Chapter 2

I choked on my words. Guilt crept in. "Fine. Let's just pretend none of this ever happened."

He arched an eyebrow playfully.

"Don't you want to know where I got the mask? Or how I knew where your little rendezvous was?"

I ignored him, but deep down, I already knew the answer.

Later that evening, at the campus lounge bar.

"Hey, I lost something here last night. Mind if I check the security footage?"

On the monitor, Julian took the spiked cocktail I had handed him. Instead of drinking it, he scribbled a note and handed the glass to the bartender.

Minutes later, Cole walked in. He read the note, crumpled it up with a scowl, slammed the cocktail down in one gulp, and stormed out.

I walked over to the counter and pieced the shredded paper back together.

Give this drink to the next sucker. If you’re interested, meet in the basement level.

—Chloe Vance.

I stared at the paper, ice creeping into my veins.

The chat exploded once again.

[Did Julian’s character just completely derail?]

[That’s sick! What if Cole hadn't intercepted it? What if a random stranger went down there?!]

[Uh, she literally drugged the drink first, you guys.]

[Still, passing it off to a stranger is messed up!]

The comments were at each other's throats.

This note was ammunition. I folded it up and slipped it into my pocket.

The next morning, I went to Julian’s lecture hall as usual.

He was sitting there, looking as icy and untouchable as ever.

"Julian. Why are you giving me the cold shoulder?"

I leaned across his desk, looking right at him.

He just turned his shoulder, ignoring me.

I softened my voice, dripping with fake sweetness. "Julian, you were so passionate yesterday. Why the sudden freeze?"

Elena Rossi, the female lead, was walking down the aisle behind us. She froze in her tracks.

Julian raised his voice, loud and clear. "I didn't see you yesterday. Stop flattering yourself."

The lecture hall was packed today.

At the sound of his voice, dozens of heads snapped up.

Elena looked straight at me, a glimmer of smug triumph in her eyes.

I smiled. "Come on, Julian. That’s not fair. I was with you the whole time yesterday. Are you sure your memory isn't playing tricks on you?"

Before he could answer, I slapped the torn note right on his open notebook.

The handwriting was unmistakable.

Julian choked on his words, his eyes widening in pure shock.

I tilted my head, smiling innocently. "Did you remember now, Julian?"

His jaw clenched. Under his breath, he forced out a stiff, "Yes."

Whispers rippled across the room instantly.

"Wait, did she actually land the campus king?"

"What about Elena?"

"Why would he fall for someone like her? Turns out Julian has trash taste too."

Elena’s face turned an ugly shade of pale. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she fled the room.

The chat went wild.

[NOOO! Poor baby Elena!]

[The villainess is so vile! She’s literally blackmailing him!]

[Don’t hate me... but is anyone else finding this kind of satisfying?]

[Lowkey, yeah.]

[Same here, honestly.]

Watching the comments scroll, I almost laughed out loud.

Julian grabbed my wrist, his grip bruising.

"Outside. Now."

Once we reached the empty hallway, his polite mask shattered.

"What the hell do you want, Chloe?"

I took a step closer. "I want you to be my boyfriend."

He recoiled. "Never."

I waved the paper note in front of his face.

"Imagine the campus idol’s reputation if everyone found out what you did. Quite the scandal, wouldn't you say?"

His brow furrowed, his voice cold and confident. "You wouldn't dare."

I waggled a finger. "Try me. I have nothing left to lose."

Realizing threats wouldn't shake me, he swallowed his disgust. "Pick something else."

I pretended to think it over. "Fine. Buy me lunch every two days."

He blinked, utterly confused, before his features relaxed slightly.

"Fine."