Chapter 16: Victoria
I turned and started walking again, trying to push the encounter out of my mind. The Red Lips District continued its endless show around me. Moans drifted through the air while exhibitionist ladies kept lifting their skirts and spreading themselves open for anyone interested. Neon signs flashed overhead, painting the streets in shifting shades of red and pink.
I needed to get out of here before something happened.
Or before I did something stupid.
I lowered my head and picked up my pace, following what I hoped was the right direction. Adrian’s memories helped, but not enough to make me feel completely confident. Every street looked slightly different from the last, and after a while the flashing lights all started blending together.
A few minutes later, I felt it.
The uncomfortable feeling that someone was following me.
I glanced over my shoulder and immediately spotted the problem.
Victoria was walking behind me with both hands tucked into her pockets. The moment our eyes met, she smiled and gave me a casual wave.
I stopped.
She stopped too.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Walking," Victoria replied innocently.
"In the same direction as me?"
Victoria looked around dramatically before turning back to me. "Last time I checked, this wasn’t your private road. If it is, I’d like to file a complaint. The maintenance is terrible."
She wasn’t even trying to sound convincing.
I turned around and continued walking.
A minute later, I stopped again.
So did she.
Still smiling.
This was ridiculous.
"Victoria."
"Luca."
"Why are you following me?"
Victoria pressed a hand against her chest. "Following you? That’s a serious accusation. Maybe we’re just two people enjoying a lovely evening walk together."
"We’re not walking together."
"Ouch."
Victoria shook her head dramatically.
"You’re breaking my heart."
"I don’t think you have one."
"See?" She pointed at me. "Now you’re flirting."
I almost tripped.
Victoria laughed immediately.
There it was again. Every sentence that came out of her mouth sounded like she was making fun of something.
Usually me.
She closed the distance between us before I could react and grabbed my hand.
Her fingers were warm.
And surprisingly strong.
"Come on, pretty boy. Don’t be so cold."
I tried pulling away.
She tightened her grip.
"Why aren’t you interested in a beauty like me?" Victoria asked dramatically. "Most boys your age would be drooling by now. Or are you playing hard to get?"
"I’m not—"
Victoria stepped closer, cutting me off.
Way closer.
She cupped one of her breasts with her free hand and deliberately pushed it upward.
"Look at these. Don’t they look soft? Don’t you want to touch?"
Before I could answer, she grabbed my hand and pressed it against her chest.
Warm.
Soft.
Heavy.
For a second, my brain stopped working.
Then I jerked my hand back like I’d touched a hot stove.
Victoria burst out laughing.
"Oh? So shy. How cute."
Her voice dropped lower as she leaned toward me. Her lips stopped beside my ear, her breath brushing lightly against my skin.
"Are you a virgin?" she whispered.
The question hit harder than it should have.
I felt my entire body tense.
"I’m not!"
The words came out far louder than intended.
Several passersby turned to look. A couple of the exhibitionist women nearby even paused long enough to glance in our direction.
Realizing what I’d done, I immediately lowered my voice.
"I’m not a virgin."
Much quieter this time.
Inside my head, I repeated it again.
I’m not a virgin.
I had relationships in my previous life.
I’m not some inexperienced kid.
Victoria pulled back slightly, but the look on her face said she wasn’t buying it.
"Really?" she asked.
The sarcasm was painful.
"You shout it like that and expect me to believe you?"
She shook her head.
"Your face is red, Luca."
"I’m not embarrassed."
"Of course not."
She sounded far too amused.
Before I could argue, she tugged me closer again.
This time she pressed herself fully against me.
"If you’re not a virgin," Victoria said, "then why are you running away from big sister?"
I immediately regretted letting her call herself that.
"I could show you things that you couldn’t even imagine."
I tried stepping back.
She matched the movement effortlessly.
"Or maybe you really are inexperienced."
Her grin widened.
"That’s okay. Everyone starts somewhere."
Her hand brushed lightly against my side.
"I’d even be gentle."
A brief pause.
"At first."
The district continued around us. Music spilled from nearby buildings while moans and laughter drifted through the streets.
"Ahhn~! Yes... haaah...!"
Meanwhile, I was trapped in a conversation that felt increasingly dangerous.
Eventually, I managed to pull my hand free.
"I’m leaving."
Victoria pouted dramatically.
"Already? We were just getting to know each other."
She cupped her breasts again, pushing them together while looking directly at me.
"You sure you don’t want to touch them properly? They’re very soft. And warm."
A mischievous smile appeared.
"I promise I won’t bite."
Another pause.
"Hard."
I turned around immediately.
Behind me, Victoria’s laughter followed.
My heart was beating far faster than it should have been.
Unfortunately, that didn’t stop her from following.
She stayed beside me, matching my pace with ease.
"You’re cute when you’re trying to escape."
I ignored her.
"Most boys either run toward me or away screaming."
Still ignored.
"You’re doing this weird middle thing."
I kept walking.
Victoria leaned closer one last time.
"Still thinking about my question?"
I refused to answer.
"Fine."
She laughed softly.
"Keep your secrets. But if you ever change your mind, Luca... you know where to find me."
A few seconds later, her footsteps finally slowed.
This time she actually stopped.
I didn’t.
After several minutes, I risked looking back.
Victoria was still standing there.
Watching.
When she noticed me looking, she blew a kiss and waved.
I immediately turned forward and walked even faster.
The Red Lips District gradually disappeared behind me. The neon lights faded and the sounds grew distant.
Unfortunately, Victoria didn’t leave my thoughts quite as easily.
By the time I reached the apartment building, my mind was a mess.
I climbed the stairs, unlocked the door, and collapsed onto the sofa.
The envelope of money from Bianca sat on the table.
The new phone rested beside it.
Normal things.
Safe things.
And yet all I could think about was the dangerous woman who had followed me halfway across the district just to tease me.
I rubbed my face with both hands.
This world really was trying to kill me.
One way or another.
A notification appeared.
______
Hidden Exploration Complete
Red Lips District Visit
Reward: +5 Sin Points
Current Sin Points: 15
Warning: New Interest Detected
______
I stared at the message.
Of course the system noticed.
Naturally.
I closed my eyes and tried to sleep.
Tomorrow Noah Walker would arrive.
And after tonight, I had a feeling things were only going to get more complicated.
