Russian Roulette

Monday.

Vi glances up at the tiny elevator screen that indicated which floor the lift was on, it was currently on the 7th floor. After a few seconds, the elevator finally stops on her level with a ding. The elevator door slowly opens, revealing someone inside.

Vi didn’t know what to expect today to be honest. But she certainly didn’t expect someone inside an elevator, flipping her off.

“Shit- sorry!” Vi watches as the woman stops flipping her off, scrambling to press the ‘stop recording’ button on her phone, clearing her throat.

Midnight blue hair, refined nose, thin lips, defined jawline, eyebrows that furrowed together, and cerulean blue eyes that stared back at her. Vi raises her eyebrows at the woman.

“S-Sorry.” She whispers. Vi just ignores the girl, entering the elevator to stand slightly in front of her. There’s no need to argue with the woman, it was obvious that she didn’t mean it.

Vi hid a smile from the woman behind her. Who randomly flips someone off from an elevator? Vi smiled again as she stared at the ground. The faint elevator music was the only sound she could hear. She found the woman odd, but quite adorable because of the way she was so flustered when Vi saw her.

The elevator stops on the ground floor with a ding, making Vi adjust the backpack that was flung over her shoulder, securing it with her hand. She immediately gets off the elevator once the doors open, not bothering to glance back at the woman who flipped her off. She was in a rush anyway.

Vi took her usual route to campus. But before anything, she would make a stop first. She stops at a nearby alleyway, crouching down as she takes a container from her backpack. She opens it before setting it down. After a few seconds, a kitten comes into view, making Vi smile.

“Hey little guy!” She says as the kitten greets her with a small meow. A few more kittens got out from behind the trashcan they were hiding in. Vi chuckles softly as she looks at them. “Hi!” She watches as the kittens eat the meal she has prepared for them. A few more seconds later, Vi felt soft fur rubbing against her palm, she immediately smiled upon seeing the adult cat. “Hi, Lily!” She says softly as she scratches the cat behind her ears. Lily purrs against Vi’s hand before proceeding to eat with her children.

Once they were done, Vi gathered the container, closing it with a lid before putting it in her backpack. She smiles as she pets the kittens one by one. A few purred against her hand, while the others clawed at her shoes, making her laugh.

“I met someone weird today.” The kitten who clawed at her shoe looked at her, tilting his head. “She flipped me off in an elevator.” She says while chuckling. The kitten didn’t seem to care as he continued to claw at Vi’s shoe. “Anyways, I have to go now. See you guys tomorrow.” She says with a soft voice as she pets the cats one more time.

She stood up with a smile, flinging her backpack over her shoulder as she waves at the kittens who looked like they wanted to follow her but were stopped by their mother who picked them up one by one, hiding them back behind the trash can. Vi lets out a small laugh before walking away.

• ✦ •  •  •

Tuesday.

Vi waits for the elevator to arrive on her floor. It was, again, on the 7th floor. A few seconds later, it stops on her floor with a ding. She stares at the door as it slowly opens. And just like yesterday, she was getting flipped off. Seriously, what did Vi do to ever receive such treatment?

The woman looked shocked to see Vi as she fumbled with her phone, making it fall to the ground.

“Sorry- sorry!” The woman scrambles to pick up her phone. Vi smiles, but she returns her poker face when the woman makes eye contact with her. Just like yesterday, Vi wordlessly enters the elevator.

Vi smiled once she turned her back on the woman who’s flipped her off twice now. She stares at the ground, not able to wipe the smile off of her face. Seriously, who randomly flips someone off from an elevator twice? Vi wanted to laugh, but she forced it away.

The elevator reaches the ground floor with a ding! And just like yesterday, Vi wordlessly exits the elevator without glancing back at the woman. Again, she was in a rush to give the cats their meal. She prepared something even more delicious and healthy for them today. She's excited to see the cute cats gobble up the food she cooked for them.

•  •  •  • ✦

Wednesday.

Vi loved Wednesdays. She had lots of free time since they had no classes during Wednesdays. She usually wakes up early in the morning to go for a jog every time she doesn’t have any classes. Today, she cooked a meal for the cats, their meal would always be early when she doesn’t have any classes.

