Devil's Paramour
Have you ever had an out of body experience?
Do you ever have those moments when you feel like your soul is floating above the world and looking down on the situation you're in. And you're watching yourself, watching your body react and not being able to control it because you're not in control. Your soul is away for the moment and it watches silently. Have you ever had one of those?
It's happened to me quite a few times. And only when I'm beyond enraged.
The first time it happened was when I was 14. It was the summer before I went to high school. Jongdae and I were hanging out, away from either of our homes, and minding our own business. This was the time in my life that I'd started to really understand what my father did for a living, what my whole family was involved in, and I didn't like it very much.
Coincidentally my father had just sat me down a few days previous to this event. He'd sat me down in the kitchen and looked at me real stern like. He was handsome, my father, tanned skin and soft on the eyes. My father looked me straight in the eye and said to me what he'd recited a million times.
“Remember that family is most important Minseok. Family is blood, and its all that matters. We protect our family no matter what. Even if it means doing wrong, we do what we have to. As long as its for family, you can do no wrong.”
Like I said, he'd told me this in the same fashion all of my life. Family, and family, more family, and don't forget about the family. As if I could. My young 14 year old self just nodded quickly and asked if I could go to my room. And then a few days later when Jongdae asked me to come kill some time with him, I'd finally realized for the first time what my father had been trying to tell me all along.
Jongdae sipped his Dr. Pepper can and wiped away a thin line of sweat from his forehead. I was racking my brain on what he could possibly do today that didn't involve us going to any relative's house. I wasn't comfortable with the family business. I wanted to keep away from them as long as I could. My cousin was just downright bored. We'd made our way out of the suburbs and in to the city, stopping at a convenience store to buy some quick snacks. I was thinking maybe we could find an internet cafe or arcade. But my thoughts were cut off as three men approached us with a hidden glint in their eyes.
“Hello boys. How are we doing today?” the middle one asked. He was rather short, almost reaching my cousin's height. But his muscle made up for it. Jongdae smirked and turned to me.
“Why we are just fine and dandy. You?” I rolled my eyes as his response. My relative's sass could get him in trouble sometimes. Even with his own father. The men just smelled a challenge and came a tad closer. The middle man's goons were taller than he and well built. They all wore muscle shirts and loose jeans. If I had to guess their boxers were viewable from the back; my father would beat me if he ever saw me dressing like that.
“Oh we were just fine,” the middle man smiled, “until we saw some wise asses standing in front of our store.”
“Your store?” Jongdae scoffed and took a long swig of his soda. Out of the corner of my eye I saw my cousin about to take a step forward. My hand flew out on instinct and slapped against his chest, pushing him back. My sudden movement caught the three amigos' attention.
“Yeah. Our store. We collect from this property, so it belongs to us. And if you two were so smart you'd beat it.” the middle man was snarling at us now, a low and sinister sound that was making something in me come to life. We were being threatened, me and my cousin, and I had this sudden urge to grab the short intruder by the throat and teach him not to mess with my...
Family.
I swallowed with the realization of what I was thinking.
“We're minding our own business.” I heard myself speak, but I didn't remember ever deciding I'd say this out loud, “Stop trying to create a little dramatic gangster scene.” I said.
It happened then. It was so odd to feel and to see. One second I was in my body, kind of in control of every thing. And the next I was looking down on myself, listening to me and watching me.
“Who the fuck you talking to like that little boy?” one of the tall side men barked at me. I watched my self tense up and my hand leave Jongdae's chest. My cousin stepped up beside me and I realized we were both ready to face off with these men.
“Fuck off you ignorant piece of shit. I said we were minding our own business, so stop trying to create a fucking dramatic ass gangster scene. Stop playing thug dress up and go bother someone who give a fuck. Unless you want to have your ass handed to you buy some adolescents.”
I heard myself say it. Watched my body puff up it's chest and get in the face of the tall goon, cursing like I'd never done before and looking so angry and ticked off. Did I even know how to fight? I'd never been involved in a serious fight with other people. A few tussles with my uncles and cousins, hearing them laugh and show me a few pointers. But that had all been fun and games right?
