Stephen's Point Of View
Sunday dawned and Stephen awoke in his bed. He stretched and reached out to hold Mizuyuki, only to find that he was not in the bed.
"Mizu?" He called.
"..."
There was no reply. Beset with anxiety he jumped out of bed and rushed to the closet. Ever since learning he had a new wardrobe, Mizuyuki would sometimes walk around inside the closet looking at all the things bought just for him.
Stephen walked into the closet but found it empty. He walked out closing the door, then heard a small splash coming from the bathroom. He opened the door and found Mizuyuki soaking in the bathtub.
Stephen let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, and slowly approached Mizuyuki. Startled by his abrupt appearance Mizuyuki let out a gasp.
"What's wrong?" Mizuyuki asked.
"Nothing... You weren't there when I woke up so I was worried."
"Ah. I'm sorry. I had trouble going back to sleep so I was hoping a bath would make me sleepy. It took me a while to figure out how it worked, but it didn't make me sleepy though."
Stephen couldn't help but chuckle at that. Mizuyuki hadn't known how to add the oils so there were no soothing scents to lull him into a sleepy state.
"Come on. I'll help you get to sleep." He said, stretching out his arms towards Mizuyuki.
Mizuyuki looked up at him skeptically.
"I still hurt all over. I can't take you head on right now." He mumbled, sliding further into the water.
Stephen grabbed a bathrobe off a hook on the wall and walked over to the tub. He then lifted Mizuyuki out of the water effortlessly, causing Mizuyuki to gasp again.
"I'm not going to do anything sexual this time, I promise. Now, let's go." He said, wrapping Mizuyuki in the robe.
Stephen carried him to the bed and sat him down. Then he went to grab a towel and the brush he used for Mizuyuki's hair. He walked back to the bed and started to dry Mizuyuki's hair.
After he got all the excess water out of his hair he pulled Mizuyuki into his lap and began brushing his hair. Stephen wasn't sure why it relaxed him so much to do it, but he found great pleasure in brushing Mizuyuki's hair.
"Why do you like to brush my hair so much?" Mizuyuki asked, as if reading his thoughts.
"I'm not sure. It relaxes me, and helps me stay calm. Does it bother you?"
"No... but I've never had someone brush my hair as much as you. I was just curious. My mom used to brush my hair when I was younger. But this is new for me as an adult."
"Well as long as it doesn't bother you, I'll keep doing it."
Mizuyuki slowly started to lean into Stephen's chest, slightly drifting off. Then he would jolt awake, seemingly not wanting to sleep yet. So Stephen decided to help him stay awake.
"Mizu, what's your favorite color?"
"Hm? Um... green?"
"Oh? Like my eyes?" He said teasingly.
"Yes, and lime green..." Mizuyuki mumbled his face turning pink in the cheeks.
"Favorite place in the world?"
"I've never left New York so I'm not sure. I'd like to go to Italy. Or Japan. Maybe even Denmark."
"Hmm... favorite type of movie?"
"I like action movies. Like superhero movies or spy movies. Comedies are good too I guess."
"Is that the same for shows too?"
"Yeah... but I also like animes, and paranormal type shows."
"Favorite food?"
"I'm a foodie at heart, there's not too much that I hate. I told you my favorite fruits already, but I guess I also like tacos, Italian cuisine, and Asian cuisine. Not a fan of spicy foods though, it always gives me indigestion."
"If you had to pick a super power for yourself what would you choose?"
"Invisibility... so that I can hide whenever I want."
"Anything you want to do or have before you die?"
"I've never been to an amusement park before... I also want my own library."
"You like to read?"
"Yes. Adventure books. Paranormal Romance books. More fiction than non-fiction."
"There is a library in this estate. Would you like to see it?"
"Yes! Please!"
"Hahaha... after breakfast then."
"Yay! How many books do you have? What are they about? How big is your library?"
"I don't read much. It was my mother's, she loved to read as well. I haven't been in there since she left so I'm not sure what state it's in at the moment."
"Why did your parents separate?"
"Haah... because my father is a piece of shit. And since she was worried I would turn out just like him, she left me here with him. I haven't seen or heard from her since."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. We weren't exactly a loving family anyway, and you can't miss what you never had so, it's okay."
"Still, that sounds so lonely..."
"I'm not lonely anymore." Stephen said, putting the brush down and hugging Mizuyuki tightly.
"If you say so. I could be in a room full of people and still feel lonely."
"Are you lonely right now?" Stephen asked.
