Chapter 3

I looked at Travis, who clearly wasn't going to give up until he got what he wanted, and asked the manager for a pen and some paper.

I tilted my chin up. "Write an IOU."

As soon as I said that, the comments exploded.

[Wow! The female lead is so clever!]

[She knows the male lead can't pay her back, but still makes him sign an IOU.]

[She's probably going to make him pay with his own body!]

[Then she can make him do all kinds of spicy things!]

[The male lead is such a domineering boss!]

The comments wouldn't shut up about Travis "paying back with his body," and when I glanced up, I caught him blushing hard.

That sealed it for me. He could see the comments too.

I snatched the paper out from under his pen and let out a cold laugh.

I said, "Seriously? You actually wrote it? Can you even pay it back?

"If you can't, what are you planning to do? No money, no assets. I wouldn't even have anything to seize as collateral! You really planned this well."

Travis looked genuinely surprised that I'd suddenly change my mind. His eyes were searching, almost scrutinizing me.

It was as if he was trying to figure out why I was suddenly going off-script.

After a long pause, Travis dropped his gaze, avoiding my eyes.

"Sorry, this is on me. I'll take care of it myself," he said.

I didn't see Travis for days. Even his usual one-dollar coffee vanished with him.

I figured he must have given up.

I didn't bother looking into it. His mom's struggles over the years weren't lost on me.

As long as he quit scheming for our family's cash, we could still work things out.

Besides, he was about to graduate, and soon he'd be out of my life for good.

But then, that weekend when I came home like always, I ran into Travis, who was never around on weekends.

He was holding a stack of papers, talking with my dad. As soon as he saw me, he shot to his feet, looking all kinds of nervous.

My dad looked genuinely happy to see me.

"Vivi, what took you so long to get home this week?" he asked.

I replied, "Just hanging out with some friends."

My dad chuckled and said, "Always goofing off. But look at Travis. He's about to graduate and already has his own take on how to run a business!

"He's a real up-and-comer! Since you're back, why don't you kids go talk for a bit?"

As soon as my dad finished talking, I caught Travis out of the corner of my eye. He instantly relaxed, all that awkward tension gone in a flash.

His confidence, which I had crushed earlier, was suddenly back in full force.

At that moment, the comments became lively again.

[Travis is playing it smart. He's already winning over her parents!]

[After today, Verity's folks are definitely going to think even more highly of him!]

[Why's Verity still acting all proud and stubborn?]

[Just waiting for Travis to totally own her and turn her into his adorable wife. Can't wait for that face slap moment!]

What was with these comments? Why did everyone keep calling me his sweet little wife?

What era was this? Still playing the ancient domineering CEO and submissive wife routine?

Travis was a country bumpkin who tried to score big, not some overbearing CEO. Where was the "boss" vibe?

I didn't even bother to hide it. I checked him out from head to toe, making it obvious.

No wonder he had stopped hovering around me. He had switched targets and started flattering my dad instead.

I didn't know what he had said, but my dad was actually backing him up now.

Watching him, I couldn't help but smirk. "Smart move."

Travis looked like he was about to say something modest, but I cut him off before he could.

I said, "But what's the use of being so clever if you've got nowhere to put it to work?"

I gave him a playful look, clearly teasing him. "Since when do you have a company to run?"

As soon as the words left my mouth, my dad's grin went stiff. But he didn't say a word to stop me.

He knew me too well. Whenever I got snarky, there was always a reason behind it.

Travis's confident grin stiffened, then turned into a sheepish, awkward smile.

"Vivi, I was just making small talk with your dad, that's all," he said.

Just seeing him ticked me off, so I didn't hold back at all.

"Since when do you get to call me Vivi?" I snapped.

I turned to glance at his mother, Melinda, who was hustling in the kitchen, my frown getting deeper.

I said, "Mr. Straight-A, you come home on weekends just to talk my dad's ear off about all this random stuff? Can't you see Melinda is drowning in work over there? Can you lend a hand?"

I clicked my tongue and shook my head. "What a good son you are."

Travis froze for a moment, then swallowed his pride, rolled up his sleeves, and managed a strained smile.

He said, "Yeah, you're right. You two chat. I'll go give my mom a hand in the kitchen."

As Travis walked away, my dad leaned in, his face full of gossip.

"Did you swallow a stick of dynamite or something? Or is there something else?" he teased.

He hesitated and said, "You know, that whole 'sassy girl' thing isn't really in style anymore."

I stared at my dad, completely baffled.

"What are you even talking about?" I asked.

My dad hesitated, clearly struggling to find the words.

My mom, just enjoying her coffee and the show from the sidelines, chimed in.

"What your dad means is, if you're trying to catch Travis's eye, this isn't really how you go about it," she said.

I was totally thrown off.

I asked, "Catch his attention? Why would I even want to do that?"