The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime revealing a sea of glass , sliver and silent people who all looked far more important to breathe.
The word Noctis Corporation glowed elegantly on the far wall .
My hands were shaking so badly I nearly dropped my purse . I'd barely slept the night
before ---- the memory of Rin snapping a vampire's neck lika a twig. I was a mess .
Still rent and safety didn't pay for themselves . So here , I was stepping into the office of the woman who had saved me ....and terrified me . Also broke the glass of the store were I was working and payed it with my pay check .
Rin Kurozawa's Office was at the very top floor . When I knocked , her voice answered -- calm , cold and somehow soft .
" Enter "
She was standing by the window when I walked in , the morning sun catching strands of her back hair .
She looked like a goddess sculpted in moonlight , sipping coffee as if she didn't drink blood for living .
" You're late ..... She said without turning , " By three minutes. "
My stomach dropped, " I -- There was a traffic and my son ---- "
" Human are all of excuses " She interrupted , finally turning her gaze on me .
" Truly Useless . "
I had no idea what that meant but I nodded as if I did .
She handed me a stack of files that looked heavy enough to kill a small animal . " Sort these by dates , client names , and emotional tone. "
I blinked ," Emotional tone ? "
Her lips curved faintly , " I like to see how people write when they're lying . "
I wasn't sure whether to laugh or run . Instead ,I sat down at the desk beside hers and started sorting , pretending I understood what I was doing.
After the tenth paper cut . I realized I probably didn't.
Hours passed in tense silence . Every now and then -- I caught her looking at me .
Never with warmth but with kind of quiet curiosity . Like she was studying a puzzle she couldn't solve .
Around noon , I tried to lighten the mood .
" So .... Miss Kurozawa , do you always drink black coffee ? "
Shw looked up from her laptop.
" Black . No sugar ." A pause . Then her sharp eyes flicked to mine . " But I suppose....
" I could learn to enjoy sweetness. "
I choked in air . She smirked faintly , returning to her screen .
The rest of the day blurred together --- mistakes , awaksed silence, and one particularly embrassing moment where I spilled water on her desk .
She didn't scold me . Just stared with those unreadable eyes , before me handing me a towel .
" Human are clumsy. " She murmured her tone almost fond .
By the evening fell , I was exhausted . As zi was gathering my thngs , she spoke again -- softly this time .
" You did well ,Ami . "
I froze . I was the first time she said my name.
When I turned ,she standing too close --- too close . Her breath brushed my ears as she whispered.
" Tomorrow come earlier. I hate ---
" Waiting "
My heart skipped , heat rising to my cheeks .
She smiles faintly and for the first time I wondered ---
Am I her employee or Her prey ?