Chapter 3

It was already morning. Last night was chaotic. Because Ren had at least healed a bit, even if he was still feeling so dirty, his mind drifted.

He was still asleep while Liam was making breakfast; he had gone to bed late because he was reading a novel with Liam.

“Up already, sleepyhead?” Liam’s teasing voice echoed from the kitchen as he stir-fried his eggs.

Ren rubbed his eyes and sat up, his hair a little fluffy. “You’re making breakfast?” he asked, putting on his fluffy slippers.

“I had no choice,” Liam called over his shoulder. “You were still sleeping, and besides, I was awake because of your loud snoring.” he teased.

Ren pouted dramatically, dragging himself into the kitchen. “Lies, you just like cooking for me.” Ren hugged him from the back.

Liam glanced at him, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Please, you’re like a clingy cat; I can’t even sneeze without you appearing beside me.”

“Blame yourself for being so cute.” Ren pinched his cheeks.

“I’m not; you are the cutest one here, not me.” Liam said, loosening Ren's arms from his waist to set the table.

They ate breakfast—pancakes, eggs, and the leftover strawberries Ren had been craving—making noises with laughter as if they had forgotten about the world outside.

“I’m quitting my work,” Liam said in between jokes.

“You’re quitting?” Ren asked, his voice soft and hesitant.

Liam nodded, avoiding his gaze. “It wasn’t worth it anymore; the boss was…you know, and I'm also tired of pretending I liked it. I'll just look for a better job outside to support ourselves.”

Ren looked down at his plate, his smile fading. “I’m proud of you; you know it was dangerous, and I was so worried about you.”

Before Liam could answer, a knock echoed from the front door. “Did you invite anyone?” Liam asked, standing up to take the door.

“No,” Ren frowned. “I didn't.”

Liam peeked through the small peephole; he opened the door. It was Kant, his best friend. He has known him for ages. He was dressed in dark jeans and a hoodie.

 His expression was unreadable; he turned to look up at Ren first before looking up at Liam. It was as if he was devising a plan, and Liam could always tell when that was happening.

“Kant?” Liam frowned. “What are you doing here this early? And don't lie to me.”

Kant stepped inside, barely waiting for an invite. “I need to talk to you privately. I called you, but I could tell you didn't want to pick up my call.”

Liam glanced back at Ren, who was already slipping off the kitchen stool. “I’ll give you guys space,” Ren said softly, walking back to the room.

Kant didn’t waste time. “Liam, I have a job for you.”

Liam’s brows rose. “A job?”

“Yeah. It’s temporary. But… We need someone who can pull it off. It’s for the company. You pretend to date someone. Just a show. In and out.”

Liam stared. “Fake dating? Are you joking?”

Kant crossed his arms. “You’ve done worse for money.”

Liam’s eyes flared with disbelief. “That was years ago; I’m not that person anymore.”

Kant shrugged. “Fine, then I'll find another person; just say no.”

“I already said so,” Liam snapped. “I’m not doing that.”

Behind them, Ren walked in, holding a glass of water, his eyes looking curious, and Liam could tell he was curious.

“Not this,” Liam whispered, sighing.

“What job?” Ren asked; Liam could tell he was going to be nosy.

Kant hesitated, then smiled before saying, “I have a job for Liam; it's kind of interesting, but he refused.”

Ren tilted his head. “What kind of job is that?”

Kant studied him. “It’s fake dating for a client; he needs someone to make a deal with, no strings attached. He needs someone with no messy past and a suspicious image, and Liam was the first choice, but unfortunately he rejected the offer.”

Liam cut in. “I won't do that.”

Ren didn’t speak right away; he tilted his head, thinking about how Liam had quit his job and how Liam had always been the one providing for the house, then he asked, “Does this pay?”

“Quite a lot,” Kant smirked.

“Does it have any bad ...”

“You don't have to worry; you'll sign a contract. Anything you don't want will be changed, and you don't have to worry about being treated badly; you will be given everything, and don't worry about Liam; he will also be treated nicely.”

“Really?” Ren asked, and Kant just nodded at him, smiling. “I’ll do it.”

Liam’s eyes widened. “What?”

Kant raised an eyebrow. “You? You will.”

“I’ll do it for Liam.” He smiled. Liam doesn't want to do it, so I'll do it for him.”

Liam stood, marching towards Ren to stop him. “No, Ren.”

“I can do it, Liam; it’s just pretending...”

“Ren, I said no!” His voice was raw and possessive, scaring Ren a bit.

Ren flinched, looking at Liam wide-eyed.

Kant blinked, looking between them with surprise. “So...is he your boyfriend?”

“No,” Liam snapped, looking at Kant like he could strangle him.

Ren just looked down at his glass of water; his fingers tightened around the glass. “I can do it,” he repeated, quieter this time. “I want to, I want to always provide for you, you've been doing that for me since we became friends and I'm tired of depending on you, besides you were the one who said I was going to change myself and become a new me.” Ren smiled. “So let me do it.”

“I don’t want you to,” Liam said, his voice breaking as if he would cry “Don’t do anything you don't want to for my sake, it isn't worth it.”

Ren’s voice was soft but firm. “I’ll still do it, I'm doing it for mistake and also your sake, besides it's not a bad deal, I don't need to do anything, I just need to pretend to be someone's lover and even if you don’t want me to, I'll still do it”

Kant smirked. “I guess the job is now Ren’s.”

Liam didn’t answer; he just stared at Ren, his emotions bottled in like he was hiding a secret because deep down… he wasn’t sure if he was angry because Ren said yes or because he didn’t want to admit he wanted to be the one Ren was pretending to be with.