THE RICH BOYFRIEND

Cleo’s POV 

I knew something fishy was going on the moment Lena started cleaning like the world was ending.

She doesn’t clean like this. Ever. Usually, our apartment stays in that “lived-in” state where you can still find yesterday’s socks under the couch. But today? She was on her knees scrubbing the floor like it personally insulted her. She rearranged my books three times, dusted the windows, and even used the expensive air freshener we only bring out when important visitors come — which is basically never.

I sat on the couch, watching her with narrowed eyes.

Okay, who is this mysterious visitor? If it’s the landlord coming for rent again, I’m hiding under the bed with my football.

“Lena,” I called out suspiciously, “who’s coming? Be honest.”

She froze mid-wipe, then gave me that nervous smile she always uses when she’s hiding something. “Just a friend, sweetie. Be nice when he comes, okay?”

He? My eyebrows shot up. A male friend? This is new.

I crossed my arms. “Is he the reason you’ve been coming home late sometimes? And why you’ve been smiling at your phone like a cartoon character?”

Lena’s face turned red. “Cleo!”

I grinned. “I’m eleven, not stupid.”

She sighed and walked over, ruffling my hair. “Just be on your best behavior. Please?”

I nodded, but inside I was already planning my interrogation. If this guy is bad news, I’ll know.

When the knock finally came, I was ready. Arms crossed. Serious face. Detective Cleo mode: activated.

Lena opened the door, and in walked the tallest man I had ever seen in real life. He had to duck slightly to enter. He was wearing a black shirt that looked super soft and expensive, dark jeans, and shoes that probably cost more than our rent. His watch alone could probably pay for my school fees for a year.

Wow. This guy is rich-rich.

“Cleo,” Lena said, sounding like she was holding her breath, “this is Adrian. He’s… a friend of mine.”

Adrian looked down at me and smiled. Not the fake adult smile. A real one. He crouched down so we were almost the same height.

“Hey, Cleo. Your sister talks about you all the time. Says you’re the smartest and toughest kid she knows.”

I shook his hand firmly, trying to look like a grown man. “Nice to meet you, sir.”

But inside my head: He’s tall. Handsome. Rich. And he’s looking at Lena like she’s the best thing he’s ever seen. Suspicious.

Adrian handed me a big, fancy gift bag. “I heard you love football. Thought you might like these.”

I opened it slowly, trying to act cool. But the second I saw what was inside, my coolness disappeared completely.

A brand new jersey of my favorite team. Real match quality. The exact limited-edition football boots I had been staring at online for months. And — I almost screamed — a football with an actual player’s autograph on it.

No way. This is not real life. I must have fallen asleep during homework and this is a dream.

My mouth fell open. “These are… real? Like, actual match boots?”

Adrian chuckled. “Limited edition. I know someone who can get good stuff.”

Of course you do, I thought. Rich people always “know someone.”

I looked at Lena again. She was smiling, but her eyes looked worried. Like she was happy but also scared at the same time. I’ve seen that look before — when she pays the rent but we have no food for the week.

She really likes him, I realized. Like, a lot.

We sat down and talked for a long time. Adrian asked me about school, what subjects I liked, and what I wanted to be when I grew up. He actually listened. Not the way adults pretend to listen while thinking about their phones. He really listened.

He even promised to take me to a real professional match one day.

Okay… he’s cool, I admitted to myself. But if he hurts Lena, these new boots are going straight to his shin.

When it was time for him to leave, he ruffled my hair gently.

“Take care of your sister, alright? She works really hard for you.”

“I will,” I said seriously, clutching my new football boots like they were treasure. “And if you make her cry, I’ll kick you. Hard.”

Adrian laughed loudly. Lena looked mortified.

After he left, I turned to Lena. She was staring at the door with this dreamy, worried expression.

“So… he’s rich, right?” I asked.

“Very rich,” she whispered.

I hugged my new football tightly. “I like him. But I’m watching him. If he breaks your heart, I’m starting a protest. With signs. And maybe some chanting.”

Lena laughed and pulled me into a big hug. I hugged her back, but inside I was thinking hard.

Our life is definitely changing.

And for the first time in a long time… I was actually excited about it.