"Wait, what? You said no to a deal like that?" Natalie’s jaw drop practically hitting the floor, Lana who was standing behind the counter, wiped down a glass with practiced ease. “Yes, I did.”

Natalie blinked, clearly struggling to comprehend. “Why? I mean, why? It was such a good deal! You get to date the hottest man in Hollywood and walk away with a million dollars! And you said no?”

Lana let out a short breath, placing the glass back on the shelf. “Because I’m not interested in Ryan Kane. Or anything that has to do with him.”

Natalie gasped. “Are you even human?”

Lana turned around, her eyes calm but resolute. “As for me, I’d rather earn a million dollars the hard way. At least that way, it’s mine with no strings attached.”

Natalie looked at her like she was speaking an alien language. “But he’s Ryan Kane.”

“She’s not interested, Nat,” Gus said, walking over with a tray of fresh dough. “Let it go. Maybe she has her own reasons.”

Natalie groaned. “What kind of reason is that? I still don’t understand you.”

Lana gave Gus a small smile. “Thanks, Gus. You know me best.” Then she turned to Natalie. “As for you, go date him if you’re so obsessed.”

With that, Lana walked toward the back room.

Natalie stared after her, counting on her fingers. “One million dollars…” she muttered under her breath.

“Stop dreaming and get back to work, Nat,” Gus called out.

---

At Ryan Kane’s Home

Vic’s phone buzzed again. He pinched the bridge of his nose as he paced the living room, voice tight with frustration. “Yes, I understand your concern. No, the scandal’s not true. We’re handling it.”

He hung up and glared at Ryan, who was lounging on the couch, with his eyes fixed on the television like nothing was burning around him.

“You see this?” Vic waved the phone. “Brands. Agencies. PR reps. They’ve been blowing up my phone all day. I’m exhausted. Do you want to kill me before my time?”

Ryan didn’t look at him.

“Ryan,” Vic snapped.

Still silent. Then suddenly, Ryan turned. “Can you give me her address?”

Vic blinked. “What?, u gotta be kidding me”

“I want to talk to her. Convince her. I started this mess, let me fix it.”

Vic stared at him like he’d grown two heads. “I don’t trust you.”

Ryan rolled his eyes. “Seriously? You want to lose all those endorsement deals? Let me fix this. I promise—I won’t cause trouble.”

Vic groaned. “Fine. But I’m not telling Wexler. So don’t mess this up.”

He scribbled the address of Pizza Square on a sticky note and handed it to Ryan.

Ryan took it, smiled at him and said “Thanks.”

He stood and disappeared into his room to dress up.

---

Back at Pizza Square

Lana stood behind the counter, focused on the register as the lunch rush slowed down. The bell above the door chimed.

She looked up.

A tall man in black trousers and a hoodie entered, his head covered and face hidden behind a black mask.

“How can I help you?” she asked, not really looking.

“Hi, Little Cat. It’s been a long time, I should say.”

Lana froze.

Her head snapped up, eyes widening. “Ryan Kane?”

He pulled down his mask slightly, revealing that smirk she’d once been far too familiar with. “Thought you’d forgotten about me.”

“What the hell are you doing here?” she whispered harshly.

Before he could answer, Natalie walked out from the kitchen, balancing a tray. The moment she caught sight of Ryan, the tray slipped from her hands and clattered to the floor.

“No way…” she gasped, frozen. “Who am I seeing?”

Lana grabbed Ryan’s arm. “Come with me.”

She led him quickly into the back room, slamming the door behind them.

“Are you crazy?” she hissed.

“I just wanted to talk.”

“This is not the place—”

“Is that how you greet someone you haven’t seen in days?” he leaned in, voice low and teasing. “Aren’t you supposed to say, ‘I missed you’? Or ‘I missed your touch’?” His voice dropped an octave, grazing her ear like velvet.

Lana punched him in the stomach.

“Ouch” Ryan doubled over. “Damn. Still violent, I see.”

“Say anything like that again and I’ll do worse,” she snapped.

“Okay, okay.” He raised his hands in mock surrender. “Relax, Little Cat. I just want to talk.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“I mean it,” he said, suddenly serious. “Five minutes. That’s all I’m asking.”

Lana looked at him, uncertain, then sighed. “Fine. Be quick.”

“I’m sure you know what’s going on,” Ryan began. “The media, the scandal. Everyone thinks we’re a thing. And now Wexler wants us to run with it—pretend we’re dating. For publicity.”

“I heard.”

“We’re willing to increase the offer. If a million isn’t enough, let’s make it five.”

