Chapter 1

My high-maintenance, aloof crush suddenly disappeared for a week.

Bored, I posted on my Instagram Story:

[Hired a hot D1 athlete. Insane body. Venmo me $50 for a pic of his abs.]

Unexpectedly, my crush saw it and bombarded me with texts:

[Accidental abs pic. live photo] [.] [Wrong chat, can't unsend.] [The one you mentioned in your story.] [Transfer: $50,000.00] [Can you show me?] [If you like that type, I can do that too.] [Sophie, you're not replying... are you playing with him? It's okay, I can wait until you're done.] [Can I... come over now?] [You can sample the goods first.]

1

A few hours later.

Me, seeing the messages: ?

I've had a crush on Ethan Sterling for three months.

This is the first time he's sent me more than two words.

I'm flattered, but...

I like what type? Do what? Sample what?

Is this the same cold, quiet Ethan I know?

I held my phone in disbelief, re-reading the messages.

Finally, I lowered my screen brightness, made sure my privacy screen protector was working, and sneakily tapped on the live photo of Ethan's abs.

I played it over and over again.

Good lord. What a specimen.

And what a...

Bargain.

Slurp.

The inability to unsend after a certain time is truly the greatest invention!

Stimulated by the eye candy, I finally connected the dots.

Ethan saw my joke about the D1 athlete?

But I was just memeing about KFC Crazy Thursday (or a similar viral trend).

He... is?

Wait, didn't he say he never looks at social media?

A while back, I was obsessed with this Korean BBQ place. I mentioned it to Ethan, and he asked for the name.

Thinking I was slick, I replied: "Check my latest Insta story~ The grilled intestines are to die for! Highly recommend!"

Ethan replied instantly: "Sorry, I don't usually check social media."

I froze.

I clenched my fists, fingertips turning white.

The atmosphere got awkward. I opened my mouth, not knowing what to say.

But then, Ethan looked at me intently.

"Ms. Bennett, I mean... we could just go. My treat this time. You navigate?"

His voice was deep, questioning.

I felt like my soul was being hooked.

I stared at him blankly and nodded.

Just when I thought things were going well after that meal...

He ghosted me for a week.

Vanished from the face of the earth.

2

Ethan was video calling me.

Probably because I hadn't replied for hours, breaking my habit of instant replies.

The moment it rang, I instinctively hit decline.

I couldn't exactly tell him I muted his notifications because I was mad he disappeared.

Or that I spent the time ignoring him eating KFC with my brother.

But Ethan rarely initiates contact. And he sent "benefits."

I quickly typed a lie to cover it up.

[Ah, I'm in a meeting at work, can't video chat right now, sorry!] [Just saw your messages.] [QAQ Sorry, my story was a joke! Don't take it seriously.] [I'll treat you to dinner tonight!] [Hehe, returning the favor for the K-BBQ~]

As I was typing furiously, my brother, Leo, leaned over and peeked at my screen.

He burst out laughing.

"Nice. Another victim of the 'Venmo me $50' meme."

"Who is this guy? Rich enough to drop 50k to see a D1 athlete?"

"From Dubai? LMAO, that's wire fraud if he reports you..."

Leo's eyes drifted to the contact name at the top of the chat:

[Aloof but Hot Future Husband].

His laughter cut off abruptly.

I moved with zero frame delay.

Before Leo could react, I slapped the back of his head.

"Leo! Bennett!"

Yes. Leo is my biological brother.

And the first victim of my meme.

This morning, I saw the trend on TikTok and thought it was hilarious.

So I copy-pasted: [Hired a hot D1 athlete. Insane body. Venmo me $50 for a pic of his abs.]

My brother was the first to Venmo me $50.

"I gotta see what kind of D1 demon makes you, the cheapskate queen, spend money. I need to broaden my horizons."

So I brought him to KFC.

3

Leo rubbed his head, wincing.

"Sophie, that contact name is shameless."

He sneered.

I was pissed. I grabbed him, ready to slap him again.

Leo spun around slippery as an eel.

He laughed and put me in a headlock from behind to stop me.

"Sis, how are you gonna catch a man like this?"

"So violent in public..."

I rolled my eyes and elbowed him.

"Should I learn from you? Getting hit on by a hundred dudes a day?"

"Leo, get your paws off me..."

Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine.

I looked up instinctively through the glass window.

I froze.

Ethan stood there, cold brows furrowed, lips pressed into a thin line.

His gaze was intense, locked onto me and Leo.

The moment our eyes met, time paused.

Why is Ethan here?!

When did he get here?!

I just lied about being in a meeting.

And now I'm caught red-handed by my crush?!

In the time it took me to panic, Ethan pushed the door open and strode towards us.

"Ms. Bennett, just finished your meeting?"

I didn't have time to think.

"Yes, yes, just finished. Grabbed some lunch."

Then I remembered.

Ethan knows where I work.

But right now... I'm at the KFC near my apartment.

My eyelid twitched uncontrollably.

I'm cooked.

Ethan paused. His gaze swept coldly over Leo, then he asked in a low voice:

"And this is... your colleague?"

My heart rate spiked. I elbowed Leo again, guilty for no reason.

Just as I was about to introduce him: "He is..."

Leo didn't let go. Instead, he leaned into my ear and whispered:

"Men... I understand them. Let me be your wingman. You're welcome."

4

Leo's hand slid from my shoulder to link arms with me intimately.

"Sister, who is he?"

Leo asked in a fake, affected voice.

He didn't forget to shoot Ethan a provocative look.

Me: ...

Thanks, I hate it.

Ethan's expression froze.

His gaze slowly lowered to Leo's hand on my arm.

"This... gentleman. Please have some self-respect in public."

Ethan spoke coldly, his deep voice icy.

I felt like I was being stabbed in the back.

What is this weird "caught cheating" atmosphere?!

It's noon. KFC is packed. People were staring.

Especially after Ethan's comment.

I forced a stiff smile and pinched Leo hard on his back.

"Bro, ther, act normal. Let go," I hissed.

Leo grimaced in pain. He tsked and reluctantly let go.

I quickly changed the subject, introducing them awkwardly:

"Ethan Sterling."

I pointed at Leo, instinctively omitting his last name.

"...Leo."

"Oh, I have to get back to work. Maybe we chat later?"

Actually, I had the day off after a night shift. But with this brat Leo causing trouble, I didn't dare let him speak.

I didn't feel like he was helping; I felt doomed.

Leo acted like he didn't hear me.

He leaned in "affectionately" and whispered loudly:

"Sister, your friend is so mean..."

A fleeting darkness flashed in Ethan's eyes.

I caught a glimpse of it.

Ethan lowered his lashes slowly. When he looked up again, his expression was normal.

He ignored Leo and turned to me:

"Sophie, didn't you ask me to dinner?"

Ethan's voice was hoarse, with a hint of a tremor.

As if afraid I'd interrupt or reject him, he spoke quickly:

"If you... are busy with him, I can go back and wait for your message."

I inexplicably heard a pitiful tone in his voice.

Ethan is acting weird today.

This is the first time he's called me "Sophie."

Very different from his usual aloof self.

But... I kinda like it.

I want him even more now.