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The airport exit was complete chaos.
A massive sea of reporters pushed against the bodyguards, their camera flashes going off like strobe lights.
Michael walked through the middle of the crowd, his face tense. Evans was right beside him, holding onto his arm.
The reporters were shouting at the top of their lungs, trying to get a reaction.
"Michael! Are you dating Emma Myers?"
"Michael! Is it true your book is just a PR stunt?"
"Hey Michael! Are you happy your uncle is going to prison?"
"Did you used Emma Myers as stepping stone for fame?"
Michael stopped.
His jaw locked, and his fists clenched tightly by his sides.
He turned his head, glaring at the reporter who asked the last question. He was fully ready to create a massive scene and kick some asses right there on the pavement.
Evans saw the look in Michael's eyes.
"Oh no," Evans thought.
Knowing Michael was about to explode, Evans grabbed him by the shoulders and pushed him hard.
He shoved Michael straight into the back seat of a waiting black SUV, slammed the door shut, and immediately ran to the second car parked right behind it.
Inside the SUV, Michael blinked.
He looked out the window, completely confused.
"What is Evans doing? he wondered. Why did he go to the other car?"
"Hello, Michael."
The sweet, familiar voice came from the seat right beside him.
Michael froze, then snapped his head around.
Emma was sitting there, wearing a soft sweater and a big smile.
"Emma?" Michael gasped, his brain short-circuiting. "What are you doing here? How did you get in this car? Is it safe for you to be out here with all these-"
He was still talking when Emma suddenly leaned across the seat and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.
Michael stopped talking instantly.
He was surprised, but his body reacted on its own.
He smiled, wrapping his strong arms around her waist, holding her very lovingly. Without letting her go, he reached out and pushed a button on the door panel.
A dark screen slowly rolled up, creating a solid barrier between them and the driver.
They stayed like that, just hugging in silence, for ten whole minutes. Michael didn't mind it at all; in fact, he liked it more than anything in the world.
When Emma finally parted from him slowly, she looked up with big puppy eyes.
"How did you get here?" Michael asked softly.
"Evans helped me," she explained. "You gave me his number in case I ever needed help and couldn't reach you. I told him I really wanted to see you the second you landed."
Michael smiled.
But then, Emma's soft look changed.
Her face filled with absolute determination.
Michael got a very bad feeling in his stomach.
She took his hand, clasped it tightly between both of hers, and looked him right in the eye.
"You promised me something," Emma said seriously. "You promised that if I asked you seriously, you would tell me how I inspired The Fault in Our Stars. I am here, and I am asking seriously." A quick grin flashed on her face. "I read the book, by the way, and it was fabulous! But I need the answer."
The grin went away.
She was waiting.
Michael contemplated making up an excuse, but looking into her eyes, he couldn't refuse her.
He let out a long sigh.
"Okay," Michael said quietly, looking down at his shoes with a guilty expression. "Do you remember that day on set? When you had to film that scene where you kiss Zain?"
Emma nodded slowly.
"I was watching from the back," Michael explained, his voice full of emotion. "And it made me so jealous. I felt so heartbroken seeing you kiss someone else. My brain just switched off completely. When I finally snapped out of it, I had to go straight back to my hotel room. All that sadness and heartbreak... I poured it all into writing that book."
Michael couldn't look at her.
He stared at the floor of the car.
"I know that sounds crazy. If you don't want to see me anymore, or if you think I am a creep for doing that, I will gladly accept your decision. I-"
Before he could finish his sentence, Emma's hands grabbed his face.
She forcefully pulled his head up so he had to look at her.
Her beautiful blue eyes were wide and shining.
"Do you like me?" Emma asked directly.
"Yes," Michael answered, the word leaving his mouth even before she finished her question.
Emma took a breath.
Her hands were still clasping his face, but her voice grew a little nervous. "Do you want to be my boyfriend?"
Michael couldn't take the distance between them anymore.
He gently put his hands over hers on his cheeks, leaned in, and kissed her.
Emma closed her eyes and kissed him right back, melting against him.
After a few beautiful seconds, they broke apart.
Michael looked at Emma with deep, overflowing love.
"Will you be my girlfriend?" he asked softly.
Emma beamed. A radiant, massive smile lit up her face.
"Of course, you idiot!" she laughed playfully. "Took your time, didn't ya?"
Michael let out a happy laugh, pulling her in close, and they kissed tenderly.