Chapter 4

The stink of his breath made my stomach heave, but I put a delighted look on my face.

"Really? Is my dream finally coming true?"

Ferdinand whispered in my ear, "That order's already given. Tomorrow, even if you switch off your phone, even if you don't listen to a word I say, you'll come running to the Bayview on your own. You can't get away."

"A woman shouldn't be so picky. Looks and all that, close your eyes and it's all the same. But skill, now that's not something everybody's got. I've learned plenty of tricks off videos. I promise you'll be satisfied."

"Don't worry. If I get you knocked up, big bro here will take responsibility."

Ferdinand patted my shoulder and swaggered off.

I couldn't hold back what was rising in my stomach any longer, and threw up over and over beside the water fountain.

Students walking past turned to stare.

"Is Crystal sick or something?"

"Sick, please. I say she's knocked up. She won't even turn down Ferdinand, no telling how many guys she's slept with on the side."

I wiped the corner of my mouth and left under everyone's disgusted eyes.

I glanced at the watch on my wrist.

Twenty-four hours.

Just twenty-four hours, and Ferdinand's control over me would break.

And I'd prepared a special "gift," down to the last detail.

Ferdinand, tomorrow's your birthday. I'll make it one you'll never forget.

The next day, I walked into the private room at the Bayview along with my classmates.

Ferdinand had already set up his phone.

The moment we walked in, he spoke to the camera. "Like your boy promised, a birthday livestream. First I'll show you the 'appetizer,' and later we'll get a room upstairs so you can catch the main event!"

Then he waved me over.

"Crystal, you don't deserve me, but it's my birthday today, so I'm feeling generous."

"As long as you behave, I might just let you be my girlfriend. How about that?"

I asked, "So how do I behave?"

Ferdinand directed the others to their seats, then walked up to me, all five foot two of him tilting his head back to look up at my five foot eight.

"I've wanted a dog since I was a kid. My mom never let me."

"First task: get down on all fours and bark. Let me see what it's like to own a dog."

By now the class had gone from baffled to simply respecting other people's fates.

Nobody stepped in to stop me anymore. Instead, every eye was fixed on me, waiting to see how I'd fawn over Ferdinand.

The livestream comments were louder still.

【Who all chased Crystal before? Come embarrass yourselves!】

【Dying, lol. The goddess you losers couldn't get is playing dog for a short fat troll. How's that feel?】

【Stop it, I'm gonna hurl. Chasing her is my darkest history.】

Under everyone's expectant eyes, I looked down at Ferdinand and didn't move.

Ferdinand frowned.

"Not obeying? You want me to sleep with you tonight or not? Behave, now!"

Watching how smug he looked, the corners of my mouth slowly curled up.

"Ferdinand, get down on the floor right now and bark three times."