Elena's POV

“Are you kidding me right now, Cara?” I slam the bedroom door behind me and glare at her. “You had me risk my neck for you while you were off screwing Brayden in the restrooms?”

Cara looks up from her phone, blinking like she’s just been caught doing something innocent.

“Oh please, Elena. Don’t act like you did me some huge favor.”

I stare at her in disbelief.

“I literally sat in your class pretending to be you! Professor Crane almost caught me! I could’ve been expelled!”

She scoffs, tossing her phone on the bed.

“Yeah, but you weren’t. You’re fine.”

“Fine?” I repeat, raising my voice. “You were supposed to be in class, not having sex in a restroom stall!”

“Don’t talk like you’re my mother,” she fires back, standing up. “Besides, I heard about you.”

“What about me?”

“Oh, come on,” she says with a smug grin. “You sat next to him. Ryan Blackwood. Everyone’s talking about it.”

I frown, confused.

“So? I just took the first empty seat I could find.”

She laughs like I’ve said something stupid.

“Empty seat? Elena, no one sits with Ryan. No one even looks at him if they can help it.”

I roll my eyes.

“That’s ridiculous. He’s just another student.”

“Just another student?” she repeats with eyes wide. “Do you even know who you’re talking about? His family owns the university. They basically own this town!”

“I don’t care,” I snap. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Cara folds her arms.

“You were trying to get attention weren’t you? You love acting all innocent but you’re not fooling me.”

My jaw drops.

“Excuse me?”

“Yeah,” she continues with her tone sharp. “You sit with Ryan Blackwood the one guy everyone avoids and you expect me to believe it was an accident?”

I clench my fists.

“You’re unbelievable. You’re the one sneaking off with a guy while I’m covering for you and now you’re accusing me of...”

The front door slams and we both freeze.

“Mom’s home,” Cara whispers.

Instant silence fills the room and we stare at each other for a long second before I grab my backpack and mutter, “This isn’t over.”

She scoffs, sitting back down.

“Whatever.”

Mom’s voice drifts up from downstairs.

“Girls? I brought dinner!”

I force a smile before going down to help, pretending nothing’s wrong. Cara does the same and neither of us wants Mom to know what happened. She’d lose her mind if she found out.

That night, I lie awake replaying everything...Professor Crane’s glare, Ryan’s calm voice saving me, his hand gripping mine later in the hallway and that low whisper promising to keep my secret. Why did he help me?

And why can’t I stop thinking about it?

***

The next day, I keep my head down as I walk into Blackwood University. People are still whispering about yesterday’s class though and I catch my name more than once and hear fragments like

“She actually sat beside him” and “I heard he talked to her.”

It’s enough to make me wish I could disappear.

I survive my first class thankfully without incident. Afterward, I’m walking with a group of friends...Lila, June, and Marnie...trying to focus on their chatter about an upcoming event and it’s nice hearing something normal for a change then Lila suddenly gasps.

“Oh my God.”

I look up and my stomach drops. Ryan Blackwood is standing in front of us calmly and silently like he’s been waiting.

“Can I have a word with Elena?” he asks with his deep voice steady.

The girls all exchange looks that scream oh no.

“Uh, sure,” June says quickly. “We’ll, um, wait over there.”

They scatter like scared birds and I cross my arms.

“What do you want, Ryan?”

He tilts his head with that faint smirk tugging at his lips.

“Relax. I just want to talk.”

“Talk?” I repeat. “Why would you want to talk to me? I’m not interested in whatever it is.”

His eyes flicker with amusement.

“What?”

“You know exactly what I mean,” I say. “You can have any girl in this entire school and last I checked, you’re already dating Tasha...Blackwood’s queen herself.”

His smirk fades slightly.

“You owe me, remember?”

I blink.

“Owe you? For what?”

He leans in with his voice low.

“For not letting Professor Crane expose you yesterday. You were pretending to be someone else Elena. Your secret’s safe but favors don’t come for free.”

I glare.

“What does that even mean?”

