Parker grinned wider as Tessa knelt between his legs, her eyes darting up to meet his with a mix of anticipation and hesitation. Her half-hearted protests were weak at best, more like the last gasps of a habit she couldn't quite break.
"Good girl," he murmured, his voice smooth, as his fingers lifted her chin.
His gaze was intense, almost suffocating, and Tessa's breath hitched. "How was your night, Tessa?"
A rare, genuine smile broke across her face—one of those smiles that could light up a room. "It was… so good," she started, then caught herself, her voice softening, "Actually, it was the best night I've had… probably ever."
Parker smirked at her slip, his grip firm but not cruel as he tilted her face just a bit closer. "That's what I like to hear," he said, his tone low.
He leaned back into the couch, watching as she followed, almost unconsciously, like there was an invisible leash tethering her to him.
Her knees pressed into the floor, and for a moment, something flickered in her mind—a memory, maybe—but she dismissed it quickly, cheeks flushing deeper.
"What's your plan for today?" he asked, his question casual, as if they were old friends chatting over coffee instead of what this was.
Tessa hesitated, but then her voice was sure. "I just… want to help you, in any way you prefer, Master."
"Good servant," Parker replied with a grin. The words weren't cruel, but they carried the weight of ownership. "Ever been to a gym?" he asked, his tone shifting to something lighter, almost curious.
"Yes, Master," she stammered, catching herself halfway through. Her cheeks burned brighter, but she pushed through. "I go four times a week."
That actually surprised him. "Huh," he muttered, giving her a once-over. "Guess that explains this body." He wouldn't say it out loud, but she was hot—really hot. Hotter than Vivian Blackwood. Maybe even hotter than Helena, though that was still up for debate.
"Alright," Parker said, standing up abruptly, making Tessa blink. "We're hitting the gym. Your routine. Same as yours."
He wasn't just doing this for fun. Parker wanted to get the best out of his improved physique.
Sure, he was lean, toned, and looked like a walking cheat code, but he knew the truth—all of it was magic, a divine shortcut. What he really lacked was raw, hard-earned strength and those foundational stats.
The system could easily fix that for him, but Parker wasn't about to take the easy way out—not yet, at least. He wanted to feel the burn, the grind, the soreness of building his body the old-fashioned way.
It wasn't just about getting stronger; it was about making sure his body could handle the strain without breaking apart when the stakes got real when he buys stats later.
Right now, he wasn't even fully adjusted to his new self. Adding a bunch of system-bought stats on top of that felt like slapping turbo on a car you didn't know how to drive. 'Disaster waiting to happen,' he thought.
Better to ease into it, step by step.
Then, as if the system was waiting for his resolve, a notification chimed.
[Ding! New Mission Generated.]
Increase your stats by 10.
Rewards: Surprise Reward Host.
Parker raised an eyebrow. 'You understand me too well,' he muttered under his breath. Surprise gift? Sure.
But the system wasn't done.
[Ding! Ultimate Choice Function Activated.]
Option 1: Buy ten stat points from the system to complete the mission.
Reward: 30 additional stats & Limitless Stamina.
Option 2: Naturally increase your stats by 10 points.
Reward: 10 bonus stats & 50% ownership of Divine Fitness Gym.
Option 3: Do nothing and enjoy life.
Reward: Increased libido.]
Parker didn't even glance at the third option. 'Yeah, no thanks,' he scoffed.
The first option was tempting—limitless stamina sounded like a dream—but that 50% gym ownership caught his eye.
'Option 2,' he said firmly.
[Ding! Host will receive ten stats upon mission completion. Host's ownership paperwork is in his car.]
Parker smirked at that. "Perfect."
Tessa, still kneeling, tilted her head, watching him closely. "Is something wrong, Master?" she asked, her voice hesitant.
He shook his head. "Nope. Get ready. We're heading to the gym."
"But…" she started, trailing off as he disappeared into his room.
When he came back out, she was waiting, ready as always.
"Gym clothes?" she asked, looking confused.
"We'll buy some on the way... Maybe?" Parker replied, tossing her the keys.
"Where are we going?" she asked, surprised. She'd assumed they'd use the hotel gym, but his answer was unexpected.
"Divine Fitness," he said, watching her nod in understanding.
Of course. Parker was rich. The hotel gym might be good, but Divine Fitness? It was elite—America's top-ranked gym.
Tessa had no idea, though, that Parker's decision had little to do with its prestige. He'd been planning to use the hotel gym—until the system handed him half the ownership of Divine Fitness.
The gym's HQ wasn't far—he'd seen its billboards all over yesterday. This was as good a time as any to check it out.
As they drove off, Parker leaned back in his seat, a sly smile playing on his lips. The gym might've been the plan, but he had something else in mind before they got there.
Parker, glancing up from his phone, ordered Tessa to drive to the nearest Apple Store.
"You're getting a new phone?" she asked, curiosity edging her tone.
"Not just the phone," Parker replied casually, still scrolling through footage of the golden-haired Captain Sun. "I'm in need for upgrading my MacBook too."
Tessa gave a small nod and skillfully navigated through traffic. She parked smoothly outside a sleek, modern Apple Store. The black car wasn't flashy, but its glossy finish and precision design turned a few heads. Even more so when Tessa stepped out, her poised demeanor and effortless confidence drawing brief attention. She circled to open Parker's door, only to find him glued to his cracked phone screen, still analyzing the superhero footage.
What Parker didn't know, his life was going to change once more the moment he stepped inside.