The system popped up unexpectedly just as I was enjoying ten minutes of silence and a lukewarm macchiato. Ten peaceful, rare minutes without bloodshed, embezzling traitors, or the unsettling softness in my chest every time Arno crossed my mind.
So of course, the screen blinked into existence like a gossipy ghost.
[SYSTEM MiSSION: ROMANCE PATH TRIGGER]
[Main Task: Invite Dr. Arno Theryn Solace to a Private Dinner and Propose to Her]
[Reward: 1000 Points for the Player and a Fragment of Original Lucien's Memory]
[Host Reward: 2000 Points and Boosts Host Strength + Unlocks Support Skill]
[Penalty for Refusal: System Will Issue a Punishment Task Immediately]
"Absolutely not," I muttered.
Pokolo popped in with an audible gasp. "WHAT?! Boss, this is a golden-tier romance mission! High risk, high reward, dazzling gowns, possible soft music in the background!" Besides you can't refuse the task.
"She's just recovering from a painful heartbreak, Pokolo," I snapped. "Auren cheated on her. She trusted the wrong man for whole damn eight years. Again If I propose now, she'll think I'm just another guy trying to trap her while she's vulnerable." It's against my morals, I said.
"Exactly!" Pokolo said brightly. "What better time to emotionally ambush someone?"
"Pokolo," I said slowly, "say that again, but out loud this time. Pure threat in my voice."
He huffed. "Fine. Whatever. You can refuse the mission. But do you want to lose your chance at memory fragments? Forget about me getting any stronger to help you. I'll just stay here… small, weak, un-upgraded like an unpaid intern with torn clothes."
I sighed. My fingers hovered above the phone.
"I'm not proposing," I said firmly. "But dinner? I can do that."
[SYSTEM UPDATE; Task Adjusted]
[Task Accepted: Invite Dr. Solace to Private Dinner]
[Reward: Half points. Propose Mid-Dinner for Full Reward]
[Penalty for No Proposal: Random]
[Consequence Triggered]
Host will receive partial boost only]
I called Arno. The phone rang once, twice. Then-
"Hello?"
My throat went dry. "Sunbeam," I said, a little too stiff. "I was wondering if you'd join me for dinner. Nothing formal. Just… me, you, a city skyline, and chitchat."
A moment of silence.
Then her soft laugh. "Is that your way of asking nicely, Mr. Moreaux or should I call you BlueBird?"
"Is it working?"
She chuckled. "Give me the time and the address?"
Later that night-
I booked the top floor of the restaurant and had my men sealed off for safety measurement.
From the floor a full view of the city is visible, stars blinking above through the glass dome. Even the distant watch tower by the sea was visible, quietly looming in the night.
Then she arrived on time.
Wearing a midnight-blue slit gown that shimmered like stardust giving an angelic vibe.
I stopped breathing for three whole seconds.
She smiled. "Booked the whole place?"
"I don't like strangers watching me panic in public."
"It's quite nice to be a rich billionaire," she laughed again. My pulse spiked. I guided her to the table near the edge, where candlelight flickered, wine was already poured, and my heart was visibly combusting inside my tailor made suit.
We talked. Mostly she talked and I listened, mesmerised by how she could express her thoughts clearly and logically. Neither of us talked about surgeries nor business, but childhood dreams, favorite songs, the strange comfort of thunderstorms, and how silence could be a kind of healing.
Her eyes sparkled in the low light.
And then, the screen struck again with Notification bar.
[FINAL MoMENT: PROPOSE NOW]
[Touch her hand and say the words, "Will you ne mine?"
[Timer: 60 Seconds]
[Reward: Full Points + Memory Fragment]
[Failure to Act Will Trigger Penalty: KISS A WAITRESS OR RECEIVE BAD NEWS]
That's absurd and out of line, "What kind of discount ultimatum is this?" I hissed mentally.
Pokolo appeared in my head, a psychic communication, wearing a tiny waiter's uniform. "Come on, boss. Just say it. Look at her. She's glowing. You're basically already halfway in love."