He smiles faintly.

“It means I’ll tell you when I decide to cash it in.”

Before I can respond, a sharp voice cuts through the convo

“Ryan!”

We both turn and Tasha is striding toward us with her glossy hair bouncing and her expression thunderous. She looks perfect,m of course...every inch the cheerleader goddess but her eyes are pure venom.

“What the hell is this?” she snaps. “You ditch me at lunch and I find you talking to her?”

I sigh.

“You know what? I’m leaving.”

“Don’t move!” she growls at me. “I’m not done...”

Ryan steps in front of me with his tone suddenly cold.

“Yes, you are.”

Tasha stares at him, stunned.

“What?”

“You heard me,” he says sharply. “We’re done, Tasha.”

She freezes like she didn’t hear him right.

“Excuse me?”

He looks bored now.

“You can leave.”

Her face turns red.

“You’re breaking up with me? For her?”

“It’s not about her,” he says simply. “It’s about you.”

Tasha lets out a bitter laugh.

“You’re insane. Do you even care about me anymore?”

“I do,” Ryan replies. “And I’m no longer interested.”

Everyone in the hallway is staring and I can feel the whispers already forming around us. Tasha glares at me one last time with her eyes full of hate then storms off and Ryan turns back to me completely calm again.

“See you around, Elena.”

And just like that he walks away leaving me standing there with a hundred eyes on me.

***

I wander across campus later still dazed. What’s up with this guy? One minute he’s cold, the next he’s saving me or dumping his girlfriend right in front of me.

The rumors about him swirl in my mind...students who crossed him and mysteriously left school, the whispers that his family covers things up.

The Blackwoods own everything: the university, most of the real estate in town, even some of the local police. Ryan’s untouchable and now somehow, I’ve become the girl he’s decided to talk to.

I don’t want to be part of this. I just want a normal life, to graduate and to stay out of trouble but Ryan Blackwood seems to have other plans.

Days pass and he’s everywhere. At lunch, leaning against a wall watching me. In the library sitting at the next table. In the quad,m with his eyes finding me like it’s nothing.

People start whispering that we’re seeing each other and I hate it.. I hate how everyone looks at me like I’ve done something wrong.

Cara of course loves it.

“Wow,” she teases one evening. “Didn’t think my little sister would become the talk of Blackwood.”

“Shut up,” I mutter, throwing a pillow at her.

She laughs.

“I’m serious, Elena. Be careful. People don’t just get close to Ryan Blackwood.”

“I’m not close to him,” I say. “He’s just… being weird.”

But the truth is, it’s getting harder to ignore him.

***

It’s Thursday afternoon and I’m in the locker room after gym class. The other girls are chatting and laughing with the sound of hair dryers humming in the background. I’m tying my shoes when suddenly everything goes quiet and I look up.

One by one, the girls are leaving and no one says a word. It’s like a wave of silence passing through the room and then I see him.. Ryan Blackwood, standing at the door.

He doesn’t move for a moment. Just watches me and I swallow hard.

“What are you doing here? This is the girls’ locker room.”

He takes a step forward.

“We need to talk.”

I stand with my heart pounding.

“Right now?”

He nods once.

“I’m cashing in that favor you owe me…”

Ryan's POV

“Ryan... oh god, Ryan...”

Emma’s voice comes in a high and breathy moan next to my ear and her nails dig into my shoulders. It’s fine.. It’s what I’m here for but I’m getting bored of this. I want a different view.

In one smooth movement I flip us over. She lets out a small surprised gasp as she lands on top of me with her blonde hair fanning across my face.

“Your turn.” I murmur with my hands finding her hips and guiding her, setting a slow deep rhythm.

She gets the idea quickly with her eyes fluttering shut as she moves. I let my hands roam up her sides and cup her breasts, squeezing just hard enough to make her whimper. That’s better. This is the part I like... the control, even when I’m letting her do the work.

I watch her, detached as her breathing gets faster and more ragged. She’s putting on a show and I’m just waiting for the finale.

