The Durian Deal

I accidentally became a viral sensation at the local farmer’s market after I casually split a durian with my bare hands. That’s when a rich lady, Mrs. Thompson, saw me.

She offered me half a million to be her son's girlfriend, specifically to reign in her rebellious, lovesick son.

As a stunt double, money isn’t my motivation; it's all about the challenge, baby!

That same night, I moved into her son’s mansion.

But what she didn't tell me? Her son was none other than the mega-famous, notoriously difficult pop star, Chase Sterling!

At first, Chase treated me like dirt. “I don’t know what kind of scam you and my mom cooked up, but just get out of my face.”

Later, I was on set with him as his “assistant” for some lame TV show, but he gave me the cold shoulder the whole time.

I’d had enough! I yelled, “Get your head out of your ass, dude!”

Chase suddenly dropped to his knees, in front of the whole damn internet, grabbed his ears and yelled, “Okay, okay, babe, I messed up!”

The whole internet was like, “Whoa, what the heck just happened?”

1

I hauled my suitcase up the stairs, when a half-naked dude with messy hair and a seriously cranky face wandered out of the bedroom.

He squinted at me.

My heart did a little flip.

Mrs. Thompson hadn’t mentioned her son was that difficult-to-deal-with pop idol Chase Sterling!

“Who are you?” Chase asked, eyeing me suspiciously.

I was scared he'd call the cops on me for trespassing, so I rushed to explain. "Hey, I’m, uh, your mom's choice for your new girlfriend. Name's Alex, and I’m here to help you get your life together. Nice to meet ya.”

Chase stopped scratching his belly, his eyes all glazed over with confusion, “You’re kidding me, right?”

I repeated myself, "No joke. I’m your girlfriend, starting now.”

“Are you for real?” Chase’s eyes bugged out, pure disbelief written all over his face.

"Totally for real. Your mom gave me the house code."

Hearing I was a ‘plant’ from his mom, his expression turned ice cold. “Whatever game you and my mom are playing, just get the hell out of here.”

Well, I knew this whole thing was a little out there, especially dealing with someone like Chase.

I did a quick turnaround, grabbed my phone and texted Mrs. Thompson: “Ma’am, I’m gonna have to return the 500k. Maybe find someone else for the job?”

The 500k was a fortune, more than I’d make in a lifetime, but I also wanted to live to see tomorrow.

Chase Sterling's temper wasn’t for the faint of heart.

I finally understood why she was willing to spend half a million just to get someone to control him.

After all, if she tried to do it herself, he’d probably spend the inheritance early.

Mrs. Thompson texted back quickly: “You met my son?”

“Yeah…”

“Okay, how about this: I'll give you another half-million if you last three months. Just stick with him, get him away from Tiffany, do whatever it takes— you can ground him, slap him, I don’t care.”

Was this woman even his mom?

I clenched my fist.

You don’t turn down...