He's texting for the rest of the way home. Probably to get something obnoxiously expensive that I'll hate. Even though we lived together for three years I doubt he knows much about me.
After all, I was just his instrument. As long as I played, and played the played the right note when I was supposed to, nothing else about me mattered.
And that's how I feel. Like a discarded instrument, longing to make music again, but unable to do it alone.
We pull up into the drive way, and I sit and wait. He'll open the door like he always has, I know.
He does so, and I step out, with a sigh. Ah, home.
Or what used to be home anyway.
"Welcome home, baby," he says lowly. "I have something for you."
He keeps my arm tucked in his as Joseph opens the door for us.
"Really? What is it?" I say, uninterested.
"Look for yourself."
We pause, and I—
I see...I see heaven.
"Is this...what I think it is?"
He grins, letting me run toward the beautiful sight.
"Some Of these are only in digital format! How did you—?"
He smiled, as I sniffed the pages of my colored mangas.
"Well, I know your mangas. Mainly because I hacked into you phone—"
What?!
"But enough about that. I had these made for you with standard Shouen Jump measurements. Whatever the hell that means?"
Oh God. Take me now. This moment can not get any better. I am surrounded by mangas. I don't need anything else in this world. This is it!
This is how I want to die!
"Oh and I couldn't get the whole thing. But..."
Joseph hands him something which he hands to me.
My heart pounds. Wait god. One second.
"Is this?"
"The first episode of the fourth season of My Hero Academia. I saw that you were really into it. It's your...wallpaper."
I run into his arms, kissing his cheek. f**k it! I'll marry him! I forgive him! It's over!
The story is finished! Go away!
"It doesn't come out into October! How did you get this."
He smiled. "Death threats, and blackmail of course! Is there any other effective way to do something?"
I laugh, my smile fading. This was sweet...
"Thank you—"
"Don't Thank me just yet!" He smiles. "I know you probably think I'm trying to buy you off. But I'm not...see I submitted your letter of resignation to your company."
My smile falls completely. He smiles softly, stroking my cheek. "You're gonna be bored here, without something to read."
"You bastard."
He smirks. "Don't sounds so surprised. I'm a bastard in every meaning of the word and you know it."
Of course!
"It's come to my attention, Maureen. That the police commissioner has found his daughter."
My heart drops.
He smiles, staring at my lips as I wet them nervously.
"Now I know you feel guilty. And I know you would just love to turn yourself in. But unfortunately, I can't let you do that. And we both know how sneaky and skillful you are—"
I push him away. "How dare you!"
"That's easy," he pulls me back. "I dare, because I know you."
"That's why you set up that pregnancy scam. You gave me—"
He smiles. "A drug. It's supposed to combat ulcers but apparently just makes you sick. In fact, women who took them thought they were—"
"Pregnant," I whisper.
He shrugs. "I had to. The police commissioner has been building up a case against you for three years. They were coming to arrest you—"
"I deserve to be arrested! I'm a murderer!"
He shrugs. "No. No you're not. I'm the murderer. You were just...persuaded and taken advantage of. I saw a fragile woman and I made you do terrible things—"
No. No. No!
"I killed her before I met you!"
He smirks. "That's what you think. See you're all twisted up. Now of this is your fault. You were unstable and I used you. So if anyone deserves to go to prison, it's me. Unfortunately, I'm far too smart and attractive to run with that type of crowd so we're gonna stay here. Where it's safe."
"And you're gonna read your mangas and be happy. And then we're gonna flee the country; while my...associations deal with this messy situation we find ourselves in."
"Associates? You mean Assassins."
He shrugs. "I associate with assassins. So...either way, it's accurate."
I swallow. My head is killing me. I should've known! I should've known!
"Why? Why are you doing this?"
He tucks my hair behind my ear. "Because you deserve to be free. But you're confused. And you need my help to keep you safe from yourself."
I shake. "You're making it sound like I'm crazy. Like I have no control over my actions. Like I'm just a puppet."
He smiles. "Exactly. A puppet canny be a fault for its actions. Only the puppet master should be held accountable. Now," he rests his large hand in my head. "Joseph fixed your favorites. Eat."
A tear falls down my face as he leaves me behind with my books, and my questions.
What is he doing?