Share

BIG BRUISE

Penulis: VEEWRITES
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-13 05:15:57

Yuki’s POV

I buried myself under the blanket as the sharp knocking filled the entire house, blending with Suzu’s frantic barking. My heartbeat sped up. Whoever it was, they weren’t giving up easily.

There was no way in hell I was answering that door.

Lily had done a good job with whatever miracle ointment she’d slathered on me last night. The bruises barely looked half as bad anymore, though I still felt like a walking, talking wound. Some good rest and a steaming pot of soup should have me ready for work tomorrow.

"Will this cover all the bruises?" I had asked her last night.

"This is medicine, not Jesus, Yuki. Lower your expectations," she’d replied dryly, dabbing more onto my wounds.

I hissed at the sting, but at least it was working. Mostly.

Now, I pressed deeper into my blankets, listening. The knocking had stopped, but there were muffled voices.

Lily?

No, she wouldn’t knock. She had keys.

Curiosity got the best of me. I pushed myself up, groaning as my body protested. Slowly, I
Lanjutkan membaca buku ini secara gratis
Pindai kode untuk mengunduh Aplikasi
Bab Terkunci

Bab terkait

  • PRETEND PRINCESS   ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A FRUSTRATED BOY

    Creed’s POVIt’s been four weeks—a full month since the whole Yuyu mix-up. Now it was December, which meant winter, which meant the company’s complementary vacation was next week, followed by the gala.Damn Madam Olive and her compulsory events."Everyone is going to run from your company if you work them like this," she had said years ago, massaging her temples like I was some kind of hopeless case. Then she threw in that ridiculous all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy nonsense.I remember scoffing. All work and no play makes Jack a rich boy.But it wasn’t up to me anymore. The team that won—the one from Yuyu’s department—chose a mountain resort. A snow-covered hellhole.This was going to be a long week.And it was only a few more months until I married Zara.That thought hit me like a chain snapping around my throat, cold and suffocating. The Creed Malcom from before wouldn’t have cared. I would’ve gone about business as usual. I hardly even entertained women anymore. In the e

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-13
  • PRETEND PRINCESS   LOVE IS AN IDIOT

    Yuki's povI stared at the screen for a solid five seconds before I answered. "Oh, wow. Who is this? I don't recognize the number because, you know, you never fucking call me.""Don't get started," Eric said, voice smooth, a little frayed. "I'm calling you now, aren't I?""Yeah, after weeks of nothing, Mr. International Playboy.""Business trips, baby. You know how it is.""Do I? Do I really? Because last I knew, business trips didn't consist of you disappearing off the face of the fucking world."Eric huffed theatrically. "You're so heartless to me.""And you're so thoughtless."There was silence. I bit my lip, tightening fingers around my phone. Every time Eric would leave, he made me as if I were nothing. No calls, no messages. Like I was forgotten. And every time, I told myself I wouldn't care. That I was accustomed to it.But still, it stung.Eric broke the silence. "I'm gonna be in town next week."I blinked. "Next week? Like, after I get back from the resort?""Yeah."I exhaled

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-14
  • PRETEND PRINCESS   LOVE IS AN IDIOT

    Yuki's povI stared at the screen for a solid five seconds before I answered. "Oh, wow. Who is this? I don't recognize the number because, you know, you never fucking call me.""Don't get started," Eric said, voice smooth, a little frayed. "I'm calling you now, aren't I?""Yeah, after weeks of nothing, Mr. International Playboy.""Business trips, baby. You know how it is.""Do I? Do I really? Because last I knew, business trips didn't consist of you disappearing off the face of the fucking world."Eric huffed theatrically. "You're so heartless to me.""And you're so thoughtless."There was silence. I bit my lip, tightening fingers around my phone. Every time Eric would leave, he made me as if I were nothing. No calls, no messages. Like I was forgotten. And every time, I told myself I wouldn't care. That I was accustomed to it.But still, it stung.Eric broke the silence. "I'm gonna be in town next week."I blinked. "Next week? Like, after I get back from the resort?""Yeah."I exhaled

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-15
  • PRETEND PRINCESS   WHY DID I HAVE TO WIN

