His Contract Star: The CEO's Fake Lover ✨

The bright posters of dazzling idols and glamorous actresses plastered across the city billboards seemed to mock her as she walked past them. Cezy Celina tugged her worn cardigan tighter around her shoulders, trying to ignore the pang of envy that stung her heart. Those women had everything she dreamed of—fame, beauty, adoration, and a life that glittered like the stage lights. And what did she have? An empty wallet, a stack of rejection letters, and a step-sister who never let her forget her place. The bus screeched to a stop, and Cezy hopped off, clutching her bag as though it were filled with diamonds instead of the few coins that rattled inside. The towering glass building in front of her was the Celina Entertainment Group, a company she should have had the right to call her own—if not for the cruel twist of fate that had made Mira Celina the favored daughter. Mira. The name alone made her fists clench. Where Cezy was overlooked, Mira sparkled. Where Cezy was insulted, Mira was praised. Their father’s second wife had made sure of it—twisting affections, poisoning words, making Cezy the outsider in her own family. And now Mira was the one stepping into the spotlight as an “upcoming starlet,” flaunting her beauty in expensive gowns, her pictures splashed across magazines. Cezy inhaled deeply, forcing her legs to move. She wasn’t here for Mira. Not today. She was here for herself. Inside the building, a long line of hopefuls wound toward the reception desk. Today was the open audition for a new drama backed by none other than Cross Media Empire, one of the most powerful conglomerates in the entertainment world. Getting even a small role could change her life forever. Her palms sweated as she clutched her number ticket: #219. She whispered to herself, This is it. Don’t screw this up, Cezy. This is your chance. But as fate would have it, chance had a way of turning cruel. “Cezy?” A silky, mocking voice drifted over her shoulder. Her heart sank. Turning slowly, she met the sight she dreaded: Mira Celina, radiant in a designer dress that probably cost more than Cezy’s yearly rent. Her step-sister’s painted lips curved in a smile that was anything but sweet. “Well, well,” Mira drawled, eyeing her from head to toe. “You actually came. How bold. Do you really think someone like you can compete here?” Cezy swallowed her anger. “I’m not here to compete with you. I’m here to chase my dream.” Mira’s laugh was like shards of glass. “Dream? Oh, Cezy, wake up. You’ll never be more than a shadow. But don’t worry, I’ll tell the judges to be gentle when they reject you.” Before Cezy could reply, a hush fell over the hall. Heads turned. A ripple of awe spread through the crowd. He had arrived. Nathan Cross. The man himself. Tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a tailored black suit that screamed wealth and power. His blue eyes were like frozen oceans, scanning the room with disinterest. Every step he took was measured, commanding, as though the world bent itself to accommodate him. The CEO of Cross Media Empire. The man whose single word could make or break a star. And fate, mischievous as always, decided that today their paths would cross. Literally. As Cezy stepped back to avoid Mira’s shove, her heel caught the edge of the carpet. Her balance faltered, and with a gasp, she stumbled forward—straight into Nathan Cross’s chest. Gasps echoed around the room. Cezy froze, her face buried against the cool fabric of his suit. Her heart pounded. She could practically feel the icy aura radiating from him. Slowly, very slowly, she lifted her gaze. Blue eyes, sharp as glass, locked onto hers. And the world stopped. --- “Move,” his voice cut through her daze like a blade. It wasn’t shouted, but the weight of command in that single word made her legs wobble. She pushed herself back quickly, cheeks burning with shame. “I—I’m sorry,” she stammered, lowering her head. For a fleeting moment, something flickered in his gaze—curiosity, maybe, or the faintest spark of recognition. But just as quickly, it vanished, replaced by his usual mask of indifference. He adjusted his cufflinks, as though brushing off her existence, and strode past. Mira pounced on the moment like a viper. “Oh my, Cezy,” she sneered loudly enough for nearby hopefuls to hear. “Did you think throwing yourself at Mr. Cross would help you get a role? Pathetic.” A few people snickered, and heat rose to Cezy’s cheeks. But she bit her tongue, refusing to let Mira see her break. Still, her heart hammered against her ribs. She hadn’t expected to see Nathan Cross up close—hadn’t expected him to be so overwhelming, so… magnetic. The coldness in his eyes should have repelled her, yet instead it pulled her deeper. She shook her head quickly. Stop it, Cezy. He’s not your world. He’s not even reachable. The auditions dragged on for hours. One by one, dreamers walked in with shining eyes and walked out with crushed hearts. By the time Cezy’s number was called, her throat was dry, her knees trembling. Inside the audition room, harsh spotlights glared down. Three judges sat at a long table, but it was the man at the center who stole all her attention. Nathan Cross. He sat with perfect posture, his expression unreadable, flipping through a file as though the people before him were mere paperwork. Cezy’s heart skipped. She hadn’t known he would be one of the judges. “Cezy Celina,” a judge read off her application. “Aspiring actress. No professional training. No agency.” There was a slight pause, followed by the inevitable note: “Step-sister of Mira Celina.” Whispers ran between the panelists. Cezy’s chest tightened. Mira’s shadow followed her even here. “You may begin,” Nathan’s deep voice commanded. Cezy inhaled sharply. She had prepared a monologue from her favorite play. Words she had practiced in the mirror until she could say them in her sleep. But now, under the ice-blue gaze of Nathan Cross, every line threatened to dissolve. She closed her eyes, remembering why she was here. Remembering the nights she cried herself to sleep dreaming of this stage. Remembering the countless times Mira told her she was worthless. And then, she spoke. Her voice, trembling at first, grew steady, carrying the raw ache of her character’s heartbreak. She poured her soul into every word, her emotions spilling over, unpolished but real. When she finished, silence filled the room. One judge scribbled something on paper. Another cleared his throat. But it was Nathan who spoke. “Untrained. Unrefined,” he said coldly, his eyes never leaving hers. Her heart sank. Then, after a pause, he added, “But… not forgettable.” Cezy’s breath caught. Was that… praise? Before she could be certain, Nathan leaned back, signaling the audition was over. “Next.” Cezy walked out on shaky legs, unsure whether she had just failed or been given a glimmer of hope. Mira was waiting outside, her smirk wide and cruel. “How did it feel, Cezy?” Mira purred. “To embarrass yourself in front of Nathan Cross? Don’t worry. Some of us are just meant to watch from the shadows.” Cezy clenched her fists. She refused to cry. Not here. Not in front of Mira. But as she stepped into the sunlight outside the building, her phone buzzed. An email notification appeared. From: Cross Media Empire Subject: Call Back Her heart stuttered. She had been called back. And she had no idea that this callback would change her life forever.