Creed’s POVZara stormed into my office like a hurricane, her eyes red-rimmed, her mismatched buttons a clear sign of how hastily she had dressed. My entire body tensed. I had seen her like this before—too many times to count. And it never ended well.“You—You complete and utter bastard,” she spat, her voice thick with emotion, trembling with fury.I barely had a second to register her words before she was on me, shoving her hands against my chest, fists clenched like she was moments away from breaking apart. Her body shook as she hit me, over and over, with nothing more than weak, desperate strikes.“Why, Creed? Why don’t you love me?”“Zara—”“Why are you letting him do this to me?” she choked out, her voice cracking mid-sentence.My stomach twisted. I grabbed her wrists, gently, trying to still her trembling hands. “Zara, are you taking Molly again?”Her breath hitched, and for a split second, a flicker of guilt crossed her face before she masked it with anger. She yanked her arms
Yuki’s POVI practically drag my feet into Creed X Technologies, leaving behind a trail of pure misery.No one—literally no one—should be forced to come to work this early on a weekend. It’s inhumane.But, of course, here I am. The universe’s favorite punching bag.Maybe that’s why I didn’t even bother dressing up today—just a cropped hoodie, sweatpants, and my busted old Nikes. I looked like I had given up on life. And honestly? I had.When I push open the glass doors, the silence is deafening.The normally chaotic office is completely empty.Lucky bastards.I stomp straight to my desk and boot up my computer, forcing myself to focus. If I have to be here, I might as well crush my workload and get ahead.For the first two hours, I’m actually productive.And then—Boredom sets in.I slump back in my chair with a dramatic groan, glaring at my screen like it just personally betrayed me. My fingers ache from typing. My brain aches from thinking. I check my phone, praying hours have passe
Yuki’s POVBy the time I make it home, I feel like I’ve been dragged through the depths of hell.The cold night air does little to soothe me—if anything, it just reminds me how exhausted I am. My feet ache, my body feels drained, and my brain?Fried.I unlock the door and step inside, already craving my bed—but the sight before me makes me perk up instantly."LILY!" I shriek, sprinting toward her.She barely has time to react before I launch myself at her, wrapping her in a tight bear hug and squishing her tiny frame against me."Oh my God, Yuki—" she wheezes. "You’re going to kill me!""Let me enjoy human contact a little bit," I whine, nuzzling into her shoulder. "I have never been more drained in my entire life. Good call on telling me to wear the wig today—I would’ve definitely gotten busted for sure."Lily pries herself out of my grip, rubbing her ribs dramatically. "Yuyu, I keep telling you, one day you're gonna crush me to death and my ghost will haunt your overly dramatic ass.
Yuki’s POVI wake up feeling invincible.Maybe it’s the leftover endorphins from the weekend. Maybe it’s the fact that I had an amazing time and got thoroughly wrecked. Maybe it’s the sheer joy of being alive, of waking up and choosing violence (in the form of a rhinestone-covered dress).Whatever it is, today feels like a slay-day.I stretch out, limbs loose, body light, and roll over to find Suzu still curled up on my bed. My little three-legged princess is snoring softly, her tiny belly rising and falling with each breath.“Hey, Suu,” I murmur, stroking her fur, I'm going to get ready,are you going to miss me?”She stirs, letting out a tiny yawn before opening her eyes and barking excitedly.I laugh, lifting her up and pressing a loud, smacking kiss to the top of her head.“Yeah, I bet you are,” I say, setting her down before stretching again.Time to get ready.---My outfit is a statement.Rhinestone-covered short dress, chunky boots, and a shimmering aura of confidence. My wig i
Creed’s POVI barely make it halfway down the hall when I hear raised voices.Again.I sigh, straightening my suit as I round the corner—only to find Zara and Yuyu standing toe-to-toe in the middle of the hallway.Zara’s posture is poised, arms crossed, her lips pressed in a tight, unimpressed line. She looks as if she’s just stepped off the cover of a luxury magazine, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against her elbow with elegant disapproval.Yuyu, on the other hand—Drenched.The front of that ridiculous rhinestone dress is soaked, clinging to her in dark, wet patches, but her expression is eerily composed."What," I say flatly, "is going on here?"Zara turns to me instantly, relief flashing in her eyes as she steps forward, gracefully reaching for the lapels of my suit, her delicate fingers brushing against the fabric as if seeking comfort."Creed," she breathes, eyes soft, yet stormy with emotion. "You will not believe what just happened."I arch a brow.She exhales, lookin
