Chapter 2: The Deal
765 Words
Megan's POV
I tried to focus on my Calculus notes, but the ink looked like jumbled mess. All I could see was Liam's face from this morning.
"Earth to Megan," Stella whispered, leaning over my desk. Her braids bounced as she wagged a finger in front of my face. "You've been staring at the same page for ten minutes. Is this about the hallway showdown?"
"It wasn't a showdown," I muttered, slamming my textbook shut. "It was a collision."
"Whatever it was, the whole school is talking. Even Elena was joking that you two look like a divorced couple fighting over the house."
I groaned. "He's just an arrogant jerk who thinks he owns the floor tiles."
Suddenly, a shadow fell over my desk. I looked up, expecting Daniel to be there with another pathetic 'we should talk' speech.
Instead, it was a sleek, black-suited driver. "Miss Foster? Mrs. Carter is requesting your presence in the private lounge. Now."
Stella's eyes went wide. I felt a pit form in my stomach. You didn't say no to Mrs. Carter.
Liam's POV
I leaned against the mahogany sideboard in the lounge, staring out at the St. Vivienne courtyard. My mother sat on the velvet sofa, looking way too calm.
"I'm not doing it, Mom," I said for the tenth time. "It's ridiculous."
"Is it?" she asked, sipping her tea. "The board of directors thinks you're a loose cannon, Liam. The rumors that you're 'bored' and 'unsettled' are affecting the family's social standing. You need a stable, respectable image. You need a girlfriend."
"So hire an actress," I snapped.
"I don't need an actress. I need someone who actually knows you. Someone like Megan."
The door opened, and Megan walked in. She looked small in that room, but her chin was held high, her dark eyes flashing with that stubborn fire I'd known since we were five. God, she still looked at me like I was the villain of her story.
"Mrs. Carter?" Megan asked, ignoring me completely. "You wanted to see me?"
"Sit, Megan," my mother said warmly.
I watched Megan take a seat as far away from me as possible. I crossed my arms, my chest tightening. I hated how much her presence still bothered me.
"I'll get straight to the point," my mother continued. "Liam needs to improve his public image for the upcoming season. And Megan, I've heard rumors that your ex-boyfriend, Daniel, has been making things difficult for you at school."
Megan stiffened. "I can handle Daniel."
"I'm sure you can. But wouldn't it be easier if he thought you had moved on to someone... more significant?"
Megan's gaze flickered to me, then back to my mother. "You want us to fake a relationship."
"I want you to help each other," my mother corrected. "Liam gets a reputation boost. You get a shield from Daniel. And," she paused, "I will personally ensure your senior tuition is fully covered, regardless of your scholarship status."
The room went dead silent.
Megan's POV
My heart hammered against my ribs. Fully covered tuition? That would change everything for my parents. But the cost... the cost was Liam Carter.
I looked at him. He was staring at the floor, his jaw tight. He looked just as miserable as I felt.
"Why me?" I asked. "He has Sophie."
"Sophie is a scandal waiting to happen," Liam muttered, finally speaking. He looked at me, his amber eyes piercing. "And my mom knows I can't stand her. Look, Foster, I hate this as much as you do. But if we do this, it's strictly business. We act like a couple in public, and we ignore each other in private."
I thought about Daniel's constant texting. I thought about the way Sophie sneered at me. Then I thought about my mom working double shifts to pay for my textbooks.
I stood up and held out my hand. "Fine. But if you call me 'Scholarship' one more time, the deal is off."
Liam stood up, his height looming over me. He didn't take my hand. Instead, he stepped closer, his scent-expensive sandalwood and cold air-filling my senses.
"Deal," he whispered. "Get ready, babe. Our first 'date' is tomorrow at lunch."
The way he said babe made my skin crawl and my heart race at the same time. I had a feeling I'd just made a deal with the devil.
- Writer
