Chapter 3
833words
I expected we'd just exchange pleasantries. Before this arrangement, Henry Growth's daily messages to me could be counted on one hand.
But perhaps the moral ambiguity of being a "third wheel" made him text with vengeance. We'd end up chatting all evening.
After several days of this, I was exhausted. On Danny Lawrence's birthday, I slept through the entire day.
I swear it wasn't intentional.
When I finally woke and checked my phone, it was already 11 PM, with over ten missed calls from Danny Lawrence.
I closed Henry Growth's chat window and stared at Danny Lawrence's contact, fingers hovering over the keyboard, completely lost for words.
After zoning out for a while, I figured I might as well go back to sleep.
Danny Lawrence was probably out partying with his friends anyway. If he got drunk enough, he might forget I'd ghosted him.
Suddenly, a noise came from outside my door.
I threw on a robe and opened the door to find a tall figure leaning against the doorframe, half-hidden in shadow.
"KaraLawrence, do you hate me so much you couldn't even show up to my birthday?"
I gasped, feigned sleepwalking, and tried to close the door, but Danny Lawrence jammed his foot in the gap.
"Trying to break my foot?"
Danny Lawrence wasn't as furious as I'd expected. He grabbed my collar and pushed inside, and that's when I noticed the cake box in his hand.
He set the cake on the table, pushed me into a chair, tucked my robe around me, and started unwrapping the cake.
Having not eaten all day, I shamelessly opened my mouth as Danny Lawrence fed me a bite of chocolate cream.
God, it was heavenly.
But I'm not completely heartless.
"Happy birthday, Danny Lawrence."
Danny Lawrence grunted.
I grinned sheepishly.
"Weren't you having fun? Why'd you bring the cake back here?"
"I don't even like sweets," Danny Lawrence muttered.
"Your friends didn't want any? They came to celebrate your birthday, right?"
Danny Lawrence's expression darkened. "So you did remember my birthday party, Kara?"
I shrank back, knowing I'd messed up.
Danny Lawrence's voice dropped. "Since we were kids, when have I ever gotten a cake that wasn't your favorite flavor? Since you didn't show up, I figured I'd bring it to you instead."
It was true. Whenever my parents took Danny Lawrence cake shopping, he'd always choose chocolate cream with blueberry jam—my favorite.
My heart squeezed.
"Wait here. I'll get your birthday present."
Danny crossed his legs, suddenly all aloof.
"Whatever."
I dashed to my bedroom and pulled out the suit I'd custom-ordered six months ago that had finally arrived last month.
Danny would be interning at my dad's company this semester. This suit was my gift to him—marking his transition from boy to man.
The room fell silent. I suddenly remembered I hadn't replied to Henry Growth's messages. After disappearing for hours, I should at least tell him I'd been sleeping.
After all, even a fake boyfriend deserves that courtesy.
But after searching my bed, I couldn't find my phone.
Just then, Danny ice-cold voice sliced through the apartment like a demon's whisper.
"Kara, your side piece is calling."
...
Yes, I'd saved Henry’s contact as "side piece" because I commit to my roles.
I dragged my feet but eventually faced Danny—the bedroom and living room were only separated by a few yards anyway.
Danny had one hand on the table, watching me with cold expectation. Next to him, my phone screen lit up with a call from "Little Three."
I could totally explain this.
"Oh, that's just Little Three. I'll call back later—let's celebrate your birthday first."
Danny raised an eyebrow. "He seems pretty desperate. Friend of yours? Third child in his family?"
I feigned surprise.
"How did you know? You're so perceptive!"
Danny sneered, clearly not buying it, and handed me the phone.
"Answer it, or he'll keep calling."
"No... that's not necessary..."
"Should I answer it for you?"
"I'll take it."
My soul was leaving my body, but I hoped I could still salvage this mess.
"Hello?"
Henry's anxious voice burst through the speaker.
"Kara, where have you been? Why aren't you answering my texts? I've been worried sick!"
I glanced at Danny and scrambled to put on an act.
"Um,my lover, I'm fine. I just fell asleep earlier."
Henry paused. "Kara, why are you calling me that? Didn't you call me 'baby' yesterday?"
The phone wasn't on speaker, but in the dead silence of the room, Henry's voice carried perfectly.
Danny's expression darkened.
I covered the receiver, whispering frantically to Danny: "He's gay."
"Darling, it's nothing. I'm just really tired. Anything else? If not, I'm hanging up."
Henry sounded bewildered. "Baby, you sound weird, but it's kind of cute."
Danny snatched the phone from me. "Shut up. Who gave you permission to call her 'baby'?"
"Shit—Danny Lawrence."
Danny's teeth clenched. "Henry Growth."
