Kai blinked.
Darkness.
Then light—dim and blurry. Warm, too warm. Velvet beneath him. Something soft cradled his head.
A scent hit him. Floral. Expensive. Like orchids and money.
"Am I dead…?"
His eyes peeled open. Slowly.
White ceiling.
Soft jazz music playing somewhere in the background. The low hum of an engine reverberating through the floor.
He tried to move but winced. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest. Hell, he was definitely still alive.
Then—her voice.
(Beautiful)
"Welcome back, Tony."
The voice was soft, smooth, but held an air of authority that instantly made him feel small, fragile. The way she spoke—so casual, as though this was just another routine.
He turned his head. His neck cracked with the effort, his pulse racing, and his head throbbed like a damn drum. But still, he moved, dragging his body as if it was some foreign thing.
Mia Suzumi sat beside him, legs crossed with her white silk dress—damn, was that silk?—clinging like it had been made for her by angels themselves. Her hair was immaculate, and her gaze… it was cool, serene, but the depth in her eyes? That was where everything started to feel a little too intense.
(Talk about Normal.)
Her one hand rested delicately on her lap. The other? She was sipping from a thermos, almost lazily, like she hadn't just pulled him from the street.
His mouth felt dry. His throat tight. "Where…?" he croaked, trying to find his bearings.
"Limo," she replied, voice as smooth as ever, as if nothing unusual was happening. "You passed out on the pavement like some washed-up actor from a sad movie. Had to do something."
(Oh, that explains the engine sounds.)
Kai tried to sit up, but the ache in his body—everything from his skull to his toes—was too much. He groaned, not caring if he looked weak. Slowly, with unsteady hands, he managed to prop himself up on the seat.
Pain screamed at him from every corner. Still, it was nothing compared to the pounding chaos in his head.
"You… why did you stop?"
Mia glanced at him for a split second, her eyes glinting with something unreadable. "Why wouldn't I?"
His fingers gripped the seat cushion, the fabric coarse under his hands. Why would she? She knew him—knew Tony, the guy he was pretending to be. Was this some sick game to her? Did she want something? What was her endgame?
His thoughts were interrupted when she added casually, "You were mumbling when I found you."
He froze.
(Sh*t, what did i say?)
Mia didn't seem phased. "Said something about D'Amico. Clara. And something like… 'I shouldn't be here.'"
His heart dropped. His mouth went dry. His fingers tensed even harder, digging into the cushion as though it was the only thing keeping him together.
His voice failed him. D'Amico. Clara. Why the hell was he saying that?
"I—" he started, but Mia wasn't having it. She cut him off smoothly, the sound of her voice like a perfect, practiced cadence.
"I'm not asking you to explain," she said, her eyes flicking to his once more. "Yet."
Kai wanted to say something, but the words just wouldn't come. Instead, they sat in silence for a moment that seemed to stretch forever.
The limo continued to glide through the city, streetlights flashing like gold streaks outside the tinted windows. The rain had started coming down harder now, tapping rhythmically against the roof like the ticking of a clock—a sound that pressed against his chest.
The silence was suffocating.
Then Mia spoke again.
"You know…" She paused, eyes staring out of the window. "Tony used to hate rain."
Kai blinked. "Yeah?" His voice was hoarse, barely a whisper against the deafening noise in his head.
"He said it reminded him of the day his mother left." Her voice had softened, and she smiled, but it wasn't a happy smile. It was sad. Too sad.
"We were ten. He stood out in the rain for hours. Like waiting would bring her back."
Kai couldn't respond. He couldn't think of anything to say. What could he say to that? Yo, I'm not that Tony, I just inheritedhis face and wealth like it was a discount Halloween costume? Inhertied doesn't even feel like the best word.
That wouldn't do much. Hell, it would just sound insane.
So instead, he remained silent, sitting there in that luxurious seat, feeling like the world was a million miles away from him.
Mia turned her gaze back to him, her face unreadable, but her eyes—those eyes were sharp, cutting through him.
"You're not the same, you know."
(Huh?)
He stiffened at her words, his entire body locking up.
Mia's head tilted slightly, studying him like he was some kind of puzzle, a riddle she had to solve.
"Your eyes." Her voice dropped, lowering as if the words were a secret meant only for him. "They're different now."
Kai's heart slammed against his ribs. The weight of her words hit him hard. He knew exactly what she meant. His eyes—the way they had changed. The way they weren't his.
(> Crap)
His hands trembled slightly as he reached up to rub his face. He couldn't help but feel exposed. She saw it. She saw that he wasn't the Tony she knew.
She leaned a little closer. The motion was subtle, like the shift of air when a storm's about to hit. "But…" She paused, the corner of her mouth tugging upward. "I don't mind this version of Tony. I kinda....like him."
Kai's heart lurched. The sensation was confusing—part fear, part something else he couldn't name.
Mia pulled back slowly, her eyes no longer on him but rather on the road outside, as though nothing had changed. She didn't miss a beat.
The limo slowed, and the soft hum of the engine began to die down.
"Well, Where are we going?" he asked, not sure if he really wanted to know the answer.
"My place," she replied casually. "You're in no shape to go home. And besides, I want to hear more about this version of Tony." She glanced at him with a small smirk. "The one who collapses in the rain and whispers names of mafia men in his sleep."
He let out a bitter laugh. "You're really not gonna let me off the hook, huh?"
She grinned. "Where's the fun in that?"
The limo pulled into a gated estate. The gates opened silently, revealing a long driveway lined with tall trees and manicured hedges.
Mia opened her umbrella as the limo came to a halt. The rain hadn't let up. The world outside was blurred by sheets of water.
She helped him out of the limo with surprising care, one hand firmly under his arm, the other holding the umbrella over his head.
He felt weak—no, he was weak. Every step he took sent another wave of pain rolling through his body. But he couldn't show it.
Kai stumbled slightly as they made their way toward the massive house, the estate looming like something out of a dream. The kind of place people only ever saw in magazines.
Even as they walked side by side, dripping wet, Kai couldn't shake the questions that had taken root in his mind.
How much does she really know?
Why is she helping me?
And how long until all this comes crashing down?