The Temporary Boyfriend

Chapter 53: ​A Sweetpea and a Snake

Lyvana sighed as she stepped into her apartment and quietly shut the door behind her.

It had been a long day — hours at the office, followed by the visit to the doctor. Thankfully, Dr. Aris had cleared her medically. The knot of worry that had sat in her chest all afternoon had finally loosened.

She slipped off her slippers and walked into the bathroom. The cool tiles felt soothing beneath her feet.

Leaning over the sink, she studied her reflection. The tired lines around her eyes were impossible to miss. With a quiet exhale, she turned on the faucet and splashed cold water across her face, hoping it might wash away some of the day’s tension.

For a moment she closed her eyes.

Maybe she could work from home tomorrow. There was nothing urgent waiting at the office, and she wasn’t meeting Celeste Armand until next week to finalize the payments.

Lyvana glanced at the clock and her stomach tightened slightly. Mark would be here in two hours. fгeewebnovёl.com

She straightened slowly, her reflection staring back at her with the same calm mask she had learned to wear so well.

Everything needed to be ready.

Everything needed to be perfect.

​A minute later, Emily leaned against the bathroom doorframe, watching Lyvana dry her face. "You’re finally home," Emily noted. "You look like you’ve been hit by a truck, Lyvana. Or maybe two."

Lyvana didn’t argue. She just balled up her damp towel and tossed it at Emily’s head. Emily caught it with a practiced laugh.

"Get ready, Emy," Lyvana said, walking past her into the bedroom. "Mark is coming over soon. Apparently, we’re having a ’romantic’ night."

Emily froze in her tracks, following her. "Wait, what? Since when do you want anything to do with him like that? I thought you couldn’t stand the sight of him."

Lyvana stopped at her wardrobe and pulled out a silk nightgown, her back to her friend. She laughed softly, a sound that lacked any real warmth. "I don’t. That’s why I have a plan."

Before Emily could press for details, a sharp knock echoed through the apartment.

Emily opened the door and saw a beautiful woman standing there. The stranger had long, dark hair that looked exactly like Lyvana’s.

​"Welcome," Lyvana called out, stepping into the hall. Her voice was professional, almost like she was greeting a new intern. "You must be Sweetpea. Go ahead and make yourself comfortable on the couch."

​The woman gave a short nod and walked past a stunned Emily without saying a word.

​The second the stranger sat down, Emily grabbed Lyvana by the arm and hauled her into the kitchen. "Okay, what the hell is going on, Lyvana? Why is your twin sitting in our living room?"

​"I’m giving Mark exactly what he wants tonight," Lyvana said. She began to calmly pour a glass of dark liquor. "He wants me. So he’s going to think he’s having me. But it will actually be her."

​Emily’s jaw dropped. "That is... completely messed up." She paused, her eyes flickering toward the living room. "But also, kind of brilliant. Who is she? An actress?"

​"A professional," Lyvana replied simply. "A night worker."

​"You mean a prostitute?" Emily whispered, her eyes going wide.

Lyvana just gave a slow, cold nod. freёwebnovel.com

​"Lyvana, listen," Emily said, her voice dropping lower. "I know Mark is an idiot, but he isn’t blind.

The second he sees her, he’s going to know it’s not you. She doesn’t look like you except the hairstyle."

​A small, smile touched Lyvana’s lips. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a tiny white pill, holding it up between her thumb and forefinger.

​"That’s where this comes in," Lyvana whispered. I’m going to slip him this. It will make him sleepy and confused. By the time he gets into bed, he won’t know who is who."

Mark arrived exactly an hour later. He was already smiling, looking like he expected a very good night.

​"Hey, baby," he said as he walked in. He reached out and kissed Lyvana who was wearing a nice silk nightgown.

He lifted his hand cupping her breasts.

​"Slow down," Lyvana said with a smile. "I made you a drink first. You look like you need to relax."

​She handed him a glass of dark liquor. The tiny pill was already dissolved inside.

Mark, who didn’t suspect a thing took a large gulp, leaning back against the kitchen counter.

​"You’re right," he muttered, his voice already sounding a bit heavy. "It’s been a hell of a day. But you... you look stunning, Lyvana."

His breath smelled like the drink Lyvana had given him. He leaned in and started to kiss her. Lyvana felt a wave of disgust. She wanted to spit in his face, but she stayed still. She needed him to be completely relaxed for the plan to work.

​He pressed his mouth against hers, over and over. He was clumsy. After a few seconds, Lyvana couldn’t take it anymore. She firmly shoved him off.

​"Why don’t you go lie down?" she whispered, trying to sound sweet. "I’ll be right there in a minute."

​Mark nodded slowly, his eyes half-closed. The pill was working. He stumbled toward the dark bedroom, tripping slightly on the carpet.

​As soon as the bedroom door stayed open, Sweetpea stepped out from Emily’s room. She was wearing only her panties.

In the dim light, her long hair and silhouette looked just like Lyvana’s.

Without a word, she slipped into the bedroom and joined Mark on the bed.

Inside the room, Mark laughed and pulled her close.

"You’re so hot tonight, Lyvana," he whispered. "I love this side of you."

He started to kiss her. He was so focused on his own pleasure that he didn’t notice it wasn’t Lyvana.

The pleasure Sweetpea gave him was out of this world. He was completely blown away. He had never felt anything like this before.

Every touch was perfect, and every movement was timed exactly right to keep him gasping for air. He was so overwhelmed by the physical sensations that his mind went totally blank.

​To Mark, this was the best he had ever felt in his entire life. He was so lost in the moment that the rest of the world simply disappeared.

Emily and Lyvana sat in the kitchen, listening to the sounds coming from the bedroom. The moans were loud and constant. Sweetpea was a professional; she worked with a wild energy that lasted for over an hour.

....

The sun was shining through the bedroom curtains when Lyvana walked in. She was dressed in her silk robe and looked perfectly calm. She held a steaming cup of coffee in her hand.

​"Good morning, sleepyhead," she said softly.

​Mark groaned and opened his eyes. His head felt heavy, and his body was completely exhausted, but he had a huge, stupid grin on his face.

He sat up slowly, feeling the ache in his muscles from the night before.

​"Wow," Mark whispered, taking the coffee from her. His voice was scratchy. "Lyvana... last night. I don’t even have words. You were... incredible. I’ve never seen that side of you before."

​Lyvana sat on the edge of the bed and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. She watched him drink the coffee.

​​"I’m glad you enjoyed yourself, Mark," Lyvana said simply.

​"Enjoyed myself? I feel like a new man," he laughed, leaning back against the pillows. "You were incredible. I didn’t know you had that in you. We definitely need to do that more often."

​Lyvana leaned in and gave him a light kiss on the cheek.

​"Definitely," she said with a wink. She watched him get dressed, her face hiding her true thoughts.

​Mark walked out of the apartment a few minutes later, still smiling to himself. He felt like he was on top of the world. But as he reached the hallway, his phone started to vibrate. It was a private number.

​"Yeah?" Mark answered, his voice still relaxed.

​"What the hell, man!" a voice shouted on the other end. It was Zhao, and he sounded terrified.

​"Zhao? What’s wrong?" Mark asked, his smile fading.

​"Everything is wrong! I think the whole security service is out to get me," Zhao hissed. "Someone is in my system. Who the hell is tracking Lyvana’s money? We’re in trouble, Mark. Big trouble."