PRETEND

CHAPTER 3: STAY

I stare at the sky while lying down on the grass, breathing in and out. I can still see his ugly face, just annoying me on purpose. I opened my eyes to see another pair staring down at me, "I'm sorry, I wanted to apologize for my brother's behavior" the girl said, she was the one who was sitting with him.

How the f**k did she find me? "I followed you, I could tell you were upset and wanted to apologize on his behalf," She said as if she could read my mind, I nodded my head.

"You can leave now," I said, I could see his face when I look at hers which pissed me off even more. "I'm Perla, My brother Anthony can be annoying sometimes. Trust me, I grew up with him. I would know" She said as I just stared at her, "You do not wish to speak, okay" She said as I arched my eyebrows at her.

"What do you want Perla?" I asked, I could sense she needed something but was afraid to say it, "I was wondering if you could meet up with my brother so he apologized," She said as I chuckled before staring directly at her and saying "NO" before getting up off the grass and walking away.

"Hey Veronica, You forgot something," She said as I turned to look at her, "What?" I asked as she lifted my phone. "Thank you, give it back now," I said as she smirked before throwing it towards no other than her brother.

"I just wanted to ask if I could take you out on a date," He said calmly and gently, "NO" I yelled trying to reach my phone, "How tall are you" he asked as I stopped and stared at him.

"Why are you bothering me like this?" I asked, "Just come out and say what you gotta say" I added as they both stared at me.

"You will be my fake girlfriend for 6 Months?" He asked as I laughed before staring at them, "You're not laughing" I said as they both looked at each other before looking at me. "No, I'm serious Veronica," He said as I groaned.

"Please help my brother, Veronica, We'll pay you," Perla said as I smirked, "How much?" I asked, "How much do you want?" Anthony asked as I smiled before thinking.

"800B," I said as they stared at each other, "Deal, add a house in the process," They both said as I stared shocked. "You're serious?" I asked as they nodded their heads, "Who are you people?" I asked as they chuckled.

"Search it up," Perla said, "Here's our number, Text us," Perla said as they walked away, I stood there frozen. Once they left I called my mom and Victoria, "Lala, what?" Victoria asked, "I need to talk to you guys about something" I said, "Okay where?" my mom asked, "The park," I said and hung up as I sat down waiting for my mom and Victoria.

"What was so important it couldn't wait?" my mom asked as she arrived, Her bakery was only 5 minutes from the park, "let's wait for Victoria," I said as she nodded her.

20 minutes later Victoria arrived, and we all sat down as I began talking.

"I met this boy named Anthony who wants me to be his fake girlfriend," I said as they stared at each other and laughed, "So? who cares?" My mom asked as I rolled my eyes.

"I'm getting paid $900B," I said as they stopped laughing, "What?" Victoria asked, "Exactly, I can name any price. I don't want 900B for real, I just said it and he agreed even added a house in the process" I said as my mom arched her eyebrows.

"This is sketchy V, we don't know these people," My mom said as I agreed, "Who the f**k are you dating? Anthony Davis" Victoria said while laughing, "Who's that?" I asked, My mom and Victoria stared at me shockingly.

"How do you not know who Anthony Davis is?" Victoria asked as she pulled up a picture, it was him.

"THATS HIM" I called out as they stare at me, "No way, Anthony is a w***e and could get any girl he pleases," Victoria said as I took out the car and FaceTime Anthony, and indeed it was him.

"Have you decided?" Anthony asked, "My mom would like to have a meeting with you first," U said as he chuckled, "When?" He asked, "Now" My mom demanded as I chuckled.

"On my way, where?" he asked, "I don't know," I said, "My house, I'll send a car," He said as he hung up and texted me the license plate of the car. "We better not be getting kidn*pped Veronica," My mom said as I chuckled before smirking, "You're not funny," Victoria said as we saw the car, We entered and watched as the driver drove us to Anthony's home.

"Damn," My mom said knowing this was what her dream home looks like in her head. Two guards opened the gate allowing the car to drive through, the car went around the water fountain that was in the middle and stopped right in front of the front door.

There were flowers and plants everywhere. "Welcome to my home" Anthony's voice rings out as he walks out the door wearing a suit, earlier When I saw him he was wearing all black, a black leather jacket, black shirt, black jeans, and even a black hat.

"Come in," He said as we went up the stairs to the front door we entered and stared in Awe, there was a long hallway.

"Follow me," Anthony said as we followed him to a meeting room, we all sat down and stared at him.

"Why my daughter?" My mom asked but Victoria stopped him from answering, "Here's a more important question, Why do you need a fake girlfriend?" Victoria asked as he smiled ans laid back.

"Well, My mom and my grandmother are gonna force me to marry this girl, I dont wanna marry her so I lied and told him I was already dating this girl for 4 months now but had been keeping her away from the media and public eyes. In all honesty, I wasn't dating anyone, Now they wanna meet her," He said as I just looked around the room, I wasn't interested in Anthony's wack-ass story.

"And?" my mom asked, "I went to the Colorful Waffles diner to find one, knowing it was full of girls. Once I saw your daughter I immediately knew she would be perfect" Anthony said while staring at me, I rolled my eyes at him.

"Why do you say that?" Victoria asked, "She's feisty, she can deal with my parents and grandparents" He said as I chuckled, "Why should she accept?" My mom asked.

"I can help you if she helps me," He said as I stared at him confused with arched eyebrows, "What is that supposed to mean?" I asked as Victoria and my mom stared at each other.

"Ask your parents," He said with a smirk, "Let's go," My mom said as I stared at them, "What does that mean Mom?" I asked, "Nothing, she'll think about it," Victoria said, "You have until Monday," He said, "Today is Saturday," Victoria said annoyed, "Exactly," He said as he kicked us out.

We got back inside the car, I tutored Victoria and my mom. "What are you guys not telling?" I asked, "Nothing V" They lied, I knew they were lying.

"Your bakery isn't doing well is it, Dad's deli bill is becoming too much and the house is too much," I said as they stayed quiet. "I wanna stay" And made the car stop, "Are you sure V?" Victoria asked as I nodded my head and got out of the car.

"I wanna stay" I repeated more to myself than my mom, I know why they didn't tell me. they knew I would work harder to provide, which I've always done.

I waved to Victoria and my mom, ready to deal with this annoying man if it meant helping my family.