Attached Strings √

Chapter 20 - The Offer

A/N: 20th chapter! Are you kidding me? \( ö )/ Thank you so much for the 3k reads everyone. ;-)

Chloe's POV

"An offer? What offer?" I questioned.

"I'm willing to fund your education," he said. "And? What's in it for you?" I asked hesitantly.

"Iwantyoutobemygirlfriend," he rushed the words out of his mouth. "Paul, I didn't hear a single word you said. Try being a little slower."

"Chloe," he scratched the back of his neck, he was nervous. A nervous Paul? I was starting to get worried. "I want you to be my girlfriend-"

"What?!" I didn't even let him finish his sentence. "-for ten weeks," he finished off.

His girlfriend? Me? For ten weeks?

Why would he ask me of all people? Yes, I had been called beautiful before but I never thought he'd actually see me as his girlfriend. He must have noticed my confused expression because he said: "Of course it will be fake."

Ouch.

"Oh..." was all I could say at the moment. What was I thinking anyway? Surely, I didn't think that he'd want a real relationship with me, did I? I admit, I was hurt. Knowing that he could only think of me as a fake girlfriend really hurt me. I felt so insulted and I could feel the anger building up inside me.

"Why me? Why don't you ask one of the skanks that you usually bring here?" This was true. I had been living with Paul for three months now and he had brought different girls here almost everyday and I would have to go elsewhere or plug in my earphones just to avoid the loud moans and groans they'd be making.

"That's because I need someone believable. I couldn't take those girls because I know my parents will see right through them."

Wait, what?

"Your parents?" Where did his parents fit into all of this? This was getting more and more confusing. "Yes, my parents. They are coming here and they don't really like the way I... err... let's just say they don't agree with the way I treat girls." So his parents and I shared a common disliking, huh? I was starting to like them.

"When will they get here?" I heard myself ask. "This Saturday." I gasped. "You mean the day after tomorrow?" I asked, just to be certain, and he nodded. "And they are staying for ten weeks." he added.

"But that's the entire recess. You mean that I'll be staying with your parents for ten weeks? The entire holiday?" I was freaking out.

"No, they won't be staying with us. My home is not far from here so they'll be staying there and we'll be here." I let out a breath of relief. I remained quiet, still trying to process everything. After a while, I said:

"So, I pretend to be your girlfriend for ten weeks and you pay for my entire education?" he nodded, "Including accommodation and allowance," he nodded once more. This was a good offer but I was not sure about being his girlfriend.

Fake girlfriend, Chloe.

Oh, yeah. I was not sure about being his fake girlfriend. Why? Because I didn't trust myself, that's why. I was scared that I would fall for him and I knew that Paul wouldn't do commitment. That was not his style. His style was simply hit-n-run and I didn't want to put myself in that position. We'd have to set some rules just like we did when I was moving in.

"Everything is written here," he said giving me a document which I assumed to be a contract, "and all you have to do is sign on the dotted line."

I took the document and perused through it. I was shocked by the last section of the contract. It stated: