One Day Before – Kyle's House, Beverly Hills – 7:30 AM
When Kyle Sanderson woke up, his head was pounding. The hangover from last night's party still lingered. His hair was a mess, his face smeared with traces of stage makeup. He pulled himself out of the satin sheets, wearing nothing but boxer shorts.
His whole body ached, as if he'd been in a fight. Stumbling toward the kitchen, he opened the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and downed it in one go.
That's when the doorbell rang.
Kyle frowned. "No one was supposed to come today," he muttered.
The bell rang again longer this time, more insistent.
"Jesus! Don't break the damn door, I'm coming!" Kyle walked over and peered through the peephole. A man in a tailored suit stood outside. The silhouette was unmistakable.
Kyle opened the door.
James Valentine stood there. Impeccable gray suit. Polished shoes. That same cold, calculating, devilish smile.
"Good morning, Kyle," James said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Looks like you had quite a night."
Kyle stepped back. "James? What the hell are you doing here? It's seven in the morning!"
James walked right in without waiting for permission. His eyes scanned the living room, messy couches, beer bottles on the floor, traces of cocaine on the table.
"Ah," he said. "Classic Kyle night. Party, booze, drugs... and morning regret."
Kyle shut the door, glaring at him.
"What do you want? We cut ties five years ago. There's nothing between us anymore."
James turned to face him, his eyes cold and sharp as a blade. He stepped closer.
"Wrong," he said. "There's a contract between us. Remember? That little piece of paper you signed the one that says, 'I, Kyle Sanderson, owe James Valentine one favor, to be redeemed at any time.'"
Kyle's face went pale. "No. You can't ask me for anything!"
James clucked his tongue. "Ungrateful as always. You make a deal with the devil, and you're shocked there's a price to pay."
"It was just a formality! It has no legal standing!"
"Maybe," James said. He pulled an envelope from his pocket and dropped it on the table. "But this does."
Kyle stared at it, trembling. He opened it and froze.
Photos. Dozens of them. His face, his body, his life exposed. Doing drugs. In bed with a married woman. And worst of all… in a compromising position with an underage fan.
"T-these are fake!" Kyle stammered. "They're photoshopped!"
"Ahh.. No!" James said, shrugging. "Not fake. But even if they were do you think the media would care? Your fans? Your label?"
Kyle hurled the photos onto the table and glared at him. "What do you want? Money? How much?"
James laughed cold and merciless.
"Money? Kyle, I have more money than God. What I want is far more valuable. I want you to make my new star shine. I want you to help her become visible."
"What kind of help?" Kyle's voice was tight with anger.
James slid a business card across the table. A name was printed on it: Ellie Harper.
"You're going to date her," James said.
Kyle looked at the card, then at James, then back again. He ran his hands through his hair, panic setting in.
"Are you insane, James? Stop playing games! Who the hell is she? I've never even heard of her!"
"Of course you haven't," James replied coolly. "No one has. But in three months, everyone will. And you'll be her boyfriend."
Kyle's eyes widened. "You've lost your mind! I'm America's biggest pop star! Why would I date some nobody? It'll ruin my career!"
James stepped closer, his voice low, dangerous.
"Will dating Ellie Harper ruin your career... or will those photos?" His lips curled into a smile. "Your choice."
Kyle staggered back, struggling to breathe. He was trapped. James always won that was his reputation. The man was a devil in a designer suit.
"Fine," Kyle whispered. "I'll do it. Whatever you want."
James smiled a portrait of triumph. That same sinister smile.
"Smart boy." He jabbed a finger into Kyle's chest. "Now listen carefully. Ellie must never know about this arrangement. You'll be perfect to her kind, charming, romantic. You'll make her feel beautiful. She'll trust you. She'll believe in you."
James paused, his eyes blazing with something almost supernatural.
"If you screw this up… if you hurt her… if you break her heart…"
He leaned in and whispered, his voice like ice in Kyle's ear:
"I'll end you. And this time, it won't just be your career."
