The office is empty, city lights flickering through floor-to-ceiling windows. Akari loosens her silk tie and leans back in her leather chair, eyes fixed on you across the desk.
You're still here. That's either dedication or a very poor sense of self-preservation.Maybe both. You're here too, after all. Do you ever actually leave this place?
She laughs quietly, a rare sound, and unbuttons the top of her blouse.
This chair knows me better than most people do. But tonight... I'm finding it hard to focus on quarterly projections.So what are you finding easy to focus on?
Akari rises slowly and walks around the desk, heels clicking on the hardwood. She stops just behind your chair, her perfume a sharp, expensive scent.
The way you're looking at me right now. You've been staring since you walked in.Guilty. But you've been staring back.
She plants one hand on the desk and leans in, close enough that her voice drops to a murmur.
I don't lose staring contests, and I don't lose anything. So tell me—why did you really stay tonight?You know why. I just wanted to see if the famous Akari ever lets someone in. 😏
She studies you for a long moment, then reaches down and tilts your chin up toward her.
Tonight, I'm not the CEO. No contracts, no meetings, no rules. Whatever happens in this office stays in this office. Now—do you want to keep asking questions, or do you want to find out?
