Curate, connect, and discover
Didn’t expect to get this done so quickly but I had a lot of time today after an exam. :D
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You’ve been stuck in this room for what you assume has been a week now. You’ve practically memorized the patterns on the comforter and tacky wallpaper adorning this “prison”. Atsuhiro is home a lot, so he is able to offer you regular meals, though you hadn’t deigned to try it until what you think was the third day, when you were too hungry to even say no. You remember how his face lit up when you finally agreed. He had stopped tying you to the bed at that point, a reward for being obedient, you suppose. He did, however, keep the bedroom door locked from the outside whenever he wasn’t around.
You wondered where exactly it was that he went almost every evening, the hours were too short for a job, but then how was he able to afford this apartment? Tacky as it was, the decor was certainly expensive looking. You had tried to ask him once, but he simply winked and said something about a magician never revealing his secrets, which seemed more than a little creepy at the time.
When he was home, he would spend almost all of his time with you, leaving only to cook meals or let you sleep. You were relieved that he hadn’t tried to touch you yet, but you didn’t know how long that would last. He didn’t kidnap you just for your company, surely. When you first asked him what he wanted with you, he had shaken his head and replied “I want only to be with the woman I love and adore.”
Today was a little different than usual, he had left early in the morning and hadn’t been home for hours. You weren’t exactly worried for his safety, moreso for your own wellbeing. If he didn’t come home, you would be stuck in this awful room for who knows how long. You had already tried breaking out, but neither the door nor the window could be opened and you had nothing to pick a lock with, not that you even knew how to anyway. At some point, someone would notice you were gone, right? Your friends or family? Maybe they were already looking for you? Someone, surely, would have had to see him carry you off from the alley.
You were broken out of your panicked thoughts when you heard the door to the apartment open. You waited, but it took a few minutes before the bedroom door opened. As he walked in, you could tell he had changed clothes. He looked exhausted, but his shirt and pants were fresh and ironed. You wondered what he had been doing that required a change…
“How are you doing today, my love?” he asked. “I do apologize for leaving you alone all day, I had some business to attend to.” You could sense the fatigue in his voice.
“What kind of business?” you questioned, though you already knew he wouldn’t tell you the answer.
“Oh, no need to worry yourself about that. How about some dinner? I’m sure I can cook something up.”
You had an idea. “What if… I cooked something for us tonight?” You put on your sweetest smile and tried to appeal to his exhaustion. You saw his face light up, just a little, and that was all the encouragement you needed. This could work. “You just seem so tired, and I haven’t been able to cook in so long…”
He thought about it for a moment. “Well… I suppose you could use a change of scenery. And I would love to taste something created by you.”
You smiled, knowing that this could be your chance to finally leave this place. You could cook while he rested on the couch and sneak out the front door when he wasn’t looking. He held out a gloved hand and you took it, immediately shocked by the gentleness you felt in his touch.
You could feel your anticipation as he opened the door, leading you out into the kitchen. The rest of the apartment was equally as gaudy as the bedroom. Gold accented lamps and tchotchkes rested on every possible surface. What was interesting, however, was the distinct lack of photographs. You had expected to get at least a glimpse of what he looked like under the balaclava, but that didn’t seem to be a possibility.
The kitchen was the only truly functional room in the apartment, with stainless steel appliances and a simple granite counter. He showed you around the kitchen and in the refrigerator with his usual showmanship. The fridge is surprisingly well-stocked and you figure you could make some baked fish with a side salad and some miso soup. You begin to pull out pans, expecting Atsuhiro to go rest on the couch, but to your dismay he sits at the bar to watch you.
“Do you not want to relax on the couch?” you ask hesitantly.
“Oh, but how could I when the real show is in here?” You can practically see the twinkle of adoration in his eyes. “You look so radiant in my kitchen.”
You spin around and continue cooking. This is not going as planned. He’s still watching your every move. But you continue on with your dishes, pretending to be unbothered. He’ll have to get up at some point. He has to.
Finally, as you’re nearing the finished product, he stands up.
“Please excuse me while I wash up, I will return to set the table for us,” he smiles. It’s a genuine smile that almost makes you rethink your plan. Almost. He walks away and you immediately drop everything and head for the door.
You hesitate before reaching for the knob, and it costs you. A glove covers your hand. “Leaving before dinner?”