactly what I'm doing." I said that firmly.
Claude exhaled through his nose, as if he were suppressing something. Anger, maybe. Or amusement. "Interesting." He reached out, picking up the USB between two fingers before setting it back down.
Then, he leaned forward, just enough to make sure I caught the sharp glint in his gaze.
"Tell me, Mr. Auclair. Did you really think this would be enough to bring me down?" He asked with a smirk.
I held his stare. "No. But it's enough to make you think twice before threatening Levi again."
Claude's smile returned, slow and deliberate. "Ah. So this is about him."
I clenched my jaw but didn't respond.
Claude tilted his head, his smirk widening. "How sweet."
I forced myself to stay calm. I couldn't let him get under my skin. Not now.
"You have two choices," I said, my voice cold. "Back off or be prepared to watch everything you've built come crashing down."
Claude let out a small chuckle. "Didn't you say that's not enough to bring me down? I don't think I need…"
"Then what about this? Is this still not enough to bring you down?" Ray cut Claude off, showing him a video.
A video that was taken during the party that has been held at Claude's mansion. A video that surely can bring him down in just one click.
Claude's eyes flickered between the two of us before narrowing at Ray. "You," he muttered, clenching his fist. "How did you get this?"
Ray chuckled, tilting his head in amusement. "Oh, you don't remember?" His smirk deepened. "I was at your party last night. Quite the event, I must say."
Claude's expression darkened even further. "You…" His grip on the glass in his other hand tightened.
Ray leaned in slightly, his voice taunting. "You were quite… distracted last night."
Realisation dawned on Claude, and for the first time, I saw genuine fury flash in his eyes. He slammed his glass onto the table, shattering it instantly.
"You played me." He hissed.
Ray shrugged. "Don't flatter yourself. It was just business."
Claude stood abruptly, his fists clenching. "You think this little game of yours is amusing?" His voice turned sharp as he snapped his fingers. "Teach them a lesson."
In an instant, his men lunged toward me. I braced myself, ready to defend myself, but before they could reach me, Ray moved first.
With fluid precision, he intercepted the first man, twisting his arm and sending him crashing into the table. Before the second could react, Ray delivered a sharp kick to his ribs, making him stagger back.
Right, Ray used to be the champion of international competition in boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Jeet Kune Do, and taekwondo. Of course, taking care of Claude's weak men would be a piece of cake for him.
"You're getting in my way." Claude's glare deepened.
Ray exhaled, straightening up. "That's kind of my job, isn't it?" He glanced at me briefly before turning back to Claude. "Back down, Claude. You've lost this round."
Claude's jaw tightened, his fury barely restrained. For a long moment, he said nothing, only staring at the both of us with unreadable eyes.
Then with a deep exhale, he let out a low chuckle, though there was no humour in it. "Fine. You win this time." His gaze locked onto me, something dark simmering beneath it. "But don't think for a second that this is over."
I met his glare head-on. "I never do."
With that, I turned on my heel and walked toward the door, Ray following closely behind. As we stepped out into the cool night air, I let out a slow breath.
"That went well," Ray muttered, wiping a bit of dust from his sleeve.
I glanced at him. "You really seduced him?"
Ray smirked. "Had to make it convincing, didn't I? I even disguised myself as the most beautiful one."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips. We had won this round. But I knew, just as well as Claude did, that this game was far from over.
"Well, since it comes to this, I'm guarding you from now on. Twenty-four hours. No exceptions." Ray said while crossing his arms.
I stopped in my tracks. "What?" I looked at him in disbelief.
"You heard me." His tone was firm. "You're not going anywhere alone. I don't care if it's a damn coffee run. I'm going to look after you 24/7."
"Ray, that's unnecessary." I narrowed my eyes.
"It's completely necessary." His jaw tightened. "Claude may have backed off for now, but I know his type. He's not just going to let this go. If anything, he's probably already planning something."
I let out a heavy sigh. "I can take care of myself."
Ray laughed dryly. "Oh, really? Like how you took care of yourself just now? Walking straight into the lion's den, threatening a man with more connections than we can count?"
I gritted my teeth. "That was different."
"No, it wasn't." Ray's voice dropped slightly, frustration bleeding into his words. "You keep throwing yourself into danger like it doesn't matter. Well, guess what? It does matter. You matter."
I froze.
Ray exhaled sharply, his expression softening just a fraction. "Look. I agreed to help you, but I'm not letting you get yourself killed in the process. So, like it or not, I'm sticking by your side. Twenty-four hours. End of discussion."
I wanted to argue. To tell him he was being ridiculous. But I couldn't.
Because I knew Ray. And I knew that when he made up his mind, there was no changing it.
"…Fine," I muttered.
Ray smirked. "Glad you're finally listening to reason."
I rolled my eyes, but a small part of me felt… relieved. Even if I wouldn't admit it.
"So, what are you going to do now?" Ray looked at me.
