Page 22 of Fake Fiancé for the Billionaire Rockstar

I flash him a grin. “No worries. Mind keeping this our little secret?”

I look toward the entrance door, which is crowded with more reporters and paparazzi, then back at the older gentleman. “Do me a favor, act like you never saw me?”

His eyes widen with recognition, a conspiratorial smile spreading across his face. “Of course, of course. Your secret’s safe with me.”

“Thank you, and you have a good day,” I say over my shoulder as I make my way across the marble floors and toward the elevators.

My heart races as the elevator climbs to Carmen’s floor. This conversation won’t be easy, but it’s necessary.

I know I’m about to drop a bombshell on her, and I can already imagine her reaction. This isn’t just about thanking her for going along with the charade anymore. I just hope she’ll let me in, let us face this together.

Before I can scare myself away, I knock lightly on the door and hold my breath for sounds of shuffling around inside. When I don’t hear anything, I frown and try knocking a little louder. My eyebrows jump when I hear a few muttered curses, then the lock on the door is clicking and it’s being pulled open.

The door swings open, and I’m not prepared for the sight that greets me. Carmen, our always-put-together manager, looks like she’s been hit by a truck. Her hair’s a wild mess, eyes bloodshot and squinting against the light. The scent of stale alcohol clings to her, and I can’t help but smirk.

“Rough night, Sunshine?”

The sight of her, messy and vulnerable, stirs something inside me. I like this softer side of her. I like seeing the cracks in her armor.

Carmen groans, rubbing her temples. “Mia, Julia, Mallory... they dragged me out. I didn’t stand a chance. One drink led to another, and now... well, here I am.”

“The girls?”

“They’re quite... persuasive, she mumbles.”

Interesting. Carmen bonding with the band’s partners? That’s new.

“What do you want?” she mutters, voice rough with sleep and probably a hangover.

“Is that how you welcome the love of your life?” I tease, trying to keep my voice light, but even I hear the edge in it.

Her eyes snap open, a glare replacing the bleary confusion. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Can’t a guy check on his fake fiancée after a wild night out?”

She groans. “How did you—never mind. It doesn’t matter. You can leave now.”

I pull out my phone, my heart pounding as I turn the screen toward her. The headline flashes across the screen like a neon sign.

“LOVE BEHIND THE SCENES: RAISING HAVOC'S DRUMMER ENGAGED TO BAND MANAGER!!”

Carmen’s eyes narrow as she stares at the screen, and I brace myself for her reaction. The silence stretches, thick and suffocating, before she finally snatches the phone from my hand.

Carmen’s eyes widen, all traces of hangover vanishing.“What the hell?”

“Our little secret’s out, Sunshine,” I say, trying to keep my tone light despite the gravity of the situation. “Seems like someone caught us at the restaurant.”

She scrolls through the article, her face paling with each swipe. “This... this is a disaster. Donny, what are we going to do?”

Carmen’s voice wavers, and for the first time, I see the cracks. The always-in-control, no-nonsense Carmen is unraveling in front of me. And it hits me hard—I’ve put her in this position. It was never supposed to get this far.

Carmen leans against the doorframe, suddenly looking exhausted again. “I need coffee for this conversation. Lots of it. God, my family will see this too.This is a nightmare.”

Her robe hangs loosely on her, offering a glimpse of the tiny pajamas beneath, and my body reacts instantly. As if sensing my dirty thoughts, she pulls the robe tighter around herself, her gaze locking with mine, forcing my attention to her beautiful face.

It’s not just her looks—it’s the tension crackling between us. The way she tightens the robe, like she knows exactly how hard I’m trying to keep it together. There's a pull between us, something I haven’t felt in a long time.

I’m screwed.

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