After feeding the cats and finishing her morning jog, she went back to her apartment. The lobby was quiet, she greets a few staff members as she gets in. Rounding a corner, she bumps into someone, making the other person slightly stumble back at the impact and dropping their phone.

“Sorry!” Says the person she bumps into as they make eye contact. Vi was met with the familiar cerulean blue eyes, mirroring her shocked expression. The two stare at each other for a few seconds before the cerulean blue-eyed woman breaks the contact as she glances down at her fallen phone. “S-Sorry!”

The woman crouches down to grab her phone, but she accidentally pushes it away from her hand, in between Vi’s feet.

“Shit.” Vi hears the woman curse. Vi couldn’t hold it in anymore, she let out a soft chuckle before crouching down to pick up the woman’s phone. Vi holds it out for her, the woman seems to be frozen in place as she continues to stare at the ground. Vi smiles in amusement, she finds the woman to be odd, but quite endearing.

The cerulean blue-eyed woman slowly reaches up to take her phone after a few seconds, whispering a short thank you to Vi before standing up. Vi stands up a few seconds after her, she smiles at the girl, but she seems to refuse looking at Vi’s eyes while mumbling a quiet sorry.

“You really like apologizing, don’t you?” Cerulean blue eyes met hers as she looked at the woman with amusement.

“Well- I do think that you deserve an apology after the-” The woman gestures at the air. “-incident earlier.”

And for flipping me off twice? Vi wanted to ask in a teasing manner, but she decided against it. Vi doesn’t give her any response, she only smiles at the woman, the latter quickly averts her gaze making Vi shake her head before walking past her.

Vi couldn’t seem to get the smile on her face off even if she wanted to so badly do so. She doesn’t glance back at the woman who’s flipped her off twice. Smiling like an idiot, she enters the elevator, pressing the button for her floor.

Getting off the elevator, she takes her keys from her pockets but immediately stops when she sees Sarah waiting for her, leaning against the wall beside her apartment’s door. Vi sighs, smiling as she looks at her.

“You're here early.” Vi says as she unlocks her door, immediately entering with Sarah closely following behind her. “What’s the occasion, Miss Fortune?” Sarah doesn’t respond. She waits for Vi to close the door before pushing her against it, locking the door behind Vi. “Ah, I see.” Vi says with a smile as she holds onto Sarah’s waist.

“I just need you so badly.”

“Hm- Really?” Sarah nods. “Have at it, then.” They both grin at each other before Sarah leans in to kiss Vi hungrily, fumbling to take off her clothes.

• ✦ •  •  •

Thursday.

Vi was glancing above the elevator’s door as she waited for the lift to arrive as she listened to Arctic Monkeys blasting on her headphones. The lift was currently on the 7th floor, this makes Vi smile a bit as she moves to remove her headphones. She was just waiting to be flipped off again at this point. 

The elevator stops on her floor with a ding, opening to reveal the familiar cerulean blue eyes. Only this time, she wasn’t being flipped off, which surprised Vi a bit. She didn’t know if she was pleased or not to not be flipped off by the woman in front of her.

The woman smiles at Vi, making her heart skip a beat. Vi also felt something else, a tingling sensation inside her stomach, but Vi pushed the thought away. Maybe I just need to take a shit. Yeah, maybe.

Vi doesn’t smile back as she silently enters the elevator, turning her back on the cerulean blue-eyed woman, standing at a respectable distance away from her. The music coming from the elevator and her headphones overlap each other. Vi had forgotten to wear her headphones back, she doesn’t bother to put them back on.

The elevator reaches the ground floor with a ding! And just like always, Vi wordlessly exits the elevator in a rush without glancing back.

Must. Feed. Cats.

Vi smiles as she feels the cerulean blue-eyed woman following her. She doesn’t look back, instead, she stops at a familiar alleyway. She crouches down, taking the container of food she’s prepared out of her backpack. She could see the woman from her peripheral vision hiding behind a tree.

Vi ignores her as she opens the container, smiling as she sees one kitten happily tapping her small feet towards Vi. The other kittens came into view as well, Vi sets the container down with a smile as she watches the kittens crowd around it.

A few seconds later, Lily comes out, rubbing her head against Vi’s palm with a purr, making Vi chuckle lightly. Vi could hear the hungry noises coming from the kittens as they chewed on their food. Vi smiles once more, before her eye catches a movement.