Yuki’s POVThe moment I stepped into the office, I felt all eyes on me.I wasn’t surprised. I probably looked like a mess—coffee-stained, slightly damp, and definitely not as put together as usual.“Yuyu, are you okay?” Jason was the first to ask, his brows knitting together.I let out a slow breath, setting my things down before shaking my head. “Not really, but you know me—always rolling with the punches.”Amber leaned forward, eyeing my dress. “What happened?”I sighed, rubbing my temples. “Short version? I had a run-in with Zara. Long version? I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and now I’m wearing my morning coffee.”They all looked concerned."Wait," Jason said, blinking. "Zara did this?"I held up a hand. "Let’s just say she was heavily involved."Amber muttered something under her breath, shaking her head. "Damn. That woman’s a nightmare."I let out a small chuckle, but the ache in my chest lingered.Because despite my frustration, I knew one thing for sure—calling Zar
Creed’s POVThe moment I stepped into my penthouse, the silence felt almost suffocating. The space was immaculate—modern furniture, expensive artwork, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline. Everything in its place. Everything untouched.It was the kind of home that should feel grand, yet it only ever felt empty.I sighed, tossing my blazer over a chair and heading straight to the bathroom. Hot water cascaded down my back, washing away the exhaustion clinging to my muscles. For a brief moment, I let myself relax—until the sound of the doorbell shattered the quiet.I froze.Then, the faint click of heels against the marble floor.Zara.My grip on the towel tightened as I stepped out of the shower, steam curling around me. And there she was.She stood at the entrance, bathed in the golden glow of the chandeliers. A deep red dress hugged her figure, the fabric draping over her curves like it had been painted on. The slit rode high on her thigh, teasing glimpses of flawless
Yuki's povMy head was pounding.A dull, relentless throb pulsed behind my eyes, making me groan as I shifted under the covers. My mouth was dry, my limbs felt like lead, and for a brief moment, I considered staying in bed forever.Then Suzu barked.Loud. Piercing. Right in my ear.I flinched. "Not now, Mama. My shift at the bar doesn’t start until—"Wait.I don’t work at a bar anymore.My eyes snapped open, darting to the bedside clock.8:07 AM.Shit.I bolted upright. "No, no, no—fuck! Lily!"Across the bed, Lily was sprawled out, completely undisturbed by my panic attack.I shook her shoulder roughly. "Wake up! It’s past eight—I overslept!"She groaned, swatting at my hand without even opening her eyes. "Five more minutes…""Lily, it’s past eight."That got her attention.Her eyes flew open as she shot up, panic settling in. "Oh my God! Yuki! How did we—?!""I don’t know!" I groaned, rubbing my temples. "Maybe the vodka and chocolate strawberries?""Damn those evil berries," she mu
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—""
Creed's PovIt was past midnight.The bottle that I held was almost empty, but I did not mind. I was not drinking to be joyful. I was not even drinking to forget. I was drinking because it was the only way I could make the silence that greeted me endurable.I reclined slumped on the couch in my living room, the sole item of furniture that was more like a cell than home. There were shadows everywhere. The clock chimed out so loudly it sounded like a hammer in my head.And still.Still, I couldn't stop thinking about Yuyu.Fucking Yuki.With that goddamn smirk and those fuckin' sparklin' bright eyes and the way he looked at me like I was something, anything when he had no idea who the fuck I even was.I hated him.I missed him.I hadn't the fuck idea what I was feelin' anymore.Was I gay now? Did I swing this way? Did I just FUCKIN' happen to be feelin' desperately for someone, anyone, to look at me like I weren't a damned monster?Jesus Christ, no.I tipped the bottle to my lips again,
Yuki's pov The flying part wasn't scary.I wasn't terrified of airplanes.I wasn't terrified of turbulent flight or height or any of that.I was terrified of beginning again.Terrified of seeing myself.For three weeks — almost four — I had done nothing but rot. Fault myself. Cry. Break things. Apologize to specters.That was enough.I couldn't keep going on like that.Mom wouldn't have wanted me to go on like that.Grandpa wouldn't either, even if he didn't always recall me.I stared out the plane window, clouds streaking across the horizon like wet paint, my chest aching.Memories ripped at me — Creed's voice, his smile, then the shock in his eyes.Grandpa's laugh, the way he used to call me his "boy."Lily's hugs.Small shattered pieces of my life slipping further and further away from me as the plane flew east.I bit my lip hard enough to taste blood.No more tears.No more pity parties.I can do this.This is my new start.Mom would be proud.I hugged myself hard, wrapped the th
Lily's POVThe ride to the airport was too short.I continued to sneak glances at Yuki beside me, soaking him in—his dark, messy hair, the nervous drum of his fingers against his jeans, the nervous bounce of his knee.As if if I stared long enough, I could burn the picture of him into my head and never forget.He caught me staring and smiled weakly. "What?""Nothing," I said quickly, attempting to smile. "Just. don't chicken out."He grinned, but it wasn't natural. "Too late to run now, huh?""Way too late," I taunted softly.The problem was, I wished he would run.I wanted to bang the car doors closed, drive us somewhere a thousand miles from here, and wish he wouldn't be going.But I couldn't.He had to go.He needed this new start.Even if it killed me.We pulled up to Departures. Yuki opened his backpack, fiddling with the straps like they were the most fascinating thing on earth.I pulled up and turned off the engine.We sat there, neither of us moving, for a moment.Then Yuki le
