Secrets in the Morning Light
Everybody has a secret they don’t want anyone else to know.
Mine is one of them—a kind of secret society would never accept.
Today was just like any other day.
I was on my way to meet a client. Part of the job I’ve grown used to over the years. Ever since that day, my life changed dramatically.
I arrived at a small café. The bell above the door chimed softly as I walked in. Near the window, a man—probably in his 30s—sat alone. He noticed me immediately and waved with a polite smile. I returned the gesture and walked over.
I sat across from him and introduced myself.
“My name’s Katrina. You’re Mr. Clark, right?”
“Nice to meet you. I’ll be in your care today.”
He smiled warmly. “So, you’re the girl I booked through the website. You’re even more beautiful in person.”
“Thank you. Being called beautiful is a little embarrassing, though.” I smiled politely. “Shall we get down to business?”
“Yes! Of course—absolutely.”
We chatted for a while, going over the details. Eventually, we left the café together. He brought me to a nearby hotel. At the front desk, he handled the reservation. Once we had the key, we rode the elevator up.
Small talk followed—nothing meaningful.
The elevator dinged. He led me to the door.
As I stepped inside, I knew... this was when work would begin.
Morning came.
I woke up in yet another unfamiliar room. The sunlight streamed through the curtains, striking my face as I blinked against it.
I turned my head and saw myself lying naked beside a man I barely knew.
This had become my life.
No shock. No shame. Just… the routine.
I sat up quietly, careful not to wake him. I gathered my clothes and slipped them on. When I checked the time, my heart jumped—it was already 8:29.
Crap. I still have school.
Grabbing my things in a hurry, I dashed out of the room, down the stairs, and out of the building.
As I ran through the street, trying to make it on time, I suddenly collided with someone.
My bag dropped. Papers and small items spilled across the sidewalk.
“Ah! I—I’m so sorry!” I said, flustered as I knelt down.
“No, it’s fine,” the man replied calmly.
I didn’t look at his face. I was too busy picking everything up, trying to hold it together.
His voice was... gentle. Kind.
He helped me gather my things.
“I think I’ve got everything,” I muttered. “I’m really sorry, and thank you for helping me. Goodbye!”
Without waiting, I took off running toward school.
The man stared after me, holding something in his hand.
“Uh… Miss, wait—your I.D…”
He looked down at it.
“...Guess she already left, huh.”
I arrived at school panting, still catching my breath. As I stepped onto campus, I spotted my friend waving.
“Oh! Good morning, Katrina! It’s still early and you already look exhausted.”
“It’s nothing. I just ran a mile, that’s all.”
“A mile?! Why would you do that?!”
“The place I work at is near here, so I figured I’d just jog over.”
“You look like you sprinted a whole marathon! You’re as hardworking as ever. Still at your part-time job?”
“Yeah. New customers every day. It’s exhausting.”
“Being a waitress must be tough. I’m thinking of getting a job too, but my mom keeps bugging me about it.”
“Must be nice having a helicopter parent.”
“Hey, don’t make it sound like I’m freeloading!” she laughed. “C’mon, let’s get to class before we’re late.”
This is Mia—my only real friend since I started college. She’s the closest person I have, but even she doesn’t know my secret.
It’s something I’ll carry alone.
Mia’s POV
Katrina’s my best friend. I’ve made a lot of friends since college started, but she’s different.
She’s kind of a scatterbrain—always zoning out or napping in class—our teachers constantly scold her. Still, she’s gorgeous and hardworking. Tons of guys have a crush on her.
But even after a year of knowing her, I feel like she’s hiding something.
Today, I sat next to her like always. She wasn’t paying attention again. I glanced at her—and then her stomach growled loudly.
…Oh. She’s just hungry again.
[Lunchtime]
“Finally, breakfast!”
“It’s literally lunchtime. Don’t tell me you skipped breakfast again.”
“Maybe… but it’s fine! I just got paid, so I’ll treat myself.”
“Try not to blow it all at once like last time, okay?”
“Lesson learned.” She grinned.
“By the way, Katrina, I noticed you’re not wearing your I.D. You know the teachers will kill you if they catch that.”
