42

Night began to fall. The streetlights glowed softly, their light reflecting off the wet asphalt, remnants of the rain earlier that afternoon.

Leon turned the wheel of his black sports car, driving Qiara home. Throughout the ride, Qiara occasionally stole glances at him from the passenger seat, her smile faint.

“Thank you for taking me home, Leon,” Qiara said softly.

Leon simply nodded. “You live alone in this apartment, right?”

Qiara nodded, tilting her head slightly. “Yes. But tonight… would you like to stay here?” Her tone carried a sweetly wrapped hint of seduction.

Leon glanced at her briefly, one eyebrow raised. “Qiara, I still have work to do....