CHAPTER FIVE
THE DEMON KING WHO WAITED FOR HER
by C.G
From the night Mako saw the mysterious woman standing at Linah's door, unease settled deep in his heart. Every night after that, he slept beside Linah to protect her, though she never noticed his presence. Linah believed the sensations she felt were caused by the mysterious man in her dreams watching over her. Though she missed his touch, his presence alone brought her comfort.
She wore the bracelet he had given her as a birthday gift. She liked it deeply, though she could not explain why.
---
Three months later…
Linah stood among hundreds of graduates, her heart pounding as her name was called. Dressed in a black gown and cap, she walked across the stage and received her certificate.
She had made it.
The poor girl who once doubted herself had finally graduated.
Aunt Rose held Linah's mother as tears streamed freely down her face. Overwhelmed by emotion, she remembered the years of struggle she and Linah's father endured to send their daughter to school. They had managed through high school, but university fees were beyond their reach. Yet Linah never gave up. She worked as a maid while studying, pushing herself through exhaustion and sacrifice.
Now, she had done it.
When Linah saw her mother and Aunt Rose crying, her own tears flowed freely. She hugged her mother tightly, both of them sobbing with joy. From a distance, Mako watched silently. Pride filled his heart. He had always known Linah was intelligent. Seeing her success stirred emotions he had long buried.
As he admired her, his gaze suddenly sharpened.
The mysterious woman was there again.
She stood near the gate, holding a clay pot and chanting ancient words meant only for immortals. Her eyes scanned the crowd until they locked onto Linah. Flames of hatred burned within her gaze.
Mako's heart tightened.
This woman was not from the human world — and the hatred she directed toward Linah was unmistakable. Fear crept into him. He could no longer delay the investigation into Linah's death before her rebirth. He needed answers. But if he left the human world… who would protect Linah?
Mako moved quickly toward the gate. As he drew closer, the woman turned and smiled at him — a knowing, dangerous smile. Before he could reach her, she vanished.
Mako froze.
He recognized her.
---
After the graduation ceremony, Linah told her parents she planned to resign from her job as a maid. Many companies were hiring graduates, and she wanted to pursue a career in her field. Still, she felt it was right to speak to her boss first. He had helped her so much, and she wanted to thank him properly before leaving.
Her parents agreed, though Linah's heart ached. Leaving the mansion felt like leaving a piece of her life behind. Yet she was now a graduate, holding a bachelor's degree in Office Management. She wanted more — even if her maid's salary was higher than what some companies offered.
When Linah returned to the mansion, she sat alone in her room, overwhelmed. The space felt filled with the presence of her mysterious man. How would she sleep in another room? Another house?
She tried to comfort herself. Leaving would be better. It would stop her mysterious man from growing jealous whenever her boss came too close.
She packed her belongings and wore the bracelet again. Aunt Rose and the butler watched silently as she packed, unable to help. Sadness filled their hearts. They were going to miss her.
---
Linah asked the butler about Mako's whereabouts and was told he was in his study. Taking a deep breath, she went to see him and began by expressing her gratitude for all he had done for her.
When she mentioned her resignation, Mako's expression changed instantly.
"You don't need to look for another job," he said coldly.
Linah frowned. "But sir, I need to work."
Mako clenched his fists. The thought of her leaving his sight filled him with a fear he had not felt in centuries.
"You signed a contract," he said. "Until it expires, you are not going anywhere."
Linah stared at him in disbelief. "When did I sign a contract? I don't remember signing anything!"
Accusing him of being selfish, she watched as Mako opened a drawer and placed a document before her. Her signature was there.
Her heart raced.
She didn't drink. She didn't take drugs. How could she have signed something and forgotten?
Mako dismissed her, claiming he was busy. "Unpack your clothes," he ordered. "You're staying."
Anger flooded Linah. She never imagined she could hate her boss one day. She ran to her room, threw herself onto the bed, and cried uncontrollably. She had sacrificed so much to earn her degree — and now she felt trapped, imprisoned inside the mansion.
Exhausted, she fell asleep.
That night, the mysterious man visited her again. This time, he wasn't cold. He held her, comforted her, and eased her pain. Before leaving, he warned her that her life was in danger and instructed her to wear the bracelet at all times.
"The bracelet is our link," he explained. "If you are ever in danger, it will call me."
Then he vanished.
Linah woke up shaken but felt safer with the bracelet on her wrist.
Meanwhile, Mako sat alone, worried. What if Linah began to hate him? Still, keeping her close was the only way to protect her.
---
That night, Mako summoned John.
"Prepare a position in my company," he ordered.
"For who, sir?" John asked.
"For Linah. She will work under me."
John was stunned. Since when did his boss want a female employee so close to him? Mako had always avoided women. He followed the order without question.
Within a month, Linah received an email: she had been hired as an Assistant Manager at MC Holdings.
She was shocked. She didn't remember applying.
That day, she prepared lunch and went to Mako's company. Holding her bracelet tightly, she whispered, Please don't be jealous. I don't feel anything for my boss. I just want my freedom.
Mako accepted the food this time.
"You didn't come here for nothing," he said. "What do you want?"
Linah told him about the job. Mako agreed — but with one condition.
She could work elsewhere, but she had to continue living at the mansion and doing his laundry.
Linah accepted quickly, afraid he would change his mind.
Leaving the company, happiness filled her heart — until she remembered her promise to leave the mansion to avoid her mysterious man's jealousy. What would she say now?
As the car moved closer to the mansion, Linah suddenly felt something was wrong. Though she sat alone in the back seat, an unfamiliar presence filled the car. This time, it did not feel protective.
It felt dangerous.
Her fingers tightened around the bracelet as her heart began to race. Instinctively, her eyes lifted to the rear-view mirror in front of the butler.
And then she saw it.
A dark figure sat behind her reflection — its eyes burning, its smile twisted and inhuman.
Linah screamed.
The butler glanced at the mirror, startled, but saw nothing. Before he could ask what was wrong, Linah's body went limp. Her scream echoed once more before she collapsed unconscious in the back seat.
END OF CHAPTER FIVE