Hacker • English Version

Chapter 9

Yoko's POV

She's coming back. Oh God. Faye is coming back.

I stand at the foot of my bed, frozen. My heart is racing, and my brain is going wild. Should I take another shower? No—I already did. Should I tidy up? She's already seen my mess anyway.

What if I can't even look at her? What if I mess everything up again?

Because honestly, Faye Malisorn needs a warning label. I knew she was beautiful, but seeing her on camera or in pictures is nothing compared to seeing her in real life. It's like looking at a wild animal in a photo—then suddenly having it right in front of you, watching you like you're its next meal.

My heart pounds harder. I'm full of nerves.

I turned into a total idiot last time she came.

If I had more time to prepare, I'd try harder to make her feel welcome. Maybe I'd stock the fridge with nice food, or buy some kitchen tools she'd like. I could fold a towel for her and put a little chocolate on the pillow like in hotels.

Wait—I do have towels. I can do that now.

I picked my favorite one for her. Midnight blue. I shake off the lint and place it neatly on the bathroom counter.

"Um," I say out loud. My voice bounces off the bathroom tiles.

I've never had anyone visit me before. I didn't even invite Faye the first time—she just showed up. Maybe she expects something now? A drink in her hand? A kiss on the cheek like a perfect little housewife?

I stare at the bathroom wall. My mind is spinning, and I don't even blink. Maybe I should change my clothes. I'm still in baggy sweats and a black T-shirt. Maybe I should wash my dishes.

I don't know how long I stand there, zoning out. However long it takes to drive from a pig farm, I guess—because suddenly, there's a knock on the door.

"Shit," I whisper. I tiptoe down the hall like that'll make a difference. "Double shit."

I open the door and there she is. Faye.

She's staring at me. That's when I remember—I went to bed with wet hair. Now I probably look like I lost a fight with a bird's nest.

My eyes drop away from hers. I look down at her shirt, a grey button-up. Her black pants have splashes of mud from the knees down. She probably wore boots in the field.

I wrinkle my nose.

"You smell awful."

She laughs and lifts my chin, waiting until I meet her eyes again. That smile of hers... it's soft and warm. Like sinking into a hot bath. I can't help but smile back.

"Hi, Yoko."

I finally remember to breathe. I reach out and grab her wrist.

"Hey, Faye." I give her a tug, pulling her inside before she can change her mind.

── .✦. ──

"This is your towel." I point at the fluffy blue one on the bathroom counter.

Faye nods like we're meeting for the first time.

"Nice to meet you," she says. She sounds so goofy for a mafia girl. I didn't realize she was like this when I watched her on the webcam.

I turn on the water, but I keep glancing at the mirror above the sink.

She's undressing. She knows I'm watching, too—she even winks at me while slowly unbuttoning her shirt.

It feels like déjà vu. My mind fades again. I just stand there, acting dumb, stealing looks from the side.