Selene stepped aside and gestured for Tom to enter, the soft click of the door closing behind him. As he crossed the threshold, a small, amused smirk crept across his lips. I'm definitely not thinking anything, he told himself, though the warmth in his chest suggested otherwise.
The moment Tom's eyes adjusted to the soft lighting inside, he took in the surroundings. The apartment was striking, tastefully decorated with a refined elegance that spoke of both comfort and wealth. Plush rugs covered the hardwood floor, and thick velvet curtains framed the large windows. A rich scent of sandalwood mingled with the faint aroma of fresh flowers placed in a delicate crystal vase on a side table.
Tom's gaze drifted over the polished surfaces, the artfully arranged bookshelves, and the elegant lamps casting a warm glow in every corner. Everything looked expensive and carefully chosen. He wondered silently what kind of life Selene led to afford such a home, but wisely kept the thought to himself. Instead, he offered a genuine compliment. "You've got a beautiful apartment," he said, his tone sincere.
Selene's lips curled into a smile. "Thank you," she replied softly, her eyes sparkling with something unreadable.
Tom's attention was suddenly snagged by an intricate sculpture placed prominently on a pedestal near the entrance. It was a delicate piece, carved from dark marble with subtle veins of crimson running through it, the craftsmanship exquisite and haunting all at once.
Drawn like a moth to a flame, Tom reached out instinctively to touch it. Before his fingers could brush the cold surface, Selene's voice stopped him firmly but without harshness. "Don't touch that," she warned gently, her tone carrying an unmistakable note of caution.
"Got it," Tom said with a nod, pulling his hand back. The sculpture remained a mystery, but he decided it was better left unexplored for now.
They moved further into the room and eventually settled on a plush, deep-blue velvet couch facing a low glass coffee table. Selene poured herself a glass of rich red wine, the dark liquid swirling hypnotically as she twirled the glass between her fingers. The soft clinking of the glass punctuated the comfortable silence between them.
Tom took a moment to study her, the way the light caught her eyes, the calm grace in her movements. He wanted to break the silence. "So… what was it that drew you to me?" he asked, genuinely curious.
Selene chuckled, a soft, melodious sound that filled the room like a warm breeze. She lifted the wine glass to her lips but didn't drink, instead watching him over the rim with amused eyes. "Your arrogance," she said after a thoughtful pause. "It's painted all over your face. I guess I was drawn to that."
Tom blinked, caught off guard by her bluntness. She continued, her voice lowering just enough to sound teasing, "Also, I find you… pretty."
Tom's mind raced for a moment. Maybe the system really did boost my attractiveness, he thought, recalling the stat boosts he'd received. A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "You know, my face tends to mislead people," he said carefully. "I'm not actually arrogant. I'm quite humble, really."
Selene raised an eyebrow, her smile widening into a playful grin. "Oh? And what about the 'pretty' part? Are you going to refute that too?"
Tom laughed softly, shaking his head. "No, I won't. That part's accurate."
Her laughter bubbled up, light and infectious, and she teased him further, "I can feel the humility radiating off you already."
The room seemed to grow warmer, the atmosphere shifting subtly. Tom felt the moment stretching, ripe with possibility.
They talked a little bit more until the atmosphere suddenly began to grow more charged with lust and tension.
Sensing the change, Tom decided to be bold and try his shot. "Selene, I want to kiss you," he said quietly but with conviction.
At the same time, he subtly activated his mind control skill, the one he had recently acquired. It was a delicate power, designed to influence thoughts gently, nudging a person's will without forcing it. He hoped it would make Selene more receptive, just enough to ease any hesitation.
Selene's eyes met his, and she nodded slowly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Maybe it's the wine," she said softly, "but I really do feel compelled to kiss you."
She leaned in, closing the small distance between them.
But as their lips met, a sudden thought flashed through Tom's mind, something unexpected and disconcerting.
Selene didn't have that glazed, vacant look that someone under compulsion should have. Instead, she seemed fully in control, her movements deliberate and her eyes clear, even as they closed to deepen the kiss.