The tall goon grabbed me by my neck, my hands covered his and I made a growling sound at him. Jongdae was quick, lightning fast, and shoved the man off of me. Putting himself in front of me he warned them, “Try to touch my cousin one more time and I will break your fucking nose.”
I wonder if Jongdae had been experiencing the same thing as me. If he was watching his body react as well, if he wasn't in control as well.
The trio didn't listen, and came at us. Their fists ready and eyes set on me. Jongdae's fists flew up first though, knocking the middle man out before launching his whole body at the first tall goon. I was left with the last man, whose fist came swinging at me.
And I watched in awe as I dodged it easily. I felt like my soul was gaping at my body with it's mouth open. Because I was pretty sure I'd never fought someone like that before. Yet there I was, punching and grabbing the man by the arm, my legs flying up to kick him in the face. I was able to slam in to the pavement, hooking one leg over the man's chest and the other right under his elbow. If I pushed hard enough I could break the ligament in half.
Swear to god this was my first real fight.
We ended up beating the shit out of those guys. I didn't break the man's arm, but Jongdae did break the tall goon's nose just as he'd promised. They scrambled away from us and we made our way back to the suburbs. We had to play rock-paper-scissors to see whose house we were going to. Because we would have to confess to one of our father's about what had happened.
I lost. So we went to mine. Just looking at the state of us it was pretty obvious what had happened. Those men had managed to get in a few good punches. Not enough to take us down, but enough to leave my right cheek swollen and Jongdae's chin scuffed up. We were scared, thought my father was going to rant and smack the back of our heads for getting in to a fight.
“What happened?” my father asked with his arms crossed over his chest. This was it.
“Three guys ganged up on us.” Jongdae spoke first. When a small spot of blood dripped out from his mouth he quickly wiped it away.
My father called my mother over and told her to get two hot and wet cloths ready. We stood before him in his home office. Our heads hung and our hands at our sides.
“Did you start it?” he asked. We shook our heads.
“What exactly happened?” my father's gaze fell on me. But I didn't speak out of fear. So Jongdae answered for me.
“They came out of nowhere. Told us were in front of their store. We told them to leave us alone. One of them grabbed Minseok and I told him if he tried to touch him again I'd break his nose.” I could hear my cousin's tone. It was still angry, still boiling. Almost as if he wanted to fight the man all over again.
The next question made me look up in surprise.
“And did you Jongdae? Did you break his nose?”
My cousin peaked up in surprise as well. He voice turned soft and unsure, “Y-yes sir. I did.”
And then my father's gaze landed on me again. I turned stiff but I met his eyes. They didn't look like what I expected. Because they were absolutely calm and I thought I saw a bit of pride swelling in his chest. And yet I'd been expecting anger and to be reprimanded.
“Minseok. Did you defend your family?”
It was such an odd way to word a question. He could have just asked if I'd fought too, if I'd helped Jongdae in the fight. But he'd asked it with those specific words. Family. Had I defended my family? Had I protected them and fought for them?
Minseok, did you defend your family? Do you finally understand what I meant when I said that blood is all that matters?
“Yes.” I whispered. But he heard me. And my god my father probably hadn't looked so pleased with me since I'd first learned how to walk. I'd seen the home tape. I knew what that solemn smile meant.
He stood up from his office chair and patted us both on the shoulders. He called in my mother to tend to our small wounds, adding that he'd invite Jongdae's family over for dinner tonight. I faintly heard him muttering that maybe it was time for real training. I wouldn't understand till later what that meant and what it entailed.
Family was most important. Family was blood and that was all that mattered. Even if it means doing wrong, you protect your family no matter what.
~ ~ ~
“Tell him I said, I told you so.” Kris sneered down at me.
And after the mild shock was over I felt it boiling inside me. The rage was overwhelming and it took control so fast. I wanted to scream, laugh and cry. My mind was in overdrive and I was pissed I felt the steam flying from the top of my head.
My soul left my body. I looked down on myself and waited for the worst to happen. Because I only had out of body experiences when I was about to become overly violent. When my mind was so ticked off it told my body “Fuck this. I'm done. You handle this shit cuz I just can't do this right now.”
