By the time my shift ended, I had already written my resignation letter and memorized my conversation with Damian Blackwell a dozen times.

Thankfully, it wouldn't be in person but that didn't make it any less nerve wracking.

The thought of facing Damian Blackwell, even through a screen, made my heart race. A man as powerful as him would be bothered to interview a first year university student like me.

He didn't even bother to interview honorary graduates that apply at his company everyday.

As I walked back to our dorm, I kept telling myself not to flop this. I needed the money for my survival so there was no way I was going to fail at this.

I pushed open the door to our dorm room, expecting Lily to already be there, casually lounging on her bed. But the room was empty.

I sat on my bed, waiting for Lily to return. That was when I got a message from her, a link. Then another message saying, 'In five minutes, click on the link'.

What?

It's going to be just us?

I thought Lily would be with me, it would have helped a lot in controlling my nerves.

You can do this Elena!

I sat down at my desk, staring at my phone. The time on the clock ticked louder in my ears with every passing second.

Five minutes. It was time.

My fingers tapped on the screen, clicking the link Lily had sent. The screen loaded, and then there he was - Damian Blackwell.

His face was stern. Serious and all business. I smiled and when he didn't smile back, I went straight to the point.

"Good evening, Mr. Blackwell."

"Miss Elena Reyes."

I froze, heart hammering in my chest.

His voice cut through the silence, rich and authoritative. "I hope I didn't interrupt anything? You don't look ready to talk."

I swallowed hard. "No, Mr. Blackwell. I'm ready."

He gave a slight nod, and the cool, detached expression he wore made my nerves spike even more.

"Lily tells me you're quite capable," he began, his eyes scanning me as if I were a commodity he was appraising. "She speaks highly of your academic abilities. But before we proceed with any arrangements, I need to be certain you're the right fit."

I barely heard him. My mind was buzzing, stuck on his last name, and the reminder of who he was. But I wasn't about to back out now. Not when a hundred dollars an hour was staring me in the face.

"I'm confident I can help Lily with her studies," I said, my voice coming out steadier than I felt. "I'm very familiar with the curriculum and I have experience tutoring."

That was a lie? Why did I lie?!

He raised an eyebrow. "Experience, huh? You're not a certified tutor. What makes you think you can handle my daughter?"

His question hung in the air, sharp and pointed.

Did he know I was lying?

Is this like a test?

I clenched my fists, trying to keep my composure. "I'm a business management student, same as Lily. If she left seniors and teachers to come to me for tutoring, it must mean that I am pretty good."

I think I must have come off as proud.

Damian's gaze remained steady, unblinking, as if evaluating my every word.

"You're smart and you know it. That's good, but is it enough? What if you fail?"

He leaned in slightly, his eyes narrowing.

The tension in my chest tightened. I knew what was going on, he was trying to intimidate me and I wouldn't let him.

"I'm not going to fail, Mr. Blackwell," I said, my voice steady despite the rapid beating of my heart. "I scored the highest in my scholarship exam and you're fully aware of that. I read ahead of my peers and I can say that I am ahead in class. I am going to tutor Lily to the best of my abilities because you, Mr. Blackwell, you're going to be paying me well for that. Lily wants a house off campus and I just want the money that comes with her desires. We both have our motivations so I am certain we won't fail." I breathed deeply. "But then, if Lily fails, it'd be on her, not me."

Damian studied me for a long moment.

At that moment, I regretted submitting my resignation letter at the cafe when I wasn't sure of the job.

I would go back there, cry and beg until my job was given back to me.

I thought I saw his lips twitch for a small moment. He sat back in his chair, nodding slowly.

"Fair enough," he said, his tone softening slightly. "I'll leave you guys to it."

I nodded, trying to push past the unease that crawled up my spine. "Thank you for the opportunity."

I got no reply. The screen blinked, and just like that, the call ended.

I sat there, frozen, trying to process everything that had just happened.

I'd done it. I'd made it through the interview.

This was the beginning of something new for me. Slowly, I would learn more about Lily's rich lifestyle. It really fascinated me, maybe because I had never been around someone with so much money....as much as the Blackwell's.

Didn't Lily say she was used to people being around her for monetary gains?

What would I gain if I get closer to her?

What if I became more than a roommate, a tutor?

A friend?

A true friend....

In a matter of minutes, I had gone from being a broke university student to earning three hundred dollars everyday.

I was now part of the Blackwell world, even though it was only by association.

I glanced at Lily's bed. Maybe I could become her true friend.

Not for her money...I convinced myself.

I didn't want to use her.

I just didn't want to be left behind.

As I lay back on my bed, one thought circled in my mind: This is just the beginning.

Three days after the call with Damian Blackwell, I walked out of the campus bookstore with a brand new MacBook in my arms.

