Wealth Before Love

Jane was in the middle of a photo shoot, deeply immersed in her work, when her phone rang. She ignored it at first, but then the distinct sound of her hotline pierced through her focus. *Graaan! Graaan! Graaan! She sighed, knowing this call couldn't wait. Reluctantly, she picked it up. "Hello, Daddy! Trust you're fine? I'm sorry for not answering earlier," she said, trying to sound cheerful. "I'm healthy, my dear. For a moment, I thought you didn't want to answer my calls," Mr. Douglas responded in his usual firm tone. Jane smiled faintly. "I was just caught up with work, Daddy. Please don't mind my nonchalant attitude." "You're forgiven," Mr. Douglas replied warmly. Then, without hesitation, he added, "I want to see you and your boyfriend in two weeks at the house. I’m hosting a small gathering with a few family and friends." Jane froze. “Two weeks?” she asked, her voice tinged with panic. “I’ll be in Paris for work. I’m swamped, Daddy. I don’t think I can make it.” But her father wasn’t one to let things slide easily. He read between the lines and smiled to himself. “Well, your cousin Amanda will be coming with her partner. It would be great to have you both here at the same time.” Hearing Amanda's name made Jane’s blood boil. “Amanda? That b***h!” she snapped, her voice suddenly loud. Her hand clenched into a fist, and she slammed it on the table in front of her. “Calm down, dear,” Mr. Douglas said, trying to diffuse the tension. “Why are you so upset about her coming?” “Dad, have you forgotten how she torments me? How she always gets on my nerves?” Jane fumed. “Why would you invite her if you wanted me there?” “She’s family, Jane,” her father said patiently. “I want you two to settle your differences. You were inseparable once, remember?” Jane's mind drifted back to their childhood. They had been best friends, partners in crime, even. But everything changed in high school after a reckless truth-or-dare game. It started innocently enough. Amanda dared Jane to seduce a lowly boy, elevate his status, make him fall in love, and then discard him. It was a cruel challenge, but Jane, blinded by pride, accepted. Their elite private school was filled with the children of Dublin’s wealthiest families, so finding someone who fit the "lowly" profile wasn’t easy. But one day, while driving home, Jane spotted a young man sitting behind an ice cream truck. His disheveled look caught her attention. “That one,” she said, pointing him out to Amanda. Amanda smirked. “Perfect. Let the game begin.” Stopping the car, Jane and Amanda approached the ice cream truck. Jane plastered on her most charming smile. “Good afternoon. I’d like some ice cream,” she said sweetly. The boy didn’t look up. “How many?” he asked curtly, focused on his work. “Don’t mind my manners. I’m Jane. And you are?” Jane asked, her voice soft. He glanced up briefly. “Jackson,” he said, his smile revealing a dimple. Jane felt a twinge of something unfamiliar but quickly brushed it aside. “Will you be here tomorrow?” she asked, trying to sound casual. “I go wherever I can,” he replied, his tone indifferent. Determined, Jane pushed further. “What if I want to see you again?” Jackson raised an eyebrow. “Why would you?” Snapping back to the present, Jane realized she was still on the phone. She sighed in resignation. “Okay, Dad. I’ll be there. And I’ll bring my boyfriend,” she said, though the words felt like a noose tightening around her neck. “That’s my girl,” Mr. Douglas said, satisfied. As Jane ended the call, reality set in. She had no boyfriend. She paced her apartment, anxiety building. Two weeks wasn’t enough time to find someone serious. She considered her options: asking a colleague, going on blind dates, or even faking a partner. “No,” she muttered, shaking her head. "I can’t risk the paparazzi finding out." After much deliberation, she downed a glass of wine, letting the alcohol dull her nerves. An idea sparked. “Charles!” she exclaimed. Charles is a guy she bumped into some weeks ago who helped fix her car, he's currently unemployed. He looks reliable and she believed he wouldn’t reject her offer. Feeling slightly more in control, Jane grabbed her phone and began typing a message. "Hey Charles, I need a favour..."