And I watched my hand fly up and grab Kris by his hair, fisting my fingers in his locks with a tight grip and tugging as hard as I could. I yanked on that hair until he came crashing down to the ground, gasping as his chest hit the hard marble floor. My body jumped on top of him, straddling him. And when my body was finally comfortable despite his struggle, I fists began to wail on him. I was able to get in four good punches to his face before I was knocked over and my arms were grabbed and restrained behind me. I was surprised to see that it was Lay who had me in a hold and not Tao. And I was even more surprised to find out how strong the quiet butler was.
Kris was groaning on the floor still, holding his face as he let out a string of curses. My face was smirking, my body was pleased.
As Lay brought me to my feet my soul returned to it. The realization of what I'd done settled in and I shivered in fear. I'd physically assaulted Kris. I'd never done that once, never even thought of doing it. But then again Kris had never pissed me off so much that I'd wanted to beat the shit out of him either.
“Mr. Kim, I think its time we take you to your room.” Lay grunted and dragged me away in a hurry. Though I didn't resist he held on to me the whole way. And a few moments after he'd locked me up in my room the sound of Kris screaming and throwing things could be heard. I heard glass shatter and heavy objects thumping to the ground. It kind of pleased me to hear the sound of the drunk girl crying and Lay tossing her out.
But when Kris' heavy footsteps climbed the stair I backed away from the door and wanted to hide under my bed. The loud and sudden smack to my door made me jump. My heart raced and I whimpered as he pounded on my door. He had to be kicking and using other objects to try and shatter my door because he went at it for quite sometime. Eventually he gave up, and I heard him warn me from the other side to never come out of my room if I wanted to live. So I curled up in my bed and did my best to fall asleep.
What had I just done?
Made him remember what you're capable of. My mind told me. I shook my head. You reminded him that you're a Kim. That you are not his little boyfriend from high school. Your family taught you well.
Again I shook my head as tears formed in my eyes. That's not what I'd wanted though. I wanted my Kris back. I wanted to repair him. But I'd just harmed him.
But he'd been a fucking asshole. He'd probably planned it all along. To be kind to me, to treat me in such a sweet manner that I started to trust him and let myself be with him naturally. How could I not see it? This Kris was a complete asshole and only wanted to hurt me.
Now what was I to do? Stay in my room forever? I wondered if grovelling at his feet would do me any good. Maybe if I used my body he wouldn't completely beat the shit out of me. What if I just...
What if I just apologized like a normal person?
No. I would not. He owed me an apology not the other way around. I'd worried about him, paced back and forth in my room and teared up with the thought that he wasn't doing well. I'd spent nights in my room missing him despite his demonic ways. And he dared to do this to me? To bring whore after whore to his house and fuck them loud enough for me to hear? He'd isolated me and made me feel so alone after treating me like he cared. Kris had spent all his time and energy on completely ignoring me just to piss me off.
“Two can play that game.” I growled in to the open space.
~ ~ ~
I'd never been so happy about waking up to see Lay's calm face. Because really I could have opened my eyes and seen Kris with a knife or gun after my little stunt last night. But no. It was Lay. And even though he didn't look pleased with me, I was too happy to see him.
“You are not going to be having breakfast with Kris today.” he told me. I figured as much. The butler waited for me to clean up and get dressed before leading me downstairs very quietly. No I wouldn't be eating with Kris, so Lay was going to sneak me in to the kitchen to eat with the other servants. Apparently my keeper didn't even want me to be fed. But luckily his number one servant pitied me and was willing to sneak me in the back to get some food.
I walked in to the familiar space and saw Sulli standing with the other servants against the counters. They all had small bowls in their hands with rice, vegetables, and chicken smashed together. Sulli gave me a small smile and handed me a bowl. I scooted over to stand next to her and ate my breakfast quietly. I could see a few of the other maids eyes me with caution. Of course what I'd done last night had to be the hot gossip among the workers.
