;)
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(Y/N - 23 years old)

"I knew she had something special in her, look at those results. The casino is already becoming one of our main sources of income and it's only been a year since I put her in charge. She's magic, I knew I made the right choice by using her that way".

I keep my eyes closed as San works on the tension in my shoulders and neck, as he likes to do whenever he finds me wincing at the sore pain, the stress that all this work puts me through ignored by everyone but him.

I thought he was strange at first, that we'd never get along, but though quiet, I've found out that San is also incredibly caring, in his own way.

He looks after me no matter where I am or what I do, going as far as to always bring me lunch to make sure that I don't forget to eat well, and he even makes sure that I'm not disturbed by anyone when I nap.

He keeps wandering hands away from me with threatening growls whenever some of Hae-in's men get too close, and he's beaten up to a pulp a couple of these idiots after seeing them looking into my bedroom in the middle of the night.

I've grown to see him as a kind of protector, for even Hae-in can't control him anymore when it has anything to do with me.

One would think that he's my bodyguard with the way he's been growing increasingly protective of me, but I'm not complaining since he keeps me safe in this hellhole. Some even say that we must have been soulmates in another life, as if that would explain why this hybrid has taken such a liking to me.

Either way, it feels good to have someone on my side, someone who treats me not like a magic tool of money, but like someone with feelings. San has become that safety for me, one that I never thought I would ever get in this house when I was first brought here.

"Hey, Y/N. I know this is sudden, but I've got a deal to make with you, if you're interested".

I sigh and open my eyes to stare at the old man, what new trick does he have up his sleeve that he wants to test with me?

These last five years have been filled with him sending me left and right across the country to accomplish all kinds of odd jobs, from tending to one of his farms to saving a handful of underground businesses.

It's been interesting to give all those different fields a try, they've given me more work experience than what college and university would've allowed me, experience that's worth a lifetime of work in a span of a few years, but it's also a very exhausting way of living.

"What is it?" I ask with a bored voice, a wave of the hand so San can stop working on my shoulders, else it would be awkward to talk to the boss. The dog hybrid removes his hands from me to instead stand slightly in front of me, to the side.

It almost looks like I'm the one he works for now, and Hae-in's eyes twitch slightly, though he keeps his mouth shut on the matter. It's a lost fight, he already knows that.

San's decided to be the light for me in this dark pit, and nothing he says will ever change his mind. So instead, he focuses on what he can control. Making money.

"I have one last job for you, and if you succeed, I'll get rid of your debts entirely. How does that sound?".

I immediately straighten up on the couch as my sharp gaze falls on him, what did he just say?

"Got your attention, haven't I?" he snorts with a chuckle, pleased with himself.

Sometimes, he regrets not making me into one of his personal prostitutes, but I've given him much more than physical pleasure with all of my work accomplished so far, so all in all, he feels like he made a pretty good choice.

He grins as he keeps his gaze on my face, and I keep a grimace from showing when I find the hidden desires sparkling in his dark eyes. I was too young to see it before, but I've grown to understand that Hae-in treats me the way he does because he wants me.

Why he didn't force me into being his slave while also making money for him is beyond me, but I'm glad he didn't try anything on me. San would've chewed his head off if he did, I'm almost convinced of that.

"See, I've got this multi-billions hotel that was meant to be something big, but management just sucks so it's been gathering dust for years now. I think it might be perfect for you, though. Make it into one of the most luxurious hotels in Seoul and I'll forget about the rest of your debts.

"Not only that, but I'll even sponsor you so you can start your own little empire, free of charge. Wouldn't that be great? You could do anything you want, as long as I get a share of your profits. What do you think? Do we got a deal, you and I?".

He's not messing with me, is he?

"Are you serious? I swear, Hae-in, if this is a lie... I'm going to rip your jaw open" I ask with a low voice, but he just shrugs as he makes himself comfortable at his desk again, the threats that I make never a bother to him because he knows they're only empty words. I'm no fighter.

"Have I ever lied to you, sweetheart?".

No... he hasn't.

He's always kept his promises during my stay here, even the one concerning my soulmates.

I overheard a conversation around... was it two years ago? Anyway, it was about how the boss had had someone deal with some barriers standing in my soulmates' way about some promotions that they wanted at their jobs.

I don't know what kind of barrier it was, it's possible that he even had someone demoted or killed, but in the end, they all got their promotion and that's all I really cared about. I know that they work harder than anyone else so they more than deserved it.

I'm sure they wouldn't be too happy about finding that out but... if it meant our heartbreak could bring them any kind of respite, then I would take that upon my conscience gladly. It's not like they'll ever find out anyway.

I haven't heard anything else about them since then, nor have my answers been answered, and it's hard to be kept out of matters concerning the men who still occupy the deepest part of my heart and soul.

I can only get the crumbs while I give away the warm bread. Only living my life with dusts of information about the men who still own my heart while I give my all to gaining money for people who couldn't care less about me.

Every nights, I find myself dreaming of them and of what they've become, mind coming up with possibilities of what they would look like today, and every morning, I wake up with tears in my eyes as realization hits me that I'll never see them again.

I'd grown used to that with time, but this deal... would it allow me to see them again after all?

Would my newfound freedom also give me back my soulmates?

It's possible that the answer remains a no, but I'm willing to try either way. I'm ready to do anything to make that become reality, even if I have to give up on my soul. It hasn't done me any good so far anyway.

"So I just need to make that hotel thrive, is that it?".

Hae-in nods his head before pushing some papers forward for me to read.

"Should be easy for you, right? With your skills... I'd give it maybe three or four years before we begin to see some real results. Have a look at this and report to me by tomorrow morning about what you want to do, I'll wait and-".

"Oh, no need to wait. I'll do it".