[63.1]Cyrus POV: The Predator Prepares His Claws

[Disclaimer: This chapter includes mature material that may not be suitable for every reader. This chapter includes emotional manipulation, emotional and physical abuse, assault, and other themes that may be traumatizing to the reader.]

[Author's note: This chapter is from Cyrus's perspective.]

I stood in front of the next painting where I saw dozens of ribbons and awards surrounding a seemingly blank canvas.

First place.

Honorable mention.

Second place.

There were so many awards it was almost impossible to look at them all. I stared at all of them littering the wall, "Wow…"

"Impressive, I know. I worked really hard to get all those awards and prizes."

Reika suddenly reached through the next painting and pulled me inside. When I blinked my eyes, I was sitting on a bench, watching as an anxious Reika stood by her work, glancing from side to side. There were many people in the gallery, some appreciating the hard work put into each piece, while most were supporting the person they came for at the show.

Everyone had someone…

Except for Reika.

Reika sighed deeply and walked over to a table and picked up a glass of wine. She quickly gulped it down and grabbed another one before somberly walking back to her own paintings. She stared at them while sipping her wine and tapping her fingers against the glass.

"This is truly extraordinary."

Reika and I both looked in surprise at the sudden appearance of a man beside her. He was tall with average looks, handsome, but not overpowering. He had a faint smell of cigarette smoke and his eyes were so dark, they went to depths one didn't want to venture.

He glanced at her from the side, "Are you the artist?"

Reika flushed and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, "I-I am."

"What inspired you to create this?"

"Oh, I painted that while imagining my family."

"The colors are so dark, it makes it seem almost lifeless."

"Y-Yeah… I guess I just wanted to capture the feeling I got when I thought back to my childhood. I didn't have the most pleasant memories… Perhaps it's a bit too moody."

"I wouldn't say that. When I stare at it, I feel a sense of closeness to the artist. It makes you feel like it's less of a painting and more of an insight to the painter."

Reika's eyes lit up, "You really think so?"

"I do." He finally turned to face Reika, his teeth gleaming in the light as he smiled, "This art show is meant to showcase the graduates of the program, does that mean you are graduating soon?"

She nodded, "I am."

"Do you have any plans after graduating?"

"Not yet… I've always wanted to show my work off in an art gallery, but unfortunately, I don't think I will have that opportunity. There's just too much competition."

"Well, you're in luck. I actually operate a few art galleries in the more upscale part of the city."

Her eyes widened, "Really? You own an art gallery?"

"In a way. My parents own them, but I'm responsible for finding artists to showcase and manage. I really think your work has what it takes to be one of them."

Reika's face completely brightened as she heard this. She was so ecstatic to hear this, she didn't even question it, "You really think so?!"

"I do. You have such talent, it would be a waste not to show it off. I would love to have you present your work at one of my galleries."

He placed his hand on her shoulder, gently giving it a rub. It was so smooth, she almost didn't realize it was there. Reika looked up at him in idolization, "You think my artwork is really good enough for a gallery? It's not too… Boring?"

Seeing his hand on her shoulder, an overwhelming fire ignited in my chest. I clenched my fists as I glared at his hand wishing I could chop it off.

The man continued charismatically, "Tragic artists always draw in a crowd, so I'm sure there will be many people interested in seeing your work. It's not paid that well, but artists can sell their art pieces and keep the earnings for themselves."

He handed her a business card with a suggestive smile, "Maybe we could meet to discuss it?"

Reika flushed in embarrassment and took the card, "I would like that."

Seeing the exchange between the two, I felt my mouth turned sour.

I don't know why, but I suddenly have the urge to punch that guy.

He gave her a wink, "It's a date."

Oh yeah. I really REALLY want to punch him now.

The scene changed to the two of them at dinner. I was placed outside, staring through the window as the two flirted right in front of me.

Reika was clearly more reserved than she had ever been with me, but her flushed appearance suggested just how much she was enjoying the encounter.

I couldn't hear what he said, but the man reached out and held her hand, causing her to turn bright red and nod her head quickly.

I let out a panicked scream, "GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF HER!"

I rushed inside with my sword in hand, but as soon as I went through the door, the memory disappeared. After that, memories started flashing rapidly.

Walking together in the park.

Going out to dinner.

Cooking together.

Even meeting the man's parents.

I tried cutting him in half multiple times, but as he was just a memory, my sword passed through him as if it didn't exist.

I was going crazy with rage every time he opened his mouth to speak to her.

"You're so beautiful."

"You're so amazing."

"You're so incredible."

Any chance he got, he was complimenting her. He was telling her everything she had ever wanted to hear. Because of his sickly sweet words, the twinkle in her eyes returned with full force.

He was like a drug to her.

She became completely reliant on this man. She was always grabbing onto him, wanting to be closer each chance she got. When the two leaned in to kiss, I felt my body explode with rage. Before their lips touched, I slashed at the man with my sword in a rage.

The memory abruptly disappeared this time and I heard a giggle behind me, "You're handling this differently than I expected."

I turned around in surprise. A woman who looked like Reika in the memory, yet a few years older, was staring at me with a strange smile. I almost couldn't believe my eyes, "...Reika? Can you see me?"

