"Hello… I—I came to thank you for your kind words that day,"
she said hesitantly.
A wide smile spread across my face.
"Oh, don't worry. Come in. Let's have a cup of coffee. I owe you one,"
I said as I walked toward the kitchen.
She sat on the sofa.
"Wow, I didn't know your apartment was this beautiful. Since when have you lived here? I've never seen you in this building before."
I smiled inwardly. How would she notice me, when back then she avoided me every time I passed by?
"It's been a while. Please, enjoy the coffee."
I handed her the cup and sat down on the chair, crossing one leg over the other. She took a sip, and her lips flushed slightly.
"Mmm, it tastes good. Did you add ginger?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Yes, yes I did. Did you like it?"
She nodded. "I loved it. I'm sorry for trying to get close to you that night. After breaking up with my boyfriend, I felt terrible and lonely. I even thought about…"
I interrupted her gently. "You don't need to apologize. Things like that don't affect me anyway. What did you decide about my offer?"
I went straight to the point. Strangely, I felt comfortable around her.
"I know what I'm about to say may sound strange, but I appreciate your offer. I don't want to take revenge on him.
Yes, it hurt me—but I want to forgive him."
Pain spread inside my chest, as if her problem had become mine. I leaned forward and placed my coffee cup on the table.
"Are you going to resign? Just let him live like that so easily? You have a kind heart, but you did everything you could to make that relationship work. All I want from you is your agreement. I'll take care of the revenge on your behalf."
Wait, what was I saying? Why was I going this far?
This wasn't part of the plan… yet the anger in my chest felt real.
"I truly appreciate your offer, Mr. Vikas, but this is my nature. I'll try to be more careful when choosing my life partner." She let out a weak laugh. "At this rate, I don't think I'll get one."
A tear slipped from her eye. Seeing her like this hurt more than I expected. Even though I respected her decision, I couldn't push further.
"I have to go, I have an appointment with my friends. I took a leave; I need time to recover and come back stronger."
She hesitated, then added softly, "I didn't ask… what do you do for a living?"
I stood beside her, a faint smile forming. "I'm not working at the moment. I used to be a bank employee, but I own the Crimson Light Tavern now. Maybe could—"
She stepped closer and slipped a business card into my pocket, interrupting me.
"You can call me and invite me for a cup sometime. Goodbye, Mr. Vikas."
Her fingers brushed my chest as she pulled away. Her eyes were enchanting. I hadn't expected that move from her.
Was I the hunter or the prey?
I watched her leave, the smile still frozen on my face. I picked up the card.
"Waterson Real Estate Company… Heh. I'll definitely teach that idiot a lesson for you. Then I'll invite you to drink a toast to his ruin."
I sat down and finished my coffee.
With every respectable action, I gained points that increased prestige and appreciation.
[You have gained 2 Appreciation Points]
I glanced at my old phone—it was broken. I'd bought the important things and forgotten about replacing it.
A loud knock echoed through the apartment.
I opened the door to find a woman in her late fifties, accompanied by a young woman in her twenties.
"Are you Mr. Vikas Alexander? I'm Linda, the sister of the former manager of the Crimson Light Tavern. This is my mother, Nora. She suffers from early dementia, please excuse her. It's a pleasure to meet you."
I stepped aside. "Please, come in."
Instead of shaking Linda's hand, I took her mother's hand gently. "Don't worry, madam. Everything will be fine. This house is your home."
From the corner of my eye, I saw Linda stiffen.
"Thank you, my son," her mother said warmly. "You seem like a good person, Vikas. I'll try to remember your name."
I had two empty rooms besides my own. I showed one to her mother. After Linda made sure she took her pills, she closed the door behind them.
I stood near my chair, watching the news. I paid Linda no attention. She had pink lips, a provocative posture, and a body that drew attention even without trying—but something about her felt off.
I knew those looks.
"Stop treating me like this," she snapped. "Men usually fall for me the moment they see me. Don't tell me you don't like women."
I laughed lightly and gestured for her to move away from the TV.
"I'm just not in the mood to care about anything else right now."
The screen flashed with news about rising investors. Then my eyes landed on the new president of Waterson Real Estate Companies. My vision darkened.
"Did that man steal your girlfriend? Your wife?" Linda scoffed. "I know him. I slept with him two months ago. Got bored. I was surprised when he got married."
I stared at her. That explained a lot.
"I'm not married. I don't have a girlfriend. But he broke the heart of someone I know. Seeing him happy disgusts me."
Linda suddenly dropped to her knees beside me, her gaze fixed below my belt.
I knew exactly what she was aiming for.
I didn't move. Desire was easy—control was the real weapon.
"I can help you take revenge on him," she whispered. "But in return, I want this. You're stuck in my head. No one has ever rejected me before. It's driving me crazy."
…Wow. I hadn't expected that.