Mavys pushed through the service doors into the kitchen, the sharp aroma of coffee and the clatter of pans washing over her. She handed the order slip to one of the baristas, her voice steady though her fingers trembled against the paper.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbei1uQqO0b
“Black coffee—two sugar cubes, not too cold, not too hot. A hot mocha. And one beer,” she recited.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabZFWxo7rW
The chef arched an eyebrow at the beer order but said nothing. Around her, staff bustled with brisk efficiency, the hum of work almost enough to distract her from the pounding at her temples. Almost.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kqdh482Cl
Within minutes, the tray was ready. Mavys lifted it carefully, forcing a polite smile as her vision flickered at the edges, blurring like smudged glass. She inhaled deeply and stepped out into the hall, each click of her heels echoing against the polished floor.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCj4XwMazsf
“Not now… please, not now,” she whispered, her breath shaky.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx57Ll654Rz
The staff elevator seemed farther than it should. Her vision swam, the glowing numbers above the doors doubling, then melting into one another. Still, she pressed forward, posture straight, tray perfectly balanced in her hands. When the elevator chimed, she stepped inside with a mask of composure, even as fire raged behind her eyes.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMtGdQXhPv
By the time she reached the penthouse, beads of sweat had gathered along her hairline, dampening the collar of her uniform. She smoothed her expression into a flawless smile and knocked lightly before entering.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9lYkdreD0
“Your orders,” she said softly, placing the drinks on the low table with practiced grace.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VBtImGLws
Luigi reached for his beer without a thought, grinning. Nico murmured thanks as he slid the mocha closer. But Fourth’s eyes lingered on her—the sheen of sweat, the faint tremor in her hands, the too-tight curve of her smile.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WX2nOvuQj
Something was wrong.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wWEGFYb89
He leaned forward, lips parting—
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98EhSzbYDQ
—but the door opened again.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Z666IeDG8
“Ah, there you are.” Mr. Han’s voice cut through the moment, calm yet firm. His gaze swept the room before settling on her. “Mavys, you’re dismissed. Go home and rest.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaFRJtAoyh
Her smile faltered. “But, sir—”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoietEMOaea
“Child,” he interrupted gently, stepping closer so only she could hear. “The money you need—it’s already in your locket.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqwcccFgVo
Her eyes widened. Before she could speak, he gave a reassuring nod. “Go home and rest, child.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX9JAB3Z0K
Mavys swallowed hard, bowed slightly, and murmured, “Yes, sir.” She turned toward the door, tray steady though her heart wavered. Behind her, Fourth’s fists tightened against his knees, his gaze following her every step until she was gone.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9R1uwz8UR
In the staff room, her hands shook as she pulled open her locker. There it was—an envelope stuffed with bills, neatly placed just as Mr. Han had said. Her breath caught, knees threatening to give way. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she bit them back, clutching the envelope to her chest.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGefhcsmXn
Her fingers brushed the small plastic bag Lex had slipped her earlier. Inside were tablets—medicine. Relief flickered, but her migraine pulsed harder, blurring her vision into dizzy streaks of light.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfHLGZWRsz
“Not now… please, not now,” she whispered, staggering into the hallway. Each step felt like wading through quicksand, sweat trickling down her temples. The world tilted, threatening to swallow her whole.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtE44U1iHM
Just as her body gave out, a steady hand caught her arm.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZrDG4xo6P
“Mavys.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvb4zvqsu0
Through the blur, she saw Mr. Han, his face drawn with quiet concern. Without hesitation, he slipped an arm around her shoulders, steadying her trembling frame.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ciKzqmyuA
“You should have said something sooner,” he murmured, voice gentle but firm. “Don’t force yourself anymore. Come—I’ll help you.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqmPZEFQR8
Her pride cracked under the weight of exhaustion. Tears stung her eyes as she clutched the medicine and whispered, “Thank you… Mr. Han.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklF05eiRKR
He gave her a small nod, guiding her with patient care. “Rest, child. Just rest.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2vGMIdPTw
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAapojNCCez
Mavys forced a faint smile, her voice barely steady. “Thank you, Mr. Han… if you could just help me to the waiting area, I’ll be fine from there. I’ll take the bus home.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98eBrshaBm
Mr. Han studied her pale face, the sheen of sweat clinging to her temples, and the way she clutched her bag as if it were her lifeline. For a moment, it looked as though he wanted to argue, to insist on escorting her all the way home himself. But seeing the determination in her trembling eyes, he simply gave a short nod.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn58DYzhZL
Supporting her gently, he guided her down the hall. Every step made the pounding in her head worse, her vision dimming at the edges. She bit the inside of her cheek, forcing herself not to stumble, not to collapse right there in front of him.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuF4LsBvAK1
When they reached the waiting area, she sank onto the bench with a shaky exhale. “I’ll be fine from here,” she whispered again, though her voice cracked as if even speaking was a battle.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfJfyNa0yO
Mr. Han crouched in front of her, his hand firm yet kind on her shoulder. “Rest, child,” he said softly, his tone filled with an unusual warmth. “Don’t push yourself any further. I’ll make sure someone keeps an eye on you until your bus comes.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF7tlxsCQQ
Her throat tightened, and though tears threatened to spill, she forced them back. Instead, she gave him a grateful nod. “Thank you… truly.”
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnmR51HHS4
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElhi5XADHn
The bus ride felt endless. Every bump in the road sent a pulse of pain crashing through Mavys’ skull. She pressed her forehead against the cool window, eyes shut tight, but the migraine clawed deeper, blurring the edges of her vision until faces and shapes melted into nothing but light and shadow. She bit her lip, enduring in silence. She had no choice.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwelW0MKq2x
By the time she stepped off the bus, her body was trembling, her palms clammy with sweat. The night air did little to soothe her—too heavy, too thick. She pulled her bag tighter over her shoulder and started down the narrow alley toward home.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmAOf5t7yB
It was always dark here, the kind of darkness that swallowed sound and light alike. But tonight, something was different. A loud, metallic crash echoed from the other end of the alley, followed by hurried voices—low, sharp, threatening.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8VIBR0AKq
Her stomach dropped.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFnxXZoskp
She stopped mid-step, her breath caught in her throat. The pain in her head intensified, blinding, almost as if her migraine was warning her. Her knees wavered, but she steadied herself against the cold wall, heart hammering.
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN6CSChT2A
Not again…
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoq7lQniGS
She knew it. In her bones, in the way the air grew heavier with each second—another catastrophe was about to unfold.
ns216.73.216.133da2
and then Add to home screen.