She smiled at me, "I thought you would attack me instead of him."

My eyebrows pinched together, "Why would I ever do that?"

Her smile faded and her eyes glazed over, "Well… You'll see."

She disappeared and a new memory appeared.

Reika looked completely at home in his small apartment while she snuggled up to him. She giggled as she nuzzled into him, "I'm so lucky to have you!"

I tapped my foot in irritation.

I'm glad she's got someone treating her this nicely, but I just want to completely eradicate this man from her memory!!!

…Such a shame my sword can't cut him in half as I wished it would.

He held her hand, tracing her palm with his finger, "I'm glad to have you too, but…"

She suddenly sat up more alert, "But what?"

He glanced at her, "But it's clear you don't feel the same as I do."

I watched as Reika panicked, "W-What? What do you mean?"

I raised my eyebrow.

What is this degenerate spouting now?

His tone turned harsh, "If you actually liked me, you wouldn't be going out to bars and posting all those pictures half-dressed. Only women who are looking for other men do that!"

Reika shook her head quickly, "No! I don't do that to get other men, I go out with my friends and that's what they do! I don't even talk to anyone else!"

"Hah! You really expect me to believe that?! It's obvious you're doing that to find a better man than me."

"No! I'm not! I'm really not! You are the only one I want!"

He let out a sigh, "Reika… I really like you. I do, but if you want this relationship to work, then you'll need to stop going out at night and partying."

Reika hugged him tightly, "I-I will! I will stop going out… I didn't know it bothered you this much… But since it does, then I will gladly stop doing it!"

"Really?"

"Really! I want this relationship to work too…" Reika averted her gaze shyly, "I've never been treated as good as you treat me. I would never want to lose you. I don't care much for drinking or going out anyways. My friends are the ones who usually want to go, not me."

"-Oh? Your friends? So your friends are the issue."

She blinked in confusion, "I don't see how they are the issue. They just want to include me-"

"-Reika. Are you blind? They are obviously making you go out to bars and parties to get us to separate."

"They… They are?"

"That's right. They want to see us argue… They are probably just jealous of our relationship so they want us to break up." He smiled with a dark expression that Reika wasn't able to see, "I think you should also stop talking to those girls."

Reika's face fell, "B-But… Those are my friends. We've been friends all throughout art school. I couldn't have made it without them-"

"They don't even like you!"

Reika flinched, "They… Don't?"

"No! They don't! Why else would they only ask you to go out drinking!?" He shook his head with a sigh, "Reika. You really are too kind. You can't even see that they are all laughing about you behind your back. Face it. You're just a joke to them."

Reika furrowed her brow, "Maybe… Maybe I should talk to them about it first. Maybe if I hear their explanation-"

"-So then you don't really mean what you said about wanting our relationship to work! You don't even trust me!" He pulled his hand from her grasp and stood up from the couch, "If that's how much you value our relationship that you won't even respect my boundaries, then you should leave. I want to date someone who actually cares about me and my feelings."

"I do care about you!"

He ignored her, "I gave you your dream job at my gallery. I'm the one always here when you need support. I pay for everything and give you everything I have, but you just trample on my goodwill. I can't do it anymore. I can't be with you."

Reika stood up and held onto him as she pleaded, "No! No! Please don't leave me! I-I will do anything! I-If you want me to stop talking to them, then I will! Please don't leave me…"

He stared down at her apathetically, "Then you'll stop talking to them?"

"I will!"

"Promise me."

"I promise!"

He pulled her into a hug and ran his hand over her hair to soothe her, "I love you so much, Reika…"

Her eyes widened, tearing up from his words. She hugged him back with a large smile, "I love you too…"

A small, evil smile slowly appeared on the man's face as he held her closer.

"OH HELL NO!" I shouted in a rage, "THIS- THIS A**HOLE! I'M GOING TO FIND A WAY TO KILL HIM!"

As I raged and thought of all the possible ways to kill him, the memory changed to Reika walking down a busy street. A woman saw her and started running at her waving her arms, "Reika! Reika, wait!"

Reika heard the voice but tried to ignore it.

The woman wouldn't let her escape and caught up to her. She grabbed Reika and spun her around to face her, "Reika. Why have you been avoiding us? You aren't answering any of our calls and just now you ignored me."

Reika looked uncomfortable as she glanced at the woman, "I'm sorry, but… My boyfriend doesn't like it when I talk to all of you and I don't really want to lose him."

She stared at Reika in disbelief, "You… You don't want to be friends anymore because of him?!"

Reika bit her lip, "I'm sorry, I really am… But I need to prioritize my future with him now. If this makes him angry, and I can avoid that, I'm going to do just that. Please understand."

Reika turned around and went to walk away while her friend shouted at her, "You're going to regret saying that, Reika!!! Friends will always be there! Men won't be!"

Reika ignored her and walked quicker.

I stared at her friend who looked as if she had been dealt such a crushing blow. Her eyebrows pinched together as she spoke, "#$%$@!$#@%!"

I covered my ears in pain as a high-pitched frequency masked her words. Once the memory faded away, I heard the frequency die down as well. A voice spoke in the darkness, "...I never spoke to them again. I've always regretted that. Especially considering what happened next."