Chapter Ten
Lilac
I’m at the counter of the café on campus, the aroma of coffee beans permeating the air.
Today, I feel better than I did yesterday, and every time I try to remember what happened, the more I freak out and panic. So I stop worrying. Hopefully, my memory will come back soon.
I order a hot cocoa with a shot of espresso and whipped cream on top. The clerk, dressed in a blue apron, registers my order, and I slip my card to her. When she swipes it, the screen reads declined.
She gives me a cheery smile. “Let me try again. The machine has been down lately.”
She swipes again, and it declines. She hands me my card.
“I’m sorry, your card isn’t working.”
I search for my black card and hand it to her. “Here.”
She swipes that card, and it declines too.
I crinkle my nose and sidestep so she can help the next student. “Strange. Can you hold my order? I’m going to call my bank.”
She nods. “Sure.”
I grab my phone from my polka-dot purse, click the Northbridge app, and enter my information. A message pops up on the screen: Call the bank. I dial the number, and a receptionist answers. My chest clenches as adrenaline spikes my blood.
“Thank you for calling Northbridge Bank. I’m Izzy. How can I help you?” Her tone is light.
“Hi. My name is Lilac Lauren, and I can’t log into my bank account.”
“What’s your date of birth, social security number, and phone password?”
Anxiety grows in the pit of my stomach as I rattle off my information.
“It looks like your funds are frozen.”
I bite my nail. “Why would it be frozen?”
“Let me put you on a brief hold.”
I tap my foot frantically and chew on my bottom lip, every second eating at my nerves.
“Miss Lauren, there is fraud detection placed on your account. North Haven University was denied charges.”
“What the hell? When will my account be unfrozen?”
I hear her clicking away on the keyboard. “After the investigation.”
“When will that be?”
“It doesn’t say.”
I stomp my feet. My chest aches and my face heats. “So I won’t be able to pay my bills? What kind of crap is this?”
“I’m so sorry. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“No, thanks,” I say.
“Thank you for calling Northbridge Bank; have a blessed day.”
The line goes dead.
I rush out of the café, stride to the financial aid office, and speak to the lady at the desk.
“I’m sorry, Lilac, but if you don’t pay your tuition and your rent, you will be dismissed from the school.”
“How long do I have?”
“We usually give a week, but because you’ve never missed a payment before, I can extend it for you for an extra five days.”
“Thank you.”
At home, I glance around my condo. I’ve built a home here on campus, but my new life is slowly sinking like quicksand. I’ve never had fraud detection before. Did someone steal my information?
“What am I going to do?”
This is bullshit.
This breaks the camel’s back. My hands tremble as I throw my things into boxes. First my blackout, and now this. I don’t want to call on any of my friends for help, because I don’t know if I can pay them back. Fat, hot tears drip down my face, and I hyperventilate.
Irvin strides into the living room with a bag of food, waving it in front of my face.
“Sorry I’m late. I had a meeting at the club.”
I slap my palm across my face—I totally forgot we were supposed to have lunch today.
His eyes widen as he brushes my tears away. “Princess? What’s wrong?”
Warmth spreads through me. “My bank accounts are frozen, so I can’t pay my rent or my tuition.”
I continue to slam stuff into the boxes.
I have twelve days, and honestly, I don’t know where I’m going to get forty thousand dollars, plus rent—which is thirty-four hundred dollars a month.
My money came from my inheritance after my birth parents’ death, and it should have covered it. But I should have gotten a job.
Irvin snatches the box from my hand, sets it down on the carpet, and strokes my shoulders.
“Breathe, princess. Breathe deeply.”
“I have only fifteen hundred in cash, and I need a hotel when my time runs out.”
Irvin tilts my chin. “I’ll give you the money.”
My eyes widen, and a surge of hope sparks through me. “W-what?”
“How much do you need?”
I shake my head and frown. “No. I’m not accepting money from you.”
“I’m not leaving my girlfriend homeless. I’ll pay your rent and tuition.”
I step back and press my hand against his hard chest. “No, Irvin. You’re not giving me free money.”
“Here’s what’s going to happen. You’ll be my fake wife temporarily. In exchange, I’ll pay your tuition.”
I crinkle my nose. “Aren’t you engaged to someone else?”
He shakes his head. “The board didn’t approve of it. Something about her father flaking.”
“Doesn’t my father have to be part of the American Billionaire Club?”
He shoves his fingers into his pockets. “Not always. Since they’re desperate for me to run the business, I can choose my wife. I need to be married to someone in eleven days. You’ll be my fake wife. When we fix your bank issue, then we’ll break up.”
It sounds like a good plan, but I don’t know. I can’t afford to be in the spotlight. It’s bad enough Irvin posts me on his IG. I’m glad his account is private—but still. I don’t want my face plastered on any streaming services. More importantly, I don’t want my past to catch up to me.
“Do we have to be on television for our wedding?”
He strokes my cheek. “Yes.”
“Can they blur my face? I’m camera shy,” I lie.
He smiles, then licks his lips. “Okay.”
“This is temporary and fake, right?”
He tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. “Yes. You’ll sign a contract so you can trust me not to go back on my word.”
I tap my fingers on my chin. “What about our breakup? What will we tell people?”
He presses his soft lips to my palm, and desire blossoms inside of me.
“You didn’t love me anymore.”
I’m putting my identity on the line here—risking exposure—but I need the money to keep said identity, and I need his help. I’m desperate as fuck.
And I’m not going back to my old life.
“I’ll be your fake wife.”
I hold out my hand for him to shake it, but Irvin yanks me into his arms, slides his hands up my thighs, and squeezes my ass. My heart throbs as he presses his lips to mine, sealing our deal.