How to Tame a Playboy

I was the biggest fool in Liam's circle, everyone knew it.

Every timethey hung out, they loved using me for their bets.

They'd bet on how fast I'd come running whenever he dropped a location.

Who cares if it's pouring rain? Even if the world was ending, Chloe would still crawl here.

Amid the laughter, Liam lost yet another bet about my arrival time and had to pay up to the whole group.

I timidly tugged at the corner of his shirt,

"Liam, next time, just quietly tell me what time you're betting on."

"I can time it perfectly. That way, you'll win for sure."

Liam froze for a second, then brushed my hand away, muttering under his breath,

"You're insane."

I stared at the faint blush creeping up his neck, barely visible under his dark, messy hair.

For the first time, I heard a sound that made my heart skip a beat.

"Ding, target's affection level has increased."

...

"Affection points, -10 to 0. Keep it up, host."

The System's cold mechanical voice made my eyes instantly well up with tears.

Three whole months...

That frozen progress bar had finally moved!

But Liam clearly misunderstood the reason for my tears.

He frowned, his dark eyes reflecting my sorry state.

Soaked clothes clinging to my thin frame.

Water droplets from my hair trickling into my red-rimmed eyes.

But I barely noticed any of that, just staring at him like a complete fool.

Looking both pitiful and obsessive.

"Why are you crying? You're the one talking nonsense, and I can't even say anything about it?"

Liam made a sound of annoyance.

His lowered voice carried a strange, hard-to-place tone.

I ducked my head, pressing my lips together tightly.

"Alright, Liam, look how you've scared Chloeshe's too afraid to speak now."

Brad's greasy voice cut in.

He patted the spot next to him on the couch.

His lewd gaze landed squarely on my drenched chest.

"Chloe, come sit over here by Brad here."

"Liam doesn't know how to treat a lady properly, but I do."

Brad, the sole heir to the powerful Bradley family in New York.

This wasn't his first time harassing the original me.

Once, when Liam wasn't around, he tried to put the moves on "me."

And when "I" finally mustered the courage to tearfully tell Liam about it later.

All I got was a cold, mocking stare.

"Chloe, that's enough."

Back then, Liam shut "me" down impatiently.

He said, "Why doesn't Brad bother anyone else?"

"Isn't it because you're the one throwing yourself at him, practically begging for it?"

The lingering fear left by the original version of me toward Brad.

Made me instinctively lean closer to Liam.

But whether intentionally or not.

Liam shifted a step to the side.

Just enough to block Brad's line of sight toward me.

"Chloe, stop hiding. Everyone knows Liam can't stand you, right?"

Clearly, Brad wasn't planning to let me off easy today.

He stood up, a sly grin spreading across his face as he beckoned to me,

"Maybe you should think about sticking with me, Brad. I'll make sure you have a good time, day and night."

He dragged out the words "day and night" with heavy implication.

The crowd started egging me on.

Chanting for me to go along with it.

I lifted my head, face burning with humiliation.

Only to see Liam's cold, detached expression.

As if everything happening around him had nothing to do with him...

Well, no other choice.

I resigned myself and stepped out from behind him.

"Tch, Liam, you're not actually getting soft on Chloe, are you?"

A sudden taunt came, and the air beside me instantly grew tense.

Then a strong hand clamped down on my wrist.

"Get out of here!"

His low voice was like frozen steel, instantly silencing all the laughter in the room.

When I stood frozen in place, Liam tightened his grip.

He glanced down at me, his tone bitingly cold,

"Chloe, you're seriously disgusting."

"I only called you here to mess with you."

"So now, you can get lost."

I left, but I didn't go far.

The System told me Liam's affection level was fluctuating.

He wasn't as indifferent about my departure as he appeared.

I stood in the pouring rain, right by the bar's entrance where it was impossible to miss.

Just so Liam would spot me the moment he walked out.

After what felt like an eternity, a familiar figure finally emerged.

"Liam..."

I called his name, my voice hoarse.

Hearing me, Liam's back stiffened.

He held a cigarette, flicking his lighter open and shut repeatedly.

"Damn... Chloe? Why are you still here!?"

As I approached, he seemed to snap out of his thoughts.

He crushed the cigarette in his palm irritably.

I ignored the flicker of confusion buried beneath his disgust.

Holding up a plastic bag, I stammered,

"I... I was worried you'd drink too much and your stomach would act up again..."

Inside were hangover pills and stomach medicine I'd just bought from the pharmacy.

Liam stared coldly, not moving.

"Liam, wait!"

Before he could react, I shoved the medicine into his hands.

Then dashed over to a nearby awning.

Pulling a thermos from my bike's basket.

"L-Liam, here..."

My rain-soaked body felt weak, almost like I was floating.

Just as I swayed unsteadily, a strong hand grabbed my arm.

"Chloe, what the hell are you trying to pull now!?"

Liam was clearly at his limit.

He scowled, pulling me roughly onto the dry steps.

His movements were harsh, but once I steadied myself.

I noticed the ground beneath me was completely dry.

"I'm all wet, I don't want you to catch a chill..."

We were too close.

I took an uncomfortable step back.

