"Hello! Are all the designer pieces here curated from India?"
Samina walked into the boutique, a bright, excited smile on her face as she scanned the racks.
"The designs really do feel unique compared to the other shops in this mall."
She wandered deeper into the store, running her fingers over the high-end fabrics. But the moment she turned her head toward the lounge area, she spotted a face she had been thinking about every second since yesterday. He was actually sitting right there on the velvet sofa!
"Rahul? What are you doing here?"
Samina was initially overjoyed, but her smile faltered when she noticed the two stunning, sharp-looking twin women sitting right beside him. They looked like professional models—sophisticated, well-proportioned, and undeniably attractive. A sudden, sharp pang of insecurity and loss hit Samina's chest.
Is this why he didn't reply to my messages? Because he was busy with women like this? Does he prefer the 'boss lady' type? It's my fault... why wasn't I more assertive!
Samina's stubborn, pampered heiress temper flared up. Within a heartbeat, she forced her smile back on, masked her jealousy, and marched directly toward Rahul.
The moment Rahul saw Samina, his hand—which was reaching for the coffee Anisha had brought—froze mid-air. He let out a long, silent sigh.
How does this city feel so small? Of all the malls and all the boutiques, she had to pick this one, at this exact moment! My Charm Points are in serious jeopardy!
"Rahul, do you know this young lady?"
Anika stood up from the sofa, her eyes narrowing as she gave Samina a slow, expert look-over. She thought to herself: It seems this guy is a magnet for high-class girls. I better make my move fast before the competition gets too crowded.
"Of course I know him! I met Rahul the very first day he landed in Dhaka!"
Samina didn't wait for an introduction. She walked right behind Rahul's sofa and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind in a bold, possessive display of intimacy.
Rahul gently, but firmly, unlooped her arms from his neck. He took the coffee cup from Anisha's hand and stood up.
"Small world, Samina. What a coincidence."
Samina tilted her head, looking up at him. "It really is! I never expected to run into you here of all places!"
"I've been watching a lot of Indian fashion reels lately and wanted to try out a more modern, 'Mumbai-girl' look, so I came here to see what they had."
Then, Samina turned her gaze to Anisha and said with a touch of authority, "Boss, pick out a few of your best outfits for me to try."
Before Anisha could respond, Anika cut in with a playful, slightly sharp edge to her voice: "Little girl, our pieces are top-tier quality, but they also come with a very top-tier price tag."
"How expensive could they be? More than a Birkin or a Lady Dior?"
Samina, immediately picking up on the condescension in Anika's tone, shot back a sharp retort.
Anika sneered internally. A pampered little princess who likes to talk big? Fine. This big sister is going to have to show you how a real woman plays the game.
But Anisha, being the steadier and more diplomatic of the twins, stepped in before things got ugly. She walked over, placed a friendly arm around Samina's waist, and said smoothly, "Come now, don't mind her. Let me personally pick out a few pieces for you. I guarantee I'll make you look like a Bollywood lead!"
Samina gave a small, satisfied huff, looked away from Anika, and flashed Rahul a sweet, lingering smile.
"Rahul, will you come over and help me decide which ones look best?"
Rahul took a long, slow sip of his black coffee, feeling a familiar weight on his shoulders.
Women really are the same everywhere. I left Mumbai to escape the drama, but I've just walked into a localized version in Dhaka. He set the coffee cup down on the glass table and looked at Samina. "I know absolutely nothing about women's fashion, Samina! Honestly, you look great in everything. Just pick whatever makes you feel confident."
Samina beamed at the compliment and nodded gently. "Okay! I'll go try a few things on, and I'll buy whichever set you like the most. Come on, sister, help me choose!"
As Anisha led Samina toward the dressing rooms, Anika sat back down on the sofa, right next to Rahul.
She crossed her legs, leaning in close. Her 'peach-blossom' eyes were fixed directly on his, her gaze intense and unblinking.
"Rahul... that little girl is clearly head-over-heels for you."
Rahul glanced at Anika. He knew exactly what she was doing—trying to stir the pot and see how he'd react.
He looked back at her with an indifferent shrug. "Liking someone is a personal choice, Anika. I can't exactly control how other people feel."
"I mean, even if you liked me, I couldn't stop you, right?"
The moment those words left his mouth, Rahul felt like he had just earned a permanent seat at the 'Player's Table.'
Anika let out a low, melodic laugh. "Hehe. Rahul, you are becoming more and more interesting by the minute."
"You're much more direct than the other Indian men I've met."
Rahul raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You've met a lot of us?"
Anika didn't bother hiding it, getting straight to the point. "Yes. I dated a guy from Mumbai for a while when we were doing a sourcing trip. He was... okay. But nowhere near as captivating as you."
As she spoke, Anika glanced toward the back of the shop to ensure her sister and Samina were occupied. Then, she discreetly extended the tip of her stiletto heel and began gently rubbing it against Rahul's calf.
Rahul looked down at her foot, then back up at her, a small, knowing smile on his face.
Anika was definitely bold. She was the classic 'young mature woman'—she knew exactly what she wanted and wasn't afraid to go after it. Her experience was clearly on a different level compared to the girls he had met so far.
Faced with such a blatant invitation, Rahul's mind stayed sharp. He wasn't some desperate guy who would lose his head at the first sign of female attention.
His goal was the System—he needed those Charm Points. If he happened to enjoy some 'pleasant interludes' while earning them, that was just a bonus. But he was in a foreign country; he had to keep his wits about him. He didn't want to end up in a back-alley clinic losing a kidney!
Moreover, according to the System's rules, for it to count as a 'Successful Flirtation,' he had to feel a genuine attraction back.
Rahul cleared his throat. "So, based on what you're saying, you consider yourself quite the expert in these matters?"
Anika didn't look away. She gave him a seductive smile, the tip of her shoe still pressing softly against his leg.
"I'm twenty-seven, Rahul. By the standards of a traditional family in Dhaka, I should have three kids and a husband by now. But I've always had a more modern, Western mindset. I don't like being tied down or restricted."
"I think you understand exactly what I'm saying."
Rahul understood perfectly. Women like Anika were the most straightforward. They had seen it all, done it all, and they didn't have time for games.
"I have no idea what you mean. I'm just a simple tourist," Rahul lied smoothly, playing along with the game.
"Are you really that innocent, or are you just pretending?" Anika's gaze became even more aggressive, launching her final attack. "Why not just seize the moment for pleasure? Leave behind a beautiful memory of your time in Bangladesh. What do you think?"
That was as explicit as it got. Rahul discreetly reached out and clicked his DJI camera to 'Off.' This part of the day definitely wasn't suitable for his YouTube audience.
But before Rahul could give her an answer, Anika pulled out her phone, opened her Instagram profile, and held it out to him.
"Add me. Let's go out for a drink tonight."
"And don't worry... my sister will be coming along too."
At this point, if Rahul kept refusing, he'd just look clueless. He pulled out his phone and scanned her QR code.
It's all for the Charm Points, he justified to himself.
Seeing that she had successfully added him, Anika wore a triumphant, seductive smile.
At that exact moment, the dressing room curtain slid open. Samina, now wearing a stunning, chic new outfit, walked out and stood in front of Rahul with a hopeful, expectant look.
"Rahul! How does this one look?"
"Do you like it on me?"