Right. The cerulean blue-eyed woman was standing behind a tree like some weird and creepy stalker.

“Why are you standing there like some creepy stalker?” Vi asks as she turns her head to look at the woman, who nearly topples over, grabbing the tree for support. Vi let out an amused chuckle.

“I- um…” The woman had furrowed eyebrows as she clears her throat. “Sorry.” Vi smiles upon hearing her apologize again. She really does love apologizing, doesn’t she? Vi glances back at the cats who were still happily eating.

A few seconds later, Vi felt the cerulean blue-eyed woman standing beside her. They both watched the cats eat in silence. Once they are done, Vi cleans up the container, closing it off before shoving it inside her bag. Vi pats the cats on the head one by one before standing up to fling her backpack over her shoulder and walking away with a smile.

After a few feet of walking, she quickly glances back. She catches the cerulean blue-eyed woman crouching down to scratch Lily’s back. Vi smiles at the sight, her heart skipping a beat again. She feels that tingling sensation in her stomach, but she pushes it away again before turning her back to continue walking.

✦ •  •  •  •

Later that day, Vi was in her apartment, staring at her cookbook. She wanted to try cooking something she hasn’t cooked before. She starts preparing the ingredients before hearing a knock on her door. She smiles upon hearing the knock, as she closes in on her door. She places her hand on the door knob to open it.

“Sarah, I told you that Thursday nights are off limits-” She pauses when she sees that it wasn’t Sarah standing in her doorway. Her sister, Powder, stared back at her raised eyebrows.

“Who’s Sarah?” Vi shakes her head with a smile.

“No one important.”

“You’re definitely hooking up with her.” Vi chuckles.

“What are you doing here, Pow?” Powder fakes a pained expression.

“Ouch! Can’t a girl visit her sister who she misses so much?” Vi smiles. “Seriously, I really did miss ya, sis. I’m also hungry, so please cook something tasty?”

“Alright, come on in. I’ve been wanting to try this new recipe, you’ll be the first to taste it.” Vi closes the door as her sister enters her apartment.

“If it tastes like shit I’m gonna puke all over you.”

“I’m offended. My food always tastes great. Plus, they’re healthy!” She says with a proud smile, making Powder roll her eyes.

“Yeah-yeah. Just get to cooking.” Vi smiles as proceeds to work. Powder silently scrolled through her phone on TikTok. A few minutes later, she gasps at the video she’s stumbled upon. “Vi! You have got to see this!” She says while laughing.

Vi looks at her sister with curiosity. She settles everything before leaving the kitchen to humor her sister. She looks at her sister’s phone. It played a video, with the setting being inside an elevator. A familiar elevator.

Vi knew where this was going. The elevator. The familiar hand that was flipping off the doors. The sound of the elevator stopping with a ding! And then she sees herself, it was only a few seconds of screentime. But you could clearly tell that it was her, the video shakes, indicating that the person taking it was fumbling to turn it off.

“Seriously, you’re a TikToker now?” Powder asks while laughing. “It got so famous that it currently has millions of likes! Look at the comments!”

Violet Lanes on my fyp before GTA 6?!

How did you convince THE violet lanes to agree to this TT

the collab we never knew we needed

violet lanes is SO hot

i’d ride her instead of the elevator

Violet lanes could flip ME over whenever she’d like

bro needs to take her hoodie off, we all know she’s hiding muscles behind those baggy clothes

I’m jealous. You get to meet THE violet lanes!

Powder turns her phone off, making Vi silently protest as she tries to take her sister’s phone away from her.

“No! Reading compliments is not good for your health. It’s boosting your ego!”

“Exactly! Let me have this, come on!”

“Fuck off!” The two continue to wrestle over the phone before Vi holds her hands up in surrender.

“Okay-okay, I just want to know who posted the video.”

“You mean- you don’t know her?” Vi shrugs. Powder scoffs with an eye roll. “Cait K. She’s famous. How do you not know her?” Vi shrugs again.

“Why was she flipping me off?” Powder snorts.

“It’s a trend on TikTok. It’s called the ‘Russian Roulette in an elevator’ trend. But instead of, you know, real guns, you bring out the big guns–which are your middle fingers.”

