I Can Use Filthy Game Currency In The Real World
Chapter 45: Stepping Outside

Chapter 45: Stepping Outside

Hailey stood near the café, holding a coffee in her hands, waiting for me. The faint hum of chatter and the clinking of cups spilled out from the open door behind her.

She leaned casually against the wall, her hair catching the sunlight, a small paper bag dangling from her wrist.

"Sorry," I said, catching my breath. "I’m late, aren’t I?"

The street was busy with people walking by, their footsteps tapping against the pavement. A cool breeze swept through, tugging at the edges of my jacket. I’d rushed over, worried she’d been standing there too long.

"No way," she replied with a gentle smile. "You’re fine. Here—this is for you. You always drink lattes, right? It’s warm."

She handed me the cup, her fingers brushing mine for a split second. The coffee’s heat seeped through the paper, warming my hands. The faint smell of vanilla and roasted beans drifted up, comforting and familiar.

"Oh..." I blinked, surprised.

Hailey knew my taste—something I hadn’t even realized she’d picked up on. It was sweet, almost too sweet, like a quiet gesture that caught me off guard.

My mind flickered back to just moments ago, when I’d been staring at her naked photos on Derek’s phone.

Now here she was, right in front of me, and I couldn’t help but feel tempted to sneak a glance at her shirt, imagining what hid beneath.

’They look bigger than they did in the pictures,’ I thought, my eyes lingering for a heartbeat too long.

She was chatting away, oblivious, her lips curving into an easy smile. The same woman who was laughing casually now—the one who’d posed in all those wild, shameless ways for the camera. It was hard to wrap my head around it.

"So, what’s up?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

Her voice was light, curious. She took a sip of her own coffee, steam curling up around her face. The café’s outdoor sign creaked faintly in the wind, and a few leaves skittered across the ground nearby.

"Uh... want to step outside for a bit?" I suggested, shifting my weight.

"Sure, sounds good!" she chirped, her eyes brightening.

We slipped away from the café naturally, stepping out into the fresh air. Right next to the building was a small park—nothing fancy, just a patch of grass with a few benches and a winding path.

It was perfect for wandering and talking, the faint rustle of leaves overhead mixing with the distant hum of traffic.

I led the way, aiming for a quieter spot where fewer people lingered. My footsteps crunched softly on the gravel path as I walked, hands stuffed in my pockets.

I knew what kind of person Hailey was now, but getting her to drop her polite, social mask and show her real self—that was the tricky part. It mattered more than I could say.

My thoughts drifted to Linda.

’She always popped up to help the second I felt lost,’ I mused.

Linda used to snap pictures of herself—her body, her curves—and post them online, just to see how people reacted.

It was her way of blowing off steam, letting the world’s attention wash over her like a wave. And maybe, just maybe, Hailey was cut from the same cloth.

I wasn’t sure if Hailey had gone as far as posting stuff online for strangers to gawk at, but I knew she liked being filmed. The way she’d laughed in that video, begging for more shots—it was burned into my brain.

"Alex, why’re we here?" Hailey asked, her tone dipping a little.

She sounded slightly annoyed, maybe frustrated. Her brows furrowed just enough to show it. She’d probably been thrown off when I suggested leaving the café, especially since I’d been late and hadn’t said much when I showed up. Her coffee cup dangled loosely in her hand now, steam still curling faintly from the lid.

"Something’s bothering me," I admitted, keeping my voice steady.

"Oh... okay," she said softly, nodding.

Her reply was gentle, almost cautious. She locked eyes with me, urging me to go on without saying it out loud.

The park around us was quiet now, no kids running around, no dogs barking, just the two of us and the soft sway of branches overhead.

Hey there, teach, I thought, smirking inwardly.

I didn’t know where to start, so I just let whatever came to mind spill out. My heart thudded a little faster, but I pushed through it.

"Hailey, you’ve been with your boyfriend for a long time, right?" I asked, watching her closely.

"Uh... yeah?" she replied, hesitating. "Seven years? Maybe eight dont know the exact one?"

She scrunched her nose, trying to count it out. The sunlight filtered through the trees, dappling her face with little spots of gold. Her jacket rustled as she shifted, one hand brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"So, do you still like him the way you did when you first met?" I pressed, keeping my tone even.

"...What?" she blinked, caught off guard.

Her eyebrows shot up, and she stared at me like I’d just asked something totally random. The confusion on her face was cute—almost too cute. I stayed quiet, holding her gaze without flinching. The more she reacted like this, the bolder I’d have to get.

’When her eyes look this innocent, it’s almost...’

Maybe it was because I’d seen that video earlier, but every time I looked at her now, my mind conjured up steamy scenes.

Her wide, clear eyes, her soft lips—it all clashed with the wild Hailey I knew existed underneath.

She tilted her head again, then answered seriously, "Well... it’s not as intense as when we first met, but it’s still good, you know? Even if we don’t see each other as much anymore."

Her voice was calm, thoughtful. She kicked at a pebble on the path, sending it skittering a few feet away. The wind picked up for a second, tugging at her scarf, and she pulled it tighter around her neck.

"Hm," I hummed, nodding once.