Kitty stared down at Mori, his face softened by sleep, a stark contrast to the sharp, calculating features she had grown accustomed to. His head rested against her chest, his breathing slow and rhythmic, almost lulling in its tranquility. For a fleeting moment, he seemed human—vulnerable, even. She couldn't recall a time she had seen him so unguarded, his walls down and his ever-present scheming mind quiet.
A strand of hair had fallen across his forehead, and without thinking, Kitty reached out, brushing it away. Her fingers lingered for a moment before retreating, her gaze fixed on him. His arms were wrapped around her, holding her with a firmness that felt equal parts possessive and protective, as though even in sleep, he refused to let her go.
The weight of his trustless embrace was suffocating and comforting all at once. Kitty's lips pressed into a thin line as she watched him burrow closer, nestling against her like she was a haven he refused to abandon.
"Good morning, Kitty.," Mori said, kissing her cheeks. She was at one point mesmerized by his looks, "Good morning.," she blushed.
Kitty found herself naked. She didn't remember when she had been all naked and tangled with his limbs in her.
"Did you...," she paused for a moment and continued, "in my sleep?"
"Ah... Kitty.," he replied, "I am sorry. I couldn't control myself. But I did it slowly."
Kitty hated the idea of her being in sleep and unaware of the things Mori had done to her.
Kitty froze, her body stiffening as Mori's words sank in. The blush that had risen to her cheeks moments ago vanished, replaced by a cold, sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach. Her gaze darted away from him, unable to meet his eyes. She clutched the blanket tighter around herself, a shield against the vulnerability she felt under his piercing gaze.
"Mori," she said, her voice trembling despite her efforts to keep it steady. "You… you shouldn't have…" She trailed off, her throat tightening as the words she wanted to say felt too heavy to voice.
Mori reached out, his fingers brushing against her cheek in what was likely meant to be a soothing gesture. "Kitty," he murmured, his tone gentle yet laced with his characteristic control. "I didn't mean to upset you. It's just… you were so beautiful, so irresistible. I couldn't help myself."
Her stomach churned at his words, bile rising in her throat. The calmness in his explanation, the lack of remorse in his tone, made her feel small and powerless, like an object for his desires rather than a person. She shifted away from his touch, her body tense as she tried to put space between them.
"I should have had a choice," she whispered, her voice barely audible. A mixture of anger, shame, and confusion warred within her, but she kept her expression neutral, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her crumble.
Mori sighed, his hand falling away. "I understand you're upset," he said, his tone soft yet unwavering. "But, Kitty, you belong to me now. And sometimes, I'll take what I want. It's just how things are."
His words struck her like a blow, and her heart raced with a mix of fear and fury. She wanted to scream, to fight back, but she knew all too well the cost of defiance in Mori's world. Instead, she turned her head away, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from crying.
Inwardly, a flicker of resolve sparked. She couldn't change what had happened, but she wouldn't let him break her. Not completely. Not yet.
"What do you really think of myself?," Kitty said.
"I sleep with you.," Mori uttered, "only you. I have grown some connection with you. Please love me."
"If you want me to love you then respect Me. My autonomy."
"Respect, you say? Is that really what you want, Kitty? You know I've always treated you better than anyone else. You were nothing before me, remember? If you think you can demand respect from me after everything, you're mistaken. I've given you everything, and yet you still want more."
"Nothing before you... as if I have become a goddess now by your sudden presence. I was a barista and I was living my life with respect, dignity and most importantly, with autonomy."
"Just a waitress?," Mori said, "And you are acting all full of yourself."