"Can I borrow two million dollars to buy a dress?" On the other end of the line: "…How about I just skin myself and let you wear me?" A second later, a notification popped up on my screen. [Your account ending in 8975 received a wire transfer on Sept 11 at 08:13 for the amount of $10,000,000.00...] 01 We were filming a reality show. The game was simple: call a celebrity friend and, without letting them know we were being recorded, trick them into saying a specific sentence. The sentences were drawn from a hat. I opened my slip of paper and felt my soul leave my body. [Prompt: Do you have a death wish?] What kind of niche insult was this? It sounded like a line from a bad action movie. "Oh my god, that’s so hard! Director, can we please give Riley a new prompt?" Brianna Cross leaned in out of nowhere, grabbing my arm and shaking it like we were childhood best friends. Nice act, girl. We’ve known each other for less than thirty minutes, and you’re already gunning for an Oscar in "Best Supportive Friend." I declined with a fake, tight-lipped smile. "It's fine. No need to swap." The live chat stream on the screen started flying: [What is Riley Moore’s problem? Brianna is being so sweet, why the attitude?] [Poor Brianna, getting bullied on national TV.] [Riley is such a 'pick-me.' She ignores girls but won't stop talking to the male guests.] [She’s totally thirsty. Did you see her flirting with Leo earlier?] I ignored the comments and stared at my phone. Most decent people wouldn't just scream that at me, unless... But if I failed this task, I’d be forced to partner with Brianna for the rest of the season. I sighed, glancing at her as she blew kisses to the camera. "You guys, it's fine! Riley and I are super close. I love her, and she’s always so good to me!" Brianna chirped. Whatever. I’d rather be nauseous for a minute than miserable for a day. I scrolled to the one person who would definitely say it. The ringtone echoed through the studio. The high-definition cameras zoomed in on my screen, capturing the contact name I had for the A-list actor, Hudson Vance. [Hot Guy with an Ego & a Great Ass] ... Crap. I forgot I hadn't changed his nickname. The entire studio went silent. I let out a nervous laugh. "Cough... it was a dare from a party. I forgot to change it back." The ringtone kept playing. Usually, after ten more seconds, it would go to voicemail. The tension in the room was thick. Brianna patted my shoulder, sounding smug. "Don't worry about it. Hudson was filming night scenes yesterday. He's probably still asleep." Oh? And how would you know that? 02 The chat went wild: [Riley’s contact name for him is killing me! A 'Great Ass'? She’s real for that.] [Wait, Brianna knows his schedule? She knows he’s sleeping?] [Are Brianna and Hudson dating? I’ve heard rumors they spent New Year’s together.] [Riley is so thirsty, calling a guy with a name like that on live TV.] Finally, the call connected. "Hello?" A raspy, tired male voice filled the studio. It was deep, accompanied by the sound of heavy breathing. He was clearly in bed. I looked at Brianna, who was blushing. Wait... are they actually a thing? If so, Hudson, I mourn for your taste. She’s as shallow as a sidewalk puddle. Hudson sounded annoyed. "Riley? It’s eight in the morning. I’ve been asleep for two hours. This better be a life-or-death emergency." I snapped back to reality and delivered my line. "Can I borrow two million dollars to buy a dress?" Insult me! Come on, say it! There was a pause on the other end. Then, he spoke. "How about I just skin myself and let you wear me?" ... The host and guests were stifling laughs. The chat was calling me a gold-digger. I didn't give up. I decided to go full chaotic. "Even if you stood naked in front of me, I’d still ignore you, dig through your pockets, and Venmo myself from your phone." "Sorry, I don't do 'hurting men's feelings,' but I definitely do 'taking your money.'" 