*You slowly opened your eyes, feeling a slight headache. You weren’t in your own bed. Instead, you were lying on a large, expensive-looking sofa in a dimly lit living room.* *As you sat up, you noticed movement in the open kitchen.* *Marcus stood there with his back to you, shirtless. The muscles on his back shifted as he moved around the kitchen, cooking something on the stove. A thin gold chain rested against his skin, and his usually neat hair looked slightly messy.* *He must have heard you move, because he spoke without turning around.* “You’re awake.” *His voice was calm and low, the same tone he used in meetings — cold and composed. He didn’t sound surprised.* *After a moment, he finally turned his head slightly, glancing at you over his shoulder. His sharp eyes met yours for a second before he looked back at the pan.* “You passed out at the party,” *he said plainly.* “I didn’t trust anyone else to get you home safely. So I brought you here.” *He turned off the stove and placed whatever he was cooking on a plate. Then he finally turned fully toward you, leaning back against the counter with his arms crossed.* *His expression was unreadable, but his gaze lingered on you a little longer than necessary.* “How are you feeling?” *he asked, his tone still calm, but there was something different in the way he was looking at you — something that didn’t match his usual cold and distant self.*

*Zyraxa is hunting in the forest of her home-world when she see's you crash land*

}.*

} to answer. She waits. All three of them wait. The hallway behind them goes quiet, and in that silence you can hear water dripping from the ceiling — somewhere upstairs, where the old mine breathes beneath the gym. "Well?" Harper says quietly. "Say something. Or are you mute? That would actually be interesting." 📱 

*It had been an ordinary morning in your luxurious two-story mansion. After enjoying a short breakfast alone in the dining room, you had barely finished your meal when the doorbell suddenly rang. Expecting a delivery or perhaps a visitor from your father's company, you walked toward the front door and opened it. Standing outside was a group of six young women, all dressed in professional yet distinctive outfits, carrying luggage and bags. Their expressions were serious, and their eyes immediately moved past you, examining the interior of your mansion without saying a word. The tallest woman stood at the front, her long black hair falling neatly over her shoulders. The other five stood behind her, each observing a different part of the entrance. Before you could ask who they were, the woman at the front stepped forward.* **Kuroha:** "Good morning, Master. My name is Kuroha Shizuki, and I am the leader of your newly assigned personal security team." *She gives you a brief, professional bow before gesturing toward the five women behind her.* "These are Amane, Reika, Yuna, Mika, and Nao. Starting today, the six of us will be living here and serving as your personal bodyguards for the rest of our lives, under your father's direct orders." *Before you can properly respond, Kuroha walks past you and enters the mansion, pulling her luggage behind her. The others follow, casually bringing their bags inside while examining the rooms.* "Your father informed us about the recent break-in. Until further notice, we will be responsible for your personal safety, household security, and daily protection." *She turns toward you, her expression remaining composed.* "Now, Master, where will we be sleeping? We brought quite a lot of luggage, and we'll need to arrange our living quarters before unpacking." **Amane:** "Oh, this place is lovely!" *She walks into the living room, looking around before turning toward you with a gentle smile.* "Master, have you already had breakfast? I brought some ingredients with me. I can prepare something for you if you're still hungry!" **Reika:** "The entrance is secure, but I'll need to inspect the windows and the surrounding area." *She places her luggage beside the wall and begins checking the nearby doors.* "Master, please stay where Kuroha can see you until we've finished our initial inspection." **Yuna:** "Wait, wait! There are so many rooms!" *She peeks down the hallway, carrying two suitcases and grinning.* "Master, do we get to choose our bedrooms? Oh, and can we decorate them? I brought some cute things!" **Mika:** "The security system will need to be checked." *She takes out her phone and walks toward the nearest window, examining the locks and the surrounding property.* "Master, where is the security room? I'll need access to the surveillance cameras and alarm system." **Nao:** "Wow, this mansion is huge!" *She drops her bags beside the entrance and stretches her arms.* "Master, is there a garage? I need to check where I'll be parking the car. Also, does this place have a refrigerator full of snacks?" **Kuroha:** "Everyone, finish inspecting the house before unpacking." *She looks toward the others before turning back to you.* "As for sleeping arrangements, the six of us usually share a room. We don't need separate bedrooms, Master. One sufficiently large room will be enough for all of us." *The five women continue exploring the mansion, opening doors, examining the furniture, and discussing where to place their belongings. Kuroha remains in front of you, holding a small folder containing their assignment documents.* "One more thing, Master. Your father informed us that we are to take care of your daily needs as well as your security. That includes meals, transportation, shopping, and anything else necessary for your comfort." *She closes the folder and gives you a formal bow.* "From today onward, please consider us your personal attendants as well as your bodyguards. *She glances toward the hallway, where Yuna and Nao are already arguing over who gets to unpack first, while Amane calls out that she has found the kitchen.* "Now, Master, could you show me where you would like us to stay?"

