The rain in Blackridge City never fell gently.It came down in sheets, thick and cold, the kind that soaked through your clothes in seconds and made the streetlights shimmer in puddles. Ethan Cross hunched his shoulders against the downpour, one hand gripping the strap of his food delivery bag and the other adjusting the broken zipper on his thin jacket.Another night. Another delivery. Another reminder that life had me by the throat.The tall glass building loomed ahead a luxury apartment tower, its lobby glowing warm and golden through the storm. Ethan pushed through the revolving doors, dripping water onto the marble floor. The doorman didn’t even look at him. Delivery guys were invisible here, just part of the furniture.He hit the elevator button and glanced at the order details on his phone.Name: Lance Stone.Special Instructions: “Don’t be late.”It was marked with a priority tag meaning if he arrived a minute late, the customer could dock his pay.The elevator stopped at the

Rain streamed from the metal roof of the bus stop, drumming steadily as Ethan stood across from Miss Voss.Her arms were crossed, chin slightly tilted, eyes sharp enough to cut glass.The kind of look that said she had better things to do than humor a stranger which, in her world, was probably always true.The black SUV idled by the curb, its headlights cutting through the wet mist. The suited driver gave Ethan the kind of glare that implied he could make people disappear.[Timer: 23:45:06… 23:45:05…]Ethan cleared his throat. “You asked if you knew me. You don’t. But I know the type of day you’re having.”“Oh?” she said flatly. “Do enlighten me.”“You were running late for something important. Someone probably wasted your time, someone else underestimated you, and now the weather’s punishing you for both.”Her brow twitched, but her expression stayed neutral. “And what makes you think you know anything about me?”Ethan shrugged. “Because it’s been that kind of day for me too. Except

The drizzle had faded to a damp mist clinging to the streets.Miss Voss tall, composed, heels clicking followed Ethan out from under the bus stop canopy, both of them leaving the idling black SUV and its frustrated driver behind.She’d given him thirty minutes. Thirty minutes to not only keep her attention, but to win it.[Side Mission Timer: 00:29:47]---The system pulsed in Ethan’s vision.[Skill Available: Urban Navigator (Level 1)]Effect: Instantly identifies all nearby businesses, their current customer volume, and atmosphere rating.Cooldown: 6 hours.Ethan activated it without hesitation. A translucent minimap bloomed in his vision, dotted with tiny icons. One pulsed gold Brew & Muse, a boutique café five blocks away with an atmosphere rating of 92%.Perfect.---“This way,” he said.Miss Voss didn’t move immediately. “You do realize my father’s driver is going to report this. He’ll assume you’re kidnapping me.”Ethan smiled. “Then I guess we’d better make it worth the scand

The caramel macchiato sat untouched in front of Olivia, steam curling lazily upward.Her eyes were on Ethan, sharp and assessing, as if every word he said was being measured on invisible scales.Emily lingered a moment longer at their table, tucking a stray strand of honey-blonde hair behind her ear. “If you two need anything else, just let me know.”The system chimed in his vision:[Bonus Challenge Active: Increase both Primary and Secondary Affection in the next 10 minutes.]Reward: Charm Surge cooldown reduced by 50%.Penalty: -15% Affection with both targets.*---Olivia tilted her head. “She likes you.”Ethan’s lips quirked. “Or maybe she likes good customers.”Olivia smirked faintly. “No. That was more than customer service.” She stirred her macchiato but didn’t drink. “So, what’s your move?”“My move?” Ethan leaned back, meeting her gaze without flinching. “You think I plan every word?”“Yes.” Her tone was dry, but there was a flicker of curiosity.---Ethan could feel the cloc

Ethan’s gaze stayed locked on Olivia’s, the half-smile fading into something more deliberate.“You want something real?” he said softly. “Fine. Here’s one: I’ve been broken, humiliated, and betrayed all in the same night… and I’m still here. Not because I’m tough, but because quitting never gave me anything worth keeping.”Olivia’s expression shifted not pity, not even sympathy. It was sharper than that, like she was reassessing the angles of a puzzle.“That’s not exactly light conversation for a first coffee.”He smirked faintly. “You asked.”---[Primary Affection +7% → 33%.]---She leaned back, arms crossing loosely. “So, what are you here for? Redemption? A rebound? Or just a distraction?”Before Ethan could answer, the bell above the café door chimed the sound of the last customer leaving. Emily moved around the counter, untying her apron.---The system flashed:[Secondary Target Event Triggered: Potential Private Invitation Incoming.]---Emily approached their table with an e