Chapter 008
As soon as the door opened, Alina quickly turned her head to see Lorraine standing in the doorway.
“Thank goodness you’re still awake,” Lorraine sighed, walking in with a weary breath. She tossed her jacket onto the couch and
sat down next to Alina.
“I made some food earlier… in case you’re hungry,” Alina said softly.
Lorraine shook her head. “What I saw at the party was more than enough to keep me full.” Her eyes widened with disbelief. “Alina, what the hell was that? Tell me the truth. Are you really seeing Aiden Blackwood? Are you serious? That makes no sense! You don’t even know what he looks like! You were head over heels for Kelvin. Do you remember? You didn’t even listen to me when I told you
I caught him cheating.”
Lorraine shifted in her seat and leaned forward, clearly worked up. “I used to talk about Aiden all the time, his achievements, his business empire, everything, and you never seemed interested. Not once. And now, suddenly, we walk into a party, and you two
are looking all cozy? What am I missing?”
Alina let out a long, tired sigh at her friend’s rant. She didn’t know where to start, but she had to say something.
“Okay… if I said it was a long story, I’d be lying,” she admitted. “Because honestly, the story started just minutes ago. Right there
at the party.”
Lorraine raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. Alina continued.
“I don’t know him. He doesn’t know me. I was bluffing, Lorraine. That whole thing… it was a lie. I was just trying to make a point
to Kelvin. I didn’t think Aiden Blackwood would actually be nearby. I mean, seriously-what would someone like him be doing at a
place like that?”
She paused, taking a deep breath.
“I thought I could say what I wanted and just walk away. No one was supposed to call me out on it. But then… he showed up. And
now, this lie has turned into something else entirely.”
“So… are you two dating now or what?” Lorraine asked, blinking in disbelief.
Alina hesitated. “Sort of? But it’s not real. He asked me to pretend to be his girlfriend for a week, just long enough to meet his
grandmother. After that, it’s over. No strings attached.”
Lorraine’s jaw dropped. “What? Why would it just end? Are you actually serious right now?”
Alina stood up. “Why not? I don’t have feelings for him. And it’s barely been forty-eight hours since Kelvin and I ended things. Do you have any idea how much that hurt? I was in love with him, Lorraine. And now I’m supposed to suddenly fall for someone else? Someone I barely even know?”
“I mean… I get that, but…” Lorraine trailed off as Alina turned and started walking away.
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Chapter 008
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Lorraine raised her voice slightly, hoping she’d hear. “It’s all over social media, Alina. I just thought… maybe there’s a chance he could actually fall for you. I mean, the guy’s never been caught up in any scandals, never even been seen with a woman… until now. There use to be speculations that maybe he doesn’t even like women, but tonight, he called you the most beautiful girl in the room. And now the whole world thinks you’re his. That has to count for something, doesn’t it?”
But Alina didn’t turn around. She kept walking, shutting her bedroom door behind her with a soft thud.
How could that mean something after she had clearly said it was a one-week deal?
Inside her room, she let out a deep breath and sat down on the bed. The room was quiet now, but her mind was loud… flashing back to everything that had happened at the party; the way Aiden looked at her, the things he said, the way her heart had skipped a
beat.
She buried her face in her hands.
It was just supposed to be a harmless lie. So why did it make her heart flutter?
The car slowed to a stop infront a mansion, and without wasting time, Jennifer opened the door and stepped out. The evening air
was cool against her skin, and she was ready to head inside when Kelvin grabbed her hand.
“Jen…” he called softly.
Jennifer sighed, her shoulders stiffening as she turned to face him.
“I’m not in the mood, Kelvin. Seriously.” She pulled her arm free. “Didn’t you see what happened back there? Didn’t you see how humiliated I was in front of everyone?”
Kelvin looked down for a moment, then at her before slowly nodding. “I did. And it wasn’t just you. I felt it too and I’ll make sure
Alina regrets it.” he said, his tone calm. “But if there’s anything else you want me to do to fix this… anything at all, just tell me.”
Jennifer blinked and tilted her head slightly. “Anything?” she asked, as if to make sure he meant it.
Kelvin looked up and met her eyes. “I don’t go back on my word… Anything.”
A slow smile crept across Jennifer’s lips. She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. “That just made my
night,” she whispered into his ear.
Then she gently pulled away, cupped his face with both hands, and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. It wasn’t deep, just long enough
to leave him stunned and staring.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said with a wink, then turned and walked toward the mansion.
Kelvin remained still for a few more seconds, watching her disappear inside. Then, without another word, he slid back into the car, started the engine, and drove off into the quiet night.
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Chapter 008
+25 BONUS
Inside the house, Jennifer kicked off her heels the moment the door shut behind her. The silence was a reminder that her mom was still away on her trip. Perfect. She had the house to herself.
She headed to her room, tossed her bag on the bed before heading for the bathroom. Turning on the shower, she stepped under the warm spray, sighing as the heat relaxed her muscles.
But her mind wasn’t so easily soothed.
Her thoughts spun back to the party, to the moment Aiden Blackwood kissed Alina.
She let out a bitter laugh.
“Aiden and Alina?” she scoffed aloud. “Seriously?” The sarcasm dripped from her voice. The idea alone was laughable. “Keep dreaming, Alina.”
She tilted her head back, letting the water cascade down her face as a wicked smile curled on her lips.
“Aiden Blackwood will be mine soon enough,” she whispered. “Then you can go crawling back to Kelvin… if he’s still interested. I
won’t need him anymore.”
Her laughter echoed off the tiled walls of the bathroom. Her reflection in the fogged mirror stared back with something dangerous
in its eyes.
“If I could steal Kelvin from you once,” she murmured, “Aiden will be a piece of cake.”
She pressed her palms against the cool tiles, water streaming down her back as she smiled darkly.
“And I never lose.”
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