03 Hudson went silent. I could hear the rustle of sheets. Finally! He was going to snap. Instead, a low, husky chuckle vibrated through the phone, and then he hung up. Just like that. The host tried to save the moment. "Well, it seems Mr. Vance is indeed very tired from his shoot." The comments flooded in: [LMAO, he’s so done with her.] [Riley, have some self-respect.] [I bet Hudson and Brianna were in the same bed two hours ago. My heart!] [Riley Moore is such a snake, trying to call someone’s boyfriend like that.] I wanted to cry. Hudson is usually a total jerk with a silver tongue. Why was he being so unhelpful today? The camera was still focused on my phone. Just as I was about to exit out of my messages, a text banner popped up. [Your account ending in 8975 received a wire transfer on Sept 11 at 08:13 for the amount of $10,000,000.00...] Wait. One, ten, hundred, thousand... ten million?! Did he sleep-walk into his banking app? That's enough money to buy me a funeral at the Taj Mahal. The studio erupted. Everyone gasped at the string of zeros. The host screamed, "Did Hudson Vance just send that?!" Before I could process it, Hudson’s messages started rolling in. [The money is yours.] [And for the record, I’m not wearing any clothes right now.] [FaceTime me if you have the guts.] A second later, the FaceTime ringtone blared through the speakers. 04 My blood was boiling. My heart was racing. That idiot Hudson! Did he leave his brain in his trailer? He was making us look like we were having a scandalous affair! [What is happening?! Is Hudson dating Riley?!] [Look at Brianna, she’s literally pale. I feel so bad for her...] [Trashy Riley and her games.] [Wait, Hudson doesn't have time for drama. A paparazzi once followed him for 3 months and all he did was film and play 'Plants vs. Zombies' in his trailer at 2 AM.] [Hudson is a loner. Brianna’s fans need to chill.] I was trapped. I had to FaceTime him back. I forced a pathetic smile and looked at the other guests. "Hudson definitely knows we're filming. He's just trolling. Let's all say hi together!" I raised my phone, making sure every guest and the camera was in the frame. I wasn't going down alone. Brianna’s miserable face instantly transformed into a sweet pout. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and squeezed to the front. Great. My PR plan was ready. Step one: I answer the call. It shows I have nothing to hide. Step two: If they are dating, I’ll just post a headline about being their "number one shipper." Step three: If they aren't, all the hate will go to Brianna for faking it and Hudson for being a weirdo. Perfect. I’m a genius. 05 The morning light on the screen was soft. The first thing I saw was the muscular line of a man’s forearm. Hudson was lying face-down on a bed, half his face buried in a plush white pillow. His dark hair was messy, his eyes were heavy with sleep, and his back muscles rippled slightly as he breathed. I let out a breath of relief. Thank god, he was wearing a black tank top. It wasn't X-rated. Then, Hudson froze. He saw the ten people staring back at him through the screen. "Morning, Hudson," someone chirped. "You look exhausted! Have you been getting enough sleep?" Brianna said, her eyes shining with fake concern. I tried to hide my face in the corner of the frame. The last time I saw him look this "done," I had accidentally swapped his shaving cream for hair removal cream... Brianna didn't notice his darkening expression. She just smiled wider. Girl, read the room, I thought. The audio through the studio speakers made his voice sound ten times more intimidating. I could practically hear him grinding his teeth. "Riley Moore. Do you think I’m blind? I can see you hiding." "What’s the matter? Did you quit acting to become a pimp? Is this a catalog of your new talent?" "Do you want me to take the shirt off and dance for the crowd too?" The silence that followed was deafening. Even the host was speechless. Suddenly, Hudson flipped over and sat up. He squinted his "puppy-dog" eyes and let out a bright, mischievous laugh. He looked like he had just won a prank war. "It was a joke, guys. Did I scare you?" "Hudson, you’re so mean! I was actually terrified!" Brianna giggled, pouting. Hudson’s lip twitched. He flashed a charming smile, showing off his dimples. With his messy hair, he looked completely harmless. "Oh, hey Brianna. I didn't see you there." ... What an Oscar-worthy performance. The crowd laughed. I looked at him with newfound respect. I don't even care about the money. I’m just impressed. He was furious five seconds ago, and now he’s the "Internet’s Boyfriend" again. No wonder he has millions of fans. He’s a professional liar. 06 The internet was confused: [Who is he actually into? I’m lost.] [He didn't even notice Brianna at first!] [I think he knew she was on the show and was just being a jerk through Riley.] [Brianna and Hudson are SO over. Riley and Hudson have way more chemistry.] [chemistry? He literally sent her ten million dollars! TEN MILLION!] [I just want to see him without the shirt.] The media shifted focus. They started wondering why Riley was so calm about a ten-million-dollar wire from a