Chapter Text
Sunlight filled my room with a golden radiance. The sound of me retching from the toilet, emptying my stomach of last night's alcohol, was the only disturbance upsetting the silence. I dragged myself into the living room, cursing myself for my lack of tolerance and wondering why I never seemed to learn. My cat, Snugs, rested contentedly on the sofa, a picture of ease and tranquility. She is a lucky cat; I wish I could sleep all day like she does. Stretching slowly and with little grace, I looked down at Yokohama's busy streets. "Shit," I sighed, seeing it was already two o'clock. I knew that when my father finally saw me, he would treat me to an earful. I sighed, already dreading my father's nagging about my job. Being born into a family with such power and status wasn't something I had chosen. As I neared the kitchen, my steps were halted by a single yellow camellia on my coffee table, resting on what looked like a sleek black card. My thoughts began to fly—had someone been in my apartment? Was there someone I brought home last night? Confused and curious, I quickly reached for the flower and read the card. The sheer amount of anxiety running through me was enough to knock out a small nation. "Run, rabbit, run, K," was all the card read. As I studied the words for the millionth time, my heart raced. Was this a threat? The risk of me being used as leverage over my father had always made me nervous; my brother had fallen for it a few months ago when he was taken hostage and murdered. Anxiety washed over me as I tried to replay last night's antics. I was certain I hadn't brought anyone back here. Maybe it happened while I was out drinking? None of the answers I came up with made me feel any better.
With a sigh, I push thoughts of yellow flowers and rabbits from my mind. I hated the chore of seeing my father every day. I know that sounds awful, and I love my father. Don't get me wrong; his expectations are irrational and, honestly, cruel.
He is a wealthy and powerful man who wields power in all of Japan's key areas. I wanted nothing materialistic growing up, but I craved almost everything emotional. I take a moment to collect my thoughts and adjust my resting bitch face. I open the big oak door to his office, and I smile as I greet him. Looking like the poster child for an irascible old fart, he sits in his leather chair—a chair that is far too fucking big—but he refuses to part with it.
"Father, you asked to see me? I hope everything is okay." My tone was sickeningly sweet. I didn't want to deal with his problems today, but the look he gave me told me I didn't have any options.
"When are you planning to leave your job? Why waste time on minor matters?" His voice lacked emotion, as it always does. Masking any indications of discomfort, I managed to smile. My father has always chastised me for showing emotion—a weakness in his eyes. His words hurt. He always viewed my love for medicine as an unnecessary use of energy or a hobby, which is more insulting. My father thinks I'm only looking for ways to escape from my family. While he's technically wrong, my work has nothing to do with breaking my family ties.
Eliminating an inward flinch, I met his gaze directly before answering as softly as my anger let me: "Dad, I've told you this before. Helping others with medicine is rewarding—I'm not doing it as a hobby or to pass the time." His disapproving grunt indicated he didn't like my answer; he never did. All that mattered to my father was status and power.
"It undermines our family name," he said firmly. "Off-playing doctor, that's ridiculous; you are no longer a child," he said firmly.
Attempting to contain my irritation, I fake a smile while simmering inside at his disregard for something so important to me. Despite his lack of empathy and common sense, I retained my composure while asking him what he needed from me. It had always been difficult to reason with my father; stubbornness ran strong in our family. While I was not immune to letting people know what I think or feel, I tried not to do so when it was unwelcome or just downright stupid.
"Let's have lunch later this week, maybe on Thursday. I will forward the specifics to you. When I suggested that you quit your silly little hospital job Minori, it wasn't a suggestion." His tone was condescending, as usual. I'll admit that I considered wrapping his cane around his head for a brief moment.
Feeling bitterness swell inside me, I forced another fake smile. Silly little hospital job? How fucking dare he? For organizing lunch, a basic text would have been enough. I didn't need this, especially when I was hungover and had to deal with someone sneaking into my apartment to leave a flower—a symbol of power and control, by the way. I try to relax by gently pinching my nose's bridge. While I know letting things overwhelm me won't help, dammit if I wasn't ready to let loose and say fuck it all.
I was grateful when I got a text from Avery. I headed immediately toward our favorite cozy bar without thinking twice. I needed both a hug and a drink. I swear, after waking up this morning with a hangover, I said I was through with alcohol. Whatever, I needed this.
"You look like crap," Avery said as she drank her martini. She personifies sex appeal with her long, dark hair, large lips, and flawless body. I roll my eyes; she was always straight-forward. On the other hand, my suffocating parents have made me more patient and passive. Avery moved from the States to Japan a few years ago, and since we first connected on a night out, we have grown into close friends. I'm her moral compass, and she serves as my backbone.
"Thanks; you're such a lovely friend," I mutter sarcastically. My tone lacks bite or heat, and she knows it, as evidenced by the shit-eating grin she gives me.
"Come on, spills. I want to hear all the juicy gossip," Avery said playfully. I snorted; she knows quite well that normally it's the other way around. I tilt my head and sigh, idly swirling the pink contents of my glass.
"I visited my father today; he once again pestered me to stop working at the hospital." I scowled as his earlier remarks flooded into my mind. Even thinking about his comments pissed me off.
"Avery, I'm sick of bullshit; dealing with it is infuriating.
"He made me go over there and tell me he wanted to have lunch later in the week. I thought about wrapping his cane around his damn head."
Avery snorted behind her glass. 'You should have. It might give the cranky old fart some rationality. Listen, Mini. You enjoy what you do and are amazing at it. I know he can be tough on you. Try not to listen to his bullsh*t. I can't imagine how tiring it must get."
My expression softened at my nickname, a shadow of a smile crawling across my face as I thought about telling her about the flower.
