As Mila entered the room, an uneasy sensation settled in her gut. Elliot’s smile seemed forceful, lacking the usual warmth that reached his eyes.

We can’t talk anymore, we just broke up.” Mila felt her body tense up, her jaw clenching with a mix of surprise and discomfort.

Elliot whispers, “Nobody knows we’ve broken up yet though.”

Stunned, Mila stammered, “What are you tr”

”If I pay you, will you pretend to be my friend, just this week?” Elliot’s voice faltered, his eyes avoiding hers, an unmistakable desperation underlining his words.

Elliot’s whispered revelation froze Mila mid-sentence, her mind struggling to process the words. Confusion mingled with the sting of their recent breakup, leaving her speechless. Why would he suggest such a thing?

Mila’s breath caught in her throat, the air thick with tension. A whirlwind of emotions churned within her- hurt, anger, and an odd sense of pity for Elliot’s vulnerability. She fought to compose herself, her body rigid as she wrestled with conflicting impulses to lash out.

The room, once vibrant with chatter and laughter, now echoed with the deafening silence of their unspoken turmoil. The weight of Elliot’s words hung heavy as if the walls were eavesdropping.