"Bestie!" she screamed as soon as the door swung open and she rushed in, hugging me as if we hadn't seen each other in ages, even though we just met yesterday at the university.

I was about to respond when she quickly pulled me inside, so I let her talk while we settled on the couch.

"Bestie! We saw each other last night!" she exclaimed, sounding like a worm doused in salt. I knew exactly who she was talking about – her long-time crush, who happened to be a celebrity. However, he wasn't my cup of tea due to his reputation as a playboy.

"But," she continued, "we did meet, and he was with another girl! He even saved her! Can you believe it? We were having a conversation!"

I smirked. "Don't be too affected. He just talked to you. You two aren't an item."

She rolled her eyes and flopped back on the couch, crossing her arms. "You're so bitter! Can't you be supportive?"

"I'll support you if you pick the green flag. You're just too colorblind, so even when it's glaringly red, you're still all for it."

"Well," she pouted, "he's handsome and rich. Plus, it's just a crush, okay? I haven't reached the love stage."

"Okay," was my curt response.

She looked at me suspiciously. "It's clear you don't believe me anymore!"

I rolled my eyes again. "Of course not! Just look at your condo!" I pointed at the posters of the same face plastered all around. "It's full of that guy's face! You're way too obsessed with that guy in red!"

"Hey. I'm not obsessed! I'm just a fan, okay? It's normal to have a crush on your idol. You just wouldn't understand because you don't like handsome guys! You're too stuck on that lizard-looking one!"

I stood up and glared at her. "Are you trying to provoke me, girl?"

She quickly backed off, raising a peace sign while hiding behind a small pillow. "S-Sorry. It's just you."

I didn't look at her and angrily plopped back onto the couch. Shena didn't know about what happened between Kalel and me earlier. I didn't want to tell her yet, as I might end up seeing her in the dean's office because of her fiery temper.

I glanced at her laptop, which was open, and raised an eyebrow as I noticed something familiar. Shena quickly closed her laptop, perhaps fearing I'd scold her again for stalking her playboy crush. But that wasn't what caught my eye.

"What's that?" I saw something intriguing. I got up and walked over.

"Be-bes, I swear! This is the last time!" I smiled at her and pushed her aside, causing her to topple onto the couch. I opened her laptop again and read an article.

"Since when did you become interested in them?" Shena asked when she noticed I wasn't saying anything while staring at her laptop. She came closer and looked at what I had been reading.

"Shena, do you know this guy? I mean personally?" I pointed to a man who was part of the Top Entrepreneur of the Year, and he didn't even crack a smile in the photo.

"Not really, but I heard he's part of the growth of Millionaire's Matchmaking, the one you attended. But I didn't hear that he went to that event. Wait? Did you meet him? Was he at the event?"

I bit my nail when I read more about him and his achievements, especially the part about the service that I never thought was anything beyond participants.

I facepalmed at what I discovered. I didn't know he was this significant and wealthy. "I met him," I almost whispered, startling Shena.

She immediately faced me, her eyes wide. "What? Are you sure about that? When? Where?"

She bombarded me with rapid questions while shaking me exaggeratedly. I felt like my brain cells were malfunctioning.

"Wait! Please stop," I managed to halt her, and she froze while still staring at me in shock.

"At the event and just now. H-He was the one who dropped me off." She remained statue-like, clearly surprised by my words.

"Bes, please, okay? What you're saying is impossible. You met Montgomery? He rarely appears in this country. He prefers going abroad with his sugar babies. And he doesn't go out without bodyguards."

I pursed my lips. "Don't you believe me when I say I might be his next sugar baby?"

Her jaw dropped, and it took a few seconds for her to regain her composure and close her mouth. "That's not funny, Bella! Are you seriously saying you met him at the event? This isn't a joke, is it?"

My forehead wrinkled. "Do I look like I'm lying? You keep so many secrets from me, too."

"N-No! I'm not! I already told you about my crushes and where I go. I have nothing to hide. I promise!" She even raised her palms in a pledging gesture.

