Chapter 4: Operation Pretend Date

Bora's phone buzzed on her desk, and she groaned when she saw the message.Mom:You're not going out today again?Should I send your boyfriend some snacks?Dad:When's Noah coming over again? I still want to ask him how he keeps his hair like that.Mom (again):Bora, relationships need quality time. Just saying.She stared at the screen, horrified. It had only been five days since the "boyfriend announcement," and already her parents were tracking her like hawks. They probably had a shared calendar marked with fake anniversaries and date-night reminders.And worse, they were suspicious.She dropped her head onto her desk. "This is getting out of hand..."With a sigh, she opened a new message.Bora:We need to go on a date.ASAP.Fake, obviously.My family is watching me like I'm under surveillance.The reply came almost instantly.Noah:You miss me already?She rolled her eyes.Bora:Not even a little.This is for survival.Can you act normal for one day?Noah:No promises. Pick you up at 2.

Later That Day"Remind me why I agreed to this again?" Noah asked as he pulled up to her building, wearing a simple white shirt tucked into light jeans, sleeves rolled just enough to look both casual and annoyingly attractive."Because you're the reason I'm in this mess," Bora said, slipping into the passenger seat, trying very hard not to notice how good he smelled. "And because my mom probably peeked through the window to make sure I wasn't leaving alone.""Hi to you too, baby sprout," he grinned."Don't call me that.""Too late. It's canon."She glared at him. "Let's just get this over with."

Their "date" started at a trendy little café tucked into a side street downtown — far enough to avoid nosy neighbors, close enough for a believable story. Bora made sure to take photos of the latte art, the dessert, and — after much groaning — them together.Noah leaned in during the selfie, his cheek brushing hers just slightly. "Smile like you like me," he whispered."I'm smiling like I tolerate you," she muttered, but the photo came out cute anyway.As they sipped their drinks, Noah glanced at her over his cup. "You know, you're not bad at this fake dating thing. Almost convincing.""I'd be more convincing if my fake boyfriend weren't a flirt with no off switch.""You wound me again."Bora leaned back, eyeing him. "Why are you even doing this? Really. What's in it for you?"He looked at her for a moment, serious for once. "I like keeping you on your toes."She raised an eyebrow. "That's it?""And maybe..." He leaned a little closer, voice dropping just enough to make her heart skip. "I think it's fun watching you pretend you don't enjoy this."Her cheeks burned."I don't," she lied."Sure you don't."

After the café, they strolled through a nearby bookstore — the type with shelves that creaked and corners that smelled like old paper and magic. Bora pretended not to notice the way Noah kept choosing books with ridiculous romantic titles and reading the blurbs in exaggerated voices.She tried not to laugh.She failed.By the time they left, she had three photos of him holding a sparkly pink romance novel and two texts from her mom.Mom:You two look lovely together.Glad you're going out more.Don't forget to bring him over next week!

As Noah pulled up in front of her building again, Bora unbuckled her seatbelt and glanced at him."Thanks. For today."He smiled, softer this time. "Anytime, girlfriend."She stared."Fake girlfriend," he corrected, teasing.She rolled her eyes and reached for the door. "Don't forget our 'breakup' plan."He leaned on the steering wheel, grinning. "I don't know, Bora. Feels like we're just getting started."Bora shut the door before he could see her blush.And for the first time, she wondered...Was he still pretending?Because she wasn't so sure anymore.