Chapter 38: Fake Dating

Milie's POV

I stared at Alan, my thoughts tangling into knots.

Even if Dax agreed… how was I supposed to ask him?

Before I could gather courage, Dax spoke up, his tone detached. "Do whatever you feel is right."

He didn't look at me. Something pinched in my chest.

I tilted my head across his face, trying to meet his gaze. "I know you are mad, but..."

"I promise just till the trip ends," I said quickly.

He gave a small nod, finally looking at me.

Relief rushed through me. I hugged him tightly, maybe tighter than needed, and before I could overthink, I turned to Alan.

"Come on. We need to talk." I grabbed his wrist and dragged him out. I didn't know how I took the liberty to be so authoritative to him.

Maybe he allowed me to.

"Milie, what if he says no?" Sammy called, lying lazily on the bed.

I didn't turn back.

"He won’t."

"Like the confidence, girl," he shouted.

I ignored it and walked out of the room.

"Don't tell me you're finally proposing?" Alan teased as I pulled him along.

I turned and stomped on his foot.

"Ouch! Crazy woman." He winced in pain

"Still want romance?"

"Yeah." He grinned. "I'm good at handling crazy women."

"Glad to know your experience." I looked at him with screwed-up eyes and dragged him out to the patio.

It was quiet and secluded. Perfect to talk.

"What's going on?" he asked, watching me closely. "Something's up."

I took a breath and met his gaze.

"Would you fight something big… for me?"

His answer came instantly. "Anything, my love."

"Are you sure?"

"Try me."

"Then… can you pretend to be my boyfriend? Just till this trip ends."

His brows rose instantly. "Pretend?"

"I want to be your real boyfriend," he said slowly. "And you're asking me to pretend?"

He let out a small laugh, but there was no humor in it. "That hurt Mils."

Or wait!! You want to get a feel before turning it into a real one?"

"If that's the case, I'm in."

"No, Alan! I told you—I need time."

"Then what is this?" he stepped closer. "Why fake something you can have for real?"

"First, say yes or no," I demanded.

"First, say yes to me, or give me a reason," he countered softly. "And I'll be yours. Right now."

My heart stumbled.

"Alan—"

"Forever doesn't sound that bad either," he added, a faint smirk returning.

I hit his chest lightly. "Stop it. I'm serious."

"So am I."

I looked away, exhaling. "I can't explain the reason."

"Then I'm sorry," he said, lifting his hands.

The words hit harder than I expected.

"Fine," I muttered, turning away. I expected him to agree.

But before I could walk, his fingers wrapped around my wrist. And in one swift motion, he pulled me back and pinned me against the wall.

My breath hitched.

"I'm in," he said, voice lower now. "Whatever your reason is."

My heart beat went out of control. "Alan… what are you doing?"

"Practicing." His gaze dropped to my lips.

"Fake boyfriend duties."

My fingers curled against his chest.

"This isn't practice… this is overacting."

"Not if someone's watching." I followed his glance.

Emma was there, just coming out through the doorway.

Without thinking, I turned and wrapped my arms around him.

"Then show me," I whispered. "Make it believable."

A sexy, playful smirk played on his face.

He pulled me closer, his hand sliding across my back before pressing me against the wall again—angled such a way that Emma could see clearly.

"Feel that?" he murmured near my ear. "Your heartbeat?"

I shook my head. I didn't want him to see through me.

"Be natural, Mils. Just feel."

My breath turned uneven. Something painful, yet sweet, pulled between my legs.

"Oh, god, I'm losing myself."

Everything felt too close, too intense, too real to call it fake.

"Mils…" his voice dipped, rougher now, "if we stay like this a little longer, I might actually—"

I cut him off, burying my face into his chest. Because I knew he could, and I might have failed to stop him.

"I wish I could be your real boyfriend," he whispered, kissing my hair.

And that—that did something to me. Something I wasn't ready to face.

"Should we go?" he said suddenly, louder now. "Before we lose control?"

Emma was watching from the door, but I ignored her.

I just quickly walked past her, my body shaking with something intense.

I pushed the door open and dropped onto the bed next to Sammy.

"Done?" he asked. I didn't respond. Instead, I grabbed a pillow and pressed it over my face.

My heart was still racing. My skin was still tingling.

The way his hand had moved. The way his voice had dropped. The way he said real boyfriend.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

"Milie?" Sammy nudged. "Why do you look like you saw a ghost?"

I pulled the pillow away and looked at him. "Because I created one."

He frowned. "What?"

"Nothing." I sat up. "He said yes."

Sammy shot up. "Wait—what?!"

I shrugged. "We're fake dating now."

"Wow!! I'm happy for you guys."

"Now, fuck off." I pushed him and picked up my phone.

Because if I stayed there, I would think. And if I thought I would feel, imagine a lot of things that I shouldn't.

While I was already feeling too much, my phone buzzed with a ghost I created.

Alan: How was your fake boyfriend?

I shook my head. A small smile slipped out.

There he was, as if nothing had happened, as if it was normal—

I exhaled and typed.

Milie: Amazing.

Milie: Keep performing well. Rewards coming soon.

Alan: Promotion to real boyfriend? 😉

I rolled my eyes, but my cheeks warmed. The thought of it now scared me.

Milie: Maybe in your dreams.

Alan: Huh 😏😏😏

I locked my phone instantly. I could have said yes to make him happy, but I didn't. My brain didn't let me.

At lunch, I walked in with Dax. Alan was already there, Emma next to him, focused on the phone and laughing.

"Hey," Dax greeted.

"Hey, food is coming," he said casually. Just to Dax, not me. Then went back to the screen.

My lips twitched. "Oh… so now, he wants to ignore me?"

"Fine, let's play."