"You're Late."

Chapter 7: Lesson Learnt

Chapter 7.2: Under The Mirrors gaze

"No," I assert firmly, trying to push past the discomfort. "Speak up," she insists, her gaze probing. I gulp, summoning my courage, and shake my head. "No," I repeat, standing my ground. Haerin nods, her smirk growing wider. "Okay, good," she says, her tone laced with amusement. "Then there should be no problem then." I furrow my brows in confusion as she turns around, heading towards the stove. "Wait, what?" I start to protest, but before I can finish, she tugs at my robe's belt.

With a yelp, the fabric falls away, leaving me completely exposed. I instinctively move to cover myself, feeling vulnerable under her gaze. "No problem being completely naked while I enjoy my meal," she states matter-of-factly, leaving me gaping in disbelief. "What on earth do you think you're doing?" I demand, incredulous. Haerin feigns innocence, her actions calculated. "Just making sure we're both telling the truth. I don't like lies," she explains casually, before turning to serve a single plate, complete with forks and knives. As she picks it up, she gestures for me to follow. "Come on," she says, her demeanor unapologetic. I growl in frustration, unsure how to respond to her audacity.

With a mixture of indignation and bewilderment, I follow Haerin to the dining area, feeling exposed and uncomfortable. She sets the plate down and takes a seat, motioning for me to do the same. Reluctantly, I comply, my mind racing with questions and frustrations.

As I sit down opposite her, I can't help but feel a surge of anger at her audacious behavior. "This is ridiculous," I mutter under my breath, glaring at her.

Haerin simply smiles, unfazed by my reaction. "Relax," she says casually, picking up her utensils and beginning to eat. "It's just dinner."

I watch her for a moment, unable to comprehend how she can be so nonchalant about the situation. "Just dinner?" I repeat incredulously. "You literally just... stripped me naked in my own kitchen!"

She shrugs, taking another bite of food. "Well, I didn't hear you complaining," she retorts, her tone teasing.

I grit my teeth, feeling a surge of frustration. "That's not the point!" I snap, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment and anger.

Haerin sets her utensils down and leans back in her chair, studying me with a curious expression. "What's the point, then?" she asks, her tone more serious now.

I take a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. "The point is... you can't just do whatever you want without considering how it makes other people feel," I explain, trying to keep my voice steady despite the turmoil of emotions swirling inside me.

She tilts her head, considering my words for a moment. "I suppose you're right," she concedes, surprising me with her admission.

"So, how do you feel?" She says, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife. I glance up, caught off guard by the sudden intensity of her question.

"What?" I stammer, trying to process the flood of emotions swirling inside me.

"Are you upset, mad? Do you wanna hurt me?" She continues, her tone casual as she takes another nonchalant bite of her food. I feel the weight of her words pressing down on me, each syllable heavy with unspoken implications.

Haerin's blunt question catches me off guard, and I find myself struggling to formulate a coherent response. "I... I don't know," I manage to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper.