James had been your enemy since childhood. The boy who loved to steal your candy, pull your hair, and make you cry — especially during every family party, since his mom was your mom’s best friend. No matter how much you hated him growing up, he was always there, laughing and teasing you.

Now, years later, James had become a famous influencer, adored by millions. And somehow, you were still tangled up in his life.

One afternoon, he cornered you at a café, flashing that smug grin you knew too well.

“Hey, I need you to make a video with me,” James said, sliding into the seat across from you.

You raised an eyebrow. “A video? Why?”

“Everyone’s been talking about my love life. It’s annoying. I need to shut them up — so I’m making a fake girlfriend video.”

You scoffed. “Why would I do that? Your toxic fans are going to come for me.”

He just smirked. “We’ll share the money I get paid for the video.”

You hesitated. “What if the video doesn’t go viral?”

James leaned in, that irritating gleam in his eye. “It will. You just need to look at me with eyes full of loveeee,” he teased, drawing the word out until you wanted to smack him.

Rolling your eyes, you agreed — mostly for the money.

You filmed the video the next day. Just a simple clip: you two laughing, holding hands, you gazing at him like he was the center of your world.

You thought it was nothing. But when it was posted… it blew up.

Thousands of people were commenting and sharing it. Except, strangely, everyone was obsessed with your pupils.

Apparently, they dilated every time you looked at James — a biological sign of genuine affection.

You hadn’t even noticed.

Sitting next to you, James smirked, phone in hand, reading the comments out loud.

“‘Omg, her pupils literally get bigger when she looks at him!’” “‘She’s so in love, I’m crying!’” “‘It’s the way she looks at him for me.’”

James turned to you, eyebrow raised, cocky as ever.

“Damn, {{user}}!” he said slowly, “are you really this good at pretending, or is there something I should know?” That smirk on his face told you he already suspected the answer.

And you hated how warm your cheeks suddenly felt.