Pretend

Prologue

"..although no further word from Ace nor his management has been published officially, this single photo taken by paparazzi blew up just a few hours after being posted and is still skyrocketing. Questions are blowing up from both fans and friends as Ace was never seen in a relationship nor did he say he was interested in getting into one." one of the many entertainment news videos played in front of none other than Ace Williams.

The raven-haired male sighed, clearly frustrated, and buried his face on the palm of his hands. Of all the things that could have been rumored about him, it had to be the most toxic one. Thoughts spiraled around his head, trying to find a way to just end it. He wasn't just frustrated at the rumors, but at his management too. He didn't know why they had to hold back on just confirming that he wasn't dating anybody.

Ace Williams debuted only three years ago, at the young age of nineteen. He had gotten the lead role of a movie that did great everywhere. From thereon, he had gotten multiple requests to be the leading man on different movies and series. He was also signed under a modelling agency and he had been living his best life from then on. He was never really caught up in any drama and his success all came from his talent-and undeniably good looks-so this rumor that had blown up about him was new and foreign to him and everyone around him. 

"How did this even happen?" he turned to the blonde that sat on the kitchen counter across from him. "It's clear as a crystal that it's you pinning a ginger against the wall. Even just from the side, it's visible enough to recognize you and from the angle alone, it looks like you're both having an intimate moment. Not to mention you holding her han-" Cameron was cut off by Ace telling him to shut up.

Cameron laughed it off and went to grab an apple from beside him. "So..." Ace looked up at him, confused but waiting for him to continue whatever it is he's trying to say. "Who's the girl?" Cameron finally asked, to which Ace loudly groaned at. 

"She's no one. Nobody important and certainly not my girlfriend" he leaned back the chair and crossed his arms. "So you don't mind if I go FBI mode and find out who she is?" Cameron joked, pulling out his phone and waving it around the air. Ace only scowled, "Do whatever, man. But I'm telling you now, Skylar's a waste of time." He then proceeded to run his fingers through his curly hair, a habit of his whenever he had something running his mind, which in this case, is very obvious what.

"Oh, so no one has a name now?" Cameron teased, trying to hold back his laughter while Ace only rolled his eyes at him. 

 About half an hour later, Ace's phone rang and the caller ID showed that it was the number that his management team uses to get in contact with him. He pressed the green answer button and pressed the phone against his ear with his left hand while the right one lowered the TV's volume. 

The sun had long set and the night only dove deeper with every passing minute. "Hello?" his voice had gotten groggy from laying in bed and dozing off multiple times. "We apologize for the late call but make sure you get ready early tomorrow. They'll pick you up at 8 AM sharp." Ace rubbed his eyes, trying to rub the sleep off and fully understand what the person on the other side of the phone was saying. 

"We've made a decision on what to do about the whole paparazzi photo situation. I won't go into detail over this call so make sure to arrive here on time. Get some sleep." the call ended without Ace saying another word and normally, he would have argued to know but sleep had gotten the best of him and the moment he lowered the phone on the pillow beside him, he dozed off to sleep.