CHAPTER 44: MY GOLDEN TICKETS

My hair was a bit messy, so I tied on a bandana and slipped into a simple outfit: a white oversized T-shirt tucked halfway into high-waisted denim shorts. On top, I threw on a light beige cardigan, something casual but neat enough.

[Penny: Host, what exactly are we doing by going outside?]

"I don’t know," I muttered, shoving my hands into my pockets. "Maybe I’ll figure it out once I’m out there."

As I stepped out of the mansion, I called up to Henry, who was watering the plants on the second-floor balcony. "Henry! I’m going out for a walk this evening!"

Henry paused and set aside the watering can so the water on the hanging pot wouldn’t accidentally spill on me. "Young Madam, the sun is about to set," he reminded me, his voice carrying a hint of concern.

"I’ll be fine," I said with a small wave. "I won’t go far!"

Henry nodded reluctantly. "Then be careful. Call me anytime if you need a ride."

I walked backward, still waving at him. "I will!"

After a week of living in the mansion, I’d fallen into the habit of taking evening walks around the neighborhood, so I could adapt to the surroundings here.

To my surprise, those little walks did more than that, they also eased my stress and even helped me sleep better at night. Maybe it was because the mansion was surrounded by trees, the air fresher and calmer than the city, where tall buildings always loomed overhead.

Stretching my arms as I walked, I made my way toward the main gate. By now, I was used to the distance, it only took me about fifteen minutes or so to get from the mansion to the front gate.

[Did you find something interesting, Host?]

I rolled my eyes. "I’ve barely been walking for half an hour, what could I possibly find?"

But right after I said that, my gaze caught on a tiny orange kitten curled up near a patch of weeds, meowing softly.

I held my breath, gasping. Oh my god, a kitty! It was such a ridiculously cute kitten!

I almost called out to it, but then I realized this would make perfect content.

Now, to be clear, I wasn’t the type to share every tiny detail of my life on social media. But Penny wanted me to gain followers, and honestly? Kittens were the golden ticket.

I mean, really, who doesn’t love cats? Anyone who doesn’t must be evil!

Quickly, I pulled out my phone and angled the camera toward myself. "I think this is the greatest thing I’ve seen today!" I said enthusiastically with a bright smile. I had planned to fake a bubbly tone, but the moment I saw that kitten, the happiness in my voice came out naturally.

"So ... I just went for a walk, and look what I found!" I lowered the camera to reveal the tiny ball of fur. I bounced on my toes, squealing without shame. "I found this baby!"

Right on cue, the kitten meowed, tilting its head like it knew it was performing for the camera. I gasped dramatically. "Did you hear that? Oh my god, my heart can’t handle this!"

As I cradled the little one closer, the grass around me began to rustle. One by one, more kittens tumbled out—first two, then three—until half a dozen were scampering toward my legs, meowing like a tiny chorus.

Holy shit!

It felt like I had just stumbled into a heaven full of kittens!

I shook the phone a little, my voice going high with cuteness overload. "No way, there’s more! Look at them! They’re all coming to me!"

The camera caught them climbing onto my sneakers, pawing at my cardigan, their little tails swishing with excitement.

"Okay, I think I’ve just been chosen as their human," I laughed breathlessly, kneeling down so the camera could catch the whole adorable chaos. "Guys, help me ... how am I supposed to walk away from this?"

I ended the recording with the biggest grin still plastered on my face. Without wasting a second, I made a brand-new Zentra+ account and uploaded the video straight away.

For the username, I typed: @SunnyHelcia, something light and cheerful that matched the sweet, bubbly persona I wanted to build.

The moment the video was sent, Penny’s voice chimed in.

[Host, are you planning to leave the kittens here?]

I scoffed, hugging the five little orange furballs tighter against my chest. "Of course not! Are you crazy? I’m bringing them home with me!"

I slipped off my cardigan and bundled the kittens inside, their tiny bodies warm and wriggly against the fabric. Holding them close to my chest, I carefully stood up, making sure none of them slipped out.

They mewed in unison, their little heads poking out from the folds of my cardigan, and I couldn’t help but laugh softly. "Alright, babies," I whispered, "let’s get you home."

When I finally reached the mansion, I shouted at Henry, who was watering the flowers in the front garden. "Henry! Henry! I just found our new family members!"

He blinked in surprise, lowering the watering can as I hurried over and carefully unfolded my cardigan to reveal five tiny kittens wriggling inside.

Henry’s jaw dropped, looking utterly surprised. "Young Madam ... where did you—"

"No time!" I cut him off with a grin. "Help me, we need to bathe them first before they run around the house!"

Without hesitation, Henry followed me inside. He helped me wash the five kittens, then asked someone to buy the things they needed; cat food, litter, and proper litter boxes.

By the time the clock struck eight that evening, the mansion was already alive with the sound of little paws pattering across the floor.

That was when Lando finally returned from his business trip. He barely moved his wheelchair inside when I rushed up to him, eyes sparkling, grinning from ear to ear.

"Husband!" I exclaimed, practically bouncing on my toes. "Congratulations! Now, you’re a father!"

Lando just stared at me in silence for a few moments. Then his eyes widened. "I’m ... what?"