Delivered
I laugh, forcing the brightness. “I had a long day, guys, but I’m fine.”
I fall into the usual groove of flirty banter and small tips. Then a new username pops up. StrangeMoscow47.
A notification pings. He just tipped four hundred thousand rubles in a single burst. I freeze. My brain stalls at the number.
I see him type, waiting a full minute before sending it in.
Strange Moscow47
Hello, beautiful.
Delivered
A cold shiver races down my spine. The exact words from the factory.
Strange Moscow47
So, what do you have planned for me tonight?
Delivered
I’ve made quite an investment.
Delivered
I stare at the lens, my smile feeling like a porcelain mask. The bastard. He let me go, but he never stopped watching.
“I... I could sing?” I stammer, my Ayame voice cracking. “I have karaoke...”
Strange Moscow47
Beautiful lady, this is an 18+ platform, not a talent show on TikTok. I dropped quite a sum, and I expect a real show for my investment.
Delivered
I can almost hear his low voice saying the words directly into my ear and it leaves a shudder rushing down my spine.
My regulars jump in to defend me, telling him to back off, that I don’t grant requests like that. But StrangeMoscow47 stays silent, and that only makes my anxiety worse. It feels like he’s in the room with me, and I do a quick sweep to check if I’m alone. Then I end the stream five minutes later, claiming I have a headache. I sit in the dark for a long time, just thinking about that interaction.
I limp to the kitchen and grab a tub of my favorite watermelon ice cream, ignoring the fact I can't afford to keep buying it. I eat it straight from the container, letting the sugar numb the panic.
My phone chooses that time to buzz, sending me into a frenzy.
StrangeMoscow47 has sent you a private message.
I stare at the screen, spoon halfway to my mouth but I do not open it. Not yet. Taking another bite of ice- cream, I wonder just how much trouble I am in.
Chapter 2
Zoya
I’m in the middle of a clumsy TikTok dance, trying to entertain my ten regular subscribers. On the screen, they’re throwing money at me like confetti, losing their minds. It makes me happy. But for some reason, something feels wrong, off even.
As if on cue, the moment the thought settles, his username pops up.
StrangeMoscow47.