Kyle couldn't help but compare his time with Calista to his date with Jane. Jane had been genuinely happy to be with him, her warmth and sincerity shining through. Calista, on the other hand, felt like a performance—her actions calculated, her intentions veiled. He suspected her interest in him revolved around his wealth, but he didn't care. Tonight wasn't about sincerity; it was about learning what made her tick.
He had already figured out that Calista thrived on attention. If he could be the one to give it to her, he could nudge her affection bar higher. That was the goal, after all.
Dinner was an extravagant affair, though Calista barely touched her plate. As a model, her discipline with food was almost impressive, even if it made the meal feel less relaxed. What caught Kyle's attention most was her complete disregard for the incident at the store earlier that day. She didn't bring it up, didn't apologize, and acted as if it had never happened. Kyle decided this was a blessing—it cleared the path for his plans tonight without any lingering tension.
As the evening wore on, and a few drinks later, Calista began to lower her guard. Her words flowed more freely, and for the first time, she spoke about herself.
"I can't believe I'm having this much fun," she admitted, resting her chin on her hand, her gaze softening as it lingered on him.
"Luckily for you, the night is still young," Kyle replied, keeping his tone playful but ambiguous.
Calista smirked. "Is this where you try to convince me to come to your room?"
Kyle leaned forward slightly, a sly grin spreading across his face. "No, this is where you convince me why I should take you there."
She laughed, a genuine sound that was rare from her. "You really are something else," she said, shaking her head.
"Give me your hand," Kyle said suddenly.
Calista raised an eyebrow but obliged, extending her hand across the table. "What now? Are you going to read my palm?"
"You could say that," Kyle replied, playing along as he took her hand. He paused dramatically before speaking. "I see great things in your future. You'll be on the cover of magazines. You'll star in blockbuster movies. But you can't give up—not now, not ever."
For a moment, Calista's confident facade cracked. Her expression softened, and Kyle knew he'd struck a chord.
"You're weird," she said, smiling—this time, it was real.
A soft chime echoed in Kyle's head.
[Update: Calista's Affection +10% (30% Total)]
"You know," Calista began, her voice quieter now, "I got into an agency recently. I haven't told anyone yet."
"Well, now you've told someone," Kyle said warmly. "You've told me."
Her vulnerability surprised him. Beneath her sharp exterior, she was just another person searching for validation, for someone to believe in her.
"You're not what I expected," Calista muttered, glancing at him.
"How so?" Kyle asked, holding her gaze.
"I'm not sure…" Her voice trailed off, and for a moment, she bit her lip, her eyes flickering to his mouth.
Kyle grinned knowingly.
"About dessert," she said, leaning back with a smirk, her eyes meeting his. "I think I'd like to have some now."
He didn't miss the double meaning in her words.
"Is that so?" Kyle's gaze flicked downward briefly before meeting hers again.
"It looks like you can't wait either," she teased.
Kyle chuckled, sensing where this was headed.
"How about we continue this somewhere more… private?" Calista suggested, her voice low and inviting.
Kyle didn't hesitate. He signaled for the check and paid the exorbitant $5,000 bill without blinking.
[Ding!]
[Spent $5,000. 10x Critical Hit! Earned $50,000! 4x Bonus Critical Hit! Earned $200,000! Total Wealth: $4,000,000!]
As they left the restaurant, the tension between them was palpable. Kyle could feel the heat radiating from her, and he knew he needed to get her alone.