“I'm sorry about last night.” I muttered to Sulli. She looked up at me with rice puffing up her cheeks. In a way she reminded me of my own sister, who stuffed her face but managed to look cute while doing it.
“Sorry if I scared you or...made things hard for you with him.” I added on. The maid just chewed her food and shrugged it off.
“It's you he wants to kill. Not me.” Sulli smiled all cute like and stuffed her cheeks full of food again. I'd never really gotten to talk one on one with the young maid. She'd always been in front of Kris or Lay or Tao and would only give me shy smiles and answer me with a quick yes or no. As I continued to talk to her that morning I found Sulli to be quite the sarcastic little thing. She was cute and had a doe-eyed look to her. But her answers always had a bit a attitude and dry humor lining them.
I spent the whole day creeping about the mansion. Going out to far part of the garden and only eating in the kitchen with the other servants. I avoided Kris at all costs and knew I'd have to wait until he was a lot more calm and distracted till I got to talk to him.
~ ~ ~
“I think Kris is thinking about talking to you.” Sulli whispered to me one evening. It must have been at least a few weeks since the incident. It was dinner time and Sulli had just gotten done serving her employer his meal and was dismissed by Tao to go back and eat. I was sitting on one of the counter's of the kitchen, Jinyoung seated next to me and Sulli on my other side. It was spicy beef stew that night.
I slurped up some of the soup's broth before asking her, “How do you know that?”
“Because he keeps walking in front of your door. Even when he doesn't have to.” Jinyoung answered me while he chewed his beef. I frowned and stole one of his peppers. The young butler pouted but let me do it anyways.
“You think he's still angry?” I asked them both. Sulli had her cheeks full of beef so I turned to Jinyoung for an answer. The servant shrugged and continued to eat. I didn't want to admit that I was hoping Kris would finally talk to me. I wasn't sure exactly what would happen or what I would say, but words needed to be exchanged between us.
The servant named Sandeul came skidding in to the kitchen suddenly. All the other maids and butlers looked up in surprise. He looked scared and in a panic as he squeaked, “He's coming in here! Right now!”
It took less than three seconds for every single person in that room to evacuate with their food and leave me standing there with my bowl of stew like a complete idiot.
And a moment later Kris walked in with his stone face and polished suit.
We stood there for an awkward second. I stared at my soup and he stared at me. I really had no idea what I wanted to say, or what he was going to say. The emotions I'd felt the previous night still clung to me like fresh clothes. I could still smell the anger and feel the soft aroma of hate on my skin. The tension was clearly flowing back and forth between us.
“So.” he started, “Anything you want to say to me?”
I could not fucking believe it. He wanted a fucking apology out of me. After all that shit he'd pulled? After ignoring me and making me feel like nothing he wanted me to say sorry to him?
My mouth was kept shut as I leaped down from the counter and rinsed out my bowl in the sink. I put my back to him daringly and blatantly ignored him.
“Lover.” he called. I didn't answer. I dried my hands off with a spare towel and started to make my way out of the kitchen. But of course I didn't get far. His hand was on my shoulder and forcing me to turn around and face him. I was pushed until I leaned back on a counter with him towering over me. He smelled good, no trace of alcohol in the air.
“You're going to ignore me now? That's cute.” he chuckled and grabbed my jaw. I closed my eyes so I wouldn't have to look at him. “Could you stop acting like a child for a moment?” he hissed.
I kept my eyes closed and felt his fingers squeeze my jaw painfully.
“Talk to me Lover. I want to hear your voice.” his breath ghosted over my lips and I did my best to turn my face away. He shoved his body harder against mine, my back ached against the counter top piercing my skin.
“Why won't you talk to me now? Isn't that what you wanted me to do? Talk to you about every little fucking thing? Why won't you talk to me?!” his voice was loud in my ears and I finally opened my eyes to see that he was close enough to kiss me. I wanted him to kiss me, I wanted him to use me just like he'd done before. I wanted him to trick me and act sweet and kind. I wanted him to betray my trust and make me enraged all over again because I needed to remind myself.
I was his property and not his real lover. I was a Kim and I was being held hostage. Eventually my family would come to save me and I would never see him again.
