How similar it felt, Ivy Mae buying him clothes and shoes now, compared to the time Emily Rose brought him medicine back in college.
First, they gave you a taste of sweetness. Then they pulled back, just enough to make you chase.
A little tug forward, a little retreat, like flying a kite.
And before you knew it, you weren't holding the string anymore.
You were the string.
"Damn…" Aiden muttered to himself as Tony's scissors worked through his hair. "This same routine… this same trap. It's terrifying."
He looked at his reflection, half-laughing, half-defeated.
"I just want some easy money from this 'Dogcoin System,' not to actually become the dog again. Can you please let me live?"
For the first time in a long time, he felt awake, self-aware.
He decided right then: he wouldn't fall in love so easily again.
Spend money? Fine.
Flirt a little? Sure.
Play the part? No problem.
But real feelings? Not happening. Not again.
Tony the stylist finished with a flourish.
"Alright, man. Take a look. New York Fashion Week's got nothing on you."
Aiden glanced up at the mirror and for a second, he didn't recognize himself.
Gone was the messy college boy who barely cared about how he looked.
In his place stood someone sharp, confident, a man who could turn heads in the Upper East Side.
With the designer T-shirt Ivy picked, the fresh haircut, and a relaxed but stylish look, he honestly looked like one of those clean-cut influencers plastered all over Instagram.
Ivy Mae's jaw literally dropped.
The contrast was insane, like she'd just upgraded from average classmate to celebrity crush.
> Ivy Mae: Favorability +5
> Ivy Mae: Favorability +5
> Ivy Mae: Favorability +5
Unknowingly, her affection for him had climbed up to 83 points, high enough for any woman to start chasing instead of being chased.
In her eyes, Aiden James wasn't just charming anymore.
He was a treasure.
The more time she spent around him, the more she saw his hidden brilliance.
First, he was wealthy but low-key. He'd gone through three years of college without ever flashing it.
Second, he was loyal. Even after being crushed by Emily Rose,he'd still cared deeply.
And finally, he was handsome. Maybe even more than Justin Reed.
She thought back to that scene earlier at Gucci, Emily's boyfriend refusing to buy her a bag he clearly wanted himself.
Ivy couldn't help thinking: Girl, you're blind.
You gave up a diamond and ran after a pebble.
"Hey," Ivy smiled, nudging him as they walked out into the neon-lit night. "How about dinner?"
Aiden glanced at his phone. It was already 9 p.m.
"Yeah, I'm starving," he admitted.
And if he didn't eat with her, he couldn't spend any of the system's money. His real balance was barely two hundred bucks.
If he didn't take this chance, he'd be sleeping hungry.
"Okay," Ivy agreed brightly.
They ended up at a high-end Manhattan restaurant overlooking the Hudson.
The meal was perfect. Ivy was radiant, Aiden was relaxed, and even when he wolfed down his steak like a starving man, Ivy didn't mind.
He looked good doing it.
By the time they parted ways at 11 p.m., the city lights were glowing and they'd officially exchanged numbers.
When Aiden got back to his apartment, his roommate, Ryan, nearly choked on his Red Bull.
"Bro! Where the hell were you today? And what's with the GQ cover look?"
"Date," Aiden replied casually, kicking off his sneakers.
"Wait...date? With who? Emily Rose?" Ryan gave him a look. "Dude, no offense, but that girl's been using you as an emotional ATM for years. She's got Justin Reed now. You need to move on."
"Relax," Aiden said. "It wasn't Emily. I went out with Ivy Mae."
Ryan froze. "Ivy… Mae? As in Art School Ivy? You're joking."
"Not really."
Ryan let out a low whistle. "Damn, man. You've changed. You're really stepping up your game lately."
Their dorm leader, Jason, peeked up from his laptop. "Aiden, listen to me. Don't hang yourself on one tree. You don't have to chase beauty. Find someone who's good to you, someone you're worthy of."
Before Aiden could answer, his phone buzzed.
He assumed it was Ivy.
It wasn't.
Emily Rose.
> Aiden, are you awake? I didn't mean to say those things today. Please don't be mad. I just didn't want Justin to misunderstand, that's all. I'm really upset. Can you forgive me?
Aiden stared at the screen.
There it was again.
That same routine.
The same soft words that had chained him for years.
If this were the old him, he'd have melted instantly. He'd sulk for two days, she'd coax him, and then he'd be back, tail wagging, ready to serve again.
But now…
He sighed. The system still had him bound, emotionally, financially, even behaviorally.
He couldn't break the loop. Not yet.
So he typed back:
> It's okay. I forgive you. As long as you're happy, I'm willing to do anything.
He hit send.
Dorm 503, Girls' Apartment - Emily Rose Room.
Emily stared at her phone, stunned.
Honestly, she hadn't expected him to reply, at least not that fast.
She'd gone too far earlier and thought he'd need a few days to cool off.
But just like that, he forgave her.
Was he still that devoted to her?
Then again… she didn't really care if he was mad or not. What she really wanted to know was where he'd suddenly gotten all that money.
> Aiden, I'm sorry. I really have my reasons. My mom's in the hospital. She needs $50,000 for treatment. I had no choice but to ask Justin for help. If I hadn't said those things earlier, he wouldn't have lent it to me. I feel terrible.
Before she could even close her chat window...
Ding!
> [Aiden James has sent you $50,000. Tap to confirm receipt.]
Emily Rose.
She hadn't even intended to ask for it. It was just another cover story, another small lie to smooth things over.
But he'd sent it anyway.
Fifty thousand dollars.
She thought about Justin, the man she supposedly loved, who couldn't even bring himself to buy her a handbag.
And for the first time that night, Emily Rose didn't feel proud.
She felt small.