shirtless Hudson. Then, someone leaked a video from a private club. In the grainy footage, I was sitting in a booth, looking at a stack of model headshots and complaining loudly. "This guy is a male model? He looks like a thumb!" "If he sits next to me, people will think I'm the one paying for his dinner." "This one looks like a plastic mannequin from a mall window." The internet loved it. The tabloids ran the headline: [The Ice Queen’s Night Out: Riley Moore Prefers Cash over Comely Men.] My manager called and screamed at me for an hour. But then, the smells of money arrived. A dating show called "The Heiress and the Heartbreakers" reached out. Controversial fame is still fame. I’ll take it. However, after 56 hours of enjoying the spike in my follower count, I was summoned home by my family. Their excuse: "It’s time for your arranged marriage." 07 My parents claimed the entertainment industry was a "sewer" and that their "innocent little girl" was being corrupted. They wanted me to settle down. Honestly, I didn't fight it. The tropes about rich kids running away from arranged marriages are for people who don't like money. Why would I give up my inheritance, my future husband’s inheritance, and the combined power of two empires for "love"? I told my family to schedule all four potential suitors at the same cafe on the same afternoon. One after another. Efficiency is key. ... Candidate 1: Leo Sterling. A pale, shy "golden retriever" type who blushed when I looked at him. Not bad. Keep him on the list. Candidate 2: Elias Thorne. Sophisticated, high IQ, and had very nice hands. Also a keeper. Candidate 3: Miles Jaxon. A funny, arrogant guy with dimples. I'll take him too. Can I just have all of them? I could have a husband, a boyfriend, and a side piece. The sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the cafe. My coffee was cold. Candidate 4 was late. If he didn't show up in five minutes, he was getting cut from the roster. I opened my phone to harass Hudson. Since my single life was ending, it was only fair he suffered with me. [A donkey must have kicked you in the head.] [Why did you have to mention being naked on live TV?] [Now I'm being forced into an arranged marriage!] [I haven't even had time to throw a 'Single and Ready to Mingle' party yet!] [My life is ending at 26. This is a tragedy.] [Candidate #4 is late. He’s probably a bald guy with bad breath.] [I'm keeping your ten million. Consider it a down payment on my misery.] [Tonight, I’m going to a club and ordering the hottest guys with the best abs. I’m going to be reckless!] [Wait, someone’s here. I can hear his footsteps. He sounds like he wears too much cologne.] The door to the private room opened. A scent of sandalwood and cold air rushed in. I looked up. A pair of long legs in perfectly fitted trousers. A black leather jacket. He held up his phone and waved it at me. On his wrist was a million-dollar watch that reflected the light. He looked down at me, his eyes full of amusement. "You want to use my money to go find 'reckless excitement'?" "Why don't you just take your fiancé? I’m much better at being reckless." ...HUDSON?! 08 The sunset turned the sky into a hazy pink. Outside the window, the city lights were starting to twinkle. It would have been romantic if I wasn't staring at Hudson as he shoveled a croissant into his mouth. "Are you serious? Did you just come here for the free food?" Hudson swallowed a bite of cream-filled pastry. "Who says I'm just here for the food?" I rolled my eyes. "Don't tell me you’re actually into me." Hudson leaned back, his eyes roaming over me with a lazy smile. "Look, we have to get married eventually. We’ve known each other since we were kids. It's better to marry a 'frenemy' than a total stranger, right?" Screw you! In kindergarten, he wiped his nose on my backpack. In middle school, he "played barber" and gave me a bald spot. In high school, he hit me in the face with a basketball and sent me to the hospital. In college, he intercepted and burned every love letter sent to me. His crimes were endless. He tossed a folder onto the table, cutting off my internal rant. "Read it." I opened it. A health report, studio financial statements, personal asset list, and a pre-nuptial agreement. "I'm clean. No diseases," Hudson said, tapping his fingers on his knee. "And I know you only care about the money. The last page of the pre-nup is for you." I flipped to the back. [On the basis of equality and mutual consent, Party A (Hudson Vance) agrees to gift the following to Party B (Riley Moore):] 1. Multiple luxury properties. 