Lina leaned against the backseat, staring out of the cab window as the city lights blurred past. She was exhausted, and her brain was still trying to process the shitshow of a conversation she'd just had with her parents. Her mum thought she was fucking rich, her dad was probably questioning all his life decisions, and somehow, she had just lied her way into owning a Tesla.
"Fucking hell…" she muttered under her breath, rubbing her temple.
The ride was mostly silent, the occasional sound of the driver clearing his throat or adjusting the radio filling the space. The cab smelled faintly of air freshener—some cheap vanilla scent mixed with the lingering scent of fast food. Lina wasn't even sure what was more overpowering.
She glanced at the time on her phone. It was getting late.
As they approached her neighborhood, she suddenly remembered something.
"Can you stop in front of that convenience store?" she asked the driver.
He grunted, barely acknowledging her as he pulled over.
Lina stepped out and made her way inside, the fluorescent lights overhead making her blink rapidly as her eyes adjusted. The small store had a few customers browsing, and the cashier—a bored-looking teenager with headphones in one ear—barely glanced at her.
Lina moved quickly, heading straight to the aisle she needed. She grabbed a pack of pads and then paused, debating whether to pick up anything else. A few snacks, maybe? Some instant noodles? But then she remembered she was already carrying a shitload of food from her mum.
With a sigh, she walked over to the counter, placed the pack down, and pulled out her wallet.
The cashier scanned it lazily and mumbled the total.
Lina handed him the money, took her change, and grabbed the small bag. "Thanks," she muttered, stuffing the receipt into her pocket.
As she stepped outside, she was already reaching for the cab door when a loud honk from behind made her freeze.
She turned around, confused.
The car at the back wasn't just honking to pass—it was honking at her.
Lina frowned, squinting through the front windshield. It was a sleek, expensive car—the kind that definitely didn't belong in her neighborhood. And then, through the glass, she saw who was inside.
Her stomach dropped.
Fuck.
It was him.
Carter.
Her fucking boss.
Before she could even process what the hell was happening, the door opened, and Carter stepped out.
He was dressed sharp as always—dark slacks, a white button-down with the sleeves rolled up just enough to show his expensive-ass watch. His hair was slightly messy, but in a way that looked intentional.
"Lina," he greeted, his voice smooth as ever.
Lina forced a tight smile. "Mr. Carter."
"I saw u from afar, just wanted to confirm." he said, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"Yeah, it's me," she admitted.
Before he could say anything else, an irritated honk blared from behind her.
She turned to see the cab driver leaning out of his window, scowling.
"Hey, I'm not sleeping here," he snapped. "I have other passengers to pick up."
Lina sighed. "I was just about to get in—"
"Well, you're wasting my time."
She frowned. "You're acting like I've been gone for an hour. I was inside for two minutes."
"Doesn't matter. You want me to wait? Pay extra."
Lina blinked. "What?"
"You heard me," he said, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel. "Double the fare, or I'm leaving your ass here."
Lina let out a humorless laugh. "You can't be serious."
The driver shrugged. "Your choice."
She was about to argue when Carter suddenly moved past her, walking straight to the cab.
"How much is it?" he asked, pulling out his wallet.
The driver paused, eyeing him up and down. Lina knew that look.
The motherfucker had just realized Carter was rich.
And now he was going to lie.
The driver straightened up. "It's 8,000," he said smoothly.
Lina's jaw dropped. "Are you fucking kidding me? It was 4,000 when I got in!"
The driver shrugged again, shameless as ever. "Waiting time costs extra."
Lina felt her blood pressure rise. "You piece of—"
But before she could finish, Carter pulled out a crisp 10,000 bill and handed it over.
"Keep the change," he said.
The driver's face lit up instantly. "Thank you, boss!"
Lina almost lost it.
"What the fuck—why are you rewarding his bullshit?!"
The driver grinned, clearly not giving a shit. He hopped out, walked to the trunk, and dumped Lina's stuff on the sidewalk. Then, before she could yell at him again, he got back in and drove off, rolling down the window just enough to call out—
"Stingy ass!"
Lina saw red.
"WHY WON'T I BE STINGY? YOU'RE A FUCKING SCAMMER!" she shouted, her voice echoing down the street.
Carter just stood there, watching with a faintly amused smile.
Lina exhaled sharply, turning to him. "Why did you pay for that?"
Carter shrugged, slipping his wallet back into his pocket. "Seemed like you needed the help."
"I didn't."
He smirked. "You were about to go to war with him over 4,000."
"Because he was looting me!" Lina snapped.
Carter chuckled. "Consider it a reward."
Lina frowned. "For what?"
"The deal," he said simply. "You helped close it. I planned on rewarding you anyway."
Lina blinked. "That was three days ago."
"I got busy."
Lina crossed her arms. "I don't need a reward."
Carter tilted his head. "You sure?"
"Yes."
He smirked. "Dinner, then."
Lina scoffed. "No."
"A coffee?"
"No."
"A bottle of wine?"
"No."
Carter raised an eyebrow. "A bonus?"
Lina narrowed her eyes. "Are you bribing me?"
He grinned. "Would it work?"
Lina groaned. He was impossible.
She glanced around, her gaze landing on the convenience store. Then, an idea hit her.
"Fine," she said. "You want to reward me? Pay for whatever I pick in there."
Carter didn't even hesitate. "Done."
Lina blinked.
She hadn't expected him to agree so fast.
Carter gestured toward the store. "After you."
Lina shook her head, sighing as she turned around and walked inside.
If he wanted to spend money, then fine.