    Yuki's pov The group erupted into joyful screams."No fucking way!" Jason bellowed, his voice on the verge of cracking."This is insane!" another person screamed.Others began to pull out their phones and take photos and videos like they had just been informed they were getting on a flight to heaven. I just stood there. Stunned. Completely shocked.Creed has his own personal plane.I shouldn't be surprised. The man practically oozed wealth, but this was different. This wasn't just money. This was stupid rich people money.As the plane doors opened, about four flight attendants stepped out, dressed like they were auditioning for Best Etiquette: The Reality Show. Their uniforms were perfect—so neatly pressed, I was convinced not even a speck of lint dared to touch them. They walked in perfect unison, their smiles polished, their posture so straight it could rival a steel rod.“Welcome aboard the Creed 1011,” one of them said with a graceful bow. “We will be assisting you throughout the

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-15
  • PRETEND PRINCESS   EVER PINE MOUNTAIN RESORT

    Creed's POVSince everybody was in the lobby, I cleared my throat and addressed the team."For the meantime, everyone needs to rest," I told the room, scanning the faces. "We're heading to the resort later this afternoon. Our flight was overnight, so all of you need to recuperate first before anything else."There were agreements, as well as some tired yawns."Rooms are already booked," I continued, looking at my watch. "You all should have your key cards in your emails. Call the front desk if you need anything."And I dismissed them.I was not even that fatigued, but I went to my suite anyway, Zara trailing behind me.She was already talking by the time the door closed behind us."I still don't see why you chose this place," she sulked, letting her designer handbag fall onto the couch. "We could have gone to Switzerland. Or Japan. I could be shopping right now instead of being stuck here in this pit."I tuned her out, heading over to the minibar to fix myself a drink. The hotel wasn'

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-15
  • PRETEND PRINCESS   BE GONE

    Yuki's pov "Mind if I join you for a swim too?" he asked, already pulling his shirt off.I gave him a bland look and sipped my drink. "I'm actually having some time to myself, but thanks for offering."It was the nice way I could say get lost.For a second, I figured he'd catch on, but he just smiled wider, no doubt believing my spurning was flirting."Oh, c'mon," he coaxed, moving in closer, "you can't just be here alone, looking all—""I see you're having a good time.”That low, unmistakable voice sent a brutal shiver down my spine.I jerked my head up.Creed.Oh, God.My heart slammed into my ribs. I didn't even have to look around to know I was trapped.I stiffened right away, panic scrabbling up my throat.It wasn't that I didn't like Creed—not at all.The problem was… Creed wasn't in my circle, he was a billionaire, a billionaire with a very angry girlfriend.Something about all of it was wrong, plus above everything else, I wanted to keep this job and every single time he was

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-17
  • PRETEND PRINCESS   DON'T FALL

    Yuki's POVI have no clue who among my marketing co-workers doesn't like me, but apparently, someone does.That's the only explanation for why I am now standing in the midst of a winter wonderland hell, strapped to a death machine they call a snowboard, instead of lounging in my toasty, safe hot spring."This is a terrible idea," I declared, crossing arms and trying to will my co-workers away with stubbornness.Come on, Bunny, don't buzzkill me," Surf Bro—also Steve Blake, also my own personal nightmare—grinned as he tightened the straps on my boots. "You've got to send it! Full send! Ever shred anything before?"I gave him a nasty look. "I have never, ever shredded a single thing in my whole life except cheese, and I intend to keep it that way."The marketing team erupted into laughter."Yuyu, you have to at least try!" one of them teased."Come on, don't you want to experience what skiing on snow is like?" another hinted."Yes," I nodded for effect. "I do. And that is why I watch ot

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-18
  • PRETEND PRINCESS   EXPOSED

    Yuki’s POVI sprinted to my room like my life depended on it.My helmet was barely clinging to my head, my wig had shifted, and my entire body was screaming at me in confusion, frustration, and absolute panic.I slammed the door behind me, tearing my helmet off with such ferocity that it bounced off the ground. My hands tore at the idiot snowboarding gear that had let me down."Idiot board, idiot straps, idiot Creed and his idiot…idiot everything!" I snarled, biting at the boots first and nearly falling over as I kicked them off. The jacket was next, then the pants, and—That's when I saw him.Jacob.Standing in the corner of my room.Holding a bouquet of flowers.Staring at me with wide, frozen eyes.Oh.OH FUCK.My wig was already halfway off, my bonnet hanging around my neck like some miserable scarf.And worse—My, uh, somewhat unfortunate situation was still revealed.For a good five seconds, we just stared at each other.Then, I did the only logical thing.I screamed.A full, ma

