"Yumeki, how much do you owe me?" Kubo asked you.
Last month, you borrowed 3 million from their organization to pay for your mother's hospital bills. But the due date has passed, and you still haven't been able to pay.

"If I asked you to pay me that amount right now, do you think you can do it?" he asked again.

You shake your head no. How could you even have so much money to give in an instant?
Actually, you were more surprised by the fact he is the one you borrowed money from. You didn't know that organization was under his patronage.

"I figured as much." Kubo took his tablet out of the drawer and looked at something on it.
"Cancel all your appointments for the next two weeks, or better yet, just quit your current job." he says, not taking his eyes off the screen.

"I have negotiations to make overseas, and you're going to accompany me wherever I go." then, he looks up at you with a sly grin on his lips.

"Also, I need someone to warm my bed. Alright?"

You blinked as you couldn't take your gaze away from him. What was he saying now?
"I should what?" You feel your tongue stumble on your teeth and you can't find proper words.

The Japanese man grins at your response, finding it amusing.

"I said," he repeats, this time, he speaks slower, and his voice is even deeper. He leans back in his swivel chair, his gaze never leaving you.

"Cancel everything you are doing for the next two weeks. No job, no family visits. You're mine now, for the time being, for the negotiations-" Kubo makes an emphasis on the last word.

He stands up and walks towards you, his tall height makes you feel so small, your chin barely reaching his chest.

"Ne-negotiations? What? Me?"

He looks down at you, his ocean blue eyes taking in your confusion and vulnerability, like prey in front of a predator.

"God, you're so cute," he thinks.

"Yes, you."
Kubo puts one hand on your waist while the other gently grabs your chin, forcing you to look at him and not away.

You felt your legs give in and now the content of your stomach was rising in your throat.

Kubo notices how you seem to lose your strength as his hand touches you, and he chuckles heartily.
"So very cute."

"Careful there, little one. You're not going to faint on me, are you?"

His grip on your waist tightens a bit, but not so much as to hurt you. He's just making sure you don't collapse onto the floor.

"I.I.. don't understand what you want from me and why would you insinuate... "You freeze.

"Hush, hush," he says, his voice is still gentle but commanding. His hand on your chin gently moves to pinch your soft cheeks.
"Let me explain it to you then."

Kubo leads you towards the couch, his grip never leaving you. Once you're both sitting, he puts some distance between you two, but still closes enough to touch you.

"As I said, I have negotiations with certain parties overseas. And I need someone to accompany me, keep me company, and keep my bed warm."

"I can understand the first parts but your bed? Do you wish me to whore myself?"
Kubo's grip on you tightens for a split second. That word, coming from your innocent mouth, annoyed him a bit. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm.

"I am asking you to play a role for me he says.
"I want you to act as my lover. It's the easiest method to manipulate the people I am negotiating with. They would be more lenient if I tell them that I'm here for my lover."

"Play?" Your eyes wide open, staring back at him demanding more information.
Kubo grins at your reaction, the fire in your eyes are amusing to him. He wants to make sure you understand the situation perfectly, so he leans closer, his hand on your waist slowly moving south to your thigh.

"You'll be my lover in public," he begins.
"We'll go around, hold hands, share a hotel room to make the show more convincing."
He leans even closer now, his face mere inches from yours, his gaze focused on your lips.

"So you want me to be your fake lover." You left out a sight of relief.
"Why didn't you say that from the start?"

He laughs, the sound deep and masculine. His hand on your thigh squeezed you gently. He's pleased that you're now on the same page as him.
"I wanted to see that cute expression on your face again, little one." he murmurs.

Kubo gets even closer to you now, his body pressing to yours, his scent-aroma of musk and spice-wafting over you. The hand on your thigh traveled a bit further, now resting just below your hip.

Your body was responsive to his touch but your mind was screaming at you to run away from him. You won't be able to handle this game. He is the hunter and you are the prey. An innocent and easy to influence woman.

Kubo could see the conflict on your face, the battle between your body's reaction and your mind's warning. The way your body responded to his touch, the quicken in your breath, and the flush on your cheeks gave it away.

He knew you were conflicted. "So easy to influence."

Kubo brought his hands up and cupped your cheeks, his gaze locking with yours. He wanted you to look at him, and only at him.
"No need to think, doll." he murmured, his voice was low and soothing. "Just feel."

"I can't, I won't," you get up and hide behind his desk.

Kubo lets out a sigh, his expression morphing into annoyance as you take refuge behind his desk.
"You can't keep running away from me." he growls, taking a few steps towards you.
He looks at you, annoyed, yet amused to see you so afraid yet brave enough to run from him.
"Come out from behind there."
His tone is commanding, leaving no room for defiance.

"I will not be your plaything. I will pay my debt. Even if I will work myself to the bone, I refuse your offer."