"I can't." I looked at Arno across the table. "We don't even have that kind of relationship yet." What of she get angry?
Pokolo groaned. "You soft, honorable dumpling."
I looked down at her hands, then into her eyes—clear, kind, but still guarded.
It's not possible at least not tonight. She just started to open up. What if she misunderstand me and stop talking?
I stood up internally. Not tonight.
[TASK DECLINED]
[System Penalty Activated. Choose One:
Kiss a Waitress
Receive Bad News]
Pokolo gasped dramatically. "Boss! Choose wisely. One path leads to awkward sexual harassment charges. The other to… possibly death or tax audits!"
I gritted my teeth. "If I have to do one… then I'd rather—"
I looked at Arno. She was looking at the skyline.
"I'd rather ask her to be my girlfriend."
[SYSTEM WARNING: Unscripted Dialogue Detected. Recalculating]
I reached across the table. My hand brushed hers.
"Dr. Solace…"
She looked at me, blinking, surprised.
I gathered my last bit of courage before speaking the sentence, "Dr. Solace…" I whispered, barely hearing myself over the quiet pounding of my own pulse.
She turned her gaze from the city lights to me. Eyes wide, curious, hopeful? Or was that just the candlelight tricking me again?
I reached under the table and pulled out the sunflower I had hidden under the linen cloth like a lovesick magician with one tragic trick. It wasn't a ring. But it was a pure soul Like her.
"I'm not proposing," I said quickly, placing the sunflowet in front of her. "I just… want to ask if you'll be my girlfriend."
A moment passed.
Her expression froze. Then—slowly—her smile faded.
"…Girlfriend?" she echoed, but not like she was flattered.
Like the word left a bitter taste on her tongue.
She stood up.
No. No, no, no. Not this. Not this reaction.
"I thought…" she started, her voice brittle now, "I thought you were different Lucien." I thought we could become a good friends.
My gut twisted like a towel being wrung dry.
"Arno...wait. Let me explained."
"Of course it's about feelings again," she snapped softly, folding her arms. "First Auren, now you—"
"I'm not like him."
"Then why are you rushing me? Why now?" Her eyes were glassy. "We barely know each other. I just started breathing properly again, Mr. Moreaux. I was just starting to feel safe."
"I didn't mean to rush," I said, standing up. "I swear, I just—"
"You just couldn't wait," she said, stepping away. "I thought you'd understand. But you're just like all the others. Waiting for your moment to confess like this is some kind of fairytale."
"No...Arno—please, don't go."
"Don't follow me," she said sharply, voice trembling.
And then she left. The stardust dress trailing behind her like the last bit of magic being ripped out of the night.
I didn't move. I couldn't.
The sunflower sat untouched in front of her empty chair. Mocking me.
Pokolo popped up in my mindscape, much quieter this time. "Well… that went down like a sad soufflé."
"Silence."
"I mean… you did try. You were sincere. Like a big Labrador with money."
I clenched my jaw, fingers curling into fists at my side. But I wasn't about to leave her alone in the streets, vulnerable and possibly a target.
Without taking my eyes off the dark glass, I tapped my earpiece.
"Shadowguard-2," I muttered. "Escort Dr. Solace discreetly. Don't let her know, she's being followed. Make sure she gets home safe."
A faint voice crackled back. "Yes, sir."
Then silence returned to the rooftop. I sat down again. Alone now.
A long pause.
The candles flickered.
[SYSTEM UPDATE: MISSION COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY]
[1000 Points Added To Your System Account + Memory Fragment]
[Host Pokolo Leveled Up: CHAOS MODE - LVL 2 UNLOCKED]
[Penalty Averted. Good Job, Player, a Romantic Hopeless]
Pokolo let out a war cry in my brain. "YESSSS. WHO'S THE MAN?! You are! I'm gonna unlock so many host perks I'll be a flaming demigod in no time."
Even though I achieved system task point But I wasn't happy. My macchiato heart was cold. worst of all…
She thought I was like all the others.
And that… that hurt more than the system punishment ever would.
---