The next morning, everything moved too fast for her to keep up.
"We… we're really doing this?" she whispered as Adrian's manager handed her a document to sign.
Adrian nodded once, his expression calm—too calm for a man agreeing to a contract marriage.
"This is the only way to shut down the rumors and stop the harassment. Your safety matters."
Her hands trembled as she held the pen. A marriage… with him?
---
Later, inside the cramped dressing room of a local boutique, she stared helplessly at a cheap, modest ivory dress.
"It's fine," she muttered to herself. "It just needs to look decent for photos."
Adrian peeked inside. "That's what you're wearing?"
She flushed. "It's all I can afford right now—"
"Put it back," he said simply.
"What? No! I don't want to trouble—"
He walked past her, ignoring her protests, and stopped at a mannequin wearing a soft cream silk dress—simple, elegant, flowing.
"This one," he said. "Try it."
"It's too expensive."
He lifted a brow. "It's my wedding too."
She went silent.
A few minutes later, she stepped out wearing the dress. Adrian's eyes widened just a fraction—barely noticeable, but she caught it.
"…Perfect," he said quietly.
Her heart stumbled.
---
The ceremony took place in a private hall—no guests, only the registrar, his manager, and a photographer to produce the "wedding proof" for media.
Adrian's parents had arrived exactly on time, escorted by a small staff.
His mother, frail and silent in her wheelchair, her paralysis making her movements limited but her eyes sharp and aware.
His father, dignified, controlled, smiling just the right amount for the cameras.
They weren't cruel.They weren't rude.They didn't object.
In fact, they did everything perfectly.
His father placed a gentle hand on her head and said,
"May you bring stability to our son."
His mother,said the same.
Everything looked normal.
Too normal.
The moment the rituals & meal ended, his father whispered something to the caretaker.
The wheelchair turned.
"Thank you for having us," he said with a professional smile.
They walked—well, his father walked, his mother was wheeled—straight to the exit.
At the time, the staff whispered:
"Maybe the mother's health is bad."
"Maybe the father has urgent business."
"
---
That night, the internet exploded.
Some fans were furious:
"Why her?"
"He deserves someone famous!"
"She trapped him!"
But unexpectedly, many more defended them:
"It's his life. Let him be happy."
"This is 2025, grow up. Celebrities can date."
"They look cute together."
A global fanbase from Europe and Southeast Asia trended:
#LetThemLive
#AdrianDeservesPrivacy
The contrast was shocking.
She scrolled through the comments, overwhelmed. "They… they're supporting us?"
Adrian leaned against the doorframe of the suite, arms folded.
"Told you. Not everyone hates what they don't understand."
She looked up at him. "Why are you being so… nice to me?"
He exhaled. "Because you are not the kind of girl to deserve a downfall,Because even if this is a contract, I'm responsible for what happens to you."
Her cheeks warmed. "And… what happens now?"
Adrian walked toward her slowly, stopping just in front of her.
"Now," he said, voice low, "we learn to act like a married couple."
The evening sun dipped behind the hills as the shoot resumed. Laughter and echoes from the filming site drifted into the small neighbourhood.
Inside the lane, however, a very different kind of noise brewed.
Two women whispered loudly near her gate, loud enough for her to hear from her window.
"I'm telling you, that actor married her only to coax her to sleep with her."
"Exactly! And once his movie finishes, he'll dump her and disappear. These city men… they fool innocent girls."
She froze, fingers gripping the window sill.
Again? After everything we did to kill the rumor? They're creating a worse one…
Another voice chimed in, mocking,
"Look at her luck—got a handsome husband and still acting shy. He probably charmed her and she fell for it."
Her stomach churned.
If Adrian ever says something like "I like her" to protect me… and then leaves when the shoot ends… I'll be completely ruined. They'll tear me apart.
Her phone stayed silent. No call, no text from him since the ceremony.
That silence made it worse.
---
She barely slept that night. When dawn light filled her room, she sat curled up, hugging her knees.
Maybe he regretted it already.
Maybe he's just waiting for the right time to distance himself.
Her thoughts tangled until her phone suddenly buzzed.
Adrian calling.
Her breath caught as she answered, voice small.
"Hello…?"
"Good morning," Adrian said, calm and firm, as if the world hadn't been attacking her all night. "Are you awake?"
"…Yes."
"Good. Get ready in an hour."
