Who Is Rachel?

Leo took his black car for a spin, speeding through the Streets of Florida. On his way to Rachel's place, he noticed his driving skills were far sharper than before. The system has found a way to constantly improve his capabilities all round which included his reflexes, vision and muscle response time.

After snooping around for a while, Leo realized the dexterity stat represented how fast he grasps things, learns things, and uses items or pieces of equipment. It was an important stat which he had been neglecting all this while.

As soon as Leo arrived, he remained in his car and sent Rachel a text, informing her he had just arrived, but the next text was unexpected.

"Room 22, I left the door open." Leo muttered the text and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Amongst all the ladies he had come across so far, this one was the only one who made him smile from time to time. Leo seemed to hesitate slightly but soon pushed his worry aside. It wouldn't hurt to know more about this lady he met at a bar.

The apartment building was nestled in the heart of the city, its sleek exterior towering over the bustling streets below. As the elevator doors opened onto the top floor, the scent of fresh paint and new carpet filled the air. This was a nice looking apartment, and it was clear that no expense had been spared in its construction and design.

This alone left Leo wondering who Rachel was.

'Isn't she meant to be a college student?' Leo couldn't help but wonder.

Leo reached the second floor and searched for room '22'. As soon as he found it, he took a deep breath before opening the door and walking in.

The living room was spacious and airy, with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered breathtaking views of the city skyline. A plush white sofa and a matching armchair were arranged around a glass coffee table, creating a cozy conversation area. The walls were painted a soft, muted gray, and a contemporary artwork hung above the sofa, adding a pop of color to the room.

Leo timidly shut the door behind him as if he was trying to hide a gold mine he just discovered.

"Rachel?" Leo called out but he got no response. He wanted to wait, but he soon decided against it and chose to take a stroll around.

The kitchen was modern and sleek, with stainless steel appliances and granite counter-tops. A large island in the center of the room served as a workspace and a place to gather around for casual meals. The cabinets were dark wood, and the floors were polished concrete, giving the room a chic, industrial feel.

The bedroom was a peaceful retreat, with a queen-sized bed that was dressed in crisp white linens. A fluffy white duvet and a few decorative pillows added a touch of luxury to the space. The walls were painted a calming shade of pale blue, and a large window offered a view of the treetops outside.

"What the hell did you say you are?" Leo was so intimidated by what he saw, he couldn't help but blurt out those words.

Clank.

At that moment, the door of the bathroom yanked open and Rachel stepped out.

She was wearing a dress that was unlike Leo had ever seen before. It was a shimmering silver gown, with a plunging neckline and a slit up the side that revealed her long, toned legs. Her hair was styled in loose waves, and she wore a pair of stiletto heels that made her even taller and more statuesque than she already was.

Leo was stunned. He had never seen Rachel look so beautiful and glamorous. He could feel his heart racing in his chest as he took in her appearance, and he struggled to find the words to express his admiration.

For a moment, they just stood there, staring at each other in silence. Then, Rachel smiled and reached out to take Leo's hand. It felt as if she wasn't even bothered by the fact Leo was in her bedroom.

"Like I said I'm a college student." Rachel responded with a sweet smile, enough to shatter any man's defense, but Leo was not any man.

It was obvious she didn't want to speak on the matter, so Leo didn't bother.

Why didn't he choose to simply get the information using his charm skill?

Because it wasn't necessary. While Leo cannot be considered a good guy, he wants a bad guy either. He wouldn't go as far as to use this ability to invade a person's privacy unless necessary. His personality may have been altered because of his newfound power, but he was still the same Leo he has always been deep down.

"You look amazingly gorgeous." Leo complimented and Rachel blushed in response.

She lowered her face slightly and stole glances whenever she got the chance.

"So why did you pick me?" Rachel asked, causing Leo to raise an eyebrow.

"What?" Leo asked.

"You are a devilishly attractive young man, who can be considered wealthy for his age and has a promising career ahead of him. Do you really think I'm so dumb to think there are not many ladies throwing themselves your way?" She asked with a rare serious look on her face.

"So why did you pick me?" She asked again but in a lower tone.

It seemed as if time had paused between the two and there seemed to be some tension between them followed by a deadly silence.

"Because I like you." Leo answered simply, killing the mood almost instantly.

"What?" Rachel blurted out.

She was expecting a speech or something carefully crafted excuse, but Leo's response came fast, and it was as direct as ever.

"Do I need any other reason to take you out?" Leo asked with a raised eyebrow.

His response left her speechless and defenseless.

Huff!

Rachel let go of his hand and exhaled deeply. She seemed to ponder for a short while before turning her attention back to him but this time, she had returned to her original charm and demeanor.

"Are you ready to go?" she asked, her voice low and sultry tone.

"I was born ready for this day." Leo said before offering her a hand which she took.

They chatted merrily on their way down and their discussion revolved around Rachel's school activities and her progress. Maybe it was because of the fog of mystery surrounding Rachel or maybe because he simply found her interesting, Leo could only see himself liking her a little bit more than everyone he has come across so far.

The two left the apartment and Leo drove off heading in the direction of the club.