REVENGE AND A BET.

ASHER'S POINT OF VIEW.

Revenge.....

I've always had my way in everything for as long as I could remember.

Being the only living son of a billionaire from a family of wealthy landowners and food creators, I have had the pleasure of controlling everything around me. No one told me no....no one.

Until her....Nora fucking Macie.

She doesn't remember, but it was about six months ago. I told the girl to always sit with me at lunch in the school's elite Café. She said no.....to me.....it felt like a fucking whiplash. And from that moment on, I swore to have revenge on her.

Six months ago, she slept with me.

Three months later, she said no to me.

And now? Now she sent me the one thing that made the kick-off to my revenge effortless.

She thinks I don't remember fucking her on her birthday, or the scolding I received from my dad because he found me naked on his office floor, just before some of his associates walked in.....But I did. I couldn't forget, no matter how hard I tried. Because of her, I'd cheated on Lydia......yet, I would do it all over again, as long as Nora was the one writhing in pleasure beneath me.

I wouldn't have done anything at all, not until my friends and fiancé made a bet with me.

'If you can get her to fall in love with you, you'd get to tell each one of us to do whatever you want for as long as a month." It's going to be easy...no girl alive can resist my charm.

I stared at my phone, smirking at what Lydia sent. My evil fiancé and I had come up with a plan; she hated Nora, the new mysterious girl at school, whom no one seemed to know about, and I only wanted her to stop saying the word no to me. So we decided to teach her a lesson.

'Remember the plan, Asher.....she must pay.' Lydia's message read, Lydia hated anything that distracted me, especially when it ate into the time I spent with her. I couldnt get Nora Macie out of my mind, and I hated it.

Just as I sent a quick reply to Lydia, Nora marched down the stairs. No longer looking like the invisible maid's daughter she was, id managed to transform a duckling into a swan in record time. She tugged at the short red dress I'd chosen, clearly uncomfortable.

"This thing is a damn napkin." She grumbled.

"You're welcome." I grabbed her hands, tugging her to my car before she could say anything else. Lydia's message dropped into my mind again, reminding me about the plan I had to commence. Nora sending me that tape was the perfect cover to get her over to me.

Although I cannot deny the fact that I have watched it for a total of twenty-eight times in less than twelve hours... the sight of her, moaning, gasping for breath, my name on her tongue as she plays with her beautiful pussy.....all the vid captured was her face...her perfect face that I hate myself for wanting to kiss.

No, Asher! She's the daughter of a maid; she's poison....you can't have her. I needed to get a fucking grip. I had to deal with a very erect cock an hour before I rushed downstairs because of her.

"There's been a development." I glanced at her. She glared at me, her hands still tugging at the dress as if it would magically become longer. "Stop that."

"What?" she eyed me. "This contraption should never be on any human's body....I feel so exposed." She was flawless. Her hips were so wide, coupled with an ass so thick, I felt blood shoot to my cock the second I glanced at her. It's why I had to get her in the car with me before she would get a glimpse of how hard I was for her.

This is going to be harder than I fucking thought.

"And that's why you'd need it to get that weird fucker's eyes on you." Her eyes lit up at the mention of the idiot's name. I didn't know who the guy was; I didn't need to, but ever since she mentioned her crush on him, I've developed a deep animosity for the idiot.

She calms at the thought of his eyes on her, and it gives me the perfect moment to go in for the kill.

"To help us with this plan of ours, you need a boyfriend." Her eyes widen. "Someone even better than James Porter, who can get you the attention of everyone in school with just one word." My smirk grows wider at the thought of it. She, on the other hand, appears terrified.

"W-w-who do you have in mind?" she gulps.

"Me....date me, bunny," I order, my heart pounding at the thought of the revenge already blooming in my mind.

"Excuse me?!" She stares at me as if I've told her something incorrigible. "You're out of your mind."

"What's so hard about it? I'm clearly the hottest guy you've ever seen in your life. If you date me, the king of Riverbroke High, James Porter, and every single guy at school will suddenly want you. It's guaranteed."

"You think I'd want to date you?? I don't even like you." She hissed.

"It's not going to be real anyway....just something for show, enough to get everyone's eyes on you for as long as we need."