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-19

Bab terbaru

  • PRETEND PRINCESS   THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA

    Yuki's povFriday already, and I walked into the office looking a whole lot better than I had all week. Something about waking up without crying counted as a victory, I guess. I had on my favorite pink pantsuit, fitted in the right places, flared in the right places, over a white blazer and over a white crop top that was wrapped around me like a best friend's hug. Whoever gave the assignment to get me to stop dressing like Yu-Yu Roman because I was a boy must not have been the one. Yu-Yu Roman was not a costume; it was me. Me fabulous, me bold, me crazy. Yuki wearing a wig. And no, I didn't mind if that made people nuts. In fact, that was half the fun. And although I didn't have the one thing that burned in my heart at the moment—Creed—I still needed to be me. For Grandpa. For Mom and Dad who watched from heaven. For myself.I stopped at the entrance of the workspace and put my hands together in a quick prayer gesture. "Let today be fabulous," I said quietly. "And keep the haters in

  • PRETEND PRINCESS   NOT SO HOLLOW

    Yuki's POVI wrapped my knees around my chest, buried my head, and let myself fall into the quiet. Just for an instant. Just until the false voices stopped in my head."Hey," I spoke softly to nothing. "If you were here… I think I'd be okay."But he wasn't. And neither was I. So I let the quiet overtake meEven without Creed,and his pretty features and shary mouth .I still had Lily. My best friend. My sister from another mister. The only one who got all my colors, from cotton-candy pink to black rage. And though it looked like we were floating away, tangled in our own lives, what better time to pull her close than now? Especially when every corner of me felt empty and paper-thin.And I missed Grandpa Roman. My forever cranky sunshine. I'd not heard his deep voice in days, had not seen his sleepy grin, had not made fun of his horrid sock choices. I felt lost.So I phoned.The screen flashed, the spinning loading wheel whirring like a worried dancer across the stage. And then Lily's fa

  • PRETEND PRINCESS   FIND MY WAY HOME

    Yuki's POVI was pissed. Incandescent with anger. Japan wasn't like America, and I was suddenly bitching out,at my state of distress. Already a minute to midnight and running out of battery.The streets of Tokyo, which had once been so vibrant and alive, had grown quiet and deserted, and I was left with only my thoughts and the faint light of streetlamps. I had roamed the city streets, trying to clear my head, but now I couldn't find any familiar landmarks. The city's maze-like streets and the absence of street names made things no easier."Fine," I complained, lowering my voice to an impersonation of Creed's. "Miss Roman, how did you get lost?"I continued with the act, playing the two parts."Well, Mr. Creed, I took a walk to calm my head and ended up. here.""Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant."I signed, feeling the weight of it all crashing down on me. "Something must be really, really wrong with me," I whispered.I wandered along the streets, the maze-like layout of the city not he

  • PRETEND PRINCESS   ANGRY BIRD

    Yuki's POVI was tired.No—tiredness was for ordinary people who had to deal with traffic and taxes and misplace where they left their keys.Me? Fatigue. Soul-burned. Heart-frost. Libido-dead. It had been what, two million years since I'd had sex? Okay, not that long but in Yuki time, that was practically Jurassic.And I knew I was exaggerating—but I'm a drama queen. Or was.Recently, I was just. ugh. Even the people I work with noticed. And let's be real: when I bring the bad energy, it's officially doomsday. Usually, I'm the one bouncing around like a human glitter cannon, dispensing sarcasm and skipping through patients' rooms with brightly colored hairpins and irresponsibly sweet coffee. Today,Today, I sat behind my desk like a cheap Squidward.You okay?" Jim whispered by, a tray in her hand and that knowing frown on her face."Peachy," I growled, poking at the keyboard as if it offended me personally.She didn't believe me. No one did.Because I wasn't okay.Nothing was okay.I

  • PRETEND PRINCESS   HAPPY YOU'RE HERE

    Lily's POVIt had been almost a week since Yuki had departed for Japan. I was still not used to it. We had not been communicating on a regular basis, not since the craziness with the job, the farewell, and all that lay in between. But saying goodbye to him that day had marked my heart. It felt like something irreversible. Like something had ended. I could not say the words, but part of me felt abandoned.Dan had been trying his best. I liked him—I really did—and today we were going to catch up at last the way we were meant to. A genuine date, a sit-down dinner at our favorite Italian place on Twelfth and Granville. We hadn't had anything romantic in weeks. Work, life, Yuki leaving, Grandpa Roman. everything had just made things complicated.Grandpa Roman.The notion tugged at me again. I had finished my hospital shift at three. My plan had been simple: go on over to the nursing home, see Grandpa Roman, and then catch up with Dan at five. But as I stepped into the old folks' home, rain

