Master of Lust

Chapter - 258

Rick let out a chuckle, breaking the tension with his carefree, almost nonchalant demeanour. He leaned back in his chair, casually stirring the last of his coffee. "You really don't need to worry about the truck incident, Sharon."

Sharon narrowed her eyes, her suspicion lingering as she watched him. Rick met her gaze, still smiling, but there was a slight pause as if he was about to reveal something awkward. Then, with the same laid-back expression, he said, "It's kind of embarrassing, actually… but I think it's better you know the truth if it's going to clear this up."

He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice like he was sharing a secret. "See, I hooked up with the truck driver's wife—didn't know she was married at the time. By the time I found out… well, it was already too late. The deed was done."

Sharon's brow furrowed as Rick continued, his tone still light, almost playful. "The guy found out and, understandably, wasn't too happy about it. Came after me, thinking I was trying to break up his marriage or something. But last night, after that little 'accident,' I had a chat with him. Showed him some proof that it was all his wife's doing and I had no clue she was married. So, he should be off my back now."

He leaned back, a satisfied grin on his face, as though the whole situation was nothing more than an unfortunate misunderstanding. There wasn't a flicker of doubt in his tone or expression, as if he had just told Sharon a perfectly believable story.

Sharon, on the other hand, sat there scrutinizing him. Her detective instincts kicked in, her gaze sharp as she tried to read Rick's face, searching for any crack in his casual facade. But there wasn't one. Despite her years of experience, her ability to catch liars, read people, and pick up on the smallest tells, Rick's expression gave her nothing to latch onto. He was calm, composed, and looked every bit like he was telling the truth.

Yet, something inside her still nagged at her, a sense that there was more to the story than Rick was letting on. But she couldn't deny that he was a tough one to read, and for now, at least, she had no choice but to accept what he was saying.

As Sharon excused herself from the table, she stood up with a polite but unreadable expression. "I'll be right back," she said, before heading to the restroom. Once inside, she quickly pulled out her phone, typing out a message.

Just outside the cafe, a figure lingered in the shadows. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and clad in a dark hoodie with the hood pulled low. A black cap and sunglasses completed the ensemble, masking his features in an attempt to remain unnoticed.

The man clutched a camera with a zoom lens, holding it a bit awkwardly, as though unfamiliar with such equipment. He adjusted the focus with subtle jerks, zooming in through the café's glass. His lens rested on Rick, who sat reclined in his chair, his expression calm, his hand lazily stirring his coffee.

After a moment, he lowered the camera and scanned the parking lot, his gaze settling on Rick's car. His shoulders straightened slightly, and he began to move, slipping out of the shadows. His steps were cautious but lacked the fluidity of someone skilled.

He reached Rick's car, glancing around before leaning casually against a nearby lamppost. His head tilted toward the vehicle, his gaze darting over its body. He looked for anything distinctive about it, his fingers absentmindedly tapping the side of his camera.

After a few moments, he moved closer, crouching near the vehicle's front wheel, pretending to tie his shoelaces. His eyes, however, were scanning the car's tires, the sleek lines of its body, and the scratches on its side. His hands fidgeted slightly, adjusting his shoelaces longer than necessary before standing and brushing himself off.

Circling the car slowly, he stopped at the rear, pretending to check his phone while sneaking glances at the vehicle's badge and model. He leaned against the trunk, his shoulders hunched, and stole another quick look. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple, which he wiped away hastily, his movements betraying his unease.

Inside the café, Rick had already noticed him. His sharp gaze flicked briefly toward the shadows where the man lingered. Rick's first glance was enough to confirm his suspicions—the man was spying on him, and poorly at that.

Rick leaned back in his chair, the faintest smirk curling at the corner of his lips. His fingers lightly tapped the edge of his coffee mug as he watched the amateur's clumsy attempts at surveillance with quiet amusement.

As though suddenly remembering himself, he straightened up and walked away. He cast one last glance over his shoulder at the car, his expression unreadable beneath the sunglasses, before disappearing back into the shadows of a nearby alley.

Suddenly—

DING!!!

The familiar chime echoed in his mind as the system popped up.