I respect her choice not to disclose all her secrets because everyone needs privacy, and not all secrets should be revealed, even to close friends. But there are times when I get irritated with Shena because she hides things from me, especially when it's about my well-being.

"Like back when I had an enemy at school, and she invited me behind the school. She told me that my enemies didn't show up, but I found out later that she had fought with them and even dragged one girl by her hair right in front of the path. When the teacher saw her, they reported it to the principal immediately.

I was happy that she did that to protect me, but I didn't want to involve her more in my problems, especially since it was connected to me. I had many enemies, but I don't know why I was bullied. They accused me of stealing their boyfriends, even though I never did anything, and I just kept quiet.

Although I met Kalel before Shena, I remember that he used to have quite a bitchy attitude. He was one of those who bullied me back then.

I didn't say anything and went straight to her Condo's dirty kitchen. I felt her following me.

"So, what's the story? If you were telling the truth, why become a sugar baby all of a sudden? Didn't you have any pride?" She asked.

I opened her refrigerator, which was nearly overflowing with all sorts of food. She never ran out of food in her fridge, so whenever I had nothing to eat, she'd invite me to her Condo. Rich things.

"It's a three-month contract," I said as I took a bottle of water and poured it into a glass. "I have to fulfill it because the amount I'll have to pay back will triple. I don't have the money, so I had no choice but to go along with it," I sipped the water and didn't leave any.

"If I were you, I'd agree, too. Besides, he's so handsome!" She really had a thing for handsome guys, which was why she often ended up crying since most of her ex-boyfriends were womanizers. I mean exes.

"No, there's no way I could accept that. I'm not that materialistic. I will end that contract, and there's nothing more to it."

"Ugh! Come on, just enjoy the blessings. Okay? We need to be practical now!"

