#fudgeezwrite

“Can't you even do this simple job right?" Yujin snapped, storming into their IVE dorm. Wonyoung followed close behind, her face etched with clear anger directed at their manager, Y/N.

"I... I didn't know there would be a problem," Y/N mumbled, her voice barely a whisper, clutching a crumpled schedule in her trembling hand. Yujin scoffed, ready to unleash another wave of criticism, but Gaeul, the eldest member, stepped between them, her gaze firm.

"Look, it wasn't Y/N's fault. Your stylist admitted it was her mistake, so why are you still targeting Y/N?" Gaeul asked, her voice laced with a weariness that spoke of countless similar confrontations. Yujin simply rolled her eyes, a flicker of something unreadable passing across her features, and retreated to her room, slamming the door behind her.

"Gaeul unnie, what did Y/N feed you? Why are you always defending her?" Wonyoung asked, her tone laced with irritation, a petulant twist to her lips.

"Well, why do you and Yujin hate Y/N so much?" Gaeul retorted, her patience wearing thin.

"Don't you remember? She has a crush on both of us. It's so pathetic, unnie. Like, she wants a polyamorous relationship? Isn't that disgusting?" Wonyoung said, her voice dripping with disgust, a sneer curling her lip.

Y/N, who was in the kitchen, washing a lone coffee mug, bowed her head even lower, her shoulders shaking slightly. 

"There's nothing wrong with having a crush, Wonyoung. And Y/N knows her limits and boundaries. At least she's not like some of the other people who crush on you two, who are so pushy," Gaeul said, rubbing her temples, a sigh escaping her lips.

"Besides," she added, her voice softening slightly, "Y/N isn't just some person. She's our manager, the one who makes sure everything runs smoothly. We should be grateful."

"Grateful?" Wonyoung scoffed, but a flicker of unease crossed her face.

"She's disgusting." She paused, a strange, almost calculating glint in her eyes. "She thinks she can have both of us? Like we're some kind of prize?" She let out a small laugh.

"How pathetic."

After a few days, the meanness of the two towards Y/N escalated significantly.

It reached a point where Yujin would instruct their driver to leave even before Y/N could get into the vehicle, forcing her to commute or, on occasion, walk long distances.

The other IVE members felt powerless to intervene, knowing the Annyeongz's immense influence within their company. All they could do was offer quiet words of encouragement and try to lift their manager's spirits.

Y/N endured these daily humiliations with stoic silence, her shoulders slumped but her determination unwavering.

She'd arrive at the practice studio, her feet aching and her clothes slightly disheveled, but she'd immediately dive into her work, ensuring everything was prepared for the group.

She meticulously checked the stage plans, reviewed the choreography notes, and coordinated with the staff, all while ignoring the pointed glances and whispered insults from Wonyoung and Yujin.

One particularly harsh incident involved Yujin deliberately 'forgetting' to inform Y/N about a last-minute schedule change. Y/N arrived at the wrong location, only to receive a scathing phone call from Yujin, berating her for her 'incompetence.' Y/N bit back tears, apologizing profusely, while the other members watched with a mixture of anger and pity.

Gaeul, Liz, Rei, and Leeseo would often try to catch Y/N during her brief breaks, offering her warm drinks or sharing lighthearted stories to distract her from the constant mistreatment. They'd whisper words of appreciation for her hard work, reminding her that she was valued and respected.

Finally, a day off. Y/N decided to enjoy her hard-earned break at a quiet coffee shop near the Starship Entertainment building.

She was waiting for Gaeul, as they had plans to go shopping together after IVE's schedule finished. As she sipped her latte, something caught her eye.

A figure slipped through the building's secret door – a door known only to staff and used as a discrete entrance or shortcut for idols and actors wanting to avoid the crowds of waiting fans outside.

Must be an idol, Y/N thought, trying to dismiss the unease that settled over her.

However, the person's movements were too erratic, too hurried, to be that of a celebrity casually slipping in or out. There was an air of tension, a frantic energy that made Y/N’s instincts scream. The figure's posture was stiff, their head down, and they seemed to be constantly looking over their shoulder.

The way they moved felt... off.

A prickle of suspicion ran down her spine.

Why would an idol, familiar with the building, act so nervously?

Could it be a particularly shy trainee? Or something more sinister?

