Elena's POV

“Your what?!” I blurt out with my voice echoing through the quiet space.

Ryan Blackwood just stands there calm as ever with his hands tucked into his pockets like he’s talking about the weather. His dark hair falls slightly over his forehead and his eyes... those cold, unreadable eyes... don’t even flinch.

“I said,” he repeats slowly, “I want you to pose as my girlfriend for two months. Nothing more.”

I blink at him, sure I must’ve heard wrong.

“You… what?!” I repeat again because seriously who even says stuff like that?

He shrugs lightly like it’s no big deal.

“It’s simple, Elena. You just have to pretend. Two months that’s all.”

My jaw drops.

“Are you insane? Why would I ever agree to something that ridiculous?”

He takes a step closer with his smirk faint but still there.

“Because you owe me.”

I frown.

“Owe you? For what? I already thanked you...”

“Thanking me isn’t enough,” he cuts in. His tone is sharp and firm. “You’d have been expelled if I hadn’t stepped in. So yes you owe me.”

I cross my arms trying to steady the anger bubbling inside me.

“You think just because you helped me once, I’m suddenly one of those girls who throw themselves at you? Please Ryan. I’m not one of your fan club members.”

He chuckles but it’s a low and humorless laugh.

“You sure act like you’re above everyone else but let me remind you Elena… everyone has a price.”

My stomach tightens.

“I don’t want anything to do with you.”

Ryan leans close with his voice dropping.

“Then you’d better think carefully because if you don’t comply…” His eyes darken. “I’ll have no choice but to do something you’ll regret.”

My heart skips.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

He doesn’t answer. He just turns and walks away leaving me frozen in place with his words hanging.

I try to shake it off. He’s bluffing. He always is. Ryan Blackwood... the school’s number one dangerous boy... loves to play mind games. Everyone knows that.

Still, the chill in his voice refuses to leave me so I decide to forget the whole thing ever happened.

At least… I try to.

***

A few days later I’m in my room helping Cara with her homework when the front door slams open.

“Elena!” she shouts with her voice sharp with anger.

I rushed out to the living room.

“What’s wrong?”

She’s holding a paper in her hand... a letter. Her face is flushed with her eyes wet.

“What’s wrong? This!” She throws it at me. “A suspension letter! I got suspended because they said I’ve been skipping classes!”

I grab the letter and stare at it, shocked.

“Wait, what? But I... I told you to attend that class in particular and sign in. You promised me you would! You didn’t have to go and snitch on me afterwards!” she snaps crossing her arms.

“What? Cara, I didn’t...”

“Don’t lie!” she screams with tears welling in her eyes. “You told them, didn't you? You told the school I wasn’t showing up!”

I feel my chest tighten.

“Cara, I swear I didn’t! I would never...”

But then it hits me. Ryan of course..

He must’ve done it. He’s the only one who could have pulled something like this off.

I sink onto the couch gripping the letter tightly. Cara storms off to her room slamming the door behind her and I just sit there in silence with my head spinning.

Why would he do this? Just to get back at me for saying no?

I try to convince myself it’s a coincidence but deep down I know it isn’t. Ryan doesn’t play fair and he always gets what he wants.

***

The next week doesn’t get any better. Teachers who used to praise my work suddenly act like I don’t exist. My assignments come back with low grades that don’t make sense. It’s like someone’s turned the entire school against me and that’s when I’ve had enough.

At lunch, I spot him sitting at the edge of the field with his blazer hanging off one shoulder, earbuds in and eyes on his phone. Everyone gives him space... like always. Ryan Blackwood doesn’t have friends.. he has followers.

I march up to him, fuming.

“You did it, didn’t you?”

He looks up slowly with one eyebrow raised.

“Did what?”

“Don’t play dumb, Ryan! You got my sister suspended! You messed with my grades!”

He smiles faintly.

“You’re quick.”

“So you admit it?”

He stands, pocketing his phone.

“I told you I’d make things difficult if you said no. You can’t really be surprised.”

I take a step back, glaring.

“You’re unbelievable. What kind of person does that?”

“The kind who gets what he wants,” he says simply. “And what I want is for you to agree.”

I shake my head.

“You’re insane. Why me? You could ask anyone... half the girls in this school would literally die to be your girlfriend.”

He laughs under his breath.

“That’s exactly why I don’t want them.”

“What does that even mean?”

He moves closer with his voice lowering.

“Because you don’t want me. You don’t care and that makes it easier to keep it purely business.”

“You’re unbelievable.”

“I’m practical,” he corrects with his tone calm. “Look, I’ll make it worth your while. I’ll pay for your sister’s tuition. I’ll make sure your teachers fix your grades. Your family’s been struggling, hasn’t it?”

I freeze.

“How do you know that?”

He smirks.

“I know a lot of things Elena. I know your mom’s been skipping meals to save money. I know she's still looking for work too. You could use a little help.”

I stare at him, speechless.

“Just two months,” he adds softly. “And then you’re free.”

I bite my lip, torn between anger and fear.

“I’m a junior and you’re a senior. People will talk.”

He shrugs.

“Let them. Our levels don’t matter. It’s temporary.”

I swallow hard.

“You’re serious about this?”

“Dead serious.”

For a long moment neither of us says anything. I can feel my heart racing at the thought.

Finally I sigh.

“Fine.”

His lips twitch.

“Fine?”

“Yes,” I mutter, folding my arms. “But only for two months.”

“That’s all I need.”

***

The next evening he texts me out of nowhere.

Ryan: Dinner. My place. 7 p.m.

I stare at the message for a full minute before replying.

Elena: No way.

His reply comes instantly.

Ryan: It’s necessary if we’re doing this.

Elena: Necessary for what?

Ryan: My family needs to believe it too.

My hands go cold. Meet his family? I didn’t sign up for that.

Still, something in me knows better than to argue.

At exactly 6:45 p.m I’m standing in front of the mirror trying not to panic. I’ve changed my outfit twice already... first a dressbthen jeans then back to a dress again.

I finally settle for a simple cream blouse and black skirt. Not too fancy and not too casual.

When the sound of a car horn comes from outside, my heart jumps. He’s here.

I grab my bag, glance once at my reflection and slip quietly out the door before anyone can ask where I’m going.

Ryan’s car is parked right outside. He’s in the driver’s seat leaning against the window with that same lazy expression. When he sees me, a small smirk crosses his face.

“You clean up nice,” he says as I slide into the passenger seat.

“Just drive,” I mutter.

He chuckles.

“Nervous?”

“Should I be?”

He glances at me with his eyes gleaming under the streetlights. “Maybe a little.”

I roll my eyes.

“You’re not helping.”

As we drive through the quiet streets, I try to calm my heartbeat but it’s useless. Every second with him feels unpredictable... dangerous even.

“Just relax,” he says finally. “Let me do most of the talking, alright? You don’t have to act too much.”

“Act too much?” I scoff. “This is already too much.”

He laughs lightly but doesn’t respond.

When we pull up in front of the Blackwood Mansion, my jaw nearly drops. It’s huge... tall gates, wide driveway and lights glowing from every window.

“Wow,” I whisper.

“Welcome to my world,” he says simply.

A butler opens the door for us and as we step inside I spot several people already seated at the dining table... his parents and few relatives all dressed elegantly.

My stomach knots. I wasn’t ready for this. Ryan of course walks in like he owns the place... which he does. His mother’s eyes light up when she sees him but before anyone can speak Ryan suddenly stops.

He turns to me and before I can even ask what’s happening he leans down... and kisses me right there. In front of everyone…!