Rebate System: From Poor Student To Billionaire Playboy

Chapter 20. The Date With Alicia

Night had fallen, and Alicia stood in front of her mirror, trying to calm the restless energy buzzing through her. She had no idea where Harry planned to take her, or how the evening would unfold.

It would be their first real date ever. All the while Harry thought they were dating, she was only using him to write her assignments and teach her things she wasn't present in class to learn.

Though she told herself she wasn’t nervous, the way her pulse quickened said otherwise.

Should she apologize for how things turned out? Probably. Not because she meant it, of course, but because pretending to feel guilty could go a long way with a man like Harry. An apology could soften the edges, make her seem more vulnerable, more desirable. And right now, every move mattered.

If she’d known from the start that Harry was this rich, she would’ve treated him very differently. She’d played a lot of men before, some generous, some stingy, but none with the kind of wealth he’d casually flashed. It made her furious that she’d underestimated him. That was an unforgivable oversight on her part, she thought.

Alicia took her time getting ready. She sprayed her most expensive perfume, letting the floral scent linger in the air. She slipped into the designer dress he’d sent, the one that fit her body like a second skin, and accessorized with the jewellery gifted to her by Marcus. By the time she was done, she looked like money itself.

She didn’t have to wait long before the doorbell rang.

Alicia drew in a breath, adjusting her neckline and perfecting her practised smile. This was it, the start of her performance.

But when she opened the door, her face fell. Standing there wasn’t Harry, but a man in a sharp black suit.

“Miss Morgan?” he asked politely.

The way he said her name, so formal, so detached, stung her ego a little.

“What do you want?” she snapped, masking the insecurity behind her tone.

The man didn’t flinch. “Mr Farrow has instructed me to bring you to him.”

So he’d sent a driver? A chauffeur, even? Alicia almost slammed the door right then, but the thought of Harry’s deep pockets silenced her pride. Whatever this was, it was worth seeing through.

“Fine,” she muttered, rolling her eyes as she grabbed her purse and followed him out.

When she stepped outside and saw the car waiting for her, her breath caught. It wasn’t just any car, it was a Lamborghini Aventador limousine.

She blinked, her anger dissolving into disbelief. “He rented this?” she whispered, running a hand along the sleek metallic surface.

If he was trying to impress her, it was working.

Alicia climbed inside, expecting Harry to be waiting for her, but the seats were empty. A bottle of champagne rested in a chilled bucket beside a single glass. The driver closed the door, and the vehicle glided smoothly into motion, leaving Alicia both thrilled and frustrated.

So this was the kind of game he wanted to play.

*******

Meanwhile, Harry was already at the hotel. He’d checked in hours earlier, ensuring everything was perfect down to the smallest detail. The room smelled faintly of lavender and new linen. On the table sat a collection of the scented candles he’d bought earlier, he’d decided to bring a few, just in case the evening needed a little… ambience.

He glanced around the penthouse suite one last time. Expensive, tasteful, quiet. The kind of place where money spoke in silence.

“Well,” he muttered to himself, “her affection bar hasn’t dropped yet. That’s something.”

He’d spent a ridiculous amount on this night, and it better pay off. If the system worked the way he thought, her affection level would rise once she was properly impressed.

The restaurant downstairs was one of the city’s finest. Private, exclusive, the kind of place where reservations weren’t bought with credit cards but with connections. Even celebrities had to wait months to get a table here, but Harry had simply made a few calls and gotten the VVIP treatment.

He adjusted his cufflinks, one of the many items of clothing he had ordered online, checked the mirror, and smiled at his reflection. And that was when he remembered that he hadn't called Mila. “She must be thinking that I don't want her or something,” he muttered to himself. “I will make sure to call her tomorrow.”

Harry wasn’t nervous about seeing Alicia up close and personal tonight, after what she did. But Harry had decided to see Alicia as just a business deal to close, another target to charm. Nothing more.

When the limo finally arrived, Harry was already waiting outside. He watched the door open and extended his hand to help her out.

Alicia hesitated for just a moment before slipping her fingers into his. His confidence caught her off guard, gone was the timid man she’d once looked down on. This version of Harry was composed, charming… dangerous.

“I hope your trip wasn’t too exhausting,” he said smoothly, his tone warm but deliberate. “And forgive me for not coming myself. I was always taught to save dessert for after the main course.”

Alicia raised an eyebrow, taken aback. Did he just flirt? The man had changed. His words rolled off his tongue like he’d been rehearsing them his whole life.

“Careful,” she replied, her tone sharp but teasing. “Too much sugar can ruin your appetite. Don’t take a bite unless you’re sure you can handle it.”

Her dress swayed with every step, catching the light as they walked side by side toward the hotel entrance. Heads turned. Alicia thrived on that attention, it reminded her of what it felt like to be wanted, to be seen.

Harry smirked. “Don’t worry. I’ve always had a sweet tooth for… certain kinds of snacks.”

His eyes flickered downward briefly, just enough for her to notice.

Alicia felt a flicker of heat in her chest. She’d expected to lead him on like she did before, not have him match her stride for stride. He wasn’t just keeping up, he was setting the pace.

By the time they reached the restaurant, she realized this wasn’t some casual dinner. Harry had reserved one of the most exclusive dining suites available. When they entered, a hostess guided them to their private section, where the soft hum of classical music and the faint aroma of truffle oil filled the air.

Everywhere she looked, she saw faces she recognized, actors, producers, socialites, a popular fashion designer. People who lived in a world she’d been trying to claw her way into. And tonight, she was sitting among them, dressed like she belonged.

She finally understood why he’d sent her that particular dress.

He wanted me to look like I fit in, she thought, her chest tightening with something she refused to name.

Harry watched her expression carefully, noting the awe in her eyes. He could tell she wasn’t used to this environment. That brief, vulnerable moment told him everything he needed to know.

Marcus must be doing a bad job of being her boyfriend/cash cow.

He smiled faintly to himself as a familiar blue system screen blinked into view.

[Update in affection bar!]

[Alicia’s affection: 28%]

Perfect. She was falling right into place.