Money Dating

Chapter 1 – This is how I live

Cerice’s POV

Staring straight at the boring movie that is being shown at the big movie screen, I felt a hard squeeze on
my hand. I turned to look at the guy beside me. He is looking at me with lust as he started leaning
forward. I started leaning forward as well, knowing exactly what he wants. Just a few centimeters more
till our lips meet, a rather loud sound interrupted us.

BEEEEEEEPPPPPPP!

I quickly leaned away, and fished the timer resting at the top of my hand bag. I turned it off and looked
up happily at the disappointed guy.

“Sorry time’s up, Jae.” I revealed my right hand, waiting for the finale before I leave. He grumbled
something to himself before unwillingly pulling something from his pocket.

“Here.” He put the cash in my awaiting hands. I immediately retrieved my hand and in one smooth
move, I stashed the money in my bag. Standing up and ready to leave, a hand pulled me back.

“Wait! Could… could we uhm… have another… date?” He stuttered quietly. I shook my head.

“Sorry, my schedule is full for the week. Maybe some other time. Bye.” I hastily exited the cinema and
headed towards my next appointment. I searched for my binder and pulled it out from my bag. Scanning
today’s date, I spotted my next ‘date’.

3 hours to stay and cheer at the football field.

I looked down at what I’m wearing and considered it okay so I headed out to our school’s football field.
The game isn’t starting yet when I arrived so I actually found myself thinking about my previous ‘date’.

My God, I am so close on running away from that guy when we met this morning at the mall! He has a
great character and a gentleman but his face… don’t even get me started there. He is stick thin, his
bones almost visible on his pale skin, his messy brown hair arranged in a nerdy ugly way, his face is full
of pimples and freckles are spread all over it. I didn’t know him, his friend arranged for a date with him,
maybe out of pity, and I simply can’t refuse the request. After all, money is money.

Suddenly, the face of Jae, my previous date, unwillingly popped out in my mind. I remember his face
when we were about to kiss. Try picturing out that you are about to kiss a janitor fish. His lips were
pushed out fully, giving it a very very gross appearance, and it’s his cheeks were even sucked in! He
really looked like a fish!(maybe he’s one?! *shudder*) And if I didn’t close my eyes before leaning
forward, I would have probably seen a frog instead of his face! Seriously gross! Thank god that the timer
saved me. Saved by the bell!

It was freaking hilarious so a laugh accidentally escaped my mouth. Soon I was clutching my stomach as
continuous laughter erupted from me that even tears are spilling out from the corners of my eyes.
People were giving me weird stares so I immediately straightened up while trying to sober up. I heard
the whistle blown so I went into business mode and started being the girlfriend material by cheering on
my ‘boyfriend’.

“GO TRISTAN! GO GO GO! DO YOUR BEST!” My lines were rehearsed if you were wondering. Actually,
my dialogues are written on a piece of paper courtesy of yours truly. He must have heard my very loud
cheer because he looked up and met my eyes and grinned from ear to ear. He mouthed ‘I love you’
before focusing back on the game.

Outside, I was still smiling but inside I was scowling and rolling my eyes. What a cocky jerk. I admit, he
looked Hot, but being an arrogant prick is a big no-no for me. If only he didn’t pays very well, I wouldn’t
be here, stuck with all these cheer-sluts around me who’s breasts are almost dangling out of their tight
and small cheering outfits. Throwing a disgusted look at them, I looked up at the sky. God! Can’t you
make time move faster? Please?! ‘Course he didn’t listen to my pleas.

After 3 long torturous hours, and my throat hurting badly, the game was finally over. Our school won.
Yeah you heard it right, OUR school. I go to this school as well. As a matter of fact, I am a senior starting
tomorrow. Yay! More students = more money. I grinned like an idiot as I walked towards the boys’
locker room.

I waited patiently for Tristan to come out of the room. Very patiently in fact, to the point that I was so
close on barging inside, demanding for my money, and finally going back home. I glanced on my wrist
watch, only to see that it is already 5:30 in the afternoon. Shoot! They must have been waiting already!

