Liar and Liar - Chapter 10

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 10

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‘Ugh…’

AP US History class. The male teacher standing at the podium held a book in one hand while passionately explaining something.

But Danielle couldn’t focus on the lesson at all, hanging her head while covering her eyes with one hand.

‘I must be crazy, seriously.’

Even with her eyes covered, the glances being thrown at her like stones from all around were impossible for Danielle to ignore. The reason was obvious.

“That’s right. I’m taken.”

When Danielle snatched the tie from Stella, Frederick, who had been quietly watching, quickly added those words as he approached Danielle’s side.

The voice falling by her ear made Danielle’s skin crawl. It felt like something was very, very wrong.

Stella couldn’t hide her flushed face as she untied the tie with trembling hands and handed it to Danielle.

As the thick satisfaction receded like a tide, Danielle was helplessly swept away by the cold reality, as if left with nothing but bare skin.

She had practically thrown the tie at Frederick and fled to her next class, which brought her to now.

It had only been 20 minutes, but all the students seemed to have heard about the hallway incident, constantly exchanging glances and stealing looks at Danielle.

‘Was I always someone who got swept up so easily?’

Would Frederick Bastia really step in to help with her brother’s situation? He was someone who only cared about himself.

Honestly, even if she could turn back time, she felt like she’d make the same choice, but that didn’t make this reality any easier to handle.

‘…Girlfriend.’

Frederick Bastia as my ‘boyfriend.’

Even if it was fake, even if it was just in name, this connection felt too overwhelming for Danielle.

Beep-

As soon as the teacher signaled the end of class, students got up gathering their things. Getting up a beat late and packing her bag, Danielle stopped at the door blocked by the crowd and frowned.

“Why-“

Are they blocking the way and making a fuss? But the students cleared a path for her, and as soon as she saw the figure standing with arms crossed against the wall across the hallway, Danielle immediately understood the situation.

“Hey, Babe.”

Danielle grabbed one arm with the other. Even though she was wearing a blazer, she could feel goosebumps rising on her arms.

Frederick was leaning against the wall leisurely, as if he hadn’t gone to another class at all.

“Did you pay attention in class? Or were you thinking about me even during class?”

At the shocking comment, all the students’ gazes snapped to Danielle. Frederick, whether he knew about their reaction or not, was just smiling gently with that handsome face.

After being frozen by the stares for a moment, Danielle strode forward and grabbed Frederick’s wrist in one swift motion.

Without asking for Frederick’s consent, she pulled his wrist and dragged him toward the direction with the fewest people.

She refused to become any more of a spectacle for the students. Fortunately, despite his large frame, Frederick obediently followed where Danielle led him.

Danielle headed to the tree-lined path that connected the High School Area to the Middle School Area. Only after confirming there were no people around did she stop walking and let go of Frederick’s wrist.

Turning around, Danielle faced Frederick with his endlessly burdensome physique.

Danielle had no idea what to say. After all, he was fake, she was fake, and there was no audience in this situation.

‘Wouldn’t it be stranger to treat him like a boyfriend in this situation?’

However, Danielle’s dilemma was easily shattered by Frederick’s next words.

“The other kids probably think we came here to kiss. Haha. Don’t you think?”

Danielle’s voice automatically got louder in shock.

“Do you think everyone’s like you!?”

That smug smile was so annoying.

‘What on earth is he talking about-‘

Danielle caught her breath while fuming.

“What do you mean ‘like me’?”

“What’s with the ‘babe’? When have you ever seen me to call me babe? Not everyone in the world is a shameless Italian like you with hearts flying everywhere!”

“You didn’t like the pet name? But that’s just basic stuff.”

That might be normal for people who are actually dating, but that’s not you and me!!

Suddenly, Danielle recalled the essence of the game she and Frederick had started. This game was about bringing up the existence of the ‘bet’ first, or losing if you got caught.

The purpose of this game was to deceive and trick the other person into acting like real lovers until you got what you needed from them.

There was no choice. Whatever happened, she had to deal with this shameless Italian as her ‘boyfriend’ for now. Like it was real dating, like she really had a boyfriend.

“Ha, Frederick. Yeah, fine, I get what you’re saying. So let me put it this way so you’ll understand? You might be very used to women and think all this back-and-forth is natural, but I’m unfamiliar and awkward with getting involved with guys. So your arbitrary pet names are very burdensome to me, okay? So could you restrain yourself a bit out of consideration for the other person?”

Just because you do that doesn’t mean I’ll develop feelings for you. Not at all. Danielle barely managed to swallow these words that had risen to her chin.

“Hmm, well… if you hate it that much.”

It was the moment Danielle took a big breath of relief after hearing Frederick’s response.