"A little... this doesn't really seem real to me yet. I feel like any moment now I'll wake up and this will all be a dream, and my reality is far more cruel."
Stephen didn't know what to say to that. He wanted to reassure Mizuyuki, but he also wasn't sure what Mizu wanted. Mizuyuki was essentially staying with him because he had to. When he no longer had to, would he leave? Would he go to his new apartment and never come back?
Stephen felt like he was becoming more and more aware of Mizuyuki's presence. He wasn't sure he could go back to waking up in an empty bed, going to clubs to look for temporary pets, or living his life like he had never known Mizuyuki.
He was slowly taking over Stephen's mind and his space, and Stephen didn't hate it. In fact, he wished Mizuyuki would be more selfish. Ask for more. He wanted Mizuyuki to need him. To want him. He wanted Mizuyuki's everything, but Mizuyuki did not indicate he held the same possessive feelings as Stephen did.
In the end he opted not to say anything at all and just continued hugging Mizuyuki. He didn't want to force him to stay, but he also couldn't bare to watch him leave his side.
Just waking up in an empty bed had given him anxiety, how would he handle it if that became the norm?
★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆★
Mizuyuki's Point Of View
Mizuyuki wasn't sure what to make of the ridiculously rich CEO he had just so happen to stumble upon. He could tell that Stephen was starting to care for him more and more, but it just didn't seem real. It was too good to be true.
Also judging by the information given about Stephen's life, he couldn't say for sure Stephen's infatuation would fade soon. He was a man that could have whatever and whoever he wanted, so it didn't make sense to Mizuyuki why Stephen had chosen him. He wasn't even sure if he could properly love someone, even if they loved him.
'I mean I've basically made peace with the fact that I'm broken. Moreover, my trust and faith in people is shot to hell.'
"If I went missing... would you look for me?" I asked, not really knowing why, or what I expected Stephen to say.
"I would search tirelessly for you. I probably wouldn't sleep again until I found you."
"Why? Why would you go to such lengths for me?"
"I thought I told you? Life would lose all meaning if you are not in it."
"I don't understand you at all. Do you pity me? Is that why you dote on me so much?"
"Why do you think you don't deserve to be loved and doted on? I have no reason to pity you, you are stronger than you realize Mizu."
"I'm pretty fragile where it counts, and constant verbal abuse from strangers has a way of messing with your mind."
"Mizu, I want to spoil you rotten. I want to do anything for you that you would ask of me. And I want to do these things not out of pity, but because you deserve the world. Because you deserve to be cherished. And I don't want anyone to dote on you or cherish you more than me."
I felt a weird sensation course through me at his stern tone and piercing green eyes. It felt like he was looking into my soul, seeing me as a person and not an object for sexual gratification. Truth be told, it didn't feel terrible.
We laid in bed not really saying much else. I fell asleep on his chest, and when I woke up again he was watching me sleep while playing in my hair. I could feel my face heating up as I looked into his eyes.
"Have you been awake this whole time?" I asked.
"More or less. You looked comfortable, so I didn't want to wake you."
"Honesty... I don't understand you." I said, putting my face in the crook of his arm attempting to hide.
"It's noon. Do you want to eat something?" He asked me.
"Yes... I'm hungry."
"What do you want to eat?"
"I don't know, surprise me."
"Understood."
He called down to the kitchen requesting food. It was brought in a timely manner, and it was tacos. Tacos served with Spanish rice, and Tortilla Chips.
Once everything had been tested twice I scarfed it down immediately. It wasn't until only the chips remained that I realized Stephen had been watching me the whole time, with a pleased grin on his face.
"Are you not going to eat?" I asked.
"Do you want mine too?" He asked playfully.
"No..."
I could eat his portion too, but something told me I would flip another perverted switch of his if I did.
"If you're not going to eat, then can we go see your library?"
"Sure. I promised I'd take you, so take you I shall. You should probably get dressed first, though."
For a house that always seemed uncomfortably cold, I seemed to always have very little on while in his room. Granted it wasn't all my fault, my clothes just never stayed on for long around Stephen.
I walked to the closet and put on shorts and then sweatpants over them. Then I put a blue T-shirt on, and put on a black hoodie over it. As I walked out of the closet, Stephen was standing by the bed looking at me.
"All the clothes in there and you always choose sweats and hoodies." He chuckled walking up to me.
"It's freakin cold in your house, like all the time. If I can't be under the covers I want extra layers."
"Sure, sure. Let's go." He said still chuckling.
