The aroma of beef broth and fresh herbs filled the air as Ethan and Linh sat inside a cozy pho restaurant. The soft hum of chatter surrounded them, but for the first time, Ethan wasn't focused on his surroundings—he was focused on Linh.
He had never really looked at her before. Sure, he had noticed she was pretty, but tonight was different. The way the warm light reflected off her skin, the way her hair framed her face, the effortless confidence in her posture—she was stunning. Beautiful. Sexy.
Linh caught him staring. "What are you looking at?"
Ethan smiled. "Just how charming you are."
A rare blush crept onto her cheeks. She quickly reached into her pocket and slid something across the table. "Here. It's yours."
Ethan picked up the object—a key. "What's this?"
"Your new home."
He blinked. "Ain't no way you're giving me real estate."
"Yes way," she said casually, sipping her soup.
Twenty-five minutes later, they pulled up to a sleek, modern house.
Ethan stared in disbelief. "This is your house?"
Linh snorted. "No, I don't wanna live with you, psycho."
Ethan laughed. "Fair enough."
Linh led him to the driveway and pointed. "Here's your car."
Ethan turned—and his jaw nearly hit the ground. A brand-new Audi sports car gleamed under the streetlights.
He ran a hand over the hood, still struggling to process everything. "What the hell is today?"
Linh smirked. "Go check out your place. I gotta go."
Ethan turned to her, feeling a rare warmth in his chest. "Thanks, Linh. For everything."
She waved it off. "It's not from me. The Council gifted it to you."
She flashed him a teasing smile, then hopped into her own car and drove off.
That night, Ethan lay in his new bed, surrounded by the quiet comfort of his new home. For the first time in a long while, he felt… safe. Content.
Within minutes, he was fast asleep.