I woke up feeling surprisingly well-rested, which was ironic, considering I was supposed to be keeping an eye on Raphael, not the other way around.
But the day wasn't going to wait for me.
I had a film promotion lined up with Dustin Wang, the country's favorite heartthrob. The media loved shipping us together. Half the comments on my socials were about how "good we'd look married."
If only they knew.
That i was actually married, to a doctor no one would ever link to me.
And that our marriage was built on a contract.
I shook off the thought and got out of bed, careful not to trip over the suitcase i hadn't fully unpacked since coming back from California.
When i stepped out of my room, I noticed the dining table first.
A plate was waiting there, carefully covered.
I raised an eyebrow.
Raphael?
I lifted the lid, and there it was: scrambled eggs, bacon, garlic rice, a little mango on the side. Even coffee, still warm.
Beside it, a note in his tidy handwriting:
"Thanks. Had to leave early. Eat before you go."
I let out a breath i hadn't realized i was holding.
That small, weird ache in my chest again.
Was this what it felt like to have someone cooking for you?
I sat down slowly and took a bite.
It was good.
Too good for something fake.
As i ate, my mind wandered, like it always did when things got quiet.
I remembered Viviena's face the last time she visited.
She knew about her loan loan.
But she never asked about it again.
Because our act was convincing enough.
The way Raphael looked at me.
The way i spoke about him in front of them.
The little domestic details no one could fake.
Even Viviena seemed convinced we were genuinely in love.
If only she knew.
It wasn't love.
It was a transaction.
But some days, like now, eating breakfast alone at my table, I wondered if we were both forgetting that.
I finished the meal, cleaned up, and went back to my room to get ready.
I didn't have time to overthink.
Today was big.
—
My hair and makeup team would be waiting.
And no matter what was going on in my "private life," the public only got to see Claudia Araneta: The Actress.
Perfect. Composed.
Ready to be shipped with her leading man if it sold tickets.
Before heading to the studio, I stopped by the bookstore.
Not to buy "business" manuals anymore, but to pick up a script analysis guide.
Because despite what people thought, acting wasn't just showing up pretty.
You had to know the work.
The lines.
The beats.
The emotions you'd never admit to in real life.
My eyes scanned the shelf, and I caught sight of titles that made me snort.
"Making Love: A Guide to Passion & Intimacy"
"How to Have a Baby"
My lips twitched.
For research?
I grabbed the first book without thinking, flipping through the pages.
Ridiculous.
But my fingers hesitated before putting it back.
I added it to my basket anyway.
Call it method preparation.
When i finally got to the studio, my assistant immediately handed me a bottled water.
"Claudia, the director wants you in ten. Dustin's already here."
I forced a bright smile.
"Great. Let's go."
As i walked past the studio door, I caught sight of my reflection.
Hair perfect.
Eyes lined just enough to look inviting, not harsh.
Smile down to a science.
No one would see the woman who'd spent the morning thinking about whether her husband wore his wedding ring in public.
No one would see the one who'd cooked rice with him in my condo.
Or who lent his brother money without blinking.
They'd only see the star.
The woman who looked perfect standing next to Dustin Wang.
And that was the job.
We were ushered into the studio and told to sit on a cozy loveseat for the live interview.
The bright studio lights turned on.
The host beamed at us.
"Good morning, everyone! We're here with the lead stars of Chasing Shadow: A night with you, Claudia Araneta and Dustin Wang!"
Cue applause.
I crossed my legs elegantly, resting my arm on the back of the couch behind Dustin's shoulders, pure showbiz.
He tilted his head toward me just slightly, pretending to lean in.
We both knew our blocking.
"Claudia," the host gushed. "You and Dustin have such undeniable chemistry in the film. Fans are obsessed! Can you tell us how you built that connection?"
I smiled sweetly.
"Oh, it came naturally."
Naturally my ass.
Beside me, Dustin let out a low chuckle. "She's too modest. She makes it easy."