  • PRETEND PRINCESS   NOTHING LIKE I'M USED TO

    Yuki's POVTo think that no one would prepare you for culture shock. It's not the major things that catch you. It's the little stupid, sorta terrifying details. Like public transportation. Like buses.I was standing in front of what I thought was the right bus stop, blinking at the brightly colored sign in Japanese. There were arrows. There were times. But there was also this little voice in my head going over and over, "Yuki, you're probably in the wrong place."Guess who was right? Not me. Absolutely not me.By the time I knew the buses here wouldn't stop unless you flagged them down like you were drowning, the one I was waiting for flew by with grand disdain. I was standing there like I was committing a dramatic anime opening with my white fur coat shining in the sunlight like I was out of a cosplay magazine. Wind cue. Panic cue inside.I was late to work. Not "fashionably late." Not "five minutes, still cool" late. Actual late. Like-the-office-was-already-roaring-already late.An

  • PRETEND PRINCESS   CHEERFUL WORKDAY?

    Yuki's PovThe scent was the first thing that hit me when I entered the building. Cool, lemon air freshener with a hint of cinnamon. The lighting was soft, not harsh, the floors clean but not sterile. If warmth had a form, it was here. My white fur coat billowed behind me as I moved, heels clicking on the tiles. I looked down at myself—black trousers, white boots, no wig, no disguise. It was strange, unreal. Almost as though I'd just stepped off a long, exhausting play. A six-month performance of someone who was never quite myself.The receptionist's chair was empty briefly before a round lady with puffy cheeks and bright blush waddled towards me like an overactive panda. Her eyes twinkled behind her spectacles, and her smile nearly reached her ears."Oh my God! My name is Sue!" she said, grasping both of my hands in hers. "You're Yuki, right? We're so happy you're here! Come, come, come, your desk is here."She didn't let go of my hand when she led me down the hallway, past some glas

  • PRETEND PRINCESS   I MISS YOU

    Creed's POVI stormed into the office.No. That wasn't it either.I walked in.Calm. Too level. The kind of level that came after a tsunami had destroyed a whole city. Nothing left to agitate. Nothing left to feel. Just ash and silence.The door slammed shut. The sound echoed like a gunshot inside my head. I didn't blink.I walked past the reception. My staff barely looked at me anymore. Some ran. Some whispered. Some stared with suspicious, questioning eyes. It didn't matter.I opened the door to my private office and entered the air-conditioned mausoleum of my kingdom. Neat. Quiet. Smelling of leather, citrus, and my last application of cologne. A fragrance I hadn't deemed worthy of wearing in four years.I dropped my briefcase. It landed on the floor with a thud that was louder than it should have been.I sat down. Carefully.There was no rush.There was no anything.My fingers wandered to the keyboard out of habit. Not intent. I stared at the screen for too long without registerin

  • PRETEND PRINCESS   NOT WHAT I WANTED

    Zara's POVZed was over at my place again.He made himself way too comfortable, sprawling on the couch in my room like he owned the place.Tonight, he brought over some weird Mexican something.I didn't even catch the name. He said it twice. Maybe three times. But it just sounded like sounds to me.He kept trying to feed it to me, holding a forkful in front of my mouth like I was some stubborn kid with medicine to swallow.I shook my head so hard."I don't want anything to do with that," I grumbled, folding my arms across my chest.Zed glared at me, still chewing.I could tell he didn't get it.Not the food.None of it."I don't know why you're upset," he said, setting the container down on the coffee table."You got what you wanted. The imposter was exposed. You should be dancing. Celebrating."Celebrating?Celebrating?I let out a panted laugh, a laugh that did not sound anything like a laugh."This wasn't what I wanted," I whispered.Zed blinked, confused."You wanted the truth—""

Jelajahi dan baca novel bagus secara gratis
Akses gratis ke berbagai novel bagus di aplikasi GoodNovel. Unduh buku yang kamu suka dan baca di mana saja & kapan saja.
Baca buku gratis di Aplikasi
Pindai kode untuk membaca di Aplikasi
DMCA.com Protection Status