Title: Behind the Lens
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The camera clicked repeatedly, the flashing lights cutting through the cold night air. Emma crouched low behind a bush, her telephoto lens focused on the man she had been shadowing for weeks: Aiden Vance, Hollywood’s golden boy. To the public, he was a dream—a charming actor with a dazzling smile and legions of fans. To Emma, he was a walking goldmine of potential scandal, her ticket to a promotion at the gossip magazine she worked for.
She zoomed in, adjusting the focus. Aiden stood outside a chic restaurant, talking with a group of people. His laughter carried through the night, warm and infectious. The way his hair fell across his forehead, the way his perfectly tailored suit hugged his body—it was easy to see why people were obsessed with him.
But Emma wasn’t here to admire him. She was here to expose him.
Her phone buzzed. She glanced at the message.
Boss: "Any dirt on Aiden yet? We need something juicy."
Emma smirked. "Patience," she muttered to herself. She was close, she could feel it. There was something off about Aiden, something he was hiding beneath that polished exterior. And she was going to find out what it was.
The restaurant doors opened, and Aiden began to leave, his eyes scanning the surroundings. Emma ducked lower, keeping her camera trained on him. But then something strange happened—Aiden stopped walking, his gaze lingering in her direction. For a moment, it felt like he was looking right at her.
Her heart pounded. No, it was impossible. She was well hidden. He couldn’t see her.
Could he?
Aiden smiled—a slow, knowing smile—and started walking again. But this time, his steps were deliberate, as if he was heading straight toward her.
Panic surged through Emma. She quickly gathered her things, stuffing the camera into her bag. She couldn’t afford to be caught. But before she could move, a hand gripped her wrist, firm and unyielding.
"I was wondering when you’d come out from behind that lens," a smooth voice said.
Emma's breath hitched as she looked up, directly into Aiden’s eyes. His gaze was dark, intense—nothing like the easy-going actor she had seen on the red carpet. Up close, he was even more devastatingly handsome, but there was something else, something dangerous in the way he looked at her.
"Let go of me," she demanded, trying to pull her wrist free, but his grip only tightened.
"You’ve been following me for a while now," Aiden said, his tone eerily calm. "I can’t say I’m flattered, but I am curious. What exactly are you hoping to find?"
"I’m just doing my job," she snapped, her voice wavering slightly. "Let me go, or I’ll—"
"You’ll what?" he interrupted, leaning in closer. "Expose me? Ruin my career?" His smile widened, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "Do you think I don’t know what you’ve been up to, little paparazzi?"
Emma’s pulse raced, fear creeping up her spine. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go. She was supposed to be in control, hidden in the shadows. Yet now, she felt like prey in the presence of a predator.
"You can’t—"
"Oh, but I can," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear. "You see, I know everything about you, Emma. Your late nights trailing after me, your obsession with uncovering my secrets. But you didn’t realize something, did you?"
Emma swallowed hard, her throat dry. "Realize what?"
Aiden’s grip loosened, but he didn’t step away. Instead, he reached up, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear with disturbing tenderness. His eyes locked onto hers, and she felt like she was drowning in his gaze.