It wasn't technically mine. Lily had bought it, smiling as she handed over her platinum credit card like it was no big deal.

"You're going to need something decent if you're tutoring me properly," she had said, casually sipping on a caramel macchiato that cost more than my weekly grocery budget.

I had hesitated...barely. "You're sure?" I asked, trying not to look too eager.

"Of course," she waved me off. "Think of it as an investment. You're helping me pass, I should do this much for you."

I was helping her, wasn't I?

So, I didn't say no. I didn't push her hand back or insist on buying a second-hand laptop. I let her do it. And maybe, just maybe, it felt a little too easy.

That's how it started.

The laptop led to other "necessities".

Like noise-cancelling headphones for late-night study sessions, then a few textbooks she ordered without even checking the price tag. Before I could blink, I had access to a lifestyle I'd only dreamed of.

Lily didn't seem to mind. In fact, she welcomed the company.

We weren't just tutor and student anymore, we became a unit-inseparable.

She'd drag me along with her to lunch dates with her fellow rich friends, and eventually, I started joining her on weekend parties.

The first time I slid into her custom red Porsche 911 turbo S, my breath hitched. I'd never ridden in a car that expensive, let alone had someone open the door for me. Her driver nodded at me like I belonged there.

It was addicting.

At the party, people greeted her like royalty. Lily Blackwell was the kind of girl who owned a room without trying. And suddenly, I was standing beside her, introduced as "her brilliant tutor and roommate" and not just another broke freshman.

I played the role well.

"Is it true you scored highest in the scholarship exam?" one guy asked, handing me a glass of something fruity.

"Top 1, we were more than a thousand students," I replied smoothly, smiling like I belonged there.

Lily leaned into me, drunk on cocktails and attention. "See? I told you she's a genius."

I soaked it in, the warmth of admiration, the shine of recognition.

Something whispered to me...Why are you using her?

But I pushed the thought aside.

Lily didn't mind, right?

Because I was tutoring her. Every night after the day's activities or parties, we'd sit at her desk, textbooks spread out, notes highlighted, coffee brewing. I explained every theory, broke down every case study, and made sure she understood before we called it a night.

I noticed that Lily was smart, she was only just distracted.

"You actually make this stuff interesting," she told me once, eyes wide with realization after I explained a business strategy concept using her favorite shopping mall as a model.

"You just need to stop zoning out when things get boring," I told her.

We had fun. We had moments. And slowly, I felt myself falling deep into the lifestyle that could never be mine.

Still, I couldn't ignore the perks.

The day I mentioned I'd need a printer for some research, she bought a high-end one the next morning. When I commented offhandedly about needing new shoes because mine were worn down to the sole, she took me shopping that weekend and got me bags of clothes and shoes.

At first, I justified it all.

She offered. I never asked.

But eventually, I got comfortable suggesting.

"I heard there's this expensive database for management research," I said one night. "It'd really help if I could get access."

She handed me her credit card without blinking.

One time, there was an elite business networking event exclusively for final year students. I really wanted to attend so I told Lily that it was important for our studies and research. She used her influence and money to get us into the event venue.

I stood in front of the mirror before that event, staring at the designer dress she'd picked for me. It hugged my body like a second skin, the tag price making my stomach twist. It was beautiful.

"I don't know if I can wear this," I murmured.

"Why not?" she asked, applying her lipstick. "You look amazing."

"I'm not like... you," I said quietly.

She turned to me, her expression serious. "El, I like having you around. You're the first real person I've met in this school. So stop acting like you don't belong."

I nodded slowly, biting back the guilt. Because deep down, I wasn't sure if I was real. Or if I was with her for the benefits.

My old cracked phone was replaced with the latest model. Another gift from Lily after she caught me squinting at my screen during a study session.

"I can't have you going blind while tutoring me," she had teased.

I should've said no.

But I didn't.

And while our friendship grew, so did the unease in my chest.

And all these didn't affect my payment for tutoring her.

Damian Blackwell sent it directly to me when it was due. Sometimes, Lily would add in a word or two for me and her father would add extra pay for my services.

Every time she bought something for me, a voice told me that I wasn't her friend, I was a parasite.

But I ignored it, again and again, convincing myself that I was earning my place. That I was giving her real value in return, real friendship.

I told her about Jason's infidelity and she broke up with him immediately. Even though I tutored her, she made me do her assignments and wandered off to a party or to see a new guy.

Lily always had a new guy.....and she made me promise not to tell her father.

Why would I?

I liked this world too much....the comfort, the ease, the way she made my life so easy.

And that was when crazy ideas began creeping into my mind.

If I could get this much from Lily, what more could I get if I clawed my way into the Blackwell family?

My life would probably change for good, right?

Our first semester exams went smoothly. Lily said she was sure she wrote well and I prayed that it would be so.

