lacy | jude bellingham

chapter 09.

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TWO WEEKS LATER, JUDE AND TYLA WERE SITTING ACROSS from each other at a restaurant in madrid. as they were eating, tyla leaned in with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "so, jude," she started. "my birthday is next week."

jude looked up from his plate. "yeah? got any plans?" he asked.

tyla's smile widened. "oh definitely. but there's something I need from you," she said as she tapped her nails on the table. "you know how you used to post those long, sweet messages for your ex's birthdays? i'm going to need you to do the same for me."

jude blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "um, yeah, i can do that," he told her as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "but, just so you know, those posts for amelia...they were long because she deserved it. she meant a lot to me."

tyla waved a hand dismissively, her tone remaining somewhat sweet. "jude, i'm not asking. you need to make a post for me, and it needs to be just as long, and just as thoughtful. it's important for the image we're building together."

jude sighed, the annoyance bubbling up inside him. he could feel the frustration coming back, but louis's words echoed in his mind: play along, stay open to the plan. "alright, i get it. i'll make the post," he agreed.

tyla's eyes sparkled with satisfaction. "good. and don't forget to mention how amazing i am, and how happy you are to have me in your life now. it needs to look genuine, jude."

he nodded. "yeah, i can do that," he said as he tried to smile.

"perfect," tyla replied. "oh, and about my birthday party. i'm throwing a big one, and you need to be there. we need photos, videos, the whole works. the fans are going to eat it up."

jude forced another nod, this one easier. "i can do that," he agreed. the party made sense—being there was part of the deal after all.

tyla leaned back in her chair, studying jude. "oh, and one more thing. i want you to bring some of your friends to my birthday party."

jude looked up, slightly confused. "why?"

"it'll make us look more serious if people see that i've met your friends," tyla explained casually. "it doesn't matter who—madrid players, england players—just make sure they're there."

jude's expression tightened briefly. "i'll see who's available," he replied with only a hint of resistance.

tyla smiled sweetly, "great. and make sure they know it's important. we need them to act like this is all real."

jude nodded, though he was getting frustrated. this was getting more demanding by the day. "i'll handle it," he said, his voice flat.

tyla reached out and placed her hand on his arm. "i know this isn't easy, but it's necessary, jude. if we want this to work, we need everyone to believe it."

jude forced a smile, "yeah, i get it."

satisfied, tyla leaned back again. "good. because i'm counting on you to make this a success. and who knows, maybe by the end of it, we'll actually have some fun."