Work began a few minutes after Elise joined. The shift moved like any other day—quiet, steady—until Arian's phone rang.
I noticed the change in his expression the moment he looked at the screen.
Arian: "I have to go."
Before I could ask anything, he turned and left in a hurry.
The door shut behind him, and something about it stayed with me longer than it should have.
That night felt unusually quiet.
I had dinner and lay down on my bed, staring at my phone before finally typing—
Hey… are you okay?
A few minutes later, his reply appeared.
Arian (text): Yes. My assistant made a mess at the workplace, so I had to leave early.
I let out a small breath.
Okay, that's fine.
Arian (text): Thanks for asking.
A faint smile touched my lips.
Never mind. Don't say thanks… friends care for each other.
There was a pause.
Arian (text): Yes… you're right.
I shifted slightly, holding my phone closer.
Good night.
Arian (text): Good night… love 🙂
I smiled, shaking my head lightly.
Very funny.
My phone rested against my chest as sleep slowly pulled me in.
When I opened my eyes again—
I was standing at the entrance gate.
The air felt colder. Still.
David…
He said, "So… you're on time now. Everything alright?"
He laughed softly, the sound lingering in the air.
I replied, "Yes, everything's fine… you look happy today."
He laughed again. "Why? Are demons not supposed to be happy?"
I replied, "No, no… that's not what I meant. Anyway, you can be happy. It's your world. I was just wondering—do you only work here, or in other levels too?"
He replied, "You seem to know quite a lot about my world."
I replied, "Just because I work here. Anyway… after my contract ends, I'll forget everything, right? So it doesn't really matter."
He replied, "That's true. It's a good thing."
I replied softly, "Yes… a good thing."
I walked past him into the corridor.
The dim lights stretched along the walls, and my footsteps echoed softly in the silence.
The library came into view.
I slowed down, looking around, letting my eyes rest on every corner… every detail.
I whispered to myself, "So… I'll forget this place…"
Then I turned and walked toward the cabin.
The telephone rang, cutting through the stillness.
He said on the call, his voice calm yet firm,
"Cristina, come to my side ."
"I'm coming," I replied.
Moments later, I reached his side and stepped inside. The room felt quieter than usual, as if something unspoken was already waiting there.
I looked at him carefully.
"How are you? Everything alright?"
He hesitated, just for a second.
"Yes… just…" His words trailed off.
I studied his expression, noticing the weight behind it.
"Something's bothering you," I said softly. "Something heavier than just work."
He gave a faint shake of his head. "It's nothing. Just work things."
I said, my voice quieter but certain,
"No… not just work.
I studied his face for a moment. There was something there—but he clearly wasn't going to say it.
So I didn't push.
"Okay," I said softly, giving a small nod. "If you're fine… then let's talk about something else."
A slight pause passed—subtle, but noticeable.
Then I shifted the tone.
"Why stay stuck in routine all the time?" I said lightly. "Why not try moving forward… dating, meeting someone?"
He looked at me, a little surprised. "That's sudden. What brought this on?"
A faint smile formed on my lips.
"Nothing serious. Just a thought. Life's moving anyway… so why not move with it?"
He looked at me, slightly surprised at first… then his expression softened a little.
"Yes," he said after a moment. "I'm trying.
I said, "I'm happy you're thinking of dating someone .
I looked at him and asked, "You must have earned a lot from here… you've saved quite a bit too, right?"
He gave a faint smile. "Yes. Enough to retire."
"That's great," I said softly.
He looked at me for a moment before speaking again. "We can meet in our real world as well. Why only meet here? Let's stay connected."
For a second, I just looked at him. Then he added, "Give me your number."
I hesitated slightly. "And you'll remember it?"
A small, confident smirk appeared on his face. "I have a good enough memory."
I gave him my number.
"I'm glad I found a good friend like you," he said. "We can plan… stay in touch."
I smiled faintly, but before I could say anything, his expression shifted.
"I know that after our contract ends, we're going to forget everything from this place… all the memories."
I froze for a moment. "You already know that? How?"
"I figured it out," he said calmly. "So it doesn't really matter if our friendship ends with the contract… let's just be friends till then."
I nodded slowly. "Yes… sure. Why not? And if there's even a small chance we get our memories back someday… we can be friends again."
He let out a quiet laugh. "It hasn't happened yet… so let's not think that far."
Then he stood up, glancing at the time, signaling the end of the moment.
"You should go now. It's your time."
I nodded.
He stepped forward and pulled me into a hug.
"Thanks… for caring," he said softly, his voice quieter than before. "And… I'm sorry I didn't tell you what was bothering me. Still… you tried to comfort me."
