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Violet carefully carried Kitten Roman back into the makeshift makeup room, treating him with the kind of reverence one might offer royalty.

And knowing Roman, he expected nothing less. Even in feline form, he still managed to exude an air of smug entitlement, his fluffy tail flicking lazily as if he was entirely unbothered by the situation.

She placed him gently on the table and stepped back with her arms crossed. Golden human eyes met green cat eyes, the intensity of the stare-off feeling almost ridiculous. If anyone had walked in right now, they’d assume she was having a psychic conversation with her pet.

Violet sighed, breaking the silence first. "What would it take for you to behave out there?"

Kitten Roman let out a throaty growl in response, his tiny body vibrating with irritation.

And yes, that was a no.

Although Violet could not understand cat language, her short experience with her former cat, Stray, had taught her the subtle nuances of feline moods, and right now, Roman was in full-on you betrayed me, human mode.

"Yes, I know," she placated. "This isn’t what we agreed on. But I saw an opportunity, and I took it. You can’t blame me for being a businesswoman." She shrugged, as if it was the most logical thing in the world.

Roman promptly barked in her face.

Okay. He did blame her.

Violet exhaled, rubbing her temples. "Fine. Here’s the deal. I dress you up, you go out there, behave, and make me some cash. In return, I’ll owe you one favor."

She lifted a finger before he could make a sound, his ears having perked up. "But there are conditions. You can’t harm me, can’t ask for anything that gets me in trouble, and no sexual favors. None of that creepy alpha bullshit, are we clear?"

A low, rumbling snarl vibrated from Kitten Roman’s throat instead.

Violet arched a brow. "Oh? You don’t like it?

" Her lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Maybe I should just leave you here, then. Babysitting duty is over. I’m sure you’ll have tons of fun running around alone until sundown.

Just you, the big wide world, and all the students looking for a stray cat to entertain them.

" She sighed theatrically, turning on her heel.

Kitten Roman let out an immediate hiss of protest.

Violet paused, her smirk widening. "Thought so." She turned back, placing her hands on her hips. "Alright. Meow three times if you agree to my terms."

There was silence at first. Then—

"Meow. Meow. Meow."

A victorious grin spread across Violet’s lips, with her golden eyes sparkling and practically reflecting money signs as she looked down at the grumpy green furball. This was perfect. Roman was going to make her rich.

Overcome with joy, Violet grabbed one of his tiny paws and bumped it against her fist. "Yes! That’s how we roll, partner."

Still buzzing with excitement, she playfully rubbed his ears, pinched his cheeks, and ran her fingers over his velvety snout. "You’re so adorable," she cooed.

Kitten Roman merely blinked at her, his green eyes half-lidded in mild suffering. Fine, fawn over me all you want, woman, he thought smugly. He had what he wanted anyway, one favor, owed by her, and she couldn’t back out now.

Satisfied with their agreement, Violet got to work dressing him, pulling out the small black tuxedo they had ordered for him. The tuxedo was a ridiculously well-crafted piece made of sleek satin with a crisp white undershirt peeking from beneath the neatly folded lapels.

It’s tiny gold buttons gleamed under the soft light, and the little bowtie at the collar gave it an extra touch of aristocratic charm.

The entire time, Roman sat there stiffly, judging silently as Violet slipped his small paws through the sleeves, adjusting the fabric, and fastening the buttons.

But something happened.

As Violet maneuvered around him, a ridiculous thought popped into her head right at that moment. Was his err... reproductive equipment the same as a normal cat’s?

At once, Violet froze mid-movement. What the fuck was wrong with her? She was not checking that!

Shuddering at her own wayward thoughts, she quickly finished dressing him and grabbed the final touch which was a pair of tiny round cat glasses with gleaming silver rims.

Carefully, Violet slipped them onto his face, adjusting them so they rested perfectly on his tiny feline nose.

Done, Violet took a step back to admire her handiwork. The gods help her. Kitten Roman looked freakishly adorable.

It was almost unfair how even as a tiny green-furred menace, Roman still managed to ooze an effortless charm that could melt hearts. He looked like a mafia boss cursed into feline form, too dignified to be taken seriously, yet undeniably captivating.

Violet clapped her hands together in glee. "Alright, Kitten Roman. Time to charm my customers."

Without a sound, Roman leaped gracefully onto Violet, his small form curling against her chest as if he owned the spot. His velvety green fur pressed into the fabric of her wear as she instinctively adjusted her hold, cradling him easily.

This was, unfortunately, his fate, reduced to a cuddly attraction for money-hungry Violet. But if he was going to be paraded around like some exotic treasure, at the very least, he would do it with style.

As soon as they approached the camera crew, the atmosphere buzzed with energy. The team was a mix of giddy students and one professional-looking elite girl who had way too much camera gear for a student.

The second she locked eyes on them, the girl’s fingers twitched over her high-end camera, and she wasted no time snapping them.

Click! click! click! The camera’s rapid-fire shutter sounded off like a machine gun.

Although Violet was still in her sportswear, her look was not casual at all, instead Kitten Roman’s presence only enhanced her image.

With her striking purple hair, her rebellious air, and the sleek green Scottish Fold cat lounging in her arms like he was born for the limelight, they looked like two delinquents destined for mischief.

There was an effortless synergy to the two of them, chaotic yet cool, wild yet refined. The contrast was exotic, refreshing, and utterly photogenic.

The students assisting with the setup could barely contain themselves anymore. The sight of Kitten Roman in his tiny tuxedo was too much sugar for their poor diabetic heart.

"Oh my god, he’s so cute!"one of the girls squealed, nearly vibrating on the spot.

"I just wanna hold him!"another gushed.

"I’d die happy if I could squish those little cheeks!"

"For me, I just want to squeeze him tight!"

The excitement was reaching dangerous levels that Kitten Roman, who was a sucker for attention, for the first time in his existence, felt the true terror of being prey. The unrestrained desire in their eyes was scary.

Violet, on the other hand, was not looking at the crazed admirers but at the long line of students already forming, their eager faces filled with anticipation.

Some of them were bouncing on their heels, clutching their phones in preparation with their wallets already out. And the sight of it made satisfaction curl in her chest.

Yes. This was indeed a good day to make some serious money.