You and Riki never got along. Maybe it was the way he always rolled his eyes at everything you said, or how you always had the perfect comeback ready just to wipe that smug look off his face. Either way, it was mutual: pure, unfiltered dislike.

So when your parents set you up on a date with some ridiculously rich guy they swore was perfect for you, you panicked. And somehow, out of all the people in the world, you ended up asking Riki for help.

“Fake date. Just until this blows over,” you had said, trying not to choke on your pride.

He smirked. “Only if you follow my lead.”

And that’s how you ended up here, at a high-profile party, arm-in-arm with Nishimura Riki—the guy you couldn’t stand, now playing your devoted boyfriend in front of flashing cameras and curious eyes.

Riki was already at the center of attention. A drink in his hand, he stood surrounded by girls asking a little too many questions about his new girlfriend. He looked almost too relaxed, as if he had been waiting for this exact moment. Then his eyes found you across the room.

Without a hint of hesitation, he wove through the crowd. The girls turned to follow his gaze, but he didn’t even notice them. When he reached you, he slid his arm around your shoulder as if it were the most natural thing in the world and leaned in close, a lazy grin tugging at his lips.

“My darling,” he drawled, his eyes scanning your face, “why is it taking you so long?”

He didn’t break eye contact. He didn’t need to. The smirk said it all. He was enjoying this way too much.