Chapter 8: First Comment

I could barely breathe. The moment Sofia casually mentioned that Faye might join the live, my heart started pounding like a drum. It was already racing, but now it felt like it was ready to leap out of my chest. My palms were clammy, my throat dry, and I couldn't shake off the dizzy, nauseous feeling creeping up on me.

The comment section exploded almost instantly.

"OMG! Is Faye really coming???"

"Did she say FAYE???"

I tried to keep a calm facade, but I could feel the blood draining from my face. I glanced at my laptop screen, my reflection confirming what I already knew—I looked like a ghost. But I couldn't pause the live. If I did, people might think I was too nervous or self-conscious.

Desperately, I sent a quick message to my team:

"How do I look?"

Their reply was immediate—and brutal.

"You look nervous as hell 😂😂😂"

"Yoko, breathe! Breathe! You're turning pale!"

I sulked, staring at the screen. My shoulders slumped in defeat.

Then, Pfreen chimed in on our group chat:

"Hey, Yoko. You're LIVE. We can literally see you sulking, lol."

I straightened up quickly, forcing a smile. I needed to pull it together. I scrolled through the comments, hoping for a distraction.

"What's Faye's account?"

"Is she really joining?"

"OMG, Yoko, tell us when she's here!"

Taking a deep breath, I seized the opportunity to promote our upcoming series and the fan meet schedule. It worked—momentarily. The fans were excited, flooding the chat with messages.

"Yay! Can't wait for the fan meet!"

"Pfreen watching her girlfriend's live!"

I noticed Pfreen in the viewers and smiled.

"P'Freen, join the live!" someone pleaded.

But she politely declined.

"I'm already in bed, guys 😅. Just here to support Yoko and our series! Please give them lots of love!"

The fans were slightly disappointed, but it didn't take long for the chaos to erupt again.

"WAIT! Is that... FayeMalisorn???"

"She's here!!"

I blinked in shock. No way. My eyes darted to the viewer count—it had jumped to 800,000. My jaw nearly dropped.

"What... what's happening?" I asked, half to myself.

Someone in the comments repeated Sofia's message:

"Ate Faye is here! Make her a moderator, Yoko! Her account is FayeMalisorn!"

My fingers trembled as I frantically searched for the account, my heart racing with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. Each keystroke felt heavier, my breath shallow as I scanned through the growing list of viewers. And then, there it was—FayeMalisorn.

The moment I clicked on the profile, my breath hitched, and for a few seconds, it felt like the world around me slowed. Her profile picture stared back at me, mesmerizing in its simplicity yet captivating in every possible way. Faye sat effortlessly in a backward chair, the sleek lines of the black long-sleeve shirt hugging her figure. The tie loosely draped around her neck added an edge of sophistication, a casual elegance that somehow felt both intimidating and inviting.

Her posture was relaxed but powerful, exuding confidence without even trying. She wasn't just sitting—she was commanding attention, claiming space in a way that seemed entirely natural. But it was her eyes that held me hostage. Piercing and unwavering, they locked onto the camera with an intensity that felt personal, as if she was staring directly into my soul. Those eyes were unforgettable—sharp, alluring, and carrying a depth that hinted at stories untold.

I found myself unable to look away, my thumb hovering above the screen. She hadn't posted anything yet—no selfies, no updates, no cryptic captions. And yet, despite the lack of content, she had already amassed nearly a million followers.

A million.

It took me five years to reach that milestone, and here she was, effortlessly pulling it off before she even made her first post. I could only imagine how many people in the live had rushed to follow her the moment her name appeared. If this was the power she wielded now, there was no doubt in my mind—she'd surpass that million before the night was over.

I swallowed hard, a mixture of awe and disbelief washing over me. Who is this woman? And why does it feel like she's already changed everything with just her presence?

I quickly made her a moderator and messaged Sofia. Then, I waited, heart pounding in anticipation.

And then, her first comment appeared.

"Hi."

Just... Hi.

For a moment, I froze. My mind went blank. I scrambled to think of a response, any response, and finally managed to smile.

"Hi? Hi to who?" I asked, trying to sound playful.

The comment section exploded.

"OMG SHE SAID HI!"

"WHO IS SHE SAYING HI TO???"

"YOKO, RESPOND!"

I was still grinning, scanning through the chaos, when her next comment appeared.

"To anyone who will say hi back to me."

I laughed, cheeks flushing, and read it aloud. "To anyone who will say hi back to me..."

The fans were quick to oblige.

"HI FAYE!!!"

"Hi Faye! We love you!"

"Marry me, Faye!"

I grinned and echoed them. "Hi, Faye."

I waited for her next move, the anticipation building. Then, out of nowhere, a notification popped up—a Universe gift. My eyes widened in disbelief.

"What...?" I gasped, one hand flying to my mouth.

The fans went berserk.

"A UNIVERSE GIFT???"

"HOLY—THE UNIVERSE?!"

"That's the most expensive gift!"

"CEO Faye, adopt me pls!"

"Yoko, what did you do to deserve this???"

I stared at the screen, speechless. "What are you doing? Why... why are you sending me a Universe gift?" I asked, voice trembling.

The comment section was in a frenzy.

"Ms. CEO just casually flexing."

"She's serious about you, Yoko."

"I can't even afford a rose gift, and she sent a Universe???"

I glanced at our group chat. Even my boss and manager were freaking out.

"Yoko, marry her. Omg." P'lookmhee wrote.

"We LOVE Faye already!" P'chai said.

Pfreen was the most dramatic.

"Tell her I won't fight for you. You're all hers now. 😂"

Before I could process it, another Universe gift appeared. And another one.

The comment section was in chaos.

I gasped audibly. "Ms. CEO, please stop! These gifts are expensive!" I pleaded, eyes wide. "Why... why are you sending me this?"

Her response was immediate.

"Because you deserve the universe."

I stared at the screen, heart pounding, vision blurring with tears.

And then... I ended the live.

Because it was also the exact moment my tears fell.

What the hell, Faye?