Part 3Roommate’s Man, My Millions

Of course, I wasn't going to ask him anything.

But an idiot like Lisa, if she really went and accused Jake of being a gigolo, would trigger his temper. He’d blow his cover on the spot.

And then my access to him would be gone.

I looked at Lisa and let out a cold laugh.

“Lisa, let me guess. Chad dumped you, you’re broke, and now you want Jake back, right?”

“So you staged this whole drama to drive a wedge between us so you can swoop in?”

Her face turned the color of a ripe tomato.

“What are you talking about? I would never want a loser like him!”

The more agitated she got, the more I knew I was right.

“If you don’t want him, then why do you care if he’s a gigolo or not?”

I pressed on. “Or is it that you just can’t stand to see me happy?”

Lisa glared at me, but in the end, she didn’t confront Jake.

Soon, it was Jake’s birthday.

I took out all my savings and maxed out my credit cards, scraping together five thousand dollars. I went to a luxury watch boutique I’d been eyeing for weeks.

You have to spend money to make money.

On the day of Jake's birthday, Lisa announced she was dating another rich guy, some guy named Rick.

“Unlike some people,” she announced loudly in the dorm, “I have standards. I don’t date male prostitutes.”

I paid her no mind and headed downstairs with a plain shopping bag.

Jake was waiting for me under the old oak tree.

“Jake.” Lisa sauntered over, her chin high with superiority.

“Waiting for Ava? You two are a perfect match. You both reek of poverty.”

The man, Rick, wrapped an arm around her waist and shot Jake a disdainful look.

“Hey, kid. I heard you used to chase after Lisa. Stay away from her from now on. A toad should know his place.”

Jake just smiled. “I wish you two the best.”

Lisa, stunned by his indifference, just huffed and climbed into a waiting Porsche.

Jake stood there as I walked up and stood quietly behind him.

He turned, his eyes falling on the plain plastic bag in my hand.

“What, you think I’m embarrassing you?”

I didn’t say anything. Instead, like a magician, I pulled a small box from behind my back.

I opened it and stuck a single candle into the tiny cupcake inside.

The wind was strong, and I cupped my hands around the flame.

The warm, orange light flickered across my face. I looked up and forced a smile.

“Happy birthday, Jake.”

His gaze shifted from the cupcake to the small bandage on my hand.

He just stared at me, and the cold, mocking look in his eyes began to soften.

I sniffled, holding the cupcake up to him. “Make a wish!”

The wind blew the candle out.

For the first time, I saw an emotion in the eyes of this city’s crown prince that looked like guilt.

Even if it was just for a fleeting moment, it was enough.

I handed him the watch that had cost me everything.

He opened the box and raised an eyebrow, surprised, but he didn’t ask any questions.

The heartfelt speech I had prepared was no longer necessary.