Baited by Love

I was born for drama and had an almost unhealthy obsession with good looks.

My life motto was simple—never let a handsome guy feel disappointed. And my ultimate dream was just as clear. I wanted to make every beautiful man feel safe and cared for.

So, the moment I set foot in this elite academy, my eyes zeroed in on Caleb Johnson. Everyone agreed he was the hottest guy on campus.

I immediately threw myself at him with everything I had.

Caleb's features were exquisite, like a living work of art, but his personality was terrible. He had a sharp tongue, and a single word from him could leave you reeling.

Hence, even with his perfect face, his love life was a total disaster.

"Caleb would be perfect if he were mute," the ladies at school would whisper, their voices edged with regret.

On the very first day I tried to make my move, I got a firsthand taste of his cutting remarks. When I confessed my admiration, he barely spared me a glance.

"Who's making all that noise?" Caleb had snapped.

The second time, he suggested I take a good, long look at myself in the mirror. The third time, he told me to get my face fixed.

Yet, I pursued good looks as if it were a sacred mission.

Caleb only fueled my determination. The harder he criticized me, the more exhilarated I became.

I brought him water, packed his lunch, and showered him with flowers. I snagged his favorite seat for him, cleaned up after him, and even did his homework. I didn't miss a single thing.

I was at his beck and call, and I kept it up for 99 days straight.

What had started as amusement soon turned into genuine admiration. My classmates were convinced I was madly in love with Caleb. But in truth, I was just addicted to the thrill of conquest.

…

Once again, I biked 40 miles through pouring rain to fetch Caleb's favorite dessert.

Seeing that, he crossed his arms and lifted his chin arrogantly. "Are you seriously that obsessed with me? Fine. I'll make it official."

Even after we became a couple, Caleb was still impossible to please. His water had to be exactly the right temperature, the food had to arrive at a specific temperature, and his sandwiches had to be perfectly sliced.

Most importantly, his tongue hadn't lost any of its bite.

When I complimented his looks, he said I had grown uglier. When I praised his problem-solving skills, he shot back that my IQ clearly wasn't up for it. I admired his fashion sense, and he mocked me, saying I dressed like a scavenger.

Onlookers wondered how I could endure his cruelty, yet I only smiled mysteriously.

Sure, Caleb's words could cut like knives, but his treatment was rewarding.

They only saw me getting humiliated and had no idea what perks I was actually enjoying. They would never see him, standing at the rooftop's edge, in empty classrooms, or behind the auditorium, blushing as he unbuttoned his shirt to reveal his well-defined abs.

They'd never see how his cheeks flushed as he murmured, "For your eyes only."

And they'd never know how overwhelming the sight of him was. He kissed me until my eyes reddened, his breathtaking face pressed close to mine.

After all, it was the thorns that made a rose all the more tempting.

I thought this sweet, perfect life could last a whole year. I never expected Caleb to fall for someone else.

She was Valerie Sinclair, and her name alone hinted at her beauty.

As a transfer student, Valerie stood at the front of the classroom. Her brown hair cascaded in soft waves, and her smile reached her eyes. She also carried herself with effortless grace.