I

  After the incident on the rooftop, things change drastically for Rebecca. She had some attention before, but now the viewers talk about nothing but her and Reese. Her role has turned into “the girl that Reese picked.” And the rumors don’t stick solely to social media; the contestants whisper and share sarcastic comments every time she walks by them. Lena even asks bluntly, “Did you kiss him?”

  The worst part is, three days have passed since then and social media continues to rage on. The opinions are vast and diverse and Rebecca avoids them at all costs. She's tried to turn off her phone, but every attempt fails. Each time, a message flashes: “Access denied; administrative permission is required.” She can’t even change the notification settings; her only options are sound or vibration.

  Fortunately, Reese understands her need to retreat into the shadows. He keeps a low profile too, but only for the first two days. Then he releases a song about that night, drawing heavy attention from both viewers and contestants.

  At the dinner table, Rebecca rests her head in her hands, her tray pushed aside—she isn’t even hungry. Regret consumes her, and all she can focus on is the chaos swirling in her mind.

  A new flood of commentary pours in, sweeping over her like a raging storm. She clicks on one post—a fatal mistake: “Poor girl, can’t she see he’s playing her? She’s rotting in the corners with shame while he’s making new songs and monetizing their ‘romantic adventure’.” In that single 25-word comment, all her weaknesses and fears are laid bare—and it has already garnered 86k likes.

  Rebecca is still glued to her phone when Reese sits beside her in the common room, just before the hosts introduce Contestant 9, the second twin, for his interview. “What’s wrong?” he asks. She shakes her head and puts her phone away. “I shouldn’t have read that,” she whispers.

  “Why? What did it say?”

  She sighs. “Nothing.”

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  Contestant 9 is less flamboyant than his brother, yet he feels more grounded in reality. There’s pain in his eyes—like he knows exactly what he’s done and doesn’t regret it. That makes him even more terrifying. Still, they share the same twisted sense of humor. “Have you ever smelled rotten flesh? You should come to my house; my cousin Claudia loves it when there’s visitors!” Horrified, the female host interjects, “Isn’t that the girl who went missing? Is she really your cousin?”

  Contestant 6, seated in the front row beneath the massive holographic screen, bursts into laughter—clapping and spinning in his seat—while his twin in the arena remains expressionless.

  “I bet I can take out that piece of demonic shit,” Reese declares, his eyes glued to the screen.

  While watching the second twin, Rebecca forgets she’s sitting next to another kind of monster. The moment he catches her gaze, he takes her hand and squeezes it gently.

  “Don’t worry; you won’t have to face him. I’ll take care of that little fucker, I swear.”

  But it isn’t the twin she truly fears.

  “Hey, Reese, have you gotten any hateful comments after your last song—or before?” she asks in a hushed tone. He looks at her, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Yeah, lots. Why do you ask?”

  Rebecca blinks, taken aback. “How do you deal with them?”

  “You just get used to them over time, I suppose.” He notices her lingering worry and adds, “But it took me about a year to learn how to handle it. I was a kid then; I absolutely get it if they bother you.”

  She nods, feeling a knot tighten in her stomach as her fears resurface—all over again. Trying to divert his attention, and hopefully the viewers' too, she leans closer and whispers in his ear, “By the way… I heard Lena would like a kiss from you. Why don’t you grant her wish?”

  Reese stares at her with a wide smile and blank eyes. “I don’t even know who that is.”

  “Lena,” she repeats. “Contestant 30.”

  “You want me to kiss Contestant 30?”

  “Her name is Lena.”

  “Okay, as you wish, my lady.”

  They fall silent for the rest of the interview, and Rebecca’s mind races. Did he take her suggestion seriously? Or has he already forgotten? She hopes—prays—he forgot.

  The answer comes when they’re told to return to their sleeping quarters. Reese doesn’t say goodbye; he strides over to Lena and taps her shoulder. “Excuse me, are you Lena?” she nods just before he kisses her full on the mouth.

  A wave of nausea washes over Rebecca as she watches them—she hates the scene unfolding before her. Hates her role in it even more.

  And she shouldn't. She should react like the other contestants—chuckling, making jokes. Or like the viewers, already flooding Live’s main feed with comments about their kiss.

  Rebecca takes a deep breath, reminding herself, forcing herself not to forget: Reese, Lena, herself—they’re all part of an entertainment circus. Nothing more.