webnovel

You Can’t Buy My Love

Mariela "Ella" Alvamiza, an eighteen-year-old first-year college student. She was saddened when she found her things scattered in the hallway of their building. She couldn't pay her friend the share of the rent since she sent the money to her mother. Archer Lopez came from wealthy family. He has no choice but to leave his penthouse when his dad banned him from entering unless he will come home to their mansion. He needed a roommate to share the cost of his newfound place since his beloved parents had frozen all his accounts. Mariela needed a place to stay, and she felt so happy when she found a pamphlet made from scratch paper that someone needed a roommate, and to her dismay, he was a guy, and no other than the renowned handsome and hot playboy of Nagazville University. Excerpt: "Here is the deal. I will allow you to pay 1/4 of the rent, but you have to do the laundry, the cleaning; and cook our meal; if not, you need to pay half of the rent, and one more thing, you can't fall in love with me." Archer said with confidence. "Excuse me, who said I am sharing a room with you and become your maid? How much more to fall in love with someone conceited and self-centered like you? Do you think everyone will like you because of your pretty face? I am sorry to disappoint you, but not everyone at the University is stupid." Mariela snapped at him, and he was shocked because it was the first time a girl showed disinterest in him. Mariela was broke, and she ended up living with Archer, and she found herself entangled with the most popular guy in her university. And when Ella found out that Archer was more than just a pretty face, and she gets to know the real him, she couldn’t stop herself from falling in love with him. One day Archer was compelled to ask Mariela to come home with him to their estate to pretend as his girlfriend as a protest to his parents for manipulating his life. Archer's parents asked him to dump Ella right away after he introduced her to them because they are against their relationship since she doesn’t belong to their world, and that is the time he realized his feelings for her started to get real. He couldn't stop himself from loving his beautiful roommate even if he knew she was way out of his league. Does Archer’s love for Mariela strong enough to stand up against his parents even if it means losing everything he has, including his inheritance? Can Mariela choose love over money the moment she realizes her younger sister's life is at stake and she is the only one who can save her? Warning: Have mature content in the later part of the story.

sirenbeauty · 若者
レビュー数が足りません
155 Chs

No Right

Mariela's POV

One week had passed, and I am still living with Archer, and I have learned so many things about him, not his personal life, but of what he is, and I couldn't deny it; Archer Lopez is sweet, caring, and most of all fun to be with, and I could tell he is more than his pretty face, and what I love about him, he never asks me anything about my personal life as well, he waited for me to tell him about my family, and where I come from, but like him; I also avoided talking about my family.

He is a fast learner too, and I was no longer shocked when I woke up Saturday morning, and he had already prepared breakfast for us. And I wondered where he was since I couldn't find him, and I was startled when I got out of the bathroom after taking a bath and found him standing outside the bathroom door.

"Hey, I am sorry if I stunned you, Ella," He said, smiling at me while I was touching my chest over the bath towel, and I could see he was sweating all over his body.

"I take an early run because I wanted to come with you today." He said.

"Come with me?" I asked, confused, and he was beaming at me.

"I wanted to look for a part-time job. Do you think you can help me?" Archer asked as he looked at my face, and I felt so conscious because he was standing so close to me, and I could smell his masculine scent.

"Are you sure? I could tell you grew up with a silver spoon in your mouth, and I don't think working part-time will suit you. You are studying at Nagazville University, the most expensive University in the country, you are not a scholar, and you are not a varsity player, so it only means your family is loaded." I declared, and I saw his face fall.

"I already told you, Ella, I needed to learn everything on my own. And I need a job." He responded, and I smiled at him as I realized he was serious about finding a part-time job.

"I am not sure if the resto-bar needs additional staff, but I will try to speak with my boss, and my work there will only start at four o'clock this afternoon," I stated, and I could see the confusion on his face.

"And why do you need to leave early if your work will only start around four o'clock in the afternoon, Ella?" He asked, and I gave him a weak smile.

"I need to work more than one job to earn more money, Archer," I said, and he looked at me in the eyes for a long time, and I knew he wanted to ask me so many questions, but he didn't raise a single question at me.

"Where are you going then?" Archer inquired.

"I have a part-time job every weekend at the Nagazville Bay Catering," I mumbled.

"Can I come with you?" He asked, and he looked so boyish as he gazed at me, waiting for my response.

"Of course not. I can't babysit you, Archer; I need to work." I said, and he chuckled.

"I am not a kid anymore, Ella; you don't need to babysit me. I wanted to come with you, hoping you can squeeze me as additional staff." He said after his laughter subsided.

"I don't know, but most of the time, we are under staff; maybe you can come with me, and the manager will hire you as a replacement for someone who can not come to work today because of some emergencies, but it doesn't mean there is a vacant slot," I responded, and he nodded his head.