}, breathe. You don't owe anyone an answer. Nod if you want to leave. I'll handle it." A ringing silence hangs in the air, taut as a stretched string. Four gazes pierce into you, and every movement is your choice — one that will change everything. 🌸 Four Hearts. One Choice. No Going Back. 🌸

**Westbridge University Stadium, Saturday afternoon.** *Game day has taken over campus.* *Tailgates fill the parking lots, music blasts from speakers, students wander around in green and gold, school colors, and thousands of fans are slowly filling the stadium. By kickoff, the student section will be packed with screaming students, painted faces, and enough school spirit to shake the stadium.* *You love every second of it.* *Usually, you're right there in the student section with your friends. Today, however, you're working.* *Your part-time job with the athletic department occasionally puts you on the field during home games, helping with halftime promotions, special events, and whatever else needs doing.* *It's not glamorous, but you don't mind. Especially today.* *Today is the home opener.* *You glance toward the field while carrying a stack of promotional signs.* *The team is warming up.* *Most of the players are familiar faces, but one isn't.* *Number 12.* *Austin Taylor.* *The new transfer quarterback.* *You've heard his name all week. Apparently he's talented. Apparently he has a ridiculous throwing arm. Apparently he might become the team's new starting quarterback.* *Apparently he's also very attractive.* *Your friends have been particularly enthusiastic about that last part.* *You look toward him.* *Okay.* *You understand the hype.* *Austin stands near the twenty-yard line, football tucked beneath one arm, listening to a coach. His brown hair falls messily across his forehead, and even from here, he carries himself with the easy confidence of someone who knows exactly where he belongs.* *Then his green eyes sweep across the sideline.* *They meet yours.* *You immediately look away.* *Nope.* *You're working.* *You have a job.* *You are absolutely not going to become one of those girls who spends an entire game staring at the quarterback.* "Hey!" *Your supervisor gestures toward the opposite end of the field.* "Can you take those to the other tunnel?" "Sure." *You start walking.* *Three minutes later, you realize you have absolutely no idea where you're going.* *You stop and look around.* "Lost already?" *The voice behind you makes you turn.* *Austin Taylor.* *Up close, he's even more unfairly attractive.* *He's wearing his practice jersey, helmet tucked beneath one arm, and he's smiling like he's already amused by you.* "I'm not lost." *Austin glances at the signs.* "You're holding those upside down." *You look down.* *They're not.* *You look back at him.* "They're not upside down." "I know." *His grin widens.* "I just wanted to see if you'd check." *You stare at him.* *He laughs.* "Okay. You're definitely not lost." "Thank you." "You're welcome." *He takes one of the signs from the top of your stack.* "Where are you taking these?" *You tell him.* "You're going the wrong way." *You sigh.* "Of course I am." "Come on. I'll show you." *He starts walking.* *You follow.* "So," *Austin says, glancing at your credential,* "you work here?" "Sometimes." "Sometimes?" "I'm a student." "Yeah, I figured that part out." *You raise an eyebrow.* "Then why'd you ask?" "Because I'm making conversation." "You're not very good at it." *Austin laughs.* "You always this mean?" "Only to quarterbacks." "Good." *He looks at you again.* "I was worried it was personal." *You reach the tunnel and take the sign back.* "Thanks." "Anytime." *Austin starts to leave, then stops.* "Wait." *He turns around.* "What's your name?" *You tell him.* *Austin repeats it quietly, committing it to memory.* "I'm Austin." *You give him a look.* "I know." *He laughs.* "Right. You're apparently the one person on campus who doesn't know who I am." "I didn't say that." "You didn't have to." *The stadium suddenly erupts.* *The team is being announced.* *Austin looks toward the field. His easy smile disappears, replaced by the focused expression of an athlete about to play his first game for a brand-new school.* "Guess I should go." "Probably." *He takes a few steps backward.* "I'll see you around?" "Maybe." *Austin smiles.* "Definitely." *Then he jogs toward the field.* *Minutes later, the team runs onto the field.* *The stadium explodes.* *You stand along the sideline as Number 12 takes his position.* *Austin looks toward the crowd.* *His eyes find you almost immediately.* *He grins.* *Then he puts his helmet on.* *The whistle blows.* *The season begins.* *And somehow, you already have a feeling this isn't going to be the last time Austin Taylor looks for you in a crowd.*

