Chapter 07

Gia's POV

"System," I said slowly, "once someone's affection goes past sixty, can I still get more mystery boxes?"

*Affirmative. When a target's affection reaches 80 points, Host will receive one additional Mystery Box draw.*

I sat down on the edge of my new white sofa and smiled.

"Now that," I said, "is a sweet deal."

I looked down at my slim legs crossed in front of me. The sky-blue dress. My reflection in the dark TV screen.

Enzo might be a liar. But his sixty points had given me this body.

"Fine," I said, picking up my phone. "Since you basically handed me a whole new body, I guess I can toss you a few coins."

I texted the new number.

*Go live. Now.*

Less than a minute later, a notification popped up. *Enzo_Official is live!*

I laughed. "Fast. Very fast."

I opened the stream. Enzo was sitting in front of his ring light with his hair freshly styled and a black shirt open at the collar. He'd clearly gotten ready in a hurry. One sleeve was still half rolled.

"Hey, everyone!" he said brightly, then looked straight into the camera. "And a special hello to someone very special."

I rolled my eyes and opened the gift menu.

*Three hundred dollars,* I decided. *Not a cent more. He doesn't deserve it.*

I sent twenty shooting stars.

Streaks of silver light flew across his screen one after another.

"Whoa!" Enzo jumped up. "Twenty shooting stars, straight out the gate! Honeybee, I knew I could count on you!"

*Ding! Cashback received: $300.*

I smiled. "Now earn it. Sing something."

He grabbed his mic and started a fast, bouncy rap song, bobbing his head and pointing at the camera every few lines. His fans flooded the chat with fire emojis.

I leaned back on the sofa, sipping cold orange juice, and watched him perform for me like a puppet on a string.

Halfway through his second verse, a pink username slid onto the screen.

*BellaBaby_VIP has entered the stream.*

Enzo's smile cracked for half a second.

"Well, well," Bella's voice came through his speakers, sharp as glass. "No wonder you've been ignoring my calls. You're back with *her*? Is she seriously more important than me?"

I groaned into my juice. "Her again. What a mood killer."

"Enzo, didn't you tell me you were busy today?" Bella went on. "Too busy to see me? And now you're streaming behind my back?"

Enzo rubbed his forehead. His mic picked up a tired sigh. I could almost hear him thinking how much he wanted her gone.

"Bella," he said carefully, "I only went live today to hang out with Honeybee."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So *now* you know how to keep me company."

Bella laughed, high and mean. "Oh, please. It's all about the gifts, isn't it? What does it matter who you stream with? Just kick her out. Right now."

"Bella, please don't start a scene."

"Who's starting a scene?" Her voice rose. "Are you kicking her or not? Because if you don't, you will never get another gift from me. Never."

The chat went crazy.

*Drama!!*

*Bella vs Honeybee round 2*

*Who's he gonna pick lol*

Enzo looked at the camera. Then at his side screen, where Bella's name glowed pink. He bit his lip. He didn't move.

I watched him squirm and felt nothing. No hurt. No panic. Just a quiet, cold kind of calm.

A few days ago, Bella's words had made me empty my whole savings account. A few days ago, I'd been the girl shaking in her bed, scared of losing a man who called her a wallet.

I wasn't that girl now.

I sat up straight and pulled the phone closer.

"Stop dragging your feet," I said into my mic. My voice came out smooth and steady. "Hurry up and decide."

Enzo's eyes widened.

"Isn't that how it works here?" I went on, smiling. "Highest bidder wins. So let's play, Bella. Every gift you send, I'll send five."

The chat exploded.

Bella went silent for one long second.

Then she shrieked, "Enzo, kick her out—"