The Deal
987 Words
Maya tried her best to focus on her lectures for the rest of the day, but she just couldn’t do it. Each time she opened her notebook, Aiden’s words kept ringing in her mind.
“I want you to act like my girlfriend.”
It sounded ridiculous.
No… impossible.
Out of all the people at Sterling University, Aiden Sterling was the last person she thought would be involved in any kind of agreement with her. He had spent the past two years joking around with her, making her feel awkward, and always pointing out that they were from very different backgrounds.
Why couldn’t she stop thinking about his proposal?
By the time her final class was over, the campus started to get quieter as people left. Maya headed to the bus stop with her backpack slung casually over one shoulder, wishing the chilly evening wind would help calm her mind.
As soon as she got home, reality hit her.
Their apartment was unusually quiet.
Her mother, Grace Brooks, was sitting at the dining table with a bunch of unpaid bills lying around in front of her. Emma was working on her homework, trying to act like everything was fine, but Maya saw the worried look on her little sister’s face.
“Mom?”
Grace looked up and quickly put on a smile.
“You’re home.”
Maya put her backpack on the chair and moved nearer.
“What happened?”
“It’s nothing.”
“You only say that when it’s something.”
Grace sighed before handing her a letter.
Maya unfolded it.
It was the last warning from the landlord.
Rent was overdue.
Another envelope lay beside it.
Emma’s school had issued a warning. If the unpaid tuition wasn’t paid by the end of the week, she would not be allowed to continue attending classes.
Maya’s heart sank.
“I’ll work more hours at the café.”
Grace immediately shook her head.
“You’re already juggling two jobs along with your full-time studies.”
“I’ll find another one.”
“Maya…”
“There has to be a way.”
Grace reached across the table and softly took her daughter’s hand.
“I don’t want you to give up your future because of us.”
“You are my future.”
Emma lifted her eyes from her books and gave a weak smile.
“I’m fine with missing school for a bit.”
“No,” Maya said firmly. “You’re not giving up your education.”
Silence filled the apartment.
That night, Maya stayed awake and looked at the ceiling.
No matter how many ideas she came up with, none of them worked well enough.
Then Aiden’s offer returned.
“I’ll pay your tuition.”
“I’ll help your family.”
She hated herself for considering it.
But she really didn’t want to lose her home at all.
The next day, Maya came to the university before her usual time.
She found Aiden right where Liam had told her to look—standing under the old oak tree by the fountain, looking at his watch every few minutes.
When he saw her approaching, he straightened.
“You came.”
“I said I’d give you an answer.”
He nodded, waiting patiently.
Maya took a deep breath.
“I’ll do it.”
For a moment, Aiden just looked at her, like he was checking if he had heard her correctly.
“You mean it?”
“I do.”
A smile crossed his face, but Maya quickly put up her hand.
“This is a business arrangement.”
“I understand.”
“We’re not really dating.”
“I know.”
“There will be rules.”
“I’m listening.”
Maya folded her arms.
“First, you will respect me.”
“You have my word.”
“No insults.”
“Agreed.”
“I don’t want to be embarrassed in front of other students.”
“I won’t.”
“No trying to act like you own me just because everyone assumes we’re a couple.”
Aiden smiled slightly.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Once your father cancels the engagement, this agreement is no longer in effect.”
He nodded.
“Three months.”
“Three months.”
Aiden extended his hand.
“Partners?”
Maya stared at it for a while and then finally shook it.
“Partners.”
The moment their hands touched, a strange warmth traveled up Maya’s palm.
It lasted only a second.
She quickly stepped back, telling herself it was just her imagination.
Neither of them saw Professor Evelyn Hayes watching from the library balcony.
The old professor looked worried as the crystal in her pocket started to shine a soft golden light.
“So it has begun,” she whispered.
Across the courtyard, another pair of eyes watched the handshake with intense hatred.
Sophia Hartwell.
She came to surprise Aiden after her morning meeting with Victor Sterling, but she found him smiling at another girl.
Her nicely painted nails gripped her handbag.
“So this is Maya Brooks.”
She looked at the man who was standing behind her.
“I want to know all the details about her.”
The man nodded.
“Yes, Miss Hartwell.”
Sophia turned her gaze toward Maya, her face showing no warmth.
“If she thinks she can take what’s mine…”
“She’s about to find out that some games can be much more dangerous than they seem.”
Maya and Aiden didn’t know the storm was coming, so they walked towards their first class together.
Neither knew that their pretend relationship had suddenly become real to everyone who was watching.
In a distant part of the city, a silver pendant just like Maya’s started to shine in the dark, as if it was reacting to a force that was finally waking up.
- Writer