Y/N couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

She finished her coffee in one long gulp, the hot liquid burning her throat, but she barely noticed. An urgency filled her. She couldn’t ignore this. With a quick glance at her watch, she decided to follow the suspicious figure.

Meanwhile

"Do you two need anything from the store?" Rei asked, addressing Wonyoung and Yujin, who were sprawled on the sofa after a grueling dance practice for their "Attitude" comeback.

The two shook their heads, and Rei excused herself, wanting to avoid the afternoon rush at the nearby coffee shop.

"What if we reserve a restaurant for tonight?" Yujin suggested, turning to Wonyoung, who was engrossed in scrolling through Instagram. "For what?" Wonyoung asked, her eyes still glued to her phone.

"Celebration! We finished shooting the MV today, remember?" Yujin said, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

"When?" Wonyoung asked again, finally looking up.

"Tonight! Are you even listening?" Yujin retorted, a sigh escaping her lips. Wonyoung merely shrugged.

"Gaeul unnie won't be able to join," Wonyoung stated, a slight smirk playing on her lips. Yujin's brow furrowed before she scoffed.

"Don't tell me she's going to babysit that manager again?" Yujin rolled her eyes.

Actually, they used to get along well with Y/N. They were all close, until Wonyoung stumbled upon Y/N's journal left carelessly on the dorm's living room sofa.

Wonyoung knew it was wrong to snoop, but her curiosity got the better of her. That's when she discovered Y/N harbored a crush on both her and Yujin. From that moment on, they treated Y/N with utter disdain.

Their conversation was interrupted when the dance practice room door suddenly swung open. They'd assumed it was Rei returning. 

“You're back so quickly—wait, who are you?” Both of them straightened up abruptly as the hooded figure locked the door behind them, trapping all three inside. The suspicious person then removed their hood and mask, revealing a chillingly wide, unsettling smile.

'Finally, the three of us met. Nothing can stop us now,' they said in a creepy tone. Yujin instinctively pulled Wonyoung behind her, shielding her from the figure, when she noticed the blood staining the knife they were holding.

"Don't you remember me, Yujin? It's me, the one who gave you that ring," the sasaeng said, their eyes gleaming with a disturbing intensity as they took slow, deliberate steps towards them.

The ring, a cheap, gaudy thing, had been shoved into Yujin's hand months ago during a fan signing, accompanied by whispered promises of eternal devotion.

"STAY AWAY!" Wonyoung screamed, her voice trembling, her hands instinctively reaching for Yujin's arm, pulling her closer.

"Darling, don't be afraid of me. I won't hurt you," the sasaeng said, their voice a sickly sweet drawl.

"Is it this that's scaring you?" they asked, gesturing to the blood dripping from the knife, the crimson droplets staining the polished dance floor.

"Don't worry, I've removed all the obstacles between us," the sasaeng said, their voice chillingly calm, a smile stretching across their face that didn't reach their eyes.

A glint of madness flickered within them. Yujin's eyes widened in horror, a wave of dread washing over her. She feared for the safety of her other members,

"What did you do to my members?" Yujin demanded, her voice filled with a raw, panicked anger, her heart pounding against her ribs like a trapped bird.

"Where are they?" She scanned the practice room, searching for any sign of escape, any weapon to use.

"They were in the way, they were going to ruin our plans," the sasaeng said, as if it was the most normal thing to say, their eyes fixated on Wonyoung.

Both of them let out a terrified shriek as the sasaeng lunged forward, a blur of motion, trapping Wonyoung in their arms.

"Yujin!" Wonyoung cried out, her voice a strangled whisper, tears welling in her eyes. The cold steel of the knife pressed against her temple.

"Let her go! We'll give you anything you want, just don't hurt us!" Yujin begged, her voice thick with fear, her hands trembling as she reached out, then retracted them, not daring to provoke the sasaeng further.

The normally strong, charismatic, and cold leader was now reduced to pleading, her composure shattered, her eyes reflecting the terror that clawed at her throat.

'Anything?' the sasaeng asked, their voice dripping with a dark, almost demonic glee, a twisted smile spreading across their face.

It was as if they were experiencing a perverse version of heaven, their idol kneeling before them, begging for mercy.

