Chapter 2

Andrew was caught off guard. "Leave? Where are you even planning to go?"

"I haven't figured that out yet," she said.

"If you haven't figured it out, then don't go just yet. Please, help me out one last time!" Andrew pleaded, desperation in his voice.

Andrew clenched his jaw. "15 thousand dollars! Just pretend to be my pregnant girlfriend and come make a scene for me!"

"Deal," I agreed without hesitation. "Just send me the details, where and when!"

Andrew said: [I'll send it to you right now!]

After we hung up, I got a message from him on WhatsApp.

Andrew said: [This blind date is a tough one. You need to make it look real.]

[Just sent you the 15 thousand dollars.]

Once I got the money, I got to work on my look. I dug out the fake baby bump I'd stashed in my closet from last time and strapped it on.

To make the bump stand out, I picked out a form-fitting dress and threw on a long trench coat that went down to my calves.

Before heading out, I checked myself in the mirror. The girl staring back at me had long hair cascading over her shoulders, pale lips, and a slightly rounded belly.

I gave my fake belly a satisfied pat and headed out, ready for battle.

Andrew was the classic spoiled rich kid I've ever met.

The youngest in his family, he'd been pampered by his parents from day one.

Life was a breeze for him, and his lifelong mission was to never settle down, just live wild and free for as long as he could.

Too bad his elder sister was a total boss, always running the show.

She couldn't stand his lazy attitude, so she forced him into a job whether he liked it or not.

Once he finally settled down at work, she started setting him up on blind dates.

Andrew was unpredictable and lively, always drawn to girls who were sharp and knew how to play the game.

But his sister only picked out girls who were either super capable or came from wealthy families.

Andrew had to put on an act and play nice, but after one or two dates, he just couldn't take it anymore.

If neither of them was interested, they'd just grab a meal and part ways, no hard feelings.

If a girl actually fell for him, just couldn't take a hint, and kept chasing after him no matter what, Andrew would pay me to step in and fix the problem.

Back when I was hustling for odd jobs, I was always hopping from one low-budget drama set to another, usually cast as the evil side character.

Andrew loved my ridiculously dramatic performances, and that's how I caught his attention.

He was never stingy with his cash, and thanks to Andrew, I pocketed a pretty decent sum.

Andrew picked a fancy restaurant for dinner, the kind I couldn't even get into without a reservation.

I told the waiter I was here for Andrew, and he showed me right to his table.

Even from a distance, I could spot Andrew.

He was slouched in his chair, head propped up on one hand, looking totally lazy and not giving a damn about appearances.

Meanwhile, the woman sitting across from him, her back to me, was sitting up straight, looking classy and put-together.

I paused and turned to the waiter. "I can take it from here."

Andrew lifted his gaze, and the moment he spotted me, he instantly lit up and sat up straight.

I straightened my fake belly with both hands and marched right over.

With Andrew watching expectantly, I raised my handbag high and brought it down on his head with a dramatic thud.

As I hit him, I yelled, "You jerk! Didn't you say you were working late at the office? Lying to me again!"

Andrew was fending off my blows with both hands. "Stella, calm down! Let me explain, okay?"

"I don't want to hear it! I'm carrying your baby, sick as a dog at home, and you're out here having dinner with another woman behind my back!" I yelled.

The woman across from us looked completely shell-shocked.

Andrew jumped to his feet, shooting me a look that said, 'Play along.' "Calm down, she's just a friend. Easy, you don't want to stress the baby," he said, trying to soothe me.

"A friend? That's what you always say every time you sneak off to dinner with another woman!" I snapped back.

I made like I was about to storm off, and Andrew immediately let go of me.

"I'm heading straight to the clinic to get rid of this baby!" I yelled.

I was so into my act that I could feel the fake belly starting to slip down.

As I turned to leave, I quickly adjusted the fake belly. I hadn't even taken two steps when I suddenly spotted Jorden.

Across from him sat a gorgeous girl with long, curly hair, giving me a look like she was watching a soap opera.

Jorden's expression was unreadable, calm and distant, and he looked away like I was a total stranger.

He picked up some food and put it in the girl's bowl. "Eat up, don't let it get cold."

'So that's his girlfriend, huh.' I thought. Man, I hadn't felt this awkward in forever.

Andrew hurried after me. "Stella, just give me one more chance!"

When I suddenly stopped, he got anxious and gave my arm a quick pinch.

I snapped back to reality, grabbed my fake belly with one hand, and shoved Andrew off me with the other.

I hurried off, Andrew hot on my heels, while the poor lady behind us called out, totally confused.

"Andrew! Andrew!" she called after him.

Andrew shot her a quick look. "I'll explain later!"

We just kept going, never looking back.

Once we were in the car, Andrew finally let out a long sigh of relief.