Chapter 4: The Pretend Game Begins
384 Words
The week passed quickly, but Sean Adi wasn’t a man who accepted defeat. He appeared everywhere Stephanie went — in the cafeteria, in the library, even outside her hostel.
At first, she thought it was coincidence. But the smirk on his lips told her otherwise.
One evening, after her long shift, Stephanie returned to her hostel only to find Sean leaning casually against the wall, waiting.
“Not again,” she muttered, brushing past him.
“Wait, Stephanie.” His tone was unusually serious this time. “I know you hate me, but hear me out.”
She folded her arms. “I already did. And my answer was no.”
Sean exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “Fine. Then don’t do it for me. Do it for yourself. I saw your landlord yelling at you the other day. You’re behind on rent, aren’t you? And don’t tell me you’re not struggling with tuition.”
Stephanie’s chest tightened. She hated that he knew. She hated even more that he was right.
Sean lowered his voice. “One semester. Pretend to be with me in front of my father and a few others. That’s it. No strings attached. In return, I’ll cover your rent and fees. You can finally breathe.”
Stephanie’s eyes narrowed. “And what do I have to do in this… game of yours?”
He smiled slightly. “Hold my hand sometimes. Sit beside me at events. Maybe smile at me in public. Nothing more. It’s all pretend.”
Her heart pounded. She wanted to refuse. She wanted to scream. But deep inside, the weight of her reality crushed her. Rent. Tuition. Meals. Her dreams.
Finally, she whispered, “One semester. Nothing more.”
Sean’s grin spread wide. “Deal.”
He stretched his hand for a shake. Stephanie hesitated, then shook it reluctantly. Electricity shot through her palm, but she quickly pulled away, frowning at herself.
Sean leaned close, whispering with a mischievous glint,
“Careful, Stephanie. Pretending has a way of becoming real.”
That night, as she lay in bed staring at the ceiling, Stephanie told herself she could handle this. It was just an arrangement. Just survival.
But deep down, she knew: nothing about Sean Adi was ever “just.”
End of Chapter 4.
- Writer
