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In hallway Alice stood there, her arms wrapped tightly around Rico as if clinging to some invisible hope. But Rico stood motionless, stiff as a statue. Shock flickered in his eyes—his arms stayed glued by his sides. He didn't hug her back.
Not far away, hidden near old backstage curtains, two sneaky paparazzi crouched with their cameras raised. One of them whispered with excitement, "This is big… we've got breaking news."
"Hurry, someone's coming," the other replied. And in a hurry, they disappeared, their cameras full of scandalous snapshots.
Footsteps echoed down the corridor.
Few steps away, Ameya standing like statue,the world seemed to freeze. her eyes widening as they landed on the sight of Alice holding Rico so closely. Her heart dropped. She wasn't alone—Jenna was right behind her, equally stunned at the scene before them.
"Alice…?" Ameya breathed, barely above a whisper.
Rico suddenly stepped back and gently but firmly unwrapped Alice's hands from his body. "What are you doing, Alice?"
Alice looked startled by his tone. Rico's expression was cold, edged with annoyance. "Don't do things like this again. I don't like it."
Alice stood frozen, her lips parting. "Rico…"
He averted his eyes, frustration clear in his voice. "I'm telling you right now—I'm not interested in marrying you. I know our mothers arranged it, but I don't want that. I don't want you."
Alice's body trembled slightly. "You don't like me… not even as a friend…?"
The glare in his eyes softened a little when he saw the sadness on her face. "That's not what I meant. You are a friend. But I already like someone else. So please… don't do this again."
Alice's breath hitched. "Someone else? Who…?"
Just then, Ameya took a small step forward, and Rico's eyes immediately found hers. Jenna followed right behind. Alice turned and saw them both. Some kind of realization washed over her.
"Jenna…" she whispered.
Then she turned sharply to Rico, her voice trembling. "Is it… Jenna? Do you like… Jenna?"
Rico's eyes widened in shock. "What?! No—"
Ameya's eyes grew large. Jenna covered her mouth in surprise—and just then, a deeper voice interrupted.
"What? Rico likes Jenna?"
Michael stood behind Jenna, confusion darkening his face, he comes later after performance...his clothes covered in sweat.
Alice glanced at him and immediately stepped back. Her phone rang in her hand. She stared down at it, then lifted her head again, eyes filled with hurt. Without another word, she whispered, "I have to go."
She walked past them quickly, one shimmering tear escaping down her cheek. Then she was gone around the corner.
Michael turned to Jenna and Ameya. "What on earth is happening here?"
Ameya sighed heavily, stepping closer to him. "Your sister completely misunderstood everything. It's not like that—"
Before she could finish, Rico reached forward, taking Ameya's hand into his own.
"Come with me."
He led her away without hesitation, leaving Michael staring after them. Jenna stood quietly, biting her lower lip. She turned to Michael with a guilty look.
"I'll explain everything…"
---
The inside of Rico's car was quiet, filled with unspoken emotion as Rico shut the door and turned toward Ameya. She looked at him in confusion.
"Rico… why did you bring me here like this—"
He gently pressed his finger to her lips, silencing her. "Please, just hear me out."
His dark eyes were full of warmth, though his voice was serious. "I told Alice the truth. That I like someone else. I don't want her."
Ameya stared at him, her heart fluttering softly. "I heard what you said…"
He leaned back and ran a hand through his hair. "But I know her. She won't give up easily. She's always been that way—stubborn about what she wants. She won't understand."
Ameya's smile faded into a more serious expression. "So what will you do, Rico?"
He held her gaze, voice low and sincere. "Are you willing to marry me now?"
Her eyes widened in shock, and she gently pulled his hand away from her lips. "Rico… are you serious? If you marry me now, what about your career? You worked so hard to reach this position. This could ruin everything!"
He shook his head, eyes full of emotion. "If I don't marry you, my life will be ruined. I'm not saying we announce it to the world. We can register our marriage quietly—keep it private. That way our careers won't suffer…"
She gazed at him in disbelief. "Are you… afraid of her?"
Rico frowned. "What?"
Ameya leaned in closer, eyes firm. "Come back to reality. If you're strong… no one can destroy our love, Rico. Don't let fear decide our life."
Rico fell silent, lowering his head slowly. Ameya's heart softened. She leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss against his cheek.
"Don't make decisions out of anger," she whispered.
Rico turned to her, a smile forming slowly on his lips. "Okay… but that's not enough."
Ameya blinked in confusion. "What…?"
A mischievous glint lit his eyes as he leaned closer. "I need more than that."
Before she could react, his lips pressed against hers—warm, demanding, sincere. His arm slid around her waist, pulling her close. His other hand slipped into her hair as the kiss deepened. Ameya's breath caught, her hands lifting naturally to his shoulders. She melted into him, lips parting as the kiss became passionate, intense.
Her heart was pounding wildly. Rico kissed her again and again, as if he'd been waiting forever for this moment. In the heat of the moment, his hand accidentally brushed against the car seat, pressing right on his injured palm.
"Ah—" he hissed softly in pain.
Ameya immediately broke the kiss, concern flooding her eyes. "Your hand! Are you okay? Does it still hurt?"
He smirked through a breath, giving her a little wink. "Not much… but I still want more."
Before she could speak, he leaned in again and captured her lips with his once more—even deeper than before. Ameya smiled against his mouth, her cheeks flushing hot as Rico continued kissing her like he never planned to stop.
In that stolen moment, it felt like the world outside didn't exist. Only the two of them, sealed by a secret promise no one else could touch.
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To be continued…
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