Roommate’s Man, My Millions

Lisa was on speaker with a rich guy, her fake laugh filling our dorm. Ugh, that broke loser Jake is waiting downstairs again, she said, glancing at me. Ava, tell him I'm sick.
I looked outside. To everyone, he was just a poor transfer student. But I knew the truth. Last month, while working at the exclusive Azure Crest club, I saw him leave a VIP suite surrounded by powerful people, with the owner bowing to him.
I threw on a thin white teeone that turned sheer in the raingrabbed an umbrella, and went down. The downpour soaked the shirt, clinging to my skin. I held the umbrella over Jake. "Lisa wants you to leave," I said softly.
His eyes lowered, lingering, and his throat moved. "Who are you?"
"Ava, her roommate."
That night, Lisa went to a hotel with her rich date. I took Jake back to my apartment.
1
I shifted, my body aching with a dull, satisfying soreness.
Jake had his back to me, pulling on a pair of faded, worn-out jeans.
Youre awake? he said, turning around.
His gaze rested for a moment on my exposed collarbone, and a playful smirk touched his lips. Last night was impressive.
Heat flooded my cheeks, and I quickly looked down, flustered.
He walked over to the bed and pulled a heavy, ornate signet ring from his pocket. I dont have any cash on me. Take this instead.
He tossed it onto the sheets. Its a family heirloom, but its a fake. Not worth anything. Just a keepsake for you.
Id seen a similar ring once, at the club.
A mining tycoon, drunk and boastful, had slammed it on the table, bragging it was a 19th-century antique from a defunct European royal line.
He claimed it was worth more than a downtown penthouse.
Idiot, I thought. Hes really committed to this broke-boy act. As if Ive never seen real luxury before.
I pushed the ring back toward him. No, I cant take this.
I looked up, letting my eyes well up with tears. What kind of girl do you think I am?
Jake raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. I told you, its worthless. Just something to remember me by.
Its your familys. Even if its a fake, it must be important to you.
I took his hand and pressed the ring firmly back into his palm.
He stared into my eyes for a long moment, then let out a soft chuckle and pocketed the ring.
Alright. Ava, right? Ill remember that.
When I got back to the dorm, Lisa was sitting at her vanity, applying a slash of red lipstick. A brand-new Chanel bag sat beside her.
Well, look whos back, she said, glancing at my reflection in the mirror.
I ignored her and started gathering my things.
Seeing that I wasnt taking the bait, she crossed her arms and studied me.
Ava, I told you to get rid of Jake. Where, exactly, did you get rid of him to?
I paused and met her gaze.
Werent you with Chad? Why do you still care about Jake?
Lisas face flushed a deep, ugly red.
Im warning you, Ava. Just because Im done with that loser doesnt mean you can pick up my leftovers. Its disgusting.
I lowered my eyes and said nothing more. Arguing with an idiot is a waste of breath.
That afternoon, I got a text from Jake.
Dinner tonight.
In the evening, I changed into a simple dress and waited for him at the campus gate.
Jake arrived on time, looking as cool and detached as ever.
I walked behind him, trying to figure out his angle for the night.
He suddenly stopped. Ava, about last night
He was cut off before he could finish.
Well, well, if it isnt Jake.
I turned to see Lisa clinging to the arm of a slick-haired trust fund kid, a defiant look on her face.
Whats this? Dumped by me and already found a replacement?
Her eyes, full of contempt, darted between the two of us.
Jake, youre a broke nobody. What right do you have to date anyone? What could you possibly buy for her?
Jakes expression darkened.
I stepped forward, positioning myself between them. Who I have dinner with is none of your business, Lisa.
Lisas new boyfriend, Chad, eyed me with a lecherous grin.
Shes with you? She looks pretty innocent. Why dont you join us for dinner tonight, sweetheart?
The color drained from Lisas face.
She tugged on Chad's arm. Honey, dont we have a movie to get to? Lets not waste our time on people like this.
She shot me a venomous glare before dragging the man away.
Jake looked at me. Youre pretty quick to jump to my defense.
I looked down, exposing the pale, slender line of my neck. I just think shes being cruel.
He suddenly smiled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. Come on. Lets get that dinner.