We walked down the long hallway and made a few turns before coming to the Grand Staircase, and then descended to the first floor. We walked down another long hallway and soon turned left. There was a room at the end of the hall with massive double doors.
Stephen pushed open both doors at once, and my jaw dropped. 'Library' might be too small of a word. There were wall to wall, floor to ceiling bookcases all over. I couldn't even take a single step, the sight was overwhelming.
"Come on, you can gawk later. At least see if you like any of the books first. Sheesh."
There was no way a room this full of books would be full of shitty books. There were even stacks of books piled on the floor. I went over to the first shelf I came to and scanned the books, my eyes immediately lighting up when I saw a certain book title.
"Oh my Gods! I didn't know this series had 2 more volumes!! Can I read them... now?"
"You can do whatever you want. There's a reading nook over here by the window."
I immediately followed him clutching the 3rd installment of the series. As he said there were comfy lounge chairs, and tables near a large window bathed in sunlight. I plopped down in the chair and began reading, completely ignoring my surroundings.
I was so engrossed in the book, that I didn't notice Stephen watching me the whole time.
I was startled when the book closed right in front of me. I glanced up and noticed we weren't alone anymore.
"It was just getting good! Why'd you do that?" I asked with a whine.
"You may not have realized it, but you've been reading for 4 hours now. Let's take a break. William brought snacks and Iced Tea." Stephen said.
That was when I noticed the large cart of assorted snacks and the large pitcher of Tea.
"Okay, fine... but only because it all looks so tasty."
"Good boy." Stephen said with a smirk.
He took the book and placed the tray of snacks on the table, while William poured the tea. Stephen took a bite of everything, and then put some on a plate for me.
I hastily ate the snacks, desperate to get back to reading. Stephen took a big swig of my tea and gave me my glass back. I drank the tea down chasing the cheese and crackers I had just crammed into my mouth.
Stephen paused, then looked at William.
"Thank you, William. That will be all." He said, but the butler didn't budge.
I glanced up at the man, feeling an ominous sense of dread fall over me. Then all of a sudden Stephen stood up, grabbed me by the arm, and proceeded to drag me from the room. We didn't make it five steps before Stephen's grip on my arm went lax and he plummeted to the floor.
I stared in shock not understanding what was happening. Then William walked towards me, an insidious grin plastered on his face.
"How nice of him to test your food first. Though it would appear you have a strong resistance to drugs, as you are still upright." He said. grabbing my hair from behind and yanking me towards the floor.
I twisted my body around and kicked him right in the nuts. It was pretty cathartic, considering how much I didn't like the asshole. I searched Stephen's pockets for his phone, and found it in his left pocket.
William was steadily trying to rise from the ground clutching his groin. I fled from the room after using Stephen's thumb to open his phone. I opened his call log and found Sebastián's number, I instantly hit the call button. He answered on the first ring.
—Yea boss?
"Sebastián it's me, Mizuyuki. Asshole Alfred tried to drug us. Stephen collapsed. Please help me!"
—Slow down kid. Asshole who?
"William! That asshole butler, he put something in the food or drinks! Stephen collapsed in the library. I don't know what to do. We weren't in the room!"
I was running at full tilt trying to navigate back to Stephen's room, where the panic space was.
—Where are you now? Do you know how to get back to his room?
"I know how to get to the Grand Staircase, I see it right now. I need your help navigating upstairs. We turned too many times for me to remem–"
"Hey, where are you going in such a hurry all alone? Did William fail? Come with me I'll help you." An unknown man said, grabbing me by the waist.
"No! Let go of me! Sebastián help me, please!"
—Who is that? What's going on? Hold on Yuki I'm on my way I'm just up the street. You have to fight them okay? I'll be right there. Don't give up!
"There's no need for you to have that." The man said grabbing the phone and throwing it over his shoulder. I heard the phone shatter upon the marble floor.
My throat felt hot, and my heart raced. The man held me in a strong grip dragging me back in the direction I came from. William was limping and turning the corner when he spotted us.
"Good work John. Hold that filthy bastard right there!"
He was getting closer, and my desperation to escape increased.
"Did you fail Will? Where's Stephen?"
"It worked on Stephen but not this filth." William said, slapping me hard across the face.
"Hey now. Why hit his face? He's so good looking."
"That stupid whore kicked me in the groin!" He yelled, punching me hard in the stomach.
The air left my lungs in a rush, and my vision wavered. I stomped on the foot of the man who was holding me, and spit in William's face.
"Ah! Let. Go. Of. Me! Hngh!"
