chapter 3

Lexie jolted awake from her deep sleep, startled by the rapid knocking on her front door. She groggily shifted her gaze to the digital clock on her bedside table and rolled her eyes in irritation—it was barely past six in the morning.

"Lexie?"

She heard someone call her name again, accompanied by even louder knocks.

From the voice alone, she already knew—it was her traitorous ex, Rafael.

"God's teeth, what a nice visit to ruin somebody's good sleep," she muttered angrily as she lazily got up, not to open the door but to drive her uninvited visitor away.

"Lexie, I know you're in there. Please open the door."

"What the hell are you doing here? Get lost!" she shouted. Instead of leaving, Rafael only knocked harder, as if he were trying to break down her door.

With no other choice, she yanked the door open.

"What?!" she snapped the moment the door swung wide. Rafael stood before her, eyes pleading, holding a large bouquet of red roses.

"Let's talk," he said, his voice full of desperation.

"I said get lost!" she spat, attempting to slam the door shut, but Rafael blocked it with his foot.

"What do you want?" she asked coldly.

"Just hear me out. Here, these are for you," he said, offering the bouquet. She only stared at it, expressionless.

"There's nothing left for us to talk about, Rafael. You cheated on me, got my cousin pregnant, and now you're marrying her. It's all clear. You have nothing left to explain," she said flatly, attempting once more to close the door.

Instead of leaving, Rafael pushed his way inside, infuriating her further.

"What part of 'get out' do you not understand?" she snapped.

Rafael remained silent. Lexie was about to lash out again when he suddenly grabbed her and kissed her on the lips.

"I love you, Lex. It's you I love, not Amanda. Please believe me. I don't want to marry her," he pleaded, tears welling in his eyes.

Lexie's shock was fleeting. Instead of sympathy, anger surged within her.

"Get out!" she ordered.

"Lex, please—"

"I said get out!" she screamed, shoving him out the door. As soon as he was outside, she slammed it shut with all her strength.

'I love you…'

His voice echoed in her mind, tormenting her. She clenched her eyes shut as tears began to fall.

"Lexie? What happened?"

Her cousin Claire appeared, looking worried. The noise had probably woken her up.

"Rafael…"

That was all Lexie managed to say. Claire, understanding everything, immediately approached and pulled her into a comforting embrace.

"Shhh, I know it hurts. I'm here…" Claire whispered soothingly, but instead of calming down, Lexie cried even harder.

"What the hell did I ever do to deserve this, Claire? What did I do wrong?" she sobbed.

"Nothing. They just betrayed you," Claire said sadly, tightening her embrace.

"This man, Rafael's uncle, Ram Jordan…"

"Y-yeah?"

"You said you planned to use him against your ex, right?" Claire asked, frowning.

Lexie wiped her tears and nodded. "Y-yeah, I'm not sure if it's the best idea, but yes. I plan to use Ram."

Claire frowned deeper. "How exactly do you plan to do that?"

Lexie was quiet for a moment before she spoke again.

"Rafael cheated on me. Do you know why?"

Claire remained silent as Lexie gave a bitter smile.

"Because I wouldn't sleep with him. Because I told him to wait."

"But he couldn't, and Amanda was there?" Claire finished for her.

"Yeah, Amanda was there," Lexie said, her voice laced with pain. Tears started falling again.

"Ram Jordan is here now too. If I give him what I couldn't give Rafael, do you think it will hurt him?" she asked as if in a trance.

"W-what do you mean?"

"I'll give away the only reason Rafael cheated. I'll give my virginity to his uncle, Ram Jordan."

"Are you out of your mind?!" Claire almost screamed, looking at her in disbelief.

Lexie gave a sad smile and shook her head. "I think I am, Claire…" she whispered.

"Lex, I don't think this is a good idea. You'll only end up hurting yourself more than Rafael," Claire said, her voice filled with concern.

"Then what should I do?" Lexie asked.

"Do you really need revenge? You can just move on. Sleeping with a complete stranger isn't the answer."

"You can either help me or stay out of it, Claire," Lexie said firmly, looking her cousin in the eye.

"I know you're worried, and I appreciate it. I know this plan is stupid. But if this is the only way to deal with the pain, then I'll do it."

Claire sighed and was silent for a while.

"So what do we call this mission? Operation Help Lexie Get Laid?" she finally asked, frowning.

Lexie just stared at her.

"Ugh, fine. This is stupid, no offense, but fine. I'll help you," Claire said, rolling her eyes. Lexie remained silent.

"Like I'd just let you do this alone," Claire added.

Silence hung between them for a few minutes before they both burst into laughter.

"Gosh, I wish you weren't serious about this. But I know you are," Claire said, wiping her tears.

"I am," Lexie confirmed.

"So, how do you plan to do this?"

—

"Oh my God, Ram Jordan, right?"

Lexie smiled, feigning surprise as she spotted Ram at the restaurant.

"Lexie, it's you. Hi," Ram greeted with a friendly smile and extended a hand.

"Do you live nearby? I mean, I keep running into you," she asked, forcing an innocent tone.

If she weren't trying so hard to act natural, she probably would've rolled her eyes at herself.

She still couldn't believe how serious Claire had been about helping her get close to Ram. In fact, Claire was the one who tracked him down, even sending Lexie a text that Ram might be at this restaurant. She had rushed over right after leaving university, and Claire had been right.

"Yeah, I live near that university," Ram said casually, pointing to the campus gates.

"Come, sit down. Have you ordered yet?"

"Oh no, I just got here," Lexie replied sweetly, sitting without hesitation as Ram pulled out a chair for her.

She quickly ordered a simple sandwich and a banana milkshake when the waiter approached.

"So, are you free tonight?" she asked directly.

Ram frowned slightly. "I think so. Why?"

"Exams are over, so I thought I'd have some fun. Want to come?"

"Exams?"

"Oh, right. I didn't mention—I'm a medical student at that university," she said, smiling as she pointed at the school.

"So, you're a kid. A college student?"

"Not a kid. I'm 24. Legal," she insisted.

"You're still a fetus," he smirked.

"I don't hang out with kids, Lexie," he added.

"I am not a kid! Can we just grab some drinks tonight?"

"You're asking me out? Like… a date?"

"If you want to call it that," she said with a shrug.

Ram sighed, sipping his coffee before shaking his head.

"I prefer my women sober. A drunk date isn't my thing. Besides… kids aren't my type."

Lexie clenched her jaw. "Sober, huh? Fine. And FYI, I am not a kid. I'm 24! What are you, 50?"

Ram chuckled. "Exactly. You're 24, which makes you a kid. And no, I'm not 50—but if I were, I'd be the best-looking one."

She couldn't even argue with that. He really did look like a Greek god.

"So, how old are you then?"

"I'm 36," he said.

"Twelve years," she mumbled.

"What?"

"You're only twelve years older than me," she explained.

Ram smirked. "Yes, which means I was already with women while you were still on binkies."

Lexie rolled her eyes.

"If you won't go on a date with me, then just sleep with me," she blurted out.

Ram nearly choked on his coffee.

Lexie only handed him a tissue and glared at him.

"I can't even go out on a date with you, how much more f#ck you??'"