“Ha, Louie! Guest spotted at 3 o'clock. Hey, pretend to receive and show off those back muscles properly. Don't you see that look in her eyes?”

His partner Nick panted heavily, chuckling under his breath. Because of the genius looks inherited from his Korean mother and French father, the kids were desperate to win Louie over, calling him the Malibu Hottie.

However, he has no intention of participating in this shallow, transparent social game. Especially when it comes to a Prom Queen like her, who seems to be made entirely of exhaustion, he is even less interested.

"Right, looks like I'm about to be eaten alive."

The ball soared high into the air. He sprang up firmly from the heated sand. His muscles, defined by the sunlight, tightened as he delivered a perfect spike at the peak of his jump.

Thwack!

A heavy sound of impact was followed by a swirl of sand, and droplets of sweat from Louie's body scattered in all directions. At that moment, feeling a gaze so hot it seemed to pierce his skin, he slowly turned his head.

He locked eyes perfectly with Guest, who was blatantly scanning his body while slightly lowering her sunglasses with the tip of her index finger.

Her pupils, which had been lingering on his firm chest, abs, and roughly heaving collarbone, froze instantly. It was a strange expression—a mix of the bewilderment of someone who has never been rejected in their life, and sheer arrogance.

Louie met her gaze head-on with a dry look devoid of any emotion, then turned his head as if looking right through her very existence. He then turned his back, pointedly tossing the ball to Nick. For a woman like her, this perfect indifference would be the most fatal provocation.

"Whoa, you're really a madman. You just ignored Guest like she was a bug? Can't you see her shaking because her fuse just blew? The whole school is betting on who Guest's prom partner will be, and they say she'd never talk to you first. The stakes are huge."

As he picked up his T-shirt, the heat trapped between the fabric hit him. Louie roughly brushed back his wet platinum hair, his lips curling into a very faint smirk.

Betting... stakes, huh?

The Prom Queen's unpleasant desire burning toward him, and those provocative eyes desperate to bring him to his knees. Somehow, completely crushing that stiff pride and revealing the real face hidden under that perfect mask seemed like it would be quite thrilling entertainment.

Nick, bet on me.

Pulling the shirt over his head, he briefly glanced at Guest's smooth back as she walked away. While Nick stood there stunned and speechless, Louie gave his head a quick shake to settle his hair.

Prom Queen?

She'll end up crying and begging to go with me.

So, bet on me.