Obey me, Stepmom (VERSION 2)

Chapter 23

Kokonoi didn't answer right away, his focus on the road as he sped through the city. "He's been looking for you," he finally said. "Disturbed every Bonten member, even dragged some of them back from vacation just to find you. This is the first time he's ever called for something like this."

Y/n's heart pounded in her chest as she stared out of the car window, watching the city blur past.

Kokonoi sat silently in the driver's seat, his eyes fixed on the road, but she could feel his gaze flicker toward her every so often.

The silence between them was thick, and the weight of everything that had just happened hung heavy in the air.

She couldn't keep quiet any longer. "Why the hell is Ran looking for me?" she finally snapped, her voice shaky with anger. "What's his problem now?"

Kokonoi glanced at her, his expression as unreadable as ever. "You tell me. You're the one who's got him all riled up."

Y/n scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest as she leaned back in her seat. "I'm so done with him, I'm sure you knew this... all of it, our past, that accident. I'm such a fool to even think he's still the same as before. I should've just stayed dead to him like what he used to think, probably."

At this point she's just blabbing whatever comes in mind, right now she doesn't have any choice but to actually face him.

Kokonoi raised an eyebrow, a small smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Ran's always been hard to read, but this is different. You've got him on edge, and that's not easy to do. Whatever happened between you two back then, it's more than just a casual fling."

Y/n clenched her fists, the anger bubbling up inside her. "Whatever it was, it's over years ago. I'm done with him, and I'm done with all of this."

Kokonoi kept his eyes on the road, his tone calm but laced with curiosity. "You don't sound like you're done. You sound pissed."

"Of course I'm pissed!" Y/n shot back, her voice rising. "He used me. I was just a pawn in his stupid game, and now he's acting like I'm the one who owes him something. I'm sick of it. Sick of all of it."

Kokonoi didn't respond right away, letting her words hang in the air. When he finally spoke, his voice was softer, almost thoughtful.

"Ran's not the type to get attached, Y/n. He's always been calculated, keeping everyone at arm's length. But with you... it's different I guess what happened years ago is still valuable to him. He's gone to lengths I've never seen him go to before. Whatever you think, you've gotten under his skin."

Y/n turned to glare at him, her eyes flashing with frustration. "You think I care? He had no right to mess with me like that. I was doing my job, and he turned everything upside down. I never asked for this."

Kokonoi sighed, his gaze finally meeting hers in the rearview mirror. "Maybe not, but here you are. And Ran's not the kind of guy who lets things go easily. If he wants you, he'll find a way to keep you close, whether you like it or not."

Of course she knew that.

Y/n felt a surge of defiance rising up in her chest. "I'm not some prize for him to win, Kokonoi. I'm not going to let him control my life."

Kokonoi's smirk faded, his expression turning more serious. "I'm not saying you should, but you've got to be smart about this. Ran's dangerous."

Y/n swallowed hard, the reality of her situation crashing down on her. She wasn't just angry-she was scared.

As the car turned onto a secluded road leading up to the hill where Ran's house was, Y/n tried to push down the fear gnawing at her insides.

But then Kokonoi's voice broke through her thoughts, sharp and probing.

"What were you doing at Saki's building?" he asked, his tone leaving no room for evasion.

Y/n stiffened, her mind racing for an answer. "I... I needed to talk to her," she finally said, hating how weak it sounded. "Wait, you knew her?"

"Duh."

"Well, there just something I talked to her about-"

Kokonoi's eyes narrowed. "And you thought you could just walk away? That Saki would let you go?"

Y/n bit her lip, feeling the walls closing in. "I didn't have a choice. I wanted out."

Kokonoi studied her for a long moment, his gaze piercing. "You were spying on us, weren't you? For her."

Y/n felt her blood run cold. She knew lying wouldn't get her anywhere, but admitting the truth was just as dangerous.

She stayed silent, her eyes dropping to her lap, unable to meet Kokonoi's stare.

"Ran knew, didn't he?" Kokonoi continued, his voice now tinged with a mix of disbelief and understanding.

Y/n's heart pounded, but she still couldn't speak. What could she say? That Ran had known she was a spy all along and still let her get this close?

That she'd let herself fall for him despite everything?

The car slowed as they approached the gates of Ran's house. Kokonoi didn't say anything else, but Y/n could feel the weight of his questions pressing down on her.

She was in way over her head, and she had no idea how to get out of this mess without getting burned even more.

But one thing was clear-she couldn't keep running from this. Not anymore.

The car came to a stop, and Kokonoi turned to look at her, his eyes searching hers. "Good luck," he said, his voice carrying a note of warning yet teasing. "You're going to need it."

Y/n swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest as the car door opened.

She stepped out into the cool night air, staring up at the imposing house on the hill. She was angry, she was scared, and she had no idea what was waiting for her inside.

But there was no turning back now. Not with Ran Haitani waiting for her just beyond those doors.

Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself and slowly walked up the steps to the front door. Her hand trembled as she reached for the handle, hesitating just for a moment.

But before she could lose her nerve, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The house was quiet, too quiet, and the tension in the air was almost suffocating. Y/n's eyes darted around the dimly lit foyer, trying to anticipate what would happen next.

She had just taken a tentative step forward when she felt a sudden rush of movement.

Before she could react, she was enveloped in a pair of strong arms, pulled into a tight embrace. Y/n's breath caught in her throat as she realized who was holding her.

Ran.

He held her close, his grip almost desperate, as if he was afraid she might disappear if he let go.

She could feel the rapid beat of his heart against her chest, matching the frantic pace of her own.

For a moment, all the anger, all the fear, melted away, replaced by something she couldn't quite name, but it was painful.

The warmth of his body, the way he held her like she was something precious-it made her feel safe and terrified all at once.

Y/n didn't know what to say, didn't know how to respond. So, she just stood there, wrapped in his arms, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of it all.

But the questions, the confusion, could wait. For now, all she could do was close her eyes and let herself be held, just for a little while longer.