Knocking politely at the door, a junior guy with a shaggy light blonde hair opened it. I smiled my flirty
smile at him as I tried to remember his name. Hmmm it starts with S I think. Sane? Slade? Sage? Ah
right! Nate!

“Hey Nate. Could you please tell Tristan to get his ass out here? Tell him I’m waiting.” I flashed my bright
smile and I noticed color rise up to his cheeks before he nodded and closed the door quietly. A minute
after, he came back looking embarrassed. I raised my eyebrow, but didn’t bother to ask.

“Uhm Tristan said he’d be out in a moment.” He seems nervous to speak to me because he quickly shut
the door on my face before I could reply. Now that is plainly rude of him. I scowled and leaned back at
the wall beside the door as I tapped my foot impatiently. If he doesn’t come out within 200 taps, I am
barging in that room.

“198…199…200” 200 is up so I knocked on the door again. Another guy with a cropped brown hair
opened it this time. He’s cute, but at the moment, I simply don’t care.
With a quick flash of my best smile which is sure to cause guys to swoon at me, the guy looked flustered
so I used that moment to push him away from the door. I walked inside, only to find the bastard, Tristan,
chatting happily with his best-friend, James. I ignored all the lustful and confused looks of the guys and
even from Coach Ray, as I walked towards my ‘boyfriend’. Outside, I was smiling cheerfully, but inside, I
feel murderous. How dare he chat all the time here while I’m waiting for him outside?!

I finally reached him and when he looked up and saw me, he wore his cocky smirk. My fingers twitched,
wanting to punch his face to wipe that smirk off. I soundlessly stretched my hand in a knowing way, and
he placed the money immediately. This time, I was the one to smirk as I dropped my cheerful smile.

I faked leaning forward, as if to kiss him, but in truth I was preparing my punch. Releasing my punch, it
directly hit him in the jaw causing him to stumble backwards in his seat. I straightened up and walked
towards the wide open door. Stopping a little at the doorway, I smiled innocently at Tristan who was
glaring at me.

“You’ll never get an appointment from me ever again Tristan. Go cry to mommy on how you can’t get a
steady girlfriend because you are a big jerk. Hope I never see you again!” I hopped out of the door only
to remember I forgot to do something.

“Thank you for the large cash Tristan! I hate you!” I sprinted towards my car because I know that the
others would kill me for being late. And I haven’t bought dinner yet. Stopping by a drive-thru, I bought
dinner for them and myself. As soon as I pulled over on our parking lot, I rushed towards the house only
to be greeted by 3 angry little kids with their arms crossed over their chests as soon as I opened the
door. Uh-oh. I’m in trouble. I smiled innocently.

“Hey sweeties. What are you doing here?” They answered all at the same time.

“We’re waiting for you. Don’t you know that you are 10 minutes late?” I felt like our roles are reversed.
They’re the adult and I’m the kid. If only they weren’t angry, I would have been rolling with laughter on
the floor already.

“Now now is that the way to talk to your big sister? Don’t you want your dinner?” I teased as I waved
the brown bag of food in their faces. They looked at it hungrily.

“I know you guys want it so please forgive sissy?” They huffed together but nodded at the same time. I
chuckled and walked to the kitchen.

Setting three plates, spoon, forks and glass on the table, I evenly distributed their dinner. Evenly because
if one actually gets a little more than the others, it would surely turn into the fight of the century. No
kidding.

As I watched my siblings eat, I can’t help but remember our parents. Our deceased parents. If only they
didn’t die 4 years ago, then we would have been a big happy family. Instead, here I am, acting as the
parents of these little kids while studying and working just to be able to provide our daily needs. It’s
hard, I admit at least that. Working at the age of 17 isn’t easy because not many wants to hire someone
as young and inexperienced as I am. So I entered this business. I created my own job. Something that
could earn big enough to support us.

The kids finished eating and so I instructed them to brush their teeth and go to sleep. After tucking them
in their beds, I cleaned myself up before heading to my own bed. Finally, I’m getting my sleep. Because
tomorrow, it’s another day of working for me.

Another day of ‘Money Dating’.