LOGINMy boyfriend of eight years didn’t just leave me. He left me for my sister. And then suddenly, they were getting married. I hate being seen as the weakling, the ugly one. So I did what I could. I made an offer to Liam Carter —my Highschool Bully when we met in Tuscany. The last person I ever wanted to owe anything to. We pretend to date for the summer, to make everyone believe I’ve moved on and in return I help with his PR stunt. It was supposed to be fake. No feelings. No strings. Just a deal between enemies with something to prove. But the more we pretend, the more the lines blur—and suddenly, the boy who once made my life miserable might be the only one who truly sees me. And the worst part? I think I’m starting to fall for him.
View More~•Maya•~
Eight years. I was excited to celebrate our eighth anniversary and even though he hadn’t called yet —probably because of how busy he was —I decided to surprise him myself. His apartment was unlocked and that meant he was home. It made me even more giddy. We’ve been together ever since our first year in college and we were just perfect for each other. Two nerds doing what they knew best. Even though one of us was hot. Which wasn’t me by the way. I practically skidded towards his bedroom but I heard noises and slowly drew to a stop. It wasn’t just any noise. It was moans. My heart lodged itself in my throat and for a second, I thought one of his friends had brought a woman over. That meant, Tom wasn’t home. It should have made me turn around and back away, but I was curious, so I pushed the door open, and what I saw shredded my heart into pieces. “Harder, Tom,” my sister moaned as my boyfriend drove in and out of her. I blinked and pinched myself. Oh well, this was reality and I wasn’t dreaming. The bunch of flowers I had come with, left my hands and fell on the floor with a soft thud. It drew Tom’s attention and he whipped around to see me. His eyes widened and he pulled out of her. “Maya?” he called and glanced at Jenny as she lazily sat up on the bed putting her arm around him and staring me right in the eyes—the audacity. “Maya? What are you doing here?” he asked, running his fingers through his hair. I had no idea if he realized how ridiculous that sounded. “We did not mean for you to find out this way...” he said and I blinked again. My eyes felt dry and I couldn’t even formulate words at the moment. “You just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” he asked before pulling his pants up his waist and tossing her a blanket to cover herself up. “It’s our eighth anniversary,” I whispered. I had no idea if I was supposed to feel some sort of betrayal and anger or why I wasn’t feeling it yet. “Right,” he muttered and shrugged. “She’s my sister,” I whispered again and he glanced at Jenny who plastered a smile on her face. “Oh, Jenny? We’ve been together for almost two years now. I’ve been thinking of a way to tell you,” he said and my mouth tasted bitter. He’s been cheating on me for two years? With my sister?! Jenny batted her lashes at me. I stared at both of them, how could they? “I’ve no problem with you, Maya. You’re cool and I honestly wish we ended on better terms and not for you to find out like this…” he said and stood up. My eyes fell on my sister. “Really? You couldn’t get any other man and decided to go for the one I love?” I asked and she huffed. “Oh please, Maya. Spare me the nonsense. We both know Tom is too good for you, he deserves someone better,” she said, rolling her eyes. Of course, it should be her. She was the bitchy older sister who took away everything from me. Friends, gifts, parents…and now? My boyfriend. I should have known she’d go the extra mile, she was good-looking, hot, and in good shape. What I never expected was for Tom to fall for her. I took a step back. “Maya…” he called out and I glared at him. “Don’t,” I bit out and he pressed his lips together. I bit my lower lip, before taking a deep breath. I could feel it now, the pain ripping through my heart. It felt like my heart was being extracted from my chest. But I won’t give them the satisfaction of breaking down. I would just turn around and walk away. They can continue fucking themselves for all I care. “I loved you Tom, and this is how you repay me? By fucking my sister?” I asked, even as tears welled up in my eyes. I blinked. Don’t break in front of them. “Don’t act all emotional right now,” Jenny hissed but I didn’t even spare her a glance. I was used to her taking everything away, but God, this one hurts the most. I closed my eyes for a split second. Once I reopened them, I had my mind made up. “Yeah, of course,” I said, more to myself than anyone before I grabbed the bouquet I’d come with. Pathetic me. “She brought you roses, Tom,” Jenny sneered and I pressed my lips together. I gave her and Tom one last look before storming out of the room —and the house. I’d always been the unlucky one both in relationships and in real life. While Jenny? She got favoured because of her looks and while I wasn’t as pretty as she was, I knew I had my perks. But they were all ignored when it came to her. As always. I had no idea when tears streamed down my cheeks as I crossed the street and waved a cab. I got in immediately slamming the door shut. I managed to call out my address to the driver before breaking down in the back seat of his cab. It hurts. God, it fucking hurts. Being betrayed by a man whom I’d thought loved me and a woman I’d thought was family. It hurts. So fucking much. I caught the cab driver glancing at me through the mirror. He looked away when our eyes met and I curled into myself shielding my face from his view. Tom had told me, I ugly cried and it wasn’t good for a woman like me. He said my face always had this blotchy look and it made my eyes look smaller. He’d said my crying face annoyed him. Jenny had announced to the whole school back then how ugly I looked on a normal day and I was worse if I cried. So crying wasn’t my strong suit. Especially, in public or where someone could see me. I’ve always been ridiculed and bullied my whole life and my family wasn’t an exception. I sniffed and wiped my eyes. I needed a break. From life. From the harsh reality. From everything. And I knew just the perfect place to go.LiamThings were getting heated, and Maya was pissed—which was valid, if you asked me. But I didn’t want her storming out with her family over something so trivial. I could cover part of the wedding expenses if that’s what it took.