chapter six

​"Well, I'm just trying to pay back your kindness towards me," I told him, keeping my eyes locked on my reflection in the mirror, trying to steady myself.

​"I'm flattered," Ethan’s smooth baritone hummed through the speaker. "So, what's your decision, love? Are you going to help me out or not?"

​"I guess it's quite obvious from the first statement I made," I countered, crossing my arms.

​"Feisty. I like it," he said, a loud, rich laugh vibrating down the line. "But I want to hear you say it."

​"Why should I say it?" I asked, a sudden wave of heat rushing to my cheeks. Why was a silly phone call making me feel so suddenly shy?

​"Come on," he chuckled, his tone teasing but laced with that effortless authority he always carried.

​I took a deep breath. "Okay. I'll be your fake girlfriend."

​"Yes! I knew you were going to accept my proposal. Actually, I was just sitting here waiting for your call," he said smoothly. "Besides, I knew you'd want to pay me back for my kindness."

​Before I could fire back a sarcastic retort, his voice sharpened with curiosity. "Where are you? Your voice is echoing."

​"I'm in the restroom," I answered honestly.

​"So you couldn't even wait for class to end? You were that eager to talk to me?" he teased.

​"Ehh... no. The teacher wasn't even in class yet," I stammered, hating how easily he could fluster me.

​"Well, I'm coming to get you in a while so we can discuss the finer details of this little deal," he said.

​Before I could even open my mouth to protest, the restroom door swung open and Janice walked in, looking frantically around. "What is taking you so..." She cut herself off the moment she noticed the phone pressed to my ear, her eyes widening. "Who is that?" she mouthed in a frantic whisper.

​"It's Ethan," I whispered back to her, before quickly muttering a goodbye into the receiver and ending the call.

​Janice’s face instantly lit up with a massive, brilliant smile. "So, you guys are together now?!"

​"Fake dating. Yes," I clarified.

​Janice literally jumped in the air, squealing with pure joy. "That is so good, girl! I am so incredibly happy. We finally get to shut those miserable bitches up!"

​"Come on, let's just go to class," I said, a genuine smile breaking through my previous misery.

​As we headed out of the restroom, something shifted inside me. For the first time in weeks, I actually felt good about myself. I walked down the corridor with my chin up and my head held high. When we walked back into the classroom, the atmosphere was completely different. Instead of the usual snickers and intense glaring, everyone suddenly focused on other things, quickly taking their eyes off me. They probably feared us now—or more accurately, they feared the powerful shadow of Ethan Vance.

​In no time, the math teacher walked in and began a lecture on quadratic equations. Try as I might, my mind completely refused to focus on the board. It kept wandering back to Ethan, the feel of his presence, and what this contract was going to mean for my life.

​The moment the bell rang, Janice and I packed our books and headed out to our lockers. We were completely lost in conversation in the crowded hallway when, out of nowhere, the entire corridor went dead silent. The sudden drop in noise was eerie.

​Janice and I stopped talking and glanced behind us.

​Ethan was walking toward us.

​He moved with a powerful, predatory grace that commanded the entire room. All around him, girls were whispering frantically, blushing and tucking their hair behind their ears.

​"Hi, Ethan," a few girls chorused as he brushed past them, but he didn't even spare them a single glance. His intense, dark eyes were locked entirely on me.

​"He is so incredibly hot, girl," Janice muttered under her breath, while I just stood there, my eyes wide in absolute shock as he stopped right in front of us.

​"Hello, love," he murmured. Without warning, he stepped into my space and pulled me into a warm, possessive hug.

​I froze for a second before melting into him, inhaling his scent. He smelled effortlessly expensive, clean, and delicious.

​"Hi, Janice," Ethan said smoothly as he broke the hug, though his arm stayed comfortably looped around my waist.

​"Hi, Ethan!" Janice greeted, her smile practically splitting her face in two. She was enjoying this way too much.

​"Mind if I take you out for lunch?" he asked, looking between the two of us.

​"Yes!" Janice answered instantly.

​"No! We have classes," I countered at the exact same time, glaring at him.

​"Live a little, girl," Janice said, pouting playfully at me.

​"This is our senior year, Janice, and we have to be serious," I told her, trying to maintain some semblance of order while my heart was hammering against my ribs from Ethan's proximity.

​"Whatever, girl," she laughed, waving me off.

​"So, it's a yes, then," Ethan said, ignoring my protests completely as he looked deep into my eyes, a devastating smirk playing on his lips. "Come on, baby. I really want to spend some quality time with you."

​"Don't call me that!" I protested in a harsh whisper.

​He just raised an eyebrow, challenging me.

​"Fine. Just an hour," I finally agreed, letting out a defeated sigh. Janice let out another excited squeak behind me. "But how are we even going to leave? It's literally school hours."

​"What's my name?" he asked, his smile widening into something incredibly charming.

​My brows furrowed in confusion. "Ethan Vance."

​"Exactly. And I don't particularly follow rules," he told me.

​Before I could argue, he slid his fingers between mine, firmly locking his hand with mine. Janice followed close behind as he led us straight through the main doors and out of the school. Surprisingly, not a single security guard or administrator stepped forward to stop him. Every single student in the lobby just stared at us in absolute awe.

​Right before we pushed through the exit doors, I turned my head around.

​Standing by a row of lockers just a few feet away was Cole. He was staring right at us, a deep, miserable frown twisting his features. Seeing the sheer jealousy and regret painted across his face gave me a massive rush of pure, unadulterated satisfaction. I turned back around, a real smile on my face, and looked up at Ethan.

​Parked right in the school's red zone was a sleek, roaring Ferrari. Ethan walked over, opened the passenger door for me with a mock bow, and I slid inside. Janice happily scrambled into the back seat, and Ethan got into the driver's side. He started the ignition, and the engine came alive with a loud, rich, intimidating growl before we tore out of the parking lot.

​"Nice car," I told him, running my hand over the flawless leather interior.

​"Thank you, love. It's just one of my cars," he said, his chest puffing out slightly.

​"Show off," I rolled my eyes as he let out a rich laugh.

​"You want one?" he asked casually.

​I laughed, shaking my head. "You are not serious."

​"No, you're the one who isn't serious," he countered softly, casting a glance at me as he pulled up to the valet of a stunning, ultra-luxurious restaurant.

​We got out, and the moment we approached the glass entrance, the security guards straightened up and bowed their heads respectfully. "Welcome back, Mr. Vance."

​"Thank you," Ethan nodded smoothly as he led us inside. He bypassed the main dining area entirely, guiding us into an exclusive, beautifully secluded private section.

​"I thought you didn't like public places," I said, looking around at the lavish decor.

​"It's an expensive restaurant," Ethan explained, pulling out a chair for me. "Most of the customers here are incredibly wealthy and high society, so I don't have to worry about them going crazy or chasing me for autographs when they see me."

​A waitress arrived a moment later to take our orders. I couldn't help but notice the way she looked at Ethan completely breathless and overtly flirtatious before she finally took the menus and walked away.

​The moment she was out of earshot, Ethan leaned back in his chair, a cocky smirk plastered across his handsome face. "See, that's the only problem I have. The waitresses here are just so damn hot."

​"Ewww!" Janice and I groaned in perfect unison, pulling disgusted faces.

​"Easy, ladies," Ethan chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table, his demeanor shifting into something sharper, more focused. "Let's get down to the real business of the day, girlfriend."