"You want to fake date the daughter of your housekeeper? What about your fiancé? I'm supposed to be a student on your father's tuition payroll. Do you think anyone's going to believe someone like you wants to be with someone like me?"

"No. That's why we are going to create a fake profile for you. No one at school knows you're the daughter of a maid; we just have to tap into that, and present you as the daughter of some wealthy merchant or something of the sort....a perfect cover for my fake girlfriend."

"And who is going to agree to be my parent?" She scoffed.

"My uncle." Uncle Frank would be perfect for the role because he was in on the plan as well and wouldn't say no to something fun.

"Come on, agree to be my fake girlfriend so you can get the guy you really want." I ran my eyes over her body again. How the hell am I going to control myself?? "It doesn't have to be long, bunny. We can do two months of this, and if James Porter doesn't come begging for your hand, we can call it quits."

"One month," that was all she said, her tone almost detached.

"One month?"

"Why?" she ran her eyes over my body, her gaze more challenging than mine. "Can't keep up?"

I don't know why, but that made me smirk. And before I knew it, even though it was against Lydia's plan; i found myself agreeing with her. "Fine, bunny.....one month of fake dating; but be warned, we can't fall in love."

"Oh, please," she said with a scoff. "I would never fall in love with you."

"Nor will I."

NORA'S POINT OF VIEW.

If hell had a dress code, it would look exactly like the napkin-like contraption Asher Collins forced me into. The dress was red, short, and sinful enough to make saints look away, seductive enough to get the attention I desired....especially from the one guy I'd spent more time than I could count looking at.

I stood in front of the mirror in the small room my new fake boyfriend took me to for 'touch-ups,' staring at a girl I barely recognized. I was fully glammed up; I knew how to do my makeup myself....but seeing my reflection, I couldn't help but feel like a fraud.

'You're no longer Nora Macie; you're officially Nora Feathers, the daughter of a widowed merchant from Australia.' Asher's words from earlier echo in my mind, reminding me of the façade I'd put on the second I walk through the doors of the currently booming party on the other side of the street.

"Are you done yet?" Asher yelled from where he stood outside; his voice adding another layer of tension in my bones as I tried to inhale clean breaths.

The dress was tight-fitting, clung to the curves I'd spent the entire year hiding from everyone at school on the orders of Asher's mother. The fabric dipped dangerously low at the back, the front cut just enough to show cleavage I'd spent my entire teenage life hiding beneath oversized sweaters and uniforms.

I looked... visible.

And for some reason, that scared me more than the thought of being caught by Asher's father, or the unreal student body at Riverbroke High.

"Yes...I'm done." I whispered, more to myself, making do with the fact that I was no longer Nora Macie, but now Nora Feathers.

The second I stepped out, Asher didn't waste a second; he grabbed me by the arm and walked us over to the mansion glistening with party lights and booming with the sound of loud music.

"Remember, when we walk in there, the whole school will know I am no longer with Lydia, and now with the mysterious new girl at school. You must keep your head high, walk straight, and accept the jealousy, or the hatred, or the acceptance from different crowds in there."

I gave him a nod in response, but he wasn't satisfied. "Words, bunny." He held my chin up so we maintained eye contact.

"Yes, I understand." His eyes darkened instantly, reminding me of the way he looked that night, six months ago, as he rammed his....no.....focus, Nora.

I shook my head; the feel of the cool air against my skin caused goosebumps, but I wasn't going to let it stop me.

"I'm ready, Asher." He smirked and led me through the doors, simultaneously killing off Macie and bringing in Feathers.

"Relax," he said softly, eyes flicking over me with slow, deliberate appreciation as we approached the doors. "You look exactly how you're supposed to."

Like prey.....

I swallowed, bracing myself for their cat-like eyes. "People are going to stare."

"That's the point, bunny." He stared at me for a second, making me gulp at the intensity of his gaze.

"Don't," I whispered. "Please don't do that thing where you pretend this is normal."

His jaw tightened just a fraction. "This is normal tonight. Smile, take my hand, and let the world choke on it."

I hesitated for half a second too long, so Asher stepped closer, lowering his voice so only I could hear; the guards at the door already regarded us with curious stares. They knew who Asher was....but they had no idea about me. "James Porter is already inside."

My breath caught in my throat immediately, and before I knew it, I slid my hand into his.

