Be My Boyfriend (2)

"What? Boyfriend?" Jack asked.

"Wait, wait, hear me out first," Cindy said. "It's just a job. You don't have to be my actual boyfriend, just an on-screen one."

Jack didn't outright reject her, which Cindy accepted as a positive choice and kept on talking.

"As you said, no agency is gonna give me a job now, so I thought why not we start a channel together? I'll handle everything from management to the production. You just have to be there with me and get paid for it. How is that?"

Cindy was hopeful Jack would agree. No matter how good of a job he might have now, he would definitely make more with her. She would even give him half of the profits, no, even more than half if he agreed.

"Um… I'm sorry," Jack mumbled. "I don't really want my face to be out there for everyone to see."

Cindy nodded. She had a hunch he would say that, and it made her even more certain that Jack had a troubled past and didn't want it to come chasing after him.

If only I knew what happened to him.

After their first meeting, Cindy had spent thousands of dollars to learn anything about Jack's past. Despite all that, she found no leads.

Still, she didn't give up.

"That's not an issue. We can always blur your face out during editing—"

"Is there anything else I could help you with?"

No matter how big of a heart Cindy had, Jack couldn't agree to her strange request. He was a man, and indeed found her attractive, but that didn't mean he could get entangled in such a request, especially if it could hinder his main quest's progress.

Finally, Cindy's face fell. She was certain Jack wouldn't agree to her request, and she didn't want to force him. Since most of her friends were work friends, they broke off ties with her after the fall-out.

The few people who stayed either had an interest in her body, or the little resources she had left. In her mind, Jack was the only one who could be her true confidant. That's why she offered him the job.

Besides, dating him would be good for her public image. Although a twisted reason, it was the primary reason she asked him to play the part of her boyfriend. He looked good and, more importantly, had morals. Cindy thought, if she offered him an opportunity, she could true reel into reality.

She also had a personal reason to ask for his help, but since he had declined, there was no reason to tell him about it.

"Miss Myers?"

It was Jack's turn to snap his fingers before her face.

"Uh, yeah… did you say something?" she replied.

"I asked if there was anything else I could help you with?"

"Um… actually, there is, but I'll be fine."

She didn't want to tell Jack about it. After all, she was a woman. Being rejected twice was more than what her heart could handle.

Besides, she didn't think Jack would like to attend a formal function with her, especially if he didn't want to show his face to the public. Jack sensed her hesitation and didn't push her. If she wanted to tell him something, she would have to take the initiative.

The two sat together in silence, sipping coffee and wondering if the other had anything to say. Eventually, Cindy couldn't keep it in anymore and blurted out something.

"What do you think about attending a gala with me?"

Jack felt a headache coming, but unlike last time, he didn't reject her. But it wasn't out of consideration.

A gala meant there would be a lot of influential people present there. With his looks and social skills, he might complete some side quests or even get a few main quests to earn money from. Though he was already getting tired of making money like a self-employed gigolo and wanted to set up a small business near Granny's home.

I should ask Mehra about it. He would know more about businesses wanting investments or something.

That's where the Gala came into the picture. If nothing else, he could form some connections there. It would be a win-win situation for him.

While Jack was lost in his thoughts, Cindy kept on rambling.

"At first I didn't want to attend it, considering everything that happened. However, a former colleague told me he had an opportunity for me there, so I wanted to go."

She continued, "But representatives from my former agency would be there as well, and I'm afraid going alone so…"

"Alright," Jack sighed. "I'll go with you if that could help you."

"I understand if you—wait, what did you just say?"

"I'll go with you."

"…seriously?"

"Ask me one more time and I'll change my answer—"

"No, no! Thank you! Thank you so much!"

Before Jack could ask more about the Gala, Cindy wrapped her arms around his neck. For a moment, they stayed like that, before she realized what she did and awkwardly pulled back.

"S-Sorry about that…"

"It's alright," Jack said, scratching his head. "I kind of liked it…"

Cindy's face turned red, and she turned away, suddenly finding the coffee a lot more interesting.

"When is the gala?"

"Tomorrow night, 9 pm onwards. Oh right, I'll text you my address," she said. "Meet me there, and we'll go together. As for attire…"

She smirked, showing off the card, which Jack returned to her.

"We should go shopping for some!"