Chapter 170
โLetโs do something more relaxing. My heartโs been beating fast all day,โ Ethan said, his legs wobbling slightly after a busy afternoon of rides.
โYeah,โ Zinnia agreed. โLetโs do something chill now. My heartโs been pounding all day.โ
The group sat on a bench, looking pale after the rides. Zinniaโs legs felt like jelly; they had just exited the spinning swing ride.
โYou okay?โ Lydia asked, steadying Zinnia.
โIโm fine, Lydia. How about you?โ Zinnia replied.
Zinnia leaned back, taking deep breaths to calm down. She wasnโt sick, but still felt a little strange after all the rides.
โIโm fine too,โ Lydia said, taking a sip of water.
โI think Iโm going to throw up,โ Ethan groaned, hunching over a trash can and vomiting.
Brian, looking weary, unscrewed a water bottle and handed it to Ethan. โThanks, man,โ Ethan said, rinsing his mouth loudly before drinking.
โIโll get us some juice,โ 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 juiceโcompletely exhausted after a day of playing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
โHey, look! People are wearing cosplay costumes!โ Ethanโs eyes lit up as some girls in cosplay walked by. โCome on, letโs try some on! Itโd be a shame not to.โ
Maisie looked at the others. โThe shows donโt start until six. We have plenty of time to change, take photos, and go on some easier rides.โ
The cosplay costume area was ahead, already with a long line.
โOh, yes!โ Zinnia exclaimed, her eyes shining. โCome on, letโs all go together!โ
With something fun to anticipate, their tiredness vanished. Smiling, they hurried ahead, full of excitement.
Ethan declared, โI want this one! Iโll look super cool in it. And I even have a sword, just like a movie hero!โ Heโd found his favorite style with a matching sword, quickly practicing a few moves.
โCome onโletโs go pick ours!โ Maisie said happily, pulling the girls toward the womenโs section.
The womenโs 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.
โOh, sweetie, your face is so naturally prettyโyou hardly need any makeup. You have big eyes and long lashes,โ the makeup artist said, admiring Zinnia. She added, โIโll just put on a thin layer of primerโyour skin is perfect. Then some lipstick and a little eyeshadow, and youโll be all set. Youโre so pretty, Zinnia!โ
Zinniaโs cheeks flushed from the compliments, as did the other girlsโ. 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, Maisieโs phone buzzed with private messages, the first from Yannis.
Yannis: [Where are you? Send more photosโmake sure theyโre front shots.]
Immediately after, Yannis sent her 200 thousand dollars.
Maisie: [Sure thing, Your Majesty! Zinniaโs still getting her makeup done. Iโll send you a photo once sheโs finished.]
Yannis: [Text me when youโre done and Iโll 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.
Zinniaโs 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, โYouโre too cute. I couldnโt help myself.โ If closer, she would have pinched those rosy cheeks.
Zinnia looked at her buzzing phoneโmessages from Henry, Yvette, and others arrived, each with a money transfer. Yannisโs message was at the top.
Yannis: [Hey Zinnia, youโre wearing such a pretty dress today! Take a photo for me. Iโm waiting.]
Zinniaโs cheeks flushed. Then she saw Jacksonโs 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 Yannisโs excited emoji, she didnโt want to disappoint him. She sent a photo, and Yannisโs enthusiastic reply flooded in. He clearly liked it.
Yannis: [Zinnia, youโre so gorgeous. Send me more photos. Iโll print them out and make a special photo wall just for you.]
Yannis: [Zinnia, tell me when youโre going home tonight. I will come pick you up. Donโt 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, โZinniaโs not a pro at selfies, but her face is gorgeous. Sheโs smiling at me through the screen, melting my heart.โ