[

1: Leave Sharon midway and follow the man (- Affection 10)

2: Order a surprise treat for Sharon (+Affection 5)

]

After a momentary hesitation, Rick called over the waitress and whispered something to her. She nodded, took the brief order, and disappeared into the kitchen.

Moments later, Sharon returned from the restroom, in a hurried mood she was preparing to leave.

"I think the motorcycle must be fixed by now. I will my share of the bill and will leave now.", Sharon hurriedly spoke.

Rick leaned back in his seat, casual as ever. "Hold on for just a moment."

Sharon paused, her eyes narrowing suspiciously at him. "Why?" she asked, her tone laced with distrust.

Rick smiled, attempting to reassure her. "Just wait. Trust me."

A few seconds passed before the waitress returned, balancing a plate with a beautifully decorated slice of cheesecake. The dessert had intricate flower designs; the whipped cream swirled into delicate petals with raspberry sauce creating a soft red hue around it. The presentation was elegant, almost too pretty to eat.

The waitress placed it on the table in front of Sharon with a wide grin. "Congratulations! You've got yourself a boyfriend who is treating you nicely!" she teased, winking in Rick's direction before turning and leaving.

Sharon's face immediately twisted into a mix of irritation, and mild fury as she shot a sharp look at Rick.

Rick raised his hands defensively. "I swear I didn't say anything to her at all! She must've gotten the wrong idea," he said, half-laughing.

As she glared at him, Rick noticed the slightest flicker of something in her expression—a fleeting hint of happiness tucked away behind her rigid, serious demeanour as she looked at the cheesecake slice. It was there for only a second before Sharon quickly hid it, her face returning to its stiff emotions. Find more chapters on My Virtual Library Empire

Sharon stared at the beautifully decorated cheesecake, hesitating to pick up her fork. She glanced at Rick, unsure of his intentions, her face showing that she was trying hard not to let her curiosity slip.

Rick, sensing her hesitation, smiled gently. "Why don't you take a bite? I am sure you enjoy it."

With a slight reluctance, Sharon finally picked up her fork and sliced a small piece. She took a bite, and for a brief moment, her face lit up with a joyous, pleasant, and almost innocent expression as the flavours melted in her mouth. It was clear she was thoroughly enjoying the cheesecake, but just as quickly as the expression appeared, she masked it, returning to her usual strict and focused demeanour.

Without hesitation this time, she took another bite, and as she chewed, she glanced at Rick. In a surprisingly casual tone, she asked, "So, is this your way of bribing me to get me off your back?"

Rick chuckled at her sudden change of tone. "Did it work?" he teased before breaking into a laugh. "Nah, I just wanted you to taste the best cheesecake in town."

And soon enough, she had finished the entire slice.

When the bill came, Rick reached for it. "I'll cover the whole thing."

But Sharon shook her head, pulling out her wallet. "No, I'm paying my share."

They exchanged looks for a moment, a quiet tug-of-war of principles. After a moment, Sharon added with a slight smirk, "I shouldn't use your criminal money, anyway."

Rick grinned, leaning back in his seat. "At least let me pay for the cheesecake. It was my surprise, after all."

Sharon, no longer in the mood to argue, sighed and relented. "Fine."

As they returned to the repair shop, Sharon's Harley was already standing outside, gleaming in the sunlight. The mechanic, standing next to it with a proud smile on his face, wiped his hands on a rag and approached them.

"I did my best, ma'am," he said confidently. "Fixed it up real nice. No one else could've done better. If you don't trust me, you can check it out yourself."

Sharon gave him a sharp glance. After a few tense seconds, she seemed to judge that he was telling the truth. "That won't be necessary.", she replied.

She pulled out her wallet, paid the repair bill, and with a swift, precise motion, mounted her Harley. With one last glance at Rick, her face giving nothing away, she revved the engine, the rumble filling the air. Then, without a word, she rode off, leaving the shop and Rick behind as she sped away.

"She could have at least said goodbye," Rick muttered under his breath, watching Sharon ride off with a faint smile lingering on his face.

The mechanic approached, rubbing his hands together, still proud of the job he had done on Sharon's Harley. "Hey, you want me to take care of those scratches on your car too?"

Rick glanced at his car, then shook his head. "Later," he said getting in and starting it up. He watched the mechanic wave him off as he drove away from the shop.