The moon above the night sky is covered by the winter gloomy, thick, gray clouds. The charm of the silent midnight adds a degree of solemnity, as if the voice of our heart can be united with nature. Being immersed in silence, will allow us to be honest with our true feelings, and keep it avoided all the curtains of pretense.
175Please respect copyright.PENANA8lMyR2X5WT
Stairmount has rented Daphne and Mrs. Yalle a cyber mansion not far from where he lives, which is located in the Emerald upscale neighborhoods. He himself doesn't dare to invite them to stay at his house since he is afraid that evil parties will spy on his house and by then get information about Daphne. After finishing their accommodation, he thus invites them to visit his residence, and he does this at almost midnight, to minimize the possibility that anyone will follow him. His plan is, Daphne and Mrs. Yalle will stay overnight in here, and return on the next day, at the same time as this moment - almost midnight. He isn't afraid of himself, he is just afraid of Daphne's safety.
175Please respect copyright.PENANAcjZWaHqGqT
It's more than enough for them to take my parents as their captives. I don't want any more innocent people to be victimized because of me!
175Please respect copyright.PENANAQUsnzggGIx
Daphne herself, after arriving at Stairmount residence, is now looking in awe at every decoration in the luxurious mansion. "So great!..." She says in amazement. "Your residence is so amazing..."
175Please respect copyright.PENANAw41uaC0965
"Thanks for the compliment," Stairmount replies with a small smile.
175Please respect copyright.PENANAxRrykzx1n7
Arriving in such a luxurious mansion, Daphne's feelings of inferiority rise again. She has tried her best to hide that feeling, but still, sometimes she will unconsciously show that nervousness. Like now, since she doesn't know what to do, she ends up just standing there in silence, her hands squeezing each other.
175Please respect copyright.PENANAFenUEhnWVX
"I'm sorry, I can only take both of you here at midnight..." Stairmount looks regretful.
175Please respect copyright.PENANARBWmIpkEZi
"Don't feel sorry about that, Mr. Rivers. We're the ones who have troubled you," Mrs. Yalle replies politely.
175Please respect copyright.PENANAu8nEZujLI8
"You two don't bother me at all. I am so glad that you can have a visit here," Stairmount curves a small smile.
175Please respect copyright.PENANA1dzVzvYuIi
However, despite appearing friendly, Daphne knows Stairmount is hiding something in that friendly smile. Something so painful. She also feels it; Stairmount has changed a bit differently after he returned from his sudden departure. But she didn't dare to ask since Stairmount himself didn't discuss it in front of his parents. Even Mr. Rivers hides it from his parents... of course, I couldn't mess up his plan.
175Please respect copyright.PENANAvymijeFHad
Hence, when there is nobody except the two of them, that is, right at this moment, Daphne then will ask Stairmount for more details about it.
175Please respect copyright.PENANA6NozOdSflJ
Copyright ©️ by boundless &universe
175Please respect copyright.PENANAAoF9um3ECx
Mrs. Yalle has already entered into her bedroom. Therefore, only Stairmount and she are still awake in this mansion. Stairmount is busy packing his stuff. Daphne approaches him, "Can I help you?"
175Please respect copyright.PENANAITZzhTnaZy
"It's no need. Just have some rest, Daphne."
175Please respect copyright.PENANAKSgqTeo5wI
"But you seem very busy..."
175Please respect copyright.PENANAjQ2s6DD1PR
"Ah, just a petty thing. Every bachelor who is used to living alone can certainly do it."
175Please respect copyright.PENANAFMod8NjFJx
"Let me help you, Mr. Rivers." Daphne rolls up her sleeves, then helps Stairmount. She does it so deftly that even Stairmount gets amazed by her.
175Please respect copyright.PENANAbolBIpYQgM
"Wow... Plutonian women are amazing. So agile." Stairmount applauds.
175Please respect copyright.PENANAIiA8TMzAEA
"Really? It is an easy thing to do. All women in the world can do it for sure."
175Please respect copyright.PENANAoiKri1tKAc
"I know that Plutonian women are mostly very diligent and painstaking. Different from the females who grow up in Jupiterian culture."
175Please respect copyright.PENANA92rflRsZPH
"How do you know?"
175Please respect copyright.PENANAwsxtPfPjV2
"I see it by myself."
175Please respect copyright.PENANAV6nEbXz8P5
Daphne blushes. A few seconds later, she stares deeply at Stairmount's indigo-color eyes. Stairmount's voice is as friendly and calm as usual, but she can feel the difference. She tries to seek the difference, by looking at her intently.
175Please respect copyright.PENANAyYBqHlviVO
Stairmount gasps. Once again, Daphne entangles him into her charm, through those eyes. The look in her eyes, which seems to be able to hypnotize anyone... and turns them to stone.
175Please respect copyright.PENANAqIGFRBuQfL
"...And you've turned to stone, Stairmount..."
175Please respect copyright.PENANAfYBv3vPLhN
But, her gaze is indeed very beautiful, and intoxicating, it really can make me lose all common sense and logic. Ah... is that saying true? Those who can bring men to their knees, who can destroy men's entire lives, are the beauties? Because, just to get this cradle, the price I have to pay is too expensive...
175Please respect copyright.PENANAtzy8lVmdnN
"Mr. Rivers, what's wrong with you?"
175Please respect copyright.PENANAshelNxPApF
Stairmount blinks. "Eh? What do you mean?..."
175Please respect copyright.PENANAG1eFjneQo0
"You've been acting strangely even since you came back. Maybe your parents thought you are just worried about your life, but I know that's not what you're worried about, instead, it is a much bigger thing." Daphne takes a step forward, now standing right before Stairmount. "What is your problem, Mr. Rivers? Tell me. Don't just keep a problem to yourself. It's much better when someone can help to bear it together with you."
175Please respect copyright.PENANA0eJMnpIlDe
Even though the two of them have been so close, and Daphne continues to stare at him expectantly, Stairmount doesn't immediately comply with the young woman's request for an answer. He pauses, then turns around.
175Please respect copyright.PENANA07qyqlJfN5
He walks to the veranda.
175Please respect copyright.PENANAxhgWuPqtJp
"Mr. Rivers..." Confused by the sudden ignorance of Stairmount, Daphne automatically chases after him.
175Please respect copyright.PENANAmnjoQLIsq5
Stairmount steps outside, toward a lounger shone by the dim garden lights. The warm air from the heater in the room from inside mixes with the cool air of a winter night from outside, creating the sensation of a strange - yet comfortable - mixture of the temperature. He drops himself to the lounger, sitting there. Daphne follows in his footsteps.
175Please respect copyright.PENANA0o7EdRNv1N
Now Stairmount looks at the moon hanging high above him. Daphne waits for his reaction to break the silence patiently.
175Please respect copyright.PENANAgeDI8a9dhr
"They tell me to spread that pathogen in Saturn."
175Please respect copyright.PENANA01wdZBm9bX
Daphne stares closely at Stairmount. "Spreading pathogen?..."
175Please respect copyright.PENANA7MBgiisT7h
Stairmount returns his gaze to Daphne. But this time, his gaze is completely different from the usual; his gaze is cold, and full of suspicion. "If I tell you what exactly I've done, will your view of me change?"
175Please respect copyright.PENANAq5CLtmAoMA
Copyright ©️ by boundless_universe
ns 108.162.216.53da2