Chuuya x OC ~ Let the memories cry (Bungou Stray Dogs)

Chapter 14

"As Chuuya told you, I wanted to recruit you personally," began the dark-haired man behind his desk, while she was facing him on the other side, tense to the extreme. "I was reluctant to leave you alone in this city, with your memories missing and your origins unknown. Will you accept this offer? I would like to hear your response directly from your mouth."

Zoey froze for a moment, sweat pouring down her temples, looking at her interlocutor with frightened eyes. Then, as if she had suddenly remembered how to speak, she opened her mouth, and her voice came out more high-pitched than she had intended.

She was tetanized with stress, there was no denying it.

"O-of course, I graciously accept!" she stammered, trying as hard as she could to soften her accent, to no avail. "I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done for me, and on top of that, you offer me a job..."

A gleam appeared in Mori's sharp eyes, which disappeared as quickly as it had appeared when he closed his eyes, a friendly smile on his lips. So much so that she thought she had been dreaming, and did not dwell on the matter.

"Perfect, then. Do not worry about the investigation into your past, or that of your attacker; the Mafia will take care of everything for you, as long as you are loyal. It is a win-win situation, in other words."

Zoey nodded vigorously, not trusting her voice and risking making a fool of herself again. A sudden movement she immediately regretted when the wound on her neck called her to order.

She must have grimaced a little more than before, despite her efforts to keep her pain to herself, as Mori raised an eyebrow.

"Are you still in pain? Strange, the doctors should have given you some painkillers... "

"Ah...! They did," she interjected hastily, not wanting anyone to get fired because of her. "It is just that... I forgot to take them, I think..."

There she was. She was provided with everything she needed, and she had the nerve to say she did not use it... If there was a worse professional interview than hers, she was curious to see the resulting disaster.

She was careful not to say that she had indeed taken the painkillers. But that, against all odds, they had not really stopped the pain from assailing her. No doubt because the dose was not high enough, or maybe because this kind of medicine did not have much effect on her?

But she had been terrified of revealing this to her doctors, and thus risking being seen as a spoiled brat who always wanted more. So, when the nurse had asked her if she was still in pain, she had said she was not, and gritted her teeth to keep from showing that she was blatantly lying.

The pain was bound to go away on its own, so there was no need to bother others about it. Some patients were in a much more complex state than she was.

"I see..." replied her future boss in a deep voice, examining her carefully.

She had the impression that this man was able to see deep into her soul, to detect her lies and what she did not want exposed. And that made her shiver, though she did not really know why.

"You are very thoughtful, Zoey. There is no denying that. But remember, that is an open door to those who mean you harm," he finished with a smirk, without adding anything else.

Leaving her still, once again, unable to understand. Was not being nice a good thing?

This question stirred something deep inside her, unsettling her for a moment. A voice whispered to her that, precisely, being a good person only brought good things.