Billionaires Temptation

Deja's POV

The sun was hot as hell today, the kind that glued your shirt to your back and made the sidewalk feel like it could burn through your sneakers. But we were still outside - walking like we were auditioning for a music video.

Me, Tara, and Serena.

From a distance, we probably looked like a trio of trouble. We always did. But anyone paying close attention knew the difference.

Tara was the wild one - bold lipstick, bold mouth, loud energy. Serena? Calm like water. Quiet, always thinking too much. But me?

I was... everything in between.

The one people stared at.

The one who looked like she had it all, but truthfully? I was the one who needed the most.

Tara turned her head toward me, her long box braids bouncing as she walked. "Damn, D, you really tryna break necks today, huh?"

I smirked. "They have eyes. I'm just giving them a reason to use them."

"Girl." She laughed. "You know if I had your body, I'd be charging men to look at me."

"You already do," Serena said dryly, not even glancing up from her phone.

Tara gasped playfully. "Rude! Why is the quiet one always the meanest?"

We all laughed. It felt good, that laughter - light, warm, like something I could hold onto for once.

But then Tara stopped walking, mid-step, and spun on her heel with a suspicious smile. "Wait... I forgot to tell y'all something."

Serena narrowed her eyes. "Don't start, Tara."

I tilted my head. "What now?"

Tara pulled out her phone like it was a diamond-encrusted invitation. "My cousin just texted. He's bartending at Infinity tonight."

I blinked. "Infinity? Like the celebrity club?"

"The one with the rooftop pool and gold doors?" Serena added, suddenly alert.

"Yup." Tara nodded. "And guess what? He's getting us in. VIP."

My jaw dropped. "You're joking."

Tara raised her brows. "Do I look like I'm joking?"

Serena blinked slowly. "That's not funny, Tara. That place is... it's too much."

"That's the point!" I said, my heart already skipping.

"Exactly," Tara added. "We've been dying for a night out. This is the night."

Serena looked between us, clearly torn. "Yeah, but Deja... your mom. Doesn't she already think we're turning you into the next Instagram baddie?"

I sighed. "Please. She thinks you two are Satan's side chicks."

"Because you hang with us," Tara teased. "We're contagious."

Serena looked at me again. "So how are you gonna pull this off?"

I shrugged like it was simple. "I'll tell her I'm going to Kyle's house."

Both of them groaned at once.

"Oh my God," Serena said. "Not Kyle."

Tara burst into laughter. "The nerdy boy who tried to give our teacher a more accurate answer last week?"

I grinned. "Exactly. That boy is like a walking 'parent-safe zone.' My mom won't even question it."

"Smart," Serena admitted. "Still risky."

I flicked my hair. "Everything about my life is risky. But I'm not missing this."

⸻

Walking into my house was like stepping into a circus tent. The heat from the kitchen mixed with loud voices and the broken fan blowing air that felt more like noise than wind.

The TV was on full volume, Griffin - my 16-year-old brother - yelling at his game controller like the characters could hear him.

"SHOOT, YOU IDIOT! LEFT! LEFT! LEFT!"

I shook my head. "You're gonna burst a vein."

He didn't hear me. Or ignored me.

My sister was half-dressed, pacing in the hallway on a video call, probably with some guy she'd forget about next week. Mom's voice floated in from the kitchen, giving orders to no one in particular.

I rushed upstairs, tossed my bag on the bed, and dug into my closet like I was raiding treasure. It wasn't much - mostly affordable stuff I made look expensive with the right attitude.

I pulled out my black silk wrap top and a tight pair of jeans that hugged my hips just right. Then paused.

No.

If we were going to Infinity, I needed something more.

I grabbed a tiny overnight bag and started packing: heels, lashes, body shimmer, a short black dress, and my favorite lip gloss that smelled like vanilla sin. I was zipping it up when my door burst open.

"Mum said come downstairs for dinner," Griffin announced, already turning to leave.