It doesn’t take long. Her body goes stiff with a sharp cry tearing from her throat and that’s my cue. I let go with my own release coming in a quick hot pulse as the tension finally snaps.

For a minute the only sound in the room is our heavy panting breaths. She collapses on my chest with her skin covered with sweat. I don’t push her off.. not yet. Her fingers start tracing lazy circles on my skin.

“That was incredible, Ryan.” she gasps. “Everyone was right about you. That was… wow,” she murmurs. “I can’t believe I’m actually here with you.”

I don’t respond. I’m already pulling away and reaching for the pack of cigarettes on the nightstand.

“Everyone’s been talking about you,” she adds with her voice turning sly. “Word is you dumped Tasha. That must’ve been huge. She’s been crying all week.”

I light up a cigarette and take a long drag before answering.

“You seem really interested in my ex.”

She props herself up on one elbow giving me a playful smile.

“I’m just saying. You’re single now and… well…” she lets the rest hang in the air. “Maybe I could be your next girlfriend.”

I exhale a slow stream of smoke with my eyes fixed on the window.

“You threw yourself at me, Emma. Don’t make it sound deeper than it was.”

Her smile fades a little.

“So… what are you saying?”

“I’m saying,” I mutter, flicking ash into the tray, “that I wanted a distraction that’s all.”

Her mouth opens like she wants to argue but I cut her off.

“You got what you wanted too didn’t you? Don’t pretend otherwise.”

She looks hurt, clutching the sheets around her chest.

“You really are as cold as they say.”

“Maybe colder,” I reply simply and take another drag.

She turns away, angry now.

“You don’t have to be such an ass about it.”

I shrug.

“If it’s a relationship you’re after, you’re in the wrong bed.”

She finally gets up, mumbling something under her breath while I ignore her completely.

I’m halfway through my cigarette when a sudden bang rattles the door. Before I can react, it bursts open.

“Ryan!”

My father stands there, tall, furious and very out of place in my room and his expression alone could crack stone. I don’t move.

“Do you mind?” I say dryly. “You’re not exactly welcome to break down my door, Father.”

His gaze flicks to Emma still half-covered by the sheets.

“Get out,” he orders sharply.

Emma scrambles, gathering the sheet around her with her face pale. She darts into the bathroom and I hear the sound of frantic dressing before she slips out of the room without another word.

My father steps forward.

“This...” he gestures toward the bed “... is what you’ve become? A disappointment?”

I take another drag, leaning back in my chair.

“Nice of you to drop by, Father. Would you like a drink?”

“Don’t mock me,” he growls. “You think I don’t know what people say about you? That you’re wasting your life? You have every privilege handed to you and this is how you use it?”

“I’m enjoying my youth,” I say calmly. “Something you never did.”

His jaw tightens.

“You mistake recklessness for freedom, son. There’s a difference.”

“I’ll take my kind of freedom any day.”

“You think this will last?” His tone shifts deeper and colder. “You’re almost done with university. And when you graduate, your childish games end.”

“Is that a threat?” I ask, blowing out smoke.

“It’s a fact.” He straightens his suit jacket. “I’ve already made arrangements for your future. You’ll marry the senator’s daughter... Susie Harlow. She’s from a good family, well-connected and the union will strengthen ours.”

I stare at him for a moment, processing.

“You’ve got to be joking.”

His eyes harden.

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

I flick ash into the tray, smirking.

“I already have a girlfriend.”

“Liar,” he snaps. “You broke up with Tasha barely a month in. Don’t insult my intelligence.”

I lift a brow.

“Keeping tabs on me now?”

“I have to,” he says sharply. “You’re my son and every headline you make reflects on this family.”

“Then stop reading the headlines,” I mutter.

He slams his hand on the desk.

“Enough, Ryan! You’ll marry Susie and maybe being a husband will finally make you act like a man.”

I stand slowly, facing him.

“You can arrange a wedding all you want. Doesn’t mean I’ll show up.”

