"Jones!"

The sound of Eugene's voice pierced through the tranquility of my lunch break atop the 'Arden High School' roof.

"This area's off-limits," I replied, my eyes still shut against the midday sun.

"I could say the same to you," he countered.

With a sigh, I turned to face him. "What do you want?"

"A favor," he said, with that trademark smirk of his.

I shook my head. "No."

"You don't even know what it is!" he protested, grabbing my arm.

I pulled away sharply. "I may not, but I know enough to stay clear of you."

I made to leave, but his next words stopped me in my tracks."I'm prepared to offer generous compensation!"

I turned back, skeptical.

What more could the son of a billionaire offer but money?

"I don't want your money," I replied, folding my arms.

He paused, then smirked. "Actually, I was going to offer you a job."

"Where?" I inquired, cautiously.

"Where else?" he exclaimed, gesturing around us.

He meant his chain restaurant. I'd heard they offered stellar salaries, which would certainly help me with my mounting debts. Yet, dealing with Eugene came with its own set of risks.I stood there, weighing the pros and cons of accepting such a significant offer from him.What if he held it over me? Given his track record, it seemed all too likely.Eugene had been a thorn in my side since middle school. The epitome of arrogance and entitlement. I'd steered clear of him and his ilk for good reason.But this could be a lifeline for me. A stable job could turn things around significantly. Still, there were no guarantees he'd deliver on his promise, and even if he did, he could easily snatch it away.And what if—

"So, what's your decision, Jones?" he interrupted my thoughts.

"What's the favor?" I asked, tentatively.

"Well, you're probably the only girl I can take out on a date without any expectations. So, I need you to be my pretend girlfriend for a night."

I remained silent, contemplating his proposition.

"Come on, Jones, you know you need this!" he urged.

"What makes you so sure?" I countered, eyeing him warily.

He grinned, circling me like a predator assessing its prey.

"For one, I know about the debt your parents left you. Two, a stable job is exactly what you need right now to clear that debt, and three, you know better than anyone that this is more about helping you than it is about helping me."

He stopped in front of me, arms crossed, waiting for my response.

"I want a guarantee," I demanded, not backing down.

"I'll make sure you get it after the party," he assured.

"So, what's the party about, and why do you need a fake girlfriend?" I pressed further.

He let out an exasperated sigh. "Family drama. It's a formal event. I'll pick you up tomorrow and explain everything. Oh, and the party starts at 8, but I'll be picking you up at 4."

I frowned at the early pickup time.

"Yes, but I need to dress you," he added quickly, anticipating my objection.

"I'll dress myself," I retorted. "Or good luck finding someone else to be your date."

With that, I turned and left the rooftop, his protests falling on deaf ears.As I strode through the corridors, frustration simmered beneath the surface. How dare he insult my sense of style? I vowed to show him that a girl didn't need flashy clothes or tons of makeup to make a statement.

I pushed open the classroom door, drawing curious glances from my classmates."What's got you so worked up?" Vivian asked as she approached.

"I hate people," I grumbled, sinking into my seat.

She chuckled softly. "You'll have to learn to deal with them. The world's full of them, after all."I glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

Vivian was perhaps the only one I could have a normal conversation with. Despite her nerdy glasses and comfortable attire, she had a charm that most overlooked.

I confided in her about Eugene's proposition, and she reacted with unbridled excitement.

"Finally, something good comes your way!" she exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes. "And what would that be?"

"A date with a hot guy," she teased.

I scoffed, dismissing her suggestion. "I don't need that."

"Jade, when was the last time you even went out on a date?" she countered, her voice laced with concern.

I shrugged, avoiding her gaze. "That's not my priority right now."

"Well, maybe it should be," she said gently. "You never know what might happen."

The professor's arrival interrupted our conversation, and I sank deeper into my seat, lost in thought.As Eugene entered the classroom, a sense of unease washed over me.

No, I reminded myself. I was only using him for the job. It was just one night, after all.I glanced out the window at the couples below, then back at Eugene.

No. No. No.

I would play his game, but on my terms.

With a determined smile, I began to plan. After all, if Eugene Goldberg thought he could outmaneuver me, he had another thing coming.