Chapter 5: The Spotlight Effect

Chapter 5: The Spotlight Effect

Jake had expected the media frenzy to die down after their dinner at Le Jardin. Instead, it had only intensified. The next morning, his phone buzzed nonstop with notifications, his social media flooded with messages from strangers dissecting every detail of their date. Fans were shipping them, critics were speculating, and tabloids were crafting their own dramatic versions of events. It was overwhelming, and for someone who had lived a quiet, predictable life, the sudden shift felt like whiplash.

Leaning against his counter, he scrolled through article after article.

Sophie Carter’s Mystery Man: Who is Jake Matthews?

From Barista to Boyfriend—How Jake Captured Hollywood’s Sweetheart

Are Wedding Bells in the Future? Sophie and Jake’s Romantic Night Out!

Jake groaned, setting his phone down as his best friend, Connor, strolled into the café with an exaggerated smirk.

"Well, well, well. If it isn’t the man of the hour," Connor teased, dropping into a seat. "How does it feel to be Hollywood’s newest heartthrob?"

Jake rolled his eyes. "It feels like a headache. And I don’t even have a fan club."

Connor chuckled. "Oh, you do now. I saw a fan page dedicated to you last night. ‘Matthews Mania’ or something. They’re obsessed."

Jake groaned again. "This is ridiculous. I barely even know Sophie. Now people are planning our wedding."

"That’s the magic of Hollywood romance, my friend. Doesn’t have to be real—just has to sell."

Before Jake could reply, the door chimed again, and Sophie walked in, looking effortlessly put together despite the early hour. She flashed Connor a polite smile before focusing on Jake.

"Can we talk?" she asked.

Jake nodded, leading her to a quieter corner. "What’s up?"

She sighed, sliding into the chair across from him. "We need to plan our next move. Last night worked, but the press is hungry for more."

Jake ran a hand through his hair. "And what exactly does that mean?"

"It means we need another public date. Something casual but convincing," Sophie said, tapping her nails against the table. "Maybe something fun, where we can be seen laughing and looking like a real couple."

Connor, who had shamelessly been eavesdropping, grinned. "You should take her to the fair. Ride a Ferris wheel, win her a stuffed animal. Paparazzi eat that up."

Sophie’s eyes lit up. "Actually, that’s not a bad idea. The Spring Festival is happening downtown this weekend. Tons of people, plenty of opportunities to be ‘spontaneously’ photographed."

Jake groaned. "So, I have to pretend to enjoy overpriced rides and bad carnival food for the sake of this charade?"

Sophie smirked. "You won’t have to pretend. It’s fun, I promise."

Jake exhaled, knowing he was already trapped. "Fine. But I draw the line at matching outfits."

Sophie grinned. "No promises."

That Saturday, the festival was in full swing, buzzing with energy. Strings of lights hung above rows of game booths, the scent of caramel popcorn and fried dough filling the air. Jake, dressed in a casual sweater and jeans, walked beside Sophie, who looked effortlessly stunning in a sundress and denim jacket.

People noticed them immediately. Some whispered, others pulled out their phones. Cameras flashed, and Jake felt an instant wave of discomfort.

"Relax," Sophie whispered, slipping her arm through his. "Act like this is normal."

Jake forced a smile, leading her toward the game booths. He stopped at a ring toss stand, eyeing the giant stuffed bear hanging from the top shelf.

"Think I can win that for you?" he asked.

Sophie raised an eyebrow. "Do you want to?"

He smirked. "Not really, but I think the cameras would love it."

Laughing, Sophie stepped back as Jake took his first shot—and missed.

"Wow. Impressive," she teased.

"That was a warm-up."

Three attempts later, he finally landed a ring on the bottle neck. The vendor handed him the oversized bear, and he turned to Sophie with a triumphant grin.

"For you, my dear fake girlfriend," he said dramatically, presenting the prize.

Sophie took it with a smile, leaning in close as cameras flashed. "You’re better at this than you think, Matthews."

As the night went on, they rode the Ferris wheel, shared cotton candy, and even got roped into a dance-off at the festival stage. Jake had to admit—pretend or not, he was actually enjoying himself.

The Ferris wheel ride was the moment that stuck with him the most. As they reached the top, the city lights stretching endlessly below them, Sophie sighed, hugging the stuffed bear to her chest.

"I miss this," she admitted softly.

"Miss what?"

"Normal. Just… being a person, not a headline."

Jake glanced at her, noticing the way her expression softened in the dim light. "For what it’s worth, you seem pretty real to me."

She smiled, but it was tinged with something bittersweet. "That’s because you’re not looking at me through a camera lens."

Before Jake could respond, the ride jolted as it began descending. The moment was fleeting, but something about it lodged itself in Jake’s mind.

Later, as they walked back through the festival, they passed a group of young girls whispering excitedly. One hesitated before rushing up.

"Sophie? Can I get a picture with you?"

Sophie’s professional smile snapped into place. "Of course."

Jake watched as she posed, seamlessly slipping back into celebrity mode. It was like watching a switch flip. He wondered how exhausting it must be to always be "on."

As they finally left the festival, Sophie looped her arm through his again, giving his hand a squeeze. "Thanks for this."

Jake exhaled. "No problem."

But as Sophie laughed beside him, her hand lingering in his just a little too long, he couldn’t ignore the nagging thought in the back of his mind.

What happens when the lines between acting and reality start to blur?

As they drove back, the silence between them was oddly comfortable. Sophie leaned her head back against the seat, watching the city lights flicker past. "Tonight was nice," she murmured. "I almost forgot it wasn’t real."

Jake glanced at her before focusing back on the road. "Maybe it doesn’t have to be all fake."

She turned to him, searching his expression. "Jake..."

He shook his head, offering a small smile. "I just mean—this, the fun, the moments—it doesn’t have to be completely staged. We can just enjoy it."

Sophie considered that for a moment before nodding. "I’d like that."

Jake wasn’t sure what it meant, but for now, it was enough.