He stares at me for a long second with nostrils flaring. Then he straightens his tie with his face full disgust.

“You’ll regret those words.”

He turns and walks out, slamming the door behind him.

I put out the cigarette, watching the smoke curl away like a ghost and y reflection in the window stares back at me with cold eyes, no emotion and no care left to give but then a thought slips through and with it comes a face.

Elena Rivers…

Elena's POV

“Your what?!” I blurt out with my voice echoing through the quiet space.

Ryan Blackwood just stands there calm as ever with his hands tucked into his pockets like he’s talking about the weather. His dark hair falls slightly over his forehead and his eyes... those cold, unreadable eyes... don’t even flinch.

“I said,” he repeats slowly, “I want you to pose as my girlfriend for two months. Nothing more.”

I blink at him, sure I must’ve heard wrong.

“You… what?!” I repeat again because seriously who even says stuff like that?

He shrugs lightly like it’s no big deal.

“It’s simple, Elena. You just have to pretend. Two months that’s all.”

My jaw drops.

“Are you insane? Why would I ever agree to something that ridiculous?”

He takes a step closer with his smirk faint but still there.

“Because you owe me.”

I frown.

“Owe you? For what? I already thanked you...”

“Thanking me isn’t enough,” he cuts in. His tone is sharp and firm. “You’d have been expelled if I hadn’t stepped in. So yes you owe me.”

I cross my arms trying to steady the anger bubbling inside me.

“You think just because you helped me once, I’m suddenly one of those girls who throw themselves at you? Please Ryan. I’m not one of your fan club members.”

He chuckles but it’s a low and humorless laugh.

“You sure act like you’re above everyone else but let me remind you Elena… everyone has a price.”

My stomach tightens.

“I don’t want anything to do with you.”

Ryan leans close with his voice dropping.

“Then you’d better think carefully because if you don’t comply…” His eyes darken. “I’ll have no choice but to do something you’ll regret.”

My heart skips.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

He doesn’t answer. He just turns and walks away leaving me frozen in place with his words hanging.

I try to shake it off. He’s bluffing. He always is. Ryan Blackwood... the school’s number one dangerous boy... loves to play mind games. Everyone knows that.

Still, the chill in his voice refuses to leave me so I decide to forget the whole thing ever happened.

At least… I try to.

***

A few days later I’m in my room helping Cara with her homework when the front door slams open.

“Elena!” she shouts with her voice sharp with anger.

I rush out to the living room.

“What’s wrong?”

She’s holding a paper in her hand... a letter. Her face is flushed with her eyes wet.

“What’s wrong? This!” She throws it at me. “A suspension letter! I got suspended because they said I’ve been skipping classes!”

I grab the letter and stare at it, shocked.

“Wait, what? But I... I told you to attend that class in particular and sign in. You promised me you would! You didn’t have to go and snitch on me afterwards!” she snaps crossing her arms.

“What? Cara, I didn’t...”

“Don’t lie!” she screams with tears welling in her eyes. “You told them didn’t you? You told the school I wasn’t showing up!”

I feel my chest tighten.

“Cara, I swear I didn’t! I would never...”

But then it hits me. Ryan of course..

He must’ve done it. He’s the only one who could have pulled something like this off.

I sink onto the couch gripping the letter tightly. Cara storms off to her room slamming the door behind her and I just sit there in silence with my head spinning.

Why would he do this? Just to get back at me for saying no?

I try to convince myself it’s a coincidence but deep down I know it isn’t. Ryan doesn’t play fair and he always gets what he wants.

***

The next week doesn’t get any better. Teachers who used to praise my work suddenly act like I don’t exist. My assignments come back with low grades that don’t make sense. It’s like someone’s turned the entire school against me and that’s when I’ve had enough.

At lunch, I spot him sitting at the edge of the field with his blazer hanging off one shoulder, earbuds in and eyes on his phone. Everyone gives him space... like always. Ryan Blackwood doesn’t have friends.. he has followers.

I march up to him, fuming.

“You did it, didn’t you?”

