My Beauty System: Seducing the Best in My Universe

Evangeline sat in the luxurious limousine that was provided while she waited. She thought about the gown she was currently wearing. The dress was in a gorgeous midnight blue color with a soft velvet material that was smooth against her skin.

The dress showed off her delicate back and perfect legs.

The neckline dipped just enough to tease, and the way the fabric hugged her body left very little to the imagination.

Why do I feel like this is less about a dinner party and more about showing me off?

And then she thought about seeing the vice president and all the influential people that would be there.

She sighed, brushing a stray curl out of her face. She couldn't afford to overthink it now.

A knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Open up baby girl," the deep, accented voice came from the other side. Giovanni.

Evangeline took a deep breath and opened the door.

He leaned lazily against the car, his tall frame was well clad in a meticulously tailored black suit. His white shirt that was stained with droplets of some red liquid was unbuttoned just enough to reveal a sliver of pale skin underneath and part of a dragon tattoo peeked out, daring anyone to imagine what the rest of it looked like.

Wait… his shirt was stained with blood! Evangeline did not dare to ask him about what he was doing before he came here… she was scared of what his answer would be.

His dark hair was effortlessly tousled, like he'd just run his fingers through it and somehow made it look even more perfect. His sharp jawline could probably cut glass, and his lips—full, pink and scrumptious.

His expression said he he knew exactly what he was doing to her. His smirk deepened as his head tilted slightly as if to say, Yeah, I know you're looking. I'm looking, too.

She clenched her fists at her sides, forcing herself to look away, but it was too late. Her treacherous brain was already running wild with thoughts that could actually make a nun faint.

What the hell is wrong with me? she thought, nearly slapping herself. He's a fucking murderer! He's insane! He just killed people right in front of you.

But her body didn't care what he was or what he did. Her heart was racing, her skin buzzing from his attention, and the heat in his gaze sent shivers down her spine.

"Shall we?" his voice was just the perfect amount of sinful.

The second Giovanni settled into the seat beside her, the atmosphere in the limo shifted. The space felt smaller and suffocating.

He turned his head from the window to look at her.

"You know, fiore, if you keep looking at me like that, I'm going to start thinking you want me to ruin you."

Evangeline's brain stopped functioning.

Her mouth opened, but no sound came out. Her entire body felt like it was on fire, her thoughts went a thousand directions at once.

Did he just—?

She blinked, her face heating to a degree she didn't think was humanly possible. "W-what?" she finally stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Giovanni chuckled, a low and deep sound that reverberated through the space. "Don't look so innocent when you were staring like you wanted to eat me alive."

Evangeline's jaw dropped. She couldn't believe the audacity— the sheer nerve of this murderous man.

"I wasn't— I didn't—" she sputtered, struggling to form a coherent string of words.

"Relax," he said, his smirk widening as his fingers toyed with the cuff of his shirt. "I don't mind. I like it when pretty girls have bad ideas."

Evangeline nearly choked on air. She wanted to scream at him, to tell him to shut the hell up, but all that came out was a squeaky, "You're insane."

"Definitely," Giovanni murmured, leaning closer. "But you're still sitting here, aren't you?"

Evangeline's hands curled into fists in her lap, her nails digging into her palms. She glared at him, finally finding some semblance of courage.

"Maybe because I don't have a choice," she shot back, her voice sharper now.

Giovanni tilted his head, his smirk softening into something almost unreadable. "Oh, you always have a choice, fiore. You just don't like the consequences."

And just like that, he leaned back, casually pulling out his phone as if the entire conversation hadn't just rewired her brain chemistry.

Evangeline stared at him, her mind spinning, her pulse pounding in her ears. She hated how he could get under her skin so easily, hated the way her body responded to him despite everything she knew about him.

Get a grip, Evangeline, she told herself. He's too dangerous, and you're not here to fall for him. Focus.

Still she couldn't help the tiny voice in her head whispering, God, he's hot.

When they got to their destination, she got down from the car and moved beside Giovanni.

"Where is this?" she asked as she followed him down the hallway, looking at the fancy artifacts and expensive paintings along the way.

"The president's residence," Giovanni replied without looking back.

How wonderful.

When they arrived at the grand hall, Evangeline felt like she'd stepped into a completely different world. The room was massive, its high ceilings and grand chandeliers practically dripping with wealth and power. Men in suits and women in the most dazzling gowns filled the room, their laughter and chatter mixing with the soft music from musicians.

Giovanni moved through the crowd like he owned the place, his hand resting lightly on the small of Evangeline's back. She could feel his heat and it made her hyperaware of every step she took.

She barely had time to take it all in before her system pinged.

The red scepter gemstone is somewhere in this building. Figure it out.

Evangeline stiffened, Great.

Another notification popped up.

Temporary Skill Activated: Charm.

Oh not again, she lamented even when she knew she would need the skill.

"Relax," Giovanni murmured, his lips dangerously close to her ear. "You're making me nervous."

She forced a smile through the stress that filled her body. "I highly doubt that is possible, but I'm fine."

His eyes flicked to hers, and she could tell he didn't believe her. But he didn't push it.

Evangeline felt like a total outcast while Giovanni spoke with all these influential people that lived in a whole different world from her.

She wondered if they knew he was the boss of The blue devil conglomerate.

Oh who was she kidding? They definitely knew. People like him werr needed in this influential world to do their dirty work.

About an hour into the party, Evangeline decided it was time to do something.

"Giovanni," she said softly, her fingers brushing his arm. He turned to her, his gaze sharp and questioning.

"Come with me, I want to show you something," she said, her voice was low and inviting.

His lips tilted into a smirk, but he didn't argue. He guided her through the crowd and out onto a quiet balcony overlooking the city.

The cool night air brushed against her skin, calming her nerves slightly. But she didn't have time to waste.

She moved closer to him and understanding filled his eyes as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him until her chest was pressed against him.

And then she wrapped her arms around his neck and his skin was hot against hers.

Charm activated

"Is this what you want?" Giovanni asked as though he was scared of hurting her or doing something she wouldn't like.

Oh don't worry dearest, we would never get that far.

Instead of responding, she stood on her tip toes and whispered into his ear.

"I want you," she started in a soft whisper, "to show me the red scepter gemstone."

For a moment, Giovanni didn't respond. He just stared at her, his head tilted slightly, hs lips were pressed into a thin dangerous line.

Whats happening? Why isnt he taking me to see the gemstone.

"Fiore," he said finally, his tone amused. "What do you need that old rock for?"

Evangeline's breath caught.

Why isn't it working?

Panic surged through her veins as Giovanni's smirk deepened, his hand reaching up to gently brush a stray curl from her face.

Was he immune?