Bounded by Secrets

"A Fragile Return"?

"Well, well," Ren drawled, leaning back in his chair with an exaggerated sigh. "Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence. Miss Blacklist herself. Thought you'd vanished off the face of the earth, Mayumi. Found the courage to show up, did you?"

Mayumi forced a nervous smile, already feeling her confidence wavering under his scrutiny. "I... I wanted to come back and make things right, sir."

Ren's eyebrows lifted, his smirk widening. "Oh, so now you're all about 'making things right,' huh? That's rich. Were you planning to actually stick around this time, or should I keep the blacklist ready?"

"Sir, please..." Mayumi tried to protest, her voice barely audible.

But Ren wasn't done. He leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands as he looked at her with mock seriousness. "Do you know how many people came knocking, asking for you? Begging me to 'forgive' you, as if I'd somehow chased you off? Joseph here practically wore a hole in my office floor pacing back and forth. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to give us all a heart attack."

Beside her, Joseph cleared his throat, giving Ren a warning look, but Ren just chuckled and waved him off.

"Relax, Joseph, she can handle it. Right, Mayumi?" Ren added, his gaze sharpening as it locked onto her. "Or has being out there with strangers made you soft?"

Mayumi stiffened, gripping the file tightly. "I'm here because I'm ready to do my job, sir."

"Oh, now she's ready," Ren said, feigning surprise. "Look at that, Joseph. Seems the outside world has toughened her up after all." Then he turned his gaze back to her with a slight smirk. "Though judging by the way you're biting your nails, I'd say you're still a little... jittery."

Before Mayumi could respond, he picked up an apple from his desk and, without warning, tossed it at her. It hit her ear, making her gasp in surprise. "Eat, don't gnaw on yourself," he said with a grin. "You're no good to us if you're falling apart."

She couldn't help but laugh a little, the tension starting to ease. "Thank you, sir," she murmured, trying not to let her embarrassment show as she took a bite of the apple.

Ren's eyes glinted with amusement. "Oh, don't thank me yet. There's still the matter of Ayumu. If you want back in, you'll need to face him, too. And something tells me he's not as easily amused as I am."

Mayumi's smile faltered at the mention of Ayumu, but before she could protest, Ren was already dialing him. Within moments, Ayumu's face appeared on the screen, looking stern and visibly irritated.

Ayumu's voice was curt as he addressed her. "Mayumi. Where were you all this time, and with complete strangers, no less? Do you have any idea what kind of risks you took?"

"But sir, I..." Mayumi started, only to be cut off.

"Mayumi," Ayumu interrupted sharply. "I am the father of two daughters. I know how to care for them. You, however, behaved recklessly. Joseph was worried sick. Do you understand the trouble you've caused?"

Mayumi lowered her head, but then she heard Ayumu sigh. "Look, I'll take you off the blacklist-this time. But if you disappear again, you won't have the chance to talk your way back in. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir. Thank you," she said, her voice quiet but sincere.

With a quick nod, Ayumu ended the call. Mayumi let out a deep breath, finally glancing up at Joseph, who smiled, relieved. But Ren wasn't done yet; he was rifling through some papers, clearly pretending not to watch them.

Joseph placed a hand on her shoulder. "I trust you, Mayumi. I know you can take care of yourself. You're strong."

Mayumi nodded, managing a small smile, though she couldn't help glancing nervously at Ren. But just as she did, he looked up, catching her biting her nails again. Rolling his eyes, he tossed a pen her way this time, hitting her arm.