Chapter 6: When Pretend Feels Real
315 Words
It had only been two weeks since Stephanie agreed to the deal, but everything was already spiraling out of her control.
On campus, she and Sean had become the most talked-about pair. Girls who once worshiped him now shot daggers at her with their eyes. Guys whispered behind Sean’s back, wondering what he saw in the “ordinary restaurant girl.”
Stephanie tried to ignore it all, but the hardest part was ignoring the way her own heart reacted.
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One Friday evening, Sean insisted on walking her back from class. The sunset painted the campus in golden light, and for a moment, Stephanie almost forgot they were pretending.
Sean cracked a joke about their lecturer’s outdated wig, and she laughed — genuinely. It surprised her how easy it felt.
He stopped walking, turning to watch her laugh. His gaze lingered longer than usual, softer, almost vulnerable.
“What?” she asked, suddenly self-conscious.
“Nothing,” he said, shaking his head with a half-smile. “I just… don’t see you laugh often. You should do it more.”
Stephanie’s chest tightened. That wasn’t in the script. He wasn’t supposed to sound… sincere.
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Later that night, Sean called her phone — something he never did unless it was about the arrangement.
“Hey,” his voice was quieter than usual. “I know this is fake, but… I had a good time today.”
Stephanie froze. Her heart raced. She should’ve reminded him that it was all just an act, that their deal had rules. But instead, she found herself whispering, “Me too.”
When the call ended, Stephanie stared at her ceiling, restless.
This was dangerous. Very dangerous.
Because for the first time, she wasn’t sure if they were pretending anymore.
And judging from the way Sean had looked at her today… she feared he wasn’t sure either.
End of Chapter 6.
- Writer
