Fake dating my enemy, The playboy billionaire-Chapter 20: The tension

YIREN

The car is suffocatingly quiet, the kind of silence that makes every tiny movement feel exaggerated. Shishi is driving, focused on the road, with Suyin next to him in the passenger seat, occasionally glancing back at us through the rearview mirror. I’m not sure if they saw anything but I’m sure they can sense something’s wrong the way Jun declared we are leaving.

In the backseat, it’s just me, Jun, and Bear. Of course, Bear claimed the window seat and went to Dreamland, leaving me squished in the middle, right next to Jun.

Not that I mind. I do mind. Dammit, I don’t.

At least, I shouldn’t mind. This is all pretend. Everything that happened tonight, from the fake relationship to the way Jun swooped in like some dark knight when Chris cornered me—it’s just part of the act. We’re playing roles, nothing more.

But then there’s his hand. I look down where my leg peeks out from the slit in my dress. His tattooed hand resting tightly on my thigh. Very close to the zone I haven’t seen any action since what seems like a century. I’m hyperaware I’m not wearing any panty.

I gulp, the heat radiating from that hand, the way his Rolex catches the streetlights flashing by, the diamond cufflinks glinting on his sleeve. His long fingers...

My heart hammers in my chest as a dirty thought flickers in my mind—what would that hand feel like on my body? A rush of heat pools low in my stomach, and I bite my lip, pushing the thought away.

Get a grip, Yiren. He’s not yours. This is just pretending.

But it was kind of... hot. The way Jun pulled me into his arms when Chris wouldn’t let go, the way his grip around my waist tightened, so possessive, so protective. I swear, the look on Chris’s face was priceless. And now I can’t stop thinking about it. Worse, I can’t stop thinking about how much it turned me on.

I shift in my seat, crossing my legs as if that’ll stop my traitorous mind from spiraling into dangerous territory.

The warmth of his jacket still clings to me, making me even more aware of his presence. I tug it closer around my shoulders, remembering the casual way he handed it to me when we stepped out of the venue. He had draped it over my shoulders despite my refusal , "I’m doing a favor by stopping traffic accidents."

The memory sends a shiver down my spine, but not from the cold. It was so casual, yet somehow protective. My pulse quickens again, and I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to pull myself together.

Out of the corner of my eye, I glance at Jun, but his face is unreadable, his jaw tight, eyes fixed on the window. His silence is almost as oppressive as the thoughts swirling in my head.

Just pretending, I remind myself, shaking my head slightly. He’s acting like a brooding jealous boyfriend, and for the life of me, I can’t figure out why. None of this is real.

The car pulls to a stop outside Jun’s building, and none of us bother to talk anything throughout the way. Once Jun was out, I fight my way to get out of the car, covering the damn slit in my dress and trying my best not give him a peek of my bare coochie with as much grace as I can. But the way Jun’s brows rose in the air, I’m sure I look like a rolling panda in blue dress.

He offers me his hand which I begrudgingly accepted.

We’re about to head to the elevator when Shishi blows the car horn. "Hey, you forgot your furry baby!"

Jun and I, we both turned simultaneously and bumped into each other. Great.

"I’ll get him," Jun mutters, retrieving a very sleepy Bear from the backseat. Bear curls up in his arms, totally unbothered, while I give a little wave to Shishi and Suyin, reminding myself to stay in character. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

The second the apartment door closes behind me, I let out a loud breath, collapsing onto the couch with more force than necessary. My entire body aches from the tension of the night, but it’s the mental exhaustion that’s really hitting me. God, what a mess.

I stretch my arms over my head, letting out a groan as I melt into the cushions. "Finally," I mutter, more to myself than anyone else. "That was stressful as hell. At least no one suspects a thing."

I glance over at Jun, expecting some kind of acknowledgment as he puts Bear in dog house, but instead, he’s at the fridge, guzzling down a bottle of water like I don’t even exist.

"Jun," I call out, expecting him to at least glance my way. "Are you even listening?"

He doesn’t turn around. Doesn’t even pause as he tosses the bottle into the trash. When he finally speaks, his voice is cold, sharp. "Don’t talk."

I blink, caught off guard by his tone. "Excuse me?"

"Can’t you keep that mouth shut for some time?"

"But then who would call you out on your nonsense?"

He blinks, "What?"

"Seriously, what’s with the attitude? I carried the entire act tonight, and you stood there like someone shoved crabs in your pants." I throw my hands in the air, "I had to deal with your sisters in law, your brothers grilling us, and you barely said a word all night. I was the one keeping up the act while you—" I stop, spinning around to face him. "You acted like you didn’t even want to be there and would rather be with that curly-haired woman."

"It’s not what you think—"

I raise my palm to stop him, "You know, I actually thought we were starting to get along these past few days. I almost believed that maybe we could be friends after this entire act is over. My first ever friend. But that’s stupid of me. I set unrealistic standards, expecting something different from the man who had been a thorn my entire life."

"Thorn? Well, this thorn saved your azz when you were barely holding it together with Chris."

"Oh, please," I scoff, "I had it under control."

"Under control?" he snaps, stepping even closer that I can feel the raw anger pulsing through him, "Letting him drag you across the dance floor is what you call control?"

"I didn’t need you to jump in like some knight in shining armor," I retort, ripping off the jacket he gave me earlier and throwing it at him. "Next time, stay out of my business. I’m not some damsel in distress. I have been holding myself fine since mom died. Don’t need a shoulder now."

And storms to my—our—bedroom.

*****