Chapter 170
“Let’s do something more relaxing. My heart’s been beating fast all day,” Ethan said, his legs wobbling slightly after a busy afternoon of rides.
“Yeah,” Zinnia agreed. “Let’s do something chill now. My heart’s been pounding all day.”
The group sat on a bench, looking pale after the rides. Zinnia’s legs felt like jelly; they had just exited the spinning swing ride.
“You okay?” Lydia asked, steadying Zinnia.
“I’m fine, Lydia. How about you?” Zinnia replied.
Zinnia leaned back, taking deep breaths to calm down. She wasn’t sick, but still felt a little strange after all the rides.
“I’m fine too,” Lydia said, taking a sip of water.
“I think I’m going to throw up,” Ethan groaned, hunching over a trash can and vomiting.
Brian, looking weary, unscrewed a water bottle and handed it to Ethan. “Thanks, man,” Ethan said, rinsing his mouth loudly before drinking.
“I’ll get us some juice,” Maisie said, still energetic after the rides. Her years of military training kept her in top shape. She stretched and joined the drinks line.
Finally, the group slumped onto the bench, sipping juice—completely exhausted after a day of playing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Hey, look! People are wearing cosplay costumes!” Ethan’s eyes lit up as some girls in cosplay walked by. “Come on, let’s try some on! It’d be a shame not to.”
Maisie looked at the others. “The shows don’t start until six. We have plenty of time to change, take photos, and go on some easier rides.”
The cosplay costume area was ahead, already with a long line.
“Oh, yes!” Zinnia exclaimed, her eyes shining. “Come on, let’s all go together!”
With something fun to anticipate, their tiredness vanished. Smiling, they hurried ahead, full of excitement.
Ethan declared, “I want this one! I’ll look super cool in it. And I even have a sword, just like a movie hero!” He’d found his favorite style with a matching sword, quickly practicing a few moves.
“Come on—let’s go pick ours!” Maisie said happily, pulling the girls toward the women’s section.
The women’s area boasted many dresses. Maisie chose a robe, Lydia a school uniform, and Zinnia a bright dress.
After selecting their outfits, the girls changed in the dressing room. Each was assigned a makeup artist to complement their costumes.
“Oh, sweetie, your face is so naturally pretty—you hardly need any makeup. You have big eyes and long lashes,” the makeup artist said, admiring Zinnia. She added, “I’ll just put on a thin layer of primer—your skin is perfect. Then some lipstick and a little eyeshadow, and you’ll be all set. You’re so pretty, Zinnia!”
Zinnia’s cheeks flushed from the compliments, as did the other girls’. Maisie took a quick photo of Zinnia and sent it to the group chat.
The group chat included Raymond, Yvette, James, Henry, and others. As soon as the photo was sent, the chat exploded with compliments.
Sofia and Yvette led the praise, showering Zinnia with nice comments. Isaac and James also joined in, each sending Maisie money for a good time. Henry and Sofia followed suit, trying to outdo James. Meanwhile, Maisie’s phone buzzed with private messages, the first from Yannis.
Yannis: [Where are you? Send more photos—make sure they’re front shots.]
Immediately after, Yannis sent her 200 thousand dollars.
Maisie: [Sure thing, Your Majesty! Zinnia’s still getting her makeup done. I’ll send you a photo once she’s finished.]
Yannis: [Text me when you’re done and I’ll come pick you up. The outfits are paid for, so keep them on. No need to change back.]
Yannis sent another 50 thousand for clothes.
Yannis: [Hey Maisie, can you take a few more photos of Zinnia for me and also shoot a couple of short videos?] He sent her 300 thousand dollars.
Maisie: [Got it!]
Yvette and Isaac continued to request photos. Maisie promised to send them, and after another group photo of Zinnia, their messages subsided.
Zinnia’s phone buzzed constantly with notifications from the group chat. After reading the messages, she blushed.
Her cheeks burning, Zinnia looked at Maisie. Maisie said playfully, “You’re too cute. I couldn’t help myself.” If closer, she would have pinched those rosy cheeks.
Zinnia looked at her buzzing phone—messages from Henry, Yvette, and others arrived, each with a money transfer. Yannis’s message was at the top.
Yannis: [Hey Zinnia, you’re wearing such a pretty dress today! Take a photo for me. I’m waiting.]
Zinnia’s cheeks flushed. Then she saw Jackson’s message.
Jackson: [Zinnia, you look so pretty in that dress. Can you send me a photo?]
Smiling slightly, Zinnia took a close-up selfie from an unflattering angle and sent it to the family chat. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
She rarely took selfies, but seeing Yannis’s excited emoji, she didn’t want to disappoint him. She sent a photo, and Yannis’s enthusiastic reply flooded in. He clearly liked it.
Yannis: [Zinnia, you’re so gorgeous. Send me more photos. I’ll print them out and make a special photo wall just for you.]
Yannis: [Zinnia, tell me when you’re going home tonight. I will come pick you up. Don’t change out of that cute dress. I want to see how pretty you look in it.]
Yannis: [Go buy more cute little dresses for yourself.] He sent her 300 thousand dollars.
While reviewing a video report on his computer, Yannis looked at the photo Zinnia sent. A small smile played on his face as he saved it. He thought, ‘Zinnia’s not a pro at selfies, but her face is gorgeous. She’s smiling at me through the screen, melting my heart.’