I fought the urge to roll my eyes so hard they'd fall out.
I leaned in, resting my head lightly on his shoulder for show.
"We just understand each other," I purred for the camera.
Meanwhile i was mentally imagining stabbing him with my mic.
The host practically squealed. "You two look so close! Is there something more going on between you?"
Dustin's hand landed on my knee, squeezing it gently.
I felt my spine stiffen, but my face didn't move an inch.
I tilted my head and laughed softly.
"We're close," I said, voice honey-smooth. "You'll just have to watch the movie to see how close."
I could feel Dustin smirking next to me.
Freaking snake.
After the cameras stopped rolling, the host thanked us.
"Thank you so much! Chasing Shadow: A night with you is showing this Friday, right?"
I plastered on my brightest smile.
"Yes! Please support it in cinemas nationwide. It's a beautiful story about love, forgiveness, and fighting for what matters."
Dustin added, "We're proud of this one. Don't miss it."
We both waved at the cameras, smiling like the perfect onscreen couple.
When the director called cut, I immediately pushed Dustin's hand off my leg.
"Get your claws off me," I muttered.
He snorted. "That's not what you said during the kissing scene."
I shot him a glare.
"That was acting, you idiot. You might want to try it sometime."
He gave me a mocking bow. "Your Highness."
I turned on my heel and stalked toward my dressing room, ignoring him completely.
Inside, I let out a long, exhausted sigh.
Acting like we're in love was our job today.
And apparently, we nailed it.
Samuel even texted me earlier:
"Saw the live. You two look so in love. Good job."
I smirked bitterly.
Good.
The more convincing i was in public, the less anyone would question why i was really married to Raphael.
Our act was working.
No one suspected anything.
Especially not my parents.
I changed back into my casual clothes, took off my earrings, and stared at my reflection.
Back to being Claudia Araneta.
A-lister. Public property.
Everyone's fantasy.
Except the one person who should be looking at me like that.
Raphael.
I sighed and checked my phone.
No new messages from him.
Well.
Time to head home.
I picked up my bag and walked out of the studio.
Ready for another day of pretending.
Ready to play the perfect wife when the cameras weren't rolling.
Because that was the deal, right?
Convincing enough for everyone to buy it.
Even if it killed me.
Later that night, when i finally got home, I was exhausted.
The press conference had been a circus.
Everyone asking if there was something between Dustin and me.
I laughed it off, playing coy.
Pretending i didn't notice how Raphael's name never came up.
Because he wasn't supposed to.
That was our agreement.
When i pushed the condo door open, the lights were low.
Raphael was there already, sitting on the couch, scrolling through his phone.
He looked up, eyes tired.
"Long day?"
I dropped my bag and exhaled.
"You have no idea."
He studied me for a beat.
"You ate?"
I blinked.
That weird flutter in my chest again.
I shook my head.
"No time."
He sighed, getting up.
"I'll cook something."
I tried to argue.
"Raphael, you worked all day too—"
But he was already in the kitchen, rolling up his sleeves.
I watched him for a moment.
Silent.
Thinking.
This wasn't part of the contract.
This wasn't in the fine print.
He didn't have to do this.
And yet, here we were.
Pretending so well that sometimes I forgot we were even pretending.
Even Viviena believed it.
Samuel too.
None of them asked about the marriage contract.
Because the performance was flawless.
Because he could look at me like this, cooking dinner in my kitchen, and make anyone believe it was real.
I let out a breath and leaned against the counter.
"Need help?" I asked, voice softer than i meant.
He glanced at me over his shoulder.
"Just sit. I've got it."
And i did.
For a moment, we didn't talk.
The only sound was the knife on the chopping board, the sizzle of oil.
I found myself watching him.
And when he set the food down in front of me, I finally looked him in the eye.
"Thank you," I said quietly.
He nodded once.
"Eat."
And i did.
Even if it was fake.
Even if it was all a lie.
Because in that moment, it felt like home.