Page 21 of Fake Fiancé for the Billionaire Rockstar

We stand there on the sidewalk, the air thick with unspoken words. The valet pulls up with my car, but neither of us moves.

Finally, I turn to leave, but Donny catches my wrist. "Carmen, I—"

I wait, heart pounding. But he just shakes his head, releasing me. "Never mind. Drive safe."

As I slide into the driver's seat, I glance back. Donny's still standing there, watching me. Our eyes lock, and for a moment, I feel like I'm seeing him for the first time.

Why does leaving feel like I'm moving in the wrong direction? Why does the thought of going home to an empty apartment make my chest ache?

At the first red light, my fingers brush the fake engagement ring. A warm, unfamiliar feeling washes over me. For the first time, I wonder, how much of tonight was truly pretend?

8

Donny

I should turn around.But the thought of seeing Carmen pulls me forward like a magnet.

As I step out of my building, I’m nearly blinded by camera flashes. Paparazzi swarm around me, their voices a clamor of shouted questions.

“Donny! How does it feel to be engaged?”

“When’s the wedding, Donny?”

“How will your engagement affect the band dynamics on tour?”

I plaster on a smile, trying to make my way to the waiting SUV. “No comment, folks. Just heading out for the day.”

A reporter manages to shove a phone in my face, showing me a social media post. It’s a blurry photo of Carmen and me at the restaurant, her hand clearly sporting the ring.

RAISING HAVOC'S DRUMMER CAUGHT IN SECRET ENGAGEMENT!

Fuck! I finally reach my SUV and climb in, my mind racing.

I need to see Carmen. It’s not the paparazzi or my career that has my heart racing—it’s her. The thought of this all crashing down and hurting her makes my chest tight. I’ve been in the spotlight before, but this time it's different. We need to get ahead of this, and fast.

As my driver pulls up, I see another swarm of paparazzi crowding the entrance to Carmen’s building, cameras at the ready. I narrow my eyes. Our little charade has stirred up quite the hornet’s nest.

What was supposed to be a private favor has spiraled into something far bigger. It was easy when it was just us pretending around my parents—just a harmless act for a few days. But now that the rest of the world caught sight of us together, it’s become a little more tricky than I would’ve liked.

No one has noticed me just yet, so I hurriedly cut around the back alley and head for a large metal door that I’m hoping leads somewhere inside the complex. I pause with my hand on the doorknob, my brows furrowed, then shake my head and pushmy way through the door. There’s chatter among the people inside, and it all dies down when I enter the room.

I glance around, noting the large stove and plethora of workers gawking at me.

Must’ve gone through the wrong door.

There’s a small diner located on the other half of the complex, so I guess it isn’t so surprising that’s where I ended up. Before everyone can make a big deal, I give them a nervous smile and hurry out the back door with a heavy sigh.

Now's my chance to turn back and forget about my agenda for today.

I shake my head and frown.

No, I’m sticking to the plan. I’m going to walk through the complex, up to Carmen’s apartment, and do something for her as a thank you. She didn’t need to help me, yet she did.

I also need to break the news to her.

Instead of listening to the voice inside of my head, I simply square my shoulders and eye the alleyway until I find another metal door that seems to be more promising. This time I find myself stepping into an empty hallway that leads into a brightly lit area and I casually follow that light. When I poke my head around the corner, there’s an older man sitting behind a deskwith a newspaper held up and he startles when his eyes find mine.

“Oh, I apologize, sir,” he says with a soft chuckle. “I didn’t hear you come in. That damn bell chooses when it works most of the time.”

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