The reporter grinned, catching the subtext. “So, for your fans eagerly shipping this pairing, is it safe to say you’re a real couple, not just an on-screen match?”
Without hesitation, Rico turned to Jane, his gaze tender and cupped her face. He kissed her deeply. The banquet hall erupted in cheers and applause, whistles echoing through the room like a celebration for a victorious romance.
Maddie stood frozen in the doorway, the bouquet slipping from her trembling hands. Her breath hitched as Rico, still holding Jane close, teased the reporters.
“What do you think? Real or fake?”
The cameras flashed, capturing Rico’s soft touch as he wiped away Jane’s smudged lipstick. Maddie, struggling to steady herself, was startled by the sudden buzz of her phone.
Her mother’s name flashed on the screen. Maddie stepped out into the chilly night air before answering.
“Mom,” she whispered, her voice breaking.
“I just saw the entertainment news,” her mother said cautiously. “Rico already has a girlfriend. Don’t you think it’s time you stopped staying at his place? Why don’t you come home?”