Chapter Four: Welcome to the Spotlight
705 Words
The moment Amelia stepped out of the café, she froze.
The sidewalk was packed.
Cameras.
Reporters.
Fans.
People shouting Nathan’s name.
The flashes came so quickly that she instinctively raised a hand to shield her eyes.
“Mr. Hart!”
“Who is she?”
“How long have you been dating?”
“Is this your new girlfriend?”
Nathan stepped closer.
Without asking, he gently placed a hand at the small of Amelia’s back.
“Stay close.”
She glanced at him.
“I thought you said there’d be paparazzi.”
“I underestimated them.”
“This looks like an invasion.”
“It usually does.”
Oliver opened the waiting SUV.
“Get in!”
The bodyguards formed a protective circle around them as they hurried through the crowd.
Someone shoved a microphone toward Amelia.
“Miss! Did you steal Nathan Hart from Sophia Blake?”
“I didn’t—”
Before she could answer, another reporter shouted over her.
“Are wedding bells next?”
Nathan calmly took Amelia’s hand.
“No questions today.”
His voice was firm but polite.
“We appreciate your support.”
The car doors slammed shut behind them.
For the first time in two minutes…
Silence.
Amelia leaned back against the seat.
“…Does every day look like this?”
Nathan loosened his tie.
“Most days.”
She stared at him.
“I would’ve said no.”
“To what?”
“The contract.”
“If I’d known.”
He smiled apologetically.
“I probably should’ve led with that.”
“You think?”
Oliver handed them both tablets.
“Congratulations.”
Nathan sighed.
“Don’t sound so excited.”
Oliver turned the screen toward Amelia.
The headline read:
HOLLYWOOD’S MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR IS OFFICIALLY TAKEN!
Another article claimed they had been secretly dating for months.
Another said they were engaged.
Amelia blinked.
“It’s only been…”
She checked her watch.
“…forty-three minutes.”
Oliver nodded.
“The internet works fast.”
Nathan muttered,
“The internet lies faster.”
That evening, Nathan took Amelia to the penthouse where they would occasionally stay whenever the press expected to see them together.
She stepped inside.
The apartment overlooked the entire city.
Modern furniture.
Floor-to-ceiling windows.
Fresh white lilies on the dining table.
“It’s beautiful.”
Nathan smiled.
“It doesn’t feel like home.”
She looked at him.
“What does?”
He thought for a moment.
“I don’t know anymore.”
Oliver cleared his throat.
“Time for media training.”
Amelia groaned.
“Already?”
“The cameras will be watching every move you make.”
He handed her a folder labeled:
Playing Mr. Perfect: Public Relationship Guide
She opened it.
Page One.
Favorite Coffee: Flat White.
Page Two.
Favorite Color: Navy Blue.
Page Three.
Foods Nathan Pretends to Like in Interviews.
She looked up.
“Pretends?”
Nathan rubbed the back of his neck.
“I hate kale.”
“But one interview five years ago…”
“…I accidentally said I loved it.”
She burst into laughter.
“So you’ve been eating kale because of one interview?”
“My publicist thought consistency was important.”
Oliver nodded seriously.
“It is.”
Amelia laughed even harder.
“This is the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.”
Nathan couldn’t help laughing too.
For a brief moment…
He forgot about scandals.
He forgot about cameras.
He forgot about pretending.
Because Amelia’s laugh was real.
And somehow…
It made everything else seem less important.
The next morning, Amelia arrived at school.
The hallway fell silent.
Teachers stared.
Students whispered excitedly.
One little girl ran toward her.
“Miss Brooks!”
Amelia smiled.
“Good morning, Emma.”
The child looked up with wide eyes.
“My mommy said you’re dating a movie prince!”
The classroom erupted into giggles.
Amelia covered her face.
“I’m definitely going to have to explain this.”
As she looked up, she noticed a black SUV parked across the street.
A man with a camera sat inside.
Watching.
Waiting.
The paparazzi hadn’t followed her for one day.
They had followed her home.
And now…
They knew exactly where she worked.
- Writer