He looks up slowly with one eyebrow raised.

“Did what?”

“Don’t play dumb, Ryan! You got my sister suspended! You messed with my grades!”

He smiles faintly.

“You’re quick.”

“So you admit it?”

He stands, pocketing his phone.

“I told you I’d make things difficult if you said no. You can’t really be surprised.”

I take a step back, glaring.

“You’re unbelievable. What kind of person does that?”

“The kind who gets what he wants,” he says simply. “And what I want is for you to agree.”

I shake my head.

“You’re insane. Why me? You could ask anyone... half the girls in this school would literally die to be your girlfriend.”

He laughs under his breath.

“That’s exactly why I don’t want them.”

“What does that even mean?”

He moves closer with his voice lowering.

“Because you don’t want me. You don’t care and that makes it easier to keep it purely business.”

“You’re unbelievable.”

“I’m practical,” he corrects with his tone calm. “Look, I’ll make it worth your while. I’ll pay for your sister’s tuition. I’ll make sure your teachers fix your grades. Your family’s been struggling, hasn’t it?”

I freeze.

“How do you know that?”

He smirks.

“I know a lot of things Elena. I know your mom’s been skipping meals to save money. I know your she's still looking for work too. You could use a little help.”

I stare at him, speechless.

“Just two months,” he adds softly. “And then you’re free.”

I bite my lip, torn between anger and fear.

“I’m a junior and you’re a senior. People will talk.”

He shrugs.

“Let them. Our levels don’t matter. It’s temporary.”

I swallow hard.

“You’re serious about this?”

“Dead serious.”

For a long moment neither of us says anything. I can feel my heart racing at the thought.

Finally I sigh.

“Fine.”

His lips twitch.

“Fine?”

“Yes,” I mutter, folding my arms. “But only for two months.”

“That’s all I need.”

***

The next evening he texts me out of nowhere.

Ryan: Dinner. My place. 7 p.m.

I stare at the message for a full minute before replying.

Elena: No way.

His reply comes instantly.

Ryan: It’s necessary if we’re doing this.

Elena: Necessary for what?

Ryan: My family needs to believe it too.

My hands go cold. Meet his family? I didn’t sign up for that.

Still, something in me knows better than to argue.

At exactly 6:45 p.m I’m standing in front of the mirror trying not to panic. I’ve changed my outfit twice already... first a dress then jeans then back to a dress again.

I finally settle for a simple cream blouse and black skirt. Not too fancy and not too casual.

When the sound of a car horn comes from outside, my heart jumps. He’s here.

I grab my bag, glance once at my reflection and slip quietly out the door before anyone can ask where I’m going.

Ryan’s car is parked right outside. He’s in the driver’s seat leaning against the window with that same lazy expression. When he sees me, a small smirk crosses his face.

“You clean up nice,” he says as I slide into the passenger seat.

“Just drive,” I mutter.

He chuckles.

“Nervous?”

“Should I be?”

He glances at me with his eyes gleaming under the streetlights. “Maybe a little.”

I roll my eyes.

“You’re not helping.”

As we drive through the quiet streets, I try to calm my heartbeat but it’s useless. Every second with him feels unpredictable... dangerous even.

“Just relax,” he says finally. “Let me do most of the talking, alright? You don’t have to act too much.”

“Act too much?” I scoff. “This is already too much.”

He laughs lightly but doesn’t respond.

When we pull up in front of the Blackwood Mansion, my jaw nearly drops. It’s huge... tall gates, wide driveway and lights glowing from every window.

“Wow,” I whisper.

“Welcome to my world,” he says simply.

A butler opens the door for us and as we step inside I spot several people already seated at the dining table... his parents and few relatives all dressed elegantly.

My stomach knots. I wasn’t ready for this. Ryan of course walks in like he owns the place... which he does. His mother’s eyes light up when she sees him but before anyone can speakbRyan suddenly stops.

He turns to me and before I can even ask what’s happening he leans down... and kisses me right there. In front of everyone…!