I was sitting on a bench in Criselle's garden. Yes, I came to the party out of respect for Criselle. I didn't want to let my breakup with Keivan affect our friendship.
The house was too loud inside, the music blaring, and Criselle was busy with her other friends. She hadn't even noticed that I was there. I hoped I wouldn't see Keivan at her birthday party.
I was quietly staring at the stars. The sky was beautiful tonight, filled with countless stars. I suddenly remembered what Keivan had once told me—that no matter what happened, he would never leave me. And if he wasn't by my side, I should just look at the brightest star in the sky.
He said that the brightest star would remind me of how much he loved me because he was that star, the one that would light up my life. And like a fool, I believed everything he said.
Yes, I can see the brightest star now, but I know it's no longer meant for me because he chose to leave. He chose to leave me in the dark.
No more tears fell from my eyes; maybe I had finally accepted that he wasn't meant for me. I started walking slowly around the garden, feeling the cool breeze. It was a bit chilly outside, but I didn't mind.
After a while, I heard a familiar voice.
"I can't hide it anymore. I don't want to keep our relationship a secret. I want people to know that I love you, that we're together," the voice said.
I moved closer to the direction of the voice, and sure enough, it was Keivan, talking to a familiar girl. It was none other than Angela, the school muse.
I hid behind some bushes. Even though I was hurting, I couldn't make myself leave. I wanted to hear what they were talking about.
"Keivan, you know we can't make our relationship public. You know how students look up to me. I'm a role model for them. What would they think if they found out I have a boyfriend?" Angela said, irritation evident on her face.
"So, we'll just keep hiding? Forever? I broke up with Laine for you. I chose you because I love you," Keivan said, emotion heavy in his voice.
Hearing that made my chest tighten, the pain nearly unbearable. Tears threatened to fall again, but I held them back.
"Keivan, please stop being so immature. I love you, but I can't put my reputation at risk. Please, understand," Angela pleaded.
Keivan immediately pulled her into a hug.
"I'm sorry, Angela. I love you. Okay, I'll understand your situation. I'll wait," Keivan said while holding Angela close. She returned his embrace.
"No one can know about our relationship, Keivan," Angela said.
"Okay… I understand."
I couldn't take it anymore. My heart was shattered all over again. I needed to leave, so I started walking away. But then, I accidentally tripped over a plant pot. It wasn't very loud, but it was enough for them to hear because the surroundings were quiet.
"Keivan… did you hear that? I think someone's here," Angela said, her voice tinged with worry.
Suddenly, someone grabbed my hand. Even though I didn't recognize him, I let him pull me away as long as it meant I could escape without being seen. I couldn't make out his face because it was dark until we reached the backyard.
"Consider yourself lucky—I just saved you," he said to me.
Now, I could clearly see his face—his perfectly handsome face. His eyes were mesmerizing, with those expressive brown eyes, and he had a pointed nose. Damn, I'd never seen anyone as perfect as him before. He seemed familiar, but I couldn't place where I'd seen him.
"Hey… you're staring too much," he said with a grin. It only added to his charm. Damn it, why am I praising this guy so much? I don't even know him. I snapped back to reality when I realized he said I was staring too much at him.
"Uh… well, thank you… but you really saved me earlier. If you only knew… anyway, why did you bring me here?" I asked him. I honestly had no idea why he dragged me here, but it actually saved me from the scene earlier.
"I just told you—I saved you," he said with a smile and even winked at me. I don't know why, but something about this guy was making me feel things I'd never felt before, and I couldn't figure out if I was creeped out or intrigued.
"Wait… don't tell me you were watching me earlier?" I asked him, trying to meet his gaze, but damn, his eyes were the kind that made you feel like you'd melt under their gaze.
"Of course, that's why I saved you," he said.
"Okay, thank you," was all I could say, avoiding his eyes again. I couldn't keep looking at him.
"No problem, just make sure you don't try to kill yourself again." When he said that, I turned my gaze back to him. Our eyes met again, and I could feel the tension between us.
"Don't tell me… you were the guy who stopped me from jumping off the bridge?" I asked curiously.
He simply nodded.
No wonder he seemed familiar. I just couldn't remember him clearly until now.
"So, what now? I always end up saving you. Shouldn't I be the one asking you for a favor?" he said with a teasing tone as he took a step closer to me.
"Favor? Huh? At the first place, I didn't ask for your help, so sorry," I replied, a bit annoyed.
"Look, I can help you too," he offered confidently.
I shot him a look.
"I didn't ask for your help. If you have nothing else to say, I'm leaving. I need to make an appearance at the birthday party," I said and started to walk away.
"I can help you get revenge on Keivan," he said seriously, making me stop in my tracks.
My mouth fell open, waiting for what he would say next.
"I can really help you. If he hurt you, I can help you make him hurt too," he added.
I didn't know why, but I liked the sound of his idea. Maybe it was because of the anger and resentment building up inside me toward the guy who replaced me with another girl.
"And what do you want in return?" I asked.
"Be my girlfriend for two months," he said, his tone serious.
"What? Do you like me?" I asked, laughing in surprise.
He suddenly burst out laughing, which made me feel insulted.
"Of course not. I just need you to pretend to be my girlfriend for two months. But no feelings, okay? I just really need you to pretend. And for that, I'll help you get revenge on your jerk of a boyfriend," he explained.
"Ex-boyfriend," I corrected him.
"Okay, your EX-BOYFRIEND," he emphasized.
"Look, it's not that I don't like your idea. I love the thought of getting back at Keivan for all the lies he told… but why? Why do you need a pretend girlfriend?" I asked him.
"Stop asking… will you agree or not?" he asked, clearly avoiding my question.
"Why won't you tell me?" I asked, frustrated.
"Don't ask anymore… so, are you in?"
"Fine, I'll pretend to be your girlfriend and do whatever it takes to make Keivan hurt too. We can hurt each other as much as we want."
"Okay, good," he said with a mischievous grin, and I shot him a glare.
A moment later, he pulled something from his pocket and handed me a piece of paper. I took it, unfolding it to see what it was.
"What's this?" I asked as I unfolded the paper.
"It's a contract with rules," he said.
"You're too much," I said, rolling my eyes.
There were ten rules listed, but I couldn't be bothered to read them all. My eyes landed on the last rule:
**Rule 10. No falling in love. Fine: 1 million.**
"What's this? Are you kidding me? I won't fall in love with you, so there's no need for this rule," I said, laughing.
"Well, that's my rule. I don't want any feelings involved. If anyone falls in love, there's a fine of 1 million. If you need money, you can seduce me, but I warn you, I won't fall in love with you either. Never," he said, his gaze making me feel like I was going to melt.
"Well, same goes for me. I will NEVER fall for you… never," I shot back, glaring at him.
"Tomorrow, bring it back signed. Once you sign it, there's no turning back," he said, his tone challenging.
"Anyway, I'm Alzid," he said, extending his hand.
"Laine," I replied, shaking his hand.
That night ended without me fully understanding why I agreed to this. Maybe it was the pain I felt and the desire for revenge. Later that evening, I made sure to show up at Criselle's party despite the hurt I was feeling. And it turned out that the guy was also at the party because his friends were friends with Criselle. I saw Keivan again at the party, but we didn't acknowledge each other.