Chapter 1 Paparazzi

Waking up in a luxurious hotel for the past week has the been the best, I could barely believe it when I was offered this opportunity, it felt like a dream but it's sad it coming to an end and decided to spend the day out since I was done with all my work .

Walking out the reception towards my car, I heard a little commotion and turned around to watch a guy sprint through the luxurious resort's manicured gardens, glancing over his shoulder at the relentless swarm of paparazzi closing in. With a desperate urgency, he looked towards me getting into my sleek convertible. Without a second thought, he approached me, his eyes pleading.

"Drive, now!" His voice cut through the tension, I was bewildered, hesitated for a moment before unlocking the car. He slid into the passenger seat, his tailored suit wrinkled, and his eyes scanning the approaching chaos.

I revved the engine as the paparazzi descended upon them like a swarm of locusts. "What's going on?" I demanded, hands gripping the steering wheel.

"I'll explain later. Just go!" He snapped, and I accelerated, leaving the pandemonium behind.

As we sped through the tropical paradise, his breaths were heavy with relief, but the paparazzi were relentless. I expertly maneuvered through winding coastal roads, my heart racing in tandem with the engine's roar. I glanced at him, recognizing the determination in his eyes.

"They won't give up easily," he muttered, the gravity of the situation sinking in. "Take the next left; it's a shortcut through the forest."

I obeyed, the car weaving through the dense foliage. The paparazzi, undeterred, followed closely. The atmosphere grew tense as the pursuit intensified, the lush greenery a blur around them. His charm was replaced by a stern focus as he guided me through the labyrinthine paths.

A sudden rain shower added to the chaos, making the narrow roads slick. The tires screeched as I skillfully navigated the slippery terrain. He gripped the door handle, his knuckles turning white. "Faster! We need to lose them."

I pushed the accelerator to its limits, the car darting through the rain-soaked curves. The paparazzi, however, were relentless, closing the gap with every turn. The tension inside the car mirrored the intensity outside, raindrops pelting against the windshield like a relentless drumbeat.

In a daring move, I executed a risky manoeuvre, narrowly avoiding a collision with an oncoming vehicle. His heart seemed to pound as the paparazzi, momentarily deterred, regrouped for another pursuit. The adrenaline-fueled chase continued, the tropical storm intensifying around them.

His composure unravelled, shouted directions, guiding me through narrow passages and hidden shortcuts. The car's headlights cut through the rain, revealing the fleeting glimpses of the ocean beyond the trees. The chase reached its climax as we approached a cliffside overlooking the vast expanse of the turquoise sea.

I hesitated, my foot hovering over the brake. He realized the gravity of the situation, urged me to continue. "Don't stop! We can't let them catch us now."

With determination etched on my face, I pressed on. The chase reached its zenith as they hurtled towards the cliff's edge, the paparazzi closing in. At the last possible moment, I swerved, narrowly avoiding disaster, leaving the pursuing horde stranded at the precipice.

Breathing heavily, I sped away from the edge of danger, the sound of the rain and the distant paparazzi fading into the tropical night. The adrenaline-fueled escape left us both silent, the only sound the rhythmic hum of the engine against the backdrop of the island's serene landscape.

As the rain subsided, I finally spoke up

"What was that? It was crazy" I asked still in shock

"It's just the paparazzi being themselves,

"You must be really someone important for them to chase you like that

"Not really but anyway thanks for the help, your driving skills were great"

"It was nothing but if you really want to thank me, how about having a personal interview with me, I could use it to up my credit and maybe get a promotion, I am a journalist "

"Nah not looking for any of that, I am a very private person." He answered getting out the car

"Ok but you never told me your name, mines Chloe Davis

"Lucas Winston" he said winking at me before walking off

Week back to work was bizarre, I thought after the assigned project, I would finally get some respect in the office but everyone still sees me as a novice even though I have worked here for two years, just because I am younger then but soon enough I will proof myself to all of them.

Lucky enough today is Saturday which means no work today, I plan on having a stress free day but I keep getting texts from an unknown number for the past two days asking to meet up but it could be a killer so I didn't bother answering back but it has gotten worse to the point of calling me even in the middle of the night and I have had enough and answered the call this time

"What? What is it why do you keep disturbing be me I can get you arrested you for harassment" I yelled at the person but he just chuckled instead

"Hello to you too Chloe"

"Who are you and why do you know my name?

"Oh forgot me so soon, why haven't you answered my texts? I have been trying to reach out for so long."

"Sorry I didn't respond to an unknown number, you haven't answered my question

"Why don't we meet up so you can find out, I will send an address let's meet there

"It's crazy you think I am going to meet up with a stranger" I respond annoyed

"Well we will just see if you are going to come or not" he says ending the call but I could sense the smirk on his face which annoyed me because I knew I was going to go there as the curious person I am and couldn't resist.

Waited at the address he sent for the past thirty minutes but he was a no know show, I came to the conclusion I was being pranked and decided to leave.

"Leaving so soon?" A voice said behind me

"You!!, you're the one sending the messages all this time, why didn't you just say so instead of all this mystery?"

"Well what will be the fun in that" he says with a smirk on his face.

"Ok corky much, so why did you need to meet up?"

"Well I have something very important to ask, why don't you sit so we can talk" I nodded back down.

"Go ahead, " I said, anticipating his question.

" I want you to marry me."