Part 4: What We Can’t Fake (chapter 16-20)
1461 Words
Chapter 16: Not Just a Game
Kaito had a nightmare.
He woke drenched in sweat, breath ragged, Mei’s name on his lips.
She wasn’t in bed.
Because she didn’t sleep in his room.
Because this wasn’t real.
Except it was.
Now. Somehow.
---
He found her curled up on the couch in a hoodie far too big for her.
His hoodie.
She was fast asleep, face soft in the moonlight, breathing even.
> “Mei…” he whispered.
He didn’t wake her.
He just sat nearby and watched.
His chest ached.
> I can't let her get hurt.
Not by him. Not by anyone.
---
Morning came fast.
The moment she stirred, he was already standing, coffee in hand.
> “You look like you didn’t sleep,” she said.
> “I didn’t.”
She tilted her head.
> “Why?”
> “Bad dreams.”
---
He handed her the mug.
Their fingers brushed.
Neither of them pulled away.
---
Later that day, his phone buzzed with a message that made him go still.
From: Unknown Number
> "Your little bride is a good liar. Let’s see what the world thinks when they find out the truth."
Kaito’s blood ran cold.
He looked across the room at Mei, who was reading quietly near the window, unaware.
The world was closing in.
And this time, it wasn’t just his company on the line.
It was her.
Chapter 17: The Leak
The email came at 10:04 a.m. sharp.
Subject:
"FAKE LOVE: CEO Kaito’s Lies—EXPOSED"
Attached was a blurry photo.
Of Kaito and Mei.
Not kissing.
But too close. Too private.
The caption was cruel:
> “Not a fiancée—just a hired face.”
---
Kaito stared at the screen like it might explode.
Mei stood beside him, hands shaking.
> “That’s from the hotel lobby... when we first—”
> “They’ve been watching us since day one,” he cut in coldly.
---
Silence.
Then she whispered:
> “Your company—will they believe it?”
> “They don’t need to believe it. They just need to panic.”
---
By noon, the stock was dropping.
News headlines blared:
> “Fake Fiancée Scandal?”
“Kaito Ishikawa Caught in Web of Lies”
“Investor Confidence Shaken!”
---
Kaito canceled every meeting.
The board demanded answers.
But he locked the penthouse doors and faced Mei.
> “Who would do this?” she asked.
> “Someone inside.”
> “You think it’s about me?”
> “It’s only about you.”
That made her step back.
> “So I ruined everything.”
> “No,” he said sharply. “They’re the ones trying to ruin you.”
She blinked.
> “Why defend me now?”
> “Because I should have from the beginning.”
---
Her heart pounded.
> “So what now?”
> “We go to war,” he said quietly.
> “Together.”
Chapter 18: The Threat Behind the Glass
Rain hit the windows hard.
Kaito paced in silence.
Mei sat on the edge of the sofa, arms wrapped around her knees, watching him.
> “Whoever’s leaking this wants more than a scandal,” he muttered.
> “What do they want?”
He looked at her.
Really looked.
> “You gone.”
---
Mei swallowed.
> “Then maybe I should go.”
> “No.”
His voice was instant, sharp.
> “Kaito—”
> “You’re not leaving me alone in this.”
She blinked.
> “So now I’m useful?”
> “No.”
He stepped closer.
“Now you’re mine.”
Her heart skipped.
But her voice was steady.
> “You don’t own me.”
> “I know.” He exhaled. “That’s the problem. I want to protect you like you’re mine... but I don’t get to say that, do I?”
---
Silence stretched.
Then she whispered:
> “You kissed me.”
> “It was a mistake.”
Her chest cracked.
> “Oh.”
> “Because I didn’t stop.” He took a step closer.
“Because I wanted more.”
---
She backed away.
> “You don’t even like me.”
He stopped.
Then—softly:
> “I didn’t know how to.”
That shut her up.
---
The room filled with the sound of rain.
And hearts pounding.
---
Suddenly, the security alarm chirped.
Kaito grabbed his phone, checked a live feed.
His jaw locked.
> “Someone’s in the building.”
> “Who?” Mei asked.
> “Too early to tell.”
But he crossed the room, hit a button that locked all the doors.
> “You stay inside. Don’t open for anyone.”
> “Not even you?”
He looked back.
> “Especially not me. If I come back wrong… don’t trust anyone.”
---
She froze.
> “Kaito—”
He was already gone.
Chapter 19: Locked In
Mei’s hands trembled as she held her phone.
The lock on the door clicked into place automatically.
Kaito had sealed her in.
> Don’t open for anyone.
The words chilled her.
---
Outside, thunder boomed.
The security cameras flickered on the TV.
She watched shadows moving in the lobby feed.
---
She called him.
Once.
Twice.
Voicemail.
> “Pick up, damn it!”
She felt like screaming.
---
She turned away, pressing her back to the door.
Her chest heaved.
> This wasn’t supposed to matter.
> Fake fiancée. Fake love.
So why did she feel like she couldn’t breathe without knowing he was okay?
---
Lightning flashed.
The power went out for half a second.
Came back.
She swallowed a scream.
---
She picked up the hoodie he’d left on the sofa.
Clutched it to her chest.
> Kaito, please be safe.
---
Suddenly, her phone lit up.
Unknown number.
Her heart leapt.
She answered breathlessly.
> “Kaito?!”
Silence.
Then a voice she didn’t know.
> “Little liar. Pretty little fake. Tell your boss to give up the company—or you’ll be in tomorrow’s headline. DEAD.”
Click.
---
Mei dropped the phone.
She fell to her knees.
Her pulse was roaring in her ears.
---
> It’s not just business anymore.
> They want to kill me.
---
Outside, thunder rolled again.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
And finally let herself cry.
Chapter 20: When He Comes Back
Hours passed.
Mei didn’t move from the door.
She watched the cameras like her life depended on it.
She didn’t even realize she’d fallen asleep sitting up until the sound of the lock jolted her awake.
---
The door cracked open.
> “Mei.”
His voice.
Hoarse. Low.
She scrambled up.
> “Kaito!”
He stepped inside, dripping rainwater onto the marble.
His white shirt was plastered to him, hair darkened with rain, eyes burning.
---
She ran to him before she could think.
Arms flung around his waist.
She felt his breath stop.
---
> “Don’t you ever do that again!” she shouted, voice cracking.
He didn’t move.
> “I thought—I thought—”
> “I know,” he rasped.
---
He lifted one shaking hand.
Pressed it to the back of her head.
Held her there, forehead against his chest.
---
> “I’m here.”
> “You’re late,” she sobbed.
> “Traffic,” he whispered.
It was stupid. She laughed, crying harder.
---
> “They called,” she choked out.
> “Who?”
> “They said they’ll kill me. They said to tell you to give up the company.”
---
He stiffened.
> “Did you see their face?”
She shook her head violently.
> “No. Just a voice. Male.”
---
He cupped her cheeks, forcing her to look at him.
> “You listen to me.”
His voice was cold. Deadly calm.
> “I don’t care about my company. I don’t care about my name. I care about you.”
Her breath hitched.
---
> “Kaito—”
> “I’m not letting them touch you.”
She was shaking.
> “I don’t want you hurt either.”
He exhaled, pressing his forehead to hers.
> “Too late.”
---
She flinched.
> “What?”
> “I’m already hurt.”
---
They stayed like that.
Wrapped up in each other.
The rain still poured outside, like the world was trying to wash them away.
But neither of them moved.
---
End of Chapter 20
- Writer