"Did I bring anyone back to my apartment?"
Avery raised a perfect brow, a knowing smile creeping across her pretty face. Her smugness was evident. "Girl, it's you. You know damn well you would never bring any man back to your place. I tried to get you to talk to the handsome guy in the suit who had been looking at you all night, but you're such a prude."
I glanced away from her, pouting. She was right; the guy wearing the suit was quite good-looking. I waved my hand, pushing her teasing aside. "When I woke up this morning, there was a yellow camellia on my table, along with this card."
As she read it, I watched her skin pale, her gaze shifting frequently from me to the card. "Mini, this may be dangerous. Have you talked with your dad? This message seems threatening, implying that someone broke into your apartment while you were asleep. or at the bar." As the gravity of the situation hit her, her expression shifted so abruptly that I couldn't help but laugh like an idiot. She struck me with a loaded look, followed by a flurry of curses.
"I know, I know; I haven't told my dad yet." If I do, it will just make him pressure me more about moving back home or my job, and I might just murder him. I'll set up security cameras and change the locks."
Avery clicked her tongue as she took a substantial swig of her drink. "My god, Mini, that's so weird. I'm genuinely scared for you. Maybe you should come and hang out with me for a while."
I gave my head a firm shake. "Absolutely not; I'm not running from some oddball flower enthusiast."
Her gaze made me realize she would not drop it. "okay sheesh. If it happens again, I promise to spend a week at your place. Satisfied with my response, Avery nodded: "I have to work in the AM; I have to get going; please text me when you get home, Mini."
I nodded, hugging her and making my best attempt at a smile. "Yes, I got it. Sheesh, you're as bad as my mother. I promised, didn't I? Scout honor and all that. I'll text you; see you Friday."
Lost in thought, I made the short walk back to my apartment, looking forward to a relaxing soak and cuddling with Snugs. The closer I got, the more uneasy I felt. Maybe I should have gone back with Avery. I made my way to my door to find it unlocked. Several times I checked before I left; I was sure I had locked it. After taking a deep breath and psyching myself up, I peeked around the door. The sight that met my eyes left me frozen in disbelief. All over my apartment were yellow camellias. Not just one this time, multiple. Snugs didn't seem to mind, staying sound asleep, looking like the pampered princess she was, lying amongst them with no care in the world.
Shutting the door behind me, I ran a hand through my hair. What the heck? Does someone have a key? Is this some fucking twisted joke? They were everywhere. I was pissed; it would take me an eternity to clear them up, and I had no idea how long the lingering smell of pollen would last. As I began gathering them with an unmistakable expression of irritation, my gaze snapped to the black card on my couch. "Shit," I muttered, and with great difficulty, I forced myself to pick it up. Part of me didn't want to turn it over, but my curiosity won. I flipped the card and read the message repeatedly:
Are you a fucking bee? What is this sh*t? Disregarding the thoughts of my insect stalker, I made an effort to reach into my bag for my phone. It had been vibrating obnoxiously since I got back home.
"Oh my god," every last drop of color must have drained from my entire being. The message on the card was a taunt: this idiot really must have a death wish, buzz buzz buzz, an imitation of my phone vibrating. My paranoia was out of control. Swallowing, I sit next to Snugs and read the texts individually.
Unknown: Do you know what the yellow camellia signifies? longing, control, and power. things I will have over you in good time, rabbit.
Unknown: I can guarantee you that I am not a bee.
Realizing that my apartment was bugged with mics, at the very least, was not a discovery I thought I would be making, nor was it a pleasant one. Fuck, fuck, and fuck.
Unknown: Aren't you curious who I am, little rabbit?
Unknown: Aren't you curious about my desires? What I'm going to do to you?
My fingers danced across my phone's touchscreen as I tried to regain some sort of regularity in my breathing and any sign of a coherent thought. I knew it was absurd. Who taunts a potential psychopath? Me, because it seems I too have a death wish.
"No, I'm not interested in knowing who you are. "If you attempt this shit again, I will call the police."
The reply came instantly. My eyes widened as I read the response, confirming what I already knew: that mocking my stalker wasn't my best decision when this creepy fucker had access to my home.
Unknown: You will face punishment for such behavior and disobedience. Be a good girl, and I might allow you to come once I am through with you.
Okay, I was pissed off now, breaking into my apartment to leave silly flowers and then thinking he had any influence on my orgasms like I would let this freak within 5 yards of me.
"It's bold of you to think I would entertain some psychopath who thinks they can break into my apartment and expect me to be curious as to who the fuck they are."
I was frustrated, as promised, I texted Avery, but I left out the details of my insect stalker and the camellias throughout my apartment.
Unknown: It's brave of you to think you have a choice, little rabbit. Now be a good girl and get some sleep; you have work in the AM.
What the fuck? They were aware of my schedule. Was this someone I knew? Who the fuck makes these kinds of fucking jokes? I sighed. Who was I kidding? This was a threat, something I should take seriously or at least get checked out.
The sheer number of possibilities running through my mind was making me queasy. I couldn't handle the sheer number of scenarios racing through my mind; it was making me feel nauseous. I double-checked every window—a decision I knew was irrational. My apartment was on the tenth floor, and the thought of someone scaling my building to climb through a window was humorous. I triple-checked the locks and then checked again before finally settling in bed with a headache and anxiety that would be enough for a small country.
My muscles tensed as my phone buzzed again, and I read it with a grimace. Run? I'll be running over whoever the fuck this is with a semi-truck when I find out who they are. I couldn't do anything right now, but I knew it would only escalate throughout the next few days.
Unknown: Run, Rabbit, Run.