Ch-25 Sexy? Did he just call me sexy?
The next morning, Ryan washed up and changed into his school uniform.
As he walked out of the house, he met his new neighbor.
The beautiful young woman named Vanessa was walking past his door with her well-dressed daughter, apparently on her way to the bus stop.
"Good morning, Mr. Ryan," Vanessa greeted him warmly.
Her eyes lit up when she saw him in his school uniform.
The tight-fitting outfit clung to Ryan's body, accentuating his perfectly sculpted muscles like a work of art.
Young, strong and powerful.
She hadn't paid much attention to him last night because of the rush of the evening, but now, in the clear morning light, she couldn't help but marvel at his physique.
Even professional bodybuilders probably didn't have such an immaculate physique.
What in the world did this boy eat to grow up like this? she wondered incredulously.
Vanessa's husband was a top psychologist in the America and regularly interacted with the elite. She'd met countless accomplished individuals, but very few had ever made her heart skip a beat.
Yet this young man, barely older than her eldest daughter, made her pulse race and her breathing quicken.
She couldn't quite explain it.
It was reminiscent of the passion she'd felt when she first fell in love with her husband.
A simple look or a fleeting moment with Ryan filled her with an overwhelming sense of excitement, a feeling she hadn't experienced in over a decade.
Vanessa touched her slightly flushed cheeks, shocked at her own reaction.
Since her marriage and entry into adulthood, her husband's growing work commitments had left her feeling neglected.
And now, for the first time in years, her body and mind were instinctively responding to a man - someone of the opposite sex who wasn't her husband.
And worse, he was practically a teenager.
Oh my God, she thought in alarm. Am I losing my mind?
"Good morning, Mrs. Vanessa!" Ryan replied politely, giving her a confused look.
Something about the way she looked at him seemed... strange.
Following her gaze, Ryan noticed that her gaze lingered on his chest, waist and hips.
His lips twitched slightly in annoyance.
Foreigners are so brazen, he thought to himself.
They didn't even try to hide their desires or thoughts. Whatever happened to modesty and subtlety?
Still, Ryan wasn't really surprised.
The standards of beauty in America tended to favor strong, muscular physiques. Unlike many Asian countries, where a slimmer, more delicate build was often preferred, the American people practically worshipped physical strength.
Their tastes often bordered on the primitive. In fact, it wasn't uncommon to see stunningly beautiful women paired with rugged, muscular men - often evoking the image of beauty and the beast.
Given his current physique, enhanced by countless sacrifices of werewolves, Ryan knew he was close to perfection.
If he took his shirt off, he could easily grace the covers of fitness magazines. Even seasoned bodybuilders would probably pale in comparison.
But he hadn't expected his new neighbor to be so... direct.
Then again, the social atmosphere in America was famously open. Conversations about intimate matters weren't taboo, even among family members.
Still, Ryan couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable.
"I... I'm sending my daughter to school. What about you?" Vanessa said suddenly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and looking away.
Her cheeks burned hot, and she was sure her face must look like a tomato.
Despite the embarrassment, she wasn't the type to hide her feelings completely. After all, what woman wouldn't admire a man with such a perfect physique?
She told herself she was just enjoying the view. Nothing more.
"...Umm."
Ryan glanced at his school uniform, his expression deadpan.
Isn't it obvious I'm going to school?
As the awkwardness continued, Ryan suddenly remembered something.
"Ah, right!" he said, pulling a small amulet out of his messenger bag.
"You just moved in, and I didn't have time to get you a proper present."
He held up the amulet. "This is for you. It's an amulet, supposed to bring good luck."
Crouching down, he gently placed the amulet around the neck of Vanessa's daughter, who immediately hid shyly behind her mother.
"She's adorable," Ryan said with a warm smile. "I bet she'll grow up to be as sexy and charming as her mother."
The little girl blushed and clung to Vanessa's leg.
Vanessa, however, froze. Her face turned a deeper shade of red.
Sexy? Did he just call me sexy?
Her mind raced as she replayed his words. Was he hinting at something? Or was she just thinking too much?
Vanessa tried to calm her racing heart, but it was no use. She couldn't shake the warmth spreading through her body - or the lingering feeling that she was completely captivated.