Fake dating my enemy, The playboy billionaire

YIREN

"Please don’t comment on my presentation. I know it’s straight out of kindergarten," I type, already bracing for Bruce’s response. He’s brutally honest, which is exactly why I trust him to look it over before I present it to Feng Enterprises on Friday.

I set my phone down and look at the mess on my dining table, aka my makeshift desk. Suyin’s architectural plans are scattered everywhere, alongside presentation notes, sketches, and four empty coffee mugs. Very professional, Yiren. But it’s not the presentation that’s twisting my stomach into knots. It’s the gaping hole in my business—a team.

No matter how good my pitch is, I know Feng Enterprises will zero in on the fact that I don’t have a team. I can’t handle Suyin’s massive project alone, and in this cutthroat industry, a lone wolf won’t survive.

Ping. Bruce’s message lights up my phone.

Bruce: I checked it. The layout can be fixed, but have you thought about recruiting some people? A lone wolf is always weak. Management will grill you on this.

I groan, dropping my head into my hands. Of course, he’s thinking the same thing I am. Great. Kill me now.

Me: Wanna join?

I’m shameless. Who cares at this point? I need help, and fast.

Bruce: Squinting emoji. And what would you do with me? Might as well recruit a doctor and a chef while you’re at it.

Me: Middle finger emoji. You’re SO not helping right now.

Bruce: Rude. Have you tried Architectum?

Architectum. Right. The digital hub where architects, designers, and engineers post job openings, share projects, and look for opportunities. Top talent, fierce competition.

Me: I did. Most people are locked into big firms, and the ones available charge more than my entire life savings.

I scroll through Architectum again as we chat, hoping something new catches my eye. But it’s the same old resumes, same expensive freelancers. I can’t afford them, but if I could just find the right people...

Then, something pops up: VR Design Showcase. My thumb hovers over the link. Interesting. I click through the event details—an immersive virtual reality showcase for designers to present their projects. This could be exactly what I need.

I send the link to Bruce.

Me: Thoughts?

Bruce: Interesting. But you’d need VR knowledge, and last I checked, you don’t have that.

I roll my eyes. Here we go.

Me: Excuse me, Mr. Know-It-All! I took a year-long VR course, thank you very much. Topped the class too.

Okay, fine. I took the course to beef up my resume, but Bruce doesn’t need to know that.

Bruce: Then why aren’t you using that skill?

Me: Because I didn’t think anyone would care about VR?

Bruce: Care? You have cutting-edge tech under your belt and you’re not using it? Add a VR sample to your presentation. Or should I just call you Dumb? 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

I stare at my phone, biting my lip. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. A VR sample could make my pitch stand out, show them something they didn’t expect. It could blow them away.

Me: Fine. I’ll add it. But if this backfires, I’m blaming you.

Bruce: You’ll be thanking me with champagne. Mark my words.

I shake my head, a grin forming on my face. Cocky bastard.

Just then, another message from Bruce pops up: "And go attend that VR event. Show them the prototype of the project."

I pause, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. Through this event, I could meet potential collaborators—architects, engineers, designers. But that’s risky. I have one project and no team to back me up. Without more work or people on my side, who would trust me?

Me: What if I fail?

Bruce: Ah, so you’re a scaredy cat. Gotcha.

I grit my teeth. This guy!

Me: And you judge a lot from behind a screen.

Bruce: Isn’t that why you message me? To judge your work?

I groan dramatically. Why is he so brutal? But why do I love his honesty? He’s the kind of person I want on my team, even if it’s just as a part-time consultant... Wait. That’s it!

An idea hits me. Why didn’t I think of this before? I can’t recruit a full-time team, but... what if I don’t need to?

Me: I’M GOING!

I fire off the message, my heart racing, and immediately register for the VR event.

Bruce: That was fast. What kicked sense into that brain?

I grin at my phone.

Me: Instead of a full team, I’ll gather freelancers. I’ll use the event to crowdsource the talent I need. Architects, engineers, designers—all experts in their field but working project by project.

Bruce: Like creative collaborators for every project?

Me: OH YESSSSS!

It’s the perfect solution. No long-term commitments, no overhead costs. Just the best people for the job, paid by project, with the flexibility I need.

Bruce: Now that’s how a real businesswoman thinks. Out of the box!

I hold my breath. Did I just get a compliment from Bruce? My chest swells with pride.

Me: Careful. You’re going to regret not joining my team.

Bruce: We’ll see. Good luck.

I close the chat, smiling to myself. For the first time in weeks, I feel like I’ve got a plan. I’m going to crush this VR event, showcase my designs, and build my business with freelance talent.

Let’s do this.

I rush to my room, heart pounding, to grab my second-hand VR equipment, eating dust for almost a year. Thank goodness I’m a hoarder and never get rid of anything

On my way back, something makes me pause. The faint light coming from the study room catches my attention. I peek around the corner and see Jun, sitting at his desk, smiling at his phone. His laptop is open in front of him, but his attention is elsewhere, his face completely lit up.

What is he smiling at? He looks... lost in thought, happy even. My mind immediately jumps to conclusions. Is it a woman?

After the whole battery operated boyfriend incident, I haven’t been able to look him in the eye. And it’s the same for him. His face was still red when we sat down for dinner earlier, and neither of us spoke a word. The awkwardness was suffocating, making it the most boring dinner we’ve had.

What is it about him that always gets to me? Even now, my curiosity gnaws at me, making me wonder who or what has him smiling like that.

Shaking off the thoughts, I refocus. Right, VR. Focus, Yiren. I head back to the table, I have a showcase to crush, and that’s all that matters right now.

But still... I can’t help but wonder. Who’s making Jun smile like that?

Should I ask him?

No.

But I want to.

*****