NOTAKING
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Chapter 4
🕑 Added 2025-01-31 20:51:40 +0000 UTCThey stepped onto the top floor, greeted by an expansive space reminiscent of a grand ballroom. The polished marble floors gleamed under the soft golden glow of an elaborate crystal chandelier, while floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking panoramic view of the city skyline. The air carried a faint hint of expensive wine and freshly cut roses, adding to the luxurious ambiance.
Beyond the main hall, the balcony awaited them—a secluded, open-air dining area with an intimate table set for two. Positioned at the edge, it overlooked the glittering cityscape, where skyscrapers shimmered under the moonlight and streets buzzed with life below. The gentle evening breeze carried the distant hum of the metropolis, blending seamlessly with the soft classical music playing in the background.
Ha Ye-Jung moved forward, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor. Each step was deliberate, effortless, a silent exhibition of control. The fabric of her black mermaid gown shimmered under the dim restaurant lighting, sculpting her silhouette like a masterpiece. The open-back design revealed the smooth expanse of her flawless skin, teasing yet untouchable, a contradiction that only heightened her allure.
Travis didn’t even pretend to be indifferent. His sharp gaze followed her every movement, drinking in the sway of her hips, the subtle arch of her back. She was mesmerizing, and she knew it.
With practiced ease, Ha Ye-Jung slid into her seat, crossing one leg over the other. Her eyes met his, dark and unreadable. A silent challenge. Travis mirrored her intensity, his own expression unreadable, refusing to be the first to look away.
A slow smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. She took a moment—just a breath longer than necessary—to truly take him in. The sharp angles of his face, the undeniable arrogance in his posture, the way his tailored suit framed his broad shoulders. For the briefest second, her heart betrayed her with a single skipped beat.
Travis noticed. His lips curled into an almost imperceptible smile.
' Damn, I haven’t even said anything yet. '
A notification blinked in his vision.
Love: 2
Interest: 20
She leaned forward slightly, her fingers lazily tracing the rim of her glass.
"So now tell me, Travis Blackthorn… What business could possibly be so important that you had to book a place this extravagant?" Her voice was smooth, sultry, carrying just the right amount of amusement. Then, with a teasing tilt of her head, she added, "Are you my secret admirer, perhaps? Because if so, I hate to disappoint—I’m not looking for love right now."
Travis chuckled, shaking his head. "No, nothing like that. I wanted to talk about this store," he said, gesturing toward the window where the building in question stood in the distance. "I heard you wanted to buy it. But unfortunately for you, so do I. So, I came to negotiate."
His voice was even, businesslike, but his eyes told a different story.
' Honestly, I couldn’t care less about that damn store. I just want to fuck her. '
Ha Ye-Jung raised a delicate brow, studying him.
' Oh, he really is here for business. That’s quite a shame. I was planning on letting him fuck me tonight. '
She took a slow sip of her wine before setting it down, her fingers tapping lightly against the glass. "That won’t be possible. I’ve already spoken with the owner, and we finalized the deal. I was planning to pay the full amount tonight, but you interrupted me."
Travis hummed thoughtfully, leaning back against the plush leather seat. "That’s unfortunate," he mused. "How much was the price? Maybe I can pay you more."
She let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. "Sorry, but I’m not buying the building for profit. I have other motives." Her tone was final, dismissive, as she reached for the menu, scanning it with feigned interest.
Travis studied her for a moment before exhaling lightly. "Well, if that’s the case, I’ll drop the matter." He flashed her a knowing smile. "Let’s just enjoy dinner, shall we?"
She didn’t respond immediately, only offering him a slow glance from beneath her lashes before returning her attention to the menu.
Travis rested his chin on his hand, watching her with quiet amusement.
' By tonight, your whole life will be owned by me. '
He smiled, waiting for the food.
The meal arrived, and they both began to eat, the rich aroma of perfectly cooked steak and delicate seafood filling the air. At first, the conversation was light—casual remarks about the food, the restaurant’s ambiance—but as the minutes passed, something shifted.
Travis found himself talking more than he expected, sharing pieces of his life he normally kept to himself. And what surprised him the most was how naturally it came. No forced effort, no scripted charm—it just flowed. And Ha Ye-Jung? She was completely engrossed, her eyes never leaving him, her laughter genuine, her responses thoughtful.
Every word he spoke seemed to pull her in deeper. The way her fingers absentmindedly traced the rim of her glass, the way she leaned in slightly, subconsciously closing the space between them—it was obvious. Her love and interest rose steadily, reflected in the subtle notifications that flashed in his vision.
Love: 30
Interest: 70
Ha Ye-Jung, too, was taken aback. The evening had started cool, professional, but now… she was lost in him. In his voice, his presence.
She swirled the deep red wine in her glass, her gaze drifting over Travis's body, appreciating the strength in his broad shoulders, the sharp cut of his jawline. Her lips curled into a slow, seductive smile as she took another sip.
' It’s like I’m back to when I was a high school girl again. He makes me feel so young. '
Travis caught the way her eyes lingered, the way her lips parted slightly, and he smirked internally.
' Well, that was quick. '
But he wasn’t going to rush. Not yet.
Finishing the last sip of his drink, he set the glass down and smoothly pushed back his chair, standing up. "Well, it’s time for me to head home. I have something else planned."
Ha Ye-Jung blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "What? But it’s still early. Sit down, let’s talk more," she urged, her voice holding a rare note of vulnerability.
Travis shook his head with a knowing smile. "I’m sorry, but I can’t. Why don’t we do this again next time? You have my number—call me, okay?"
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked off, leaving her sitting there, stunned.
She clenched her fists slightly, her mind racing.
' Fuck. I mean, who’d be aroused by an old hag like me? '
If only she knew.
Outside, the cool night air greeted Travis as he stepped into the darkness. He pulled out his phone, swiftly executing a series of transactions. Within minutes, everything she owned—the properties, the businesses, the assets—was transferred under his name.
A satisfied grin spread across his lips as he slipped into the driver’s seat of her sleek black Mercedes.
' Haha, I’m such a troll. '
TO BE CONTINUED
