Hollywood Hearts

Three

"Again, five, six, seven, eight!" The lead dancer said and we went through the routine one more time, getting it perfect and taking a break.

"Perse, you were great, but maybe loosen up a little more!" She told me and I nodded, sipping my water as we rested.

"Hey, girls." I turned and glared as I saw the band, but looked at my phone as it rang and saw my dad was calling. I set my water down then grabbed my phone, answering it and going towards the bus some.

"Dad?"

"You broke a rule." He said and I went to argue, find out what he meant, but he kept going.

"You're not to leave the venue alone, Persephone-"

"I-I wasn't, dad! I-I was with Jorel-"

"You were alone with him, where he could have taken advantage of you!" He said and I looked at Jorel, who was laughing with his band and the dancers. When he looked at me confused, I turned my back to him and smiled.

"I'm sorry, dad, I'll inform them-"

"Don't try a stunt like this again!" He hissed then hung up and I huffed, locking my phone.

"Perse, you okay?" I jumped and turned, smiling as I looked up at Jorel.

"Fine, Jorel." I said and sighed.

"Uh, so, I'm not allowed to leave the venue alone with any of you. I'm supposed to have security with me, not you." I said and he glared.

"Perse-"

"The only way out would be marriage." I said and he looked confused.

"You asked me yesterday, when we got lunch. The answer is marriage." I said and he nodded.

"But you won't meet someone being locked up like this-"

"That's what he counts on." I said and shook my head.

"I have to practice, I'm sorry." I said and went back to the dancers, getting a final drink of water and jumping back into practice.

~*-*~

I danced right next to him on the stage then did as the routine went, laying my arm on Jorel's shoulder and seductively dancing with him. As he eyed me, playing his guitar and singing his occasional parts, I felt like a fucking whore up here. I was in a black bralette, black leather booty shorts, some fishnet tights, and platform stilettos that clipped around my ankle.

"What's up, San Diego?!" Charlie called, obviously the front man when it came to their fans. I took their song break as a chance to step off stage and grab a sip of water, but the girls were rushed back on stage, as we were supposed to help switch out instruments and mics and such.

"Meet me back stage after the show." Jorel whispered as I took his guitar, but he softly smiled at my confused face.

"Please, trust me." He whispered and I nodded, handing him the mic and taking his guitar back.

Jorel's POV
"Dude?" Danny whispered as he came over, eyeing Perse as she took my guitar.

"Don't worry about it." I said and we started our next song. After the show, I went to my dressing room and sat on the couch, wondering how crazy I had to be for this. After a few moments, I heard a knock on the door and stood, opening it to Persephone.

"Perse, you actually came." I laughed and she smiled.

"I had to ditch my security, but yeah. What's up?" She asked as I shut the door then I licked my lips.

"Marry me."

Perse's POV
"Wha-what?" I breathed and he sighed.

"I-I mean, like, fake a marriage with me and we can get you away from your dad!" He said and I shook my head.

"I don't- why are you-"

"You're happy here, away from him, right?" He asked and stepped closer to me, grabbing my hands in his.

"Yeah." I whispered and he nodded.

"Then, let's do it! Let's pretend to get close, to date, then we'll fake a proposal and everyone will see it, including your dad. He'll have to let you go then, because you said marriage-"

"Was the only way out." I whispered and he nodded, reaching up and holding my cheeks.

"So let's do it, you and me. Fake a marriage with me, but let's make it look real to the world." He said and I stared into his dark eyes, trying to figure out if this was a false hand of hope my father was using to trick me, or if Jorel Decker was being genuine with his offer.

"I-I need to think about it." I said and he nodded, stepping back and letting me go.

"I won't blame you. You know where to find me, whenever you make up your mind." He said and I nodded, slipping past him and leaving his dressing room. As I got back to the bus, I went to the back and changed into my pajamas, grabbing my makeup bag to go to the bathroom.

"Hey, you know where Jorel is?" Jordon asked and I looked at him then forced a smile, shaking my head.

"No, sorry. I just left stage, so maybe he's still there." I said and he nodded.

"We got a signing in an hour, hopefully he's there." He said and I nodded.

"Hopefully." I whispered and went into the bathroom, grabbing my makeup wipes and cleaning my face. As I stared at myself in the mirror, I wondered if it was possible. Can we trick the world into thinking we're married? Persephone Jones, notorious for her hatred of artists of the musical type, and Jorel Decker, the man who's in a rap rock band and wears a mask for his band? Can we accomplish this impossible feat? Or will my dad see right through it?

"Perse?" I jumped and looked at the door, opening it to see Danny standing there.

"Sorry, I just- gotta go." He said and I smiled.

"Sorry, I'll get out of your hair." I said and gathered my stuff, leaving the bathroom right as Jorel came on the bus. When he looked at me, he sent me a silent question, but I shook my head and went to my bunk. No, we're not that good of actors. We can't do it.