“Hey.” I placed my hand on her thigh, squeezing softly. Her brown eyes locked onto mine immediately.I held her gaze. “It’s fine. I can pay.” I gave a small smile, and somehow it made her look even more pissed.“Let him pay if he wants,” her mother chimed in, and Maya whipped her head toward her so fast I feared she’d snap her neck.“No.” She muttered, slamming her hands on the table and taking a deep breath. I squeezed her thigh again.“No. He’s not paying, and we’re leaving,” she said flatly, standing up and glaring at everyone.Her father shook his head, eyeing me like some kind of … It was proof that my parents were better off divorced than… whatever this is. At least one of them loved me wholeheartedly. I genuinely felt sorry for Maya. Everyone else se
MayaI ran my hands down my dress for the third time. This was definitely not as easy as it looked.Liam grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers, and my stomach did that little flip. He didn’t glance at me, just knocked on the door.It seemed they’d been waiting, with how fast the door whipped open. Jenny appeared immediately, her eyes darting to Liam and soaking him in appreciatively before turning to me.I knew he looked hot. Unfortunately, he’s always been hot, but tonight it was a notch higher — and I appreciated that he was putting effort into this, despite how fake it was.I kept my expression blank and just stared at her. Liam gave my hand a small reassuring squeeze as she snickered and stepped aside.“The long-awaited couple is here,” she announced, and anyone could hear the mockery laced through her tone.I tugged Liam’s hand, gently pulling him behind me as we walked inside.Thinking about it now, it had been a while since I’d been here. Three? Four months? I’d been so swa
LiamMaya was tense all through the ride to her parents’ house and spoke less.I adjusted my glasses and glanced at her. She was staring out the window, the wind playing with strands of her hair she’d let down.She’d settled for a short red dress that ended mid-thigh and had a V-cut, accentuating her shoulders and giving her chest a subtly sexy look. And no, she wasn’t indecently exposed — just a little cleavage. Perfect.I definitely didn’t want that ex of hers gawking at her breasts.She sighed, stared down at herself, and frowned. I watched her intently as a disappointed look crossed her face.“Is something bothering you?” I asked, and she raised her eyes to meet mine. Her dark lashes stood prominently against her eyes, perfectly matching the brown.I don’t know. She was gorgeous. Painfully so — because I couldn’t just touch her, even though it’s something I’ve wanted to do ever since she walked out in that dress.She pursed her lips.“If I knew we’d be going for dinner, I’d have
MayaHe drove us to a small restaurant I hadn’t even known existed. How did he find this place? It was small, quiet, perfect — the kind of spot that could pass for a romantic dinner date if this were real. But it wasn’t.And that made me wonder why he’d chosen somewhere so secluded instead of vying for publicity. I mean, that was the whole point of this… wasn’t it?He rested a hand on my lower back as we walked in, waving at the waiter behind the counter. I forced a smile. This was weird.“You’ve been here before?” I asked.He hummed, pulling out a seat for me. I sat, watching as he lowered himself opposite me. His green eyes searched mine for a second before he picked up the menu from the table.“Actually, yeah. This is where I eat out most times,” he muttered.I raised a brow, glancing around. It was peaceful, and no one was gawking — everyone was minding their own business.“It takes after its name, right?” he grinned.I blinked, glancing at the top of the menu. PEACE AND SERENITY.
LiamShe’s at Noah’s. Wow.Yeah, she’d mentioned it, but I hadn’t expected they’d be meeting that quickly. I guess my ghosting act has ended—right before it even started.And no, I’m not ghosting her to make her feel bad. But I know Maya. One look at me and she’d regret everything—or worse, paint me as the bad guy, which I am.I figured giving her space for a couple of days would be fine. Apparently, it won’t be. Because she’d be seeing Noah a little more often—and knowing that dickhead, he’d make a play at her.That’s why, not even fifteen minutes after I got the call from one of her bodyguards, I was dressed and in my car, driving off to Noah’s. Alone.Maya probably wouldn’t appreciate me getting involved in her business, but come on—can’t a guy want to spend time with his girlfriend?My fingers flexed around the steering wheel as I took a turn to the right before steadying into the street that led to Noah’s. I’d never been to his house, but from what they say, his security was tigh
~Maya~“…starting today. When will you be starting?” Jerry’s voice drifted over, but it felt like I was in a blurry haze with different images in my mind—all of them related to last night.“Maya!” I blinked once, then twice, before turning to the man perched on my desk, concern etched across his face.I forced a small smile, tucking my hair behind my ear. “I’m sorry. What were you saying?”He narrowed his eyes at me.“When will you start working on your profile of Noah Garfield?” he asked, and I pursed my lips. Oh.I glanced around the room. My eyes met Anna’s. She snickered before whispering something to Isabel, who giggled.Oh Jesus. They were getting under my skin.Judging by the fact that I was already thrown off by… Well, last night, the last thing I wanted was to face those two. But I needed to leave the house, get some fresh air, and rethink my life choices—which had proven, up until this point, to be the wrong ones. Terrible ones.When I woke up, Liam was nowhere to be found.
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