That did it... the moment our skin touched, I felt a spark.

"Good evening, Master Collins." The guards bowed their heads, and just before we entered, Asher regarded them with a stern expression. "This is Nora Feathers; she is my girlfriend. I expect you to treat her with the respect you'd treat me with."

"But sir....what about Lydia?"

"We broke up, end of story. Tell no one at home about this." He commanded, walking us ahead before they could process his instructions.

The second we stepped into the rave, heads turned, as everyone's eyes turned to us instantly. I was no longer in my blonde hair, but Asher had made me put on a blonde wig, contacts that turned my blue eyes black, and gave me a whole new look.

I could practically hear their thoughts, because they didn't bother hiding them.

Asher Collins. With her?

My heart slammed against my ribs as we descended the long flight of steps. The music throbbed louder, and the flashing red and violet lights almost blurred my vision, as bodies moved in synchronized chaos and rhythm, hips thrusting against groins as everyone danced the night away as if no one watched. Yet, Asher didn't slow; he didn't hesitate or even pause for a moment. He was used to this life; this buzz....it was his kingdom for fucks sake.

He walked straight through the crowd like a king returning to his throne, dragging me into the center of it all, not bothering to spare anyone a glance as he led me to the center, where everyone had formed a circle already.

"Holy shit..."

"Is that...who the hell is that?"

"No fucking way....Asher Collins with a new girl....this is crazy!"

"Ouuu, Lydia's gonna be pissed. Someone tell her now!"

I couldn't fucking breathe.

His hand slid from mine to my lower back in a soft, yet firm, claiming way, his fingers drumming softly on the spot where my back met my ass. Every step pulled me deeper into the spotlight I'd spent my entire life avoiding, as the throng of sharks circled me, waiting for blood.

"Keep your chin up," he murmured. "You're doing perfectly."

Perfectly exposed, if that's what he means.

We stopped near the bar, and that's when I saw her.

Lydia.

Our eyes met once, and for some reason, I was drawn to look away; to break eye contact with the school's queen whose single word could turn me into a social pariah. I flinched before I could stop myself, and Asher noticed, because he whispered, his palm flat on my lower back now;

"Don't look away," he said quietly. "Let her see." And even though I wanted the very opposite, I obeyed his instruction and kept eye contact with the queen of Riverbroke High.

Her gaze dragged over me slowly in a cruel and assessing way before flicking to Asher. He smirked at her.

And then, because he was a monster, he pulled me closer, until my front pressed against his, a groan spilling from his lips as his arm wrapped around my waist, tugging me flush against him. My breath hitched as his lips dipped close to my ear.

"Time for the performance."

Before I could ask what he meant, he turned, lifted my chin with two fingers, and before I could fucking utter a word, he crashed his lips to mine in a crazy, intense kiss. It wasn't a gentle one. Hell, it wasn't fucking rushed either. He took his time because he wanted everyone to see it, and for some reason, he wanted Lydia to see it most especially. I couldn't hear anything except the buzz in my ears as I kissed him back. Or, I tried to. Because he was too intense for me to catch up.

The crowd erupted around us.

Their gasps, cheers, and shouts filled the room as the music died down, and I heard my name, or speculations of what my name was, on strangers' lips. My knees went weak as Asher kissed me like he wanted to erase the space between us, his hand firm on my waist, as his thumb brushed the bundle of nerves on my wrist.

I couldn't help but moan at the intensity of it all, my legs turning too weak to keep me up, but he held onto me so I wouldn't crumble.

When he pulled away, his forehead rested briefly against mine as we heaved heavy breaths, our eyes locked in on each other.

"There," he breathed as if he'd run a marathon. "Now everyone knows."

I was shaking, yet I turned....and that's when I saw him.

James Porter stood near the edge of the crowd, frozen mid-step, with eyes that locked in on us.

On me.....But his expression wasn't disgusted....It was stunned.

My chest tightened painfully at the sight, hope blooming in my heart at the thought of this actually working. Asher followed my gaze and flashed me his signature vicious smirk, as he whispered;

'Hook. Line. Fucking Sinker, bunny......let the games begin."

NORA'S POINT OF VIEW.

