Chapter 7
628words
Had all my instincts been wrong all these years?
Should I be competing with Henry instead? Because there can only be one hero?
Danny Lawrence drove me back toward downtown but dropped me at the subway entrance.
I stared at him, confused. "What's this about?"
Danny gripped the steering wheel, his face blank. "Didn't you say you didn't want to be associated with me?"
The car sped away, leaving me standing dazed on the sidewalk.
To maintain my image as the jealous fake daughter who hated the true heir, I'd never taken Danny Lawrence's car after school, refused his gifts, and wouldn't speak to him on campus.
But before, Danny would still wait for me, watching until I got safely into a rideshare. He'd bring homemade breakfasts and blow up my phone when I gave him the silent treatment.
Now he'd stopped—exactly what I'd claimed to want.
To solidify our "relationship," Henry Growth found an empty classroom on the weekend to tutor me in advanced math.
I set down my pen and stared out the window.
"Tell me, what would someone like me—attractive and wealthy—be classified as in a novel?"
Henry Growth didn't look up from his formula. "The evil female antagonist."
?
"Then what about a money-driven, self-reliant guy like you?"
"The hero."
"Why's that?"
"In those trashy romance novels."
I was speechless. Henry Growth would make a better friend than fake boyfriend.
Glancing at Henry Growth's work, I pointed out: "You calculated that wrong."
Henry Growth clicked his tongue.
I frowned. "Why is your advanced math worse than mine?"
Henry Growth stared at me, equally confused. "I'm a liberal arts major. Didn't you... know that?"
"..."
"What's my favorite color?"
"Black."
"White. What food do I like?"
"The free seaweed soup from the cafeteria."
"Japanese cuisine. My favorite sport?"
"Jogging."
"Badminton."
I wasn't physically tired, but mentally drained. Cold sweat trickled down my back.
I'd assumed Danny Lawrence's preferences applied to all men. Why did they need individual personalities? They'd all be married into the family eventually.
No wonder I got everything wrong.
Henry Growth stopped his quiz. He was clearly convinced I'd never bothered learning anything about him.
After a moment, I asked: "So will you still be my fake boyfriend?"
Henry Growth nodded.
I suspected he had masochistic tendencies.
Henry Growth caught my look. "You've given me enough expensive gifts to cover my tuition."
"Selling yourself?"
"Responsibility!" Henry Growth looked offended.
"Besides, with me around irritating Danny Lawrence, he might stop hovering over you constantly."
How thoughtful—truly worthy of my former crush. Former? Because I had a new target.
"Do you know Cersei Wright?"
Henry Growth's pen froze. "Cersei Wright hasn't offended you, has she? Don't mess with her."
I caught something in his tone and leaned forward.
"What's that supposed to mean? Spill it!"
Henry Growth hesitated, then seeing I wasn't plotting anything: "She's my girlfriend. We're keeping it quiet."
"???"
Not just friends?
Wait—did that make ME the third wheel?
Cersei Wright had the worst physical fitness scores in our grade.
She was also from a poor family, hardworking and independent. If I wasn't the heroine, who better than her?
If my mom couldn't end up with the heroine, then I should.
But Henry Growth had beaten me to the punch.
I slammed both hands on the table. "No! Why should it be this way?"
Henry Growth: "?"
"Too many rich kids chase after both of us. We keep our relationship secret to avoid causing problems for each other."
"Does she know you're playing my fake boyfriend?"
"Yes, she knows. I'm playing the role to support her. It's fine."
I had a problem with that.
That was MY money.
"Can I support her instead?"
"No."
