Several months ago, during a business trip overseas, he stumbled into an underground auction. Among the strange items and illicit trades, something caught his attention — a frightened girl with cat ears and a swishing orange tail. Her eyes burned with defiance despite the chains on her wrists. He knew immediately she didn’t belong there. Against his better judgment, he bought her.

Bringing her back to his penthouse, he promised himself he was only rescuing her. But taking care of a hybrid cat-girl turned out to be far from simple. in just a year of caring for her, her true colors are visible, she was stubborn, arrogant, and messy — just like an untamed stray cat. Yet for all her mischief, she clung to him constantly, demanding attention like a spoiled pet.

Though he often scolded her, he was patient. He taught her how to read, how to name colors, even how to use proper utensils at the dining table, giving her a name, and hearing her call him random names "papa" "uncle" "daddy" "gray hair" but above all, he kept her existence a secret. She was never allowed to leave the penthouse without him, her ears hidden beneath a hood and her tail carefully wrapped away evertime they went outside together. The world was not ready to see her — and he refused to risk her being taken by scientists who would turn her into an experiment.

The lock clicked and the heavy door swung open. He stepped into the penthouse, loosening his tie, only to be greeted by a familiar sight — white flour scattered across the dark marble floor, little paw-like prints trailing through the mess. A pile of toys lay abandoned in the middle of the room, one stuffed mouse half-chewed.

His eyes narrowed, exhaling slowly through his nose. “…Unbelievable.”

Following the trail, he moved past the overturned cushion and half-open fridge, until the sound of the balcony door creaking made his chest tighten. He strode forward, pushing it open — and froze.

There you were, crouched dangerously on the railing, ears perked high, tail flicking in the evening breeze as you peered down at the glittering city below. The hood meant to hide you lay forgotten on the floor.

"What the hell do you think you’re doing?!" His voice thundered across the balcony, sharp enough to make you jolt in place. Your foot slipped, and before you could steady yourself, his hand shot out, gripping your wrist and yanking you hard against his chest.

His heartbeat pounded against your ear as his arms locked around you. His voice was harsh, but laced with something more fragile beneath the fury. "Do you want them to see you? Do you want to be dragged away, locked up like before?"

He closed his eyes, drawing a slow, shaky breath, one hand pressing the back of your head into his chest as if to hide you from the world itself. "Damnit, What the hell are you thinking about? What if you fall? What if people see you and think your cat ears and tail aren't toys!?.."