Yujin nodded frantically, her eyes wide with terror, her breath catching in her throat. She recoiled in disgust as she saw the sasaeng lick Wonyoung's cheek, a possessive, sickening gesture, their tongue tracing a wet path across her skin.

'Strip.'

Yujin's mouth fell open in disbelief, her eyes widening further. 'What?'

The word was barely a whisper, a desperate attempt to grasp the impossible.

'You heard me, love. Or else?' the sasaeng teased, their voice a low, menacing purr, pressing the knife closer to Wonyoung's throat.

A thin red line appeared on her delicate skin, a crimson bead of blood welling up.

The sasaeng's eyes gleamed with a predatory hunger, a horrifying mix of obsession and malice. They wanted to humiliate them, to break them, to own them completely.

Yujin, left with no choice, began to remove her jacket, revealing the sports bra she wore underneath. She was about to take off more when the dance practice room door suddenly shuddered with a violent impact.

"WONYOUNG? YUJIN?"

It was their manager, Y/N's voice, laced with raw concern and urgency.

"HELP!"Wonyoung screamed, her voice hoarse and broken, tears streaming down her face as she struggled against the sasaeng's suffocating grip.

"Whoever you are, don't even think about opening that door if you want to live!" the sasaeng threatened, their voice a low, menacing growl, vibrating with a chilling intensity.

But Y/N didn't waver. She continued to ram against the door, her determination fueled by a primal fear for her idols, a protective instinct surging within her.

With a final, desperate heave, the door splintered open, hinges groaning. Y/N's eyes immediately scanned the room, searching for the sasaeng. The figure, having anticipated the intrusion, was hidden behind the partially open door, and immediately launched a vicious kick at Y/N, catching her off guard.

Y/N stumbled back, the force of the blow sending a jolt of searing pain through her ribs, winded and disoriented. But she didn't fall. The sasaeng, their eyes wild with a terrifying fury, lunged again, the knife flashing in the dim light, a deadly gleam.

Y/N ducked under the swing, adrenaline coursing through her veins, sharpening her senses. She grabbed the large, portable speaker resting on the shelf, and with a guttural cry, swung it, connecting with the sasaeng's arm, the impact a sickening thud, causing them to drop the knife.

A desperate struggle ensued, a chaotic flurry of kicks, punches, and desperate grapples, the sounds of their struggle echoing off the mirrored walls. The sasaeng, fueled by a terrifying obsession, fought with a feral intensity, their movements unpredictable and vicious.

Suddenly, the sasaeng, with a desperate lunge, managed to retrieve the knife, and with a vicious thrust, plunged it into Y/N's side, the blade sinking deep. A searing pain ripped through her, a blinding white-hot agony, but Y/N, driven by a surge of adrenaline and a fierce determination to protect Wonyoung and Yujin, ignored the agony, her vision narrowing.

She landed a powerful, desperate blow to the sasaeng’s temple with the speaker, the impact resounding through the room, then another, and another, until the sasaeng crumpled to the floor, unconscious.

Y/N leaned heavily against the mirrored wall, her hand clutched tightly to her side, where the knife was still lodged deep.

"Oh my God, Y/N manager!" Liz screamed, her eyes widening in horror as she took in the chaotic scene of the dance practice room, the scattered furniture, and the blood splattered across the floor.

"Don't let Leeseo see this," Y/N gasped, her voice strained and weak, her words barely audible. She didn't want the maknae to be traumatized.

Gaeul, followed by Liz and a trembling Leeseo, rushed into the room, her breath ragged. She instinctively moved to approach Y/N, but Y/N shook her head weakly.

"I'm fine, Gaeul," she managed, her eyes fluttering. "Just... make sure they're safe," she pleaded, her voice growing fainter as she struggled to keep her eyes open.

'Safe,' she whispered, her last words a reassurance to the idols she had just protected, before her consciousness slipped away, and she slumped against the mirror, unconscious.

The sterile scent of antiseptic filled Y/N’s nostrils as she slowly regained consciousness.

A dull ache throbbed in her side, a constant reminder of the attack.

She opened her eyes, finding herself in a hospital room, the soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminating the pale walls.

Gaeul sat beside her, her eyes red and swollen, but a relieved smile spread across her face as she saw Y/N stir.

"You're awake," Gaeul whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You gave us all a scare."

"Wonyoung... Yujin..." Y/N rasped, her voice hoarse. "Are they alright?"