“Huh? My I.D…? It’s in my—” Katrina dug through her bag.
She searched frantically, checking every corner. Her expression darkened.
“Ahh! Where is it?!”
{Don’t tell me… I left it in that guy’s room?!}
“Can’t find it, can you?” I asked.
“It should be in here… ugh! What do I do?!”
“Try to remember where you last had it.”
“I’ll look for it after school.”
[The Next Day]
“Waaah! I couldn’t find it anywhere! I even reported it, but they didn’t see anything!”
“Stop bawling like a baby. You can just request a new one.”
“Yeah, but the teacher’s scary and there’s a penalty! Waaah!”
“Whose fault is it?”
“Mine…” she mumbled, face-down on her desk.
“Hopeless.”
Class ended. Katrina and I walked home—well, more like she sulked beside me.
“Hey, stop thinking about it already.”
“But the teacher yelled at me! Waaah!”
“You’re acting like a six-year-old.”
Suddenly, a voice called out from behind us.
“Um, excuse me… Are you Katrina?”
We turned. A tall guy in a hoodie stood there.
“You dropped this the other day, right?” he said, holding out her I.D.
{Waaah! Tall and cute. He’s totally my type.} I thought to myself.
“Yes! That’s mine! Thank you so much!” Katrina said, relieved.
“No problem. I just happened to find it.”
He turned to leave, but I grabbed his sleeve.
“Wait! Let us thank you properly. How about we treat you to a snack?”
“It’s fine. Really. No need for that.”
“Don’t be rude! Right, Katrina?” I shot her a look.
“Uhh… I guess she’s right.” Katrina said, catching on.
“So? Join us?” I smiled sweetly.
“...Okay.”
We brought him to a nearby café. Once we ordered, I got right to the point.
“So, what’s your name?”
“Yuuri.”
“Age?”
“Nineteen.”
“Oooh. Younger than me, huh? Got a girlfriend? Ever dated an older woman?”
“Uhh…”
{This feels like an interrogation… Poor guy.} Katrina thought as she sipped her coffee.
Suddenly, my phone rang.
“Oh no—I forgot I have to take my mom to the doctor! You two talk for me, okay? Bye for now, Yuu-kun!”
“Wait, Mia—!” Katrina tried to stop me, but I was already gone.
Now it was just the two of them. Katrina glanced at him, awkward silence growing heavy between them.
“Uh… um…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll finish my coffee and go. Thanks for the treat.”
“No! You don’t have to rush. I should be thanking you for the I.D.”
“It’s really not a big deal,” he said calmly.
{What’s with this guy? He barely talks… Is he shy? A virgin, maybe?} Katrina wondered, stealing a glance at him.
“Wait a sec… You’re the guy I bumped into the other day, right? I’m really sorry about that.”
“Yeah. I tried to return your I.D then, but you ran off.”
“Sorry (-︿-’) Thanks again for holding onto it.”
They finished their coffee and got up to leave.
“Thanks again for today.”
“Likewise.”
“See you around.”
“Same.”
They turned to walk away… only to realize they were headed in the same direction.
{Oh no. This is so awkward… I thought he’d go the other way.} Katrina panicked internally.
Then, the sky darkened. A sudden downpour drenched them.
“Ugh! Rain, now?! And I didn’t bring an umbrella!” Katrina cried out.
She rushed for cover—but Yuuri suddenly grabbed her arm and led her toward a nearby apartment.
“Sorry for grabbing you like that,” he said, letting go.
“It’s okay. Thanks for the help.”
“This is my apartment. My room’s upstairs. You can come in until the rain stops.”
{No way. Is this what I think it is...?}
“No, it’s fine. I’ll just wait under here.”
“But you’re soaked. You can take a bath if you want.”
{This is too familiar… Men really are monsters.}
Still, she followed him upstairs.
The room was tidy—shelves arranged neatly, not what she expected. Not like the other rooms she’s been in before.
“You can use the bath. Just call me if you need anything.”
“Uh… sure.”
She placed her bag near the bathroom, stripped off her wet clothes, and stepped into the warm shower.
The water ran over her body as her thoughts drifted.
To the past.
To the present.
To everything that brought her here.