I needed to remind myself that Kris was a monster, one that I'd created, and I could never love him again. I was nothing to him. I needed to remind myself of that.
My hands grabbed his face and pulled him close. The small distance was closed and our lips met. I kissed him hungrily, quickly pushing my tongue past his lips and in to his mouth. I gasped as my hair was pulled and he tugged me away.
“I said speak!” he roared. I attacked again, kissing him quickly and trying to get his suit jacket off. I slammed back in to the counters. Kris looked bewildered and pissed at the same time.
“You do not get to ignore me! I said speak to me!” his face was turning red. I didn't listen and reached for my own top, doing my best to get the button undone before he grabbed my hands and pinned them above my head. I just needed to make him fuck me again, let things go back to the way they were. He fucked me and used me, I wanted to love him but couldn't, and then one of us was left satisfied and the other left mourning. What was there to talk about?
Kris was breathing hard, his face was red and he looked like he was on the verge of tears.
Just like that one time in the hallway. Right before he'd isolated me.
“Why won't you talk to me now?”
A strong sense of deja vu swept over me. I'd been in this situation before. With Kris. Five years ago.
I shook my head at him and he cupped my face. It was somewhere in between tender and angry the way he held me. I tried to push him away but he was stronger. It was so familiar. Panic settled in my stomach and I did my best to twist away from him. But he had me pinned.
“Talk to me.” he ordered.
Fine.
“I'm nothing. Remember? Things have changed.” I hissed. Kris' hold on me loosened slightly. He could feel it too. Like we'd been here before. Like this was an old scene playing before us.
Things have changed.
I roughly pushed him away. Would I really do it? Break him all over again? Use that moment to hurt him one more time? Was I really that evil?
Maybe I was the real monster.
“You hate me, I hate you. The only thing that matters to me is my family. They're more important than you. They always will be.”
They're more important than you.
“Just use me Kris. I'm not running. I'm not apologizing. I don't want to be with you, but I have to. So hurry up and fuck me.”
I don't want to be with you.
I was reenacting our break up. The moment I'd abandoned him, damaged him for good. And I saw my Kris before me, tearing up and almost speechless.
Even if I wanted to be with him, we never could be. Things would never be the same, they'd always be like this. So why not embrace the pain and continue on as we were? Hit me, beat me, use me, and when I'm able to leave you won't miss me. And I pray that I won't miss you.
Kris stepped forward, gently and forcefully. I shuddered at his touch. His eyes were rimmed red, his mouth fell open. He couldn't believe it. That I was saying this to him again.
Maybe Kris was the only one that could break my barriers. But I was the only one who could make him feel so vulnerable.
“I hate you.” his choked out. And he kissed me softly. I pressed back against him. Kris did what I asked and fucked me against the counter, pushing down my pants quickly and spreading my legs open. He used me, bruised me, pounded in to me until he came. With his face tucked in to my neck and his hands gripping my hips, he came with a soft cry. When his head fell against my chest I petted his hair, I pecked the top of his head. Maybe he would feel it; that I didn't really meant it. That I never had.
Did I mean it? I wanted my Kris back but...
But things had changed. He would have left me, so I beat him to the punch. I didn't want to be the one left behind so I abandoned him.
Kris collected himself and pushed his hair back in to place. He straightened his tie and glared at me.
“If you ever put your hands on me like that again I'll kill you.” he told me. He meant it. I nodded and climbed down from the counter.
“Am I aloud to eat at the table with you again?” I asked coyly. Kris rolled his eyes and nodded. I just wanted to know if I had to continue sneaking around the house or not. Another question popped out of my mouth before I could stop it.
“Are you going to keep bringing girls home?”
He nodded. I wanted to choke him. “What I do with my spare time is none of your business Lover. You're my property and you don't get a say in who I fuck. I give you plenty of gifts to keep you happy do I not?” Kris was done buttoning his pants and was ready to leave. I couldn't believe him. How was I supposed to be his 'lover' when he would be sleeping with other people? He was fucking ridiculous.