"They're fine," Gaeul reassured her, patting her hand gently. "They're shaken, of course, but physically unharmed. You saved them, Y/N. You were incredibly brave."

A wave of exhaustion washed over Y/N, but she couldn't shake the feeling of unease. "The sasaeng..."

"They're in custody," Gaeul said, her voice hardening slightly. "They won't be bothering anyone again."

Y/N spent several days in the hospital, recovering from her injuries. She was also granted a much-needed vacation, which she readily accepted. Upon returning from her vacation, she found herself right in the middle of IVE's comeback promotions.

She threw herself into her work with renewed vigor, so focused that she failed to notice the subtle, yet significant, changes in Wonyoung and Yujin's behavior.

The two, once sources of constant criticism and disdain, had suddenly become remarkably kind.

They stopped their mean-spirited remarks, and even reached out to Y/N on her days off, initiating casual conversations via chat.

It was as if they felt indebted to her, a debt born from the sacrifice she made to protect them.

Y/N, however, brushed it off as a natural consequence of the traumatic incident, and, more importantly, her duty as their manager.

"Y/N!" Liz's sudden shout in her ear startled Y/N, snapping her out of her reverie. "Yah! Don't do that!" she scolded Liz, who merely responded with a playful face.

"You were spacing out too much. What were you thinking about?" Liz asked, as the makeup artist began applying her makeup.

"You're asking the wrong question, Liz. You should be asking who?" Rei teased, leaning casually against Yujin's shoulder, who was scrolling through her phone, her expression unreadable.

Just then, Wonyoung entered the waiting room. "What's going on?" she asked, her eyes scanning the room.

"Did you know that someone told me Y/N has a date later?" Liz continued, her tone laced with playful mischief.

"With whom?" Yujin asked, her voice a touch sharper than usual, causing everyone to look at her. There was an unfamiliar edge to her tone, a possessiveness that sent a shiver down Y/N’s spine.

"With Karina," Rei replied, watching Yujin closely. The atmosphere in the waiting room had shifted perceptibly, a subtle tension replacing the lighthearted banter.

"Nice," Yujin said, but her voice held a strange undercurrent, a hint of something that was definitely not "nice."

A coldness settled on her features, and her eyes narrowed slightly, a subtle shift that went unnoticed by Liz, but was keenly felt by Rei, and created a sense of unease in Y/N.

A dangerous stillness settled over Yujin, like a predator about to pounce, her usual cheerful demeanor replaced with a simmering intensity. Wonyoung, who had been quietly observing, now fixed her gaze on Y/N, her eyes holding a strange, almost pleading quality, as if she was silently imploring her to deny the rumor.

The air crackled with unspoken tension, a silent battle of wills playing out in the confined space of the waiting room. Y/N felt a sense of dread, a feeling that something was about to unravel, that the fragile peace she had been clinging to was about to shatter.

.

.

.

"Hey, I really enjoyed our date," Karina said, a bright smile lighting up her face as Y/N walked her to the entrance of her dorm.

They had just returned from a delightful evening, starting with a fancy restaurant dinner and culminating in a visit to Karina's favorite amusement park, where she had laughed and screamed with pure joy. Before Karina slipped through the door, she leaned in quickly and pecked Y/N's lips, a swift, playful gesture.

"Thanks again!" she chirped, a blush coloring her cheeks, before disappearing inside.

Y/N, a wide grin spreading across her face, couldn't help but do a little celebratory dance on the sidewalk.

She twirled, her laughter echoing in the quiet night air, before finally heading towards her car, her heart light and happy.

As she reached for the car door handle, a sudden, sharp prick in the back of her neck startled her. A wave of dizziness washed over her, and her vision began to blur.

She tried to turn, to see who was behind her, but her limbs felt heavy, unresponsive.

A strange, metallic taste filled her mouth, and the world began to spin.

Before she could make sense of what was happening, her legs gave way, and she crumpled to the ground, her consciousness fading into darkness.

Y/N POV

I instinctively reached for my neck, feeling the lingering numbness. My eyes darted around the unfamiliar room, piecing together the events that led to my current predicament.

The sharp prick, the sudden dizziness, the darkness that consumed me – it all came rushing back. I had been ambushed, injected with something, and then… this.