"I need to go see Levi." I replied, eyes looking down at my own two feet. I really want to see him right now.
Ray let out a small sigh before he spoke. "I'll take you there." Ray said that, and we both entered the car and left Claude's mansion for Levi's place.
The drive to Levi's place felt longer than usual. Maybe it was exhaustion, or maybe it was the weight of everything that had just happened. Either way, by the time I reached Levi's place, I felt like I could finally breathe again.
"Go on. I'll leave once you get inside." Ray said, and I did as he said.
I rang the bell, and it only took a few seconds before the door swung open, revealing Levi in casual clothes, his hair slightly tousled as if he had just gotten comfortable for the night.
His eyes flickered with mild surprise. "Haru-chan, why are you here this late?"
I opened my mouth, but the truth felt too heavy, too complicated. So instead, I forced a small smirk and said, "It's because I miss you."
A lie.
And yet, it wasn't. I really did miss him.
Levi looked surprised, but he didn't seem suspicious. Instead, a soft chuckle left his lips as he stepped aside. "Idiot. You should've just called. Come in, Haru-chan."
I stepped in, feeling a strange warmth settle in my chest at how easily he welcomed me. It had been a long night, but being here with him made everything else feel distant.
Levi walked to the kitchen and returned with a glass of water, handing it to me as he sat down on the couch. "You look tired," he noted, studying me.
"I guess I am." I admitted it.
"Then you should rest. You're staying the night."
It wasn't a question.
I hesitated for only a second before nodding. "Yeah."
"Oh, but what about the babies? I bet they're going to get mad at you for always leaving them alone." Levi let out a chuckle, he's talking about the kittens.
"I asked the housekeeper to take care of them tonight." I lied. Actually, I asked Ray to look after the kittens.
Levi didn't argue. Instead, he stood and stretched. "Come on, let's sleep."
The moment we got to his bedroom, something shifted. The air between us felt lighter, softer. Neither of us spoke when he pulled me closer, our lips meeting in a slow, lingering kiss.
I didn't think about Claude. I didn't think about Ray's warning or the danger waiting outside these walls.
Right now, there was only Levi.
And for tonight, that was enough.
I didn't realise how much I needed this until I felt the warmth of his body beside mine, his steady breathing lulling me into sleep.
For the first time in a long time, I let my guard down.
And I didn't regret it.
-THE NEXT MORNING-
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. The warmth beside me was comforting, and for a moment, I allowed myself to stay still, my head resting against the pillow as I listened to the quiet sound of Levi's breathing.
I wasn't sure when I had fallen asleep, but I knew that I had slept better than I had in a long time.
A quiet rustling pulled me from my half-sleep state. I opened my eyes to see Levi sitting up, stretching slightly before glancing down at me.
"Are you awake?" His voice was slightly raspy from sleep.
Levi smirked. "You look dead."
I rolled my eyes, pushing myself up. "Good morning to you too." I said in a sarcastic tone.
Wait, morning. What time is it now? I reached for my phone to look at the time. It's 9 o'clock.
"Oh my. Levi, we're late for work." I said in panic.
"Don't worry. I told Sophia that I'll be working at home today and that you'll be helping me." Levi said that with his poker face.
"Huh? Why would you do that?" I asked him, raising my eyebrow.
"You said you're tired. I figured you might need some time off." He said that with a smile.
He stood up and stretched again before heading towards the door. "Come on, I'll make us something to eat."
Breakfast was quiet and comfortable. Levi moved around the kitchen with ease, handing me my favourite hot chocolate without even asking.
It felt… normal. Too normal.
And maybe that's why his next words caught me off guard.
"Let's go out today."
I looked up from my drink, raising an eyebrow. "Huh? You said I should take some time off today."
Levi leaned against the counter, watching me with an expression that was both amused and expectant. "Right, I did say that. So, let's go on a date."
I nearly choked on my drink. "A date?"
He shrugged. "Yeah. Why not?"
I stared at him, searching his face for any sign that he was joking. But Levi didn't joke about things like this.
"We're not even a couple." I pointed it out.
Levi smirked. "So?"
I had no response to that.
He tilted his head. "Unless you don't want to." He said that, and it sounds like he tried to emphasise that word.
That wasn't the problem. Not at all.
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Where would we even go?"
Levi grinned, as if he already knew I'd say yes. "Leave that to me."
I wasn't sure whether to be nervous or excited.
But when Levi grabbed my wrist, pulling me up from my seat with that same confident smirk, I decided maybe, just maybe, I didn't mind letting him take the lead.
TO BE CONTINUED!!!
PS/: I HAVE FINISHED MY FINAL EXAM BUT I'M GOING TO START MY INTERNSHIP PERIOD NEXT WEEK :(. SO I THINK I'M GOING TO UPLOAD NEW CHAPTERS 2-3 TIMES A WEEK ONLY. THANK YOU FOR READING <3