Lexi

I slumped on my couch, cracking open the window to check if Lucian's stupidly expensive car was gone. The street was empty except for Mrs. Kowalski’s ancient tabby cat peeing on my doormat.

The hell is wrong with that man?

I shoved a handful of stale popcorn in my mouth. Is he really who he claims to be? Or is this some elaborate billionaire mind game? Ugh.

Just as I stood up to prepare myself noodles, rapid knocks shook my door. My fist tightened.

God help me if it's Mia…I'm gonna kill her.

“Pay your rent, you asshole!” My landlord's cigarette-roughened voice screeched through the thin wood.

I yanked the door open in anger. Mrs. Kowalski stood there in her usual uniform, moth-eaten housecoat, fuzzy slippers, and a cigarette dangling from her lips like a damn movie villain.

“I already paid for last month!” I yelled back at her.

She took a long drag, blowing smoke in my face. “Don't play stupid, bitch. I saw that hot rich dude drop you off.” Her yellowed teeth appeared in a grin. “He single?”

I snorted. “He's not single.”

Liar.

“Pity.” She held out a gnarled hand. “Well? I'm sure he gave you money. Where's my money? My weed's running low.”

“The hell, Mrs. Kowalski.” I hissed. “I'm not a slut, okay. And I've got no money.” I folded my arms across my chest.

“Well…I'mma throw your stuff out.” She puffed smoke in my face.

“I hate you.” I growled.

I stomped to my little safe box and pulled out the cash I'd been saving for new work clothes so I don't look like a charity case at Lucian’s workplace. “Here! Now leave me alone!”

Mrs. Kowalski licked her fingers as she counted. “This ain't enough for next month.”

“It's all I have!”

She pocketed the cash with a shrug. “Tell Prince Charming your landlord accepts direct deposits.” With that, she waddled off, coughing like a broken vacuum cleaner.

I hate my life!

I was slurping my sad ramen when my door burst open.

“Surprise, girl!” Mia sang, her arms laden with shopping bags, her makeup freshly done and hair blown out.

I nearly choked. “Why do you still have my key?!”

Mia kicked off designer heels that definitely weren't hers last week. “Because you'd starve without me.” She dumped the bags on my lap. “Open them.”

I peeked inside. Silk blouses. Tailored slacks. Actual leather boots. “Did you rob someone?”

“Better.” She flopped onto my couch. “Met this crypto bro at a club last night. He took me to Rodeo Drive before dinner.” She waved a manicured hand. “Got bored, told him I had emergency cramps, and kept the goods.”

Well, typical of her.

I held up a price tag. “This shirt costs more than my annual rent!”

Mia grinned. “And it'll look amazing when you accidentally run into a certain billionaire.”

I threw a pillow at her. “I'm not…”

“Yes, ma'am.” She quickly replied, dodging the pillow.

“Well…poor guy.” I sighed.

“Yeah…poor guy.” She shook her head.

“You know you will never get a man if you keep doing this.” I pointed out.

“I know and that's because I am not ready to be a wife yet.” She rolled her eyes.

“But you will, one day, right?” I asked, getting worried.

This girl dupes guys a lot.

“Hmm,” she nodded. “Let's get something better to eat.” She snatched the noodles from me and dropped it into the bin.

“Hurgh,” I pinched my brows. “You know I don't like wasting food.”

She bursted into laughter. “You call that food?”

“Don't do that to me.” I said.

“It's expired girl.” She said.

“It is?” I asked, acting like I hadn't seen it. I tried picking it back from the trash. Mia kicked it back. “But it tasted okay.” I pouted. My stomach was growling.

“That's because your taste bud is used to suffering.” She mocked, bursting inti laughter.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

We stepped out to go eat at a restaurant.

After a while, Mia and I stepped out of the diner, my stomach finally full of something other than expired ramen. The night air was cool against my skin as we walked back to my apartment.

“You sure you don't want to come clubbing with me?” Mia asked, adjusting her designer sunglasses even though it was nighttime.

I rolled my eyes. “No, thanks. I have work tomorrow.”

Mia gasped dramatically. “Oh right! Your other job with your other rich boyfriend.”

I shoved her lightly. “Shut up. It's just a six-month contract.”

“Uh-huh.” She winked before hopping into a rideshare. “Text me if Lucian proposes!”

I flipped her off as the car drove away.

The next morning, I stepped into the lobby of Cross Media the next day, wearing one of the outfits Mia had acquired, a fitted red dress that hugged my curves and heels that made me walk like a newborn giraffe.

The security guard at the front desk did a double check.

“Miss Carter?” He asked, blinking.

I smirked. “The one and only.”

The elevator ride up was nerve-wracking. What if Lucian hated the dress? What if he loved it? Why do I even care?!

The doors opened to the executive floor, and I strutted out with as much confidence as I could muster.

Then I heard his voice. His statement shattered every bit of confidence I had.

“Why are you so cheaply dressed?”

I froze. Lucian stood a few feet away, arms crossed over his chest, his icy blue eyes scanning me from head to toe. “I remember paying you $200,000 last week.”

My face burned as I tried to mask my anger. “Don't act like you don't know my expenses don't allow for savings,” I shot back.

He didn’t blink. “I don’t care. Just level up.”

Asshole.

“I hate you,” I muttered under my breath.

Gregory appeared behind Lucian, looking between us like he was watching a tennis match.

I turned to him. “What is wrong with your boss?”

Gregory hesitated, before speaking. “What is wrong with ‘our boss’, Miss Lexi?” He corrected.

I sighed. “No need for formalities. Just call me Lexi.”

Gregory nodded. “Oh, okay. Lexi.”

Lucian’s head snapped toward us, his expression darkening. “What the hell are you two discussing? And why are you standing so close to each other?” He stepped between us, his broad shoulders blocking Gregory from view.

I glared up at him. “What is wrong with you, Lucian?”

The second the words left my mouth, the entire floor seemed to hold its breath.

Lucian turned to me slowly, his gaze sharp. “Did you just call me Lucian?”