2. A fleet of vehicles. ... [In the event of a divorce, 70% of Party A’s total assets will go to Party B.] Holy... I actually felt my heart skip a beat. Usually, I have dignity, but for this much money? Dignity is for poor people. "What's the catch?" I asked, trying to stay composed. "There are plenty of girls who would kill to marry you. Like Brianna. She’d probably do it for free. Why me?" Hudson looked out the window. "I want peace. We get married, and we do our own thing. You can take my money and spend it at whatever club you want." He looked back at me, a genuine smile tugging at his lips. "As for Brianna... I’m looking for a wife, not a charity project. Our 'visual gap' alone would make me feel like she’s robbing me." ...His ego was truly legendary. "So? Do we have a deal?" Hudson slid a fountain pen across the table. "Sign now, and the first payment hits your account tonight." "You talk too much," I said. I signed it. 09 The autumn rain was light, making the streetlights look like glowing amber globes. Hudson was holding my hand tight as we walked to my parents' car to say goodbye. He had his coat draped over my shoulders. "You're overacting," I hissed. Hudson beamed, nodding to my parents. "If I don't sell it, how are we going to pull this off?" It had been three days since our deal. Hudson had already charmed both sets of parents into believing he was a man possessed by love. The moment my parents' Bentley disappeared around the corner, I yanked my hand back. My palm was sweaty. I wasn't sure if it was mine or his. "This is a business transaction. Let's keep it professional." Hudson’s smile faded. "You pay male models to touch their abs. I'm literally giving you millions. Let me hold your hand." "That’s different!" Suddenly, I felt a sharp cramp in my stomach. I winced. "What's wrong?" "Your attitude gave me an ulcer," I snapped. Hudson’s dark eyes scanned me. "It's your stomach. I told you, skipping meals to fit into those dresses will kill you." "Are there cameras in my house?!" Hudson sighed. "You're lazy and you hate exercise, so you just starve yourself. A cat eats more than you did at dinner. Of course your stomach hurts." I glared at him. "It's hard being a female lead, okay?!" Hudson sighed and reached into his coat pocket. "Check the pocket." I reached into the deep pocket of his coat and found a small glass bottle of stomach medicine. I looked at him, surprised. He smirked. "Magic." 10 Hudson had to go abroad for a month for a project, and I went straight into a new film set. Freedom! This marriage was the best investment I ever made. While the makeup artist was touching up my powder, my assistant, Chloe, ran over and whispered in my ear. "Riley! Someone is here to see you. It's Noah Sterling. He brought a ton of desserts and Starbucks for the whole crew." "The director wants you to come say hi." Noah Sterling? The "golden retriever" suitor from the cafe? I had added him on social media but hadn't talked to him since the deep-mountain shoot began. But hey, a friend with food is a friend for life. I was starving! Chloe had been forcing me to eat "nutritional meals" (which were just grass and boiled chicken) under the excuse of my "weak stomach." Box after box of high-end desserts were being handed out to the crew. Noah was wearing a grey cardigan and jeans, looking like a total sweetheart. He saw me and his eyes lit up. "Riley!" He ran over with a small box. "This one is for you. Low sugar." "Your parents told me you were shooting out here. I had some business nearby, so I thought I’d drop by." His voice was clear and soothing, like a summer spring. We went into the trailer. "I heard you and Hudson Vance got engaged?" Noah asked, tilting his head. The circle knew, even if the public didn't yet. I nodded, focused on the mango mousse cake he gave me. Noah’s ears turned red. "I know it's not official yet... but would you consider me instead?" I choked on my cake. "If a full marriage is too much... I'm willing to be your 'side-piece'..." WHAT?! Cough, cough! ... "Riley, that Noah guy..." "Don't mention his name to me!" I groaned. I had finally sent the "side-piece" boy away two days ago. I was too exhausted from filming to think about a harem. "But Hudson Vance..." Chloe started. "I don't want to hear his name either." Chloe shut up and handed me her iPad. It was the entertainment news. My name was climbing the trends. #RileyMooreCheating# #RileyMooreGoldDigger# #RileyMooreTheSnake#
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