Maya never thought happiness could disappear overnight. For the past two weeks, she and Luca Moretti had met whenever his schedule allowed. Sometimes it was a quiet walk through the city. Other times, it was coffee at a small café where no one seemed to recognize him. When he was with her, he wasn't the world's most famous actor. He was just Luca. He laughed easily, listened when she spoke, and remembered little things-like her favorite vanilla perfume and how she always ordered hot chocolate instead of coffee. Whenever she was cold, he'd quietly slip his jacket over her shoulders before she could protest. And every time they crossed a busy street, he'd gently take her hand, making sure she stayed close. With Luca, she felt safe. Until Thursday morning. Maya stepped off the bus and noticed people staring at her. She frowned. Her phone buzzed. Luca: Maya, don't leave the shop. I'm coming to you. A second message appeared almost instantly. Luca: Please wait for me. I don't want you dealing with this alone. Before she could reply, another notification appeared. Then another. Her social media accounts were flooded with messages from complete strangers. "Are you dating Luca Moretti?" "How did you meet him?" "You're the girl from the café!" Confused, Maya tapped on one of the links. Her heart dropped. Every news page was showing the same photograph. There, on the front page of an entertainment website, a picture of her and Luca walking through the city-his hand wrapped protectively around hers while he smiled down at her. The headline read: WORLD'S FAMOUS ACTOR SPOTTED WITH MYSTERY WOMAN. Maya stared at the screen, unable to breathe. Only yesterday, she had been an ordinary perfume shop employee. Today... The whole world wanted to know who she was.

Under The Spotlight