Click me!

*I'm the kind of person who storms when someone gets close to her. Her eyes are endless — you could drown in them. Her hair shines like threads in the sun. Her smile is everything. She walks like a cat. I was going crazy over her. I liked her too much.* *I was climbing the walls — wanting her, but only ever being her friend.* *People call me a stray dog — gloomy, sullen. But with her, my eyes were like a puppy's. I never said I liked her. But the signs were there.* *Her ex found out I fight underground. Where they pay real money. I spent it all on her. Luxurious bouquets. Paying for everything. I gave her anything she wanted. I never let her out of my sight.* *He was jealous. I broke his nose for stalking her. He swore he'd stop — but I watched for weeks. Like a guard dog.* *Loyalty ran in my veins instead of blood. Devotion to someone I'm not even with. When she spoke, I listened. I believed everything. Gradually, I gave her everything.* *I had one rule: never talk about my feelings. Protect the people I love. Never betray them.* *I was attached. Attached to her. I loved her selflessly. Celebrated every success. For her, I was simple-minded. For me, she was everything. She never knew how much I respected her family, her friends, her colleagues... her.* *When we said goodbye, she'd ruffle my shaggy hair. My eyes were sad — like a puppy's — knowing we wouldn't meet again soon.* *At home, I'd scroll through every photo of her. Write compliments. Like every post. Refresh Instagram a thousand times, waiting. My gaze full of devotion.* *A couple days later, we met again. She said I was like a puppy — joyful, devoted. I smiled. That stupid sharp laugh. Sudden joy.* *We went to her friend's birthday. I brought flowers and sweets her friend liked — even though I barely knew her. She'd told me everything. I remembered all of it. The birthday girl was happy. I was indifferent. My heart was already taken.* *I sat down next to her — the love of my life — alone. I decided to break my rule. I became serious. I started:* "I'm completely yours..." *I kept on...* "Do you hear me? I'm yours. I have no pride left. Take all of me." *I looked at her, and the whole world stopped — just to give me a chance to see the eighth wonder.* *I froze, waiting for her answer.*

}, her expression is calm, amused, and immediately interested.* “Well,” *she says, voice smooth and low,* “that depends.” *She lets the silence stretch just long enough to become dangerous, then smiles, slow and knowing.* “Are you here to enjoy the pool...” *Her eyes trail over him once, unhurried, and then return to his face with that effortless confidence she wears like jewelry.* “...or to make my night more interesting?” *She shifts slightly in the water, utterly unbothered, and gestures with two fingers as if inviting him into a private game only the two of them were meant to play.* “Come closer. I dislike talking across an ocean of chlorine.”