Jesse's POV: Waiting outside Tamara's apartment, I felt an unsettling mix of anxiety and desperation. The stakes were higher than ever, and my father’s expectations were like a noose tightening around my neck. I picked up my phone and called her. “Tamara, it’s Jesse. I’m outside your apartment. Can you please come out?” After she hung up, I waited anxiously in the car. The cold leather of the steering wheel grounded me as I wrestled with the enormity of what I was about to ask. When Tamara finally appeared, my heart pounded louder. This wasn’t how I envisioned my life, coercing a student into a charade for the sake of familial duty. She got into the car, her eyes wide with curiosity and trepidation. “Tamara, I’m sorry, but our deal has to continue,” I said, my voice tinged with urgency and guilt. “I promise I’ll pay you more this time.” Her disbelief was immediate and palpable. “What do you mean, continue? I thought it was a one-time thing.” “My dad wants me to go with yo

Tamara's POV: I would never have thought Kevon would ever feel that way towards me. I see Kevon as my friend and more like a brother. Why on earth would he feel that way towards me? As I tried to question if I had any feelings towards him, I really couldn’t find that spot that felt attracted to him in the way he had asked. What is happening to me? Last night it was Jesse, and today Kevon. What is wrong with you both? I screamed, feeling the frustration boiling over. My room is the only place I get to scream out my pains, so I just do it. The rest of the day passed with different thoughts of the whole incident crossing my mind. Should I just ignore him for some time? Maybe he could get me off his mind. His confession had thrown me off balance, and I needed to understand my own feelings before confronting his. I paced back and forth in my room, my mind a whirlwind of confusion. Why did Kevon have to complicate things? And why did Jesse’s kiss keep replaying in my mind? It was all

Jesse’s POV:I drove to her apartment. As she stepped out of the car, I noticed her suddenly collapse to the ground, my heart lurching in fear. "Damn it, she's too stubborn," I muttered under my breath, rushing to her side. She was unconscious and was really heating up, her body limp in my arms.I picked up my phone and called Trevor immediately. "Call the family doctor now. Tamara just blanked out. Let him meet me at the house," I ordered urgently, my voice betraying my anxiety.I don't like public hospitals because bloggers are everywhere looking for news. If anyone sees me, they might probably frame up fake news, so it's better to just receive the treatment at home.Swiftly, I placed her carefully in the car and sped off towards my house, my mind racing with worry. I couldn't bear the sight of her unconscious form beside me, her feverish state alarming.Upon arrival, I carried her swiftly into a room, the urgency palpable. "Get a cold water pad," I instructed one of the maids terse

Later that evening, I was feeling slightly better when Jesse entered the room with the prescribed drugs and food. For no reason, I was feeling really hungry. I devoured the food first, then glanced at the drug. "The doctor said you have a fever and need rest," he reminded me.I glanced at the pills with dread. I really hate drugs. "I hate drugs," I mumbled under my breath."But you have to take them. Or should I tell the doctor to come and give you an injection instead?" he teased, a playful glint in his eye."Nooo, that would be worse!" I exclaimed, my eyes widening in horror. "Please, can we just pretend I was never sick and forget the medicine? I'm fine now," I said, stretching my arms out in an exaggerated display of wellness."Really?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Then why don't you stand up and jump ten times instead?"I hesitated, my bravado faltering. "Hmmm," I stammered, searching for a way out."Okay, let's do it this way. What do you want me to get for you in exchange for