he contract

o be sure she wasn't

r last paycheck. The terms were clear: six months of public appearances, a curated relatio

sing clause?"

ok up from his p

ctionate gestures may be used for

a brow. "Be

ve seen the tabloids. Th

miles for minimum wage. I th

barely. But it was ther

t... dangerous. Not unsafe. Jus

ago that nothing in her lif

s this up?" sh

"Then the contract's void. And

ipped. Even

something tells

a compliment and a cha

ure agreement, and a keycard to an apartment that probab

rself in the tinted reflec

gripping the folder of docu

a beat. "Now? We

ouse was

ably cost more than her rent, and furni

wroom," she mumbled, barely

amien said, walking in behin

oing for

"You live

s and goes. I don't li

guess I'm just the exception to the rule.

'll a

was ex

oom-her room, technically-staring at a closet a

ve felt lik

she was slipping int

hat only existed in magazines, and a dress hanging f

la – 8 PM.

course, he

fingers over t

d. She knew

, she wanted to feel like she b

n's door, her heart pounding in her

at exactly 8:

just...

r his gaze. "Is th

n said. "It

g second, his eyes so

eplaced by his usua

t's

ights, clinking glasses,

to look convincing. He introduced her as "my fiancée

the words stil

sked, "So how'

. "At a chari

in. "She thr

wd. Elena played along, shootin

ter. Camer

a perfo

arting to fee

Damien leaned in close. "S

smil

har

ked up to see his face inches from hers, and befor

t rushed

t. Slow. I

breath

crowd, the lights, the noise. She could only hear the ringing in he

shes resumed.

ike nothing

e? She wa

never supposed