"Filthy whore scum like you should know their place is under a boot. Who do you think you are deceiving the young master. Someone like you shouldn't be allowed near him!" William said, threw gritted teeth as he grabbed my crotch squeezing tightly.
"William, if you wanted to fuck him just say that. Unfortunately we are pressed for time. He called Sebastián, who is no doubt on his way now."
"AHH! Stop! Let go, you sick bastard!" I yelled, William had a death grip on my crotch and it hurt like hell.
"Let's go!"
"No! Stop! Let go of me! Stephen! Sebastián! Myah! Todd! Someone help me! Please!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, pushing at the arms around me.
"What a noisy bitch! Guess we have to go with plan B." William said, directing the other man into a room close to the foot of the stairs.
It looked like the room had belonged to a servant. It wasn't desolate, but it was also only filled with the basics, as if it was only used for resting.
William walked to a cupboard and took out a vile and syringe.
"Is this your room William?" The other man asked.
"One of them. When a house this large stays empty for so long, it's the servants who benefit most." He said with a knowing smile.
He stuck the syringe into the top of the vile, filling it to the brim with the liquid. He sat the vile down on a table and sauntered over to me. Just then there was a loud crash outside the door.
"MIZUYUKI!? MIZUYUKI WHERE ARE YOU?!"
It was Sebastián, relief spread through me while the two men tensed up.
"I'M IN HE–"
The man holding me slapped a hand over my mouth cutting off my scream. Then William stabbed me in the neck with the syringe. My throat seized and my body went limp. I was conscious and awake, but paralyzed.
"What did you inject him with?"
"An NMBA Drug called, Succinylcholine. He won't be calling for help again."
"But he's still awake though..."
"The sleeping drugs I laced the tea with should kick in soon, it was essentially an elephant tranquilizer. I honestly don't understand how he is still conscious. Stephen went down in less than 5 minutes."
"MIZUYUKI ANSWER ME PLEASE! WHERE ARE YOU?!"
"Ugh, so persistent. If he makes it to the CCTV before we can get out of here we're screwed." William whispered, now pacing.
The guy holding me, laid me on the bed on my stomach. I couldn't feel anything, all I could do was blink slowly. I doubted the sleeping drugs would affect me, I had been constantly drugged dealing with Sujin, after the incident I couldn't sleep, and had a mental break after 4 days of no sleep.
In the hospital they tried many sleeping medications, none had worked. I was eventually strapped to a bed and forced to pass out from exhaustion on the 5th day.
I could hear Sebastián running through the halls calling for me, but as he got further and further away my fear intensified. I was going to be taken away. Even though we were so careful, we let our guards down for the briefest of moments, and disaster struck.
"You stay here I'm going to find an alternative route out of here." William said to the other man.
He then silently slipped out the room.
"Hmm... I don't envy you kid. This house is cursed and the owners are demented. You should curse the day you ever got involved with the Coolwater family."
'Fuck you, Asshole!'
I slowly blinked at the man that squatted down to meet my eyes.
"But damn, I kind of get it looking at you. You are way to beautiful for a guy. I don't have those inclinations but if it's you I think I could do it." He said, rubbing my lips with his thumb.
'Sick, disgusting bastard! Ugh I should have aimed for your nuts too!'
"I heard there were men willing to spend millions of dollars to have you in their beds. Haha... sick fucks... but I bet you'd moan like a bitch in heat regardless of who's shoving their cock in your holes." He whispered in my ear, driving his point home as he cupped and then squeezed my ass.
'I hope you die a slow, and painful death! Stupid prick!'
"Would you like me to knock you unconscious? Blink once for yes and twice for no."
This guy seemed like he was going to start invading my body any moment now. He slid his hands into my sweatpants, annoyed that I was also wearing shorts underneath. Tears brimmed my eyes, threatening to spill over. I was terrified, I didn't want to experience those days again. And it was sounding more and more like Stephen's dad had a hand in this particular incident.
The door quietly opened and William slid inside. He told the man to throw me over his shoulder and carry me. With my body limp, there was no protest to be made, but I tried nonetheless. The man draped me over his shoulder, all the while he groped my ass the entire time.
"Sebastián went to the CCTV room, we have to hurry. There are far too many cameras in this house." William said, putting on his coat.
They silently slipped out of the room and quickly made their way to the front door with me in tow. The tears finally fell from my eyes, jostled by the quick movements. However, as one tear fell the metaphorical Dam burst.
Silent tears fell as I watched the mansion grow further and further away.