“Huh.” Vi looks thoughtful for a moment, before she nods. “Okay. Anyways, your food is almost ready.”

“Finally!”

•  •  • ✦ •

Friday.

Vi waited for the elevator to arrive on her floor, the lift was currently on the 7th floor. Vi smiled to herself as she remembered the viral video she watched last night. So that’s why she was flipping me off. Vi wasn’t even mad about it, she just found it amusing.

She also found a liking in teasing this…Cait K. So, you know what Vi did? She raises her left hand and flips off the elevator door as it dings, indicating that it’s on her floor. She nervously gulps as the door slowly opens…it reveals nothing.

Vi sighs in relief as she sets her hand down. She shakes her head with a smile while getting inside the elevator.

The hell has gotten into me? Seriously.

✦ •  •  •  •

Saturday.

Vi, once again, waited for the elevator to reach her floor. And again, it was currently on the 7th floor. Vi smiled like an idiot, flipping off the elevator’s door. She removes the smile on her face, doing her best to maintain a poker face as the elevator dings.

The doors slowly opened, and just to Vi’s luck, Cait K was inside, staring back at Vi with widened eyes. Shit. Vi actually didn’t expect her to be there, so she was a bit surprised upon seeing her.

“I- I can explain!” Cait K says, making Vi a bit confused, but still surprised overall as she sets her hand down. “I always ask for consent, okay? I don’t know what got into me that I didn’t ask for your consent when I posted that video.” What is she even talking about, Vi wasn’t even listening that much. “I swear I would never post anything without the other person’s consent-” Ah, so that’s why she’s apologizing. Vi chuckles softly, making Cait K stop talking. “You- why are you laughing?” Vi just ignores her, and wordlessly enters the elevator.

Once she had her back turned on Cait K, she couldn’t help but smile. A few seconds later, the elevator reaches the ground floor with a ding! And just like every other day, Vi leaves without glancing back–because she must. feed. the cats! Or she just doesn’t want Cait K to see her ridiculously stupid smile.

Vi crouches down once she reaches the alleyway, taking the container off of her bag and opening it before setting it down. The family of kittens immediately walked happily towards Vi. Vi also knew that the social media influencer was standing not too far away from her, but she chose not to acknowledge her presence.

“Why are you ignoring me?” Cait K asks.

“Why are you following me?” Vi was quick to ask back as she scratched one of the kittens behind the ear. 

“Because…because I’ve wronged you.” Vi chuckles. “I don’t think you should find this funny. I posted that video without your consent. You’re obviously mad at me, seeing as you’ve flipped me off earlier.” Vi laughs at the memory of her flipping of the person who’s flipped her off twice while shaking her head with amusement. “Seriously- what is so funny?” Vi stood up, walking towards the social media influencer who slowly backs away.

“I don’t care if you post about me with or without my consent.” It was true. She truly did not care. She was used to it. Used to her getting filmed in public. Used to seeing herself on the news. Used to ignoring creepy fans that would follow her. She was used to it.

“Well… why don’t you? And why did you flip me off earlier if you weren’t mad?” Vi wanted to laugh so bad, but she composed herself.

“I…” Vi raises both of her eyebrows while smiling. “...was playing Russian Roulette.” She stared back at the confused-looking cerulean blue eyes. Vi shrugs before crouching down to clean up the container that was now empty, closing it off, then shoving it in her bag.

And then…Vi leaves. Classic Vi.

•  •  •  • ✦

Sunday.

Vi went on her morning jog, feeding the cats after. As she was walking back towards her apartment, her phone rang. Her dad was calling, she smiled before picking up.

“Hey Dad! What’s up?”

“Hey, kiddo. How’ve you been?”

“Normal? Nothing’s new, why?”

“Listen, I’ve got some pretty important guests later. I want you to come join us.”

“What for?” She cautiously asks.

“We’re meeting the Kirammans.”

“Who?” Vi let out a short, confused laugh.

“I’ve seen that viral video you were on. The one with the elevator?”

“Yeah? What about it?”

“Well, it gained our restaurant more customers. The diners would often ask the staff if you were around.” Vi smiles, confused but curious at the same time.

“Where are you going with this, dad?”

“The Kirammans want a collaboration between you and Caitlyn. Make more videos together.” Vi stays silent, processing what her father just said.

