Wuthering Waves: I Was Hired by Carlotta Montelli

Where had she found the courage to suddenly speak the secret she thought she might never voice in her lifetime?

After she spoke, she fell completely silent. Not just her, but it seemed the entire world had quieted down, listening intently to this careful confession.

The wind brushing the tips of the grass suddenly softened, and the clouds in the sky appeared to pause.

Until

"I know."

Ray's hand gently landed on her hair, soothing her like a startled little bird. His steady, reassuring voice dissolved the trembling in her body as he held her.

Phoebe's shoulders trembled slightly in the breeze.

She timidly lifted her eyes, quickly glancing at the smile in Ray's eyes, before immediately burying her burning face back against his chest. Her voice shook slightly, muffled by the fabric of his clothes. "Huh? Mr. Ray... you already knew?"

"Otherwise?" Ray let out a soft laugh filled with gentle understanding. "You've practically written all your thoughts on your face."

"I..."

She instinctively wanted to deny it, but her fingertips unconsciously tightened their grip on his clothes.

So those flutters and moments of panic she thought she'd hidden so well had already been obvious in his eyes this entire time.

This realization made her even more shy, yet also incredibly happy.

Because it meant that Mr. Ray did not dislike her. Otherwise, he would have distanced himself long ago.

"So, Mr. Ray... will you say yes?" She mustered her courage once more, her voice carrying a honeyed anticipation.

A small smile played on Ray's lips. "Do you think I could say no to such a cute little Phoebe?"

"Mm..."

The straightforward compliment was like warm, sweet wine, instantly flooding her senses.

She pressed her warm forehead against his chest, soft whimpers swirling in her throat, unable to form complete words.

But none of that mattered. What mattered was

Mr. Ray hadn't rejected her!

The blush spread from the tips of her ears all the way down to her neck, yet she couldn't help but smile sweetly.

Her arms wrapped behind his back unconsciously tightened, holding him a little closer.

"Alright, Phoebe," Ray said softly. "Time to go. Beni and the others are waiting for us."

"I, I know..." The young woman's voice was muffled against his chest, carrying a coquettish nasal tone. "Just a little longer like this... just a little longer."

Instead of letting go, she clutched the fabric on his back even tighter, as if trying to embed herself into this warm embrace.

Every inch of her skin greedily clung to his warmth, and every breath she took was filled with his clean, pleasant scent.

The distant birdsong and the wind brushing through the fields became nothing more than irrelevant background noise.

It wasn't until the dandelions by the roadside were scattered by the wind, their countless tiny parachutes carried up into the blue sky, that Phoebe finally, reluctantly, pulled back a little.

She looked up at him with her flushed face, her eyes sparkling as if filled with starlight.

"Let's go." She said softly, taking the initiative to hold his hand. "If we keep Benni and the others waiting too long, they'll get grumpy again."

The moment their fingertips touched, something warm bloomed in her chest.

But this time, she didn't shy away. Instead, she firmly held his hand in hers.

...

...

It was now noon.

Ray lay on his back on the grassy slope, a blade of grass between his lips, the slightly bitter taste spreading across his tongue.

He squinted at the sky, where a few wisps of white clouds drifted lazily across the vast blue expanse.

Nearby came the clear sound of laughter, like wind chimes ringing in the summer breeze.

It was Phoebe playing with Beni and the others.

And Anby, of course.

"Even if I'm the most powerful Echo in all of Solaris-3, I still need companions!"

That's what Anby had said.

So Ray had taken the opportunity to let Anby out for a while.

His gaze silently followed that cheerful figure. Phoebe, sensing his stare, turned around and flashed him a bright, unclouded smile.

Everything was swallowed by this peaceful moment.

Only...

What about the Second Miss?

Should he hide it from her?

No. Paper could never wrap fire. Eventually, the Second Miss would find out.

So then...

He would have to confess to the Second Miss when the time was right.

At this thought, Ray sighed softly, closed his eyes again, and let his thoughts sink into this rare stillness.

After a while, the grass beside him rustled.

A familiar light scent drifted near, and someone sat down gently beside him.

Ray opened his eyes and turned his head. Phoebe was sitting there, hugging her knees, a soft smile on her face.

"Phoebe, why aren't you playing with the others?"

Phoebe turned toward him, brushing the wind-tangled hair away from her face. "Anby and the others went to play in the stream. Getting these clothes wet would be troublesome. I have to go to the Order tomorrow."

Ray's gaze unconsciously lingered on the young woman's attire. The soft curves of her legs were wrapped in pure white stockings that shimmered with a delicate, silky gloss under the sunlight.

He didn't understand why this image was so captivating to him. He only felt that this pure, flawless outfit perfectly matched Phoebe's natural temperament, creating an ultimate contrast of innocence and seduction.

Even though Phoebe was dressed so modestly, why did he find it so unbearably charming?

"Mr. Ray, what are you looking at?"

The young woman noticed his focused stare and nervously pressed her knees closer together.

"Nothing." Ray cleared his throat, but his gaze did not move away. "I just think Phoebe looks very cute, especially your shapely legs. They're perfect."

"Huh? My legs?" A deep blush instantly colored Phoebe's cheeks. She turned her face away, mumbling shyly, "Oh, Mr. Ray..."

Looking at the young woman's adorable, flustered expression, a mix of the urge to corrupt her innocence and raw possessiveness wrapped tightly around him like vines.

He suddenly sat up. Before Phoebe could react, he had taken hold of her slender wrist and, with an irresistible yet gentle force, pressed her down onto the soft grass.

"M-Mr. Ray!?" The young woman let out a short cry of surprise. Her clear eyes widened with shock, reflecting the blue sky and his looming figure above her.

Ray leaned over her, gazing down at Phoebe trapped beneath him. Her panicked breaths and the trembling of her long lashes made his own breathing grow heavier without him realizing it.

He leaned down and whispered into her ear, his warm breath brushing against her sensitive skin.

"Phoebe, being this cute can make people want to do bad things to you."

"I... I..." She was at a complete loss for words. All the blood in her body seemed to rush to her face, yet her limbs felt too weak to push him away.

"Do you remember that night?" His voice was low and dangerous, carrying a hint of deliberate payback. "You kissed me and then ran away, leaving me there all alone... That was so mean of you. Today, I'm going to get back at you for that."

"G-Get back at me?" Phoebe repeated the words blankly.

Ray didn't give her any more time to think.

He lowered his head and captured her slightly parted lips in a deep kiss.

"Mm...!"

At first, the young woman's slender arms instinctively pressed against his chest in a weak, symbolic resistance.

But in the end, she closed her eyes. Her long lashes trembled like fragile butterflies in the wind as she endured this kiss filled with punishment and possessive hunger. Her movements were inexperienced yet obedient.

She felt his tongue slide into her mouth, hot and demanding.

"Mm... don't suck..." she whimpered softly against his lips, her voice breaking into a helpless moan.