Chapter 35

After enduring a chaotic day at school due to Zach's numerous crushes, she managed to make it to work.

"Girl, you look a mess," Annie commented on Ariana's tired expression.

"I went through hell today," Ariana panted.

"Really? How come you never told me about the video I saw of you on the internet?"

"Not you too," Ariana sipped water from her bottle.

"I need all the details," Annie smiled at her. They sat at an empty table, and Ariana spilled the tea.

"Girl, you gotta be kidding...Stop it," Annie gasped.

"I'm dead serious," Ariana stated.

"He's ready to pay that much? I say you do it," Annie advised.

"No way, I'm not pretending to be his girlfriend," Ariana snapped at Annie.

"Then do you want to marry him when you turn eighteen?"

"No."

"Then do it, c'mon, that's a huge amount of money."

"I'll think about it, okay?"

"Okay," Annie added.

She finished her shift at the coffee shop that evening and bid farewell to Annie. She bought a Panini at a shop before taking the bus. She contemplated for a while, but her thoughts were interrupted by whispers from some teenage passengers. They must have seen the video. She ignored them and pondered her thoughts.

Upon arriving at the villa, she entered and found Zach sitting and staring into space. She closed the door behind her and entered their adjoining room. She picked up her pajamas from her closet and made her way to the bathroom. After taking a shower and changing into her pajamas, she found Zach sitting on the room's couch.

"So, are you ready to accept my offer?" He asked.

"Yeah. All I have to do is act sweet in front of your Dad, right?" Ariana asked as she sat on the bed.

"About that... The plan has changed. We are going to pretend to be a couple wherever we go."

"What? Why?"

"So my aunt implanted some cameras inside the villa to watch us, and I'm sure my dad put her up to that..."

"You're joking, right?" Ariana chuckled. She caught the stern glance Zach gave her and composed herself.

"Let me show you," He held her wrist, and they walked to the living room.

"I'm not seeing any cameras," Ariana whispered. Zach leaned into her shoulder, and Ariana flinched. "Look at that plant," He whispered softly into her ear, making Ariana shudder. His hot breath on her shoulder made her lose focus, but she pulled herself together. She stared at the plant Zach was referring to and saw a tiny camera lens.

Zach dragged her back to their bedroom before she could utter a word.

"Are there any cameras in here?"

"No. The documents are on the table," Zach pointed at the table and lay on the bed. Ariana picked up the document and read it thoroughly, not leaving out any details.

"I'm not comfortable with some conditions," She spoke up after a while of reading the document.

"What conditions?"

"The intimacy. You aren't allowed to kiss or touch me without my permission, understood?" Ariana shot him an icy glance. Zach chuckled and nodded. Ariana picked up a pen and signed the contract. It's official, she has a contracted boyfriend. She handed the document to Zach and climbed onto the bed.

"You're taking the couch tonight; I need time to think," She covered her face with a pillow. Zach scoffed, unable to believe she was ordering him around. He shook his head and lay on the couch.

The next day, Ariana woke up to find herself alone in the bedroom. She checked the time; she had woken up a little early today. She searched for Zach and found him at his gym working out.

She leaned on the door and admired his body. Zach looked so fit and attractive. His rock-hard biceps were a work of art. Glancing at the way sweat beads rolled down his golden skin, Ariana felt hot. Zach turned to look at her and smirked. Ariana felt weak in the knees and swallowed hard.

"Like what you see?" He had a teasing smirk on his lips. Ariana's cheeks burned, but she composed herself.

"Don't flatter yourself," Ariana scoffed and left the gym to go take her shower.