Rebirth: Love me Again - Chapter 238

Chapter 238: Sweet Revenge Served Cold

[LINA]

I didn’t let the awkward silence last too long before I continued.

“Let me explain,” I said, handing him a napkin to wipe the spill from his shirt. “I’m looking for a boyfriend—not because I’m desperately searching for love, but because it would make my life easier. Suitors keep pestering me, and honestly, I just want them to stop. And you . . .”

I paused, letting my gaze meet his for a brief moment before continuing, “You wanted to clear your name, right? With me around, there’s no way that other people would think of you as just the mistress son. I think we could solve each other’s problems here.”

He frowned, clearly skeptical. “So, you want us to . . . fake it? Pretend?” he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

I gave a small nod, meeting his gaze seriously. “Exactly. A temporary thing. Just two people playing a part. No strings attached.” I leaned back in my chair slightly, watching him carefully. “It’s simple, really. We both get what we need, and no one else has to know what’s going on behind the scenes.”

I had always been a good liar, apparently. Daniel seemed to be seriously considering my words, his brow furrowed as he mulled them over. Or maybe he was just a decent guy who took things seriously, even the absurd suggestion I had made.

Of course, my real goal wasn’t as selfless as it seemed. I wanted him and me to use each other to move on. He needed to let go of Eve, and I desperately needed to forget about Dylan. This arrangement was going to be my way of staking everything on a relationship meant to erase the past.

And Daniel was a genuinely nice guy—a rare catch. If I was going to end up with someone, even temporarily, I wanted it to be someone like him.

“No offense or anything, but . . . you’re not really my type,” he said hesitantly, his tone soft but direct.

I chuckled lightly, brushing it off. “I know. And don’t worry, we don’t have to be each other’s types to get along as friends, right? What do you say?”

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t know . . . Pretending to date someone you don’t actually like—it feels . . . weird.”

“I get that,” I admitted. “But like I said, we don’t need to have a romantic relationship. Just friends. Friends who happen to spend time together. Think of it as a step forward, Daniel.”

He looked unconvinced, the hesitation clear on his face. Sensing that I was losing him, I cleared my throat and decided to play my final card. “And besides, if you want to move on from someone, dating—even if it’s just pretend—can really help.”

At least that’s what I had read in most novels and webtoons.

His brows furrowed slightly as he considered my words, but before he could reply, a familiar and irritating voice interrupted from the side.

“Lina?”

I turned to see Fernand, one of our company’s business partners—and one of my least favorite people. He approached with his trademark arrogance, completely ignoring Daniel as he slid into the seat next to me.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, his tone casual but laced with smugness.

“I’m on a date, Fernand. In case you didn’t notice,” I replied sweetly, though my sarcasm was impossible to miss.

Fernand leaned back, a self-satisfied grin spreading across his face. He clearly had no intention of leaving. “A date? Really?” His eyes flicked to Daniel, and a mocking laugh escaped him. “Oh, I see. Another one of your blind dates set up by your parent I assume?”

He made a show of adjusting his cuffs, his diamond-encrusted watch glinting obnoxiously in the light.

“I don’t think we’ve met,” Fernand said smoothly, extending a hand to Daniel. “Fernand Santiago. And you are?”

“Daniel Foster,” Daniel replied evenly, shaking his hand.

“Well, Daniel, why don’t you grab us some Ice coffees? My treat.” Fernand shoved a wad of bills into Daniel’s hand with an air of condescension.

Before I could intervene, Fernand turned back to me, leaning closer than I was comfortable with. “Lina, if you had just accepted my proposal, you wouldn’t have to endure this endless parade of blind dates. Let’s be honest—none of these guys measure up to me. I’m the richest, the handsomest, and the best match for you.”

I forced a smile, suppressing the urge to roll my eyes. This was exactly why I needed a pretend boyfriend—to fend off men like him.

“Is that so?” I replied, my voice syrupy sweet, though my irritation simmered beneath the surface.

Fernand continued to talk about how awesome he was on and on and continued leaning towards me like he didn’t know what personal space was.

Daniel returned then, placing an iced coffee and milk tea on the table, prompting Fernand to pull back. “Here you go. And here’s your change,” he said, his tone polite but distant as he set the money down.

Fernand’s grin faltered slightly as he glanced at the drinks. “Put milk in it, Daniel,” he ordered casually, as if Daniel were a waiter.

“Fernand,” I warned, my patience thinning.

“Let’s be real here, Lina,” Fernand said, his grin returning. “He looks like your servant. So, he should act like one.”

I opened my mouth to retort, but Daniel beat me to it.

“Sure,” he said calmly, pouring milk into Fernand’s coffee without a hint of emotion. “There’s no need to fight over something so trivial.”

I couldn’t help but smile at his remark which he made Fernand appeared like a spoiled child.

Fernand’s expression darkened, his ego clearly bruised. Before I could stop him, he grabbed the iced coffee and dumped it over Daniel’s shirt.

I gasped, my anger boiling over. Without thinking, I grabbed my milk tea and threw it straight at Fernand’s smug face.

“What the hell, Lina?!” Fernand shouted, stunned as the sticky liquid dripped from his hair and clothes.

“It’s your fault for being a jerk, Fernand,” I snapped, grabbing Daniel’s arm and pulling him to his feet. “Let’s go.”