Harem Investment System: Getting Money And Women-Chapter 182: Into The Car

After a few minutes of zoning out, the sound of a door creaking open caught his attention.

Riley stepped out of her room, now looking freshened up.

She had traded her dusty work clothes for a pair of dark jeans and a simple off-shoulder sweater.

Her damp black hair framed her face, and her usual confident smirk was replaced with something softer.

Ethan sat up, setting his glass down on the coffee table.

"That was fast," he remarked, lifting an eyebrow.

She shrugged, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Told you it wouldn't take long."

As they stepped out of her apartment, the last traces of sunset painted the sky in soft shades of pink and lavender.

The cool evening air was a welcome change from the heat of the day, and Riley took a deep breath, feeling a little more refreshed after changing into a simple but elegant dark dress.

She'd brushed her hair and reapplied a hint of lipstick, suddenly more self-conscious than she wanted to admit.

Ethan's Porsche was parked at the curb, its sleek black surface glistening slightly under the city lights.

As she approached the car, he swiftly stepped forward to open the door for her.

"Such a gentleman," she teased, a slight smirk playing on her lips.

He smirked back, "Don't get used to it."

She chuckled as she slipped inside, and he shut the door behind her before walking around to his side and getting in.

The low hum of the engine filled the air as he started the car, and for a moment, they sat there, the city lights reflecting off the windshield.

"So, where to?" Ethan finally asked, adjusting his seatbelt.

Riley pursed her lips, thinking. "I know a good place. It's a bit fancy, but I think you'll like it."

Ethan gave her a skeptical look. "As long as it's not one of those places where they serve you a tiny leaf on a giant plate and call it fine dining."

Riley laughed, shaking her head. "No, no. I promise, it's actual food. Not just decoration."

Ethan smirked and put the car into drive. "Alright, you lead the way."

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The drive through the city was smoother at night, with the usual traffic of the day replaced by a more relaxed flow.

Riley seemed comfortable in his car, her fingers tapping lightly against the dashboard in rhythm with the soft music playing through the speakers.

Every now and then, she glanced at Ethan from the corner of her eye, taking in how he navigated the roads with ease.

He had an air of confidence about him that she both admired and found slightly intimidating.

"Here," she suddenly said, pointing to a building on the corner. "This is the place."

Ethan smoothly pulled into the restaurant's parking area and turned off the engine.

He looked up at the establishment — it was an upscale place, one that he had heard of but never had the time nor the interest to visit.

He couldn't visit everywhere in the damn city after all.

It was a cozy, high-end restaurant, dimly lit with warm lights glowing from within.

The large windows revealed white tablecloths, polished wine glasses, and an interior designed for quiet, intimate conversations.

"You sure you're okay with eating here?" Riley asked hesitantly, watching his reaction.

He turned to her with a slight smirk. "You're the one who chose it. Don't second-guess yourself now."

With that, he exited the car and came around to open her door, offering a hand to help her out.

She looked down at her outfit and hesitated.

"We should've gone somewhere casual," she muttered, "I don't just feel right…"

"You look fine," Ethan said, shutting the car door behind her. "Besides, do you think these people have ever had to do a day's work outside? You're the only real one here."

Riley snorted, a small smile forming on her lips. "Right, because you're any better?"

"Hey," Ethan smirked. "I did my fair share of work today too."

He rubbed his palms together, showing them to her. "Look, calluses. That's evidence."

She snorted. "You lifted, like, three things. I was in the trenches."

"Three very heavy things," he shot back playfully.

She rolled her eyes but was clearly amused.

As they stepped into the restaurant, the decor screamed luxury — soft candlelight, chandeliers casting golden hues on polished wood, and a low hum of classical music in the background.

Ethan had taken her to a place far above her usual pay grade, and she glanced around, suddenly feeling a bit out of place.

Riley bit her lip, still feeling self-conscious as they took their seats at the table. She didn't look as beautiful as the rich women on the other tables.

She picked up the menu and nearly gasped at the prices.

"You sure this place isn't too much? We could've just gone to that little diner two streets down," she said, glancing over at him.

Ethan shrugged. "You're the one that chose here, might as well enjoy a proper meal. Besides, I needed a reward for all the heavy lifting."

Riley laughed. "Yeah, three boxes and a bag of cement. So impressive."

"I was pacing around the whole day too," Ethan pointed out, setting down his menu. "That takes energy."

She rolled her eyes playfully before placing her order.

It was a simple meal — something she'd never had before but had always been curious to try.

After they ordered, they fell into easy conversation.

Ethan didn't press her about her distraction from earlier, but Riley still felt the need to explain.

"I was just thinking about yesterday," she admitted. "I… I wasn't exactly looking my best when I asked you out, was I?"

Ethan's lips twitched upward. "You looked fine."

Riley gave him a flat stare. "Ethan, I had mud all over me. My hair was a mess. I looked like I just lost a wrestling match with the ground."

He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "And yet, you still managed to be cute."