𝗙𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 ⛧ 𝗪𝗨𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗦 | 𝗫𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗜 𝗬𝗔𝗢

prologue ༻ ¨*:·

·:*¨ ༺ ♱✮♱ ༻ ¨*:·

Y/N leaned against the counter, wiping flour from her hands as the sweet scent of freshly baked bread filled the air. The bakery was quiet in the early morning hours, with the night still filling the sky, and the moon shining in through the windows. A peaceful contrast to the bustling chaos that would soon follow once they opened. This little corner of the world had become her sanctuary, a place where she could lose herself in the rhythm of kneading dough and mixing batters. It was a far cry from the life she'd once imagined, but it was hers, and she owed it all to Mortefi.

Mortefi, her best friend and the reason she had an income, had given her this job when she was at her lowest. He'd seen her potential when no one else had, and for that, she would always be grateful. So when he walked into the kitchen that morning with a troubled look on his face and a favour to ask, Y/N knew she couldn't refuse, no matter how absurd it sounded.

"Y/N, I need your help," Mortefi began, hesitating as he leaned against the opposite counter. His usual easygoing demeanour was replaced by something more serious, and that alone made her pay attention.

"Anything," she replied without hesitation, smiling at him encouragingly. "You know I owe you."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's about my brother—Xiangli Yao."

Y/N nodded, familiar with the name but not the man himself. Xiangli Yao was Mortefi's half-brother, the product of their father's second marriage, and from what little she knew, he was nothing like Mortefi. Where Mortefi was warm and approachable, Xiangli Yao was distant, his life a mystery wrapped in wealth and privilege.

Mortefi continued, "He's been under a lot of pressure from our parents. They want him to settle down, find someone 'respectable' to date, and they're driving him crazy about it. So, he needs a girlfriend—temporarily, just until they get off his back."

Y/N's brow furrowed as she started to piece together what he was asking. "And you want me to...?"

"Pretend to be his girlfriend," Mortefi finished for her, his tone apologetic. "Just for a while. He has no one to ask, and when he came to me.." He trailed off. "I know it's a lot to ask, but he is a good guy, and he really needs the help. Plus, it's not like you're seeing anyone..."

The last part stung a little, but she knew Mortefi meant no harm. Y/N bit her lip, considering the request. Pretending to date someone she'd never even met—a man who was, by all accounts, out of her league—seemed ridiculous. But then again, she owed Mortefi more than she could ever repay, and this was just one more favour.

Mortefi must have seen the uncertainty in her eyes because he quickly added, "I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important. You'd be doing me—and him—a huge, huge favour."

Y/N sighed, the weight of the decision settling on her. She wasn't one for games or deception, but this was different. It was for Mortefi, and she could endure a little awkwardness for his sake.

"Okay," she said finally, meeting his eyes with a determined nod. "I'll do it. I'll pretend to date Xiangli Yao."

Relief washed over Mortefi's face, and he pulled her into a quick hug. "Thank you, Y/N. You have no idea how much this means."

But as Y/N returned to her baking, the reality of what she'd just agreed to began to sink in. Pretending to be someone's girlfriend was one thing, but pretending to be Xiangli Yao's girlfriend was another. This was bound to be complicated, possibly even messy, and she wasn't sure what she'd just gotten herself into. But if it helped Mortefi—and maybe even Xiangli Yao—she'd find a way to make it work.

After all, how hard could it be to pretend?

·:*¨ ༺ ♱✮♱ ༻ ¨*:·

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If you want to read a story about Scar, Check out my other story "TRY ME". A brothers best friend romance that takes place in an elite private academy シ