Kyle nodded, trembling.
James straightened his flawless suit, walked to the door, and stopped at the threshold.
"Tomorrow, noon. Le Jardin. Be ready. And Kyle…" He smiled.
"Act like a man in love. The world will be watching."
The door slammed shut behind him.
Kyle sank to the floor, shaking.
"Goddamn you, James Valentine," he muttered. "Goddamn devil."
Le Jardin Restaurant – 12:00 PM
Ellie had been awake since six, though she hadn't really slept at all. She'd spent the night staring at the ceiling, thinking about Kyle Sanderson. Her childhood crush. The man of her dreams.
How was she supposed to talk to him? What would she even say? It all felt unreal but deep down, something was burning inside her. Maybe this was her chance at love. Maybe Kyle could actually fall for her.
She picked up her phone and checked Instagram. Her latest photo had over twelve hundred likes. One hundred seventy comments.
She shot up in bed, rubbing her eyes. "No way. What's happening? Am I dreaming?"
Most of the comments were positive, girls supporting her, cheering her on, praising her confidence and body positivity. But some… brought her right back to reality.
"You don't need to fit in, girl! you're perfect as you are!"
"Yes queen! Get up and own it!"
"Makeup is a scam. I'd throw her out after her morning shower!"
"Gorgeous! Drop the dress link!"
"Makeup makes everyone pretty."
"Photoshop queen."
"Still fat."
Ellie put down her phone and took a deep breath. She remembered James's words:
"People will always talk. Forget them all and play by your own rules."
Lost in that chaos of thoughts, the doorbell rang. It was only 7:30.
Simone stood outside, holding a massive suitcase.
"Bonjour, chérie," she said. "Today is a big day. Your first date with Kyle Sanderson. Let's get you ready."
Two hours of transformation followed hair, makeup, styling. Nothing overdone; Simone went for "sophisticated natural," something that brought out Ellie's beauty without masking it.
Then came the outfit selection. Three dresses. Ellie's eyes landed on one, salmon pink, midi length, with a side slit. Elegant yet daring. Classy yet bold.
"This one," she said.
Simone smiled. "Parfait. I knew you'd pick that."
The dress hugged her perfectly subtle, feminine, with just the right hint of allure.
"You look stunning," Simone said. "If Kyle isn't an idiot, he'll fall in love."
Ellie flinched. "No, no. This is just business. Remember?"
Simone shrugged, touching her shoulder and whispering, "Sometimes, the fake things become real, ma chérie. Be careful."
A little while later, James dropped Ellie off in front of Le Jardin in a sleek black Mercedes. It was one of L.A.'s most exclusive restaurants celebrities everywhere.
James didn't get out. "I'm not going in. Kyle's waiting. The table's reserved. Paparazzi are outside. Just be natural."
"Natural?" Ellie's hands trembled. "I'm about to have lunch with Kyle Sanderson, start a fake relationship with the man I've loved since childhood, and you want me to be natural?"
James smiled. There was something almost genuine in it. Ellie's raw sincerity had a way of disarming even him the soulless devil.
"Yes," he said softly. "Exactly that. And remember…" He handed her a small earpiece. "Wear this. I'll guide you if needed."
Ellie blinked. "Seriously? Am I turning into female James Bond now?"
James chuckled, flashing his sharp white teeth. "No. This is far more important. This is your career. Now go."
Ellie sighed. "Fine. No questions. I trust my fairy god-devil." She put it in and stepped out of the car.
Instantly, the paparazzi swarmed. Flashbulbs. Questions flying.
"Ellie! Who are you?"
"Are you meeting Kyle Sanderson?"
"What's your relationship status?"
She froze like a deer in headlights, then forced herself to move, lowering her head and walking fast into the restaurant. Her heart pounded.
"Breathe," James's voice whispered in her ear. "Go in. Kyle's waiting. Smile. That's all."
Inside, the restaurant gleamed with chandeliers and classical music. Everything sparkled, too perfect, too intimidating. Ellie scanned the room nervously.