Lana recoiled, yanking her arm out of his grasp. “What kind of girl do you take me for, Mr. Kane?”

“I’m—”

“I don’t want your money. And more importantly, I don’t want anything to do with you.”

There was a crack in her voice, just barely, but Ryan noticed it.

“It was a mistake. One I hope you’ll forget. I’m sure there are other ways to save your reputation.”

She turned toward the door.

“And stop calling me Little Cat,” she added. “I have a name.”

She stormed out, leaving Ryan standing there alone.

He replaced his mask and quietly walked out the front.

But not before Natalie ran after him, starstruck.

“You’re Ryan, right?” she asked breathlessly. “I’m a big fan. Is it okay if you sign—here?”

She handed him a pen and turned around, offering her shirt for him to sign. He Chuckled softly, collected the pen and scribbled something quickly, handed the pen back, and left without another word.

Back inside, Natalie turned to Lana. “You shouldn’t have been that harsh.”

Lana didn’t respond.

“But why do you dislike him so much?” Natalie asked. “I mean, seriously. What did he do?”

Gus leaned in from behind. “Yeah, I’m curious too.”

“It’s nothing,” Lana muttered, avoiding their eyes as she busied herself with restocking napkins.

---

Later That Night

Lana stood outside her small apartment complex, key in hand, when a voice called out from behind.

“It’s been a while, Lana. How have you been?”

She turned. A group of men approached, shadows stretching under the dim streetlights. Leading them was a massive man with dark skin and cold eyes—Marcus.

Loan sharks.

Her stomach twisted.

“I told you, I’ll pay you back,” she said quickly. “Please, just give me a little more time.”

Marcus crossed his arms. “I’m running out of patience. You’ve been saying that for months.”

“I swear, I’ll have something next week—”

“You know,” he said, stepping closer, “your parents were the first to come to us. Got in deep before they… passed on. Then your grandma got sick, and here you are, picking up the pieces.”

Lana’s throat tightened.

“I thought you were different from them, Lana,” he continued. “I really did. But now… I’m not so sure.”

He leaned in close. “You’ve got one last chance. If I don’t have the money by next week, I won’t be responsible for what happens. Even your little granny might be in danger.”

With that, they turned and walked away, leaving her trembling on the pavement.

Lana slowly bent down to pick up the groceries they had kicked over before heading inside.

The moment she sat on the couch, her phone rang.

It was the hospital.

She was needed—immediately.

---

At the Hospital

Lana burst into the room. Her grandmother lay in bed, hooked up to machines, pale and unconscious.

“Granny…” Lana whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Please hold on.”

A doctor entered and gently motioned for her to step outside.

“There’s something you should know,” he said. “We ran some emergency tests. Your grandmother has a tumor—malignant, in her brain. It’s aggressive. We need to operate within 48 hours.”

Lana clutched the wall.

“We’ve started her on stabilizers—fluids, medication—but it’s only temporary. Surgery is critical.”

She nodded slowly, barely hearing her own voice. “How much?”

He gave a sympathetic glance. “Roughly $78,000. That covers the surgery, ICU stay, and post-op care.”

Lana stood in silence, staring down the hallway.

---

Back at Ryan’s Mansion

Vic looked up when Ryan entered.

“How did it go?” he asked.

“She said no.” Ryan didn’t meet his eyes. “Prepare a press conference. I’ll handle it myself.”

Then he disappeared into his room.

Vic could tell—something had shifted.

---

The Next Morning — Wexler’s Office

Wexler folded his arms, eyeing Ryan warily. “Are you sure about this? You’ll be admitting everything.”

Ryan nodded. “Let’s get it over with.”

Just then, the door burst open.

Lana walked in—her hair a mess, eyes puffy with exhaustion.

“To Mr. Wexler,” she said hoarsely, “I’ll do it.”

She turned to Ryan. “Mr. Kane… I’ll be your girlfriend. Let’s pretend it’s love.”

Mr. Kane wasn't surprised, as he believes what his money can do.

" You must have thought wisely to have come up with this." The young man smile, he felt butterfly in his belly.

" I hate you, you knows about it." Lana told him.

" What makes you think I like you, let alone loving you.?" Kane shown up pride.

" It is just a business transaction. Just as you have said earlier." He smiles. " Let's pretend is love."

Lana couldn't believe that she is doing this.

" I still not believe that I fell cheap before him." She rubbed her hands on her head. " Am so frustrated, felt as nothing." Lana imagine.

Whereas, Kane kept rejoicing at home.

" This called for celebration." He spoke to himself, ready to received Lana

"