It's Just Pretend ✔️

Chapter 16

There's a knock on the door and I do a little dance before stopping myself. "That was not manly at all" I groan into my hands. Walking over to the door calmly, I open it revealing the one and only Damien.

"Hello, Darling" he greets me with a kiss on the forehead. "Hello" I answer closing the door after him. Rajah bounded over, but after he got the pets he wanted left.

"Bye then" Damien chuckles and I go to the kitchen grabbing the platter of tacos I had made for our little movie date. I was surprised at how easy it was to make him agree to watch a bunch of Disney movies.

Putting them on the table in front of him, he pulls me onto the couch putting his arm around my shoulders. "I haven't talked to you in days" he mumbles kissing my temple.

"I know, we were just both busy" I remind him and he nods as I go to pick up the remote. "How about no more coming to my dates- I don't want them asking more questions" he groans putting his face into his hand.

"After you left we just talked about the mysterious Damien. Do you know how awkward that is? Then she wanted to pull up the photos to compare us, but luckily our time ended" he continues as I click onto Disney Plus.

"You see- I just happen to be there. It was like fate" I explain and he shakes his head. "Mhmm sure, fate. I know you're not going to admit you're stalking me, so let's pick a movie" he teases and I huff turning back to the screen.

"Oh, we are watching The Emperor's New Groove" I laugh as I scan through the movies landing on that one. "If that's okay with you?" I look over at him and he nodded. "Yeah fine by me" the hand on my shoulder tightened as he pulls me closer.

I play the movie before looking over at him. "Congrats on getting the part" he whispers not looking at me. "This is going to be a huge step in my career" I admit and he nods rubbing his thumb over my shoulder.

"I've already agreed to do it, but I'm not sure I exactly enjoy all the limelight" I continue talking and he finally looks back over at me. "What? Why?" He questions me and I shrug. "Because of my so-called fame, I'm not able to live alone, I'm constantly pestered, everybody knows everything, I couldn't come out on my own terms, right now I'm going through a crisis relationship-wise, my best friend raped me for fuck sakes" I look away getting upset again.

"I can't believe you can just say that so easily" he looks away after I'm done and I bite my lip. "I was going to let you do the same thing just because I enjoyed the way you treated me" I remind him.

"Stop, I would cry before doing that to anyone" he gags and I smile shifting to kiss his cheek. "Plus if I stop this whole fame thing, it would be easier for my love life" I groan letting my head hang against the couch.

"You're not thinking of quitting just because of me right, because that's not smart" he gives me a stern look. "Is that your way of turning me down?" I ask and he shakes his head. "So is that your way of saying yes?" I give him a grin and he cracks into a smile before shaking his head no again.

"If we get together and don't work out, you just ruined your career for a nobody" he explains and I shrug. "You are one of the reasons but overall I'm happier when I'm alone, I'm not as social as I use to be- you've seen what I've said to the paparazzi. Half my fans think I need therapy" I grumble into my hands.

Dropping my hands, I look to my lap. "Why don't we talk about this later, right now we're supposed to be celebrating" he hums into my ear and I nod standing from his grip. Going to the kitchen I grab the two wine glasses I had gotten out earlier and a bottle of wine from the counter.

He turned back and rolled his eyes before taking another bite of his taco. "Celebrating" I remind him and he just pats the spot the next to him. "I actually had to wash the cups they were so dusted over" I laugh setting everything down.

He opens the bottle for me as I wipe off my hands and pour us both a glass. I take a sip of mine enjoying the buzz. I wasn't a huge drinker, but every once in a while it was fine.

I waited till he set his glass down before putting my leg over one of his. He returns his arm to my shoulder his other grabbing my thigh. "So I missed it- how's this dude a llama now?" He asked and I gasp.

"You are telling me you've never seen this movie before!?" I become offended. Looking at the screen, I click my tongue. "Nope, never" I gasp again and get out of his grip. Taking another drink of my wine, I push him forward so I was standing behind him on the couch.

"What are you doing?" He chuckles and I grab the remote restarting the movie. "I'm sorry, but you have to pay attention to this master piece" I scoff sliding down so he was sitting between my legs.

I started the movie from the beginning and wrapped my arms around him from behind. "Can you even see?" He laughs. "I'm literally two inches shorter than you, plus I'm just going to rest my head... right here" I whispered putting my chin on his shoulder.

He moved his hair to the side, grabbing his glass for another drink. "This emperors kind of got an attitude, reminds me of you" he chuckles and I scoff. "Actually I don't know if I should consider that a compliment or insult" I rethink it and he leans back against me.

"You know, I use to think you didn't know how to laugh, but now you laugh with me all the time" I whisper and he turns to look at me. "Well I got comfortable around you, sometimes I just don't know how to make jokes. I don't know if someone is insulting me or just joking, but I think I've become comfortable with your humor" he answers and I shake my head at how serious he was.

"Well I'm glad you're comfortable with me, now watch the movie- after you give me my wine" I reach for it and he leans over giving it to me. I take another drink just holding it in my hand. My other arm wrapped around the adorable man in front of me.

"You better not get drunk, I don't want to put you to bed" he mumbles keeping his eyes on the screen. "I won't, are you spending the night?" I pry kissing his cheek.

"I don't think that would be smart darling" he answers turning back to me. I use my finger to turn his head the other way. "Eyes on the movie, why?" I huff and he grabs his own drink taking a swig before keeping it in his hand.

"We're trying to figure out this whole relationship thing, I feel like I shouldn't be sleeping in the same bed as you when we haven't even decided how this was going to end" he explains and I roll my eyes.

"Well, I know how I want it to end" I murmur making him let out a heavy breath. I take the last drink from my cup before he takes it setting it onto the table.

"I'm sorry, I'm just so unsure when it comes to this sort of stuff and your past experiences freak me out so much more" he groans dropping his head back onto my shoulder.

"I least I didn't get turned into a llama" I try to add some humor to his upsetting truth. "You're hilarious" he finishes his wine before setting it down. "How can you be so happy still?" He continues moving his hand to touch the scar on his head.

"My parents, Rajah, the nice fans out there, you. You guys remind me that there are actually nice people out there. Henry did things to me that I wish would have never happened. I can promise myself those things will never happen again. I've grown stronger, I've become more confident with myself. I'd rather be happy than depressed about it. I'm just lucky I can push the sadness away like that, some people can't" I shrug kissing his shoulder.

"I'm glad you're able to push the sadness away too" he mumbles turning back to kiss me. I push his head forward again. "Watch the movie" I repeat the words and he sighs.

"You're spending the night," I tell him and he slouched into my arms with a yawn.

"I figured"