2
To catch a big fish, you have to use the right bait.
I tracked Jakes movements online and, dressed in the red vest of my part-time job, stood outside a high-end shopping mall with a stack of flyers.
The people bustling past were dripping with wealth, their eyes sliding over me with disdain.
Hi, would you be interested in a gym membership?
A flyer slipped from my hand. As I bent to pick it up, another hand got there first.
My heart skipped a beat. I looked up, and of course, it was Jake.
He was wearing a bright yellow food delivery jacket, a thermal bag in his hand.
Fancy meeting you here, he said, a half-smile playing on his lips as he handed me the flyer.
I froze for a second, then let a look of pure delight spread across my face.
Jake? Youre working here too?
He went along with it effortlessly. Just running a few orders.
I pulled him over to the steps by the malls side entrance. Taking out a half-empty bottle of mineral water from my bag, I offered it to him shyly.
This is all I have. If you dont mind
Jake glanced at the bottle but didnt take it. Instead, he reached into his delivery bag, pulled out a bottle with the label peeled off, twisted the cap, and handed it to me.
Drink this. Customer cancellation. Its free.
I took it, sipping slowly. Are you really that tight on money?
He leaned back against the wall. Yeah. Im in a lot of debt. Dont even have next months rent sorted.
I put the water down and reached for his hand, my grip firm. Its okay.
I looked him straight in the eye, my voice unwavering.
Ill work more jobs. I can support you. As long as we work together, we can pay off any debt.
His fingers tensed in mine. He turned his head and stared at me, his gaze intense. Ava, whats your game?
I lowered my head, a blush creeping up my cheeks. I like you!
Jake laughed. Alright then. You can support me.
He tightened his grip on my hand. You said it yourself. Dont regret it.
I nodded fiercely. Never.
Oh, Mr. Thorne, I thought, youre the one who said it. Dont you be the one crying with regret later.
Lisa and my other roommates started freezing me out, talking loudly about me whenever I was in the room.
So shameless. Shell throw herself at any man.
Seriously. Trying to steal Lisas man? She should take a look in the mirror.
I ignored all of it.
One day, Lisa accidentally knocked over a bottle of expensive skincare Jake had given me, shattering it on the floor.
She rolled her eyes. Well, you shouldnt have left it on the edge.
I quietly knelt and cleaned up the mess.
That night, while video-chatting with Jake, I was dabbing ointment on the back of my hand.
What happened to your hand? he asked.
Oh? Its nothing, I just bumped it, I said, quickly hiding my hand behind my back.
But the camera had already swept past the pile of shattered glass on the corner of my desk.
The next day, Lisas rich boyfriend had all his credit cards frozen by his family and was promptly dumped.
Lisa threw a tantrum in the dorm, smashing all of her own makeup in a rage.
I knew it was Jake.
A man like him would never tolerate someone touching his property.
Not even a toy.
To solidify our bond, I decided to give him a gift.
I ordered a hand-knitted scarf online.
In the special instructions, I wrote: Make it as ugly as possible, with as many loose threads as you can manage.
It cost me thirty bucks. The emotional value was the entire point.
When I gave it to him, Jakes expression was hard to read.
I stood beside him, my face burning.
Im sorry its my first time knitting. Its so ugly. We should just throw it away.
I reached for it, but Jake pulled it out of my reach.
He wrapped the lopsided scarf around his neck. Its warm.
That night, Jake was particularly passionate. But right at the peak, he stopped.
He tilted my chin up. Ava, if I were this poor forever, would you still stay with me?
I wrapped my arms tighter around his neck. Dont be silly. I love you, not your money.
I met his gaze, my eyes clear and shining with devotion.
As long as I can be with you, Ill do anything.
Jakes body went rigid for a second before he moved again, harder this time.
Fool, he whispered against my skin.
My gaze drifted over his shoulder to the watch hed casually tossed on the nightstand.
A Patek Philippe Nautilus. Seven figures on the secondary market.
I echoed his sentiment in my head. Idiot.
The next day, he updated his social media with a new photo: a selfie of him wearing the ugly scarf.
Hed hidden it from most of his contacts, but it was a step.
That post was a dagger to Lisas heart.
