The Sinful Liar - Shohei Ohtani x Reader.

Chapter 15: Salt and peppermint

I move from kneeling to sitting on the floor, trying to contain the urge to throw up.

He still waits for my answer, his breath coming out in slow, uneven bursts.

Collecting every bit of strength I have left, I say hoarsely, "The project, I mean, Lars suggested that we go camping in a forest nearby." I almost choked on the words.

"And I want to ask if you're okay with that" I add quietly.

"Camp? Forest?" he asks incredulously, his eyebrows shooting upwards.

"Yes, he said that he hated the beaches." I reply with my throat begging me to let it rest.

His expression changes instantly from disbelief to realization. Then he lets out a sigh, his eyes lock to the ceiling, and his hands start drumming against the edge of his chair, rhythmically.

"That damn boy never gets over it" he mutters.

Get over? I don't understand much, but I know that he was referring to something that happened in the past. However, I don't dare to ask him about the details of whatever that "something" was.

There's a silence that descends upon the room.

He clears his throat, his eyes suddenly looking down, meeting mine once again. "If he said so, then just go ahead" he nods, standing up quickly, his gaze fixed on me.

"Meet me tomorrow night. Same old place, same old time" he adds before exiting the room. As soon as he reaches the doorknob, I stand up and call his name.

"Shohei...Thank you. For paying the bill"

He goes silent for a while. His back is facing me as he fumbles around with the knob in his hand.

"You don't owe me anything. You're working for me and you're being paid." he answers shortly without turning around.

And with that he leaves the room. And before long, the door closes behind him with a resounding bang.

I let out a heavy sigh. I feel the beating vein in my throat, reminding me that I've just swallowed all of his seeds.

The phone rings, bringing me back to reality. A quick glance at the caller ID tells me it's Joely.

"Hey Y/N, what took you so long? Did it work?" she sounds impatient, probably eager to hear about it.

"It worked..." I mumble, thinking back to when I had the chance to look into his eyes to say a nice thank you, not a hasty one when he's about to leave.

"Okay, but what's wrong with your voice?" she asks.

I realize that my voice is still raspy from being penetrating. "Oh... It's nothing... Just tired" I shrug.

"Anyway, have you got any other ideas?" I change the subject.

Joely snorts. "Yes. We have started to collect their old footage," she replies. "But just leave it for tomorrow, do you want to have dinner with us?"

That sloshing uncomfortably in my belly. Nausea pricked at the edges of my consciousness, a queasy disquiet that refused to be ignored.

"I've already eaten, Joely. Just go and eat with Luka, I'll go home now"

***

"Turn around"

I look up, my mouth being messily filled with his warm white liquid. 

For a split second, his expression remains impassive. But then, the corner of his lips curls into a proud smile.

I lick my lips and stand up, turning myself around slowly. My hands clench nervously on the counter table, feeling like they're sweating profusely.