12
By the time we wrapped the night scenes, it was nearly 11 PM. The mountain forests were dense and dark
and Hannah was diligently spraying me with insect repellent.
“So? How’s the war?” I asked, wearily taking the phone from her. “Have they started cursing my ancestor: back to the eighteenth generation yet?”
I had been on a complete internet detox all evening to keep my mood stable.
Hannah shook her head, her eyes shining with an unnatural, almost giddy light, a weird, knowing smile plast
ered on her face.
What the hell? This mountain is haunted. It’s possessed my assistant!
She started waving her hands excitedly. “Andrew was a one–man army today! He fought a hundred battles
against the haters and completely cleared your name! Chloe totally played herself. Her reputation is in tatte rs. She’ll probably never recover!”
Wow. You have a real talent for storytelling.
“Fine, I’ll see for myself.”
I didn’t have to look far. Threads about Andrew’s replies to fans in the comment sections had already shot tc
the top of the trending lists. Several entertainment blogs had even compiled a “greatest hits” list.
Netizen: [The coat is definitely not his!]
Netizen: [Haute couture pieces have to be returned to the brand after their first wear. There’s no way he’d give such an expensive coat to Lily and let her just toss it around on set.]
Andrew Vance: [It’s mine. I bought it.]
Netizen: [Andrew and Chloe’s names sound so good together! They’re a match made in heaven!]
Andrew Vance: [I don’t know her that well.]
Netizen: [So is the thing with Lily and Luke Collins true? They actually look kind of sweet together!]
Andrew Vance: [Fake. As fake as it gets.]
Andrew’s verified blue checkmark made his avatar stand out. Within minutes, he had captured everyone’s
attention.
[OMG, he’s here! He’s real! It’s Andrew!]
10/17
16.49
16.49
Chapter 2
[Whoa, what a plot twist! My ship has sunk!]
[I’m a little lost. So Chloe was the two–faced one all along?]
[Please, Chloe just posted a pretty picture. She didn’t say anything. Everyone else just filled in the blanks. You can’t blame her for that!]
[Chloe’s fans need to stop. It’s not the first time your girl has manipulated public opinion to force a ship. We re not stupid.]
[So if he doesn’t know Chloe well, that means he knows Lily very well, right?!]
[He casually lends her a million and a half, gives her a one–of–a–kind couture coat… Bro, stop being so ir love.]
[Before, shipping Andrew and Lily felt like committing a cardinal sin, I was constantly getting attacked. I never thought I’d see the day!]
[I don’t care, this time it’s different! They have to be real!]
I looked up at Hannah, who was lost in a pink, bubbly fantasy world, a blissful smile on her face. I had no idea how to react.
We were supposed to have a secret, mutually beneficial engagement.
But with this latest stunt, Andrew might as well have taken out a full–page ad. He probably felt great about it, but now how could anyone not suspect there was something real between us?
God as my witness, I hadn’t even touched his abs!
The van pulled up in front of the small hotel in the county seat. I said goodbye to Hannah, walked inside, and pressed the button for the elevator.
The filming location was so remote that finding a place like this was a luxury. The director had booked three entire floors for the cast and crew.
The top–floor hallway was eerily quiet, my footsteps sinking into the plush carpet. I looked down, fumbling for my key card.
The wooden door to my room creaked open.
In a split second, before I could even react, the world spun. A pair of strong arms unceremoniously yanked me into the room.
It was dark inside; I couldn’t see a thing. But the air was thick with the faint scent of alcohol and the clean, warm fragrance of laundry–fresh clothes.
My body, tense and rigid, relaxed as I recognized the familiar scent.
11/17
16:49
16.49
Chapter 2
The man buried his face in the crook of my neck.
I had just come in from the cold, and my skin was cool to the touch. The sudden heat of his breath made the
fine hairs on my arms stand on end.
He let out a low, muffled sound, like a pouting child.
“You’re finally back.”
Andrew!
What the hell are you doing now?!
