The boys and girls in the ss had split into two rival groups, hurling sharp words and heated arguments at each other. It was in this tense atmosphere that Nathalie found her seat.


    Meanwhile, the girl who hade with her started whispering with the others, asionally throwing disdainful looks Nathalie''s way. Nathalie rubbed her temples, feeling a headache creeping in. In a low voice, she confided to Diego, sitting beside her, "Being your girlfriend is no walk in the park."


    Diego was taken aback, especially since Nathalie''s tone was dripping with frustration. This was a blow to his ego, as he fancied himself quite the golden boy.


    "Someone as outstanding as me is bound to have lots of rivals vying for my girlfriend''s attention."


    Nathalie was floored. Her boyfriend Nathan, with his striking looks and


    exceptional talent, always carried himself with dignity and never dragged her into unnecessary drama with other women. Compared to Nathan, Diego seemed like the king of bad boys.


    "Not worth it," she muttered. "The best kind of love is where both people can befortable, not where one is tossed into a sea full of rivals."


    Diego was momentarily stunned. Nathalie''s logic made him see her in a whole new light.


    "How about a game of Truth or Dare?" one girl suggested, her eyes fixed maliciously on Nathalie.


    "Sure," Nathalie replied, thinking it was the most tedious idea ever.


    When the bottle pointed at Nathalie, she reluctantly chose truth.


    "Ashley, did you agree to be Diego''s girlfriend because of his money or the power he can bring you?"


    "You have to pick one."


    They were trying to paint her as a gold digger.


    "I like his money. At least if he has money, I don''t have to spend mine," Nathalie replied with confidence.


    The girls who aimed to corner Nathalie looked thoroughly displeased. Diego''s face darkened. "I don''t mooch off anyone."


    "Let''s keep going."


    "Let''s keep going."


    Once again, the bottle stopped in front of Nathalie. She suspected they were doing it on purpose. But she couldn''t prove it, so she chose truth again.


    "Ashley, if a guy was incredibly amazing but already had a girlfriend, and you


    really liked him, would you be the other woman?"


    Nathalie''s face turned stormy. This question was downright insulting.


    "I wouldn''t be the other woman," she said coolly.


    Next to her, Diego''s hand slipped, and his cup ttered onto the table. Nathalie was puzzled by his nerves and then a girl sprang up, ready to use "Ashley, your two-faced act is disgusting. You say you wouldn''t be the other woman, so why are you meddling between Diego and our ss president?"


    The tea Nathalie had just sipped sprayed out of her mouth. She red at Diego, waiting for an


    exnation. But Diego only avoided her gaze, too scared to meet her eyes.


    Coward.


    Nathalie chuckled softly. Interesting.


    She smiled and said, "I only mentioned the first part. I didn''t finish my sentence."


    "And what''s the second part?" the girl asked coldly.


    Nathalie replied, "Unless I''m the one being misled."


    "What do you mean?" The group of girls exchanged puzzled nces.


    Diego tugged at Nathalie''s hand. "Nathalie, it''s just a game. No need to take it seriously."


    Nathalie shook off his hand, picked up her tea cup, and poured it over Diego''s face. "It means I didn''t know this man had a girlfriend."