Chapter 2

After dinner, Amarah and I went straight back to her room to continue working on our presentation. Just before stepping inside, I instinctively glanced back toward the dining area. I didn't know why, but I found myself looking at Amarah's father once again. To my surprise, he was already looking at me.

Our eyes met for a brief moment. I quickly looked away and hurried into the room. I couldn't explain it, but there was something different about the way he had been looking at me tonight. I pushed the thought aside, convincing myself that I was simply overthinking. Once inside, we resumed working on our presentation for our report. It was only the first day of classes, yet we had already been assigned a presentation. As I focused on typing on my laptop, Amarah suddenly called my name. "Athena."

"Hmm? What is it?" I asked without taking my eyes off the screen. When I looked up, I noticed she was staring at me curiously. "Why don't you ever reply to Marco?" I turned to face her. "Marco?" She nodded. "Yeah. It's obvious he likes you. He couldn't stop looking at you in class earlier." I let out a quiet sigh. "I'm just not interested in him." "What? But he's handsome!" she protested. I smiled and shook my head. "I don't know. He's just not my type."

"Then what's your type?" she asked curiously. I paused for a moment before answering. "I like someone more mature... someone older than me." Her eyes widened instantly. "How much older?" I laughed at her reaction. "Just... older. Someone who knows what he wants in life and is easy to have a meaningful conversation with."

She laughed. "So that's why you ignore all the guys chasing after you at school."I simply shook my head and returned my attention to my laptop. But for some reason, at that exact moment, a familiar face suddenly crossed my mind. And that only made my thoughts even more confusing. When we finally finished our presentation, we both lay down on Amarah's bed. We were exhausted after our first day of classes and planned to get some rest.

The room had fallen silent when she suddenly spoke. "Athena... can I ask you a favor?" I turned to her, immediately sensing something suspicious from the tone of her voice. "What is it this time? Don't tell me it's another one of your crazy ideas. Your dad will kill us if he finds out," I said. She gave me an awkward smile. "Jay and I are celebrating our monthsary tomorrow."

I immediately sat up and stared at her. "So?" Her smile grew even wider, making me nervous. "Well... I told Daddy yesterday that I'd be spending the night at your house." I narrowed my eyes. "And?"

"But the truth is..." she let out a nervous laugh. "I'm actually staying at Jay's condo." I rubbed my face in frustration. "Oh, Amarah..."

"What? It's just our monthsary." "Just your monthsary? You're going to lie to your dad because of that?" She pouted and hugged her pillow. "He wouldn't let me go if I told him the truth."

"Of course he wouldn't. That's exactly why." "Please, Athena." I shook my head. "I don't want to get involved in your schemes." She scooted closer and pressed her palms together as if begging. "Just for one night. If Daddy calls you, just tell him I'm staying at your place." I let out a long sigh.

I didn't know what scared me more—lying to her father or what would happen if he found out I was helping her. "Amarah..." I warned. But I recognized that familiar pleading look in her eyes. I knew she wouldn't stop until she got what she wanted. And that was exactly what gave me a headache. "You're just going there to have sex, aren't you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow suspiciously.

She immediately looked away and scratched the back of her neck. "That's normal for couples," she defended. I continued staring at her. "Amarah..."

"What?" she complained. She sighed before hugging her pillow tighter. "Jay and I haven't had sex for weeks. Of course we want to spend our monthsary together... just the two of us." I didn't answer right away. Looking at Amarah, anyone would think she was the most innocent girl in the world. She was always cheerful, playful, and seemed to have no worries at all.

But the longer I knew her, the more I realized she had plenty of secrets hidden beneath that carefree smile. "Even so," I said softly, "it's still wrong to lie to your dad." She frowned. "I know."

"Then why are you doing it?"

"Because he won't let me." I simply shook my head. Amarah loved her father dearly, and I knew he loved her just as much. That was exactly why I knew he would never approve of this plan. "Please, Athena," she begged once more. "It's only for one night." I stared at her for a long moment before letting out another sigh. She really knew how to wear me down.

And judging by the smile on her face, I had a feeling she already knew I would have a hard time refusing her. "Fine. Do whatever you want," I finally said, shaking my head. There was nothing else I could do. I knew Amarah too well. Once she set her mind on something, it was almost impossible to stop her. Her face instantly lit up.

"Thank you, Athena! I can't wait for tomorrow!" she said happily, hugging her pillow. I looked at her suspiciously. "Excited for what?" Her eyes widened before she quickly put on an innocent expression. "Huh? Nothing!"

"Amarah..." She let out a soft laugh. "I'm just excited to see Jay."

"Really?" I asked doubtfully. She turned her back to me and hugged her pillow even tighter. "Stop asking me." I could only shake my head as I looked at her. "You really are something. If your dad finds out about this, we're both dead." She laughed. "Daddy will never find out."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course."

I sighed once again. I had no idea where all her confidence came from, but I had a strong feeling things wouldn't be as easy as she believed. And if there was one person who wasn't easy to fool, it was Amarah's father. Just thinking about getting caught up in her plan was enough to make me nervous. Meanwhile, Amarah looked happier than ever, practically counting the hours until tomorrow arrived.