All Chapters of Fake Dating My Best Friend's Younger Brother : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The alarm wouldn’t stop ringing. I stretched out a hand to shut it up but ended up knocking it to the floor. Groaning, I rolled off the bed and finally silenced the damn thing. Every part of me begged to crawl back under the blanket, but I forced myself up — I couldn’t be late today. My parents were coming home after three months away on a business trip. I’d even skipped school to pick them up from the airport. I dragged myself into the bathroom, took a long shower, then stood in front of the mirror working on my hair and makeup. Having parents who run their own business sounds glamorous, but it’s exhausting when they’re never around. Especially Mom. At least she promised to take a month off to spend time with me. A proper bonding. The thought made me smile as I brushed mascara over my lashes and smoothed on lipstick. People always said I looked like her — same plump lips, same brown hair and eyes. I could finally see it now. My dress clung to my body like a second skin, shaping

“Stop crying. We need to get back to class.” Alice keeps wiping at my face, but I can tell I still look pathetic. My reflection in her eyes confirms it—puffy, red, broken.“Asher fell out of love with me,” I whisper, the words burning as they leave my mouth.“Catherine, you have to stop, okay? Asher isn’t the end of the world.” Her tone sharpens. “You’ll only make things worse if people see you moping. He made his choice. Respect yourself.”She pulls me into her chest, but it feels suffocating—like hugging the truth I don’t want to face. I pull away.“Maybe she’s manipulating him,” I insist weakly. “Asher loves me and I love him. We have a love story—”“Stop it, Catherine.” Alice’s voice slices through my words. “Asher and Jennifer were parading through the school like lovers. The sooner you accept that he doesn’t want you anymore, the better.”She tosses the tissue into my hand and storms out, leaving me standing there with tears I can’t seem to stop.Is it that easy to forget someon

I splash water on my face, staring at my reflection. Dominic actually thought I was serious. The nerves of that boy. Imagine that—me, Catherine—and Alice’s cheeky brother.Although he’s just a few months younger, we’re worlds apart. This is all the alcohol’s fault. And he was even a virgin. I’m his first—just like Asher was mine. What a mess.I step out of the restroom and return to class. Mrs. Margaret Benjamin, our teacher, is passing out midterm results.She drops mine on the desk and presses it down with her palm.“Come to my office once I’m done here,” she says before moving on.I glance at my sheet. A big red E is circled at the top right corner. I wasn’t expecting much anyway, but still—ouch. At least I haven’t failed completely.I slip it into my locker, tuning out the noise as more complaints fill the room. I rest my head on the desk. I just want to go home.“Catherine Young, my office. Now,” Mrs. Margaret calls.I drag myself up and follow her out. Inside her office, she shu

He passes an equation after barely thirty seconds of explanation.“Are you being serious right now, Dominic?” I roll my eyes, grabbing back my notes. “You barely explained anything.”“Just finish the equation, then I’ll explain again.”“Oh, you mean I should get it wrong?”He doesn’t reply—just starts packing his textbook and notes into his backpack, grabs my textbook and my phone, and locks everything inside.“What are you doing? You think I’m going to cheat?” I ask, half-laughing as he zips it shut and actually locks it with a tiny key.“I need to close my eyes for a bit,” he says, leaning back against the couch, head tilting, lashes lowering. “Call me when you’re done.”I stare at him. He’s serious. “Unbelievable,” I mutter, turning back to the sheet.The equation is torture. Halfway through, I’m stuck. It doesn’t even look right. I cancel and start again, but it’s like the numbers are mocking me. I grab a drink to cool down, try again—and get stuck at the same point. I’m never get

I lean in.The spoon hovers between us, steam curling in the air. His hand stays steady, but mine trembles slightly as I take the bite. The warmth hits my tongue—savory, rich, a little too spicy—and I can’t help the small sound that escapes my throat.“Good?” he asks, his voice low, almost breathless.I nod, maybe too quickly. “It’s… really good.”He doesn’t look away. His lips twitch, almost a smile, and for a heartbeat, neither of us moves.“You’ve got sauce—” he says, lifting his hand.Before I can ask where, his thumb brushes the corner of my mouth, slow, gentle. My breath catches. His fingers linger a moment too long before he pulls back.“There,” he murmurs.I force a laugh, though it comes out shaky. “Thanks, chef.”He smiles for real this time, quiet but warm enough to make my stomach twist. “You should stay in the kitchen more often. It suits you.”I roll my eyes, trying to hide the flutter in my chest. “Yeah, because I’m so good at sitting and staring while someone else does