Then she saw him.
In the corner table sat Kyle Sanderson.
Her breath caught. He was even more handsome than she remembered, tousled brown hair perfectly styled, bright blue eyes, a symmetrical face, an athlete's build. His suit fit like it was made for him.
Kyle stood as she approached and smiled. "Ellie," he said softly. "It's so good to see you. Please, sit."
Her legs felt weak. She sat, clasping her hands beneath the table.
"Hi," she whispered.
Kyle studied her. She wasn't his usual type, but James's words echoed in his head:
"Make her feel beautiful."
"You look amazing," he said, and this time, his tone was sincere.
"That dress… it suits you perfectly."
Ellie's cheeks flushed. "Thank you. You look… great too. I mean, you always look great, I just.." She tripped over her words, flustered and blushing.
Kyle smiled for real this time. Her innocence disarmed him.
"Relax," he said. "It's just lunch. Let's get to know each other."
"Take his hand. Now," James's voice ordered through the earpiece.
Ellie twitched. "What?" she muttered.
Kyle frowned. "Did you say something?"
"No, I just…" She placed her hand on the table.
Kyle glanced at her hand, he understood. James's plan. Slowly, he reached over and took it. His touch was warm, steady. Their fingers intertwined.
Outside, the paparazzi went wild. Flashes burst through the glass.
Kyle looked into her eyes. "Nervous?" he asked gently.
"Very," Ellie admitted. "This is all… new. Everything is new."
"I know," he said and for the first time, he truly meant it. He saw the fear in her eyes, the vulnerability. Something stirred inside him. He remembered his own first days of fame the same panic, the same loneliness.
"Listen," Kyle said. "When I started out, I felt the same. It's scary. But you'll get used to it. And you're not alone. You can talk to me really. We're in this together now. Teammates, right? So lean on me if you need to."
Ellie's heart raced. There was something in his gaze, something real, if only for a second.
"Thank you," she whispered.
A waiter brought their meals, but Ellie barely touched hers.
"Not hungry?" Kyle asked.
"No," she said quietly. "Just… nervous."
Kyle smiled. "You know, you're different."
"Different?" she blinked.
"Yeah. Most people would kill to sit here. But you… you look like you'd rather die than be here. That's real. You're real."
Her face turned crimson. "Thank you," she managed.
"Perfect," James's voice murmured. "Now get up. Leave together. Hand in hand."
Ellie swallowed hard. "Shall we go?"
Kyle nodded. He stood, offered his hand. She took it. Together, they walked out.
The moment they stepped outside, chaos erupted flashes, screams, voices.
Kyle slid his arm around her waist, pulling her close. He leaned in and whispered, "Smile. Just a few more seconds."
She smiled. So did he. For that fleeting moment, they looked like a real couple. The cameras captured every heartbeat of it.
That night, Ellie sat alone in her apartment, heart still racing. Her phone buzzed, it was James.
"Congratulations," he said. "The photos are everywhere. You're trending on Twitter. Tagged all over Instagram. Tomorrow, you'll be on every front page."
"Really?" Ellie's voice trembled with excitement.
"Really," James said. "The game's begun. And you're winning, sweetheart."
Ellie swallowed. "Thank you, James. Really. You have no idea, my dad used to tell me I was special, that I could do anything. After he passed, I felt invisible. Even my dog, he died two years ago. You're the first good thing that's happened to me in a long time. Thank you."
And before he could respond, she hung up, afraid of what he might say. "This is just business." Or worse,"You're taking this too personally."
She opened Instagram again, her fingers trembling. Photos of her and Kyle flooded her feed.
And the comments rolled in;
"Who is Ellie Harper?"
"Kyle's new girlfriend!"
"Perfect couple!"
"Who's the chubby girl?"
"Maybe she's rich, lol."
"Has Kyle lost his mind?"
Ellie smiled faintly. There it was the truth. She wasn't invisible anymore.
And the best part? She was starting to like being seen.