The Sinful Liar - Shohei Ohtani x Reader.

Chapter 22: Look me in the eyes

Y/N

I am walking out of the clubhouse when I got the phone buzzing in my pocket. I pull the phone out and realize It was him. A surge of unknowing uncertainty runs through me, knowing what is in the message already.

Vague fear. Maybe. Ever since my latest night with him, I have feared him more. I think of his fierce eyes, the cold tone of his voice and his rough caresses. When his hot skin presses against mine, I cannot shake the feeling that my body is being possessed by something evil that wants nothing more than to destroy me. Even now, when my heart beats erratically, my fingers automatically move to my collarbone to trace along the lines where the swollen bruises he left.

The marks are a permanent reminder of my sinfulness, as if he has branded me for eternity with his touch alone.

My brain eases the panicked thoughts by drifting towards a calm song my father hummed to me before going to sleep. I remember the way it felt, how comfortable the dim yellow light was, and how it filtered into our cozy home from the streetlights outside. Then he would sing me this song, the words echoing faintly in my head.

"Que sera sera, whatever be, will be"

My favorite part about it was the soft lullaby he always sang. His voice was deep and low enough to be comforting and soothing, not too high for me to fall asleep but so smooth and soothing that I couldn't help drifting off to dreamland just listening. He was the only man who ever treated me so specifically. His love always brought out the best in me, even when I could not see past my own selfishness at times. 

Now that I don't know how long would it take me to find a man who could make me feel like that again.

Maybe never.

It's almost dawn. My feet ache from the walk back home. The wind whips my face with force, sending my hair flying behind my head. I have never understood why the air feels so thin here. As I approach the house, I can see light coming through the cracks in the curtain over the window on my side. The light is bright enough to let me know that everything's perfect.

"Mom I'm home," I say with the same carefree tone I used to use every single morning. She is doing something in the kitchen. From the sound of things, she may have been cooking something for dinner tonight. I slowly approach her, hugging her from behind. Her warmth spreads all over me and sends a rush of comfort and happiness to the tips of my toes and fingers. This is the best feeling in this world.

She leans back and smiles up at me.

"Hey sweetheart, how did your day go?" A joy laced in her voice, but with a slight cough.

"Mom I told you to rest and just let me finish those cooking"  I smile fondly at her and press an apologetic kiss to her cheek.

She waves me off and continues to stir the pot over the stove.  "Don't worry about it, you go ahead and shower. Auntie Bett is picking up Lou from school, they'll be back soon"  she says and then winces.

"Are you feeling better?"  Concern laces my voice.

"Yeah honey I'm fine now, I guess the sickness passed. Now I just need to eat alo" she says reassuringly, though she is still coughing.

"Promise me you won't strain yourself mom."  I look at her intensely to prove I mean it and hold her hands.

"Okay" she breathes and gives me a weak smile. She tries to squeeze my hand back, but she is still too weak to do much other than that. I release her hands reluctantly and watch her as she gets back to stirring whatever she's making.

After another moment, she adds, "You should reduce your workload, your graduation is also important" she tells me.

I sigh and nod. "Will do mom"  I reply with a small smile.