Dylan sat stiffly on the couch, one hand resting on his knee, the other still gripping the edge of the plate Ashley had pushed on him earlier.
The last half hour had been a very confusing one. It had somehow flown by him without giving him a chance to process any of it.
It turned out that Ashley was going to be an intern in the company very soon, and even more interesting was that she was focused in the stocks and investment part of business.
Which meant she would likely be allocated to work with him.
There was no avoiding her if that was the case, and soon after that, CEO Preston would find out that he was her neighbor.
After she had basically forced him to quickly reconcile with that with a big smile on her face, she made him stay in her apartment for a while longer.
Why? Because she wanted him to watch her favorite show with her.
The TV flickered with warm light across her apartment, the opening theme of a telenovela named Roses and Lilies came rolling with dramatic violins and overly glamorous close-ups.
He glanced at Ashley, who had curled up comfortably beside him, hair spilling over her shoulder, eyes lit with genuine excitement.
"This is my favorite show," she declared like it was law.
She had said that already. Like a gazillion times.
Dylan frowned at the screen. "...It looks... ridiculous."
"Shh." She stuffed popcorn into his mouth. "Give it a chance."
The episode unfolded: a handsome, immaculately dressed CEO stepping out of his luxury car, women turning their heads on the street, whispering his name like he was a god.
He was arrogant, calm, a man who controlled every room he walked into.
Dylan scoffed.
"This never happens. What kind of guy just walks into a restaurant and has three women spill their drinks because they saw his jawline?"
Ashley chuckled, biting her lip as she leaned closer. "But he's a pretty hot guy, don't you think?"
Dylan raised a brow at her. Did she have a crush on the man?
"And he's confident," she added. "People love confidence."
Dylan frowned, not certain what she saw in the man. "But... he just fired half his company staff for not clapping loud enough at his speech."
She laughed sweetly. "That's the point! He's ruthless but charming."
Dylan shook his head, almost certain that he would never find a telenovela interesting or even fun.
However, by the time the second act rolled around, his eyes were glued to the screen.
He muttered under his breath when the CEO let his mistress back into his life. "Idiot. She's clearly playing you. How do you not see that?"
Ashley glanced at him quietly, and a beautiful, delighted smile lit her face up when she saw his frustration.
"So you're into it now, huh?"
"I'm not into it," Dylan said flatly, eyes still glued to the screen. "I just hate stupidity."
Ashley only giggled.
But in Dylan's eyes, something was burning. The content on the screen was lighting up a fuse in him that he never expected.
The wealthy, commanding character fascinated him.
Elliott Baines was his name in telenovela, and the way he walked, the way people listened. Something about the power and respect he commanded naturally drew Dylan to him.
An attraction that was fueled by the Incubus King's Soul within him, letting him know that his bland life in a monotone apartment was not fitting for the Lord of Desire.
And a thought settled in his chest like an ember: Maybe I should be more like him.
They watched an extra episode, and at some point, whilst laughing, commenting or yelling at the characters, sleep crept over them both.
Dylan's head slumped against the side of the couch, his temple pressed to the armrest. Ashley's head tipped sideways onto his shoulder, her blond hair spilling over his suit.
And they both slept in silence as the TV's glow filled the dark sitting room with warm light.
•••••
Dylan's eyes fluttered open an hour later, stunned by the TV's light. He lifted his head groggily, blinking.
'When did I fall asleep?'
Ashley was curled against him, her head on his shoulder, fast asleep.
Dylan stared at her for a moment, shocked at the position. It felt odd to see a woman so intimately close with him; sleeping on his shoulder, and looking ethereally beautiful whilst doing so.
He wondered if he could move. He couldn't just stay here. Waking up like this tomorrow morning in her apartment would be really weird.
He thought of how to do it.
'Just treat her like a baby after you've managed to get it to sleep.'
'Wouldn't wanna wake her up so she doesn't cry. So I'll just be... careful.'
Gingerly, he shifted, slipping an arm beneath her knees and another around her back.
