CHAPTER 2
1177 Words
ELENA POV
A sleek black SUV rolled into the campus garage. Ryder stepped out first, then circled around to open my door like the perfect gentleman. The moment my foot hit the ground, I felt the shift in the air.
Dozens of eyes locked onto us.
Students froze, eyes widened, and mouths open. Everyone was shocked. Different phones were up capturing the moment.
The school blog will scatter any moment from now.
*Did she just get down from Ryder's car?
*Somebody should pinch me…. Ryder of all people?
*She's shameless for real…
*She's proud, he's a devil. Perfect match.
*She's gonna cry blood…
*This is ridiculous… I'm not believing it.
Words were flying everywhere.
The school blog was definitely exploding by now.
Maya stood among the crowds, looking just as stunned as everyone else, her wide eyes tracking my every movement.
Ryder’s hand slid around my waist, pulling me firmly against him. He leaned down and pressed a soft, deliberate kiss to the side of my neck. I forced a bright smile, playing my role.
“Relax,” he murmured against my skin.
“I am relaxed,” I muttered through my teeth.
He smirked. “No, you’re not.”
I glared up at him. “Do you always talk this much?”
“Only when I’m being a good boyfriend,” he said smoothly.
Before I could fire back, his fingers moved from my waist to my hair, gently brushing a strand behind my ear.
“What are you doing?” I whispered sharply.
“Performing my boyfriend duties,” he replied with an easy smile.
I scoffed. “I hate you.”
“Awwn... I'm blushing. Don't worry, you'll survive,” he replied.
He started walking faster, keeping his arm around me and pulling me along. Students continued staring, phones held high, but Ryder didn’t spare them a glance. He looked completely unbothered. My grip on his hand tightened without meaning to.
When we reached the main building entrance, I tried to pull away.
“Enough,” I muttered. “We’re overdoing it now.”
He stopped but didn’t release me. Instead, he leaned in closer. “Not yet.”
I frowned. “Why?”
“Smile,” he said.
I let out a short, fake laugh. “Must we do this?”
He smiled. “Yes baby,” he said, his voice low and teasing.
I shot him a look that could’ve killed him before letting out a bright smile then lifted my lips up to blow him a kiss, then he lifted my hand pressing a soft, lingering kiss to my knuckles before pulling me forward again.
Inside the building was worse. People leaned out of classrooms, and murmurs filled everywhere.
I felt like I was walking under a spotlight.
“Seems like you've been waiting for an opportunity to be with me and coming up with the contract stuff was just the only way,” I muttered.
He scoffed. “Don’t flatter yourself. Whatever I do ends here” he replied.
I narrowed my eyes. “You're such a jerk.”
We finally reached my lecture hall and I pulled my hand away from him fully. “You don't have to follow me in.”
His eyes were fixed on me. “I know.”
I turned to leave, but he caught my wrist and gently tugged me back.
I shot him a glare. “What now?”
“A hug,” he said, opening his arms.
“Almighty Ryder needs a hug to have a good day?” I muttered, while batting my eyelids. But I stepped into the embrace anyway.
“His large hand settled on the back of my head, patting it softly. “Be safe, baby.”
I pulled back with a huge, fake smile. “I will, baby. Can I go now?”
He nodded. I walked into the lecture hall and rolled my eyes the second my back was to him.
Maya sat on the table with both hands on her waist like a mother waiting to interrogate her rebellious daughter.
“Lena, what the hell was that?” she demanded before I could even sit. Tell me it's not true and I was dreaming. Ryder of all people. Girlllllll, you know he has a bad name in school already. Do you want people bashing you?”
I dropped into my seat with a heavy sigh. “Maya chill… It's just a three month contract. It will be over before you know it.
Her eyes widened. She quickly sat beside me . “Contract? How? When? When? Lena, open your mouth and start talking before I lose my mind.”
“So,” I continued. “Yesterday being Sunday, Mrs Victoria invited me for lunch in a cafe and he was present. For real, I didn't know I was going to meet him there.”
Maya's jaw dropped. “So someone invited you for lunch and you couldn't even tell me?”
“I’m sorry baby! It happened so fast, and you were offline. I planned to tell you later, I swear.” I gave her my best pout.
“I'm not forgiving you yet. Keep talking.”
“I leaned in. “They offered me one million dollars to be Ryder’s fake girlfriend for three months.”
“Wait…” Maya stared at me in disbelief. “Don’t tell me you actually accepted?”
I widened my mouth in shock. “Who wouldn't accept? One million dollars is a lot. I don't need to start explaining things to you. You definitely know how things are for my family.”
“Lena,” her voice softened with concern. It could be anybody but Ryder… like Ryder… have you forgotten what happened to your brother?”
I pressed my palm on my forehead. “I remember every single thing… but see it's One million dollars we're talking about here, and he already sent half of the money yesterday so let's not do this right now…”
She grabbed my hands with obvious worry written on her face. “What if things go wrong?”
I squeezed her hands back and looked her straight into her eyes. “Trust me babe, nothing will go wrong. I'll handle everything perfectly I promise. And besides, we already set boundaries, no strings attached, just public display. So just calm down. I'll be fine.”
She pulled her hands away. “I don’t want you ending up with that guy. If I notice even a hint of real feelings, I’ll kill you. I’m serious.” She crossed her arms. “Besides, I’m already shipping you with Jayson.”
I shifted away from her. “Tsk… wake up from that dream baby girl. I can never be with Jayson and that's final.”
“Well, I'm the one with the final say here,” she shot back.
“Then maybe you should have him to yourself my love, I won't get jealous I swear.”
She reached over and dragged my hair playfully.
- Writer