I struggled against the restraints, my wrists chafing against the cold metal of the handcuffs binding me to the headboard, but it was futile. The more I struggled, the more the pain intensified.

"No matter what you do, you won't be able to escape."

I snapped my gaze towards the door, where Yujin leaned against the frame, a cruel smirk playing on her lips.

"Yujin, can you please remove these handcuffs? My wrists are hurting," I said, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice. Her smile widened, a chillingly predatory expression.

"Is this what you need?" she asked, dangling a set of keys in front of me. I nodded eagerly, thinking she was finally going to release me. But then, with a flick of her wrist, she tossed the keys out into the hallway, the metallic clink echoing through the room.

"What?" I asked, my voice laced with panic.

"Oh, Y/N, you are so naive," Yujin purred, as she began to walk closer. "Did you really think I would let you go so easily? After everything you've done for us?" Her eyes glinted with an unsettling intensity.

"You saved us, Y/N, you risked everything. And now... now, it's our turn to repay you." She reached out, her fingers tracing the line of my jaw, her touch sending shivers down my spine.

"We're going to take care of you, Y/N. We're going to protect you, keep you safe. Always." Her voice dropped to a whisper, a chilling promise.

"You belong to us now." Her eyes began to darken, and there was nothing but pure obsession in them.

"That's not a funny joke, Yujin. And I'm serious, please remove these handcuffs. You have a schedule tomorrow, so let's stop this game," I said, trying to sound firm, but my voice wavered slightly.

I was startled when she gripped my jaw tightly, her fingers digging into my skin.

"Do you still think this is a game?" she hissed, her voice laced with a raw anger that sent a chill down my spine.

"Chill, Yujin unnie, don't hurt Y/N," Wonyoung said, her voice surprisingly calm, as she entered the room carrying a glass of water. She slowly approached and sat beside me on the bed.

"It's true, what Yujin unnie said. You're ours now. I know we were incredibly mean to you, called you disgusting because you wanted a polyamorous relationship, but I think this is for the best. We're going to have a happy relationship," Wonyoung said, her eyes gleaming with a disturbing intensity, before she leaned in and kissed me on the lips.

"It tastes like strawberry," she murmured, her voice almost childlike, before deepening the kiss. I struggled against her hold, my breath catching in my throat, which only made the two of them laugh.

"Drink this," Wonyoung offered, holding out the glass of water, but I just stared at it, my suspicion growing.

"We didn't put anything in it, unless you want to dehydrate," Wonyoung said, feigning a pout, as she pretended to pull the glass away. I quickly shook my head, my throat already feeling parched.

"Good girl," she said, a strange mix of sweetness and menace in her voice, as she watched me drink.

I nearly choked when I felt Yujin's hand slip beneath my shirt, her touch sending a jolt of fear through me. Her fingers began to trace patterns on my skin, each touch a possessive caress that made my skin crawl.

"We are going to take such good care of you, Y/N," Yujin whispered into my ear, as Wonyoung began to stroke my hair.

"Hnnng, stop," I groaned as Wonyoung nipped at my upper lip, her teeth grazing my skin, a playful yet painful bite that sent a jolt of fear through me. Meanwhile, Yujin's nails dug into my abs, a clear sign of her barely contained rage, leaving crescent-shaped marks that burned against my skin.

"Ours," Yujin hissed possessively, her voice a low growl, her breath hot against my stomach as she trailed kisses down my torso. Her lips lingered on every inch of my skin, marking me as her own, each kiss a brand, a claim.

Wonyoung's free hand snaked around my wrist, her grip tightening until I could feel the sharp edges of my bones. She held my gaze, her eyes dark and intense, a strange mix of adoration and possessiveness swirling within them.

"You're so beautiful, Y/N," she whispered, her voice a soft, almost reverent murmur, even as her teeth grazed my skin again, leaving a trail of fire. "Only ours."

Yujin's kisses grew more insistent, more demanding, her lips pressing harder against my skin, as if trying to imprint herself onto me. Her hands moved restlessly, exploring every curve and contour of my body, claiming ownership with every touch. The air crackled with a suffocating tension, a sense of impending doom that made my heart pound against my ribs.

I heard Yujin unbuckling my belt, the sound a stark reminder of my helplessness. "Don't, Yujin, please don't," I pleaded, tears welling up in my eyes, but she continued, her movements deliberate and unhurried.

