161 In the Night

I walked out of the train that I took from Nocsinis back to Lumina, stepping foot once again on the same Station Square that I was here just a couple hours earlier with Irina. The stage in the center of the Station Square has been disassembled and removed from view, leaving behind no traces or remembrance of that past. The few pedestrians that were still out in this late winter night simply walked right past that spot as if nothing had occurred there earlier.

I huffed out a cloud of white air and reached my numb hands into my pockets for my phone. I checked the illuminated screen for the time and saw that it was already 10:45 P.M. From nearby, I could hear the sound of speakers playing the audio of what was being broadcasted on the large jumbotron screen located on the side of a building that was visible from the Station Square. Looking over, I saw that it was the finale of the live stream. From the looks of it, Irina must've partnered up with Henvle after the forced departure of both Henvle's guest and me since the two were connected by a paper wristband.

The two were smiling as they waved towards the camera while holding up their prizes which were a matching pair of platinum rings. Henvle appeared quite happy, and even though Irina was acting as if she was quite joyful as well, I could tell that something was off and that she was simply forcing herself to act that way. I know the reason why she's like that, but... it's not like I really have another choice at the time.

Without thinking much about other stuff, I started walking towards the streets in the direction of the building where I resided in. To keep my hands warm, I kept them in the pockets of my coat.

Even though I tried to keep my mind clear of any distractions, I am still unable to shake off that odd feeling that I felt after prying Irina's hand away from mine. That gesture is quite rude and might give her the wrong idea. I do not want this to destroy whatever bond that might connect us. It was just something that I must do at that moment in time. I know it must be harsh for her since she has feelings for me, but as I've stated in the past, I suspect that those feelings are simply gratitude and admiration for what I was able to accomplish for her. The reality is, she doesn't know me well enough to develop true romantic feelings for me. Someone like me does not deserve someone like her. I am a scum, the worst of the worst of humanity. I deserve to operate alone and in the shadows. As someone who lives in the dark, that spot next to her who bask in the glamor of the spotlight isn't fit for me. I do not want to take advantage of her for a temporary pleasure and hurt her. Besides, if this feeling that she holds for me isn't a true and genuine love, then I rather it be buried away and never come into light.

The cold wind blew in from Oceanus Leshius, into the mouth of the Helliger River, and down the banks of the river. It moved my hair as well as the tail-end of my winter coat that I had buttoned up. Looking over to my left, I saw right across the dark river that reflected the skyline and lights of both Lumina and Nocsinis district. I took in the beautiful view of the Nocsinis skyline and thought about the river that flowed beside me. This was the river that the boat they were on had sailed down...

I entered through the front door to my building and boarded the elevators up to the floor that I live on. Without coming into contact with anyone on my way up, I exited the elevator and walked towards the door to my residence. After unlocking the door with my fingerprint, I opened it and entered. With my eyes partially closed, I let out a sigh of relief as I began subconsciously remove my footwear. However, that was when I saw the unfamiliar pair of dress shoes that were neatly set by the door next to the heels that Loriana had worn.

With a sigh, I quickly entered the house, looking around in the living room for any signs of life. Once I confirmed that there was nobody in the living room, I quickly made my way over down the small hallway and stopped before Loriana's bedroom door. I then knocked on the door and without waiting for an answer, I opened it and entered.

Inside, I saw a surprised man who was sitting on a chair beside Loriana's bed while Loriana laid on the bed asleep. The man's astonished face did not interfere with me identifying who he was. His name was Markus and is Loriana's coworker. If I remember correctly, he has a crush on her.

"What're you doing?" I said in a cold voice as I stood there and simply gaze at him with widened eyes that must've appeared quite intimidating and creepy as Markus started stuttering. However, I wasn't so sure if it wasn't out of guilt as well.

"I-I ugh..." he started speaking. "Loriana had a bit to drink tonight and I was tasked of taking her back to her place."

"What're you doing in here then?" I inquired him in an interrogated tone.

"I was just thinking she seemed a bit drunk so I wanted to wait around until someone came home to take care of her," Markus explained. "And since I wasn't sure if she'll be fine sleeping, I waited in here."

I stared into his eyes as I judged the authenticity of his testimony. In his eyes, I could sense that he wasn't lying. However, I still decided to check for myself.

I walked past his chair and over to Loriana's bed. I lifted the bed covers slightly, taking a peak underneath to see whether or not she had been taken advantaged of. After seeing that she was still dressed in the clothing she had left the house with, I let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you," I nodded towards him. "You can go now. I'll take it from here."

I then started pushing him out of Loriana's room and in the direction of the front door. However, Markus appeared somewhat reluctant as he offered some resistance.

"W-wait!" Markus said in a raised voice to gain my attention. "You're just a kid. Can you even take care of her?"

"You don't have to doubt me," I said to him and continued ushering him towards the exit. "You probably still remember me from that last team dinner—" I paused as I recalled that I had altered their memories in regards to that incident so this was technically Markus's first official meeting with me besides the previous time when he had stopped by after working overtime with Loriana. "Don't worry. I have experience with this type of stuff."

After he reluctantly put on his shoes and stepped out of our residence, I closed the door behind him. Then, I walked over to the touchscreen monitor beside the door and checked the stored number of fingerprints in the system. After making sure that Markus had not taken advantage of Loriana's drunken state and add his fingerprints into the system while using hers for authorization, I stepped away from the terminal to face the inside of my house. With a sigh of fatigue, I went on with my duties.

I returned to Loriana's room and started stripping her of her clothing while keeping the undergarments on. Even though I've seen her in her nude already, it still felt quite weird removing all her clothing without her being conscious. It just felt wrong.

After I removed all of her clothing and exposed her smooth skin underneath, I went into her restroom and returned with a warm towel with which I wiped her body with so as to clean her. I didn't know how much she drank, but like before, she was in the state of half-awake and half-asleep, teetering about on the fence of both states.

Her soft breathing occasionally became moans as the wet towel moved across the inside of her thighs, but it appeared as if she did not stirr entirely. However, this did not stop her from grabbing onto my hand.

"Don't leave me," she whispered while in an intoxicated state. "Erin, please don't..."

Erin... I repeated to myself. This was the name that Loriana had repeated in the past. Based off of the emotions she placed in saying this name, I believe it must be... her ex-boyfriend?

It was quite awkward and mood-fouling for me for some odd reason. However, this did not stop me from finishing the quick clean up of her body. After I was finished, I went back into her restroom and rinsed the towel before hanging it up to dry. Then, it was my turn to bathe and head to bed.

After taking a warm bath and taking care of my nighttime routines, I laid down on my bed. Every part of my body was sore from the extended period of walking around that I participated in while on the live stream with Irina. It made it so that I felt quite annoyed if I had to move. It was quite comfortable just laying down.

"I still have to get the lights..." I muttered as I rolled over onto my back and reached for my phone that was sitting on the charging stand that was sitting on the surface of my bedtime table.

Using the control app on my phone, I switched off the lights and hid underneath the warm covers of my bed. From the crevices between the curtains that covered the sliding glass door leading out onto the balcony, the lights of the city spilled in. And while taking in the beautiful nighttime view through the crevice, I slowly fell asleep.