All Chapters of PRETEND PRINCESS: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Creed's POVThe CreedX Technologies Gala was, not surprisingly, a lavish event.It was held in the city's most luxurious ballroom, and the entire production was dripping with excess. Crystal chandeliers swooped from the ceiling like water icicles, spilling shattered light across the crowd of stylishly attired upper crust. The marble floors glimmered, polished to such a high shine that they reflected the tall flower arrangements and extravagant golden centerpieces on each table. Black- and white-clad waiters navigated the crowd with trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres—small caviar canapés, smoked salmon tartlets, and small filet mignon.The air was heavy with costly perfume and the muted buzz of polite talk, punctuated every now and then by the clinking of glasses and eruptions of laughter.I was bored to tears.I had already danced with three women, each one as replaceable as the champagne flutes being replenished. The first, a brunette in an emerald gown, prattled on about her fami

Zara's POVThe wind slapped me in the face, but it wasn't as icy as the rage burning inside of me.I didn't know how long I'd been unconscious. Five minutes? Ten? Long enough for my toes to go numb in these ridiculous heels.Snow was falling, silent and soft, blanketing the sidewalk in a thin layer of white.I barely registered it.Because all I could see in my mind was him.Creed. And that pestering, silly, fake, peacock-hair girl.Yuyu.Of course it would have to be her. The one person who somehow succeeded in getting me like this.She wasn't even supposed to be here. Why was she here?And why was he looking at her like that?It was stupid. They were stupid.This was not jealousy. I was not jealous. I just—I wanted revenge.I hadn't even known what that was yet, but I was going to learn.Maybe I'd dance with the next fellow who emerged out here. Maybe I'd kiss someone just to defy him. Maybe—Gunfire.I froze.The sound ripped through the air like thunder, echoing from inside the g

Yuki's pov I sighed, leaning back. "Fine. But if you get worse, I'm not giving you a choice."He didn't say anything, just breathed shallowly.By the time we reached his oversized penthouse, the driver helped me get him out of the car."Good luck," he muttered as I struggled to support Creed.Thanks, old guy. Fantastic assistance.I pulled Creed in, the door man nowhere in sight closing the door behind me. The apartment was familiar—contemporary, tidy, too pristine, luxurious.I guided him to his bedroom, barely managing to get him onto the bed before he slumped.He let out a low grunt."You're—" He blinked slowly. "—really strong."I rolled my eyes, removing his shoes. "Yeah, and you're really heavy."He hummed, eyes half-closed. "You're… staying?"I paused.Only until you're settled, I thought.But there was something in the way he looked—**weak, tired, utterly unguarded—**that stopped me.".Yeah," I whispered. God save me from the clutches of this man and keep my identity a fuckin

Lily's POVI let out a sigh, gazing at my phone well after Yuyu had hung up.This is a mess.I felt guilty—guilty because Yuki was entangled in something risky, guilty because despite him having a thing for Creed, this entire situation was shady as all get-out.Playing pretend to be a girl.Faking that everything was rosy when it was really blue.This was not sustainable.No matter how tough Yuki was, this would destroy him sooner or later.And then, of course, there was Grandpa Roman.I released a sharp breath, resting back against my pillows. Each day that went by made it more and more necessary that I find him a good home.But Yuki would not listen.Not yet.And I could see. I really could.It was painful to lose someone when they're still standing right there in front of you, one of the worst things that could possibly happen to a human being.So I tried not to say anything about it too often.I breathed another slow breath, looking around my bedroom.It was small but cozy—a stand

Creed's pov I smirked, pushing my now-clean plate aside. "Bet."I stood up, stretching some before going to retrieve ingredients. The fridge was as well-stocked as ever, and I had everything I needed. Flour, eggs, milk—easy enough.As I started mixing, I glanced over at her. She'd leaned her elbow on the counter, watching me with open amusement."This is entertaining for you, isn't it?" I guessed, cracking an egg into the batter."Highly," she said, grinning. "Big CEO man making pancakes in an attempt to impress me? That's grade-A entertainment."I rolled my eyes, but I didn't dispute it.While I cooked, she kept talking, interjecting teasing little barbs about my technique. I fired back with a few of my own, and soon we were laughing.It felt so. natural.I couldn't remember the last time I'd laughed like this.By the time I slid the last pancake onto the plate, she was already rubbing her hands together in anticipation."Moment of truth," I said, sliding the plate across the table