Faking With You.

Aisha Bello has spent years trying to forget the boy who made her childhood miserable.Then, on her first week at one of the most prestigious universities in Lagos, she walks into a classroom and finds him sitting there.Ethan Adebayo.He recognizes her immediately.She doesn’t.Not until he smiles.And suddenly, she remembers.The boy who used to pull her ribbons until they came loose.The boy who hid her books and laughed while she searched for them.The boy who knew exactly which words would make her cry and never seemed to feel sorry for using them.Ethan had been the rich boy everyone wanted to know.Aisha had been the scholarship girl who never seemed to belong.Years have passed, but apparently, some memories don’t know when to die.Aisha wants nothing from Ethan.Not his apology.Not his attention.And certainly not his money.She has more important things to worry about.Her tuition is due.Her scholarship doesn’t cover everything.Her family can’t afford to carry her.So while students around her spend their evenings at expensive restaurants and parties, Aisha tutors other students, takes whatever jobs she can find, and counts every naira before deciding whether she can afford to spend it.She came to university to build a future.Not to fall in love.Especially not with the boy who once made her childhood miserable.But Ethan has problems of his own.For years, everyone assumed he would eventually marry Sofia Sinclair.Beautiful. Wealthy. Popular.The kind of woman who walks into a room and immediately becomes the center of it.Sofia has been Ethan’s best friend for most of their lives. Their families are close, and their parents have practically planned their future for them.And Ethan once wanted it.He spent years trying to make Sofia see him as more than her best friend.She never did.She liked knowing he was always there.She liked his attention.She liked being the person he chose first.But whenever he tried to turn their friendship into something real, she reminded him that they were better off as friends.So Ethan waited.Until one day, he stopped.That should have been the end of it.Instead, it is the moment Sofia finally realizes she may have made a mistake.Because Ethan is no longer looking at her.He’s looking at Aisha.And Sofia can’t understand why.What could he possibly see in a girl who doesn’t care about his money, his family, or his social status?A girl who barely notices when people stare at her.A girl who would rather spend an evening working than attend one of Sofia’s glamorous parties.A girl who can look a billionaire heir in the face and tell him his money isn’t her problem.Ethan doesn’t understand it either.Not at first.All he knows is that his family is pushing harder than ever for him and Sofia to get married.And this time, he isn’t willing to give in.When his parents make their expectations clear, Ethan realizes he needs a way out.Then he notices Aisha’s problem.She needs money.He needs a girlfriend.The solution should be simple.At least, that’s what Ethan thinks.He approaches Aisha with a proposal so outrageous she almost laughs in his face.Pretend to be his girlfriend.Just long enough to convince their families that he has chosen someone else.Just long enough for the marriage plans to disappear.Just long enough for both of them to walk away.Aisha refuses.Then her tuition deadline gets closer.Ethan makes the offer again.This time, he doesn’t offer charity.He offers a deal.She will owe him the money and repay it.He will not interfere with her education.He will not control her.She will not pretend to be in love with him when they are alone.And, most importantly, neither of them will develop real feelings.Aisha agrees.Not because she trusts Ethan.Because she needs to stay in school.They sign the agreement.And that’s where everything begins to go wrong.Their first public appearance is supposed to be nothing more than a performance.A hand held for the cameras.A smile at dinner.A few convincing whispers.A kiss when Sofia is watching.But Ethan discovers something he wasn’t prepared for.He likes having Aisha beside him.He likes the way she rolls her eyes whenever he acts entitled.He likes the way she refuses expensive gifts.He likes how fiercely she protects the little life she has built for herself.And he especially likes that she doesn’t treat him like a billionaire.Around Aisha, Ethan isn’t somebody’s heir.He’s just Ethan.The same Ethan who used to be cruel to her.The same Ethan who now can’t stand seeing anyone make her uncomfortable.The same Ethan who begins showing up when she needs him, even when there is no audience watching.Aisha notices.She tells herself it means nothing.After all, they’re pretending.Then Ethan starts getting jealous.Aisha starts getting jealous too.Their arguments become too personal.Their kisses last too long.And the moments between them become far too intimate when nobody is looking.Soon, Aisha begins wondering whether their agreement has changed without either of them admitting it.