Emily looked at Ryan for a few seconds.
Then she smiled.
"So..."
"We're officially fake boyfriend and girlfriend."
Ryan slipped both hands into his pockets.
"I guess we are."
Emily laughed.
"I never thought my first relationship would be fake."
Ryan raised an eyebrow.
"Mine too."
"Really?"
"Really."
Emily couldn't stop smiling.
"That's... strangely comforting."
Before Ryan could answer, someone shouted across the campus.
"Emily!"
Her best friend, Sophie, came running toward them.
She stopped in front of the two and looked from Emily to Ryan several times.
"Hold on..."
Her eyes widened.
"Are you two... together?"
Emily and Ryan exchanged a quick glance.
This was their first test.
Emily took a deep breath.
"Yes."
Sophie's mouth fell open.
"WHAT?"
Ryan almost laughed at her reaction but quickly hid it.
"When did this happen?"
Emily scratched the back of her neck.
"Recently."
"And you didn't tell me?"
"It all happened... very fast."
Sophie turned to Ryan.
"You'd better not break her heart."
Ryan looked at Emily for a second.
Then, without thinking, he replied,
"I won't."
Emily froze.
For a brief moment...
His words didn't sound fake.
Neither did the way he looked at her.
She quickly looked away.
"Okay!" Sophie clapped excitedly.
"This calls for a celebration."
Emily blinked.
"Celebration?"
"Of course!"
"The entire group is meeting at Moonlight Café after classes."
Emily's smile faded.
A café?
That meant everyone would be there.
Everyone would ask questions.
Everyone would expect them to act like a real couple.
Ryan understood the worry on her face.
"I'll come."
Emily looked at him in surprise.
"You don't have to."
"I know."
He smiled faintly.
"But if we're doing this..."
"We should make it believable."
Emily nodded slowly.
"You're right."
Sophie squealed happily.
"I can't wait to see you two together!"
She waved goodbye and hurried away.
As soon as she disappeared, Emily let out a long sigh.
"I think we're in trouble."
Ryan chuckled softly.
"This is only day one."
Emily groaned dramatically.
"If today is this difficult..."
"I don't even want to imagine tomorrow."
Ryan looked at her with an amused smile.
"Relax."
"We'll survive."
Emily smiled back.
"I hope so."
Neither of them noticed...
Across the campus...
A pair of jealous eyes had been watching everything.
Someone wasn't happy about their new relationship.
And that someone...
Was already planning to tear them apart.
Part Five
The next afternoon...
Moonlight Café was packed with university students.
Laughter echoed through the café while the smell of fresh coffee filled the air.
Emily stopped at the entrance.
"I still think this is a bad idea."
Ryan stood beside her.
"It's too late to run."
Emily sighed dramatically.
"I hate it when you're right."
Ryan opened the café door.
"After you... girlfriend."
Emily rolled her eyes.
"Don't enjoy this too much... boyfriend."
The moment they walked inside...
Every conversation stopped.
Dozens of eyes turned toward them.
Then—
"What?!"
"No way!"
"Ryan Carter has a girlfriend?"
The café exploded with whispers.
Emily forced a smile while her heart raced.
Ryan leaned closer and whispered,
"Smile."
"I am smiling."
"No."
"That looks like you're about to cry."
Emily pinched his arm.
Ryan flinched.
"Ouch."
"That's for making fun of me."
A few students noticed.
One girl whispered,
"They're actually so cute."
Emily almost laughed.
Cute?
If only they knew.
Sophie jumped from her chair and waved excitedly.
"Over here!"
The two walked over and sat down.
The questions started immediately.
"So..."
"Who confessed first?"
Emily and Ryan looked at each other.
Neither had prepared for this.
Emily spoke first.
"He did."
Ryan turned to her in surprise.
"I did?"
Emily smiled sweetly.
"You did."
Ryan understood her game.
He nodded.
"Yeah..."
"I did."
The whole table cheered.
One of the boys grinned.
"What made you fall for her?"
Ryan looked at Emily.
She was nervously playing with the spoon in her coffee.
Without thinking...
He answered honestly.
"She makes every boring day interesting."
Emily froze.
She slowly looked up at him.
For a second...
Neither of them remembered this relationship was fake.
The table erupted in teasing.
Emily quickly looked away, trying to hide the warmth spreading across her cheeks.
Just then...
A loud voice interrupted the moment.
"Ryan."
Everyone turned.
The same fashionable girl from the university hallway stood a few steps away.
Her expression was cold.
Her eyes were fixed on Emily.
"So..."
"This is the girl?"
Ryan stood up calmly.
"Yes."
The girl laughed sarcastically.
"I don't believe it."
She crossed her arms.
"Ryan Carter doesn't date ordinary girls."
The café fell silent.
Emily's smile disappeared.
Before she could reply...
Ryan took one step forward.
Then, in front of everyone...
He gently held Emily's hand.
The entire café gasped.
Ryan looked directly at the girl.
"I don't care what you believe."
"I chose Emily."
Emily's heart skipped a beat.
His hand felt warm.
Strong.
Comforting.
For the first time...
She forgot this was all supposed to be an act.
And somewhere deep inside...
Ryan was beginning to forget it too.