"I understand, just give me a minute, and I will take a quick shower, Mariela," Archer said, and I nodded my head, and he got inside the bathroom while I walked towards my closet and got dressed as fast as I could before Archer could finish his shower.

"Wow! That is quick," I said the moment he got out from the bathroom, and I swallowed my saliva when my eyes darted a glance at his chiseled chest and toned stomach.

"I don't want you to leave me, Ella." He mumbled, and I laughed as I thought he was acting like a kid right now. He put on his clothes in front of me, and I turned around and walked towards the kitchen and prepared the table.

"Thank you for cooking breakfast, Archer; I don't usually eat heavy breakfast; cereal and banana or apple will do," I said when he sat across from me.

"You are welcome, Mariela; I know you have work during weekends, and it is not good to work with an empty stomach; you can't perform your job well," He responded.

"I can perform my work even without breakfast, Archer; once you will become used to it, you will not feel hungry," I said as we started eating our meal.

"Not on my watch, Ella; I want you to have something before you go to your work, starting today." He said, and I smiled at him, and I could feel my heart is dancing with happiness.

"Thank you, Archer," I said in more than a whisper, and I realized it felt so nice when someone would care for you. I felt so afraid if I would get used to this kind of scenario, and worse, I could no longer leave this place, and I can't do that to him, he needs someone who can pay half of the rent, and I am not that person.

And I wonder what happened why he suddenly needed to work. Did one of his parents get fired from work? And I am tempted to ask him, but I zipped my mouth because I don't want Archer to think I am invading his privacy.

We got out of his unit, and I was shocked when I found bags of groceries, flowers, chocolates in front of his room, and I didn't need to read the note on each bag to know it was for Archer because I am sure it was all for him since I don't have any admirer.

"Wow! Now I could tell your fans knew where you are staying, Archer." I said, and I helped him pick up the plastic bags, and we brought the groceries inside.

"It's Kent!" He said, cursing under his breath as he put the groceries on the table.

"Is Kent a girl's name?" I asked, and he laughed.

"No, he is a guy, my cousin." He answered.

"He was the only one who knew my new place aside from you, and I am sure it was him who told my friends that I am living here now; I warned him not to tell anyone because I am sure they will never give me peace." He added, and I could see the frustrations on his face.

"And I will talk to him later." He continued as we made our way to the elevator.

"Don't bring your car, Archer; if you want to save some money, and we need to take the bus," I said, and he smiled as he nodded his head, and I felt glad the bus had arrived just on time we reached the bus stop. And I could see few passengers since it was still early.

"I don't have a card," He said.

"Don't worry, and I still have enough balance on my bus card," I replied as I climbed the bus ahead of him.

"Thank you, Ella." He softly said after he sat beside me.

"You are welcome, and you don't need to say thank you, I am staying at your place and eating your food for free, but I will give you my share on my payday, Archer." I declared, and he was looking at me intently.

"I begged you to stay with me, and we have a deal, Ella; instead of paying me, all you need is to teach me everything about living your life on your own." He said.

"Archer, I need to pay even a little; if you don't allow me, then I don't have a choice but to move out." I declared, and his face fell.

"Let me feel I am your roommate in that way I can live comfortably with you, and allow me also to buy some groceries, and I don't want to eat all your food, Archer," I said, and I couldn't read the expression on his face.

"Okay, but for now, I don't think you must buy groceries. Can't you see the bags of groceries we found outside our door?" He asked, and I smiled.

"Well, you are right, and I could say maybe it was an advantage having the hottest guy in Nagazville University as my roommate." I blurted out, and I could see a broad grin on his face.

"Do you find me hot, Ella?" He asked, and I had to clear my throat before answering his question while trying my best not to blush.

"I would be lying if I say I don't find you hot, and I don't want you to tell me I am blind; of course, you are attractive and handsome, Archer, and I am sure those girls will never go crazy over you if you don't have oozing sex appeal," I said. He smiled sexily at me, and I needed to control myself because I could feel the racing of my heart as he looked at me with intensity.

I pretended to look outside the window as I could feel the heat of the morning sun on my skin that penetrated the glass. When I turned to look at him, I blushed as I realized he was staring at me, and I knew I should stop myself from wishing because I can tell Archer will never like me, and knowing his family is having financial problems right now, I am sure he will never choose me. What am I even thinking? I know for him; I am the only girl on campus who doesn't find him attractive, and that is why he made me his roommate.

And I could tell when the right time comes, Archer needs to make a choice and make the richest girl on campus his girlfriend, and she will become his wife in the future, and all he needs to do is choose. There is a daughter of a shipping magnate, the only heir of the airline company, and many more, and they all wanted to be his girlfriend. And someone like me has no right even dreaming of becoming his girlfriend, and I need to remember all the time I am simply his roommate.