Girlfriend (?)

"Hello."

Gigi blinked, then blinked again—her confusion growing as the man behind the bench leaned over her, smiling so wide his foxy eyes squinted.

"…!" She gasped and jumped away from the bench on instinct.

My male lead radar just went off.

"You—" she pointed at him, mouth opening and closing. "Just what do you think you're doing?"

But the real question was: what did she do to make this guy approach her? Had she wronged Aqua recently, and he was only now finding out?

Alex Sparrow tilted his head, his smile unfaltering. "I'm just saying hi to my girlfriend."

"Girl—hah! What the—" Her face twisted as she looked him over. "I'm sorry, but I've been single my whole life." According to Bubbles, she mentally added.

"Were you playing me all along?" he chuckled.

"Playing — duh?" Gigi's eyes flicked to the corner, spotting a familiar car approaching. Without hesitation, she grabbed her box in a flash, hugging it close as she jumped back a few steps.

"Young Miss~!" Bubbles called, slowing down when she saw who was standing behind the bench. "Huh? What's Alexander Sparrow doing here?"

As the car pulled over, Gigi cast Alex a look of pure disgust before jumping into the backseat. Bubbles quickly moved aside to make room.

"Miss, why were you with Alex?"

"I don't know, and I don't want to know," Gigi snapped, then turned to the driver. "Can we go? Like—very fast?"

"Yes, Miss."

The driver didn't wait for her to settle in before taking off—though, being in a school zone, he still stuck to the speed limit.

Gigi stared out the window, peeking at where Alex still stood. He hadn't moved—just stood there, waving at her with that same smile.

Gosh… she thought. If I remember correctly, this guy's the meanest among the male leads.

Since she and Aqua attended the same school, running into Alex was inevitable. To be honest, she even rooted for him and the heroine at one point—he was handsome, popular, a literal celebrity. Who wouldn't want to be with someone like that?

But then again, she was Gigi—the subject of Alex's wrath.

"Young Miss, are you alright?" Bubbles asked, noticing Gigi still staring out the window. "Did Alex propose to you?"

Gigi winced and looked at her, scandalized. "Bubbles, are you really programmed to ask the most absurd questions? Why does every guy who talks to me suddenly become a love interest in your eyes?"

"Because my Miss is very pretty," Bubbles said with a shrug. "And the school's been talking about the two of you for a while now."

"Talking about us?" Gigi's face scrunched. "Me and that guy?"

"Mhm!" Bubbles nodded. "Everyone thinks you two are secretly dating. There are signs, apparently."

Gigi stared at her. "And what do you think, Bub?"

"No way." Bubbles huffed. "Alex Sparrow may be the school prince, but he's also a known player. No way I'd let my Miss get played by him!"

I'm sure the real Gigi would've loved to be played by him, Gigi thought, shaking her head. Wait… is that why he approached me? Did I start the rumor?

Her brow furrowed. Wouldn't be surprised. That's just who the real Gigi was—always digging her own grave.

"Miss, are you alright?" Bubbles asked again, noticing her rubbing her temple. "Do you have a headache?"

"No, no. I'm fine," Gigi waved her off. "Don't worry, Bub. I just got tired carrying these boxes."

"Miss, this is what I keep telling you. Next time, just let everyone else carry them for you!"

Gigi peeked at her and chuckled, reaching out to gently ruffle Bubbles' hair. "There, there. I'm fine."

"…" Bubbles pressed her lips into a thin line, ducking her head to hide the blush on her cheeks.

"By the way, Bubbles…" Gigi retrieved her hand and finally asked the question she kept forgetting. "Why do you call me 'Young Miss'?"

Bubbles tilted her head. "Because you are my Young Miss."

"But aren't we friends?"

"Yes, we are." Bubbles nodded, lifting a finger like sharing trivia. "But my father works for your father, and everyone calls you Young Miss. So you're my Young Miss, too."

Gigi grimaced. "Is that… really how it works?"

"Young Miss, should I start calling you Queen instead?"

"No—that's… that's really weird," she said. "Why not just call me by my name?"

"You want me to call you by your name?"

"Yep." To her surprise, Bubbles suddenly frowned. "What?"

"Miss, I don't want to call you by your name. It just doesn't feel right. I'm more comfortable calling you Young Miss! Besides, how will people know you're our respected, beloved Young Miss if I call you by your first name?"

Gigi was speechless. "You know what? Never mind. Call me whatever you like."

She had only wanted to be considerate because Bubbles had been very supportive. But… yeah. Never mind.

"Hehe." Bubbles giggled. "Really, My Queen?"

Gigi paused, eyeing the excitement on Bubbles' face. "No. Just Young Miss. Or Miss. Please. For God's sake."

"Aww…"

"Goodness." Gigi shook her head, mentally noting never to give Bubbles more material to boost her ego. At this rate, her head might literally explode.

"By the way, Young Miss, are you sure nothing's going on between you and the school prince? I mean, I know you have memory loss, but I heard the mind might forget, but he heart would never."

"Yes. Nothing is going on between me and him according to my damaged brain and my pure heart." Gigi nodded firmly. "And if you hear any ridiculous rumors about me and him, shut them down immediately."

"Okay~!"

Watching her, Gigi leaned back with a heavy sigh. To survive this world, all she had to do was stay away from Aqua and her male leads. Their fate would eventually bring them together anyway—she didn't need to interfere. She just need to do one thing.

Then, from the corner of her eye, Gigi spotted someone walking down the sidewalk.

"Hey, Bub," she whispered.

"Hm?"

"That guy…"

Bubbles stretched her neck to peek through the window. "You mean Troy?"

"Mhm." Gigi looked at her. "Do you know what he likes?"

"Huh? Why are you asking, Miss?"

Gigi smiled. "Just curious. He is my cousin's lover. My parents are hosting a dinner tonight, and I'm sure he'll be coming."

"Uh…" Bubbles blinked. "I don't think so, Young Miss. The dinner's for you, not for Aqua."

"Good!" Gigi clapped her hands. "Then I'll invite him."

She turned to the driver. "Please pull over."

Bubbles tilted her head, watching the mischievous smile form on Gigi's lips as the girl stepped out to invite Troy to the Valentine family's gathering.