There was a slight pause before he added, almost gently,
"Thank you, Cristina. You're a true friend."
I didn't say much at first. I just stayed there for a moment, then spoke softly—
"It'll pass… whatever it is, it will go away."
He held me for a brief second, as if holding onto the moment… then slowly let go.
"Yes," he said quietly. "And… thank you. For being there."
I gave a small nod and stepped back.
Then I turned and walked out of his chamber, the silence following me all the way back to my cabin. I sat down, trying to steady myself… waiting.
Then the door opened.
My heart skipped.
Lucian walked in.
The door opened with a soft sound, but the air shifted the moment he stepped inside.
He didn't speak immediately—just pulled the chair across from me and sat down, leaning forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees.
And then I saw it.
Red marks.
Faint… but visible.
On his neck. Across his chest.
My eyes stayed there for a second too long.
Something about it felt… heavy. Tight. Uncomfortable.
"Cristina…" His voice was softer than usual, almost careful. "How are you? Are you alright now?"
I didn't respond.
My fingers tightened slightly around the edge of the table. My thoughts were elsewhere—scattered, loud, refusing to settle.
A small, controlled smile formed on my lips.
"So… someone is making out, huh?" I said.
My voice sounded light—but it wasn't.
He paused.
Just for a second.
Then he straightened, his shoulders pulling back, his expression shifting into something more composed… more distant.
"No," he said, his voice steady. "I'm dating. I have a girlfriend."
Something in my chest tightened i don't know why .
I nodded once. "Congratulations."
Silence filled the space between us.
Then his tone changed—firmer now, sharper.
"I'm asking you something. How are you now?"
I looked away, my gaze dropping to the table, my voice turning cold… distant.
"It doesn't matter to you… right? I'm just your employee."
The reaction was instant.
His hand moved suddenly—
Thud.
The book slammed shut, the sound sharp enough to cut through the silence.
"Yeah," he said bluntly. "You're right."
A pause.
His voice dropped lower.
"You are just an employee to me. So don't give me a reason to worry. I have my own things to deal with."
I felt it.
I straightened slightly, my expression steady again.
"Yes," I said calmly. "Don't worry, Mr. Ravenswood."
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he turned slightly, his tone completely professional now, as if nothing had just happened, and gave me work instructions.
Before I could respond—
The door opened again.
I looked up instinctively.
A girl walked in.
Fair skin. Long hair falling perfectly over her shoulders. Soft pink lips. Effortlessly beautiful.
How can a demon be so beautiful in human form? I thought.
There was something about her presence—quiet confidence. Ownership. Like she belonged there.
My eyes stayed on her… almost like I was hypnotized.
For a moment, it felt like I was about to meet her gaze—like something was pulling me in.
A second too long.
"Careful, Cristina."
Lucian's voice cut through my thoughts.
Only then did I realize—I had been staring.
I looked away immediately.
She walked in casually, without hesitation, and placed her hand on his shoulder, leaning slightly into him.
"Hey, Luci… do you need any help?" she asked, her tone soft, familiar.
He didn't move away.
Instead, his hand came up naturally, holding hers.
"Sure," he said easily. "Why not?"
And then—
She sat on his lap.
Like it was nothing.
Like it was normal.
My fingers tightened again.
I looked away.
"Cristina," he said, calm as ever, "this is Amelia. My girlfriend."
A pause.
I forced myself to look back.
"Hey, Amelia… I'm Cristina."
She said , dismissively—
"That's not important to me. You're just human."
It hit.
Sharp.
Something inside me dropped.
Heavy. Hollow.
I didn't know why.
I didn't understand it.
"Go to the library," he said, his tone turning flat, professional again. "Take book number 564 and this diary. Complete the work there."
"Sure," I said.
My voice sounded normal.
Too normal.
I took the book from his hand—
And left.
Almost too quickly.
Like I had been waiting for an excuse to escape.
I ran.
Through the hallway.I didn't stop.Not until I reached the shelves.Book 564.
My breath was uneven now—too fast, too heavy.
My chest rose and fell rapidly as I placed my hand against the shelf to steady myself.
For a second, I just stood there.
Then slowly—
I slid down.
Sitting on the cold floor.
I didn't understand this feeling.
It didn't make sense.
I pressed my lips together, trying to hold it in—
But a few tears slipped out anyway.
I wiped them quickly.
Almost irritated at myself.
Why am I feeling this way.
He is a demon and he has his personal life just as I have mine.
So why… does it feel like this?
I closed my eyes for a moment.
Took a slow breath.
"This isn't right," I whispered to myself. "I should behave professionally."
Silence answered back.
After a moment, I pushed myself up.
I took the book.
Walked to the table.
Sat down.
Opened it.
And started working.....