Chapter 18 - 17: Flirting With Fate
The faint breeze off the lake carried the last traces of the night’s cold, brushing against Franz’s bare skin. The woman beside him—soaked, disheveled, and still visibly shaken—managed to gather her composure just enough to glance at him. Despite the tremble in her hands, a weak smile tugged at her lips.
"Flirting with a half-dead lady?" Victoria’s voice was hoarse, her usual elegance cracked under the weight of exhaustion. "You’re something else."
Franz leaned back, elbows resting on his knees, posture perfectly at ease despite the situation. "What can I say?" He shrugged, damp hair falling slightly into his eyes. "I’ve got a talent for making the best out of the worst situations."
For a moment, silence stretched between them, broken only by the gentle ripple of the lake and the faint rustle of leaves. The city lights shimmered on the water, reflecting back two figures who shouldn’t have crossed paths — yet here they were.
Franz’s eyes flicked toward her again, a lazy smirk tugging at his lips. "So... are you single?"
[Host, what the actual fuck?!]
The Quiet Life System’s voice cut through his mind, loud and incredulous.
[She almost drowned. There’s a high probability she was trying to kill herself, and you’re out here fishing for her relationship status?]
Franz responded mentally, tone dry. "You’re getting pretty bold these days. And what can I say? She’s cute, hot—exactly my type. Gotta check before I invest any of my precious feelings."