Chapter 4

Sky

I was still catching my breath and still shocked by what the woman did when Drake spoke sharply.

"What the hell are you doing, Cassie?"

Cassie tossed her head like she was beyond angry. She pointed a shaking finger straight at me. "She deserves that slap! She is trying to seduce you!"

Heat burned through my stinging cheek, and my temper snapped. Before I could think twice, I stepped forward and slapped her hard right back. The sound rang loud in the quiet room.

Cassie staggered back. Her eyes went wide with shock. "How dare you hit me? Don't you know who I am? I am Drake’s fiancée!

"That is not true!" Drake said at once. His voice was firm and cold. "That so-called fiancée thing was just a silly joke our parents made when we were little kids. It never meant anything. He shifted his gaze to me, then looked back at her.

"Cassie, this is Sky. She is my real girlfriend."

Cassie let out a sharp, bitter laugh. She did not believe him one bit. She looked me up and down with pure disgust. "You cannot be serious! Someone like you? You are nothing like the kind of woman Drake likes. He would never go for someone as plain and desperate starlet like you."

She stepped closer, voice turning sharper.

"I know exactly what this is. You two are just pretending to date, right? You are only doing it to save your image and your career."

My chest tightened painfully. Her words cut deeper than any slap. What hurt most was that Drake stayed silent. He did not argue. He did not defend me. It felt like he agreed with every cruel word Cassie said. Like, he really thought I was not good enough.

Anger and hurt swirled wildly inside me. I would prove her wrong. I stepped right up to Drake, grabbed the front of his shirt, and pressed my lips hard against his.

It was meant to look fierce and convincing. But the moment our mouths touched, something strange fluttered in my ribs. I held on tight, refusing to pull away first.

"Do you still think we're just having a fake relationship?" I smiled at Cassie, I'm so glad to see her face flush with anger.

"You think that fools anyone? I will tell everyone! I will prove to the whole world that this is all a big lie! Even if it is just my guess, people will believe me!" Cassie blurted it out.

She shot me one last deadly glare, then stormed out of the room. Doors banged loudly behind her.

When Cassie was gone, I immediately let go of Drake’s shirt. Awkward thick silence filled every corner. Neither of us spoke. My heart pounded so hard it shook my whole body. I told myself it was only rage toward Cassie. Nothing more. When I glanced up, Drake’s neck and ears were bright red. He looked like he did not know where to look.

Drake cleared his throat roughly. He was the first to break the quiet.

"You had no right to do that. You are just taking advantage of me." He leaned back stiffly.

"And Cassie was right anyway. I really don't like women like you. You are not my type at all. I will never like you that way. So if you had any silly wrong ideas about me, drop them right now."

My pride flared up fast. I lifted my chin high.

"Good! I will never like you either! I hate how cold and arrogant you act all the time! Honestly? I would much rather be around Steve than you!"

I saw his hands clench tight into fists at his sides. His jaw tightened hard. He looked like he wanted to say more, but just turned his face away.

I did not want to stay another minute near him. I walked out quietly. I went to the other side of this same hospital. I stopped in front of another small room. There lay my grandmother. I slowly walked inside and sat beside her hospital bed.

My throat went tight seeing her. She looked so thin and frail. Her skin was pale, almost like paper. Her chest rose and fell slowly and weakly while she slept. I held her cool hand gently. Tears pricked my eyes.

"I promise, Grandma," I whispered shakily. "No matter how hard it gets, no matter how much people insult me. I will stay strong. I will do anything. I will keep this fake act going as long as I have to. I will earn every cent needed to give you more medicine. I will do whatever it takes just to add even a few more months to your life."

 

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The next day, I sat on the sofa inside Drake’s room. I was thinking about Grandma when the door flew open. My manager and Drake’s coach marched in. Both looked furious.

My manager slammed a folded newspaper down hard on the table before me. "Look at this, Sky!"

I leaned forward. Right on the front page was Cassie's photo taken right here in this very room yesterday. The headline said that Drake’s True Fiancée Exposed! Drake and Sky Only Have A Fake Relationship To Save Fame!

I grabbed my phone fast. Sure enough, all three of us were trending everywhere. Opinions were all mixed up. Some people believed that Cassie was Drake's fiancée. Others stood firm and defended us. Many others felt confused and let down.

I curled my fingers tight until my nails dug into my palms. We were so careless! We never guessed someone was hiding and taking pictures outside. There was no doubt left in my mind. Cassie planned everything perfectly. She wanted everyone to suspect the truth. She wanted to ruin us completely.

My breath felt shallow and hard to draw. What happens now? Will people trust us ever again? Is this really the end of my career in showbiz that I worked hard to build? If I lose this job, how will I pay for Grandma’s hospital bills? How can I keep her alive?