SIX: FUIS MOI

NOIR

I wasn't afraid of her. I was only afraid for her.

Maybe that was stupid but I didn't care.

Our talk ended sooner than I would've preferred but she needed to eat and I expected her to get some sleep after that.

After checking in with my assistants, I signed a few contracts and settled all the employment complications at headquarters. At least I was able to handle the things my father had let me handle, and more.

I knew I'd have to live as the face of the company but secretly under his shadow. The company was his obsession and all I could do was try to understand that.

I glanced at the time. It was 3 am.

I lowered the screen of my laptop and jumped slightly in my seat at the sight of Danica.

I sighed.

"How long have you been standing there?"

She shrugged.

I rubbed my eyes in a miserable attempt to stop the aching.

"You should be asleep. We're flying to Miami tomorrow."

She cleared her throat and took a shaky breath.

"Y-you mean like a plane?"

I reserved my sarcastic reply and nodded slowly.

"My private jet."

She shook her head, letting a sudden wave of frustration and anxiety take over.

I stood up and walked towards her.

"What's wrong?"

"I just don't think I can handle it," she said in a half whisper.

"You're safe with me. I promise."

"You're not safe with me. I promise," she replied.

"I might do something crazy," she added in the same whisper.

"That's good. I like crazy," I replied with a shrug, partly succeeding in concealing my own fear.

She let out a small, bitter laugh.

"Please don't endanger yourself because of me. I'm not worth it."

This time, I actually reached out and pushed her messy hair off her face. She tilted her head slightly but avoided eye contact as usual.

"Has anyone ever told you how absolutely breathtakingly beautiful you are?"

Her eyes finally met mine briefly with an unreadable emotion lurking.

"That was pretty random," she stated.

"I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," I said.

She shook her head. "You didn't. For the first time in a very long time, I feel a little... Safe," she frowned as the last word escaped her lips.

"I'm going to need you to trust yourself," I said tilting her chin up to regain eye contact.

"That never ends well. You should run from me."

She turned and walked away.

DANICA

The next morning, I peeked cautiously for the hundredth time into the bathroom to make sure the mirror wasn't there.

After slipping on the hoodie and leggings he had gotten me I took a few deep breaths.

"Ready?" He asked stuffing his laptop into a bag.

"No," I replied.

"Okay. Let's go," he replied, slightly disregarding my anxiety.

I sighed and followed him out of the room.

A few men walked in and grabbed the bags.

Just breathe.

The elevator doors opened and we stepped out. There was a sudden tension in the atmosphere as everyone stopped and stared. I kept my head down as we walked through the lobby but I didn't miss the weird looks I got.

As soon as we stepped out of the hotel a crowed of people surrounded us.

"How did they even find me?" He asked no one in particular.

The paparazzi continued to irritate him and I screwed my eyes shut and covered my ears with my hands.

A few minuted later I was pushed into a car.

I slowly opened my eyes and lowered my hands to see him staring at me.

"You okay?"

I nodded.

He gave me a reassuring smile.

I reminded myself to breathe as I climbed the stairs into his personal aircraft.

He kept glancing at me nervously.

The takeoff wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be and I was actually convinced that nothing bad would happen. I held onto the thought of reaching our destination alive, hoping it would ease my anxiety.

But of course, my mind turned on me. Every possible scenario ran through my mind and the space seemed to be becoming smaller.

And those horrible thoughts returned.

I forgot how to breathe and a single idea took over.

I need to get off.

I didn't realize I had said that out loud until I heard his voice.

"What?"

My eyes met his and they widened as soon as they saw the terror in mine.

"I-I..." I couldn't form a proper sentence and my vision became blurry.

I clenched my chest as pain shot through.

I screwed my eyes shut and shook my head, hoping to get the idea out of my head.

I started moving, and for those few minutes, I was trapped in a body that had a mind of its own.

I lost my hearing as every voice fell into a distant echo.

***

I regained consciousness and sat up with difficulty, immediately regretting it as pain shot through my head.

I tried to reach for it but my hands were restrained.

Wait...

I looked down and found my straitjacket in its rightful place. I looked up and there he was, staring at me.

"Told you you'd need it," I said in a low voice.

"How bad?" I asked swinging my legs off and resting my back.

"You tried to stop the jet," he said trying to hide the emotions in his voice.

"I didn't want to put that thing back on you. But—"

"Oh good. You hate it as much as I do," I said cutting him off.

"You didn't have a choice," I said forcing a small smile.

"I-I just..." He trailed off.

"I tried to warn you," I said.

"I'm sorry," he said, sounding defeated.

I didn't think I deserved that apology.

There was a moment of silence before...

"Brittany,"

She walked over in her revealing uniform.

"Take it off," he said.

Her cheeks tinted red.

"Here?" She asked starting to undo her buttons.

He glanced at her with a frown then his eyes widened slightly. He held his finger out.

"I mean the straitjacket?"

Her eyes widened in embarrassment and fear.

"Oh. S-sir I'm not sure that's a good idea," she said glancing at me.

"You were sure when you out it on her weren't you?"

"It took four of us sir," she pointed out.

"The others are still tending to their injuries," she added.

He stared at her with a blank expression.

That's when I discovered this side of him.

I couldn't help it but laugh at the situation though. "She's right. Its a bad idea," I stated.

He glanced at me but didn't say anything. He nodded and gave her a dismissive wave.

I managed to stay calm for the rest of the flight.

"So do you always sleep with your flight attendants?" The words flew out of my mouth.

He frowned.

"What? Of course not," he replied without looking up from his laptop.

"Right."

I remained silent for a while before asking a question that had been on my mind.

"Who exactly are you?" I asked.

He finally looked up.

"Asher Noir." His eyes went back to the screen.

"Do you sell drugs?"

A small smile formed on his lips.

"I run a company."

"You're very good looking, you know," I quipped.

"Oh stop. You're making me blush," he quipped sarcastically.

"I guess you get that a lot. Are you married? I don't see a ring."

"No I'm not," he replied.

"But you have a girlfriend?"

He didn't respond.

"Oh you're gay."

He looked up. I couldn't believe I was having a casual conversation with this man, especially due to the circumstances surrounding our encounter. Plus, I just had a damn panic attack.

"Why do you ask? Do you have a crush on me?" He joked.

"I'm sure you have people lined up for you. I'm not willing to join the queue," I replied.

"I like women," he stated.

"One more question," I started, hearing the tone in my voice to match my emotions.

"Why bother? I'm still trying to figure that out."

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I mean why are you doing all of this? To impress people?"

His eyes met mine and I could see a bit of sincerity in them as he uttered his next words.

"No, Danica. I just want to help you."