Self-strategizing
761 Words
Day Two
["What If My Fake Boyfriend Falls in Love With Me?"]
Thick curtains barricaded the sunlight, leaving the master bedroom shrouded in silence and darkness. The only flicker of illumination came from a phone screen glowing coldly against the pillow.
Olivia huddled under her blanket, staring at the search bar where she’d typed: “What if my fake boyfriend falls in love with me?”
She could breeze through academic conferences without a flinch. She could tackle complex experiments with unshakable composure. Yet here she was, utterly stumped—reduced to Googling advice like a teenager.
After a moment, she abandoned the ad-infested search engine and dialed her best friend, Marry. The line connected after two rings.
“Olivia? What’s wrong?” Marry’s voice crackled through.
“Can’t I call you without there being a crisis?” Olivia muttered, biting her lip.
Marry glanced out the window, half-expecting the sun to rise from the west. Her friend lived by the mantra “Wasting time is slow suicide.” Since when did Olivia indulge in casual chitchat?
Something’s off. Very, very off.
“So… hypothetically,” Olivia began haltingly, “if someone had a… crush on you—”
Marry’s Einstein-level IQ and razor-sharp intuition collided. “Oh my God. That rent-a-boyfriend of yours actually likes you?”
Olivia stiffened. “He’s not—he’s just… financially struggling.”
Marry snorted. “Defending him already? Sounds like mutual pining to me.”
Damn it. Olivia had walked right into that trap.
“Face it,” Marry teased. “You’ve had admirers lined up to the Eiffel Tower, yet this is the first time you’ve bothered to ask for advice. It’s him, isn’t it?”
Olivia sighed. No point hiding it now. “Last night… I was drunk. He confessed. Thought I didn’t hear, but I did. Said he loves me but doesn’t expect anything back.”
Marry gasped. “Holy s**t! Even paid companions can’t resist you?!”
If Lucan had wanted to manipulate her, he’d have done it while she was conscious. Pouring his heart out to a passed-out Olivia? That felt… genuine.
“For the record,” Olivia added flatly, “we’ve never slept together.”
“Sure, sure.” Marry chuckled. “But fair warning—those guys are professional heartbreakers. Have fun, but don’t get attached. Though… why’d you hire him in the first place?”
Olivia hesitated. How could she admit she’d hired Lucan because he looked exactly like her ex-fiancé? Petty revenge wasn’t a good look.
Marry, ever tactful, changed tack. “Observe him. See if he’s sincere.” Her tone dripped with faux innocence. “And do keep me updated. I’m totally here to support you.”
More like here for the drama, Olivia thought wryly.
But Marry had a point. Olivia began replaying Lucan’s actions:
He hands me water before I even ask. He’s always watching.
He looks hurt when I snap at him. Too raw to be acting.
He never crosses boundaries. Because true love means restraint.
By the time she finished her mental checklist, Olivia was smiling.
“Guess you’ve got taste,” she murmured. A thousand times better than that i***t ex who chased “true love.”
A knock interrupted her thoughts. Olivia smoothed her hair and cleared her throat. “Come in.”
The door creaked open. Lucan stood in the doorway, a breakfast tray in hand, backlit by hallway light like some haloed saint.
“Professor Olivia, breakfast?”
Her gaze swept the tray—all her favorites.
He adores me.
Lucan frowned. Why was she staring silently? Was her throat sore from last night’s wine? He pivoted abruptly to fetch water.
Olivia’s smile vanished. Is he ignoring me? Playing hard to get?
But then he returned, offering a glass with gentle concern. “For your throat.”
He’s so thoughtful.
She accepted it, though her throat felt fine. Denying him would crush his fragile heart, right?
As she sipped, Lucan mentally high-fived himself. Nailed it. This paycheck’s mine.
“Professor Olivia,” he pressed on, “the breakfast is light, easy on the stomach. I… bought it from a café.”
Olivia nodded. He went out of his way for me. So sweet.
Lucan exhaled in relief. Thank God. One step closer to escaping this madhouse.
He tugged the curtains open, flooding the room with golden light.
Olivia watched the sunrise, her smile softening. “Lovely weather.”
Lucan eyed her warily. Yep. Definitely unhinged.
Just a few more weeks. Save up. Run far, far away.
- Writer