“What?”

“How bad can it be? You two seem to be well acquainted, seeing as you’ve been in her video. How about making more videos together? Boost the restaurant’s popularity.” Vi chuckles.

“Dad, you’re already popular. You’ve got diners from all around the world.”

“I know. But a few more wouldn’t hurt, right? And besides, you’ll get to have some fun while making these videos. I don’t see any difficulty in the matter.” Vi didn’t respond. She was hesitant.

“Did she agree?”

“Well, not yet.”

“Then I won’t do it.”

“It wouldn’t hurt you to be more social, kiddo.”

“I’m busy. No thanks. Have a good day, dad.”

“Wait-” Vi ends the call before she could change her mind. She sighs as she reaches her apartment. She didn’t want that life. She’d rather stay in her apartment, cook some good food, make new recipes, study, even play some video games. She’s perfectly content with her life. She doesn’t want to do anything related to social media.

• ✦ •  •  •

Vi lazily stared at the screen above the elevator, it was currently on the 7th floor. She grits her teeth as it makes its way down. Her father had persuaded her to go, and it looked like she didn’t have a choice the second time he called. 

The elevator stops on her floor with a ding! The door opens, and of course, Cait K was there. She didn’t look up at Vi though, she just stared at the ground like it had done something really bad to her. Vi smiles before getting in, this time, she wasn’t turning her back on Cait K–or, rather, Caitlyn. Vi still stood at a respectable distance away from Caitlyn.

Caitlyn was still staring at the ground, refusing to look at Vi. Vi found amusement in this, she stared at Caitlyn, watching as the girl glared daggers onto the ground.

The elevator reaches the ground floor with a ding! To Vi’s surprise, Caitlyn practically zoomed out of the elevator as soon as it opened, leaving Vi in a small state of shock. She smiles before leaving the elevator as well.

Vi followed Caitlyn, they were going to the same place after all. Did Caitlyn know that? Does she not want to make videos with Vi too? Is that why she refuses to look at Vi? Caitlyn quickened her pace, Vi stopped for a second before quickly matching Caitlyn’s pace.

As Vi got a bit closer, Caitlyn turned around, making Vi get slightly startled. Vi didn’t know what to expect, but she definitely didn’t expect Caitlyn to make a quick jab at Vi’s stomach. Vi groans at the force of Caitlyn’s punch. 

What the fuck? She thought. Caitlyn grabs her by her hoodie’s collar, bringing her face close to Caitlyn’s. Vi stared back at the cerulean blue eyes with the same intensity. Caitlyn was glaring, but it fades as she finally recognizes Vi.

“V- Vi?” The shock in Caitlyn’s face makes Vi chuckle.

“Damn, Cait K. You’ve got a good arm.” A blush formed on Caitlyn’s face as she let go of Vi, the latter was still smiling.

“S-Sorry! I thought you were a weirdo following me.”

“Valid.” Vi says, Caitlyn looks at her with curiosity. 

“Are… you following me?” Vi just shrugs.

“I’m going that way.” Vi nods at the direction she’s going.

“Wait- why are you talking to me?” Vi smiles at seeing Caitlyn’s confused state.

“Am I not allowed to talk to you?” Vi asks, shoving her hands inside her pockets.

“You-” Caitlyn shakes her head. “-nevermind. I’ll uh- I’ll go ahead.” Vi just smiles at her. Caitlyn turned to leave after a few seconds, Vi following a few more seconds after. She grins as she watches Caitlyn walk in front of her. Maybe making more videos with her won’t hurt.

A short walk later, Caitlyn enters a restaurant. Well, it wasn’t just any restaurant, it was Vander’s. Vi had always taken her time to get to know the staff of her father’s restaurants, but only the ones she usually goes to.

She watches as Caitlyn approaches the hostess, but the hostess wasn’t looking at her. Instead she was looking at Vi with a huge smile on her face.

“Vi! It’s been so long since you’ve last been here.” Vi smiles as she approaches her, doing her best to ignore Caitlyn whose eyes were wide.

“Hey, Sophie. How have you been?” She starts as she walks past Caitlyn.

“Your father made me employee of the month!”

“That’s really great to hear! You deserve it.”

