Chapter 4: Promotion to Personal Disaster
Miller had a new goal.
Survive.
No—wait.
That was the old goal.
The new goal was:
"…Make Cloe ignore me."
He stared at the office building like it had personally offended him.
"…How hard can it be?"
Narrator: Extremely.
Office – The Beginning of the End
Miller entered the office, fully prepared.
Cold expression. Professional attitude.
Distance.
Lots of distance.
"Good morning, Miss Cloe."
Silence.
He blinked.
She was staring at him again.
"…What?" he asked cautiously.
"You didn't call me by name."
"…That's… professional?"
"I didn't like it."
"…Of course you didn't."
Cloe's New Rule
"From now on," she said calmly, "drop the 'Miss.'"
"…No."
Silence.
The air froze.
"…No?" she repeated.
"Yes. Boundaries."
"…You're rejecting my instruction?"
"Yes."
"…Why?"
"Because I value my life."
"…Explain."
"…No."
System Notification
You have unlocked: Boldness (Unwanted Skill)
Cloe's Reaction
She leaned back in her chair.
Studying him.
"…Interesting."
"…Please don't say that again."
"You've been saying strange things since yesterday."
"…Personal growth."
"…Consistent growth?"
"…Yes."
She paused.
Then—
"…Call me Cloe."
"…No."
"…Why?"
"…Because I might accidentally survive if I don't."
Promotion Announcement (Unexpected)
"Then I'll promote you."
"…WHAT?"
"You'll stay closer to me."
"…That's not a promotion, that's a threat."
"It's efficient."
Miller's Brain: Emergency Shutdown
Closer?
How much closer can I get before I legally become part of her shadow?
Meanwhile… The Husband Again
At the mansion—
Andro quietly folded clothes.
Simple. Neat. Careful.
A maid whispered nearby—
"Madam spends a lot of time with her assistant."
Andro paused.
Just for a second.
Then continued folding.
"…She trusts him," he said softly.
"…Sir, does it not bother you?"
A small pause.
"…It's fine."
"…But—"
"I'm used to it."
Pain Level: Increasing Silently
Back to Office – Peak Chaos
"Cancel all meetings after noon," Cloe said.
"…Why?"
"I have plans."
"With clients?"
"No."
She looked at him.
"With you."
"…Of course."
Desperate Attempt #8: Run Away (Literally)
Miller turned.
Walked toward the door.
Fast.
Very fast.
"…Where are you going?" Cloe asked.
"…Resigning."
"No."
"…You can't just say 'no'!"
"I can."
"…That's illegal!"
"I own the company."
"…That feels like a loophole."
Escape Attempt Failed
He slowly turned back.
"…This is kidnapping."
"It's employment."
Lunch Time – Round 2
Another expensive place.
Another table.
Another situation he didn't ask for.
Miller stared at the menu.
"…I miss instant noodles."
"What are those?" Cloe asked.
"…Happiness."
Cloe's Observation
"You're different from before."
"…Better or worse?"
"…Better."
"…For who?"
"…Me."
"…That's exactly the problem."
Desperate Attempt #9: Be Annoying
Miller leaned back dramatically.
"You know, you should really spend time with your husband."
Silence.
Then—
"…Again?"
"Yes, again!"
"…Why?"
"Because he's your husband!"
"He's a contract."
"…STOP SAYING THAT!"
Unexpected Counterattack #2
Cloe leaned forward slightly.
"…Are you jealous?"
"…WHAT?!"
"You keep mentioning him."
"…I'm not jealous!"
"…Then why?"
"…Because—because—he matters!"
"…To you?"
"…TO THE STORY—"
He froze.
"…To… society."
Cloe's Conclusion
"…You're strange."
"…I've heard that."
"…But you're mine."
"…I OBJECT—wait, what?"
Critical Hit: Possessiveness Activated
She said it casually.
Calmly.
Like stating a business fact.
"You work for me. You stay with me."
"…That's not what that sounded like."
Miller's Inner Panic
Soft yandere detected.
Danger level rising.
Back at the Mansion – Parallel Pain
That evening—
Andro sat by the window.
Waiting.
Again.
The food had gone cold.
Again.
He looked at the clock.
"…She's late."
Again.
He picked up his phone.
Typed something.
Deleted it.
"…She must be busy."
Again.
Back to Miller – The Realization
In the car—
Miller stared out the window.
"…This is wrong."
"…What is?" Cloe asked.
"…Everything."
She tilted her head.
"…Explain."
"I'm not supposed to be important."
Silence.
"…But you are," she said simply.
"…I shouldn't be."
"…I decide that."
The Breaking Point
Miller turned to her.
Serious.
For the first time.
"You're going to regret this."
Silence.
Cloe watched him.
"…Regret what?"
"…Ignoring what you already have."
A pause.
Then—
"…I don't regret my choices."
"…You will."
A Dangerous Smile
Cloe smiled slightly.
Not warm.
Not kind.
But interested.
"…Then I'll regret it later."
"…That's not how regret works!"
End of Chapter Moment
As the car stopped—
She stepped out.
Then looked back at him.
"…You're coming inside."
"…No."
"…Yes."
"…No."
"…Miller."
"…That sounded like a threat."
"…It is."
Final Thought
Miller followed her anyway.
Because of course he did.
"…I'm not the villain anymore," he muttered.
"…I'm the target."
To Be Continued…