Her body was warm against his chest as he lifted her easily.
He looked around. 'I wonder where her bedroom is.'
Following the posters of hearts and decorations, he carried her to the bedroom at the end of the hall.
Once he got in, he gently laid her down on the bed, her shirt riding up just slightly as she settled against the sheets.
He stood straight and when he saw it, he froze.
Her shirt.
It had pulled over waist, her tummy and exposed a small amount of underboob.
Dylan felt his mind tightening with devilish thoughts on that moment, thoughts he fought hard to send away.
But his eyes lingered.
Ashley was only wearing a tight pair of boxer-shorts and no bra, hence the underboob.
It wasn't just that. It was the way her curves were undeniable, her waist was unbelievably slender and the shape of her thighs was sculpted, like a freaking artwork.
Compared to Miss Miller's voluptuous body, Ashley's body was tight, and she had fat in the right places.
Her chests and her thighs.
Dylan gulped.
It wasn't like anyone would find out. Right?
He could just squeeze those big round breasts, maybe caress her thighs, play with her nipples and kiss those full rosy lips of hers.
He wasn't going to do anything beyond that so it wasn't that bad right? RIGHT?
He froze. Which was confusing because he thought he had frozen earlier already.
That was when he realized his hand was already outstretched and just about to grab and fondle Ashley's exposed boob.
He suddenly pulled away, backpedaling until he collided with the wall.
'What the heck was I about to do? I can't just commit a crime!'
There was this repulsive feeling inside of him. One that wanted him to gain control over his lust, as though he knew it could lead to his downfall.
...As it had once before.
He clenched his jaw, fighting the gnawing urge. After a long, painful silence, he pulled her shirt down, covering her exposed body.
Then, he reached for the fluffy pink blanket at the foot of her bed and pulled it over her form. Covering her. Protecting her from him.
His hand lingered for a second longer near her shoulder. He watched her sleep peacefully, a soft smile on her face, before he finally turned away and hurried out of the apartment.
As he pulled the door open, he paused, startled by a figure standing there in front of Ashley's door.
It was a girl, her fist raised as if about to knock. Short dark hair framed her pale face, her posture straight and sharp. She looked Japanese, around Ashley's age, her eyes narrow as they studied him.
"…Who are you?" she asked.
Dylan stared at her like he was guilty of something, his fingers clenched around his briefcase's handle.
"Ashley's neighbor," he replied. "She asked me to fix her TV."
The girl's eyes lingered on him a moment longer, cool and assessing, before she lowered her hand.
She didn't speak again.
Dylan stepped past her, knowing she was staring at him even when he disappeared into his own apartment.
Inside, he let out a long breath, closing the door with a quiet click. His chest was tight, not from regret but from relief.
'Thank goodness I hadn't given in..If I had given in… and that girl walked in, I'd have been finished.'
The red interface flickered awake in his vision.
[Skill Notification]
[Sovereignty has been fully infused into Host Essence.]
[Passive Skills require initial mana activation before permanent infusion. No mana will be consumed going forward].
Dylan's brows knit together. "So that explains it."
The [Sovereignty] Skill.
[Sovereignty: Your presence naturally draws attention] [Passive]
Ashley's sudden interest wasn't by chance, she didn't have a change in character or anything like that.
Her friendliness, her leaning closer to him— it was Sovereignty. The passive skill that drew unnatural attention, making people notice him even when they shouldn't.
She must have felt it as a natural attraction. Something primal. The same way people responded instinctively to dominance and aura.
Like Elliot Baines.
He thought back to the telenovela's arrogant CEO, the man who commanded every glance when he entered a room. That presence, that command— that was what Dylan lacked before.
With [Sovereignty], with the Incubus King's Soul within him, he now possessed it.
Except, he still lived in a dull apartment and owned an old motorbike.
Dylan frowned, the glow of the interface painting his face crimson. 'Maybe I should be more like him.'
The idea lingered in his head as sleep finally claimed him.
He stumbled to his bedroom and collapsed, needing a rest after the best day of his life.