“Thank you!” Sophie smiles with a blush. “Reservation?”

“Yeah. Kiramman.” She would pay a lot of money to have a look at Caitlyn’s reaction right now. So she doesn’t know? Vi smiles. “Fancy people, huh?” She laughs with Sophie.

“Oh- they are fancy people. VIP room 5. Have you done something to piss them off?” Vi only chuckles.

“Nah. I’ll go ahead. See you later, Soph.”

“Have fun with the rich.” Vi chuckles again as she walks further into the restaurant, on her way to VIP room 5.

“Good evening miss. Any reservations? Wha- hey! Security!” Vi grins as she hears Caitlyn’s rapid footsteps behind her. The sound briefly stops, making her turn back. And as she turns her head, Caitlyn punches Clark’s face, who groans in pain as he clutches his face. Poor Clark.

“S-Sorry! I am so sorry!” Caitlyn hovers her hand over the guard’s arm.

“You shouldn’t enter the restaurant without a reservation ma’am.” He groans. “You are a crazy lady!” Vi chuckles, making Caitlyn turn around to look at her.

“That, she is.” She says as she holds Caitlyn’s gaze.“Don’t worry Clark, she’s with me.”

“So sorry Miss Lanes.” The guard smiles at Vi before walking away.

“You’ve punched defenseless people twice now.” Vi says, looking at Caitlyn, still amused.

“I- I was- nevermind.” Caitlyn looks at Vi. “Why are you meeting my parents?” Vi shrugs.

“I have no idea.” And then she walks away, again. Seriously, she loves walking away without glancing back. She could feel Caitlyn’s eyes on her as she approached VIP room 5. She opened the door, entered, and then held the door open for Caitlyn without glancing back at her.

“Ah! I see you’ve gone together. That’s wonderful news.” A woman at the center of the room who Vi assumes is Caitlyn’s mom, greets them with a smile. “Have a seat, darlings.” On her right was Vander, the Michelin star himself. There was another man on her left – Caitlyn’s father, she presumes.

Vi cast a quick glance at Caitlyn to see if she was already inside the room before she proceeds to close the food behind them. Vi moves to sit down next to her father, not bothering to greet the other guests. Her father gave her a quick glare, she just sighs with an eye roll. 

After a while, a stunned Caitlyn slowly moved to sit down next to her father, right across from Vi. The future chef stared at Caitlyn as she looked at her mother.

“How is it wonderful news?” Caitlyn asks. “Um- good evening, by the way, sir.” Caitlyn politely smiles at Vander, he smiles back warmly with a nod.

“Well, we’ve seen your recent viral video. Although it’s quite… unrefined of a lady to flip someone off. We’ve thought it to be a good idea if you include Vi more in your future videos!” Caitlyn turns to look at her mother with confusion. Vi couldn’t help but snort.

“No thanks.” She says, making her dad glare at her accompanied with a small kick under the table before he turns to look at the Kirammans with a smile.

“I think my daughter is in a comedic mood today. She’s already agreed to this, right Vi?” He says with a chuckle, he shoots Vi a knowing look, making her sigh before nodding. 

“What?” Caitlyn asks with surprise.

“Darling, I think that it would be great to have more collaborations between you and Miss Lanes. Your recent video has made fans interested in our family’s business, as well as the Lanes’ restaurants.” Vi stared at Caitlyn, analyzing her reaction. The influencer seemed hurt with her mother’s words.

“Oh.” And Vi was right. She was hurt. Vi badly wants Caitlyn to look at her so that the future chef could give her a reassuring smile, but she doesn’t look. Instead, she looks her mother in the eye. “Okay.” She says quietly, making Vi swallow with a sympathetic look.

There’s still time to back out now. Vi could still turn the Kirammans down, not care about her father’s long lecture after.

“Truly?” Caitlyn’s mother asks. Vi eyes Caitlyn as she nods her head with a small smile. The Kirammans immediately smile at their daughter. Vi caught Caitlyn giving her a short glance before quickly looking away. “That’s wonderful, darling! This collaboration would bring more success to our families. Cheers.” The parents clink their glasses together. “Alright, let’s not waste good food now. Chef Vander himself cooked these for us.”