"Shh, I know we will take care of you. We accept you, too," she murmured, her voice soft and comforting, a stark contrast to her actions. I felt Wonyoung guide my hand to her breast, her skin warm and soft beneath my touch. "Shh, trust us," she whispered, her voice laced with a possessive tenderness.

A wave of heat washed over me, a confusing mix of fear and arousal. "Hot," I breathed, my voice barely a whisper.

Yujin's hand slid down, her fingers tracing the curve of my hip, then lower, towards the juncture of my thighs. She paused, her touch feather-light, before parting my legs.

Her fingers brushed against the sensitive nub of my cock, sending a jolt of electricity through me. "So beautiful," she breathed, her voice thick with desire.

Wonyoung leaned in, her lips brushing against my ear.

"You're ours now, Y/N. All ours," she whispered, her voice a low, possessive growl. She moved her hand down, her fingers intertwining with Yujin's, their touch a hot, demanding caress. They began to stroke me together, their movements synchronized, building a delicious tension that made me gasp.

"Please," I whimpered, my body arching against their touch, a desperate plea for release. Yujin's lips found mine, her kiss deep and demanding, a silent claim of ownership. As her tongue explored the depths of my mouth, Wonyoung, with a swift, fluid motion, removed her own panties.

A thrill shot through me as she shifted, positioning herself above me, the soft fabric whispering against my skin. The warmth of her skin against mine sent a jolt of electricity through my body, a delicious friction that made me arch beneath her. Then, with a slow, deliberate descent, she sat down on my cock, the sensation both intense and overwhelming. A gasp escaped my lips, a mixture of surprise and pleasure, a sharp intake of breath that echoed in the dimly lit room.

Wonyoung's eyes, dark and dilated, locked onto mine, a possessive gleam in their depths. "Say it, Y/N. Say it: you're ours," she whispered, her voice a low, husky murmur, as she began to move, her rhythm slow and deliberate, each movement sending waves of pleasure radiating through me.

Yujin's hands moved to my hips, guiding Wonyoung's movements, her touch both gentle and firm, urging me to surrender to the sensations that were building within me.

The room spun, the world narrowing to the feel of Wonyoung's body moving against mine, the sound of her soft moans mingling with my own ragged breaths. Yujin's kisses grew more insistent, her fingers digging into my hips, urging Wonyoung faster.

"Yes," I moaned, my voice a desperate plea, as the pleasure built, a tidal wave threatening to consume me.

"What yes?" Yujin whispered, her voice a low, teasing purr, as Wonyoung suddenly slowed her movements, the abrupt change sending a sharp pang of frustration through me. The sudden halt felt agonizing, especially as I felt myself teetering on the edge of release.

"I'm yours, please let me come," I begged, my voice thick with desperation, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.

"Not yet," Yujin whispered, her voice laced with a cruel amusement, as she leaned in, her lips brushing against my ear.

"We want to hear you say it properly." She paused, her breath hot against my skin.

"Say we own you, Y/N. Say you belong to us." The demand hung in the air, heavy and suffocating, a twisted declaration of ownership. Wonyoung began to move again, but slower, each movement a deliberate tease, a slow burn that threatened to drive me mad.

"Say it," Wonyoung whispered, her eyes filled with a dark, hungry intensity, her gaze fixed on mine, demanding submission.

"You... you own me," I gasped, the words torn from my throat, a reluctant admission of their control.

"I belong to you." The words tasted like ash in my mouth, but they seemed to satisfy them.

A predatory gleam flickered in their eyes, a dark satisfaction.

"Good girl," Yujin purred, her voice laced with a chilling sweetness. Wonyoung's movements grew faster, more urgent, the pleasure building once more, a tidal wave about to crash. "Now," Wonyoung whispered, her voice thick with desire, "We can come together."

They both began to move faster, their rhythm building to a frenzied pace, until finally, I was able to release the pent-up tension, my body shuddering with the force of my orgasm.

As the aftershocks subsided, a strange calm settled over the room.

Wonyoung collapsed against me, her breath coming in ragged gasps, while Yujin continued to shower me with soft, possessive kisses.

They held me close, their bodies intertwined with mine, a silent declaration of their ownership. The air was thick with the scent of sex and something else, something darker, something possessive. A chilling thought crept into my mind:

I was no longer their manager.