All Chapters of Paid To Pretend, Destined To Love: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Around 11 PM, Neon lights flickered against the walls of the old bodega-turned-nightclub in Malasaña. American pop mixed with Spanish reggaeton, vibrating through the floor and into every ear inside. Perfume, liquors and smoke were mixed thickly in the air despite the smoking ban in the building. Waitresses moved between tables with their short skirts and bright smiles attracting the usual crowd of tourists, university students, and men with too much money and too little shame. Rachel stood behind the counter. She had taken the job six months ago when the hospital bills started piling up. The owner, Nate paid under the table, which meant no taxes but also no protection. She only worked Thursday through Saturday nights which was enough to supplement her day job at Sterling Tech. One hand wiped the counter while the other stacked glasses. She only worked nights because she needed the money for her brother's bills. She knew that she did not belong in that world. She barely laugh like the

Rachel barely remembered leaving the café. The transfer notification remained on her phone screen as she hurried through the crowded streets of Madrid. Even after checking it several times, she still could not believe the amount sitting pretty in her account. Fifty thousand euros. The number looked unreal. Every time she took her eyes off the phone, she expected it to disappear. For weeks, she had lived with the fear that Benjamin's condition would worsen before she could raise enough money. She had worked long hours at Sterling Tech during the day and spent her nights at Malasaña. She sacrificed sleep and every comfort she could afford, yet it had never seemed enough. No matter how much she saved, another bill always appeared. Now, for the first time in a very long time, she had a chance to be relieved. The hospital building came into view, and Rachel tightened her grip on her handbag as she walked through the entrance. The familiar scent of disinfectant greeted her immediately. Nur

Rachel arrived at Sterling Tech the following morning feeling better than she had in weeks. The problems in her life had not disappeared, but they no longer felt impossible. Benjamin's surgery had been scheduled, the doctor sounded optimistic, and for the first time in months she had gone to bed without calculating hospital bills in her head. There was still a long road ahead, but at least there was a road now. The moment she entered the administrative department, Cynthia looked up from her desk and narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Rachel immediately knew that look."Don't."Cynthia laughed."You're smiling. Thank God for the new Rachel.” "Continue” Rachel smiled.She dropped her handbag on her desk and switched on her computer.“What food did you bring today? Rachel tried to ignore her, but it was impossible.Within seconds, Cynthia had rolled her chair closer."What happened?""Nothing.""Rachel."The warning in her friend's voice made her smile despite herself."The surgery has be

Another evening arrived with warm sunlight spreading across Madrid. The city felt brighter than usual, with people filling the streets, enjoying the last hours of the day before the night began. Rachel stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the simple dress she had chosen. It was not something expensive or designed by a famous brand, but it fitted her perfectly and made her feel comfortable. She wanted to look presentable without pretending to be someone she was not. Over the past few days, she had tried to understand what being Joseph’s pretend girlfriend would mean. She knew there would be questions, expectations and moments where she would have to play a role. But Joseph had been clear about the arrangement. She did not need to change herself. She only needed to be there beside him when required. When Joseph arrived to pick her up, Rachel noticed the difference immediately. He was dressed elegantly, as always, in a dark suit that looked perfectly fitted. His appearance matched the

Morning didn’t arrive clean; it pressed itself into the room in thin, steady layers, light slipping through the edges of the curtains, the low hum of traffic building underneath it, voices drifting up from the street. Rachel laid still, eyes open, aware that her thoughts had been awake long before the rest of her followed. Her brother came first. The doctor’s voice replayed itself without effort, careful, balanced, shaped to calm without promising too much.Minor complication.The words felt small until she held them for longer than they were meant to be held.She turned her head slightly, staring at the faint outline of the ceiling where the light hadn’t fully reached. “Hoy… por favor,” she whispered under her breath. The words came out soft, almost instinctive, like something borrowed from the city and kept because it filled a space she didn’t know how to fill otherwise.Her chest rose slowly, then fell. Everything else followed after that.She couldn't take her mind off the gala.