Vi watched as Caitlyn ate in silence while her parents and Vander kept on chatting about business. She wanted to know what was going on in the influencer’s head. She wanted to know why she looked so hurt earlier. She wanted to know why she even agreed with this collab thing that Vi doesn’t even understand.

Vander offers to take the Kirammans on a tour inside the kitchen, to which they gladly accept. They also invited Caitlyn, but the influencer merely declined, telling her parents that she wanted to finish the food. Her parents were very much understanding as they left the room with the Michelin-starred chef, leaving only Vi and Caitlyn inside the VIP room. Vi continued to watch Caitlyn as she ate quietly.

“It’s rude to stare.” Caitlyn says after swallowing the chewed food in her mouth. Despite Caitlyn being down the whole evening, Vi noticed how Caitlyn’s eyes lit up every time she took a bite of the food. Vi hums with a small smile, feeling happy with the way Caitlynwas enjoying her food. Caitlyn looks at her with a questioning look.

“Why’d you say yes?” Vi asks.

“Why’d you say yes?” Vi chuckles.

“Didn’t have much of a choice, I think.” She takes a sip of her wine. Caitlyn watches her as she sets the glass down. “What? Something on my face?” Vi asks with a smile.

“Yeah. Attractiveness.” What? Caitlyn looked so serious that it made Vi slightly nervous. Just a bit- like, super little. Vi does her best to compose her face as she raises both of her eyebrows. “I mean- um-” Good to see I’m not the one flustered right now. Vi chuckles at Caitlyn’s reddening cheeks. Vi takes a sip of her wine, hoping to calm her nerves. She was screaming deep inside. “It’s- I just- nothing’s on your face- is what I meant.”

“Uh-huh. I believe you.” Vi teases, but she takes another sip of her wine, hoping to – maybe – cool herself? She feels quite hot at the moment. “On both statements.” She adds, making Caitlyn groan, burying her face in her hands.

“Please just forget about what I said.” Vi hides her smile behind the wine glass.

“Mm- I don’t know. That really boosted my ego.” She says, setting the wine glass down. So be it if Caitlyn sees the stupid grin on her face. She looks at Caitlyn, the latter slightly opens her fingers to peek through. The influencer sighs before running a hand through her hair, the act made Vi gulp. Seriously, doesn’t anyone else feel hot? Vi clears her throat. “It may be hard to forget when the Cait K gives you a compliment.” Caitlyn rolls her eyes.

“Please stop calling me that, my name is Caitlyn.” Vi grins, enjoying the influencer’s annoyed expression. She’s kinda cute when she’s annoyed. I didn’t say that.

“What if I don’t want to?” Stop talking now.

“Speaking of- what are we going to do about this whole new, collab thing?” Ooh. A change of subject, interesting. Vi grins.

“I don’t know, you tell me. You’re the influencer here.” Caitlyn was silent for a moment. Vi took steady breaths before speaking. “Maybe we should just tell them that we couldn’t think of anything to post.” She knew that the influencer would agree to this suggestion, but a part of her wished that she would get to spend more time with Caitlyn. Get to know her. That’s all.

“You’re a future chef right? Why don’t we make food content? You could cook something while I taste it and give my feedback?” Well that was unexpected. Vi raises her eyebrows.

“I thought you didn’t want this?”

“No it’s- I mean- It would be great content. It could even help you in the future if you’d like to build your own chain of restaurants.” Vi just stares at her while thinking. Caitlyn breaks eye contact, looking at her food to take a bite. “My followers also seem to want more videos with you. They’re thirsting over you. It’s starting to annoy me how after that one post, almost all of the comments under my videos are asking about you.” She says without glancing at Vi who chuckles.

“You jealous?” Caitlyn almost chokes on her own saliva. “Woah- I was joking- here.” Vi immediately stood up to stand beside Caitlyn. Quickly grabbing a glass of water and offering it to her as she placed a gentle hand on the influencer’s shoulder. The contact makes her shiver, Vi drowns away further thoughts as she looks at Caitlyn with worry. “You okay?” Vi asks, gently soothing Caitlyn’s shoulder.

“Y-Yes.” Caitlyn clears her throat. “Thank you.” Vi smiles warmly at Caitlyn before walking back to her seat.

“Okay. Food content it is then.” Vi smiles as she makes eye contact with the influencer. “When are you free?”