If she fails, everything I had planned and the life I was slowly getting accustomed to will come to an end.

The results came out a week later. She passed! She actually passed with impressive points.

"You did it!" I squealed, hugging her in the middle of the dorm room. Relief crashed through me like a wave.

Lily laughed, her smile bright and proud. "No. You did it, El. I owe you big time."

I waved her off. "I just did my job."

"You know what? When my father gets me an apartment, you are going to move in with me."

My eyes widened. "Really?"

"Of course. I'm so used to being with you, I don't think I can live without you."

She kissed my cheeks and patted my head lovingly. Then, she brought out her huge box and started packing for the holidays.

As she packed, she blabbed about how the Blackwells spent their Christmas. Last year, they spent it in Paris, and the year before, her father took the family to Greece.

"What are your plans for the holidays?" She asked me.

I had no plans. My Christmas has always been boring, nothing much to do at an orphanage. If we got lucky, some generous families sent us gifts and food. I was tired of living that life.

"I'll just stay here, I have nowhere to go," I said carefully.

Lily's face fell. "That's sad. It's going to be so lonely for you."

I shrugged. "If only I could come with you," I suggested carefully. "But it's going to be weird right? I mean I don't want to impose or anything...."

I watched her closely, trying to decipher her reaction.

For a moment, Lily said nothing and I gave up.

Then she broke into a grin. "Of course! That's actually perfect. You have to come! Daddy won't mind, and you'll finally see the Blackwell estate and everything I've been telling you."

My heart thumped with excitement.

~~~~~~~~~

The Blackwell estate was unlike anything I had ever seen. It looked like a modern castle nestled in snow-draped mountains. The grand gates opened like arms welcoming royalty. Christmas lights twinkled on every balcony, wrapping around pillars like golden vines.

The mansion looked powerful, because it housed a powerful man.

We stepped inside and were immediately greeted by staff, they carried our bags inside. Others were busy carrying garlands, bottles of wine and wrapped gifts.

Then I saw him.

Damian Blackwell.

He stood at the base of the grand staircase, dressed in a black turtleneck and grey slacks, sipping whiskey from a glass.

He seemed to be drinking something whenever I saw him.

His presence was overwhelming and intimidating. And he didn't smile. He never smiled. And surprisingly...it made him hot. Very hot!

"Daddy!"

Lily called out to him and he turned. But instead of Lily, his gaze landed on me.

I thought that after talking with him via video call, my nerves would be more controlled if we ever met.

I was wrong.

My heart beat faster than it ever did. My stomach churned and twisted just by looking at his figure.

"Elena Reyes," he said, voice deep and controlled. "Nice to finally meet you in person."

I stepped forward, my hands steady despite the storm in my chest. "Thank you for having me, Mr. Blackwell."

His eyes didn't leave mine. "You did well in tutoring Lily, think of this as thank you."

I wanted to say that the money he paid me was enough thanks, but I chose to remain quiet.

He walked past me and hugged Lily. They began chatting about small things when a staff member offered to show me my room.

It was bigger than my entire dorm. Much bigger than the room I shared with three others back in the orphanage.

I could get used to this, I thought.

Later that evening, Lily introduced me to her brother.

He was quite tall, not as tall as his father though. He was also handsome and had charisma. A lot of girls would be drawn to this young man, but I wasn't.

Why?

Why didn't I feel the same pull I felt when Damian Blackwell was around me?

"Elena, this is my brother, Noah," Lily said casually. "He's back from business school."

Noah smirked. "So, this is the genius tutor. I've heard things."

I raised an eyebrow. "All good things, I hope."

He chuckled, extending his hand. "Of course. I'm Lucas. Welcome to our home."

Our hands touched, and something shifted. His grip lingered for a moment too long, his eyes dropping to my lips before flicking back to my eyes.

He was...interested.

I felt it. That slow burn curiosity that lingers in a glance too heavy.

I was getting noticed by Noah Blackwell. Heir to billions of dollars, companies, and investments..... interesting, Elena.

As the night wore on, I watched the Blackwell family dynamics unfold. Damian was cold but observant.

Noah was charming and seemed to like pleasing his father.

Lily was the heart of the household, flitting around with laughter and ease. The baby of the Blackwell family.

I was an outsider.... but not for long.

Lying in my luxurious guest bed that night, I stared at the ceiling, a plan forming in my mind.

If I played this right, I could become more than Lily's friend.

More than her tutor.

More than just an associate of the Blackwells.

I could belong.

And maybe... I could become one of them.

The son seemed interested in me, I could work with that.

But I didn't want to. Boys were indecisive and could change their heart at any moment.

Damian Blackwell....

The man who owned everything.

If I could get Damian Blackwell, if I could succeed in seducing him....my life would never remain the same.