Faerie strolled down the bustling hallways of Hera Academy, her gaze fixed on a familiar figure ahead. Felix leaned casually against his locker, chatting with a couple of his friends, unaware of her approach. When she finally stopped in front of him, his smile faltered, replaced with surprise.
"Hey, Felix," Faerie said, her voice light yet carrying an underlying intent. She tilted her head slightly, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "How about you let me take you out on a date this weekend?"
Felix blinked, caught off guard. "Wait, you want to take me on a date?" He ran a hand through his hair, clearly bewildered by the sudden shift. A moment later, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "I mean, sure... I'd like that."
Faerie's smile widened, and she nodded. "Great. I'll make it special."
As she turned to walk away, Felix couldn't help but watch her, curiosity buzzing in the back of his mind. He'd gotten used to being the one making moves and initiating plans. This new dynamic was unexpected, but he found himself intrigued.
The weekend arrived, and Felix found himself standing outside a sleek restaurant, the kind that boasted a five-star rating and a reputation for luxury. He glanced up at the name of the establishment, eyebrows furrowing slightly. It was the type of place even he rarely frequented, and he wondered how Faerie had managed to secure a reservation here.
Inside, the ambiance was opulent—soft music, elegant chandeliers, and waiters dressed in black ties. Faerie sat across from him at a private table near the window, the city lights sparkling behind her. She seemed perfectly at ease, her eyes scanning the menu while Felix studied her, trying to decipher the mystery she carried with her.
"This place is... something," he remarked, a hint of a question in his tone as he looked around. "Didn't know you had a taste for luxury, Faerie."
She smirked, a glint of amusement flashing in her eyes. "Oh, I've got a few surprises up my sleeve. Don't worry about it, Felix. Just enjoy."
They ordered, and the conversation danced around light topics at first—classes, gossip about their peers. But gradually, Faerie's words took on a sharper edge, as she slipped in questions that left Felix feeling slightly cornered, though he couldn't pinpoint why.
"So, Felix," she said, idly swirling her glass of wine. "Your father... he must be really proud of you, right? I mean, with all the expectations that come with the Riether name?"
Felix chuckled, though it sounded a bit forced. "Yeah, proud is one word for it. But it's not always easy living up to those expectations, you know?"
Faerie nodded, her expression sympathetic yet her eyes calculating. "Yeah, I can imagine. I bet he's pretty strict about who you associate with, too. Like... people he thinks are beneath you?"
Felix shifted in his seat, the underlying tension of the conversation starting to register. "I mean, sure, he has his opinions... But I don't let that control who I spend my time with. He doesn't decide everything for me."
"That's good to know," Faerie said, her smile warm but her gaze sharp. "I always thought you were your own person, Felix. Not someone who'd just be... following orders."
She let the words hang in the air for a moment, taking a sip of her drink, while Felix mulled over her comments. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this dinner than just a date. Yet, he found himself intrigued—pulled deeper into her orbit despite the sense of unease.
As the dinner progressed, Faerie kept up her questions, her tone light but probing, each query a subtle nudge closer to the heart of the secrets she sought. Felix tried to brush off his growing suspicion, telling himself that this was just another one of Faerie's enigmatic games.
But as he looked into her eyes, he couldn't help but wonder just what game she was really playing—and why he felt like he was already losing.
Felix glanced around the opulent restaurant, his curiosity getting the better of him as he leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice. "So, Faerie, how exactly did you manage to afford a place like this?" He tried to sound casual, but his curiosity was obvious. "I mean, it's not every day that someone surprises me like this."
Faerie met his gaze, her expression unreadable for a moment, then a slow smile spread across her face. She leaned back in her chair, letting the question hang in the air between them as if she found it amusing. "Well, Felix, let's just say I'm not exactly what you think I am."
Felix raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to elaborate. "And what does that mean, exactly?"
She took another sip of her wine, her smile never faltering. "It means I have my ways. Just because I'm a scholarship student doesn't mean I don't know how to make things happen. Maybe you don't know me as well as you think you do."
Her words were carefully vague, almost teasing, and Felix found himself even more intrigued—and frustrated. He couldn't figure her out, and it made him want to dig deeper. "You keep saying stuff like that, like you're hiding something," he said, trying to read her expression. "What aren't you telling me?"
Faerie's smile widened slightly, but she didn't give him a direct answer. "Guess you'll just have to stick around and find out."
Felix felt a mix of curiosity and suspicion swirling inside him, but he couldn't help the thrill that came with her challenge. He knew he should probably ask more, press her for details. Yet, as he looked at her across the candle-lit table, he found himself drawn in, despite the uncertainty she brought with her.
Faerie just watched him with that enigmatic smile, as if she knew exactly what she was doing. And perhaps, she did.