Having been dumped by Chad, she was starting to remember Jakes good qualities.
Furious, she stormed over to the mens dorms to confront him.
Instead, she witnessed him stepping into a black Maybach.
Lisa was dumbfounded.
She ran back to our dorm, shoving the photo shed secretly taken in my face.
Ava, you stupid bitch, youve been played!
I knew something was off! No poor guy carries himself like that. Jakes not broke, hes a fucking kept man! Some rich old lady is paying for him!
She grew more frantic, as if shed uncovered a massive conspiracy.
I glanced at the photo, smiling inwardly.
Oh, Lisa. Is that really as far as your imagination can go? The idea of an heir slumming it is just too far outside your reality, isn't it?
I pushed her phone away. Jake is not that kind of person.
Lisa scoffed and pocketed her phone.
Well see about that. Ill ask him myself tomorrow.
Get ready to cry your eyes out, Ava.
3
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. Hed 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, youre 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 dont want him, then why do you care if hes a gigolo or not?
I pressed on. Or is it that you just cant stand to see me happy?
Lisa glared at me, but in the end, she didnt confront Jake.
Soon, it was Jakes 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 Id 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 dont 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 Im embarrassing you?
I didnt 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 citys 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 didnt ask any questions.
The heartfelt speech I had prepared was no longer necessary.
4
Jake came back to my apartment with me.
I went to the kitchen to wash my hands, mentally calculating my investment.
A five-thousand-dollar entry ticket for a deal like this? Worth it.
Jake walked into the kitchen and wrapped his arms around me from behind, burying his face in the crook of my neck.
I turned in his arms, and we kissed.
It was deep and passionate, but he suddenly pulled back. Wait a second.
I watched as he stepped into the bathroom, his sharp silhouette visible through the frosted glass door.
His phone, left on the nightstand, lit up. A bank transfer notification popped onto the screen.
[A deposit of 0-00,000,000.00 has been made to your savings account. Current balance: 0-034,578,990.50.]
My heart hammered against my ribs.
Some devilish impulse took over, and my hand shot out.
Relying on the password Id memorized from countless stolen glances, my trembling fingers unlocked his phone.
The first thing I did was open his banking app.
When I saw that dizzying string of zeros with my own eyes, I nearly laughed out loud.
A massive wave of euphoria washed over me.
Id won. My gamble had paid off.
My life was about to change forever.
I was set for life. Hell, I was set for the next life, too.
But greed is a bottomless pit.
Seeing his money wasnt enough. I wanted to see his world.
The social circle of a blue-blooded heir it was the world I had only dreamed of entering. This would be my ticket into high society.
I opened his messaging app. Pinned to the top was a three-person group chat named "The Bet."
My stomach dropped. A terrible feeling washed over me.
I tapped on the chat. At the very top of the history was a photo.
It was me, from that first rainy night, in the thin white t-shirtcurves on full display, a picture of vulnerable seduction.
[Jake, damn, this girls legit. Body is a 10/10.]
[She looks so innocent, but she knows exactly how to play the game.]
My heart started to pound. Trembling, I pressed play on a voice message from Jake.
His voice, cold and amused, filled the silence. Shes interesting a body like that? Itd be a shame not to fuck it.
I scrolled down.
Every one of our "chance" encounters, every confession of mine, had been live-blogged and mocked in this group.
[So, how long are you planning to play with this one?]
[Lets see how long she can keep up the act.]
[The plan is to wait until she thinks shes really won me over. Then Ill dump her. Thats when it gets fun.]
I gripped the phone, feeling like a bucket of ice water had been poured over my head.
All my cleverness, all my careful planning, was nothing but a clumsy, pathetic performance in his eyes.
A tidal wave of humiliation, the fury of being played, and a terrifying fear of the unknown crashed over me, threatening to drown me.
The bathroom door opened.
I didn't have time to put the phone down. I could only raise my head, my body frozen.
Jake stood there with a towel wrapped around his waist, water dripping from his dark hair.
He leaned against the doorframe, pulled a cigarette from a pack, and lit it.
Through the swirling smoke, he looked at me, his face a mask of condescending mockery.
Well, Ava? The shows over?

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