𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 || 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐢 𝐀

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟗 : 𝐌𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐞

I stood alone in our apartment, lost in thought. Three days had passed since Hange's party, and Ryan's behavior had changed course. His usual boredom was replaced by a brooding intenseness, a simmering rage barely contained.

I recalled snippets of Ryan's conversations, hints of a rival undermining his business. The man he fought, was reportedly selling cheaper goods to lure Ryan's new clients. But was that the whole truth?

Ryan's busyness was a thin blanket, concealing secrets.

The silence surrounding me felt overpowering, punctuated only by the ticking clock. Shadows danced on the walls, echoing my darkening thoughts.

Ryan burst through the door, his piercing gaze commanded attention, his chiseled features set in a resolute mask. The laptop he carried seemed a tool for revelation, its sleek design misrepresented by the weight of secrets it held.

"Sit," Ryan directed, his deep voice firm but controlled.

I nodded, my pulse quickening, and settled beside him on the couch. The coffee table, once a haven for casual conversations, now seemed a battleground.

Ryan placed the laptop on the coffee table, his eyes never leaving mine.

Ryan's gaze intensified, his eyes like two glittering onyx stones boring into mine. "How do you know Hange?" he asked, his tone even but laced with suspicion.

My voice barely above a whisper, I replied, "She was just a customer...showed me kindness."

Ryan's jaw clenched, the muscle twitching with restrained emotion. His eyes narrowed, as if to extract every hidden truth.

Ryan's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through mine. "What about the guy who fired the shot?" he asked, his voice low and deliberate.

My nerves fluttered, words tangling in my throat. "I...I've run into him a couple of times," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.

Ryan's expression darkened, his jaw clenched. "What do you mean, 'run into'?" he pressed, skepticism etched on his face.

I shifted uncomfortably, my heart racing. "Just that...we've crossed paths. He's a stranger, nothing more."

Ryan's eyes bored deeper, searching for hidden truths. His silence hung heavy, like a challenge, daring me to reveal more.

My skin prickled beneath his intense scrutiny. I felt transparent, exposed.

Ryan's piercing gaze held me captive. "How much do you know about them, (y/n)?" he asked, his voice measured and deliberate.

I hesitated, my mind racing. "Just their names...Hange and Levi."

Ryan's expression turned reflective, his lips pursed. He nodded slowly, processing fragmented pieces.

A sigh escaped his lips, a low, controlled exhalation. His fingers danced across the laptop keyboard, the screen flickering to life.

The soft hum of the laptop filled the room, casting an eerie glow on Ryan's face. Shadows danced, highlighting the sharp planes of his features.

With each passing moment, the silence grew heavier, like a physical presence in the room.

The air thickened with anticipation, heavy with unspoken revelations.