"The bet, right, there was such a thing."
Nicole let out a breath of relief.
Dragged around by Sol all afternoon, she had nearly forgotten.
If she won, she didn't have to pay his wages. If she lost, she only had to let him hug her. Luckily, Sol wasn't after anything else.
"Then, how about rock-paper-scissors, winner takes all in one round?"
Sol asked with a smile.
"One round is too intense." Nicole hesitated. "Best of three—I'll give you two chances."
Of course, she was really giving herself more chances. If she lost in just one round, she'd feel way too unwilling.
"No problem. Let's begin."
Sol could sense other people's bioelectric currents, so three rounds or five made no difference.
Nicole nodded and quickly said, "Rock-paper-scissors!"
They both moved at the same time.
In that flash of an instant, Sol sensed the direction of Nicole's bioelectric current—her fingers were spreading open.
So Sol decisively threw scissors.
Sure enough, Nicole played paper. Sol won the first round.
"..."
Nicole began to sweat lightly, relieved that she had set best of three.
She still had another chance.
Nicole looked at Sol and felt he was completely calm, as though he could see through everything.
"Again!"
Nicole grit her teeth, unwilling to believe that Sol could read her mind.
This time, scissors beat paper—Nicole won.
Joy lit her face; she saw the dawn of victory.
But she didn't realize Sol was letting her win, making her eventual loss look more natural.
In the third round, rock beat scissors—Sol had won.
"Two more rounds, best of five!"
Nicole was still unwilling to lose; she wanted to try again.
She felt she had already figured out Sol's tricks. Next time, she was sure to win.
"No, a bet is a bet."
Sol refused without hesitation.
By refusing now, he made Nicole think his win was only by luck—so next time she'd fall for it again.
"Fine, a loss is a loss!" Nicole didn't cheat; she pulled out the stack of Dennies from her wallet and handed them to Sol.
She tried to comfort herself. This money was going to Sol anyway—it was just going back to its rightful owner…
But her heart still ached!
If she had won, that 500,000 Dennies would've been hers!
And as for Sol surviving without wages? Please, like that rich bastard was short on 500,000 Dennies.
"There's still the hug."
Sol didn't even count the money—he stuffed it directly into his pocket.
"You'd better not pull anything funny!"
Nicole glared at Sol first, then carefully stepped in to hug him.
"Relax, it's just a hug."
Sol smiled as he felt Nicole's fiery figure.
"You said that last time too."
Nicole muttered under her breath.
Last time, Sol had said it was just a hug, and ended up stealing her first kiss.
He'd even tricked her by saying there was money on the floor, then suddenly ambushed her…
"Look, a Denny note on the floor—ten thousand!"
Sol exclaimed suddenly, as if he had really seen it.
"Where, where!"
Nicole hurriedly turned her head to look.
Sol's lips curled into a smile as he captured her mouth.
"Mmph!"
He used the same trick again, and Nicole fell for it a second time.
Her eyes widened—she couldn't believe Sol had tricked her with the exact same move twice!
She really was stupid. Really!
Soon, in Sol's embrace and under the deft touch of Lightning-Shadow Hand, Nicole's strength melted away.
She suddenly felt his hand roaming over her and said, "Don't move around!"
"I'm only touching, nothing else."
Sol whispered comfortingly.
Nicole relaxed a little. If it was just that, it wasn't such a big loss.
But then, Sol's hand grew bolder.
"Don't touch my clothes!"
Nicole's voice was anxious.
"I'm just looking, not doing anything."
Sol coaxed her like a child.
And yet, what came next proved unforgettable—Nicole would never forget this truth: 'A man's words are lies. And Sol Mercer is the greatest liar of them all.'
From touching to caressing, almost unconsciously, the two had already ended up on a bed.
"Mmm..."
Nicole tried to speak, but Sol covered her mouth.
He whispered softly in her ear, "It's late. It wouldn't be good to disturb Billy's and Anby's rest."
So, Nicole held back her tears, clenched her teeth, and stayed silent.
What was happening?
How did she lose herself so dizzily?
Two hours later, they leaned against the headboard, whispering quietly to each other.
"Sol, you tricked me!"
Nicole looked at Sol, eyes filled with grievance.
All of this just because of a single month's wages. If she had known, she would've just given them to him directly.
Why did she have to make a bet—only to bet herself away?
He said it was just a hug, but this hug had gone way too far!
"Who told you to be so beautiful? I couldn't help but trick you."
Sol gently smoothed Nicole's messy pink hair, speaking softly.
"Tch, smooth-talker."
Nicole, though secretly happy inside, still pouted in disdain.
But as she thought about it, a pang of sourness welled up.
She knew Sol was a playboy—how many others did he have his eyes on?
She had originally planned to set him straight before talking about love. She hadn't expected him to ambush her first.
Thinking of this, Nicole lifted her head, her bright eyes fixed on Sol. "From now on, you'll only love me."
"We'll be together forever." Sol embraced Nicole and promised gently. "Even if the sky collapses, even if the earth falls. Through storm and peril, I'll never abandon you."
"If I ever stray, let a million volts strike me, let heavenly fire burn my heart and bones!"
Forever together, forever as a family.
"What a vicious oath!"
Nicole was startled by Sol's sudden seriousness, but her heart grew calm.
Looking at the man beside her, her eyes softened with affection.
When it came to vows of love that defied heaven and earth, what woman wouldn't be moved?
"Remember what you said—if you ever betray me, may lightning and fire burn you down!"
Nicole smiled, a trace of delight tugging at her lips.
"Don't worry."
Sol was a little speechless.
In dramas, wasn't it usually the woman who gently covered the man's mouth to stop him from swearing too much? Why was it reversed here?
"Tomorrow, come with me to the orphanage, help me check on the kids."
Nicole leaned against Sol's chest, speaking in a soft, almost spoiled tone.
She had originally planned to go alone, but after tonight, she clearly couldn't.
And part of the reason she had advanced everyone's wages was this—once the wages were paid, the leftover money was hers to use freely.
"OK, no problem."
Sol agreed—it was nothing at all.
"Good. Then you can leave now."
Nicole nodded, giving him a subtle dismissal.
"I want to sleep with you. That way I can take care of you."
Sol looked at her sincerely.
"Shoo." Nicole waved impatiently. "I don't want Anby or Billy knowing about us!"
Just thinking of him made her annoyed—he had already tricked her out of her underwear, and he still wanted to stay the night?
If Anby, Billy, or Nekomata found out, how could she live with herself?
"Alright. Get some rest. Sleeping a little longer won't hurt."
Sol kissed Nicole on the cheek, dressed, and carefully slipped out.
After he left, Nicole frowned slightly and sighed. "What a monster. Doesn't he know how to feel sorry for me? Just pushes and squeezes!"
It had been bearable earlier, but now that she was still, the pain hit—her chest was covered in red marks!
Meanwhile, back in his own room—
From the bed, Baal spoke. "You're back?"
"Mm."
Sol answered honestly.
For some reason, he actually felt guilty, like he had been caught cheating.
"Tch…"
Shaking off the strange thought, Sol climbed into bed, holding Baal as he drifted into sleep.
Today had been truly eventful.
But starting from today, he also had to shoulder responsibility for Nicole.