Chapter Ten
'Is he going to ask me to sleep with him?'
Monica's throat closed around the thought like a fist. Tears she hadn't invited burned at the corners of her eyes. 'Do I have to sell my body now to Ren? I can't repay the four million.'
"Since you no longer have to worry about your brother's hospital bills…" Ren trailed off as he leaned forward to match Monica's height with a small smile covering his face. "Can you extend my due date again, Miss Monica?"
'Too… Too close…' Monica's brain short-circuited as she felt Ren's breath on her. "O-Of c-course, Mr. Esper."
Monica took a few steps back, trying to regain her composure. 'But, he just spent four million. Why would he need an extension to pay a bill of four hundred thousand? Could it be that Mr Esper likes me and is finding ways to stay close to me to win my heart?"
"It's Ren, Miss. Monica."
Ren's voice pulled Monica out of her thoughts as her cheeks turned into baby tomatoes. Her eyes involuntarily cast down, shooting daggers at her very own feet. "Ren."
"Cough! I'm still here, you guys."
Alex's voice cut through the bubble like a needle through a balloon. Monica jumped back as if shocked, nearly tripping over her own feet.
Ren's hand shot out instinctively, catching her wrist and steadying her. The contact of Ren's calloused hand with her bare waist sent an electric jolt through Monica's body.
"Careful," Ren murmured, releasing Monica quickly.
'With reflexes like that he's definitely a rat worth catching, huh.' Alex watched the exchange with barely concealed amusement, her emerald eyes dancing. "You know, I've known Ica for five years, and I've never seen her this flustered in front of a guy."
Monica's head whipped toward Alex. "Alex!"
"What?" Alex shrugged, her platinum hair swaying with the movement. "You're so pretty and you haven't dated or gotten laid till now."
"That- That-" Monica stuttered as she stole a quick, shy glance at Ren before glaring at her feet.
'So innocent.' Ren felt an unreasonable surge of satisfaction at the information Alex had just given him as a ghost smile played on his lips. 'Does this mean I have a chance to be Monica's first?'
"I should check on Neil," Monica said quickly, desperate to escape the conversation. "They're moving him to a new room, and I want to be there."
Ren smiled as he watched Monica cover her cheeks, making a cute escape like a baby mouse. "Ah! Sure. I'll accompan-"
However, before he could follow behind Monica, Alex's hand instantly wrapped around his arm, making Ren's eyebrows furrow in confusion.
"Mr. Esper, I need to talk to you in private for a moment."
On hearing Alex's voice, Monica instantly turned around as she stared at her friend's hand wrapped around Ren's arm.
'Does Alex like Ren?' Monica's expression soured unconsciously for a moment before it returned to normal. 'Wait! What am I thinking? Why am I feeling like this? It's not like I'm Ren's girlfriend. I should leave.'
"I'll... I'll just go ahead. You guys talk." Monica mumbled with a sad heart, already retreating toward the elevator.
Ren watched Monica go, noting the slight stiffness in her shoulders. 'What happened to her?'
"Earth to Ren." Alex snapped her fingers in front of his face. "Pretty boy, focus on me too."
Ren sighed as he turned his attention to the platinum blonde. "What is it, Miss Alex?"
"Walk with me." Alex tugged his arm, steering them toward a less crowded corner of the lobby near a towering artificial plant that looked like it hadn't been dusted in weeks.
"I'm listening." Ren crossed his arms, leaning against the wall.
Alex studied him for a long moment, those green eyes scanning his face like she was reading fine print.
"How long?"
"Pardon?"
"For how long did you know we were stalking you?"
Ren raised his eyebrow at Alex as he prowled in Alex's direction. "I wouldn't call it stalking. It was just two beautiful ladies watching a cliche show from afar. The main concern is if they enjoyed it or not."
The close proximity made Alex choke on her breath as she looked up at Ren.
A small grin made its way to her face as Alex closed the remaining distance between them, trailing her manicured nail on Ren's clothed, hardened member.
"It was just so so. You could have done better, Mr. Esper~"
A breathless laugh left Ren's lips as he grinned back at the little lady that barely reached his chest while his military instincts suppressed his primal urges to push Alex against the wall and make out with her then and there.
"What are your suggestions then, Miss Alex? How can this mediocre actor improve his performance to impress an angel like you?"
Alex's finger paused its teasing trail, her emerald eyes widening slightly at Ren's bold response. Most men she'd toyed with either stammered or grabbed at her like desperate animals.
Of course, Alex being Alex broke their hands and legs with a flirty smile on her face, leaving them grateful that such a good looking girl even bothered to touch them.
"Miss Alex?"
"Cute," Alex murmured, breathing out a light laugh as she withdrew her hand with deliberate slowness and stuffed it in the pocket of her tight jeans, pulling out a card. "Here's my gym's address. Why don't you start by building abs, Mr. Esper? Ladies go crazy over it~"
"Interesting." Ren smiled as he took the card from Alex's fingers. "So, Miss Alex is a successful businesswoman, huh?"
"Not at all. It's a small gym. I'll be honoured if someone as high and mighty as yourself graces us with his presence. You would, right Ren?"
Ren examined the card. It was plain white in colour with an address written in golden. There was no gym name. No phone number. Just coordinates and a single word: VANCE.
'Hmm… It's a good chance to progress with the first part of the tutorial mission, huh.'
"Miss Alex," Ren said slowly, pocketing the card, "are you sure you're asking me to come to your gym just to work out?"
'Hah. In the end, all men are the same. Good for me. The rat is finally in the trap.'
Alex's smile widened, showing just a hint of teeth. "Unless Mr Esper would like something else. Of course~"
Ren blinked at the open invitation as he shook his head at Alex. 'As much as flirting is awesome, I still have a deadline to meet. The system is backed by Seven Sins. If I don't finish the tutorial mission, who knows what kind of tricky situation they'll put me in.'
"I'll check it out in the evening. Could you arrange a male trainer for me?"
Alex's jaw actually dropped.
For a full three seconds, the woman who had been effortlessly toying with Ren just moments ago stood frozen, her emerald eyes wide with genuine disbelief.
"You... want a male trainer?"
Ren nodded, completely serious. "You don't have a male trainer at your gym?"
Alex blinked. Once. Twice. A third time.
'Is this guy fucking gay?!!'