Chapter 265: A New Femme Fatale Appears (2)
"You're here! Come on in—I've prepared tea for you in the sunroom," the woman said, leading the way with graceful steps.
Sistine felt her hand being squeezed gently.
She looked up to see Shia's calm and reassuring gaze, radiating a sense of steady confidence.
In that instant, her nerves eased considerably, and her smile became more genuine.
As the three settled on the sofa in the sunroom, Sistine began introducing them to each other.
"Eileen, this is my... boyfriend, Shia."
She turned to look at Shia with a slight blush before gesturing toward the other woman.
"And this is my best friend, Eileen."
"Hello, Senior Eileen."
Eileen's gaze landed on Shia. Her stunningly beautiful face and gentle eyes had a way of making the person she looked at feel uniquely cherished, as if their heart could skip a beat.
"I've always been curious about the man who managed to win my dear Sistine's heart. Now that I've met you, you certainly live up to the reputation."
As she spoke, she took a seat beside Shia and gracefully poured tea for him.
"Sistine mentioned you like black tea. My skills are humble, so forgive me if it's not perfect."
A soft and alluring fragrance accompanied the tea's aroma, drifting into Shia's nose.
As he reached out to accept the cup, his fingers unintentionally brushed against hers. Her skin felt like smooth porcelain, impossibly soft, and delicate as if it had no bones.
"I've heard Sistine talk about you often," Shia said, his voice calm and warm. His demeanor was casual and elegant, yet exuded an innate nobility.
He blew on the tea lightly and took a sip.
The taste was lightly bitter, yet it had a gentle aftertaste that lingered.
Her tea-making skills were indeed remarkable.
"Is that so?"
Eileen feigned surprise, covering her lips with her hand as a subtle smile played on her face. Her eyes sparkled with quiet amusement.
"I must thank you for not minding our little Sistine."
Sistine, seated on Shia's other side, froze at those words, her face growing visibly red.
She had a feeling that what came next wouldn't be good.
"Ileen~!" Sistine's voice carried a hint of embarrassed annoyance.
Eileen glanced at her, smiling mischievously, but didn't stop.
"Our Sistine here is too much of a loner. Apart from me, she doesn't have any other friends.
"So I've always been worried about her.
"When I first heard she liked someone, I was worried she might get fooled.
"After all, beneath her aloof and cold exterior, she's just a silly girl."
She turned to Shia with a teasing smile.
"Thanks for putting up with her. You'll have to treat her well from now on, okay? Otherwise, as her best friend, I won't let you off~."
Her tone was playful, but her words carried a veneer of affectionate threat, like a best friend who knew Sistine inside and out.
"Don't worry, I will."
Shia lowered his eyes slightly, hiding the faint smirk tugging at his lips.
The way she seemed to genuinely care while slyly exposing Sistine's secrets... She truly was an expert in "PUA arts."
Sistine, now red with embarrassment, clenched her hands nervously in her lap.
Eileen, why do you have to say these things in front of him?
Is this really okay?
Unable to bear it, she stomped her foot lightly.
"Why are you like this~!"
"Oh my, is our Sistine shy now?"
Sistine abruptly got up, circled past Shia, and sat down beside Eileen. Without hesitation, she reached out to tickle her.
"Alright, shut up already!"
Eileen leaned back, dodging her "attacks," laughing as the two began playfully tussling.
The sight of two golden-haired beauties, one cool and one warm, playfully entangled was like a scene from a dream.
In an effort to evade Sistine's tickling, Eileen backed up too much and ended up falling straight into Shia's lap.
Her soft and warm body filled his embrace, her scent as gentle as sunlight, tugging at his heartstrings.
For a moment, she seemed oblivious to the proximity, but when she realized, a faint blush crept across her cheeks. The shy, youthful charm made her look even more stunning.
She quickly grabbed Sistine's hands and stood up, her soft hands pressing against Shia's chest as she steadied herself.
Under the table, her lace-clad foot accidentally stepped on Shia's.
Her small, delicate foot—wrapped in silky stockings with subtle floral patterns—barely applied any weight, but the sensation was enough to tickle his nerves.
The touch seemed unintentional, as she quickly withdrew and gave him an apologetic glance.
"I'm so sorry about that earlier."
But she immediately turned to scold Sistine with a pout.
"It's all your fault!"
Her playful tone was tinged with mock anger, making her seem adorably fierce rather than threatening.
Shia chuckled and shook his head.
"It's nothing."
Eileen straightened up and leaned over to pour Sistine some tea.
"This is the black tea I specially prepared for you two. Have a taste?"
As she bent forward, gravity worked its magic, and the neckline of her dress shifted slightly.
From Shia's vantage point, the perfect curves of her chest were impossible to ignore. The slender arc of her waist and the elegance of her posture only added to the allure.
When she finished pouring, she handed the cup to Sistine with a serene smile, her face as calm and graceful as ever.
"Here, try it and calm down, okay?"
Despite her earlier embarrassment, Sistine couldn't stay mad at Eileen after seeing her so sincerely apologetic. She rolled her eyes playfully, accepting the tea.