If the kiss was meant to brand me with Asher's essence, it worked. Because by the time we pulled apart, the entire student body had its eyes entirely on us....or rather, on me. I was no longer Nora Macie, daughter of the housekeeper in the home of a wealthy family; I was now one of them......a fraud nonetheless. I gulped as I tried to avoid their stares. Asher didn't make it easier. He held onto me as if he wanted them to see even more that I was his.

I could still feel him, and the force of his kiss... my first kiss. When we'd had sex six months ago, he made sure not to kiss me, but now....he's taken that from me.

My lips tingled, swollen and buzzing like they'd been struck by lightning, and my heart refused to slow down with its frantic beats. I was painfully aware of how tightly his arm remained locked around my waist, how his thumb drew slow, possessive circles into my bare skin as if he owned the right to touch me.

This wasn't part of the plan.

At least... not the way it felt.

"You did great," Asher murmured, leaning close enough that only I could hear him over the pounding bass as the DJ played away from his booth. People still hadn't stopped staring, gawking at us as if we were stars from some famous soap opera... at this point, we probably are. His lips brushed the shell of my ear in that same deliberately intimate way he did six months ago. My skin tingled from his touch. "See? Still breathing... so be a good girl for me, and relax."

"I hate you," I whispered back, my voice shaking despite my effort to steady it, a fake smile on my lips mirroring his.

He laughed softly in a dangerous way, almost as if he enjoyed every second I squirmed under his touch, and their staring. "No, bunny. You don't."

Before I could argue, someone collided with us, jolting me forward. Asher tightened his grip instantly, shielding me with his body, his expression snapping from lazy confidence to lethal warning in half a second. "Watch where you're going," he snapped at the guy, his tone sharp, making the poor boy mutter a shaky apology and disappear into the crowd.

That was when I realized it.

People weren't just staring anymore.

They were fully watching with their phones out. I noticed Serena, the queen of the school's gossip blog, typing away at her phone while her minions filmed Asher, and I... fuck, I'm about to be on the blog again. The last time I was there, it was because they were laughing at my, or rather, Nora Macie's shoes. I'd spent a butt load of my savings on mom's hearing aid, so I couldn't afford to get shoes. I'd decided to use my old shoes, only to see pictures of them blasted across the school's gossip column less than five minutes after I got off the school bus. The phrase, not so Cinderella, accompanied the image, and from then on, I was called that, no matter how hard I tried to hide from everyone, and I hated it.

This time around, I wonder what she's going to say about Nora Feathers.

Girls whispered while they focused on each other as if i wouldnt hear them gathering in their cliques to gossip while the guys openly gawked, their eyes sliding over me like I was something new, something shiny....I was no longer the unfuckable Cinderella shoes girl. It was almost funny what Asher managed to do in less than ten minutes with one kiss. I was now something worth wanting.

"Look at her shoes..."

"I heard her dad owns half of Sydney..."

"What about Lydia? Is she just going to let this happen?" Someone whispered from the far right corner of me.

"I just searched her. I've never seen her at school at all. Is she a new student?"

"I smell drama. We both know Asher belongs to Lydia, and she doesn't share....ever.....not even this new girl named Nora Feathers is going to change that. We just have to watch as Lydia obliterates her in front of all of us." They snickered, and for a moment, it got to me as my straight posture cracked, but before I could fall even lower, Asher grabbed me even tighter, but not to hurt, just to keep a firm hold as he pulled me to stand straighter.

"Stop trembling," Asher snapped, his hand rubbing slowly on my exposed lower back due to the backless dress he'd forced me into. His palm was heavy, hot, and sent a jolt of electricity straight to my gut that I hated myself for feeling. "You're the daughter of a wealthy merchant from Australia. You've attended private galas since you were in diapers, dealt with even meaner people than these from your very elite former school overseas. Wealth is something you have lived with all your life, so stop acting as if this fazes you. You're rich enough to feed a third-world country ten times. Act like it."

"I've attended galas as a waitress, Asher, under my mother's arm because I had to help her serve tables, and the so-called wealthy people you say I am a part of. I cannot act like who I'm not....especially when I have never lived the life you have forced me to lie into," I hissed, trying to shove his hand away. He didn't budge. His fingers dug deeper into my skin, a silent reminder of who was in charge. "The second I open my mouth, they'll know I'm a fraud."