Chapter 4

"Lily, you're getting bolder with your games every day!"

It wasn't like I was that obsessed with a hot body. It was just... such a prime resource was right next to me. It'd be a waste not to enjoy it, right?

But I was a shy girl at heart, so I just buried my head in my food.

After dinner, Ryan took the dog out for a walk, and I naturally sprawled out on his sofa.

Just a second before the video was scheduled to post, a video call suddenly came in.

"Lily, when are you coming home for New Year's this year?"

It was my mom's familiar voice, followed quickly by her concern for my personal and emotional life.

"And make sure you bring your boyfriend home for New Year's this time!"

My mom still didn't know I was a single woman again, and I really didn't want to talk about that disgusting piece of trash.

If my family found out I'd been cheated on, my whole tragic love life would be the talk of the entire neighborhood. Then my aunt would use that as an excuse to set me up with a bunch of random, so-called "steady and reliable" guys again.

Just thinking about it made my desire to go home for New Year's hit rock bottom.

Just as I was in despair, Ryan opened the door and came back in with his dog, Milo.

The afternoon sun shone on him at that very moment.

I was absolutely certain. He was my savior!

So, right then and there, I proposed a very practical idea.

"Ryan!"

"Dearest friend of mine, can you pretend to be my boyfriend and come home with me for New Year's?"

I peeled an orange and held it out to him as an offering.

Ryan took his time petting Milo's ears and shook his head. "That's not going to work..."

Geez...

He really had changed.

Now he was so heartless about rejecting people.

I broke off a piece of the orange and held it to his mouth. "You're going home for New Year's anyway. We can help each other out. That way, when our aunts and uncles start interrogating us, neither of us will be caught off guard."

Ryan ate the orange from my hand, his face blank. "My family doesn't push me to get married."

I tried to suppress the anger swelling inside me.

Unfortunately, I failed.

I tossed a piece of sausage to Milo, threw myself onto the sofa, and landed right on top of Ryan. I pinched his chin, threatening him, "If you're not going to help, then why'd you eat my orange?!"

Ryan finally dropped the act, a hint of a smug grin on his lips. He chuckled softly. "How could I refuse when the food is practically at my lips?"

I squeezed his cheeks directly and threatened, "Hmph!"

"If you don't say yes, you can't blame me for telling your mom about your little thirst trap videos..."

"Then, when your mom kicks you out of the house, don't come crawling to me!"

Ryan suddenly flipped us over, pinning me beneath him. He leaned in next to my ear and whispered, "Lily, you wouldn't dare."