He motioned for me to follow him out and I did. We passed Tao who was standing right outside the kitchen with the usual black folder in hand. The lethal butler threw me a smirk when Kris wasn't looking. I turned away immediately and followed my keeper upstairs. Kris walked me to my room.
When he leaned in for a kiss I turned my head away. He paused and I felt his eyes boring a hole in to my head.
“This is how it's going to be from now on?” he sounded amused by my attitude. But this is how it should have been from the beginning. He needed to hurt me and get his anger out. I just needed to get through my time here with him and wait to be rescued.
“Just come to me when you're horny. I'll do whatever activity you want besides that. Need me to sit pretty in front of your friends? Fine. Buy me diamonds after I blow you? Thank you. Want me to satisfy your cock? More than happy. But there's no need for all of your fake affection. I don't want to fall in love with you, so just leave me alone.” the image of snuggling with him in the library flashed through my mind. It hurt.
Kris chuckled and leaned away from me. “Don't tell me what to do Lover.” he muttered.
“Go away.” I spat and walked in to my room, bravely slamming the door in his face. I waited till I heard his retreating steps before I slid to the carpeted floor and tucked my knees under my chin.
This was how it had to be. If I wanted to survive this place before my family came to save me this was how it had to be from now on. I had a few months left and one more year before my family found me.
That's what I needed to remember, what I needed to have faith in. I'd been taught it all my life. How could I forget it when I was with Kris?
Of course my family was looking for me. They'd find me. Family was blood and they were all that mattered. No matter what, family was everything and nothing else mattered.
~ ~ ~
I tugged at the bow tie that as currently suffocating me. The perfect baby blue bow didn't look bad at all actually. It fitted against my white collared shirt snugly and complimented the beige jacket. My hair had been dyed a shocking red recently upon Kris' request. I wasn't used to it yet and I fiddled with it, trying to find the right way to style it. When I gave up I called on Sulli to come help me.
She was basically my best friend in this place now. She was always at my side. Whenever it was Lay's turn to watch over me for the day, the butler felt comfortable enough to leave me with only Sulli as my companion so he could attend to other important things.
Sulli popped in to my room with a large lollipop in her mouth. I pouted and asked her if she brought me one, but alas she did not. I'd called her up while she was on her break. But she was happy to help me figure out what to do with my hair. Kris had asked me to look especially smart today, that someone important was coming over for lunch. Sulli put all of my hair products on display and then combed through my locks with her fingers before jumping up with an idea.
“Your hair is so dead at the ends! I should give you a haircut.” she nodded to herself and then told one of the other maids to go get her a nice pair of scissors. She'd undercover insulted my hair and I didn't miss it. I clicked my tongue at the idea with distaste but she paid no mind to me and started spritzing my hair with water to get it damp for cutting. When she finally got the scissors she'd asked for, she wrapped a fluffy towel around my shoulder, grabbed a thin black comb and went to town.
An hour later she'd finished cutting it. I shuffled through the strands. I had to admit my hair was soft and it looked even over all. She'd cut it a bit closer to my head on the sides, leaving a nice part on top. Next she put some gel in to style it, pulling it back to stand up. I was pleased with the end result. My red hair looked daring and made my outfit more dramatic than it actually was. I liked it. Sulli was proud of her work and brushed away any left over hair on my shoulders before making sure I was in perfect condition to meet Kris downstairs in one of the living rooms.
Sulli had Sandeul walk me over to the East wing of the mansion, to the living room that had a nice outside patio attached to it with a glass table and canopy.
When I arrived Kris was standing in front of the couch, slightly covering up who was sitting outside waiting for us.
Kris liked my look very much and grabbed my jaw to plant a firm kiss on me. I let him, knowing that he was trying to impress whomever was seated outside.
“You look nice.” he mumbled against my lips.
“Who's here?” I ignored his compliment. He looked irritated for half a second and then pulled me close. He kissed me again, longer that time and with more tongue.
“Let's go. Don't you dare run.” he warned. I wasn't sure why he said that at first.
