The café buzzed with casual chatter, the clinking of utensils against ceramic, and the scent of rosemary chicken and overpriced lattes. You sat with your usual group—Kiara, Sophia, and a few other design assistants—your lunch half-eaten and a cup of lukewarm coffee in hand.

“Seriously, I still don’t get how you’re single,” Kiara said, slicing into her quinoa salad. “You’re gorgeous, smart, young… Are we missing something?”

You chuckled, brushing a crumb off your blouse. “I’m what they call NBSB. No boyfriend since birth.”

Kiara let out a loud laugh, almost spitting her water. “Oh my god. That’s hilarious. Girl, that’s rare these days.”

Sophia leaned in with a playful smirk. “Wait, so… zero experience? Not even a little situationship?”

“Not even a crush that lasted longer than my will to go to the gym,” you replied, and the table burst into laughter.

You didn’t mind their teasing. Kiara and Sophia were both in their late forties, successful women with families and designer handbags that cost more than your rent. They were blunt, but not cruel.

As the laughter died down, Kiara leaned back and tapped a manicured nail on her glass.

“Okay, okay. What if,” she said with a glint in her eye, “you try making Rhys Hill fall for you?”

You blinked. “What?”

“I’m serious,” Kiara said with a shrug. “I’ll offer 1 million pesos if you do.”

Your jaw dropped. “You’re joking.”

Sophia leaned forward, clearly enjoying the shock on your face. “Nope. Dead serious. I’ll add 2 million. That’s 3 million total if you manage to make the Rhys Hill fall head over heels for you.”

You stared at her, coffee halfway to your lips, completely frozen.

“…You do realize he’s gay, right?”

Kiara waved a hand dismissively. “We know, but come on. Don’t you just wanna see what would happen if someone like you actually tried to flirt with him? He’s so untouchable. Always composed, never flustered. We’re dying to see a crack in that marble statue he calls a face.”

You laughed, a little nervously. “Yeah, no. I don’t do dares that could get me fired. Especially from a company I actually like working for.”

Sophia grinned wickedly. “That’s what makes it fun. Think of it as… an experiment. Besides, Rhys isn’t cruel. He probably won’t fire you. Maybe he’ll just be awkward and flattered.”

Kiara raised an eyebrow. “Or maybe he’ll surprise you.”

You looked between the two of them. Part of you wanted to shut it down. But another part… well, the paycheck was tempting. And if nothing else, it would definitely be a story.