Pressed the thermos against his chest.

Looked up with feigned concern,

"It's homemade soup I made before coming. It should still be warm."

"Liam, have some before you take the medicine later. It'll be easier on your stomach."

The next day, I woke up burning with feverno surprise there.

"System, Chloe always saves Liam a seat for the morning class."

When the System urged me to skip and see a doctor.

I fought through the splitting headache, sighing,

"No fever can burn out a hopeless romantic."

The professor for this morning's class was notoriously strict.

He always picked on students sitting in the back to answer questions.

Get it wrong, and you'd fail the participation grade outright.

Originally, before each class.

Chloe would wake up early to grab Liam a prime spot.

Then sit two rows behind him.

Like a total creep.

Secretly watching his every move.

Today I came early too, but plenty of seats were still open.

I only saved Liam a mediocre one.

Then planted myself in a corner of the second-to-last row.

Liam walked in right as the bell rang, heading straight for his "usual spot."

But finding someone else already there, with only a distant seat marked by a familiar book.

His face darkened instantly.

He casually scanned the room.

His dark eyes met my awkward, eager smile.

Flickering almost imperceptibly.

Once Liam sat down, I dropped the smile, my headache worsening.

"You in the back corner, second-to-last row. Stand up and answer this."

"Host, quick, the teacher's calling on you!"

The System's shout jolted me awake, and I shot up.

The commotion drew everyone's stares.

"Took you long enough to standleave your ears in the dorm!?"

The teacher glared as I stumbled over my words.

After getting my name, he made me stand till the end of class.

Unlike the folks who'd been watching since he called on me.

Liam only glanced back after I spoke.

He smirked, his eyes full of scorn, like I deserved it.

My body burned hotter, vision blurring.

Gripping my last shred of awareness, I told the System,

"System, make sure my head's safe..."

When I woke up in the campus clinic, there was no one by my side.

The IV bag was almost empty.

I weakly pressed the call button.

Soon a nurse came to remove the needle.

"Huh? Where's that handsome guy who brought you in?"

"I told him to watch you and call me when the drip was finished. Guess he took off."

Just as the nurse was muttering about unreliable pretty boys.

A deliberate cough sounded from the doorway.

"Chloe, if you're sick, you should stay in bed. Don't go around causing trouble."

Liam leaned against the doorframe, hands in his pockets.

Sunlight streamed down his sharp nose.

Casting shadows along his jawline.

I finally understood why the original me had been so obsessed.

That face was truly distracting...

"Chloe, did the fever fry your brain? Can't understand words anymore?"

Seeing me dazed, Liam's expression turned sour.

What a waste.

Such a gorgeous face paired with such a nasty mouth.

I secretly pinched my thigh.

Ouch!

Tears welled up in my eyes instantly.

"Sorry, Liam... I just wanted to save you a seat."

"Really, I never meant to bother you..."

I bowed my head, my voice fading to a whisper.

Embarrassed, regretful, hurt, anxious.

Sensing my distress, Liam pursed his lips.

Still annoyed, but he held back the sarcastic remark.

"Hey, she had a 104-degree fever and still saved your seat. Cut her some slack."

The nurse shot Liam a look on her way out.

"You don't know what you've got till it's gone. You'll regret it someday!"

"...Pfft."

Liam choked back a laugh.

Like he'd heard the funniest joke in the world.

He tilted his head, amused,

"Chloe, would you ever just stop bothering me one day?"

I shook my head quickly, seizing the chance,

"Never, Liam. If you need me, I'll always be here..."

"You like me that much?"

"Yeah!"

"How much?"

He asked casually, like he was teasing a pet.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

Putting on my most lovesick expression,

"Enough that I'd die without your love..."

It wasn't a lie.

The real Chloe was already gone.

And if I, this wandering soul, failed my mission.

To win Liam's whole heart.

I'd be erased by the System too.

I thought he might be moved, but the System suddenly blared an alarm.

"Ding! Target's affection level has decreased."

"Affection points, dropped from 10 to 0. Host, please take note!"

Huh?!

What the

He actually docked points!?

I remembered last night, after Liam got home.

For once, he'd tried a bite of the now-soggy soup.

"Tastes awful."

He put the spoon down, disgusted.

But his affection points had quietly risen from 0 to 10...

When the System showed me that, I'd bragged.

That I'd win Liam over within a month.

But how could he just reset the points like that?

As I was reeling from the loss, calloused fingers gripped my chin.

Forcing me to meet his eyes.

"Chloe, guess what... I think I might like you a little."

Liam smiled, a faint dimple appearing.

"Want to be my girlfriend?"

His dark eyes seemed full of affection.

But looking closer, it didn't reach their depths.

A girlfriend with 0 affection points?

How ironic...

I almost laughed out loud.

But I widened my eyes, covering my mouth in "shock."

"R-Really? Liam, am I dreaming...?"

Liam's lips curled mockingly.

He leaned in close.

Dangerously intimate.

"What, did I say that in your dreams?"

"Girl. Friend."

He drew out the words, slow and sweet.

Feigning tenderness and attachment.

And I, staring at the big fat 0 above his head.

Played along, "shyly" lowering my gaze...