MTLNOVEL Chapter 10: chapter 10
The morning sunlight filtered lazily through sheer silk curtains, scattering a soft golden glow across the lavish bedroom. A faint melody played from the Bluetooth speakers—classical piano with an upbeat twist—just enough to stimulate the mind without feeling like work.
Summer Bellani stretched on her cloud-like bed, refusing to open her eyes.
"Five more minutes," she mumbled, voice muffled by her silk pillow.
> Sham Sham: Reminder. Stock markets open in 20 minutes. High-volatility trend detected in East Asia Tech Index. Suggest review, Princess Host.
"Ugh... cruel," Summer groaned. "Even robots don't let me sleep in."
Still, she couldn't afford to ignore Sham Sham. Pulling herself up, she shuffled to her vanity, still in her lilac satin pajamas. Her reflection was flawless—messy but charming, like an expensive doll someone forgot to put away.
She slipped into a cashmere robe, padded barefoot to her walk-in study, and flicked on the six-monitor setup Leo forced her to install.
"Good morning, my darling babies," she whispered affectionately to the glowing charts.
A red flag flashed on one screen.
> LangTech Acquisition Confirmed.
+9.2% overnight jump.
Summer grinned. "Bingo."
> Sham Sham: Task Progress: +47%. Excellent Market Instinct Applied. Affection Point from Leo Bellani: +2.
She spun around in her chair. "Leo's gonna owe me an apology coffee."
---
An hour later, dressed in a pale blue knitted dress and white platform sandals, Summer sauntered downstairs. The scent of freshly brewed cappuccino and almond croissants teased her senses.
The household staff were already bustling, but what caught her attention was Davis sprawled lazily on the living room sofa, game controller in hand, playing something that involved loud gunfire and explosions.
"Morning, sleepyhead," he greeted without looking up. "Your fake stock market looks real serious today."
"It's not fake. I made 70k this morning," Summer replied, flopping down beside him.
Davis paused his game. "Seventy. Thousand?"
She smiled sweetly. "Mmhm. Don't be jealous."
"You're terrifying."
She shrugged. "I know."
"Still going to lunch with Cassie and Aria?"
"Yep. Then a spa appointment. Then... maybe window shopping. Gotta prep for the charity auction in three days."
Davis groaned. "Ugh, social events."
"You're coming too. Don't even try to escape."
"Leo's coming?"
"Of course."
"And... Travis?"
Summer's smile faltered slightly. "Probably."
Davis leaned forward, lowering his voice like they were co-conspirators. "I swear, that guy is one malfunction away from going full mafia boss."
Summer laughed but didn't disagree.
---
Later, at La Cour Jardin, an outdoor café designed like a slice of Paris tucked into Milan, Summer sipped her lavender lemonade while scrolling through an email from Leo.
Cassie tapped her nails impatiently. "Summer, are you even listening?"
"Hmm? Oh sorry, stock drama. Continue."
"I was saying..." Cassie tossed her hair dramatically. "...you need to stop rejecting every man that tries to ask you out."
"I'm not rejecting everyone," Summer defended.
Aria raised a brow. "You rejected the prince of Monaco."
"He was boring."
"And the tech billionaire?"
"His breath smelled weird."
Cassie nearly choked on her mimosa. "Girl, your standards are scary."
Summer smiled lazily, stirring her drink. "I'm not looking for just anyone. I'm looking for... I don't know... someone interesting."
> Sham Sham: Mini-Task Unlocked: Emotional Growth Checkpoint. Observation of 'Genuine Connection' required to unlock Charisma Buff Level 2.
She sighed. "Even my system's judging me now."
"What?" Aria blinked.
"Nothing," Summer waved it off.
---
After brunch, the girls made their way to Valentina Luxe Spa, where they were greeted like royalty. The moment Summer walked in, two attendants flanked her, offering complimentary silk robes and signature beauty treatments.
As her face mask was applied, she checked her system notifications.
> Incoming Micro Task: Assist in reversing the decline of a small local patisserie via a strategic investment. Reward: Unlock "Negotiator" perk.
Summer tapped her chin. Hmm. Low stakes but cute. Approved.
She made a quick call to Leo's assistant. "Hey, send me the financials for Sweet Bloom Patisserie. Quietly."
Cassie peeked over from her seat. "Who are you plotting against now?"
"Just the economy."
---
By early evening, Summer returned home to the estate. As always, Travis was nowhere to be seen in the common spaces. Typical. He hated crowds, noise, and people in general
Her phone buzzed. A message from Leo.
Leo: "Your AI pick was right. The merger's about to be public by tomorrow morning. You'll close the 12% ROI task by end of day. Impressive."
Summer: "I know. You should start paying me."
Leo: "Brat."
She grinned.
---
"Knock knock," came a lazy voice from her door.
It was Davis, a bowl of popcorn in hand. "Movie?"
"Sure. Let me change."
"Nah, come like that. Pajamas are valid."
"Deal."
They sprawled on her massive bed, switching on some mindless rom-com.
Halfway through, Davis asked quietly, "Hey... you doing okay?"
Summer blinked. "Yeah. Why?"
"I dunno... you've been... different since you got back from the villa. Like... sharper. More... you."
Summer felt a pang. Davis didn't know—none of them did—that she'd actually died. That the Summer who lay there giggling over popcorn was someone reborn.
"I guess..." She curled into his shoulder. "I just realized I wasted too much time caring about the wrong people."
Davis rested his chin on her head. "You've always had us, you know."
"I know." Her voice was soft.
> Sham Sham: Emotional Stability +5. Bond with Davis Bellani +2.
---
As the movie credits rolled, Summer's phone buzzed with a reminder.
> Upcoming Schedule:
- Personal Styling Appointment at Maison Fiorella (Tomorrow)
- Private Shopping Trip (Day After Tomorrow)
- Bellani Family Charity Auction (3 Days)
Summer stretched, a sleepy smile on her face. "Well... tomorrow's gonna be fun."
Davis raised a brow. "Why?"
"Shopping," she sang. "For the charity event."
"Oh boy. The city's not ready."