Kubo chuckles, his temper rising steadily. He's amused that you're refusing him, but it's starting to anger him.
"You refuse to be my pretend lover, but you're fine with working yourself to the bone?"

He takes a step closer, his eyes narrowing.
"You're going to pay me back one way or another. I always get what I want. You don't have a choice."

"Actually we have a contract, in case you forgot."

He laughs, the sound harsh and without any amusement.
"Your little contract means nothing to me." He closes the distance, moving to stand in front of you, effectively trapping you behind the desk.

"You're at my mercy here." he mutters, his gaze darkening.
"You either play my game, or I'll find another way to get what I want."

His hand, now at his side, turns into a fist, as if suppressing the urge to grab you and toss you over the desk.

"Another way?" Tears swell from your eyes and wet your cheeks. "Are you even human?"

"What, are you going to try and guilt trip me now?"
Kubo's voice is cold, void of any emotions as he looks down at you, tears streaming down your face.

"Don't you understand, little one? I'm a man who doesn't take no for an answer. You owe me a sum of money, and I intend to get paid back."

He takes another step forward, his body leaning slightly towards you.
"I've been playing nice with you, but I'm not a saint. You're mine now. You're my possession."

"This is you playing nice, you say?" You are afraid of him.

A mocking laugh escapes his lips.
"I am being rather gracious, doll. Trust me, you don't want to see me angry."
He leans even closer, his face inches from yours now, forcing you to crane your neck to look up at him.
"I'm being nice by giving you an option."

Kubo's hand reaches out and caresses your cheek, but his touch is rough and possessive, not like how a lover would touch his beloved.

"Can you promise then you will not force me? I don't ..." You keep to yourself your thoughts. My first relationship to be with you.

Kubo laughs as if he has heard a funny joke.
"You're in no position to bargain here," he replies, his hand moving from your cheek to your neck. His fingers wrap around it, just enough so that you can feel his strength.
"But if it makes you feel better, I promise I won't force you if you willingly play your part."
He pauses, his gaze roaming over your face and body, as if appraising you.

"I will play my part then. But nothing more. You cannot demand that I give you my heart."

He laughs again, this time, a bit more amused than before.
"You're quite the naive one, aren't you?" Kubo moves even closer now, his body pressing against yours, forcing you back against the desk.

"Do you really think I'm gonna want your heart? I'm just interested in your body."

His hand on your neck tightens a bit, forcing you to tilt your head up, to look him in the eye. His gaze is dark, and you can hear the sound of his deep breathing.

"I understand." Your heart was broken in tiny pieces. The joy of prolonging your mother's life was now washed with these filthy demands.

Kubo grins, pleased that he finally got you to agree.
"There's a good girl," he murmurs, his hand on your neck moving back to your cheek, gently stroking the skin.
"I knew you'd come around. You may act all tough, but deep inside, you're just an innocent girl who wants to make things right."
His gaze drops to your lips, and you can tell he's tempted to kiss you.

"And you are the jerk who wants to take advantage of this. You knew but still...."
"Guilty as charged," he replies, a smirk on his lips.
He leans closer, his face just a breath away from yours, his breath hot and heavy on your skin.
"You're right, doll, I am taking advantage of this. But you can't blame a guy for trying, can you? You're just so damn cute when you're stubborn."

"I am cute? What are you saying now? You don't need to pretend anymore. I have agreed to your play."

Kubo laughs, a deep and genuine laugh that surprises you.
"Who says I'm pretending, doll?" he asks, his tone playful.
He leans even closer now, his body is pressed against yours. You can feel the heat radiating off him, his strong form towering over you.
"I genuinely find you cute, even if you try to act tough."

His free hand moves away from your cheek and begins tracing shapes on your waist, sending tingles across your skin, despite your efforts to remain emotionless.
"I am not..." But deep down you're blushing and wondering how someone like him sees you cute or desires your body, when you are so mundane and not a good fit for his grandiose.

Kubo cocks an eyebrow, amused that he can see through your attempts to hide your true feelings.
"Oh, stop trying to downplay yourself, doll," he says, his voice low and almost teasing.
"You're a lot more attractive than you give yourself credit for. I can see it in your eyes, the way you move, the way you try to play tough, but deep down, you're curious about this whole situation, aren't you?"

His hand continues tracing shapes on your waist, his thumb slowly moving up towards the edge of your top.
"I may be curious but I'm also scared. This is so fucked up."
Kubo let out a scoff, his hand still tracing the edge of your top, gently touching your bare skin.

"Being scared is normal, doll. It means you're human. But you should also be excited. I can tell you're not naïve and innocent as you pretend to be."
He leans closer, his mouth grazing your earlobe, his lips barely touching the sensitive skin.

"You're curious about what it would be like, to be touched, to be wanted, by someone like me."