And then he moved out of the way, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. I saw who was sitting outside. It was two people, a man and a woman. They looked so posh under the white canopy as they sat quietly at the shiny glass table. They were conversing amongst themselves, tall flutes in hand with wine in them. The man looked up from speaking to the woman and met my stare. He didn't smile. I could feel his hate for me radiating from where he sat and I really did want to run.
Kris pulled me along until we were outside with the couple. The pair stood up and Kris greeted them with quaint smiles and then patted me on the shoulder.
“Lover, you remember my parents right? Father, mother, remember Minseok?”
My palms were sweating. My heart was pounding. Why was it so hot outside when there was clearly a gentle breeze flowing through? I couldn't breath.
“Ah yes. The little Korean boy who turned my son in to a homo. How could I forget?” Mr. Wu Fan's words sliced right through me and I wanted to run so fast and so far. Kris had definitely gotten his stern eyes from his father.
Kris elbowed me when I stayed silent. I gulped and finally uttered out, “Hello Mr. and Mr.s Wu Fan.”
The couple did not look pleased to see me. I was close to turning to Kris and telling him I'd see him later. But before I could do anything, Kris grabbed my hand and squeezed it. I looked up at him in panic, and I realized he was looking down at me.
His eyes were pleading, begging for me to not run away. He needed me to sit through this, take their shit just like the old days. Kris didn't want to be alone with them, and now that I was his property he didn't have to. I took a deep breath and took a seat.
My Kris needed me. This was part of my role after all. He wasn't showing me affection, he just needed back up against a monster that out weighed us both. Mr. Wu Fan huffed and sat down across from me, his thick brow creasing as he glowered at me. Under the table I felt Kris reach for my hand again. I held it tightly as he spoke to his parents.
“Father, you said there were things we needed to discuss.” Kris' voice was thick and controlled.
His father scoffed, “There was. But I won't talk about important things in front of this thing.” he meant me. The man had never had a problem speaking his mind in front of me.
“He is my lover and anything you have to say to me you can say in front of him.” Kris countered. Unlike in high school, Kris had never been able to stand up to his father. That usually led to his father insulting him enough to make him cry, or hitting him.
Whatever worked.
“Kris, just remove him for a little while.” his mother spoke up softly.
But my keeper refused and held on to my hand tighter. His father sighed dramatically and slammed his hand on the table loudly. Kris jumped beside me.
“Are you still going to be this pathetic? Sleeping with filth like him, dishonoring our family and yet you still have the balls to try and run this company? How did I end up with a disappointment like you?” Mr. Wu Fan's voice carried over and made Kris cower. Something inside me awakened.
“It's not like I'm going to steal your little secrets.” I spoke suddenly and threw his father a look.
“Not like your ideas would even be worth stealing, they're probably stupid as hell.” I added and crossed my legs. I would never feel bad about talking to his father disrespectfully. The man needed a reality check as usual. He needed to know that he couldn't treat people like crap and get a bunch of respect.
“You will watch how you speak to him.” his mother snapped at me, “Who do you think you're talking to?”
Surprisingly my soul didn't leave me that time. I was fully aware of what I was doing and saying. I gave Kris' hand one more squeeze before leaning forward to spout my piece at these rude people. They shouldn't even be called parents. They were disgusting.
“Fuck off you annoying tramp. I will speak to rude assholes however I please.” I turned to look at the man across from me.
“You better stop talking him like that. Unless you want your ass handed to you by this homo. Talk to him like that one more time in front of me and I swear to god I will reach across this table and break your nose you disgusting asshole.”
Kris was being threatened, my Kris, and I had this sudden urge to grab the asshole by the throat and teach him not to mess with my...
I swallowed and leaned back in my chair.
Mr. Wu Fan held my gaze for a moment before his nostrils flared and he turned away. When he looked away I realized how tightly Kris was holding my hand, that he was staring at me with such gratitude I wanted to grab him and hold him till he cried it all out.
“Now.” I continued while holding the intimate eye contact with my keeper, “You had important thing to discuss with Kris?”
He sighed and bravely looked over to his parents. He waited for them to reply confidently.
Internally I was panicking. This was going to be a long day.