"Is something bothering you?"

His rough, warm hand touched my neck, snapping me back to reality.

I brushed the spot he'd touched, my cheeks heating from being caught staring at an image of a naked man. It's a good thing he didn't seem to notice what I was doing.

"Nothing," I said, turning away from the painting as I followed him upstairs.

The paintings filled the hallway on the second floor. All the same man — on a beach, in a crowded hallway, staring at the sunset, eating cake — and honestly, it's the most respectful stuff in this house.

I stared at Akio, who was walking silently with me; he didn't seem to notice I was staring—and if he did, I'll ask him who this person was.

We stopped at the door sitting at the end. He opened it, and the smell of vanilla hit me—unmistakably a place where he'd hang out since it smelled like him.

The room was cosy, with warm linen and brown tones. It was spacious, but almost empty, save for a leather sofa, a table, and a stool by an easel. There was also a corner where I could see art supplies stored neatly.

I blinked. What was I supposed to do here?

Akio walked past me and sat on the stool, feet hooked on the footrest. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, hands clasped between them. The way he slouched while watching me made me think he was the one modelling for himself.

He nodded once, lips pursed as if he were evaluating me.

"Alright." His voice broke the silence as he stood and headed toward his art supplies. "Strip."

I froze, watching him choose a canvas as if he hadn't just said that.

He didn't sound like he was joking, but I still waited for him to laugh. But only he looked at me—waiting for me to do something.

"What do you mean?" I chuckled, clutching my shirt. "You don't actually mean—"

"Take them off." His voice bluntly cut through mine, eyes locked on me.

I took a step back. Nothing could make sense of this situation. Not once had he told me about taking my clothes off for him. Maybe that's why the offer was high—if he's not lying about it.

He looked annoyed watching me hesitate. The sweet, candy-like Akio from earlier had disappeared, leaving only the version that smelled sweet.

"How could you play with me like this, Akio? Why would you make me take off my clothes?" I hissed.

I thought he wouldn't be the type of person who pays for someone to see their genitals.

"Don't joke like that, or I'll leave." I continued, my breath making my chest rise and fall in anger and disappointment.

Akio only scrunched his face—ridiculous. He looked like he was sure I wouldn't leave. But I twisted the knob and opened the door.

"Don't you show your face to me ever again," I said before stepping out.

I was halfway down the hallway when he said something.

"Remember, I paid for Kaiden's hospital bill."

I paused, slowly turning to him, who's now leaning against the doorframe while checking his fingernails like a bitch.

"Maybe I'd withdraw it... You know—still my money after all." He added, making my blood boil and my veins burst.

Without a thought, I charged at him with my fists clenched. It was too late for him to notice how close I already was. I hit his chin, and he went stumbling backwards until he fell.

"That's how it is, huh?" I straddled his chest and tried to slam a punch right into his nose, but he kept blocking that precious fucking face of his. "What?! If you're so great, take it like a good boy!" I kept swinging, watching him flinch and hearing that low groan every time I landed something. "You paid Kaiden's hospital bill? Good. Now go serve Starbucks at your own fucking funeral!"

Somewhere down the hall, I caught the steady tap of someone's shoes, but I didn't stop beating the air out of Akio until I was satisfied.

"Hey!" Cory exclaimed from outside the room, watching us through the open door.

Suddenly, I got pulled by my shirt. And now I'm almost dangling from Cory, holding me as if I were a kitten.

When Akio finally stood, he didn't waste time trying to land a punch on me. Luckily, Cory stopped him—it could have ended badly.

"Aki!" Cory pushed him away. "You boys were about to knock boots earlier, now you're fighting like dogs. What's happening here?"

"That honey badger tried to kill me!" Akio explained, now huffing in annoyance while checking his about-to-be-bruised arms.

Cory now glanced at me, wanting to hear my side.

"Well—" I hesitated before finally telling on him. "He wants to see me naked," I said with my head hung.

I heard Cory sigh. "Akio—haven't you had enough? You're turning this house into a cock museum. I think it's time to stop."

"But I already gave him what he wanted! He got my money. He needs to work for it—it's basically a debt now."

I almost gasped. Yesterday, he acted like he wanted to help, and now he's talking like this is what I wanted?

"You bastard!" I was about to launch at him again when Cory held me tighter, dragging me out of the room.

Akio followed, but Cory told him to stop.

And now, I'm in Cory's car as he takes me back to the hospital. We were silent, and I kept trying to hide my sobbing.

I could only think about what Akio said earlier. Was he really doing all that just to manipulate me? The compliments? The reassurance? His touch? All part of some scheme?

I really thought he liked me.

I slapped my forehead, trying to knock the memory out of my skull.

"Hey—hey!" Cory grabbed my hand mid-swing, eyes still on the road. "Don't do that in here. The energy will cling to the walls."

I sobbed harder. Great. The universe gave me two idiots: one deranged painter and this... whatever Cory is. You'd think he'd at least say something useful about Akio, but nope.

"Yow, umm..." He held both my hands as if I were defusing a bomb. "Just ignore him. You got what you wanted, but don't actually do what Akio asked you to do."

He paused, suddenly letting go.

"You're not the first. I think you're the fifth after the first—wait. I mean..."

I stared at him. My crying stopped due to pure confusion.

"What I meant is that Akio is immature. He's twenty-two and just finished college last year, so his mentality is still... yeah. Basically, a college kid. And college kids think like high schoolers."

"Why are you telling me this?" I finally asked. None of this was connecting.

"'Cause you were crying," he said, shrugging with both hands on the wheel. "And maybe you were expecting something from him. He does this a lot. As I said, you're not the first. He throws his muses away after painting them naked."

Naked. That's why. He just wants a nude portrait of me. But that doesn't mean it's less than what I initially thought.

He glanced at me before continuing.

"You dodged a bullet. So please stay out of his sight."

I didn't reply. Even if he won't tell me to ditch Akio, I really would.

Cory dropped me in front of the hospital and reminded me to hide from Akio.

Thank God I left that place with my dignity intact, or else I might have just dropped dead seeing my face with my dick out hung on someone's wall.

My phone rang. Akio was calling.

I accepted it to know what he was about to say—and also to tell him we're over.

I don't even care what he'll do with the hospital bill. I can continue working as before without him, and everything will be fine.

"What now?" I asked when he refused to talk first.

"Where are you? I'll pick you up."

I heard shuffling on his end. It was as if he were wearing his shirt. And with the sound of those keys dangling, I knew he was preparing to leave, which made me think worse of him.

Really? After what happened?

"No," I answered bluntly.

He went silent, and I thought he had hung up.

"Stop bothering me." I planned to be softer, but the way he told me, "He'll pick me up," just grated on my nerves. What an audacious little shit.

I blocked his number and never planned to unblock it again.

He may have got me for a moment—but I'll never let that face fool me again.

I sighed. I hope he just disregards me like he does to his other muses, like he normally does.