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Chapter 2 – “Manipulation”

Mark was sitting in his chair, finishing his work. Four hours later, he was done with his tasks. He then stepped outside, walking through the streets until he reached the nearest bar. Inside, a young woman with black hair and purple eyes, wearing a cute pink dress, was sitting elegantly, adding a delicate charm to the atmosphere.

A few rowdy young men approached her.
“Wow, look at the lady here, sitting alone,” one of them said.
“Are you alone, pretty lady? Want to hang out?” another added, touching her shoulder.

Mark approached silently and, in a chillingly charismatic way, touched the man’s shoulder. He smiled with a sinister charm. The young man immediately recoiled, startled, and quickly left with the others following suit.

Mark then moved to sit beside the young woman. With his devilish, charming, and slightly unsettling flirtation, he said,
“Hmm~”
and in his deep, velvet-like voice:
“Are you alright, beautiful lady?”

The young woman looked at him shyly. Her purple eyes and black hair complemented her pink dress. She had delicate cheekbones and subtle facial features, with thin, elegant lips. She looked away, silent. Mark, curious, asked:
“And your name?”

“Selin,” she replied.

Hearing this, Mark felt a strange familiarity, as if he had met her before. A smile crept onto his face, devilish and intriguing. Raising an eyebrow, he asked with his melodic, velvet tone:
“Hmm~ Interesting, Selin~ Have we met before?”

Selin shook her head and shrugged, her expression curious but cautious.
“No, why do you ask?” she said.

Mark’s smile widened, his voice smooth and slightly teasing:
“Hmm~ Because I feel like we’ve met before. I could swear I remember… seeing us together, somehow…”

Selin froze, blushing deeply. She quickly shook her head and walked away, trying to ignore him. Mark lightly touched her shoulder, saying in his velvet voice:
“Selin.”

Selin turned her eyes toward him, challenging him, her voice sharp and slightly mocking:
“No, we don’t know each other. I don’t know who you are. Sorry, you must have me confused with someone else.” She withdrew her hand and walked away.

Mark stood there, puzzled, a question mark forming in his mind. She seemed familiar, and he felt as if they had shared some experience before. Suddenly, a vision flashed in his mind: Selin was in a corner, and he was approaching her with his extended hands and playful posture.

“Hmm~ how sweet you are~” he whispered.

Selin screamed as the vision faded, leaving Mark momentarily stunned. His eyes widened as if seeing something like a flash of insight. He rubbed his head, frowning in confusion.
“What did I just experience?” he muttered, staring thoughtfully for a moment before composing himself and moving on.

When he opened the door, he noticed Selin turning into a corner. Deciding to follow her, Mark quietly trailed behind.

—To be continued—