The moon above the night sky is covered by the winter gloomy, thick, gray clouds. The charm of the silent midnight adds a degree of solemnity, as if the voice of our heart can be united with nature. Being immersed in silence, will allow us to be honest with our true feelings, and keep it avoided all the curtains of pretense.

Stairmount has rented Daphne and Mrs. Yalle a cyber mansion not far from where he lives, which is located in the Emerald upscale neighborhoods. He himself doesn't dare to invite them to stay at his house since he is afraid that evil parties will spy on his house and by then get information about Daphne. After finishing their accommodation, he thus invites them to visit his residence, and he does this at almost midnight, to minimize the possibility that anyone will follow him. His plan is, Daphne and Mrs. Yalle will stay overnight in here, and return on the next day, at the same time as this moment - almost midnight. He isn't afraid of himself, he is just afraid of Daphne's safety.

It's more than enough for them to take my parents as their captives. I don't want any more innocent people to be victimized because of me!

Daphne herself, after arriving at Stairmount residence, is now looking in awe at every decoration in the luxurious mansion. "So great!..." She says in amazement. "Your residence is so amazing..."

"Thanks for the compliment," Stairmount replies with a small smile.

Arriving in such a luxurious mansion, Daphne's feelings of inferiority rise again. She has tried her best to hide that feeling, but still, sometimes she will unconsciously show that nervousness. Like now, since she doesn't know what to do, she ends up just standing there in silence, her hands squeezing each other.

"I'm sorry, I can only take both of you here at midnight..." Stairmount looks regretful.

"Don't feel sorry about that, Mr. Rivers. We're the ones who have troubled you," Mrs. Yalle replies politely.

"You two don't bother me at all. I am so glad that you can have a visit here," Stairmount curves a small smile.

However, despite appearing friendly, Daphne knows Stairmount is hiding something in that friendly smile. Something so painful. She also feels it; Stairmount has changed a bit differently after he returned from his sudden departure. But she didn't dare to ask since Stairmount himself didn't discuss it in front of his parents. Even Mr. Rivers hides it from his parents... of course, I couldn't mess up his plan.

Hence, when there is nobody except the two of them, that is, right at this moment, Daphne then will ask Stairmount for more details about it.

Copyright ©️ by boundless &universe

Mrs. Yalle has already entered into her bedroom. Therefore, only Stairmount and she are still awake in this mansion. Stairmount is busy packing his stuff. Daphne approaches him, "Can I help you?"

"It's no need. Just have some rest, Daphne."

"But you seem very busy..."

"Ah, just a petty thing. Every bachelor who is used to living alone can certainly do it."

"Let me help you, Mr. Rivers." Daphne rolls up her sleeves, then helps Stairmount. She does it so deftly that even Stairmount gets amazed by her.

"Wow... Plutonian women are amazing. So agile." Stairmount applauds.

"Really? It is an easy thing to do. All women in the world can do it for sure."

"I know that Plutonian women are mostly very diligent and painstaking. Different from the females who grow up in Jupiterian culture."

"How do you know?"

"I see it by myself."

Daphne blushes. A few seconds later, she stares deeply at Stairmount's indigo-color eyes. Stairmount's voice is as friendly and calm as usual, but she can feel the difference. She tries to seek the difference, by looking at her intently.

Stairmount gasps. Once again, Daphne entangles him into her charm, through those eyes. The look in her eyes, which seems to be able to hypnotize anyone... and turns them to stone.

"...And you've turned to stone, Stairmount..."

But, her gaze is indeed very beautiful, and intoxicating, it really can make me lose all common sense and logic. Ah... is that saying true? Those who can bring men to their knees, who can destroy men's entire lives, are the beauties? Because, just to get this cradle, the price I have to pay is too expensive...

"Mr. Rivers, what's wrong with you?"

Stairmount blinks. "Eh? What do you mean?..."

"You've been acting strangely even since you came back. Maybe your parents thought you are just worried about your life, but I know that's not what you're worried about, instead, it is a much bigger thing." Daphne takes a step forward, now standing right before Stairmount. "What is your problem, Mr. Rivers? Tell me. Don't just keep a problem to yourself. It's much better when someone can help to bear it together with you."

Even though the two of them have been so close, and Daphne continues to stare at him expectantly, Stairmount doesn't immediately comply with the young woman's request for an answer. He pauses, then turns around.

He walks to the veranda.

"Mr. Rivers..." Confused by the sudden ignorance of Stairmount, Daphne automatically chases after him.

Stairmount steps outside, toward a lounger shone by the dim garden lights. The warm air from the heater in the room from inside mixes with the cool air of a winter night from outside, creating the sensation of a strange - yet comfortable - mixture of the temperature. He drops himself to the lounger, sitting there. Daphne follows in his footsteps.

Now Stairmount looks at the moon hanging high above him. Daphne waits for his reaction to break the silence patiently.

"They tell me to spread that pathogen in Saturn."

Daphne stares closely at Stairmount. "Spreading pathogen?..."

Stairmount returns his gaze to Daphne. But this time, his gaze is completely different from the usual;  his gaze is cold, and full of suspicion. "If I tell you what exactly I've done, will your view of me change?"

Copyright © boundless_universe