A broad grin stretched across Maya's face as she hopped into her car, before speeding off toward Fenix's house. He had asked for her help transporting some fragile items he didn't trust to the moving company, promising it would only be a few boxes and they'd be done in one trip.

  As she drove, the reality of Fenix agreeing to move in with her sank in, filling her with a mix of excitement and disbelief. It felt almost surreal.

  She could only assume it was because her persuasive skills were top-notch. She had definitely id it on thick during their ride back from the airport, and she was just relieved that it had worked.

  As she drove, she couldn't help but daydream about how incredible it would be living with Fenix. Maya imagined te-night conversations, binge-watching their favorite movies, and cooking meals together. There was also the added benefit of being able to protect him and ensure that no one would ever hurt him again.

  A frown appeared on her face just at the thought of him getting hurt again. She couldn't believe she had been so easily fooled by Camille's fa?ade. What a devious bitch she was.

  It was difficult for her to comprehend how she had fallen for Camille's act. Was it because she trusted Fenix and therefore trusted his judgment in friends? That must have been the reason. After all, Camille always seemed so genuinely kind and friendly.

  However, trusting someone at face value was Maya’s first mistake.

  Her second mistake was confiding in Camille about Fenix’s hand, worrying if he would ever be able to use it again, completely unaware that Camille was the cause. Maya would bet everything she owned that the bitch was ughing to herself the entire time.

  Punching the steering wheel with a mixture of frustration and anger, Maya pushed back the urge to find Camille and make her pay for what she did. She would make sure Fenix's revenge pn was carried out smoothly.

  ~

  It was a long drive to Fenix's pce, as they lived in different counties, but time flew by quickly as Maya listened to an audiobook. Before she knew it, she had finally arrived at Fenix's apartment building.

  She hadn’t visited him in so long that she almost forgot how sketchy the neighborhood he lived in was. Graffiti-covered walls and broken windows of abandoned buildings greeted her as she parked her car.

  Stepping out, Maya noticed a group of shady-looking individuals talking to a prostitute nearby, their eyes following her movements. She quickened her pace towards the entrance of the building, ignoring the overwhelming stench of urine and piles of trash on the sidewalk.

  With a sense of relief, Maya reminded herself that Fenix would soon be moving in with her.

  She let herself into the apartment building and made her way to Fenix's unit. "Fenix, I'm here! Open up!" she called out as she knocked on the door.

  ~

  "Hey!" He greeted her, opening the door to let her in, revealing an empty apartment with a few neatly packed boxes. "You made it just in time! I just finished packing the st of it," he excimed.

  Maya stepped inside and immediately picked up the three boxes that were sitting on the floor. "Perfect," she said. "Then all we need to do is load these into the car and hit the road."

  "Are you sure they aren't too heavy? I can help," he offered, noticing the trouble she was having lifting them.

  Maya raised an eyebrow at him. "Do I look weak to you? These boxes are nothing for me," she boasted with a smirk.

  "Whatever you say," Fenix chuckled.

  Grabbing his cane from beside the door, he followed Maya out to the car. He couldn't help but feel guilty as he saw her struggle with the weight of the boxes, so he quickly caught up and walked beside her.

  ~

  Maya and Fenix packed the boxes into the car before getting in and driving away. As they drove to Maya's pce, their conversation flowed effortlessly as they bantered back and forth.

  "So, how's the new job treating you?" Fenix asked, gncing at Maya.

  Maya couldn't help but smile. "It's been fantastic so far. My employers are really kind."

  "What exactly do you do there? You never told me," Fenix probed, genuinely interested.

  He had been mostly concerned about himself during this time in his previous life, so he had no idea what kind of job she was doing.

  "I work at Cantena, the perfume shop. It was pure luck that I nded this job, but I absolutely love it and the pay is amazing."

  "Of course the pay is decent, that store is only located in fancy neighborhoods," he chuckled.

  Nowadays, living areas are divided into four distinct categories. At the bottom are the slums, inhabited predominantly by homeless individuals, criminals, and other nefarious figures. Moving up the dder, there's the middle-css area, which is further subdivided into high-end and low-end sections based on income. While much safer than the slums, this area provides steady employment for its residents.

  Next up is the elite zone, reserved for those with extravagant wealth. Here reside business tycoons, famous personalities, and other affluent individuals. The community is gated and heavily secured.

  ~

  An hour passed by quickly and Fenix realized Maya was taking him through a middle-css neighborhood, specifically a low-end one. Despite its bel, it was on the verge of being considered high-end due to its prime location and significant value - likely why Maya had sold her apartment in Fenix's previous life.

  Lost in his thoughts, Fenix suddenly realized they had arrived at Maya's apartment building. He was taken aback by the size of it; with over 30 floors, it was much rger than he expected.

  As they entered, he was once again surprised by the interior. Despite its location, it was tastefully decorated and gave off a high-end hotel vibe with its luxurious amenities. Fenix even noticed that the elevators had biometric scanners for added security. It definitely seemed like a great pce to live.

  Maya led Fenix down a long hallway to the elevator, her shoes squeaking on the hardwood floors. She chatted non-stop about the perks of living in this apartment complex.

  Once they reached her apartment, Maya opened the door with a flourish and pushed Fenix inside. Looking around he was stunned.

  The living room had ivory walls and plush carpeting, adorned with a floral-covered couch and matching armchair. A rge TV was mounted on the wall, surrounded by framed photos and art pieces.

  In the kitchen, yellow and white tiles covered the walls and counters, and stainless steel appliances gleamed under the overhead lights. Maya opened the cabinets to reveal a well-stocked pantry and refrigerator.

  Next, she gave Fenix a tour of the two bedrooms and spacious bathroom, both decorated in a simir style to the living room. She eagerly asked for his opinion on the pce, and Fenix made sure to compliment everything he saw. It was much nicer than any pce he had ever lived in before.

  After they unpacked Fenix's belongings and ate their takeout, he broached the topic of rent. He knew Maya would try to negotiate a lower amount, but he was determined to stand his ground. After looking at all of their potential expenses, they agreed on 1,700 per month.

  ~

  The days following their move-in were filled with adjusting to living together and learning each other's daily routines. As they sat down for dinner one evening, Maya couldn't contain her curiosity any longer.

  "When do you pn on starting your journey in Haven Online?" Maya asked eagerly.

  "I'm currently doing some research on different pods to use. It's a tough decision," Fenix replied, taking a bite of his food.

  "You're getting a pod? I thought you were going for headgear," Maya questioned, surprised by his choice.

  "Well, the pod allows for longer immersion. This will give me more time to level up my character and make progress in the game," Fenix expined.

  Maya chuckled, "It's not like you to splurge on something like this. You've always been Mr. Frugal, saving every penny. Who would have thought you'd spend it on something frivolous."

  "It's not frivolous," Fenix defended himself. He understood her surprise; his dream was always to save up and open his own restaurant, and he used to never spend money on unnecessary things. But now, his priorities have shifted.

  "I know, I know," Maya said with a knowing smile. "The pod is necessary for pying Haven Online effectively. And besides seeking revenge, you'll also be trying to make money in the game, so it makes sense to invest in high-quality equipment. Who can say, you might even attract a sponsor."

  Fenix was well aware of Maya's thoughts - they were the same as anyone starting a VR game. The ultimate goal: to secure a company sponsorship. However, the chances of getting a company interested enough to invest in them were slim - only one in a million.

  Fenix had his own pn to make a spsh, but he doubted it would be enough to capture the attention of any potential sponsors.

  At least that's what he believed.