“Then you call me by a pet name. I’ll compromise if you do that.”

“What…? What pet name?”

“Anything’s fine. Want to call me by my middle name?”

No way, why should I.

As if her answer was already clear from her expression, Frederick raised his hand in the air and counted on his fingers one by one.

“Baby, honey, darling? Too ordinary?”

Ugh. At the string of cringeworthy words, Danielle frantically racked her brain.

“I’ll just call you Rick too. That works, right?”

Students who had any friendship with Frederick called him ‘Rick.’ Of course, this didn’t apply to Danielle.

She disliked this just as much, but it was the compromise line Danielle could accept.

However, naturally, it seemed like a compromise that wouldn’t work at all on this born-to-be Italian.

“No way. What’s that supposed to be? There’d be no point in me confessing.”

“Aren’t you busy? Do you have time to bicker with me over pet names here…?”

Just go somewhere, anywhere. Go home, or go to club activities like other guys! Why were you waiting for my class to end in the first place?!

Danielle’s silent outcry was completely deflated by the other person’s flawlessly perfect smile.

“That’s my advantage. I have a lot of time since I’m not on any sports teams.”

“…”

“At first they meet because athletic guys look cool, but have you seen relationships with sports team guys last long? With practice and games, the girl always ends up being second priority. It can’t last.”

Compared to that, I am. Frederick pointed to himself with his index finger as if adding those words.

“Perfect, right? As boyfriend material.”

Why is this so infuriating?

“No, you’re just…”

Danielle, who had been racking her brain, quickly found the reason for her anger.

‘Is he crazy? He actually thinks he’s good boyfriend material.’

It was while Danielle was cursing Frederick in her mind with these thoughts.

“I know you hate me interfering in your business. But still…”

Frederick drew out his words as he suddenly came closer.

“How long have I been waiting for this? For your eyes to hold only me completely.”

At the unexpected words, Danielle was momentarily speechless.

Her mind became complicated, causing the rebellious feelings that had surged to her chest to be pushed outside her consciousness instead.

Their gazes met. Danielle found herself quietly looking into Frederick’s gray eyes that were watching her.

Frederick took something out of his pocket and handed it to Danielle. It was a small silver key.

“…What’s this?”

“I put a new lock on your locker. No one will be able to mess with it again, so use it comfortably.”

Danielle couldn’t readily take the key from Frederick’s hand and just stared at it.

Her mouth finally opened, but the words that came out weren’t words of gratitude.

“Even without you… I could have handled it myself.”

“You would have. I just wanted to do it for you.”

Were you doing this instead of attending class? Everything about this key was ridiculous to Danielle. It wasn’t even that urgent. She had never asked for help.

‘How did he even know about the locker situation…’

Why are you acting like you’ve been caring about my business, why.

Danielle snatched the key from Frederick’s hand. She didn’t want to take it, didn’t want to touch him, but she had no choice.

The unavoidable touch of his palm against her fingers and the warmth that instantly transferred felt endlessly uncomfortable.

“It’s my girlfriend’s business, how could I just sit still? It’s been bothering me from the start.”

Frederick clenched his palm that was left empty in the air. As he applied force, the contours of his hand bulged clearly.

No matter how you looked at it, it made no sense that he wasn’t on a sports team with that frame.

Danielle bit the inside of her mouth as she looked away.

‘…Get it together.’

Even if she couldn’t act skillfully, at least she shouldn’t fumble around pathetically. Since he was getting so immersed in this on his own, she had to match his energy for this to work as a game.

So Danielle acknowledged and decided to accept one fact.

Whatever the case, Frederick Bastia was, for now, her ‘boyfriend.’

But it wasn’t entirely bad that he was taking this bet seriously. It made it easier to bring up the most important topic.

“I wonder if we’ve even been dating for a full hour, yet you’re being so considerate of me. Thank you—”

Even Danielle couldn’t tell if this was sarcasm or genuine gratitude. That’s actually how she felt inside.

“Actually, I had something I wanted to ask you.”

“Hm? What is it?”

Why did it have to be Frederick Bastia, of all people? Why?

Suppressing the stubborn doubt and resentment that wouldn’t disappear no matter how much she mulled it over, Danielle opened her mouth.

‘…I was determined to use him to the fullest.’

Yet it wasn’t easy to even bring up the topic. This dynamic, this entire situation seemed to trigger unpleasant old memories.

But she had to say it. Danielle had no choice.

“My younger sibling was… a candidate for clinical trials at Providence Hospital, but got excluded. Whether it’s the medical costs or using the new medication, being selected for those clinical trials is extremely important for our family…”

It felt like shooting herself.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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