Chapter 1

"Nydia, can you stop being so clingy? It's so cheap," Adam Sinclair said.

Right in front of the whole class, he tossed the carefully prepared lunch I'd made for him straight into the trash.

Without a flicker of emotion, I dialed my assistant. "Cancel the supplementary card I gave Adam.

"And send me all the info on his roommate, Lucas Sterling, within three minutes."

Please, I was rich and gorgeous. Why would I waste my time on an ordinary and overconfident guy like Adam?

I'd choose a better one.

*****

On the other end, my personal assistant, Cheryl, answered without hesitation. "Yes, Ms. Grant."

No unnecessary questions.

Now that was professionalism.

I hung up, shifting my gaze from the fancy lunch tossed in the trash to Adam's dumbfounded face.

He probably expected me to cry, throw a tantrum, or pathetically apologize and bend over backwards to please him, just like all those times before.

Too bad. I was over it.

I turned away, my heels clicking crisply and decisively on the marble floor.

Behind me, Adam's buddies started hyping him up.

"Adam, you're awesome. Nydia is totally under your control."

"Yeah, she's always trailing after you. So annoying."

Adam replied, his voice dripping with smugness. "What can I say? She's obsessed with me. I can't get rid of her."

My steps faltered for a moment.

Obsessed with him? Please. I just thought he was cute and kept him like a pretty pet to amuse myself.

Did he really think he was something?

I walked straight out of the building without a backward glance.

My phone buzzed. Cheryl's email had arrived.

It read: [Lucas Sterling, 21, junior in finance, shares a dorm with Adam. Orphan, lives off scholarships and part-time gigs. Keeps to himself, no vices. Photo attached.]

In the photo, the guy had a cold, aloof gaze, a sharp nose, and thin lips pressed tight, radiating a vibe that warned strangers to keep their distance.

He was way more attractive than Adam, whose face looked drained from booze and late nights.

Perfect. He was the one.

I smirked, twirled my car keys, and slipped into my pink Porsche.

The engine roared, and the trees outside whizzed by as I sped down the road.

An hour later, I walked into the café where Lucas worked part-time.

He wore a crisp white shirt and a black apron that showed off his slim waist, head down, polishing a glass with total focus.

Sunlight poured through the window, casting a golden glow on his long lashes.

He was so quiet and absorbed, it was like he'd stepped right out of a painting.

I walked over and drummed my fingers on the bar. "One iced Americano, please."

Lucas looked up, his deep eyes meeting mine with zero emotion, like I was just any other customer.

His reaction was way more interesting than Adam's and his crowd's.

"One moment, please," he replied in a calm, detached tone, turning to the coffee machine.

I leaned casually against the bar, admiring his figure with a playful interest.

Broad shoulders, slim waist—his shirt barely hid the well-defined muscles underneath.

Nice body. Definitely beat Adam, who was all looks and no real strength.

Soon, Lucas slid the iced Americano my way.

I didn't reach for it. Instead, I pushed a black card toward him. "Nydia Grant. I'd like you to be my boyfriend for a month."

Lucas's hand paused mid-polish.

He finally met my gaze, eyes assessing, with a barely-there trace of mockery.

"Ms. Grant," he said, pushing the card back, his voice calm as ever. "I'm not Adam."

In other words, he wasn't someone who could be bought by money, not like Adam.

Interesting.

I smiled and pulled the card back. "Of course I know you're not Adam.

"If it were him, I wouldn't pay this much."

I straightened up and leaned in close, my voice dropping as my warm breath brushed his ear. "I just... felt like trying something new."

Lucas stiffened visibly.

He turned his face away to dodge, but a telltale blush colored the tips of his ears.

Was he actually shy?

Lucas slammed the polished glass down on the bar with a sharp clink. "Sorry, I'm not for sale."

His voice was even colder than before, icy enough to freeze the air between us.

His refusal was crisp and final.

I didn't get upset. I picked up the iced Americano and swirled it lightly. "Don't turn me down just yet. I haven't told you everything.

"I'll offer you 200 grand for one month. All you gotta do is have dinner with me, watch a movie, and make an appearance with me in front of Adam every now and then."

I stared straight into his eyes, speaking slowly and clearly, "Bet those hospital bills for your sister at the hospital are coming up soon, right?"

Lucas's pupils narrowed suddenly, shock flickering in his eyes.

He stared me down, his gaze sharp as blades, like he could slice right through me. "You've been investigating me?"

"Know your enemy, and you'll never lose a fight," I said, taking a sip of my coffee. It was rich and bold, just like him.

Why was he looking at me like that? I was not some devil. I was basically a walking blessing, here to make his life easier with cash.

The café was bustling, but nobody noticed the undercurrent brewing between us at the bar.

Lucas stayed quiet for so long that I almost thought he'd splash the coffee right in my face.

At last, his jaw unclenched, and his voice turned low and raspy. "How do I know you're not just playing me?"

"Simple as that." I pulled out my phone, brought up the transfer screen, and said, "I can send you half the payment up front right now."

For me, 100 grand was only enough for a designer purse. But for Lucas, it was life-or-death money.

Lucas stared at the amounts on the screen, his breath catching in his throat.

I could see the veins bulging on the back of his hand, and I could practically feel the inner battle he was fighting.

"Alright," he said through gritted teeth.

"Pleasure," I said, tucking my phone away with a sly grin.

I picked up my bag, ready to head out.

"Wait a minute," Lucas called after me.

I glanced back.

"I'll pay you back," he said, his gaze defiant yet sincere. "To me, this is just a loan."

Men and their fragile little egos.

I shrugged. "Suit yourself."

When I stepped out of the café, the sun was warm and bright.

Honestly, my mood was even brighter than the sunshine outside.