The Principessa Bought a Genius Boyfriend Chapter 01

The Principessa Bought a Genius Boyfriend Chapter 01

I bought a boyfriend back in college.

As long as he stayed with me, I’d cover his family’s medical bills.

And so this brilliant, working-class kid stayed by my side for four years, clinging to both his humiliation and his pride.

Then my mafia family fell apart.

After that, I ended up waitressing at a private club to pay off my family’s debts.

Meanwhile, he became the hottest new tech billionaire in Silicon Valley, with the campus legend and former queen bee right by his side.

I never imagined I’d run into Vincent Hayes again like this, not after all these years post-graduation.

When I brought out the fruit platter, I kept my head down, terrified he’d recognize me.

Aurora Bianchi, the former campus beauty, sat right next to him.

They looked perfect together—golden couple material.

“Excuse me,” Vincent called. “Cut this fruit for me.”

With my back turned to him, I sliced the grapefruit into even, thin pieces.

I used to love fruit, and Vincent always cut it for me back then.

He had great knife skills—every slice was exactly the same thickness.

Back then I thought it meant he cared about me, that he only bothered to be this gentle because he loved me.

Looking back now, broke and broken as I was now, I got it. It was just a service I paid for.

Four years apart felt like half a lifetime.

Somehow, the guests started talking about college romances.

Someone said, “I heard Vincent dated a girl for four years back in college.”

My hand froze mid-slice.

Vincent hummed in confirmation.

“No way? I thought guys like you only had eyes for code.”

Everyone laughed.

“If he stayed with her for four years, she must’ve been really special, right?”

Vincent didn’t take the bait.

The guy got awkward, filling the silence with. “Four years is a long time—spent your whole college career together, that must be pretty unforgettable, huh?”

Silence settled over the table like a calm river.

After what felt like forever, Vincent chuckled softly.

“Not really.”

Aurora spoke up smoothly, in that sweet, smug way of hers.

“It’s amazing he even put up with her, honestly.

“We went to the same school. Back then… ugh, it was such a drag for him. If that ex of his hadn’t gotten in the way, Vincent and I would have ended up together ages ago!

“Totally! Even if the ex was nice, how could she ever shine next to Aurora, a Hollywood star?”

The conversation picked back up, louder than before.

I tugged my cap lower, just waiting to get out of there as fast as I could.

My fruit knife slipped and cut my hand. I hissed, drawing every guest’s eyes to me.

“What’s wrong with you? Can’t even cut fruit properly?” Aurora complained.

“I’m sorry. I’ll go bring a new platter.”

I grabbed the tray and turned to run.

“Wait.”

Vincent called out suddenly.

Slowly, each word sharp.

“Turn around.”

My body felt like it was nailed to the floor.

One second. Two seconds.

The manager stepped in just in time.

“So sorry, this is a new employee, she’s still getting used to the job. The whole fruit platter is on the house tonight, no charge.”

She winked at me. “Go get a new one, hurry up.”

That was how I escaped.

Afterwards, the manager pulled me aside.

“Be smarter next time, okay? We’ve all been new here. If you get a complaint, tonight’s shift is for nothing.”

“Thank you.”

“No problem. Just be extra careful with that VIP room. Everyone in there is big money—especially that youngest, hottest guy in the middle. He’s one of the biggest names in tech right now. We can’t afford to piss him off.”

“Ma’am, I’m really scared. Can you take the orange platter in for me?”

“Sure.”

I breathed a sigh of relief.

If there was anyone in the world who’d already pissed Vincent off more than anyone else, it was me.

I was that disgusting ex he talked about.