𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐁𝐓𝐄𝐃

XI - sickly sweet

"You look really tired, [Name]. Have you not been sleeping well?"

Ha. That's the understatement of the century.

"I got home late last night," you said, lightly massaging your throbbing temples. It had been a very big mistake drinking all that wine. Not only did you have a massive hangover, but you could remember the way you'd acted around Ryu, outright clinging to his arm and repeatedly thanking him. Thanking him, of all people. The man who'd brought your entire life crashing down.

God. The thought alone made you sick.

"Try to take it easy today," Yuki suggested with a concerned expression. "You don't want to pass out from fatigue. There isn't much to do around here right now, anyways. If you finish up with the filing quickly, maybe Ryu will let you go home earlier."

"Ha," you chuckled humorlessly. "I'd have a better chance asking Satan himself."

Yuki gave you an awkward, apologetic look, probably realizing what he'd said wasn't exactly the most realistic outcome. Still, you were surprised that Ryu had even taken you out for dinner last night in the first place. All things considered, it didn't make sense. You shuddered a bit, wondering if he might add the cost of last night's outing onto your debt.

If that was his plan all along, he really is a sick fuck.

Not that it would've been all that surprising, but it didn't matter right now anyways. All you could do was put your head down and work like a dog, hoping that your efforts would one day appease your master and grant you your freedom.

Ryu kept coming in and out of the office throughout the day. He probably had little errands to go on, though you knew better than to strike up a conversation with him and ask what they were for.

At some point, he actually stopped in front of your desk, with a faint smile on his lips.

"[Name]," he said. "How are you feeling today?"

"I'm good," you replied immediately. You weren't, of course, since your head was throbbing nonstop and you felt like puking, but it was better if he didn't know that.

"Work is going well, I hope?"

"Yes, sir. I've finished all of today's files, and now I'm getting a head start on the ones marked for tomorrow."

Ryu's smile widened. "It might be the first time you've called me that."

"I beg your pardon?" you frowned.

"Sir. I mean, you've never called me that before. It looks like I've done a very good job of turning you into a model worker. It has a nice ring to it, but between you and me, I wouldn't mind if you keep addressing me by name. It feels more familiar, and we're already quite close, aren't we?"

"Right," you said, brows creasing involuntarily. He thought you were close? Maybe in the literal sense. You lived in the same house, for crying out loud. Or had last night's outing gone to his head and fed his massive ego even more?

"Say it," Ryu demanded, leaning over so that his face was right in front of yours. "I would like to hear you admit it."

"We're close, Ryu," you swallowed. "Of course we are."

"Yes, that's right," he laughed, placing his hand on your head and messily tousling your hair. "I'm the man in charge of your life, after all. And we're only going to get closer. You are indebted to me, my dear. I own every inch of your body, and I have the right to know everything about you."

You flinched a bit, feeling shame well up in your chest. "Yes, Ryu. I belong to you, and no one else."

"Good girl," he praised, and without warning, he pressed his lips against your forehead. When he stood back upright, he was smiling so proudly you would've thought he'd won the lottery. "Stay on task, now. Keep working a while longer, and as a reward, I'll let you have an early day for a change."