A Scent of Seduction - Chapter 82

A Scent of Seduction - Chapter 82

"Well," Ren began in a smooth, flirty tone, leaning in just slightly across the table, "from what I can tell, you have this rich smell—like someone who's been around money or just really likes it. And, well… you've also got this sky-like hint of scent. Is it possible… you have birds at home? Pets, maybe?"

A playful grin tugged at the corners of his mouth, his voice light and teasing, yet somehow oddly precise.

Across from him, Mei gripped her water glass just a bit too tightly.

Her thoughts spiraled.

What?… How?

Could he tell all of that… from her scent?

No. That was impossible. He must know her. He had to.

Unless… her mind whispered. Unless he really does have a superhuman nose?

She kept her composure, just barely. Her eyes scanned his expression for a crack, a smirk that said he was joking. But Ren's face was annoyingly unreadable—cool, smug, and a little too entertained.

Then he leaned back casually and added with a proud grin, "Ah, you know, my friends actually do call me Sherlock Holmes. I'm good, right?"

Mei let out a laugh—but it wasn't the sultry kind she had practiced in the mirror. No, this one was nervous. Real. Her defenses were slipping.

"Ah, wow," she said with the sweetest fake smile she could muster. "You are good at guessing, huh? Yes… I do have a pet bird at home." Her voice stayed airy, but her thoughts were screaming.

Still, how the hell did he know??

As the rain outside grew louder against the restaurant windows, pattering like a soft warning drum, Ren spoke again—still amused, still confident.

"I told you," he said, swirling his pasta lazily with a fork. "Your scent gives it off. I have a good nose on me. I can smell beautiful ladies from miles away~."

Mei blinked.

Again, she wasn't sure if she should be creeped out… or weirdly drawn in by it.

This boy had something.

Strange confidence.

Unexpected sharpness.

Even though she was the one faking her name, faking her identity, and sent here to control him… it was like she was the one under a microscope. The one being seduced.

What the hell is happening here? she wondered.

She was supposed to be the hunter—not the caught.

But before her thoughts could settle, Ren smirked at her again, leaning on his elbow.

"You're interesting, you know that?" Mei said finally, giving him a small smile that danced between caution and curiosity. "Ren."

He grinned wider. "Yeah?. Am I interesting right now?"

He paused.

"You should see me in bed."

Clink.

The metal spoon Mei was holding nearly fell from her fingers.

She coughed lightly into her hand, her eyes wide for a second before she caught herself and quickly smiled.

A faint blush colored her cheeks.

In bed!?

What??

Since when were teenagers this… bold!?

She found herself speechless again, biting her inner cheek as Ren's words echoed inside her head like a slow, rolling drum.

Meanwhile, Ren was casually chewing another forkful of pasta.

Hah! he thought. Look at that reaction. Gold. I forgot how fun it was to flirt like this.

Mei narrowed her eyes slightly, raising her glass to sip her water and mask her smirk.

"Ah… you're so bold," she said in an amused tone, voice coated in honey. "You don't know anything about me, but you're already talking about bed…"

Ren chuckled, his fork twisting pasta lazily. Ah, playing the 'You don't even know me' card? That would've worked on a real teenager. Too bad for you, I am not a teenager...

Ren tilted his head, flashing that same confident grin. "Well, I know enough," he said. "And from the way you haven't slapped me yet… I'm guessing you're not opposed to the idea of seeing me in bed."

Mei choked just a little.

Again.

Slap him? she thought. I should! But… do I want to? Her thoughts were a confused tangle. What is with this boy?

She couldn't place it—he wasn't powerful in aura, didn't radiate cursed energy, and yet… somehow he had her flustered.

No one flustered Mei Mei.

She always had the upper hand.

And yet, Ren… Ren spoke like he knew her. Not just about her food preferences or pets, but like he had already memorized her rhythm, her buttons.

"You're such a big flirt," she said, half-laughing. "Are you like this with every woman who sits beside you?"

Ren's grin softened just a little. "Nah. Only the ones with pet birds and killer cheekbones."

She laughed again—this time more genuinely. Damn it.

Mei reached for her food, slowly stirring her spoon through the bak kut teh Ren had ordered for her. The aroma was comforting and nostalgic.

Ren just smiled.

A beat passed.

The rain outside kept falling.

---