"Why don't you start with me?" Isolde, who had been standing motionless like a statue, finally spoke up. "My body is even better than hers."
Isolde had also taken off her clothes and was only wearing the underwear, just like Renee to divert Nicolas' attention to her. The man seemed to hesitate for a moment as if he was thinking about something before his bright face returned.
"How about this, why don't the two of you undress each other while I watch? It'll save us some time." Nicolas' gaze drifted down to his lower half before returning to the two girls. "Looks like my 'junior' is getting impatient and might cause trouble if it doesn't get fed soon."
Isolde's face wrinkled in amusement because she had never heard someone speak as openly as Nicolas. "But, I think it would be more fun if you did it yourself, right?" She quickly interjected before Renee could respond.
"If that's what you prefer," Nicolas said, walking towards the girls and stopping in front of Renee. "I'll start with her."
Isolde attempted to distract Nicolas, but he had already placed his hands on Renee's shoulders and pulled down the straps of the girl's bra. "Although I typically prefer women with a bit more color, your skin is surprisingly smooth, Renee."
Nicolas' voice had a seductive quality, combined with its slight hoarseness and deep tone that stirred something in Renee. The man's words sent a shiver through her body. "Would you like to explore other areas?"
Isolde, who was also present, couldn't understand what Renee was saying. Was the drink Sable had made earlier meant to boost the girl's confidence? Or did she accidentally mix up the ingredients and turn Renee into a lustful mess under the influence of a man's touch?
"Absolutely. I plan on studying every inch of your body tonight." With those words, one of Nicolas' hands slid down Renee's back and unhooked her black bra.
Renee's bra gradually loosened, revealing the girl's chest to Nicolas. Isolde knew this meant the end of her life was approaching. Before Nicolas could see anything, a hand grabbed her and pulled Isolde out of the room, with the door closing behind her at the perfect moment.
Isolde finally realized she was not the third wheel, but the fourth in this situation. The man she had been waiting for was already inside, replacing her. Isolde turned her head to see Darius looking at her with a nonchalant expression, confirming his role in ejecting her from the room.
"Let's go." Darius handed Isolde the clothes he had brought from inside and gave a signal to leave before things got chaotic.
"Are you insane?"
Renee's eyes flew open at the sound of a familiar voice. Seeing Leon's face inches away from hers, the girl knew her plan had failed. She had been standing in front of Nicolas in the middle of the room, but now found herself trapped between the wall and Leon, who seemed to have purposely positioned himself to block Nicolas' view. Renee couldn't believe that Isolde had called Leon here, especially since she was trying to avoid him due to their complicated past.
"Why?" Renee's voice was sharp and challenging as she fixed her gaze on Leon, showing no signs of fear or embarrassment. "My personal life is none of your business. Stop meddling."
Leon's demeanor immediately shifted when he caught a whiff of coffee on Renee's breath as she spoke to him. "Are you drunk?" He asked without hesitation, but Renee remained silent. "How much did you have to drink?"
"Just one glass," Renee replied.
"One glass?" Leon's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You're not just sipping it, but drinking a glass?"
Renee nodded, unapologetic. "Yes. Is that a problem?"
The girl's words came as a surprise to Leon, "What did you drink?"
Growing tired of Leon's persistent questioning, Renee decided to cut to the chase. "I helped you guys catch Asa, remember?" She reminded him of their agreement made just before. "You promised me something in return."
Leon hesitated, concerned about granting Renee's request while she was under the influence of magic. "Are you sure you want to use your wish like this? You might regret it later."
"Whether I regret it or not is my business, has nothing to do with you," Renee responded dismissively. "Besides, we won't be seeing each other again after this."
Leon furrowed his brow at her words.
Renee leaned in close to Leon, her lips almost touching his ear as she spoke. "It just occurred to me that Aaron has a better understanding of my past than you do. Even if you were to bite me, you wouldn't be able to see anything. The memories you saw before weren't mine, they belonged to Asa."
Because the effects of the drink took hold, Renee spoke her mind without any hesitation. "Now that Asa is gone, no one can help you uncover my life except for Aaron. Ironically, he's also a part of my past."
Renee's condescending tone was further emphasized by the words she spoke, which indirectly diminished Leon. "Why should I choose you when all my desires can be fulfilled by Aaron? He has connections to my past and can give me closure with death."
"Are you sure Aaron will help you?"
Renee simply shrugged and replied, "Why not?" Her expression clearly showed that she thought Leon's question was absurd. "I can fulfill the man's desires and give him what he wants, my soul."
The girl pulled back her head to meet Leon's gaze again, "I can make the same arrangement you made with him. It will benefit both of us."
Leon's appearance revealed his frustration with the girl standing before him. On one hand, the man couldn't argue with Renee's statement, his power was immune to her. But on the other hand, there was a protective instinct within Leon that didn't want to hand Renee over to anyone, especially Aaron.
When Leon discovered that Renee had a connection to his past, feelings of affection and desire emerged inside him, pulling him closer to the girl like a magnet. She may not have noticed it, but Leon was acutely aware of the strong connection between them. The man knew he would never let go of Renee, no matter what happened.
"But what if I have the red beryl you're looking for?"
