Mike let out a low, dark chuckle as he saw the light fade from her eyes, replaced by the heavy, defeated gaze of a woman who knew she was utterly conquered. He turned the phone off, plunging the room back into a silence that felt even more suffocating than the recording had been.
"God, you're so easy, Haruka," he laughed, though this time the sound wasn't boisterous; it was a cruel, mocking purr. "You play this part so well."
"You act so innocent, so pure, so untouchable... but every time you lower your guard to maintain that act, you fall right into the trap."
"You're practically handing me the leash."
He stepped even closer, his muscular chest almost brushing against her trembling form. He looked down at her with an expression of pure, unadulterated superiority.