Yuki's POV"You're leaving today."Lily's voice was gentle, but it hit me like a punch.I crouched at the foot of the bed, staring at the carpet. My fingers tapped on the frayed cuff of my jacket, pulling at loose threads as if I could somehow roll back time and stay here in this cramped safe room, stuck forever.I didn't look at her. I didn't move."Yuki," she said once more, coming to kneel beside me. Her hand lay lightly on my knee. "Then I think it's time you saw your grandfather."I shook my head."No, it's not," I grunted. "I'm not ready."She let out a tired, aching sigh, the kind you do when you don't want to cry. "You've been here for a month. You're better now. You're stronger, plus do you really plan on going halfway across the world and not seeing him before you go.""Stronger?" I laughed roughly. "I'm still a mess.""You're recovering," she amended. "And you have to — you'd just have to visit him before you go."Her words sliced through me more deeply than I cared to ackn
Creed's POVI slammed the office door shut so hard that the walls vibrated. The secretary outside yelped as if she thought the damn ceiling was going to come crashing down."Get me the quarterly reports," I barked. "Now."She rushed out of her seat, almost falling over her own feet. Pitiful.I paced in front of my office like a wild animal in a cage, blood pumping hotter each passing second. All of this was pissing me off every day now. The terrible coffee. The creeping elevators. The godforsaken interns' breathing out in the corridor.Five weeks. Five weeks since I let go of that imposter, yet my heart clenched at the thought of her…of him !Anger boiled in my veins over and over but today a particular anger took over me, one o couldn't explain but already had ties to That imposter I didn't need him and I wasn't gay!There was no going back for me. And I felt the whole office knew that from the very moment I resumed, a week ago Besides they couldn't blame me for their incompeten
Lily's POVToday became tomorrow.Tomorrow became next week.Next week became three endless weeks.And somehow, despite all the promises I made to myself, I still hadn't met Yuki.I don't even know how it all tightened up like that — how every small detail became so hard. Between caring for Grandpa Roman, going back and forth to the hospital for meds, doctor appointments, dealing with his therapies — life had gotten tangled around my neck with no mercy. I didn't have space to catch my breath, didn't have time to think. And amidst all of this, something gnawed at me:Yuki trusted me.I had been entrusted with Grandpa Roman — with one of the only people he loved — and deep, way down deep inside me, I knew I didn't want to let him down.But today. today was different. Today was the day. I was really going to fix all of it.I was going to go see him, apologize for whatever stupidness drove us apart, tell him about what he'd seen that day with Dan, tell him everything.Dan.He officially m
Zara's POVThere's regret.There's pain.And then there's anger — thick, bitter, wild anger.I didn't deserve this.I was the last person in this damn world that deserved this.He wasn't supposed to push me away.He wasn't supposed to treat me like… like I was nothing.I was supposed to be by his side.I was supposed to be the one to fix him. To save him.I paced back and forth in my chamber, my hands in my palms, trying to contain the storm raging inside me.The walls were closing in, the air heavy, and my mind was filled with his face. His eyes. His lips. His voice when he'd instructed me to leave.I hated him.I loved him.God — I loved him.I couldn't take it anymore."Call Zed," I barked at one of my servants.She stopped. "Now, ma'am?""Now!" I screamed.My hands were trembling. My heart thudding. I was unraveling, going crazy and I didn't give a damn anymore.Within minutes, Zed arrived.Tall, dark, as calm as ever.He always had been.The man who took orders quietly, who had a
Yuki's POVTwo weeks.That's 20,160 minutes. Twenty thousand, one hundred and sixty minutes of pure torture.I'd texted Creed so much. Too much, really. Sorrys I couldn't phrase correctly first, things I didn't have the courage to tell him out loud before, little things I knew he didn't want to hear. I texted anyway, hoping for a crumb of a reply.But there was nothing. No dot. No word. No fucking breath.So I made up my mind. I'd made it up the day everything went wrong—the day everything went in the opposite direction of my plans, like some sick cosmic joke. I was leaving New York. Done. Finito. Finished.Lily hadn't called me for two weeks either. It was as if my world had burst wide open, and I stood in the middle of a great emptiness. Grandpa Roman… two weeks of nothing from him too. Two weeks of not hearing his shaking, bewildered voice, of not chasing after him when he got me mixed up with my mother. Two weeks alone, tearing myself apart, living on my own regrets.I was complet