"Whatever. I'm going to take a shower now," I said and left Shena in the kitchen. I went straight to her room since the bathroom was inside. She didn't mind me staying here, and she preferred it, actually, but I didn't agree because I didn't want to depend on her. She had already helped me a lot.

~~~~

I've sighed multiple times today because of what happened yesterday. The unexpected chain of events is making my head feel like it's about to explode.

I sighed again and paused in my cleaning of the table.

"I think I've counted at least a hundred sighs today, Bella. If you have a problem, you can tell us," I gave Tasha a forced smile as she stopped to check me while carrying the towels we'd use later.

Someone wanted to rent the entire bar, so we were busy with cleaning. I overheard that a well-known actor was renting it for the night. Apparently, he's a bit finicky and didn't want any strangers around except for his guests and friends.

"Ma'am, I'm really sorry, but you can't enter right now," I heard some commotion at the entrance. A woman was eager to get in.

"Are you joking? This is a club, right? I'm here every weekend. What's up with this lousy event? Call your manager!" The woman's friends tried to restrain her. They were drawing attention.

"No way! What's the point of your bar if you won't let customers in? Are you all crazy?! Call your f***ing manager!" The woman's friends tried to stop her. They were getting odd looks from others.

"Let them in," a deep baritone voice cut through from beside me. I raised my gaze to see who spoke. I recognized the man. He had many tattoos on his body, including a dragon tattoo running down his arm to his neck.

He had long hair on top with shaved sides and back. He had a muscular build and a short beard, about an inch long.

Everyone knew this man. What if Shena were here? She'd probably faint from excitement. Her crush, the actor who looked like a total bad boy in my eyes, was here.

The woman stopped struggling, her eyebrows lifting in surprise as the bouncers stepped aside. I couldn't see the woman's face clearly, but based on her attire, she seemed to share the same vibe as Shena—sassy attitude and a spoiled brat.

"Isabella, sir Carlo is looking for you," Tasha informed me. She was now standing in front of me.

"O-Okay, I'll be right there." I temporarily left the cleaning cloth in the kitchen and washed my hands before drying them with a towel hanging on the wall.

When I entered Carlo's office, he was talking to another man whose face I couldn't immediately make out.

"Isabella's here," Carlo said with a smile. I glanced at the man, pursing my lips. Wait, how did he know I was here?

"Hi," He said smiling at me but I opting not to smile. Instead, my attention shifted to Carlo, who now moved cautiously, each step deliberate.

"Sir Carlo, where are you going?Maybe explain what this is for?" I watched as he absentmindedly scratched the back of his neck, forcing a strained smile

Um, Isabella, Mr. Montgomery informed me," he began hesitantly. "You will be on leave for a week."

A week? My mind was racing with questions. Why? Where were we supposed to go for an entire week? This couldn't have come at a worse time. Did Alex know that I didn't have any classes the whole week? Maybe he asked someone? But that seemed unlikely.

Carlo, aware of my situation since I no longer had my job at the restaurant, had allowed me to work on weekdays when I had no classes. The bar only operated in the evenings, which meant my mornings were generally open for work. This unexpected leave of absence seemed to complicate things even more, leaving me with a mix of curiosity and concern about the upcoming days.

I couldn't respond and felt somewhat tongue-tied at Carlo's words. My mind was filled with thoughts, and I didn't realize that Alex was already in front of me. I felt small compared to him, given our height difference. He was so tall; I felt like his little sister.

"I'll pick you up after your shift today, okay?"

His words were gentle, his tone soft. I wanted to scold him, but his demeanor left me powerless. It was tough to blame him; anyone could see how many admirers he had.

A sly grin danced on his lips, creating the sense that he was sharing a secret, just between us. His eyes twinkled with a playful glint, and it was getting harder to resist the magnetic charm he exuded.

His messy dark hair framed a face that combined a rugged charm with refinement. Deep brown eyes showed warmth and mystery, and a well-defined jawline and playful smile struck a balanced strength.

"O-okay."

I replied, lowering my gaze. I had been staring at him, and I was taken aback when he used his thumb to lift my chin so that our eyes met. It felt like a thousand butterflies were fluttering in my stomach as he did that.

He looked into my eyes, his gaze intense. "Are you mad?" I tried to maintain a stern expression. I didn't want him to read my emotions; he might use them against me.

I pulled away and tried to divert my attention. "No... it's part of my responsibility as your match. You're here to fulfill the contract," I said, trying to sound composed. However, a mischievous grin gradually spread across his face, starting from the subtle twitch of his lips until he revealed a set of perfectly white teeth.

"Hmm, yeah, but maybe not?" I rolled my eyes at his response. What was he doing here, then? I had already signed the contract, and it was supposed to begin now.

"Are you saying you just decided to drop by here, just like that? Are you kidding me, Alex?" My lips pressed together in a thin line, revealing my annoyance to his face.

I saw how he chuckled amusingly, so I punched him in the stomach, and he winced. Instead of getting angry at my action, he continued to laugh as if my punch was nothing. Was he abnormal?

I glared at him with clenched fists. When he noticed my reaction, he stopped laughing and pretended to cough, but the smile he wore was one I wanted to erase.

"You're having fun, aren't you? It won't be long before I break that handsome face of yours," I playfully remarked, but my expression remained serious.

"I'm handsome?" he inquired, seeking reassurance. I managed a fake smile that eventually turned into a grin.

"Yes, you're handsome. You're so handsome that I want to smash your face against the wall. Sad to say, I'm not into handsome guys. You'll also look ugly when your face is all wrinkled," I quipped, attempting to maintain my composure despite the playful exchange. Alex's charm was undeniable, but his good looks didn't necessarily make him attractive to me. Handsome or not, a cheater remained a cheater in my eyes. Although I hadn't had a boyfriend yet, I was very cautious.

"That's sad to hear; I even like your type. I can't change my face, so what do you want me to change?"

My mouth hung open at his response. Is this guy flirting with me?

"Are you serious? Don't joke around with me!"

He just stared at me and shrugged. Why is he like this?