She blinked. "Get ready? For… what?"
"We're leaving."
"…Leaving where?"
"To the city," he replied. "You're moving in with me."
Her heart dropped. "W-What? Why? I—my classes—"
"I already spoke to your college principal early morning. Your attendance won't be affected."
"But why suddenly…?"
He paused for a moment before saying,
"The more time you stay there, the more they'll hurt you. The rumors won't stop. You're my wife now—even if it's on paper, I take responsibility."
She swallowed. "Adrian… they're saying horrible things. That you married me for—"
"I know," he interrupted sharply. "I heard everything."
Her breath trembled. "And… what do you think?"
There was silence on his line—steady, deliberate.
Then:
"What I think," he said slowly, "is that you don't deserve to be surrounded by people who want to crush you."
She pressed her lips tight, tears stinging her eyes.
"So pack what you need," he continued. "I'm sending a car. You'll stay where I can protect you. Where the media can't twist every breath you take."
She whispered, "You really… mean that?"
"Yes." His voice softened, only a little. "Now hurry. We don't have much time before the paparazzi show up again."
The call ended.
She sat frozen for a long second, staring at the silent phone.
Moving in with him.
A contract husband.
A city where every camera would watch her.
And yet—
for the first time since the scandal…
she didn't feel completely alone.
---
The car rolled to a stop outside the small house. The neighbors had already gathered, whispering from their verandas as Adrian stepped out—tall, calm, unmistakably famous even in simple clothes.
Her father, who had just returned from work, froze at the gate. He looked tired, dust still clinging to his shirt, but his eyes sharpened the moment he saw Adrian.
"You again?" he said, voice low and tense. "Why are you here?"
Adrian bowed politely. "Good evening, sir. I've come to take—"
"To take my daughter away?" her father cut in sharply. "First you bring the media to our door. Then this marriage drama. Now you want to take her too?i don't know why you are being so nice!you are not what media shows!I don't know what you will do with her once you take her from our shadows"
The neighbors gathered outside and murmured, enjoying the spectacle.
Her heart pounded as she stood behind Adrian, clutching her bag.
"It's not a drama," Adrian replied steadily. "The rumors are getting out of hand. She isn't safe here. I want to bring her to the city, where she can stay without harassment."
Her father's jaw tightened. "Safe? Let say you actually want to help..then,you think taking her to your world—your celebrity mess—is safety?"
"She'll be with me," Adrian said simply.
The father stared at him for a long, heavy moment.
Then he turned to his daughter.
"Is this what you want?" he asked softly; this time his voice broke with worry instead of anger. "To go with him? After everything that happened?"
She felt her throat close.
"I… I don't want the neighbors saying horrible things," she whispered. "I can't take it anymore,not all people are emotionally strong, I'm learning to be but for now....."
Her father closed his eyes as if the words pierced him.
"She cried all night," Adrian added. "And she will cry again if she stays here."
Her father lifted his gaze, meeting Adrian's eyes with a firmness that could rival any protective parent.
"If you hurt her," he said, stepping closer, "I don't care how famous you are. I don't care how many people know you. I'll come all the way to your world and take her back."
Adrian didn't flinch. "You have my word. I'll protect her."
Her father studied him—reading, judging, doubting, hoping.
Finally, he sighed, shoulders dropping.
"…Take care of her," he said quietly. "She's stubborn. Sensitive. She gets scared easily but hides it. Don't misuse that."
"I won't," Adrian answered.
Her father hesitated… then placed his hand on her head, a rare gesture of affection.
"Call me," he murmured. "Every night. Even if it's just for a minute."
She nodded, eyes burning.
Adrian touched her shoulder gently. "We should go."
Her father watched them walk to the car. When Adrian opened the door for her, the neighbors gasped. Her father didn't care for them anymore.
As the car pulled away, she saw him shrinking in the rearview mirror, hands on his hips, trying to look strong.
But she knew—
he was terrified of losing her.
*Few minutes later*
A familiar name flashes on Adrian's phone, 'Leona',when the call ends it shows 37 missed calls, Adrian said he wants to marry me then why Leona is calling him as if they are so close..
I know my life can be hard but it won't be get any better here either,no one will marry me nor i can enroll into the University...because people care about small things.
This is when an intimate photo of actress leona & Adrian spreads where they were kissing each other on a bed.