This statement caught Renee off guard and wiped the arrogant expression from her face. It seemed she wasn't expecting such a response from Leon, her tone changed to one of surprise. "Crown?"
"Yes, my queen." Confirming Renee's suspicion, Leon nodded confidently. "Do you recall our promise on the battlefield, that whoever found the red beryl first would be declared as the winner?"
Leon attempted to jog Renee's memory of her past life regression with Aaron. "I distinctly remember what you said in that moment." His expression was triumphant. "However, I'm not certain if you and Aaron heard it as well."
"What do you mean?"
Leon leaned in closer, almost touching their faces together. "Do you think Aaron has the authority to perform past life regression on anyone he wants?" The man whispered. "As an overseer, there are rules that restrict the use of his powers without a valid reason. The last time Aaron did it was because of the protocol for resolving the wandering soul case."
He tilted his head and their lips brushed together with each word Leon spoke. "Don't assume that Aaron did it for your sake, because he's not the type of person to do things just for others. You may be a part of his past, but Aaron has seen many souls from his previous lives who have triggered those memories. Above all, remember that whatever Aaron did, he did it for his benefit."
"Aren't you guilty of the same thing?" Renee challenged Leon's words. "The reason you holding me back like this is because I could hold the key to unlocking your forgotten past." She paused, "Unlike Aaron, it seems like this isn't something you've experienced before."
The tension between the two individuals increased, shrouded by the dim lighting as Leon and Renee stood near the entrance, facing away from each other. "Is it possible that I have the power to break this hotel's curse?"
The question had originated in Leon's mind, as someone once told him that remembering all the events of his past was the key to breaking the man curse. To escape from his current situation, he needed help from one particular person, Renee.
"It seems your attitude has shifted ever since you saw the red beryl in Asa's memory," Renee spoke without being able to hold back her words. "After recalling memories with Aaron, you became even more convinced that there was something special about me."
Leon's trademark cynical smile spread across his face. "Well, if that's how you truly think, why don't give me a hand?" This time, his tone shifted to a more playful and teasing one towards Renee. "Let's make a deal where we both come out on top, unlike the one you're about to make with that guy."
Renee let out an exasperated sigh and leaned back until her body was pressed against the wall, feeling its coolness against the girl's bare skin. "Even if I decline, I have a feeling you won't stop pushing until I agree to your offer, right?"
Her assumption was confirmed by the man's immediate response. Leon placed an offer on the table before the girl and said, "One mission for one request, what do you say?"
Renee gazed at him for a moment before asking, "How many missions?"
"Seven," Leon replied without hesitation. "In return, I will fulfill your seven requests."
Renee considered Leon's request, thinking it wasn't too unreasonable. "I have one condition to add to our agreement," she said. "You must fulfill my request one by one before moving on to the next mission."
Leon appeared unfazed by this condition, still speaking in a relaxed tone. "Is there anything else you wish to add?"
Shaking her head, Renee replied, "No. As time goes on and missions become more challenging, we can renegotiate the terms and conditions."
"I agree," Leon nodded in response to Renee's statement. "It's easier and quicker to deal with you when you're drunk than when you're completely sober."
Renee didn't deny or confirm what Leon said instead, she replied honestly. "It all depends on the agreement we made."
"However, I don't want either of us to be at risk while you're still under the influence. That's why we'll begin once you've fully recovered from your intoxication," Leon softly caressing Renee's face. "But since waiting for you to naturally wake up would be a waste of time, I have no other option but to assist you in regaining consciousness as quickly as possible."
"But, what if I don't want it?" Leon was looking confused at Renee's words. "Make my wish come true and I'll let you get me up."
Leon squinted, sensing a hint of danger in the girl's words. "Then what do you want?"
Renee shifted her gaze towards Nicolas, who had been standing and watching them. "Are you two still chatting?" he asked, standing tall with his hands at his side.
"No, we were just finishing our discussion," Renee replied with a smile on her face as she tried to maneuver out of the cage created by Leon's presence.
To Renee's surprise, the man pushed her shoulders back until she hit the wall behind, effectively trapping the girl. It was clear that Leon did not want Renee to leave. "What do you want?"
The girl looked straight into Leon's eyes and spoke softly, "I want to do it here."
"Do what?" he asked warily. This was a warning sign for Leon.
"Nicolas wants to photograph my naked body on that chair," she replied quickly. "If you don't mind, could you please leave? We're both in the mood for some fun."
Leon could surmise that the girl wanted him to leave, but what if he didn't want to go?
"Can I make one more suggestion to improve your mood?"
This time, Renee's internal alarm bells went off. "What do you have in mind?"
"Since this room is for three people, why don't we do something together?"
Renee thought she must have misheard Leon. "I'm not sure I understand."
"I agree with your partner's suggestion, Renee," Nicolas interjected abruptly. "Let the three of us handle it together."
The girl's eyes narrowed as she turned to face Nicolas. "Handle what exactly?" Renee repeated the same question that Leon had asked earlier.
"I will do everything in my power to satisfy both of you," Nicolas responded confidently. "I will give my utmost effort."
A smile spread across Leon's face as he looked at Renee and then back at Nicolas. "I think our proposal is a good one, don't you?" The man tried to convince her, "Together, we can make you more than just happy, my queen."
***