Riches in Disguise

"Loser? Honey, who are you calling a loser?" Lina asked curiously, turning to look at Dorian.

Dorian raised a hand and pointed directly at me. "That's him! That's Crystal's new boyfriend a complete loser who's all talk and no substance!"

Her expression shifted dramatically. Her eyes widened as if she had seen a ghost, and her face turned an array of colors, showing just how rattled she was.

She was probably embarrassed that I recognized her so quickly. She might have also been worried I'd expose her past or simply angry that I was here in the first place.

I could see right through her thoughts.

As they continued mocking me, I stayed calm and unaffected. If I let their words get to me, all the self-control I had been building up would be wasted.

Instead of getting nervous, I crossed my legs and stared back at them. "So what if I'm a loser? I haven't eaten your food or driven your cars. I'm not even close to you. Why should you care about me?"

Oliver burst into laughter. "This kid just admitted he's a loser! Hahaha! Crystal, what were you thinking? How did you end up with someone like him?

"He's probably just given up on life or thinks he's untouchable because Crystal's backing him," someone said. "Crystal, get your eyes checked. This guy's got no looks, no muscles, no money and no guts. What do you even see in him?"

Crystal didn't respond. She simply walked over and sat down next to me. Then, she leaned in and kissed me on the cheek.

I froze, then turned to glare at her.

Crystal truly had no boundaries. She kissed and hugged me without my consent.

If I were a girl and a man I didn't like kept kissing me without permission, I would slap him and storm out.

Sighing, I nudged her away. "Can you back off a little?"

"Nope. You're my boyfriend, and I'm staying close," she said with a smirk.

"I'm not your boyfriend. I've already given you enough respect. Don't push your luck," I warned.

"I'm pushing," she replied defiantly and kissed me again.

"You!"

Frustrated, I stood up and moved away.

The others stared at us, dumbfounded. Crystal had always been proud and aloof around them, so her sudden clinginess toward me must've been hard for them to process.

"I'm going to the bathroom," Lina suddenly said, her face pale. She turned and hurried toward the restroom.

I blinked in confusion, trying to figure out what was going on with her.

As soon as Lina left, the others quickly surrounded Dorian again.

"Dorian, your girlfriend is stunning!" someone said with a grin. "How long are you planning to keep her around?"

"Cherry was gorgeous, and you ditched her after two weeks. What about this one?" another chimed in.

"I'd bet you won't get tired of her for at least two months," another added.

Dorian suddenly sneered. "Let me be honest with you. She's playing hard to get. She won't let me touch her yet. Once I get my hands on her, I'll make sure she can't walk for a week."

He paused and smirked. "How long I keep her depends on how long she can take it."

Oliver let out a wicked laugh. "Oh, she's got you hooked! I remember the last woman who played coy with you ended up in the hospital. She couldn't have kids after that, right?"noveldrama