Chapter 13 Pretend To Be In Love (2/2)

The paparazzi followed them everywhere and the cameras were constantly flashing at them. The entertainment column was filled with the news about their date.

The PR department of

Soaring Group had done a commendable job. Once the news was over, they roped in a new segment that telecasted public opinion about them. People adored the couple and were expressing their love for them.

Melinda's cheeks began to hurt as she had been smiling the entire day. She envied Jonas's resting cold face. That was how he normally looked and people couldn't discern his moods.

Holley was enraged by the news. The romantic date of the couple had become the talk of the town. Melinda had yet again destroyed her plans. Holley had managed to earn the support of big shots in the industry because of the rumor. But they all seemed to ignore her after watching the news.

”Damn it!”

Holley threw a pillow on the ground. She knew that Jonas hated Melinda and all of this was an act. But she still couldn't hear people raving about the couple.

Holley grabbed her phone and scrolled through the contacts. Her fingers stopped when she found the right number and tapped the call button.

”I want you to stalk Jonas and Melinda. Take pictures of them quarreling with each other. Remember, they won't fight in open spaces. Keep an eye on them when they are by themselves. Do you understand? I will pay you as usual.” There was no answer from the other end. She disconnected the call and saw her phone flash with a message of the bank card number.

Jonas and Melinda were still shopping in the mall. Nelson had ordered them to stay out until midnight. He felt that their act would seem plausible only if they went home the next morning.

Melinda had never gone out with Jonas before. She was feeling awkward and didn't know what to do.

”Try this one.” Melinda was walking aimlessly when Jonas picked a dress for her. It was a light purple cheongsam dress with light orange patterns.

The patterns were simple but unique.

She had to admit that Jonas had a good taste for clothes. It was unlikely of him to get something for Melinda. But the two of them had been trying hard to make people believe that they were a happy couple, so Melinda thought that it was also a part of the act.

The salesgirl lifted Melinda's hair to see if the dress looked good on her. Small tendrils of hair cascaded around her long neck, making her look like a princess.

Jonas's breath caught in his throat and his eyes widened with surprise. He immediately ordered the salesgirl to pack the dress without checking the price.

Melinda loved the dress but she didn't want Jonas to spend too much money on her. Just when she was about to reject it, Jonas leaned forward, and whispered in her ear, ”Someone's taking pictures of us.”

Melinda reacted instinctively. She lifted her head, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed his cheek. ”Thank you. I love the dress.”

Jonas was surprised by Melinda's response. Her innocent smile made him weak in the knees.

”What are we going to do now?” Melinda asked.

She wondered why the paparazzi weren't leaving them alone. They must have clicked a thousand pictures by now and Melinda didn't know why they were still following them.

”Get rid of them,” Jonas answered.

Melinda held his hand and followed him everywhere like a little puppy, but she was oblivious to the detective who was constantly following them.

Getting rid of detectives weren't an easy task.

”Gosh, looks like they are not going to leave us alone,” Jonas grunted as he saw a car following them. He finally stopped his car in front of a hotel.

Melinda knitted her brows in confusion. She later understood that there was a floor restriction in the hotel. One needed a card to enter the elevator.

Jonas wanted to book the presidential suite on the top floor but all rooms were booked except for the theme room. He wanted to escape from the prying eyes of the paparazzi, so he booked the theme room right away.

Jonas slid the card, hopped into the elevator, and heaved a sigh of relief.

”I'll sleep on the couch,” Melinda said consciously when she entered the room and saw that there was only one bed.

But Jonas grabbed her hand and pulled her to the bed.

Melinda landed heavily on his chest. As soon as the couple hit the bed, rose petals cascaded on them. Jonas pressed his body against hers.

The cheongsam dress was hugging Melinda's body in all the right places, revealing her flawless features. Jonas's mouth watered at the sight of her body sprawled on the bed surrounded by rose petals.

”Jonas, what are you doing?” Melinda whispered. She was a little terrified. She hadn't been so close to him in a very long time, and for a second, she believed that she saw a spark of love in his tranquil eyes.

”The curtains are not closed. They are probably still watching us,” Jonas said as his hot breath blew across Melinda's face.

He slowly stood up and closed the curtain. His heart was drumming in his chest. A strange feeling was lurking in his heart and he couldn't shake it off.

The detective couldn't follow the couple anymore. So he sent all the pictures he had taken to Holley. But to his utter surprise, the couple had escaped without leaving a trace. He couldn't find their whereabouts in the days that followed. The entertainment news was flooding with pictures of Jonas and Melinda. Everyone felt that they were a match made in heaven.

Holley was in a towering rage.

”Is this what you're capable of? These pictures aren't convincing at all. I don't need you anymore. You have done a horrible job, so don't even think about receiving the payment.”

Holley hung up the call. The detective had a good reputation in the entertainment industry. Everyone respected him and he was never humiliated before. He secretly harbored a grudge against Holley.